FINETTI PHILOXENIS SOM CHOICE OBSERVATIONS OF Sr. JOHN FINETT KNIGHT And Master of the CEREMONIES to the two last KINGS Touching the Reception and Precedence the Treatment and Audience the Puntillios and Contests of Forren AMBASSADORS IN ENGLAND Legati ligant Mundum LONDON Printed by T. R. for H. Twyford and G. Bedell and are to be Sold at their Shops in Vine-Court Middle Temple and the Middle Temple Gate 1656. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PHILIP Lord Vicount Lisle c. MY LORD I Know well for I know it by Experience that your Lordship hath been trained up from a Youth in matters of Embassyes and Legantine Affaires as wel when you attended my Lord your Father to Denmark and other States of Germany as many yeares after in the French Court Therefore the Dedicatory addresse of this new Peece will not be adjudged incongruous by any discerning Reader but very pertinent considering the quality of the subject which treats of transactions of that nature being the Manuall observations of that knowing Knight and well accomplish'd Courtier Sir John Finett vvho officiated so many yeares in Affaires of that kind Therefore this Peece goes indented vvith many signall Passages of the Reception and Treatments of the Conduct Audiences the Pretences and Precedencies vvith divers Contests and Puntilioes of State between forren Ambassadors Among other parts of Industry vvhich vvere knovvn to be in that Worthy Knight one vvas to couch in vvriting and keep an exact Diary of vvhat things had passed in his Province as Master of the Ceremonies according to the laudable Custome of the Italians and transmitted by them to the high and low Dutch Ministers of State vvith others Moreover these Observations go interwoven vvith divers Historicall Passages and those most faithfully related there being nothing taken here upon trust but all upon his own knovvledge being stil upon the place himself and an Actor in every thing as appeared by the Manuscript he left And thus much out of the conversation I had often vvith him I vvas desired to tell the World Lastly Besides the Motives before mentioned there vvent another Inducement to this Election vvhich vvas the high respects and Honour I professe your Lordship having discovered in you a true Sidneyan Soule vvhich by a peculiar Noble Genius is observed to be extraordinarily inclin'd to the Theory and Speculative part of Vertue as vvell as to the Practicall In vvhich opinion I rest My most Honoured Lord Your very humble and ever ready Servant JAMES HOWELL Holborn this 20. of April 1656. THE Chief Heads and Substance of the ensuing DISCOURSE 1. THe Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented and the Kings Apologie for his satisfaction 2. The Braveries used at the Lady Elizabeths Wedding 3. Passages of Ambassadors about invitations to the Earl of Somersets Marriage 4. A clash betwixt the Savoy and Florence Ambassadors for precedence 5. Differences at a Mask betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors and the States 6. The Spanish Ambassador excepting against the States for sitting with him in the Kings presence 7. The Spanish Ambassador refusing to be at a Mask 8. The Venetian Ambassador discontented about his Present 9. Foure Ambassadors at a Readers Feast 10. Ambassadors invited to hunt with the King 11. Ambassadors invited to the Princes Creation 12. The rich present of Furres sent by the Emperour of Russia to the King 13. A clash betwixt the Spanish and French Ambassadors 14. Touching Sir Henry Manwayring 15. Exceptions taken by the French 16. The sitting of Ambassadors at a Mask with the King reform'd 17. Differences betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors reconcil'd 18. Of the flaunting Embassie of Monsieur Cadenet 19. Exceptions about placing 20. Six in joynt Ambassie at once from the States 21. The Russian Ambassadors puntillio for precedence 22. A great Embassie from the Emperour 23. Questions betwixt the Imperiall and Venetian Ambassadors concerning Titles and Visits the like with the French 24. The young Landgrave of Hessens entertainment 25. The States Ambassadors distasts 26. The Duke of Soubizes Negotiation 27. Exceptions taken by the Venetian Ambassadors 28. Exceptions of the States Ambassadors 29. The Prince his return from Spain 30. The French Ambassador gets ground of the Spanish 31. Difference betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors 32. Reasons for the Master of the Ceremonies to sit in the same Coach with the Ambassadors 33. A clash betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassador 34. Sir Robert Sherley Ambassador from Persia 35. Ambassadors extraordinary from France to treat of a Marriage 36. Death of King James and Solemnities of his Funerall 37. Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador 38. Reason of the Venetian Ambassador for Parity with Crownd heads 39. The King and Queens first interview at Dover 40. The Marquesse of Blamvillés contestations for formalities and his Lodging and Dyet at Court 41. His reason for not assisting at the Coronation 42. The great clash betwixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley 43. The French cashier'd from Court 44. Difference betwixt the Master of the Ceremonies and Jewell house who is to carry Presents to Ambassadors 45. Bethlem Gabors Ambassadors 46. The Reformation of Ambassadors sitting in publick and eating with the King 47. The Danish Ambassadors complaint 48. The Mantovan Ambassadors Expostulations 49. A new Declaration touching the Treatment of Ambassadors and the value of their Presents abated 50. The Expostulations of the Duke of Savoyes Ambassador 51. Questions and Puntillioes betwixt Regall and Ducall Ambassadors 52. The Lord Majors refusing to give place to the King of Denmarks Ambassador 53. A clash betwixt the Ambassador of Savoy and the Duke of Buckingham because he gave Sanctuary to my Lady Purbeck 54. The States Ambassadors exceptions and complaints how satisfied 55. The notable Plot the Spanish Ambassadors had traced to destroy the Duke of Buckingham With divers other Signall Passages of State and matters of remark wherewith the Discourse is interwoven In page 250. for and machinations read a machination with other small mistakes which the judicious Reader will not stumble at Sir JOHN FINETS OBSERVATIONS Touching Forren Ambassadors c. THE Count Palatine of the Rhone coming to marry the Lady Elizabeth landed at Graves end on Friday night the sixteenth of October and had his first welcom brought him thither from the King by the Lord Haye with the attendance of Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies and his second on Sunday following by the Duke of Lenox attended by many Lords Knights and Gentlemen the Kings Servants As he passed before the Tower in his Majesties Barges the discharge of the great Ordnance there served for a warning to the Earles of Shrewsbury Sussex Southampton and other Lords to waite on the Duke of Yorke to the Staires of White-Hall for his reception at his landing there and to conduct him to the presence of the King Queene Prince and Princesse in the Banqueting House where having made an humble reverence to his Majesty and passed his first Complement he addressed himselfe to
