3-056-995 - Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Musical canon with Tudor rose, c1509-c1547. Under Henry VII, the Tudor rose became a potent national symbol, as is reflected in the design of this musical canon in honour of Henry VIII and celebrating the union of the Houses of York and Lancaster. The Crowned Rose Motets, decorated sheet music with voice parts for a choir, was presented to King Henry VIII. The canon is in two parts, for two bassus and two contratenor voices. The bass part is shown here in circular text surrounding a red rose.