Smash hits: 17th-century style

Professor Christopher Marsh and Dr Angela McShane share some of the most popular tunes of the early modern period – from romantic songs to ballads about crime

Published: May 1, 2024 at 7:00 AM

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The music of the past can tell us a great deal about the time in which it was created - from societal trends to political affiliations. As part of the '100 Ballads' project, Professor Christopher Marsh and Dr Angela McShane have identified 100 of the biggest musical hits from 17th-century England. They speak to Charlotte Hodgman about the popularity of these broadside ballads and introduce some of the top singing stars of the day.

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Authors

Charlotte HodgmanHead of video operations

Charlotte Hodgman is head of video operations at HistoryExtra

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