At last he went into the House, where he was so nobly received, with superfluity of things, that still every entertainment seemed to exceed others. In this place, besides the abundance of all provision[s] and delicacie[s], there was most excellent soul-ravishing music; wherewith His Highness was not a little delighted.
At Worsop, he rested on Wednesday night, and in the morning stayed breakfast. Which ended, there was such store of provision left, of fowl, of fish, and almost everything, besides bread beer and wine, that it was left open for any man that would, to come and take.
After breakfast, His Majesty prepared to remove: but before his departure he made these Gentlemen, Knights; whose names are following:
The 21st [day of April 1603], being Thursday, His Highness took his way towards Newark upon Trent; where, that night, he lodged in the Castle, being his own house: where the Aldermen of Newark presented His Majesty with a fair gilt cup, manifesting their duties and loving hearts to him: which was very kindly accepted.
In this town, and in the Court, was taken a cutpurse, doing the deed; and, being a base pilfering thief, yet was all Gentleman-like on the outside. This fellow had [a] good store of coin found about him: and, upon his examination, confessed that he had, from Berwick to that place, played the cutpurse in the Court. His fellow was ill missed, for no doubt he had a walking mate. They drew together like coach horses, and it is pity they did not go hang together. For His Majesty, hearing of this nimming gallant, directed a Warrant presently to the Recorder of Newark, to have him hanged: which was accordingly executed.
This bearing small comfort to all the rest of his pilfering faculty, that the first subject that suffered death in England, in the reign of King James, was a cutpurse: which fault, if they amend not, heaven suddenly send the rest [the same fate]!
The King, ere he went from Newark, as he had commanded this silken base thief, in justice, to be put to death; so, in his benign and gracious mercy, he gives life to all the other poor and wretched prisoners: clearing the Castle of them all.
This deed of charity done; before he left Newark [on the 22nd April], he made these Knights:
The 22nd day [of April 1603], being Friday, His Majesty departed from Newark, towards Belvoir Castle; hunting allthe way as he rode: saving that, in the way, he made four Knights, [the first] one being the Sheriff of Nottinghamshire.
SirRoger Askoth[orAscough, orAyscue], High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire, being knighted, took leave of His Majesty; and MasterWilliam Pelham, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, received His Highness, being gallantly appointed both with horse and men; divers worshipful men of the same country [County] accompanying him: who convoyed and guarded His Majesty to Belvoir Castle, being the Right Noble [Roger Manners, the] Earl ofRutland's. Where His Highness was not only royally and most plentifully received: but with such exceeding joy of the good Earl and his honourable Lady, that he took therein exceeding pleasure.
And he approved his contentment in the morning [of the 23rd April 1603]; for, before he went to break his fast, he made these Knights whose names follow:
The 23rd day [of April], being Saturday, after the making of these Knights, and having refreshed himself at breakfast; His Majesty took kind leave of the Earl ofRutland, his Countess, and the rest: and set forward towards Burlegh.
And, by the way, he dined at SirJohn Harington's [House?at Harington-Burley]; where that worthy Knight made him most royal entertainment.
After dinner, His Highness removed towards Burlegh, being near Stamford in Northamptonshire. His Majesty on the way was attended by many Lords and Knights. And, before his coming, there were provided train-cents and live hares in baskets [that] being carried to the Heath [? Empington Heath], made excellent sport for His Majesty. All the way between SirJohn Harington's and Stamford, SirJohn's best hounds with good mouths followed the game; the King taking great leisure and pleasure in the same.
Upon this Heath, not far from Stamford, there appeared to the number of a hundred high men, that seemed like the Patagones [Patagonians], huge long fellows of twelve or fourteen feet high, that are reported to live on the Main [mainland] of Brazil, near to the Straits of Magellan. The King, at the first sight, wondered what they were; for that they overlooked horse and man. But, when all came to all, they proved a company of poor honest suitors, all going upon high stilts, preferring a Petition against the LadyHatton. What their request was, I know not: but His Majesty referred them till his coming to London; and so passed on from those giants of the Fens towards Stamford.
