The Chapel Royal is the official chapel of the monarch of the United Kingdom. Emerging as a distinct body in the late 13th century, it formerly had no official base, but travelled, like the rest of the court, with the monarch and held services wherever he or she was residing at the time. In the 17th century the chapel had its own building in Whitehall, which burned down in 1698; since 1702 it has been based in St. James Palace.
The Chapel possesses an important choir. This achieved its greatest eminence during the reign of Elizabeth I, when William Byrd and Thomas Tallis were joint organists. The "Master of the Children" had until at least 1684 the power to press-gang promising boy trebles from provincial choirs for service in the chapel; the boy choristers were also used until 1626 as actors in productions of plays at court and in the 18th century to sing the soprano parts in performances of Handel's oratorios and other works. Under Charles II the choir was often augmented by violinists from the royal band; at various times the chapel has also employed composers, lutenists and viol players.
See also
Reference
"London (i), §II, 1: Music at court: The Chapel Royal", Grove Music Online ed. L. Macy (Accessed 16 Sept. 2004) http://www.grovemusic.com
