Part I comments on the life and music of Cuthbert Hely. In Chapter 1, Hely's place in society is described. The only evidence for Hely's existence consists of a letter from Cuthbert Hely to Lord Herbert of Cherbury, and the unusual organization of the lute-book. Chapter 2 studies the style of Hely's lute music, using a pseudo-Schenkerian approach to show its harmonic and polyphonic characteristics. Part II presents a transcription of Hely's eight pieces, along with lute tablature, edited for modern performance. A selective bibliography is included.