Born in 1505, Thomas Tallis was an important English composer and largely influenced English music by introducing polyphonic music. His early life is not documented well, and there is nothing known about his education.  All that is known is that he appeared in various places in performance, including being a member of the Chapel Royal.  He was the mentor of William Byrd, and together in 1577 they were granted the monopoly for printing music in England, a first at the time.  One of his greatest works was Miserere nostri.  It demonstrated a mastery over the art of counterpoint, and heavily used canon throughout it.  Tallis died on November 20, 1585. Image Source: Britannica.com