Abstract
No fewer than five members of the Ferrabosco family, covering three generations, served in the royal musical establishment of the English court during the reigns of Elizabeth I, James I and Charles I. The association of this Italian family with the English court began in 1562, when Alfonso Ferrabosco (1543-1588), son of Palestrina's then well-known colleague Domenico Maria Ferrabosco, arrived in England and became a retained musician at the court of Elizabeth I. Apart from several journeys abroad, Alfonso Ferrabosco (hereafter designated as I) remained in England until 1578, when he returned to Italy, later to join the court of the Duke of Savoy. At the time of his departure, Alfonso I had established himself among the English as one of the most outstanding composers of his day, so much so that Elizabeth I went to some trouble to regain his services, even holding his children as hostage for his return. One of these children, also named Alfonso Ferrabosco (born before 1578, d1628; hereafter designated as II), played a prominent role as a musician and composer during the reign of James I. Alfonso II was survived by several children, three of whom became musicians at the court of Charles I:
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