The hymn Adeste Fideles, whose origin remains unclear, is said to be by Saint Bonaventure, a Franciscan priest who wrote the original words in Latin in the XIIIth century. Original manuscripts from the XVIIIth century which include both words and music are, however, signed by John Francis Wade, a musician from the English Catholic colony in Douai, France.
The name of Marcus Antonius de Fonseca, master of the King of Portugal's chapel, is also mentioned as the composer of the music. This carol is supposed to have been sung at the end of the XVIIIth century in the chapel of the Portuguese Embassy in London.