Venice and of Savoy had been placed the Maske night before but were this night placed with their Country-men in the Gallery mentioned At a reading in the Middle-Temple held by Mr. Martin were invited to Dinner the former three Ambassadors Sir Noell â—aron and the States Ambassador also At the Tables end sate the Reader on his left hand on the Bench next the wall sate the French Ambassador beneath him on that side the Savoyard then the Earle of Worcester c. On the Readers right hand on a forme sate first the Venetian beneath him the States Ambassador next him the Lord Lysle c. It was observable that at this time the States Ambassador as appeares made no scruple of quitting the Precedence to that of the Duke of Savoye which they have fince questioned and still stand upon The Ambassador of Savoy comming to the King at New Market Note not the Kings March the second was by me fetcht and conducted in the Lord Chamberlaines Coach with foure Horses in company of the Lord Worceston Sir James Spence and Sir William Austroder from his Lodging two miles out of Towne there to the Presence Chamber where he attended till the Lord Chamberlain comming forth of the Kings withdrawing Chamber brought him to his Audience there This done the Ambassador requested me to moove the Prince for the honour to kisse his hand But it was objected that the demand should have been more seasonably made before the very instant of pretending to it Whereto the Ambassador replyed that he had no spare time for it between that of his Arrivall at Court and his immediate repaire to his Majesty which excuse admitted he was immediately introduced to his Highnesse in his owne Lodgings March the sixteenth I brought the States Ambassador to an Audience at Theobalds after he had attended a while at the Lord Fentons Lodgings and was called up to his Majesty in the privy Gallery A Messenger from Russia came to his Audience at White-Hall the three and twentieth of March who not being qualified with the title of Ambassador I onely with no Lord to receive him met him at the Court gate and brought him to the Councell Chamber he was after an houre and an halfes attendance there sent for by one of my Lord Chamberlains Gentlemen received in the stone Table Chamber by that Lord and in the next admitted to the Presence of his Majesty The foure and twentieth of March being the Kings day of comming to the â—rowne of England and that yeare Sunday a tilting then prepared for was put off till the day following That evening a question falling between his Majesty and some Lords whether some all or no Ambassadors were to be invited The Lord â—hamberlain askt me if I knew whether ever the Spanish Ambassador Sarmiento had been invited to that solemnity I said he had and upon search of my notes found that at the Earle of Somersets Marriage he the Arch-Dukes Ambassador and both their Ladies had been present at a tilting This President brought over-ruld his Majesty who seemed inclined otherwise to invite the French Venetian and Savoyard never before at any tilting and now not willingly called to this because of the troubles that those publique Ministers usually brought by their Puntillios at such incounters Sir Lewes Lewkner was sent the evening before to the French and the Venetian and I to that of Savoy The next day at two of the Clock he received the two first and I the latter at the stayre foote of the Tilt-yard Gallery and conducted them to the Chamber next that of ordinary Audiences where they all attending till his Majesty and the Queen passed that way they were taken along with them to the tilting They were seated thus the French on the left hand of the King with his back to the side of the Balconie window and somewhat sidelong from the Queen that being held the best place after the Princes place on the Kings right hand beneath whom sate the Venetian both their backs to the Balcony and the Savoyard on the other side beneath the French Ambassador St. Georges Feast being come the French Ambassador without notice given to him or from him of his comming to Court for sight of the solemnity was present onely with Sir George … eere a Gentleman usher of the privie Chamber in the Closet of the Chappell for sight of the Procession both without Sir Lewes Lewkners or my attendance as his prepaire to Court was without our knowledge About the middle of the Kings dinner Mr. Secretary Winwood meeting me wisht me to accompany him where he was all alone in the Closet and to bring him to see the King and the Knights at dinner This I performed and conducted him to the Banqueting House where placing himselfe at the left hand of his Majesty dining he entertained discourse with him about an houre and after upon my intimation of the fitnesse of it he descended to the side Table and saluted the Prince and Knights of the order passing along before them and thence returning by the privy Galleries took Coach in the Parke to go to his Lodgings His omission of not making knowne to the King or his Lord Chamberlain as other Ambassadors had been accustomed his desire to see the Feast might have brought him to some inconvenience worse then loosing his dinner which the Spanish Ambassador had the year before as this might also have had at the Lord Chamberlains Table June 21. The King invited by the Earle of Exeter to hunt and dine at Wimbleton as was also the French Ambassador killed a brace of Staggs before he came to the house There I demanded when it would be his Majesties pleasure to give accesse to the Ambassador whom he had not yet seen there It was assigned him for after dinner The Ambassador dined with the Lords and Ladies at a Table placed in the midst of a faire Roome he seated in a Chaire at the upper end at his right hand the Earle of Arundell the Earle of Mountgomery the Lady Elizabeth Hatton the Lady Resse c. At his left the Lady of Exeter the Lady Ann. Tuffton the Marquesse de l'Isle Unckle to the Duke of Retz newly come into England and to that Feast in company of the French Ambassador the Lord Haye Then entered into favour Sir George Villars and others After dinner the Ambassador going to see the house he attended in the Gallery the Kings coming and had there an houres entertainment of discourse with his Majesty The Spanish Ambassador being invited to hunt with his Majesty in Theobalds Parke went thither early Don Diego Sarmiento and after hunting dined with his Majesty in the Privy Chamber The King seated as alwaies in the midst of the Table the Ambassador on his lest hand at the end his Son Don Antonio his Gentlemen and Servants had their dinner provided them in the Councell Chamber where Sir Patrick Murray my selfe and some other of the Kings
