To give a complete answer on this one will take some time - My Grout "History of Music" is no longer even on a shelf - it's in a box somewhere mouldering...

I think you might want to consider the question in the reverse - how did literature (which was/is a strong reflection of the surrounding culture) affect/influence the music.  The connection between vocal music and literature has always been stronger than that between literature and instrumental forms. It was through this period that Opera began to develop.  Oratorio came into it's own as a form as the Renaissance was closing.  Secular music for the most part did not really exist until after the Reformation was in full swing - even then - the majority of vocal music written was either liturgical or Oratorio based on historic/religious themes.  Prior to the Reformation - there were a few Masques written, some secular Madrigals and Motets, and some orchestral music that was not intended for liturgical use - but these pieces were rare.  Even well into the Reformation - Organ music was predominantly liturgical, as were most orchestral and instrumental suites (more were being written for secular court use as time went on - this progressed through the reformation and really took hold in the late 16th and 17th cent). 

Of the vocal music that survives - composers like Palestrina (1515? - 1594) were writing predominantly sacred music.  Only a few years later, Monteverdi (1567 - 1643) developed neo classical literary themes in his Operas (Orpheus, The Rape of Persephone, Andromeda...) 

Thank you for your reply. You look at the question from a great point of view.

 How do you think British Literature affected and/or influenced the Music during the Renaissance?
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* (Thanks again, vagabond!) *

*** again - a quick edit to combine threads while not losing any thoughts so that we can delete the duplicates   - v ***