Within half a mile whereof, the Bailiffs and the rest of the chief townsmen of Stamford presented a gift unto His Majesty; which was graciously accepted. So rode he forward through the town, in great state, having the Sword borne before him; the people joyful on all parts to see him.
When His Highness came to Stamford Bridge; the Sheriff of Lincolnshire humbly took his leave, and departed greatly in the King's grace.
On the other part, the town standing in two Shires, stood ready [MasterWilliam Tate] the High Sheriff of Northamptonshire, bravely accompanied, and gallantly appointed with men and horse; who received his Majesty, and attended him to Burlegh: where His Highness with all his train were received with great magnificence; the House seeming so rich as if it had been furnished at the charges of an Emperor. Well, it was all too little, His Majesty being worthy [of] much more; being now the greatest Christian monarch, of himself as absolute.
The next day [24th April 1603], being Easter Day, therepreached before His Highness, [DrWilliam Chaderton] the Bishop ofLincoln; and the Sermon was no sooner done, but all [the] Offices in the house were set open, that every man might have free access to Butteries, Pantries; [and] Kitchens; to eat and drink in at their pleasures.
The next day, being Monday the 25th of April [1603], His Highness rode back again to SirJohn Harington's [House at Harington-Burley]; and by the way his horse fell with him, and [he] very dangerously bruised his arm; to the great amazement and grief of all them that were about His Majesty at that time. But he, being of an invincible courage, and his blood yet hot, made light of it at the first: and being mounted again, rode to SirJohn Harington's; where he continued that night.
And, on Tuesday morning, the pain received by his fall was so great that he was not able to ride on horseback; but he turned from SirJohn Harington's, to take a coach: wherein His Highness returned to Burlegh, where he was royally entertained as before; but not with half that joy, the report of His Majesty's hurt had disturbed all the Court so much.
The next day, being Wednesday the 27th day of April [1603], His Majesty removed from Burlegh towards MasterOliver Cromwell's.
And, in the way, he dined at that worthy and worshipful Knight's, SirAnthony Mildmay's [at Apethorpe]; where nothing wanted in a subject's duty to his Sovereign, nor anything in so potent a Sovereign to grace so loyal a subject. Dinner being most sumptuously furnished, the tables were newly covered with costly Banquets [Dessert]: wherein everything that was most delicious for taste proved [the] more delicate by the art that made it seem beauteous to the eye: the Lady of the House being one of the most excellent Confectioners in England; though I confess many honourable women [to be] very expert.
Dinner and Banquet [Dessert] being past, and His Majesty at point to depart; SirAnthony, considering how His Majesty vouchsafed to honour him with his royalpresence, presented His Highness with a gallant Barbary horse, and a very rich saddle with furniture suitable thereto: which His Majesty most lovingly and thankfully accepted: and so, taking his princely leave, set forward on the way.
In this remove towards MasterOliver Cromwell's did the people flock in greater numbers than in any place northward. Though many before pressed to see their Sovereign, yet here the numbers multiplied.
This day, as His Majesty passed through a great common (which, as the people thereabout complain, SirI. Spenser[John Spencer] of London hath very uncharitably molested [enclosed]), most of the country [district] joined together, beseeching His Majesty that the common might be laid open again for the comfort of the poor inhabiters thereabouts: which His Highness most graciously promised should be performed, according to their hearts' desire.
And so, with many benedictions of the comforted people, he passed on till he came within half a mile of MasterOliver Cromwell's [at Hinchinbrook Priory]; where met him the Bailiff of Huntingdon, who made a long oration to His Majesty, and there delivered him the Sword, which His Highness gave to the new[ly] released [Henry Wriothsley] Earl ofSouthampton[the Patron ofShakespeare] to bear before him.
O admirable work of mercy! confirming the hearts of all true subjects in the good opinion of His Majesty's royal compassion: not alone to deliver from the captivity such high Nobility, but to use vulgarly with great favours not only him, but also the children of his late honourable fellow in distress [i.e.ofRobert DevereuxEarl ofEssex]. Well, GOD have glory, that can send friends, in the hour he best pleaseth, to help them that trust in him.