these mentioned alltogether esteemed worth 4000 l. sterling The Ambassadors were received at the Court gate by the Lord Shandoys and on the top of the staire at the enterie to the Guard Chamber by the Earle of Shrewsbury and by these conducted along the Terras immediatly the King allready expecting them with some impatience into the Banquetting House There at the doore they were met by the Lord Chamberlaine and being entred the Roome the exceeding press of the people so hindred their profound Superstitious reverences As stooping and knocking their for cheads against the ground or rather Adorations intended to have been thrice but by that hindrance only once and that close before his Majestie performed by them as it turned much to their discountenance and discontent Those that carried the Present about fifty were after the Ambassador had finished his Speech and Interpretation made of it commanded to pass along on the left hand and in sight of his Majestie by one and one in the Privie Gallery where his Majesty might at leasure in his return take better view of what the press before had hindred The Lord Chamberlain reconducted the Ambassadors after their dismission to the door of the Banquetting House the other Lords to the Stations of the first Reception and I only to their Lodging The fourteenth of December I was sent by the Lord Viscount â—â—sle Lord Chamberlain to the Queen to conduct the Wife of the French Ambassador to the presence of her Majesty at Denmarke House where at the Gate I received her and brought her to a Chamber for her repose at the right hand of the first Court thither after a small time of stay repaired for her entertainment and to accompany her to her Majestie the Lady Blanch Arundell Mistress Barbara Sydney Mistress Southwell of the Queens privy Chamber and Mistress Gargrave one of her Majesties maides of Honour not long after a Gent. Usher bringing word that the Queen was come forth into the Privy Chamber she passed with this Company her Servants going before her towards her Majestie and was met at the Presence Chamber door by the Lord Chamberlain and received by her Majestie without a kiss from her though by some expected This done she returned reconducted by the Lord Chamberlain to the Gaurd Chamber by the mentioned Ladyes to the entrance of the Portico of the first Court and by my self to her Coach The 17. of December by Order of the Lord Chamberlain to the Queen I and two of her Majesties Gentlemen with her Majesties Coach and another attended Sir Thomas Summerset Son to the Earl of Worcester for the Conduct of the Venetian Ambassador to his first Audience of her Majestie we found him ready at his House at the Spittle with two Choaches of his own and some Gent. Strangers to accompany him thence Bringing him first to the Councell Chamber at Denmarke House he was introduced by the Lord Chamberlain to the Queen into the Privie Chamber and after delivery of his Letters and some few words of complement he returned home with the company mentioned Sir Thomas Somerset would have taken leave of him so soone as he entred the fore-Court of his House but I telling him it was the Custome and would be expected that he should leave him in his Chambers he would not be perswaded to pass further then he had which the Ambassador resenting went sodainely from him without so much as offering to accompany him back towards his Coach and not without shewing a countenance of infatisfaction The 28. of November Sir Thomas Spence Lord of Wormstone who had been a Generall in the Wars of the King of Sweden let me know that an Ambassador extraordinary from that King was arrived at Gravesend and there attended Order for his proceeding My Lord Chamberlaine was not then in Town and because I was tender in taking any course without his Lordships directions and that also I knew not whether the Master of the Ceremonies then also out of Town might have already received Order for that Service I wrote to him a Letter signifying my knowledge of that imployment toward for which if he had already Order I might be discharged He wrote answer that he knew it two dayes before and would himself the next day go about it and so did fetching him from Gravesend to his abiding in the Crouchet Fryers The fourth of December Master Secretary Lake sent for me and shewed me a Letter he had then received from the Earl of Buckingham then with the King at Newmarket signifying in Answer of and by him from my Lord Chamberlaine That whereas the Ambassador of the King of Sweden was desirous of an Audience there the King was pleased he should have it but not to be defraied as that which had never yet been done to any of that Kings Ambassadors neither would he bring up any such Custome but that for Coaches and other things usuall his Majesties pleasure was that Order should be taken to furnish him Upon sight of this Letter I desired Sir Thomas Lake to send to the Master of the Ceremonies but he was out of Town as was also the lord Chamberlaine whom when he returned I acquainted with the business At the first he was of Opinion that the Ambassador himself must pay for the hire of his Coaches but I intimating that it was his first Audience he was to go to at which usually his Majesty sent his own Coach for service of Ambassadors he assented that he should have Coaches at the Kings charge but not that he should have carriages so for his Baggages also demanded as being an allowance without president yet this also at the last besides the hire of two horses was yeelded to and we setting forth from London the eight of December came the first night to Puckerage whence I wrote by a Servant sent before with the Ambassadors Cookes to the Earle of Buckingham to signifie our approach and that if his Majesties pleasure were to do the Ambassador any further honour by incounter of some Noble Person on the way his Lordship might have time to take and give directions for it But his Majesty and my Lord being when my letters came allready horsed to ride on hunting all rested without further order till the evening that we arrived at our Lodging whence I went immediately to my Lord of Buckingham my Lord Chamberlain being then at London with the accoumpt of our comming and to solicite the Ambassadors Audience but this being referred for resolution to the next morning I acquainted Mr. Secretary Lake and the Lord Fenton with the Ambassadors desire of dispatch and at eleaven of the Clock before noone obtained the Kings pleasure for accesse at two After noone when the Lord Clifford with halfe a dozen Gentlemen of the privy Chamber his Majesties Coach and the Bishop of Winchesters went to receive him at his Lodging and with the Ambassadors followers in other foure Coaches that brought us from London brought him to Court
