he may have served in john of gaunt's household in the 1390s as 'jehan pycard alias vaux'. the name "picard" suggests a french origin, but his music is regarded as being in an english tradition. he is one of the most prolific composers represented in the "old hall manuscript" (british library: "additional 57950"), with nine works from it attributed to him. his music is in the "ars nova" style, and is unusual in its virtuosity.