A RELATION OF SVCH THINGS AS were obserued to happen in the Journey of the right Honourable CHARLES Earle of NOTTINGHAM L. High Admirall of ENGLAND His Highnesse Ambassadour to the King of SPAINE Being sent thither to take the Oath of the sayd King for the maintenance of Peace betweene the two famous Kings of Great Brittaine and Spaine According to the seuerall Articles formerly concluded on by the Constable of Castilla in England in the Moneth of August 1604. Set forth by Authoritie LONDON Printed by Melchisedech Bradwood for Gregorie Seaton and are to be sold at his Shop vnder Aldersgate 1605. To the Reader HAuing collected together many generall obseruations in that Honourable iourney into Spain lately performed by the right honourable and worthy Earle The Earle of Nottingham although amongst many reasons which perswaded me to be therein to my selfe secret and to the world sparing in diuulging this Treatise I found especially and which I must of necessitie confesse mine owne weakenesse in compiling the same and making it fit and worthy of so generall a reading as by this consequence it must vndergoe yet being ouer-weighed with many especiall motiues which I could not well answer or contradict I thought rather to expose my selfe to the fauourable censure of the worthiest best minded who rather respect a plaine and home-bred stile yet true than a tale consisting of eloquent phrases but doubtfull than pleasing my selfe in mine owne fearefull humor giue cause of offence to them whom most I laboured to content The first of these motiues being That many of my friends knowing me to haue been by especiall appointment an Attendant vpon his Lordship in that honourable emploiment and vnderstanding of the care taken by me in obseruing some particulars in the same exceedingly vrged me to giue them a perfect knowledge and satisfaction thereof which as it was a thing likely to be tedious so could they not receiue that contentment by a briefe Report which a more ample Relation and Discourse might better affoord Another was That for that it came to our knowledge how many false and ill contriued reports had beene bruted abroad after our departure from England aswell derogating from that honourable enterteinment we receiued in generall whilest we were in Spaine as from the proceedings of his Lordship and his Company in some particulars I could not but taxing my selfe of dutie to his Lordship and the rest endeuour to satisfie all doubtfull and vnsatisfied minds with relating and declaring the truth thereof But a third and a more especiall cause is That sithence our returne one not well informed hauing vndertaken to know much of the proceedings of that Iourney and mistaking himselfe in his own vnderstanding lately published a Pamphlet of many false and erroneous obseruations therby possessing the Readers with an vntrue Relation of that the trueth whereof they so much desired Vpon these former considerations therfore I was aduised to tender vnto your generous acceptance my wel-meaning endeuors which although they cannot giue that pleasure and content in reading you happily expect yet shall they assure you what they promise That is A true Relation of such things which happened in that honorable Iourney In reporting whereof I had rather be condemned for plainnesse than once suspected for reporting an vntrueth ROB. TRESVVELL aliâs SOMERSET Herauld A RELATION OF such things as were obserued to happen in the Iourney of the right Honourable CHARLES Earle of NOTTINGHAM c. his Hignesse Ambassadour to the King of SPAINE being sent thither to take the Oath of the sayd King for the maintenance of Peace betweene the two famous Kings of GREAT BRITTAIN and SPAIN according to the seuerall Articles formerly concluded on by the Constable of Castilla in England in the Moneth of August 1604. SO soone as the right honorable Charles Earle of Nottingham L. High Admirall of England had taken notice from his Maiesty That it was his will and pleasure to employ him in this great Ambassage to the K. of Spaine calling to minde how honourably and richly the Duke of Fryas Constable of Castilla late Ambassadour for the said king had formerly demeaned himselfe in England presently with a most honourable resolution neither fearing the hazard of his person being now aged nor regarding the expences that so great and honourable an employment should require with what speed he conueniently might endeuoured to performe his Maiesties designes and appointment heerein And therefore by the aduice of the Councell of England he first resolued both what honourable personages and what number of them might be fitting for accompanying and attending him in this his great imployment To whom when as particular Letters from the Councell by his Maiesties especiall commandement were dispatched to giue them notice to prepare themselues to attend the said Noble Earle according as his Highnesse had commanded they seemed so willing and readie to performe their duty and seruice therein that his Lordship was farre more troubled to denie many and that of very good sort who voluntarily tendered their seruice in good will and honour of his Lordship to attend him in this his appointed voyage than he was at