but not _____ to the value of it in ready money he presented me with a Chayne of 30 l. value On S. Georges day Note if it should please him because Ambassadors are not to be in vited but to let the King know their desires to see that Feast the Polonian Ambassador having before received an Invitation to see if it should please him the Solemnity of that Feast was brought to White-Hall by Sir Lewes Lewkner the Lord Gray having been appointed to accompany him but arriving too late after his departure from his Lodging though indeed the sending of a Lord at that time was Supererrogatory and not usuall he rested himselfe in the old Councell Chamber till the Procession when placed in a stand purposely erected for him and his folfowers next the doore at the head of the Stone Stayres he saw the King and Knights pass by and after that the Ceremony in the Chappell from the Kings Closet there that finished he and the Arch-Dukes Agent Van Mab all day accompaning him were treated by the King in the Councell Chamber with the attendance of his Majesties Servants on whom he bestowed by advice of Van Mab about ten pounds in Hungarian Duckets and about the midst of his Majesties Dinner went to see and saluted the King Prince and Knights as they sate at Table and after retyring for a while in the Councell Chamber he departed On Sunday the fifteenth of July this Ambassador together with another of the House of Medici arrived here a little before from the Duke of Florence were invited to dine with the King and there to take their leaves A day or two before the Lord North had order from the Lord Chamberlain to accompany the Florentine while it was questioned what Person of somewhat a preceding quality should accompany the Polonian But most of the great Lords then absent from Towne and both the Kings best Coaches so imployed as they could not be spared severally to carry them there came a Countermand the Evening before for the Company of any Lord so as Sir Lewes Lewkner inone of his Majesties Coaches only attended them they came towards noon to Theobalds were recived at their descent from their Coaches by the Earle of Aubegney and conducted to the Gouncell Chamber neere which each of them had a Chamber appointed for their retraite they were after the Sermon brought to the King in the Privy Chambers and out of them following him to the Presence Chamber they there dined the Polonian at the lower side of the Table on the Kings left hand and the Florentine at the end of it A Count Palatine Cosin to the Polonian and three or four Knights of Malta and of Saint Stephen of the Florentines Traine dined in the Councell Chamber At the end of the Table sate the Count Palatine in a Chaire and for company the Lord Clifford on his right hand the three Knights on the left side and beneath them the rest of the Florentines company on the other side sate the Polonians Gentlemen c. the inferior sort sate not at all there but had the remaines after at the same Table Dinner done the Ambassadors after their retreat to their Chambers had their several Audiences The Polonian first in the Gallery who was after conducted to the Prince by his Highness Gentleman Usher And after him the Florentine in the same place and order The Polonian Ambassador not long after departed having obtained of his Majesty by the cunning assistance of the Count de Gondemar the loane I may say the gift as never to be restored of ten thousand pound sterling The 23. of December three Commissioners Ambassadors from the States being assigned their first publique Audience were conducted to it in the Kings Coach and four or five others by the Lord Clifford from their Lodging in Bread-streete their names were d'Arsen Lord of Somersdyks Bass Stavenets they were received at the Gaurd-Chamber door by the Earle of Warwick as Captaine of the Guard in his Brothers absence and after their Audience of the King in the Presence Chamber had one of the Prince in his Lodgings Twelftide appearing and a Maske being to be presented by the Prince and other Lords and Gentlemen my Lord Chamberlaine gave me in charge to repaire to the Venetian Ambassador Seigniour Girolenio Landi with this message as from himself with request of his Secrecy That whereas he had told him two or three dayes before that no Ambassador should be invited to the Maske as the King had signified to him his intention he perceived that the Spanish Ambassador the Count of Gondemar had under-hand pressed his Majesty to be invited so as not to appear to have doubled with him in what he had told him he bade me let his Excellency know that if he would for forme sake be invited and frame some excuse for his not comming he would himselfe as from his Majesty send him an invitation But if he would be really invited and come his request should be that he would make his way to it by the Marquis of Buckingham When I had delivered this message to the Ambassador in hearing of his Secretary whom he called in he made answer That for excuse of his not comming though for forme invited he would never give that advantage to the Spanish Ambassador to say of him that one day he would be well and annother ill for his satisfaction as he knew some had been as if he stood in awe of him and for the other point of making his way by the Marquis of Buckingham he would never do it since he had alwayes he said made his access to his Majesties Presence by the right door of the Lord Chamberlain and would now enter by no other But since he saw he said what this tenderness meant he desired me to intreat his Lordship in his name that he would be pleased to go directly to his Majesty and by way of remembrance no otherwise put him in mind from him That the last year the French Ambassador Extraordinary Monsieur de Cadenet and the Ordinary Monsieur de Tilliers were invited to the Prince his Maske at Christmas and the Spanish Ambassador to the same Maske repeated at Shrovetide to which he could and might justly have taken Exceptions that he was both times omitted but that the King of Bohemiaes Ambassador being not then no more then he invited he was content to suffer with him but that now though he might in reason expect that he should be as in his turne invited alone he would not be so punctuall but would referre all to his Majesties pleasure yet if any other Ambassador should be invited he would expect the like honour as a respect due to the Prince and State he represented who in all publicke places had and were to have entertaintment al par delle teste Cornate equall with Crowned Kings And as for the Spanish Ambassador he said his presence at the Maske should notbe an Exclusion to him
