St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe in the City of London has commemorated the 400th anniversary of the burial of John Dowland, England’s pre‑eminent lutenist and lute composer who is known as one of the most celebrated English composers of the late Renaissance, with a special Service of Thanksgiving held on Friday 20 February.
St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe is home to what is believed to be the only surviving memorial to Dowland, located in the church’s west gallery.
The service, led by Father Luke Miller, was organised in collaboration with the National Lute Society and featured live performances by lutenist Sam Brown and Dowland’s Foundry, who played a selection of Dowland’s music.
Readings from John Donne and George Herbert, a sermon titled “Praise Him Upon the Lute”, and prayers marking the Lute Society’s 70th year made the service not only a commemoration of Dowland’s life but also a celebration of the living tradition his music continues to inspire.
Sarah Shepley, Chair of the Lute Society, said:
“John Dowland, the greatest of all English lutenists, lute music and lute song composers, was buried on 20th February 1626 in the parish of St Ann Blackfriars, where (like Shakespeare) he had lived and worked. When St Ann was destroyed in the Great Fire in 1666 the grave site was lost; its site is believed to be somewhere in or near the Ireland Yard churchyard which it is still possible to visit. After the Great Fire, St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe took over the parochial obligations of St Ann Blackfriars.
“The Lute Society and thousands of lutenists round the world will commemorate the 400th anniversary of Dowland’s death and celebrate his life and work in 2026 with many festivals and events around the world.”
Fr Luke Miller SSC, DL, Rector of St Andrew-by-the-Wardrobe, said:
“We are blessed to hold what we understand to be the only extant memorial to John Dowland here in our beautiful parish in the heart of the City of London. Dowland’s music continues to resonate across four centuries, speaking of the human longing for salvation with a poignancy and depth that remain as powerful today as they were in the 17th century.
“We are proud to remember Dowland, and we follow his example in seeking to praise God with lute and harp, as the Psalmist urges in Psalm 150.
“This anniversary reminds us not only of Dowland’s extraordinary musical gifts, but also of the rich history of this area and the generations of artists, thinkers and worshippers who have shaped its life. We are proud to stand in that tradition, to give thanks for the enduring beauty his gift for music expressed, and to welcome all who join us in remembering him.”
