Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Maynard, John (fl.1611)
MAYNARD, JOHN (fl. 1611), lutenist, and, according to Wood, one of the first who used the lyra-viol (Manuscript Lives), was probably born in Shropshire. It appears from the preface to 'The Twelve Wonders,' that he belonged at one time to the household of Caux (or Cause) Castle, Shropshire. In 1611 Maynard was lutenist to the school of St. Julian (once the hospital for lepers) in Hertfordshire.
Maynard's volume of songs, of which he appears to have written words and music, was printed by Thomas Snodham for John Brown in 1611. The title runs, 'The Twelve Winders of the World, set and composed for the Violl de gambo, the Lute, and the Voyce to sing the Verse, all three jointly and none severall; also Lessons for the Lute and Bass-violl to play alone; with some Lessons to play Lyra-wayes alone, or if you will to fill up the parts with another Violl set Lute-waye.' A canon, in eight parts, is on the title-page. Wood quotes some of the verses (Athenæ, iii. 892). The work is dedicated to Joan, wife of John Thynne, son and successor to the founder of Longleat. A manuscript organ voluntary by Maynard is in a volume of manuscript music, once in the possession of Richard Clark, and now in the library of the Royal College of Music.
[Grove's Dict. of Music, ii. 241; Chauncy's Hertfordshire, p. 506; authorities cited.]