first in bethinking what company were necessary to take with him And therefore at last concluding of a competent number not without displeasing many he resolued vpon these whose names heereafter follow The Earle of Pearth The Lord Howard of Effingham his sonne and heire The Lord Willoughbey The Lord Norrys Sir Charles Howard knight his second sonne Sir Thomas Howard knight second sonne to the Earle of Suffolke Sir Iohn Sheffeild knight sonne and heire to the Lord Sheffeild Master Pickering Wotton sonne and heire to the Lord Wotton Sir Richard Lewson knight Admirall of the fleet and Viceadmirall of England Master Thomas Compton brother to the Lord Compton Hans Herman Van Veiscenbach a German and of good esteeme in England Sir Robert Drewry Sir Robert Maunsell Treasurer of the kings Nauy and Vice admirall of the fleet Sir Edward Howard his nephew Sir Thomas Palmer Sir Edward Swift Sir William Smith Sir Iohn Treuor surueyor of the nauy Sir Robert Killegrew Sir Richard Cowper Gentleman-porter of the Kings house Sir George Buc. Sir Guylford Slingsby Sir Adolfus Cary. Sir Francis Howard his Lordships nephew also Sir Sackuyle Treuor Rereadmirall of the fleet Sir Walter Gore Sir William Page Sir Giles Hoftman Sir Thomas Roe Sir Iohn Eyres Sir Phillip Cary. Sir Henry Knowles Sir Iohn Gueuarra Knights Master Giles Porter his interpreter Doctor Marbeck Doctor Palmer Physitians Master Pawlet Master Cary. Master Barret Master Iohn Lewson Lewis Tresham Captaine Thomas Button William Button Iohn Fearne Hierom Laments Henry Butler Iohn Milliscent Bernard Saunders Philip Roper Francis Plomb Roger Tailor Captaine William Morgan Henry Minn Christopher Fredericke Thomas Buc. Captaine William Polewheele Edmond Fittou Walter Grey Iohn Atkinson Dudley Carleton Edward Smith and many other gentlemen of good condition and quality aswell his Lordships priuate Officers and
Seruants as diuers whose names are not heerein remembred The ships appointed to attend his Lordship and his company for transportation of themselues the followers and necessaries were these The Beare being shippes royall The Dew-repulse being shippes royall The Wast-spight being shippes royall The Mary-Anne The Amity The Resistance The great Hoy called the George According to appointmēt the said Lords Knights and Gentlemen prepared themselues to giue their attendance whensoeuer his Lordship should take his iourney and therefore vnderstanding that he intended to take leaue of the king on Thurseday the one and twentieth day of March according to the computation of England the greatest number of them being very richly apparelled themselues and extraordinarily appointed for their seruants gaue their attendance at Nottingham house the said one and twentie day of March his Lordship hauing appointed many barges and boates for conueying himselfe the said lords and knights and their company to the Court the Kings Highnesse then being at Greenwich the said Earle hauing ordained his owne company to be in number as followeth Six Trumpeters clad in Orange colour Damaske with cloakes of cloth of the same colour and Banners of Damaske with his Honours armes thereupon Six Footemen in Orange Tawny veluet alike suted Six Pages clad likewise in veluet of the same colour with their cloakes suteable Thirty gentlemen with cloakes of blacke veluet Fourescore yeomen well apparelled with liuery cloakes of Orange Tawny cloth garded with siluer blew silk lace The said noble Earle being thus prepared went with his said company from Nottingham house the said Thursday about noone so shooting the bridge arriued at Greenwich immediatly after dinner and there presenting himselfe and his company vnto his Maiestie was most acceptably and graciously enterteined After some time spent in receiuing his Highnesse commandement aswell concerning himselfe in his owne particular as also touching the conducting and presenting of Sir Charles Cornwallys knight who was appointed for to be his Maiesties liedger Ambassadour with the king of Spaine The said Ambassadours Lords Knights and Gentlemen humbly taking their leaues of his Highnesse were for that night dismissed euery one taking himselfe to his lodging there remaining and expecting his Lordships further pleasure to be knowen when they should prepare to set forward on this iourney His Lordship hauing now dispatched his priuate counsels and intendments with his Maiesty and the Lords of the Councel gaue warning to his said company and followers to be ready against Tuesday morning being the six and twentieth day of the said moneth of March Which time he gaue to prepare themselues for that day he intended to set forward On which said day being both mindfull and forward for his intended Iourney he was early vp in the morning and taking the time of the tide and such company as were ready being to the number of 80. persons in diuers barges and boates passed from Nottingham house to Grauesend and there dined staying for much of the company which followed After dinner they rode from Grauesend to Chatham where he lodged that night The same night the Earle of Marre came from the court of purpose to congratulate with his Lordship and do such like priuate offices of friendship The next day being