Until only recently Thomas Brittin's place of birth was a mystery. "Bygone Northamptonshire" (S. R. Publishers, Ltd.) names Higham Ferrers as his birthplace. Wellingborough had also been mentioned and also Chelveston.
But Rushden photographer Mr A. J. George has found evidence that he was, in fact, born at Rushden.
While he was searching through old records he discovered an entry on a vellum document recording the baptism of Thomas Brittin in January 1644 in Rushden Parish Church...
Pauper who became Duchess's darling
by Carolyn Underwood
RUSHDEN born Thomas Brittin scraped a living by walking London streets hawking a sack of charcoal which he carried slung over his shoulder—but his spare time activities were far from obscure . . .
It is generally acknowledged that the boy, who was born in poverty at Rushden in the 17th century, became the country's first concert impressario.
For one night each week he changed his working clothes for his best, and entertained the rich and famous with music and poetry in his home—a converted stable loft in Clerkenwell.
Among the aristocracy who became his patrons was the Duchess of Queensbury—whose portrait, along with Brittin's—hangs in the National Portrait Gallery.
The Duchess, along with other prominent figures in London Society and all the leading musicians in London at the time, regularly climbed the narrow outside staircase to Brittin's humble "concert room."
Records show that guests at the attic concerts paid ten shillings a year subscription—plus a further penny for coffee . . .
Among the leading musicians who made regular performances were Sir Roger l'Estrange, John Banister, who was leader of Charles II band, and John Christopher Pepusch, conductor of the Drury Lane orchestra.
In 1710, Handel—who was then 25—was taken to Brittin's room during his first visit to England—and played the harpsichord and a small organ.
Brittin's concerts became the first subscription concerts ever to be held in the country. Until his time music was either played in the stately homes of the aristocracy—or to celebrate a special event.
Almost inevitably Brittin's association with the rich and famous — at a time when class barriers were at their height — made him victim of the malicious . . .
It became known that Brittin was interested in chemistry and studied occult sciences—in fact he had built up an extensive library on the subject.
Rumours that he practised black magic, was an atheist and held seditious meetings circulated .... though not all his distinguished friends were influenced by malicious gossip.
Matthew Prior—the poet, wrote:
"Though doomed to small coal, yet to arts allied,
Rich without wealth and famous without pride.
Music's best patron, judge of books and men,
Beloved and honoured by Apollo's train.
In Greece or Rome sure never did appear
So bright a genius in so dark a sphere.
More of the man had probably been saved.
Had Kneller painted, and had Vertue graved."
Brittin was seventy when he died — though several historians believe that his death was brought on as a result of a macabre joke ...
A visitor to one of the evening concerts—a blacksmith with a gift for ventriloquism — prophesied that he was doomed to die within a few hours.
Although Brittin was told shortly afterwards that the prophecy was a joke, he did, in fact, die within two days . . .
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