Music and the experience of worship: continuity and change in Reformation Bristol and Gloucestershire, 1530-1642

This doctoral thesis investigates the multifaceted influences on worship experiences and musical practices during the Reformation period, specifically from 1530 to 1642. It focuses on the contrasting regions of Bristol and Gloucestershire to challenge existing scholarly views on musical changes in worship. The research presents a more varied soundscape than previously understood and explores the complex relationship between musical practices and religious identity, highlighting the local dynamics that shaped these changes. The thesis examines how financial, social, institutional, and personal factors drove changes in worship. It then delves into how these elements specifically affected singing, organs, and bells in worship, drawing on extensive sources such as churchwardens' accounts, consistory court records, cathedral records, and civic institutions. By analyzing actual practices, the research demonstrates the diverse agents influencing worship experiences and the unique sonic character of each church. It reveals that while preferences for certain practices might be linked to specific religious groups, the actual links between practices and identities were often more nuanced, suggesting that music in worship could be more flexible and enduring than previously acknowledged.

Curriculum

This thesis is structured into four main chapters that examine different aspects of music and worship during the Reformation in Bristol and Gloucestershire.

1. Thesis
   • Factors influencing changes in worship practicesChapter One
   • Musical practices in worship: SingingChapter Two
   • Musical practices in worship: OrgansChapter Three
   • Musical practices in worship: BellsChapter Four