But to the matter. His Majesty passed, in state, the Earl ofSouthamptonbearing the Sword before him, as I before said he was appointed, to MasterOliver Cromwell's house: where His Majesty and all his followers, with all comers whatsoever, had such entertainment, as the like had not been seen in any place before, since his first setting forward out of Scotland.
There was such plenty and variety of meats: such diversity of wines, and those not riffe ruffe but ever thebest of the kind; and the cellars open at any man's pleasure. And if it were so common with wine, there is little question but the Butteries for beer and ale were more common; yet in neither was there difference. For whoever entered the house, which to no man was denied, tasted what they had a mind to: and after a taste, found fullness: no man, like a man, being denied what he would call for.
As this bounty was held back to none within the house; so for such poor people as would not press in, there were many open beer-houses erected: where there was no want of beef and bread for the comfort of the poorest creatures. Neither was this provision for the little time of His Majesty's stay; but it was made ready [for] fourteen days: and, after His Highness's departure, distributed to as many as had [a] mind to it.
There attended also at MasterOliver Cromwell's, the Heads of the University of Cambridge, all clad in scarlet gowns and corner-caps: who, having presence of His Majesty, there was made a most learned and eloquent Oration in Latin, welcoming His Majesty, as also intreating the confirmation of their Charter and privileges: which His Majesty most willingly and free granted. They also presented His Majesty with divers books published in commendation of our late gracious Queen: all which was most graciously accepted of His Highness.
Also MasterCromwellpresented His Majesty with many rich and acceptable gifts: as a very great and a very fair wrought Standing Cup of gold, goodly horses, float [? fleet] and deep-mouthed hounds, divers hawks of excellent wing. And at the remove, [he] gave £50 [= £200 now] amongst His Majesty's Officers.
Upon the 29th day [of April 1603], being Friday, after His Highness had broke his fast; he took kind and gracious leave of MasterOliver Cromwell[18]and his virtuous Lady, late widow to that noble and opulent Knight, SignorHoratio Paulo Vicino.
Thence, with many regal thanks for his entertainment, he departed to Royston.
And as he passed through Godmanchester, a town close by Huntingdon, the Bailiffs of the town with their Brethren met him; and acknowledged their allegiance. There, convoying him through their town, they presented him with threescore and ten team[s] of horse all traced to fair new ploughs; in shew of their husbandry.
Which, while His Majesty, being very well delighted with the sight, demanded, Why they offered him so many horses and ploughs? he was resolved [answered], That it was their ancient custom whensoever any King of England passed through their town, so to present His Excellence. Besides, they added, that they held their lands by that tenure; being the King's tenants.
His Majesty not only took well in worth their good minds; but bade them use well their ploughs: being glad he was landlord of so many good husbandmen in one town.
I trust His Highness, when he knows well the wrong, will take order for those, as Her Majesty began, that turn ploughland into pasturage: and where many good husbandmen dwelt there is now nothing left but a great house without [a] fire: the Lord commonly at sojourn near London; and for the husbandmen and ploughs, he only maintains a shepherd and his dog. But what do I talking of sheep! when I am to follow the gests of a King. I will leave them and their wolfish Lords, that have eaten up poor husbandmen like sheep: and proceed where I left [off].
His Majesty, being past Godmanchester, held on his way to Royston; and drawing near the town, the Sheriff of Huntingdonshire humbly took his leave. And there he was received by that worthy Knight, SirEdward Denny, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire, attended upon by a goodly company of proper men, being in number seven score, suitably apparelled. Their liveries [were] blue coats, with sleeves parted in the midst, buttoned behind in jerkin fashion; and white doublets: and hats and feathers: and all of them mounted on horses with red saddles.
SirEdward, after his humble duty done, presented His Majesty with a gallant horse, a rich saddle, and furniture correspondent to the same; being of great value: which His Majesty accepted very graciously, and causedhim to ride on the same before him. This worthy Knight, being of a deliver spirit and agile body, quickly mounted, managing the gallant beast with neat and eiduing workmanship [? eye-doing horsemanship]: being in a rich suit of a yellow dun colour; somewhat near the colour of the horse, and the furniture.