wednesday his Lordship would haue gone to the ships which were then fallen so low as Quynborow there riding at Anchor and staying our comming but the weather fell out somewhat foule and the wind contrary so that he rested at Chatham that night The next day being Thursday the eight and twentieth of March before seuen of the clocke in the morning his Lordship hauing commanded to be ready diuers barges and pinnesses to carry himselfe and his followers aboord the ships tooke his barge and about tenne of the clocke the same day entered the ship called the Beare lying in Quynborow Road as afore is said together with the Dew-repulse and the Wast-spight which three shippes kept company together and lay of purpose to transport his Lordship the Ambassadour Lidger and the other Lords Knights and Gentlemen that were of the company and traine Now what by reason of staying for some of the Lords and Gentlemen as yet not come a boord for the better disposing and ordering all things concerning the voyage as also for placing and appointing to euery man his roome accordingly The weather likewise being not very faire to put to sea we Anchored before Quinborow till Sunday morning being Easter day and the last day of March. At which time the wind comming about to the West and standing faire to put to sea his Lordship commanded to wey and to set saile which was done accordingly Sailing as farre as the tide would giue them leaue which was to a certaine Road between the Sands neere to the Shoe Beacon where they rested that night The next day being very foule and the wind contrary they were faine to ride it out til Tuesday morning being the second of April At what time the weather fell somewhat faire and his Lordship being desirous to take all aduantage that might forward the iourny commanded to wey againe and put to sea but the wind being very slacke he was becalmed and so driuen to a flatte neere the Spitts where for that the tide was much spent and the flood comming on they cast Ancor about one of the clocke in the afternoone there staying in expectation of wind till Wednesday morning when although there was little or no wind stirring yet his Lordship set forward tiding it as far as they could that night The next day being Thursday early in the morning the wind comming somewhat towards the North his Lordship caused to wey Ancor and so with expence of time and much pains the shippes recouered Douer Road where they ancored aswell for the receauing in of many of the company as also for taking in fresh water and victualls So soone as the fleet was discouered and comming neere Douer Road aswell the forts and blockehouses as the castle of Douer saluted them with many shot his Lordship answering them againe both out of his owne ship and out of the rest also with the like That night the Lordes and Gentlemen for whom they made stay at Douer came aboord and that night also his Lordship minded to haue set forward had not the Hoie called the George by spending of her Mast in her passage from Quynborow to Douer caused a longer aboad Now for that the saide Hoie was appointed to carrie prouision and necessaries for the fleete and could not be so soone made ready againe for seruice as was desired and for that the winde standing at North-east was a faire and fitte winde for going forward His Lordship aduised with Sir Richard Lewson the Admirall of the fleet that some course might be presently had to forward the iourney Sir Richard therefore with great care and extraordinarie paines labouring all that night being seconded by Sir Iohn Treuor Surueyor of the Nauie vnladed the saide
performing the same Tuesday the eight and twentieth day of May his Lordship and all the rest of the company were inuited to dinner to the Duke of Lerma where they were most honourably intertained receauing there all contentment that might be for besides the plenty of his cheare the manner of the entertainment could not be bettered At the Table his Lordship was accompanied with the Duke of Lerma the Duke of Infantasgo the Duke of Alberquerque They were attended vpon at this feast by diuers Nobles Marquesses and Earles with many Knights and Gentlemen of the Kings priuy chamber and few others And besides the seuerall sorts of musicke during the time of dinner his Lordship and the rest hauing receiued what could be possibly giuen at the Table they were caried downe into a faire court paued with square stone in the middest whereof was a fountaine of cleare water The whole Court couered with canuas to defend and keepe off the heat of the sunne which at that time shone extreamly In this Court was of purpose a stage erected with all things fitting for a play which his Lordship and the rest were inuited to behold The King and Queen being in priuate likewise Spectators of that Interlude To write of euery particular of the Dukes entertainment were too much for he tooke exceeding care to performe al things with the greatest state as well appeared in this that for that the kitchin was crosse a square Court there were set vp high posts of timber with canuas strained to couer and defend the same in the passage of the meat from the dresser The ground being likewise couered with hangings of leather that no