As I went to Walsingham
anoniem
Walsingham was a well known song in 16th century England. The song is about a pilgrimage to the shrine of Walsingham, obviously a popular destination amongst Palmers, i.e. wandering monks.
Legend states that in 1061 the Holy Virgin Mary appeared to the widow Richeldis de Faverches in Walsingham and urged her to build a shrine on the very spot for the welfare of mankind. Richeldis complied with great zeal and had a shrine built near a spring. Because of the sacred apparition, the well's water was considered to have healing properties. The shrine became a popular place of pilgrimage in the medieval era.
In 1538, however, the shrine with its monks became discredited: it was dissolved by the authorities. Practically speaking this came to execution of some of the inhabitants of the abbey on the accusion of high treason and devastating the premises. Turbulent times!
A number of 16th century composers elaborated the song in their own arrangements. The name of the arranger of this version has been lost in history, but his work remains in the Cambridge Lute Book. The theme of the song is elaborated twice, the final elaboration being quite complex.