Merbecke (or Marbeck), John (c. 1505-c. 1585)

English composer and writer. He compiled The Booke of Common Praier Noted (1550), the first musical setting of an Anglican prayer book. He was lay clerk and organist at St George's Chapel, Windsor from 1531. In 1543 he was arrested and in 1544 tried and condemned for heresy as a Calvinist, but he was pardoned and allowed to retain his office.

His concordance of the English Bible, the first complete edition, was published in 1550. After Edward VI's accession, Merbecke compiled The Booke of Common Praier Noted. It was the first book of its kind, and used adaptations of plainsong in addition to music written by Merbecke himself. Merbecke's other surviving works are a large-scale Mass, two motets, and an anthem.

Works Vocal Mass and two motets (probably early); carol ‘A Virgine and Mother’; The Booke of Common Praier Noted [set to notes] (1550, first version authorized by Edward VI).