English musician, son of Nicholas Lanier, the Elder, hence uncle of Nicholas Lanier, the artist-musician. Alphonse Lanier was appointed in 1591 Musician in Ordinary for the Recorder to Elizabeth I (he is noted as playing at her funeral) and later James I. He was a Captain in Irish Service. Married 1592 in England to the feminist poet Emelia Bassano, illegitimate daughter of Italian musician Baptista Bassano and Margaret Johnson. There was a son Henry Lanier (a flute player) and a daughter Odilla Lanier who died as an infant.