Master
Benedict Browne
Sergeant Trumpter
as played by Scott McDonald
I was born near the year 1509, in Wiltshire, England. The son
of John Browne, Court Trumpeter to His Majesty Henry VIII,
my destiny was cast before I was conceived. I would in my father's
footsteps, learning to play the trumpet as soon as he could hold
it. My first instrument was a cow horn, cut to allow me to blow and
practice playing long sustained notes.
I was accepted at the age of 12 as an apprentice and performed on trumpet alongside my father for Henry VIII. My father was the senior trumpeter under Henry VIII. This position ensured that I would become very proficient and was able to quickly move through the ranks of precedence.
In 1547, young King Edward VI was placed on the throne. By this time, I had been a court trumpeter for 26 years and at the age of 38 became the first court trumpeter to bear the title of Sergeant Trumpeter to His Majesty. This position of esteem has become the pinnacle achievement of trumpeters who aspired to be the best in the land.
Trumpet is not the only instrument that I can play, as I play
the Lute and am member of the Chapel Royal.
As Sergeant Trumpeter, I am responsible for the
proficiency and licensing of all trumpeters in England. Upon my
appointment, I was presented with and authorized to wear the Collar
of SS (Esses), a decoration restricted to the Lord Chief Justices
of the Queen's Bench, the Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer,
the Lord Mayor of London, the Kings-of-Arms, the Heralds, the
Sergeant-at-Arms, and the Sergeant Trumpeter.
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Last updated:
May 13, 2008
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