dust should arise whilest the seruice passed by At this feast seuerall Healths were druncke to the Kings of Great Brittaine and Spaine and to the happy continuance of the peace begun by the Duke of Lerma seconded by his Lordship and performed by all the company at the table Many Ladies of great account came priuately to see and obserue his Lordship and the company as they sate at meat well allowing and applauding the plenty and bounty vsed at this feast being indeed such a one as the like was not seene in Spaine many yeares before Wednesday his Lordship concluded with the Constable and Alexander Rouida Senatour of Millaine as concerning all matters touching the taking of the Kings oath Thursday the thirtieth day of May being Corpus Christi day the King went in Procession and for that he would be seene by the English the course was appointed by the gate where his Lordship lodged The manner was as followeth First came eight great Giants three Men three Women two Mores with a Taber and Pipe playing and they dauncing Then followed certaine Pilgrimes clad in blew After whō came many Crosses being in number 25. or 26. borne attended by the officers of the seuerall Churches to which they belonged Amongst whom were also mingled diuers pictures of Saints as Saint Iohn S. George killing the Dragon Saint Michaell Saint Francis Saint Andrew Saint Dominicke Saint Martin the picture of Christ in seuerall formes Mary Magdalen our Lady in diuers fashions also Many holy and pretious reliques Friers Mories dancers in maner of Gypsies beasts with fire-works Wild-men and such like toies as it should seeme to draw the people more readily with admiration After these followed diuers other Church reliques Friers Augustines Other Friers of the order of Saint Francis with their reliques Many Churchmen with lighted tapers in their hands the Kings Pages bearing torches Then the Sacraments borne by foure Churchmen in rich Copes Then the Lords and Grandes of Spaine Then followed the King bearing a lighted taper of Virgin wax after whom followed the Cardinall the Emperours Ambassadour the French Ambassadour and the Venetian Ambassadour the Prince of Sauoy the Prince of Moroco and others all bearing their tapers lighted in their hands The same day his Lordship staied till foure of the clocke after noone vntill his Highnesse pleasure were knowen that he was pleased as that day to take the oath formerly agreed on between them About which time there came to his Lordship Don Blasco de Aragon who brought word that the King expected his Lordships comming to the Court as that day and therefore for the more conuenient passage of the Nobles and Gentlemen that were to attend him thither order was taken that all should be supplied with Gennets that wanted and would send to the Kings stable for the same Euery man being furnished his Lordship set forward to the Court the Constable Don Pedro de Suniga being sent to accompany his Lordship thither as also diuers other Knights and Lords whose names for the sodainnesse of their comming and the number of them being so many could not be had His Lordships owne Gentlemen were in seuerall coches afore and staied at the Court gate expecting his Lordships comming thither where likewise great preparation was made diuers Noble men and others staying there to receaue his Lordship and his company Amongst whom were the Duke of Lerma and some other Grandes and those of the greatest Lords in Spaine His Lordship being thus receaued was conueied vp through a long Gallery into a Presence and so into another inner roome the Gentlemen Knights and Lords euer going before in very good order In which roome his Maiesty staied for the comming of his Lordship receauing him with affable and kind congratulation and tooke him along with him by his side The Kings Sergeaunts at Mace going first after following all the Graundes and Lords of Spaine one among another then the foure Kings of Armes in their coats of Armes then the Duke of Lerma bearing the Sword naked wherein one thing is especially to be noted that the Duke bare not the Sword vpright as is the custome of England but bare it lying vpon his right shoulder so the King and his Lords went together into a very faire banquetting house very lately built the Ambassadour Leadger the Lords and diuers others following The King sitting in his Estate his Lordship and the Ambassadour Leadger were placed vpon his left hand the Grandes and other the Noblemen of Spaine being seated on the other hand two degrees lower Before the King was brought a little Table whereon lay the Bible and a Crucifix vpon it The Archbishop of Toledo read the oath with a reasonable loud voice at one part of the oath his Lordship held the Kings hands between his to which oath the King sware kneeling and laying his hand vpon the Booke and afterwards subscribed to the Articles and Agreements drawen and concluded by both Kings Friday the one thirtieth day of May his Lordship dined early for that there was that day appointed a sport which they call Inego de Toro and also Inego de Canas and for that his Lordship and all his company from the meanest to the highest should haue the pleasure of the sights there were some appointed to see euery