John Taverner was probably born in South Lincolnshire, in the Tattershall area. In 1525, he was working as a church clerk. After his appointment as Informator Choristarum at Cardinal College, Oxford, in 1526, he left the institution in April 1530. He later became an agent for Thomas Cromwell in Boston.
Taverner's musical output reflects influences from earlier generations as well as connections to the late Middle Ages. At the same time, his music shows links to contemporary continental European musical developments. His remarkable piece "O Wilhelm, pastor bone" demonstrates forward-looking compositional techniques and includes a prayer for Cardinal Wolsey.
In composing the Easter responsory "Dum transisset Sabbatum," Taverner took an unconventional approach by only making those sections sung by the full choir polyphonic. This particular approach suggests that the work may have been composed later.
Taverner's "Missa Sancti Wilhelmi" is distinguished by its innovative five-part structures and the emphasis on contrasting pitches. Unlike the traditional parody masses of the 16th century, this mass exhibits a unified style across its individual movements.
The Matins responsory "Ex eius tumba" contains a multifaceted sequence with various chorale melodies and diverse polyphonic harmonies. Taverner's creative variations in the presentation of the chorale resulted in a unique work of exceptional quality that enriched 16th-century music.