ABSTRACT
John Petre was the eldest surviving son of Sir William Petre. Secretary of State from 1544 to 1557. John was born at Ingatestone Hall on 20 December 1549. Brigges was the second son of Michael Brigges of 'Helsfeld' and was presumably the Robert Brigges appointed Recorder of Kirbv Kendal in November 1575. The occurrence of 'Brugges' so close to 'Byrd' in Petre's accounts encourages the idea of a connection with Anne Bridges, who married Syinond Byrd in April 1567, but it is probably false. Westcote's will also mentions 'Justice Sowthcote my especiall good frende', who received a gilt cup with a cover. This need not be doubted, but since it is still being claimed that he was 'Master of the Queen's Music', it should be made quite clear that he was not. It is not difficult to trace the origin of this myth. There is no trace of Bolt among the records of Queen Elizabeth's musicians.