his proceeding considering that the Emperors Ambassador both affirmed that the Spanish had first vifited him personally wheras the French had by an hasty anticipation only performed it by his Servent and that at another time the same French Ambassador had passed over a subject for the like punctuality without any scruple or question as when the Bohemian Ambassador was here and had first visited the Spanish he was for all that visited by him the French Tthat by the stile held in the Emperors Court the precedence is given to the Spanish and that he was therefore bound to observe it here yet notwithstanding all this the French upon a second offter of visite from the Emperors Ambassador excused his being at home so as there passed no complement of visite at all between them In the mean time the Venetian Ambassador after I had returned as from my self the Emperors Ambassador his answer ut supra wrote to me an ofter to come to my House which preventing by going to his told me he had received a returne of his visite sent by his Servant by a Servant of the others who at the first entrance of his Message giving his own Master the title of Excellenza and him the Venetian of Signioria Illustrifsima said his Excellency hoped to see him before his departure which words though of a double sence of seeing him at his own House or at the others taken as a courtesie he desired me to let him know as I did that he had spared to make Reply to his courtesie by his own the Venetians Servant because the Title likely to be used by the Emperors Ambassador and justly to be returned considering the Republicks paritie with Crownd Heads by the same Servant might perhaps breed further distaste but that I that was neutrall and uninterested might let him know as he desired me I would without danger of offence or ingagement by application of Title that he was most sorry any such difference should hinder the Visite and acknowledgement of respects which he and his Republique owed the Emperor and his Ministers but that if any mean could be found to carry things with indifferencie that he would most readily imbrace it That at the first if he had not expressed himself by those different Titles given by his Secretary he had himselfe personally visited him and without further condition put himself upon his wisdome That regarding the duty he owed the State he represented he would not leave his first hold and finally for his own particular he was his most humble servant c. To this the Emperors Ambassador returned that he was sorry the difference stood so stifely upon between them should keep him from the acquaintance of a person of whom he had received so worthy respects that he could not alter what he had once with good reason resolved never to treate del pare with the Venetian Minister That what he stood upon or had done proceeded not he protested from any Capriccio of his own or command of his Master but meerly as he knew of his own experience according to the Stile and manner held between the Emperors and all Venetian Ambassadors ab antiquo so desired pardon for his freedome presented his love and service c. The last Complement being returned to the Venetian Ambassador the business ended without interview or further question or difference between them The 11. of April this Ambassador had his second private Audience fetcht from denmark-Denmark-House by water by the service of six or seven Barges by the Earle of Aubigney and other Lords and Gentlemen landing at the Privy Staires at White-Hall and passing through the Sheild Gallery and the late Queens Lodgings into the Kings Privy Gallery and his withdrawing roome there where the King held discourse with him an hour together Remotis arbitris a day or two after he ran at Tylt in the Prince his company with the Lord Montjoy The Sunday following April 14. he was publickly feasted in the Upper House of Parliament seated on his Majesties left hand at the distance of about three persons between and of one beneath His Barons and principall Gentlemen were placed at a Table set cross at the upper end of the Court of Requests accompanied at dinner by the Lord Treasurer the President of the Councell and the Earle of Rutland who had been that day his conductour from Denmarke House by water After dinner as before he was brought to his Chamber of repose and some halfe an houre after fetched thence by the same Lord his conductour to take leave of his Majesty in the Roome where he had dined and thence went to St. Jameses to take leave also of the Princes Highness On Wednesday the sevententh of Aprill and the eleaventh day of his stay here having been all that time defrayed he deparred hence with all his followers in six of the Kings Barges to Gravesend where he was to imbarke in two Ships of the Merchants appointed by the King but paid by himselfe for Dunkirk At his parting he left his Majesties Officers and Servants little fatisfied with the gratuities being but small Bracelet Chaines to the valew of scarse eight or 10 l. a peece To the Master of the Ceremonies bringing him the Present from his Majesty which was his Picture set in Gold richly inchaced with Diamonds and hung at a Chaine of Diamonds Rubies and Pearles valewed at 1600 l. he gave a small Jewell worth little above eight pound and for all his Travell and attendance a Bason and Ewer not of 30 l. valew To the Guard then waiting being twenty foure he gave 40 l. and to the Clerck of the Check a Bracelet of Gold of about nine pounds valew To me who expected nothing having had no command to attend him he gave a small Chaine of Excellent Workmanship as a rememberance he said not a reward worth ten pound besides the rare fashion of it To the Porters five pound to two of the Kings Coachmen dayly attending him tend pound to the hired Coachmen five pound he took away without leave or demand of him the Bishop of Spalato a fault in him and an indignity offered his Majesty considering what noble Treatment he the Ambassador had received here and the unworthy carriage of that double Apostate Prelate toward this State and Religion His Secretary had from the King a present equalling in valew almost all those he bestowed upon his Majesties Servants being worth above an hundred pounds A second Son of the Lands-grave of Hess by name Phillip _____ sent hither on a Negotiation from his Father was to have an Audience of his Majesty on Easter day Aprill the one and twentieth and though he were not a qualified Ambassador yet regarding his condition I had order to receive him at the Court Gate so conducted him thence to the Privy Chamber whence he was after about an hours stay called for received at the doore of the Privy Gallery by the Lord Chamberlain and had there his Audience
to it privately by water and after him the French Ambassador for a sight of the manner of his Majesty and the Lords first entrance to that great Work The Ambassadors were placed as in private behinde a Traverse on the Kings right hand which when the King began his Speech was drawn open The Venetian not to loose any of those Rights he was so jealous of and with reason upon so fresh a hazard as he had run sent to me before hand for knowledge of the course designed for the Ambassadors repaire and requested he might be admitted to the sight of it as they should be publick or private Hereat my Lord Chamberlaine made at the first some difficulty as not of Custome he said though once allowed to his Predecessor Landi adding that the French would be there as attendant Domestiques of the Queen that she had been there as was intended but was hindred by her indisposition and that no sit place could be found where he might see unseen but at last the Earle of Arundell acquainting the King with his designes I had directions to bring him by a private back way to the