Nicolas Payen (ca. 1512–59), a native of Soignies and pupil of Gombert, entered the service of Charles V in 1522 and remained associated with the prestigious capilla flamenca for over thirty years. When Charles’s son Philip became King of Spain in 1556, Payen, maestro de capilla to Charles since 1556, was a key figure during this transition, serving Philip as his first chapel master. His music, consisting of thirteen motets, one chorale, and five chansons (a sixth is incomplete), survives in var...