Byttering [Bittering, Biteryng, Gyttering]

(fl.1410)

English late 14th-early 15th century composer. He was possibly a member of Henry V's Chapel Royal; his motet En Katherina may have been written for the wedding of Henry and Catherine de Valois. Most of his surviving music is in the oldest part of the Old Hall manuscript. The style of some of his pieces, with a highly ornamented treble melody and and two accompanying parts is reminiscent of the Italian style of the 14th century, and anticipates that of 15th century English music. Other works show an extremely skilful use of canon and the isorhythmic motet principle.



IIIC: John Dunstable and his Circle