enterance neere the King on his left hand where in the throng he stood concealed The ninteenth of June An Ambassador from the States This was too high and irregular an Extraordinary Ambassage from the States brought Monsieur de Arsennes Monsieur de Joachimi both formerly here and Monsieur Burmania from Gravesend with Sir Lewes Lewkners conduction to Tower Wharffe where received by the Earle of Lincolne they passed on with his Lordship to their Lodging at Generall Cecils House in the Strand their imployment was chiesly to congratulate the Kings marriage The 21. of June Ratification of the Kings marriage the three French Ambassadors were by the Duke of Buckingham with attendance suiting such a Conductour fetcht from Somerset-House and brought to White-Hall by the way of the Guard Chamber Presence and Privy Chamber to the Kings Withdrawing Chamber whence with both their Majesties they entered the Banquetting House Thore their Majesties seated in their chaires of State the Queen on the right of the King the Duke de Cheuereux seated somewhat more forward on the left together with the other two French Ambassadors behind whome stood the Lord Keeper the Earles of Carliel and Holland both there imployd in France for conclusion of that matrimoniall businesse with other great Lords and next besides and behind the Queen the great Ladies and French Lords There was solemnly and distinctly read the Ratification c. After which the King joyning hands with the Queen and kissing her they all with-drew while the Room might be prepared for the Kings dinner the Queen retyring her selfe to her Quarter dined there in her own Presence Chamber the great Ladies by themselves in the Guard Chamber soone after the King with his Ambassadors came to dinner in the Banquetting House where on his left hand with the usuall distance sate the Duke and at the Boards end the two other Ambassadors A Question in the interim growing between the Officers whether the place opposite to the Duke were not the most proper for them which the Master of the Ceremonies affirmed had been the custome of one instant Treatment of three Commissioners but his assertion was not followed for the betterr convenience of the said Officers carving and sewering after Dinner the Roome cleered and cleansed their Majesties with the Ambassadors the Lords and Ladies returned and spent the rest of that Afternoon in revelling c. The Ambassador of Venice who had forborne to request or make so much as an offer to be present in publick or private of the solemne ratification of the marriage where he thought not fit perhaps to bring to question the intent of his pretended Rights of Parity con le teste Coronate was the next day introduced to an Audience of the Queen demanded by her Majesties Lord Chamberlain the Count de Tillieurs late here Ambassador Ordinary with the King and now returned a follower of the Queen After notice given me of this assigned Audience I received the Ambassador at the Court Gate conducted him through the Preaching Court along the long darke winding Entrey up to the Queenes Guard Chamber and into the Chappell Chamber next it whence after notice given by me to her Majesties Lord Chamberlain of his Presence there he passed on was received there at the Presence Chamber doore by the Lord Chamberlain and by him brought to the Queen in her Privy Chamber and thence after his congratulation returned to his Lodging without my attendance The three and twentieth of June the three Commissioners from the States had publick Audience of his Majesty conducted to it by the Earle of Warwick they passed the old Ordinary way up the great stone Staires over the Wooden Terras to the old Councell Chamber then restored to the Ancient use upon the Queens use of the other for her Presence Chamber and were called thence by the Master of the Ceremonies to proceed through the Guard Chamber where the Earle of Holland Captaine of the Guard stood ready in the midst of the Chamber his company ranged on each side of it to receive them and the Lord Chamberlain then absent to introduce them to his Majesties Presence in the Presence Chamber Whence after dismission they turned by the way to the Chappell Chamber into the Queens Guard and Presence Chamber received there by her Majesties Lord Chamberlain and by him brought to their Audience into her Privy Chamber This their Access to the Queen was demanded somewhat late that day but referred therefore to the time of her own pleasure onely intimating that the King had granted them that day an Audience and requesting my Lord Chamberlain to let her Majesty know so much and with all their most humble desires of the like honour from her Majesty but with their due respects of her own best conveniency that day or another at her pleasure Soone after these Audiences Monsieur de Arsennes and Monsieur Burmania taking their leave returned home Monsieur Joachim remaining here with the charge of Ambassador Extraordinary They were at that time presented each of them with a 1000. ounces of gilt Plate The Venetian Ambassador having taken shadow at the carriage or mis-carriage of his service done at King James his Funerall was tender and jealous of every occasion that might touch his State in interest of honour for which regard having received advice from his Prince that an Ambassage Extraordinary was resolved on to be sent from Venice for condolement and congratulation in August or September following he was curious to know by my inquirie from my Lord Chamberlain what would be the manner and extent of their reception About which imploying my selfe I could get no more from his Lordship then that they should be sure of it to the full of former Presidents which he could not learne he said had been ever further off then at
Gravesend whether a Master of the Ceremonies should be sent with the Kings Barge to meet them and a Nobleman of fitting quality to Tower Wharffe to receive them at their Landing there The eight and twentieth of June a Turkish Chiaus or messenger who came hither about the time of King James his Death having demanded Access to the Queen for congratulation and being allowed it I was the same day sent to for that Service by Monsieur de Tilliers and in absence of Sir Lewes Lewkner who came notwitstanding at the instant of the Audience introduced him to her Majesty in her Privy Chamber where she received him with the interpretation of Sir Lewes Lewkner in French another in English to the Queen of what another said to him in English from the Chiaus his mouth in Turkish About that time the Duke de Cheuereux with his Lady the Dutches tooke leave of their Majesties so did Monsieur de Tremes and the Marquess de Fyas soone after The Duke presented me by his Steward with a chaine of 30 l. valew which was assured me to have been ordained double to that but I had to doe with the unjust Steward The other Ambassadors acknowledged my paines with thanks et nihil ultra These gone the Plague increasing the Court removing to Salisbury and I with my family retiring from