And thus, in brave manner, he conducted His Majesty to one MasterChester's house [at Cockenhatch]: where His Highness lay that night, at his own kingly charge.
The 30th day [of April 1603], being Saturday, His Majesty took his journey towards Standon, to SirThomas Sadler's: and, by the way, [DrRichard Bancroft] the Bishop ofLondonmet him; attended on by a seemly company of Gentlemen in tawny coats and chains of gold.
AtSir Thomas Sadler's, His Majesty was royally entertained, for himself and his kingly train: nothing being wanting the best desired, nor the meanest could demand.
There His Majesty stayed [on] Sunday: before whom the Bishop ofLondonpreached.
His Majesty, now drawing near to London, the numbers of people more and more increased, as well of Nobility, Gentry, Citizens, country people, and all; as well of degree as of no degree. So great a desire had the Noble that they pressed with the ignoble to see their Sovereign: this being the difference of their desires, that the better sort, either in blood or of conceit, came to observe and serve; the other to see and wonder.
The 1st of May [1603], being Monday, His Majesty removed to SirHenry Cock's [at Broxburn Bury], being 9 miles from SirThomas Sadler's: where provision for His Majesty and his royal train was so abundant that there was no man of what condition soever, but had what his appetite desired. For His Majesty's private and most to be respected entertainment: it was such as ministered His Highness great contentment.
Continuing there but one night, and departing thenext day; [he] honoured the good Knight for his greater expenses.
The 3rd of May [1603], being Tuesday, His Majesty took his journey towards Theobalds, a house belonging to SirRobert Cecil, and about 4 miles distant from SirHenry Cock's: where met him [SirThomas Egerton,afterwardsLordEllesmere,] the Lord Keeper [of the Great Seal], [Thomas Sackville, Earl ofDorset,] the Lord Treasurer, [Charles Howard, Earl ofNottingham,] the Lord Admiral, with most of the Nobility of the land and [the] Council of Estate; who were graciously received.
At which time, the Lord Keeper made a most grave, learned, brief, and pithy oration to His Majesty: to which His Highness answered with great grace and princely wisdom.
At this house there met His Majesty all, or the most part, of the old servants and Officers in [the] Household of our late royal Mistress, QueenElizabeth; and with them, the Guard of His Majesty's Body: all of them being courteously received to their own content.
Also in this house of Theobalds, His Majesty made divers Noblemen of Scotland, of his Honourable Privy Council [of England], viz:
[Lodowick Stuart,] the Duke ofLenox.
[John Erskine,] the Earl ofMar.
[Alexander Home,] the LordHome.
SirGeorge Home[,afterwardsEarl ofDunbar],Treasurer of Scotland.
SirJames Elphinston[,afterwardsLordBalmerinoch],Secretary to the King.
[Edward Bruce,] the Lord ofKinloss, now Master of His Majesty's Rolls. [He received thatappointment on 18th May 1603.]
Also of the English Nobility, he made these of his secret and Honourable [Privy] Council;
The LordHenry Howard[,afterwardsEarl ofNorthampton].
The LordThomas Howard[,afterwardsEarl ofSuffolk]: who was also made there,Lord Chamberlain.
[Charles Blount,]the LordMountjoy[,afterwardsEarl ofDevonshire].
His Majesty stayed at Theobalds four days [3rd-6th May 1603]; where to speak of SirRobert's cost to entertain him were but to imitate geographers that set a little o for a mighty Province: words being hardly able to express what was done there indeed, considering the multitude that thither resorted, besides the train; none going hence unsatisfied. [See Vol. V., pp. 623-656].
At Theobalds, His Majesty made these Knights [on 7th May]:
The 7th of May [1603], being Saturday, His Majesty removed from Theobalds, towards London, riding through the meadows: where, within two miles on this side of Waltham, SirHenry Dennydischarged his followers.
And there, MasterSwinnerton, one of the Sheriffs of London, accompanied with the Sheriff of Middlesex, met his Majesty, with sixty men in livery cloaks; where an eloquent and learned oration was made to His Highness.
Besides these men in livery cloaks that attended the Sheriff, all well mounted on gallant horses; most of the Sheriff's Officers attended him: who conducted His Majesty [to] within two miles of London.
