By composing these settings for Compline, Tallis made up for the loss of the splendid votive antiphons.
Compline, technically 9 P.M., but usually combined with vespers, is a prayer for protection during the darkness.
Each night 50 or 60 people gathered in the cathedral choir stalls to sing Compline gently to round off a very full day.
Each night 50 or 60 people gathered in the cathedral choir stalls to sing compline gently to round off a very full day.
It is usually held in the afternoon or evening, sometimes at the conclusion of Vespers, Compline or the Stations of the Cross, and consists in the singing of certain hymns and canticles, more particularly the 0 salutaris hostia and the Tantum ergo, before the host, which is exposed on the altar in a monstrance and surrounded by not less than ten lighted candles.
Matins and Lauds (about 7.30 A.M.); Prime, Terce (High Mass), Sext, and None (about 10 A.M.); Vespers and Compline (4 P.M.); and from four to eight hours (depending on the amount of music and the number of high masses) are thus spent in choir.
The omissions are said at Lauds, Prime and Compline.
The seventh (Compline, Completorium) was added by Benedict.
They could then have a stoup of wine or beer, before going to the final service, Compline.