Some of the most fantastic Early Music pieces are secular, written for occasions, like “La Guerre” by Clément Janequin, written to celebrate the Battle of Marignano. This piece is particularly famous for how Janequin used words and syllables to mimic the sounds of battle. Check out this amazing recording (and score) and follow along with the translation here.
Clément Janequin's madrigal La Guerre. Sung by the King's Singers as part of their Madrigal History Tour. This piece was almost certainly written by Janaquin...