And at Stamford Hill [MasterRobert Lee] the Lord Mayor of London presented him with the Sword and Keys of the City: with whom were the Knights and Aldermen in scarlet gowns and great chains of gold about their necks, with the Chief Officers and Council of the City. Besides 500 citizens, all very well mounted, clad in velvet coats and chains of gold; with the chief Gentlemen of the Hundreds: who made a gallant shew to entertain their Sovereign.
There also met his Majesty, all his Officers of Estate, as Serjeants at Arms with their rich maces; the Heralds with their Coats of Arms, and Trumpeters: every one in their order and due place.
The Duke ofLenoxbore the Sword of Honour before His Majesty: and so His Highness passed on in royal and imperial manner.
At this time, that honourable old Knight SirHenry Leighmet with His Majesty, being attended by sixty gallant men well mounted on fair horses, thirty of them being great horses: many of his men having chains of gold; the rest wearing yellow scarfs embroidered with these words,Constantia et fide. To this old Knight, His Majesty spake very lovingly: and so paced through his troops very well pleased.
The multitudes of people in high ways, fields, meadows, closes, and on trees, were such that they covered the beautyof the fields; and so greedy were they to behold the countenance of the King that, with much unruliness, they injured and hurt one another. Some even hazarded to the danger of death. But as uncivil as they were among themselves; all the way, as His Majesty past [they welcomed him] with shouts, and cries, and casting up of hats (of which many never returned into the owners' hands).
He passed by them, over the fields; and came in at the back side of the Charterhouse.
Thither being come, he was most royal received and entertained by the LordThomas Howard. Where was such abundance of provision of all manner of things that greater could not be; both of rare wild fowls, and many rare and extraordinary banquets; to the great liking of His Majesty, and contentment of the whole train.
He lay there four nights [7th to 10th May 1603]: in which time the Lords of the Council often resorted thither, and sat upon their serious affairs.
At his departure [11th May 1603], he made divers Knights, whose names are these:
Upon Wednesday, the 11th of May 1603, His Majesty set forward from the Charterhouse, to the Tower of London; in going quietly on horseback to Whitehall, where he took [his] barge.
Having shot the Bridge [London Bridge], his present landing was expected at [the] Tower Stairs. But it pleased His Highness to pass the Tower Stairs, towards St. Katharine's: and there stayed on the water to see the ordnance on the White Tower, commonly calledJulius Cæsar's Tower, being in number 20 pieces; [together] with the great ordnance on Tower Wharf, being in number 100; and chambers to the number of 130, discharged off. Of which all services were so sufficiently performed by the Gunners, that a peal of so good order was never heard before: which was most commendable to all sorts, and very acceptable to the King.
Then his royal person arrived at his own Stairs, so called the King's Stairs; and with him these Nobles, besides other gallant Gentlemen of worthy note, viz:
[Charles Howard, the Earl ofNottingham,] the Lord Admiral,
[Henry Percy,] the Earl ofNorthumberland,
[Edward Somerset,] the Earl ofWorcester, LordThomas Howard, &c.
At his coming up the Stairs, the Sword was presented to His Majesty by SirThomas Coni[g]sby, Gentleman Usher of his Privy Chamber; and by the King delivered to the Duke ofLenox: who bare it before him into the Tower.
Upon the Stairs, the Gentleman Porter delivered the Keys of the Tower to [SirJohn Peyton] the Lieutenant of the Tower; and the Lieutenant presented them accordingly to the King's Majesty: who most graciously acknowledged the most faithful discharge of the loyal and most great trust put in him; so, taking him about the neck, [he] redelivered them again.
After his repose in the Tower some [i.e. about an] hour; it was His Majesty's pleasure to see some [of the] Offices: as the Armory, the Wardrobe, the rich Artillery, and the Church. And after, for recreation, he walked in the garden: and so rested for that night.
The next day, being Thursday and the 12th of May [1603] he saw the Ordnance House; and after that, the Mint Houses; and, last of all, the lions.
The next day, being Friday the 13th of May [1603], he made these Lords and Knights following, viz:
In his Presence Chamber, before dinner.