FAIRFAX, ROBERT (1464-1521). Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, 1497 - 1521; [composer]

Robert seems to have been the seventh child of sixteen born to William Fairfax and his second wife Agnes Canfield at Deeping Gate, Cambs. (then Northants.). His birth is recorded on 23 Apr 1464 (N&Q, 3rd series, II, 18 Oct. 1862). By 6 Dec 1497 he had joined the Chapel Royal, for he was granted the free chapel in the Castle of Snodhill, diocese of Hereford, void by the death of Master Richard Jackson. This he resigned on 16 Nov 1498, but a royal request for a corrody for him followed on 19 December. He is listed among the gentlemen of the Chapel at the funeral of Prince Edmond in 1500. He graduated MusB at Cambridge in 1501. In the Grace Book B there, 1500-1, is the entry: Item habet Robertus fayrfax ut studium in music a speculatiua simul et in practica decem annos sufficiat ad intrandi librariam. A request for a corrody in the monastery of Stanley was made (and apparently granted) in 1501-2. He is noted as a clerk in the Fraternity of St Nicholas in 1502. On 27 Feb 1502/3 he attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth of York. He proceeded DMus at Cambridge in 1504. On 4 December that year the accounts of Margaret Beaufort record payment of lOs 'unto Feyrefax of the kynges Chappell', and again, on 30 Aug 1507, 6s 8d was 'yeven in rewarde to doctor ffaryrefax for brynging of my lade grace a newe masse'.