the danger of infection in London to the Countrey I rested all the rest of that Summer unimployed In the meane time a Splendid Ambassador N. Oxensterne arrived at Southampton from the King of Sweden was received and conducted by Sir Andrew Kith to the Presence of his Majesty at Salisbury Sir Lewes Lewkner being then under restraint for his carriage towards the Venetian Ambassador and I absent c. for the reasons mentioned Having in October understood of the Treatment of the Ambassador of Sweden at Salisbury and how necessary my Service was and would be at Court during the absence and restraint of the Master of the Ceremonies for the cause before specified I repaired thither making the best way I could through the danger of the sickness then dispersed almost every where over the Countrey and being arrived there found Sir Lewes Lewkner commanded from his attendance on the Marquess de Bleinvill newly come over Ambassador from the French King to his House at Acton neere London upon complaint of the Venetian Ambassador for his pretended interest and partiall carriage towards the said Ambassador at the Funerall of the late King as is before delivered whereupon I received the Lord Chamberlains commands upon his Majesties pleasure signified to that purpose to attend that Service entered on by another one of the Heraulds but quitted upon the charge given me to discharge it so repaired to the Ambassador with the signification of the proper duty of my place and of the command I had from his Majesty to performe it at all his occasions whereof one fell out two or three dayes after when going to see that antiquity at Stonenge I accompanied him The next day going with him to render his visits to the Earle Marshall and Lord Chamberlain I had order opportunely to tast his disposition for his remove the King being assigned his to Windsore and Hampton Court when I finding his ambition to Lodge in the Kings own House there acquainted my Lord Chamberlain with it who had already given order for his Lodging at Kingston and received from his Lordship answer That his Majesty would never allow any Ambassador to be Lodged so neere him whereupon letting the Ambassador know as dexterously as I could what order had been already taken for his residence at Kingston His answer at first was that what was his Majesties pleasure should be his obedience but proceeding he asked the Plague having been as I am told so much and so lately in that Towne may I not be Lodged within the Kings House at Hampton I replyed it had not been the Custome for Ambassadors to be so Lodged yet said he the Duke de Cheuereux had his Lodging in the House at Richmond and so had the Marquesse de Fyat To this I spared then to reply as by way of contestation but conveying his answer to my Lord Chamberlain and he it to the King His Majesty commanded me to carry to the Ambassador this small resolution That the Queen having been desirous for the long acquaintance sake that had passed between her and the Dutches de Chevereux to have her neer her at the time of her the Dutchesses Delivery and lying in then towards would have her lodg'd in the Kings House at Richmond and that she having her lodging there it was fit that the Duke her Husband should have his there also And as for Monsieur de Fiat it concerned both his Majesties profit and his ease to bring him together with the other Ambassador to one House when a second kept for them at London at the Kings charg as was the Dukes at Richmond would be both dangerous in regard of the Sickness troublesome to the Kings Officers by their serving in of provisions for Diet at two severall places and of great expence Besides it was intended that if those Ambassadors should have come to lye at Hampton Court from Richmont the King would have instantly removed to Windsor or to some other of his Houses To this the Ambassador Bleinville answered he knew not that but this he knew he said that Lodgings were marked for the other within Hampton Court and to be made use of there at their pleasure adding that the Earles of Carliel and Holland late Ambassadors to the King his Master when they were with his Majesty at Saint Cermans were quartered neere the Kings House yet would not rest contented with their Lodging till they had gotten within his Majesties own House two or three roomes furnished for their retraite and to lodge in at their pleasure though indeed they spared to make such use of them In conclusion I said that neither his Majevty nor the King his Father had ever lodged any Ambassador in their Houses while they themselves lodged in them and that his Majesty now would be loth to make a President that would hereafter beget him so great a trouble as this was like to be and that therefore his Majesty hoped that the Ambassador would not take it in ill part if desirous to give him satisfaction and to treate him in all as the Representant of the King his Master he did in this not correspond with his desires c. Having said thus much to him as from the King he not without some countenance of insatisfaction and with intimation that he had but propounded it only and would leave it to the Kings consideration and pleasure there was for that time no further question made of it To dayes after desiring me to procure him an Audience I intended the King for it at his return from Hunting and though it were late I was sent to him with his Majesties pleasure for his
Ambassador had his stand as he said he would at the House of Sir Abraham Williams neere the Gate-House of the Pallace-yard in company of the Queen as Bleinvill which was his owne distinction and not as Ambassador where with her Majesty he had a view of the King in his passage from Westminster Hall to the Church and back againe The Queens Reason as it was voyced for not being Crowned together with the King was because she could not they said by her Religion be present at our Church Ceremonies where she must have had divine Service celebrated by our Bishops and not by those of her own Religion as was demanded for her Crowning The ninth of February following the King was to ride to Parliament and though the Venetian Ambassador had assurance from me that the French was to have no other stand appointed him for view of that Solemnity then the company of the Queen as a private Person and not as an Ambassador yet his jealosie of loosing the pretended right of his Re-publick in Parity with Crowned-heads made him apprehend the allowance of an House taken up for him in King-street about the midst of it where also was assigned one for the States Ambassador at the charge of his Majesty to be an Abatement of his respects which he affirmed was that he was to stand in the same House and place with the French Ambassador but in the end pacified he accepted of it In the meane time a difference that fell out about the place for the Queen she affected to stand in the Banquetting House or in the Privy-gallery when the King had given reasons for her better fight in the house of the Countess Mother to the Duke of