Parthenia or the Maydenhead of the first musicke that ever was printed for the Virginalls was, as the title states, the first printed collection of music for keyboard in England. 'Virginals' was a generic word at the time that covered all plucked keyboard instruments – the harpsichord, muselaar and virginals, but most of the pieces are also suited for the clavichord and chamber organ. Though the date is uncertain, it was probably published around 1612. The 21 pieces included are ascribed to William Byrd, John Bull, and Orlando Gibbons, in three sections. The title Parthenia comes from the Greek parthenos meaning "maiden" or "virgin." The music is written for the Virginals, the etymology of which is unknown, but may either refer to the young girls who are often shown playing it, or from the Latin virga, which means "stick" or "wand", possibly referring to part of the mechanism that plucks a string in the harpsichord family of instruments. The "Maydenhead" refers to the maiden voyage or, in this case, the first printing of Parthenia. The dedication to the first edition opens with the phrase: The virgin PARTHENIA I offer up to your virgin Highnesses.
Music engraving
Parthenia was printed and sold by G.Lowe of Lothbury, a district of the City of London populated by coppersmiths since the Middle Ages. The music was engraved on copper plates by William Hole. This was the first time that engraving was used for English music scores, although engraved music had been printed on the continent from the late 16th century. Engraving is a better way to present keyboard music than movable type. However, Parthenia did not take full advantage of the new technology. The music is difficult to sight-read as the notes are not positioned vertically in relation to their values, which has led some commentators to deduce that the work was published as a record rather than for practical performance.
Date
The presumed first edition of Parthenia is undated. However, its dedication suggests it was probably published around 1612. This couple was betrothed in December 1612 and married in February 1613. Frederick and Elizabeth subsequently left England, and a further printing in 1613 promptly changed the dedication to read: Dedicated to all the Maisters and Louers of Musick. The last printing was made in 1659.
Symbolism
The dedication refers to the use of the notes "E" and "F" in the music of Parthenia. In this context, "E" refers to Elizabeth Stuart, "F" to Frederick V. The dedication has the phrase The linking of the two letters/notes is evident in the Orlando Gibbons movement The Queenes Command in which he begins the piece with the notes E and F and uses these notes to start future measures or to tie measures together.