Buckingham next the Gate in Kings-street was a Subject for some discontent c. so far as the Ambassador Bleinvill seeming to his Majesty to have been the causer of it had the next day a message brought him by the Lord Conway that it was his Majesties pleasure that he should forbeare further accesse to the Kings or Queens Presence which he storming at and excepting against as an indignity offered to his Representative quality demanded by two or three severall messengers Audience of his Majesty for knowledge of the Reasons of his restraint but was refused it with this limiting distinction If he demanded Audience for any particular business concerning the King his Master he should readily have it but if for himselfe to expostulate his own grievances the King did absolutly let him know that if he came to him he would not see him so as the Ambassador replying that he was here for the King his Master and not for himself and that the refusall of his Audience touched the person he represented and not his own He the next day refused the Kings diet and betook him to his own leaving the Lodging taken for him at durham-Durham-House and removing with the chiefe of his Traine to Greenwich whence two days after returning to London he with the Kings permission had a sight of the Queen and the next day went againe to Greenwich He had in the interim dispatched two or three Couriers one following another with an account of all but at Dover the Ports being by Order shut before hand none of them could be allowed passage till after fourteen or fifteen days when Master Walter Mountacue had been purposely sent from the King they were opened and the Ambassador had his liberty of sending his messenger About a moneth or six weekes after this Malantenda this Ambassador receiving Order from the King his Master for composing of his affaires and differences here and for applying of himselfe to his Majesties pleasure he had an Audience or two and peecing up matters took his leave at a solemne Audience at White-Hall Presence conducted to it by the Earle of Holland the Kings Guard attending their Captain through the streets but what congruity as was done before quere and two or three dayes after departed first for a night or two to his private Lodging at Greenwich and thence to Dover accompanied by Sir Lewes Lewkner but undefrayed on the way leaving the Kings Officers and Servants my selfe in particular after my so long and painfull attendance ill satisfied with his none at all or most unworthy acknowledgements About the middle of February The Merchants of the East Indian Company having signified to his Majesty That a Ship long held for lost and then arrived at Portsmouth had brought in her an Ambassador from the King of Persia obtaind his Majesties Coach with the Earle of Warwick the Master of the Ceremonies and other Gentlemen the Kings Servants in it for his Reception at Kingston and transport to London These Merchants with an affected honour beyond that done to the other Persian Ambassador Sir Robert Sherley had procured the Kings Coach to be drawn with eight Horses as with the more grace to the latter to disgrace the former He came to London the 19. of February and was lodgd the Merchants defraying him in the House of Alderman Holliday then deceased There resting himselfe two dayes his Audience was sollicited and assigned for Shrovetuesday following which suspected by Sir Robert Sherley and his friends to be a plot of the Merchants by so hastning an Audience to prevent his repair to Court and to prepossess the King with the new Ambassadors Reports he intreated the Earle of Cleaveland Husband to his Neece to accompany him at a Visite he would bestow on the said Amdassador for his Wellcome and for the declaring of his own quality of Ambassador from the same King from whom he had so long negotiated here under that Title To this purpose the Earle of Cleaveland addressing himself to the Lord Chamberlaine for his favour in procuring from the Lord Conway Principall Secretary the Letters of Credence brought to King James by Sir Robert Sherley The Lord Chamberlaine excepting his medling in it as being he said no duty of his place From him the Earle of Cleaveland went to the Duke of Buckingham and by his meanes obtaind allowance from his Majestie for the Lord Conway to impart them for so much use and sight as might serve the Ambassador Sherleys turne for the others satisfaction so as my Lord Cleaveland having gotten them into his hands he the morning that the new come Ambassador was in the afternoone to have Audience departed with the Kings Coach and seven other eight or nine Gentlemen and my self accompanying him to Sir Roberts Sherleys Lodging on Tower Hill whence being ready to set forth towards the other Ambassadors I propounded the fitness of sending to him before to avoid the incivility as it might be interpreted of a surprise with signification of our instant coming to him to Visite him To this his Answer met us on the way without other complement then that we might come Entring the Hall where he then was sitting in a chair on his legs double under him after the Persian Posture and affording no motion of
come presently along with the Hambourgh Commissioners to the Queen as I had been first appointed In obedience whereof I presently taking Boat with them and landing at the Common-Court Staires we were there met by two of her Majesties Gentlemen-Ushers of her Presence Chamber and by them told that we should not repaire to any place of repose which I had assigned in the Chappell Closet on the Queens side because her Majesty was already staying for them in her Privy Galleries whether going by the passage of the Privy Staires they there had their access the Queen standing at one side of the Gallery amonst the Ladies This succeeded the Eve of the day July 31. that the French were removed from about the person of her Majesty the Kings Order to me ut supra relating to that important business The 13. of August The Ambassador of Denmark went in the Kings Coach his two Coaches defrayed by his Majestie attending to an Audience at None-such in the Privy Chamber there all but the Lords of the Privy Councell excluded he was fetcht to it from his Chamber of Repose such being the Kings pleasure though more then usuall at a private Audience by the Earle of Dorset The 23. of August An Ambassador Ordinary from Venice by name Alanso Coutarim having resided with the States of the United Provinces arrived at Gravesend where he was received by the Master of the Ceremonies was welcomed from the King at his Landing at Tower-Wharffe by the Lord Willoughby Then but a Baron Lord High Chamberlaine of England and by him conducted to his House at Charter-House where intreated to stay Supper an invitation which upon so short warning savoured more of good Fellowship then Courtship his Lordship and those with him had an Royall intertainment The 13. of September The King having received at Theobalds the unhappy news of an Overthrow given the King of Denmark by the Count of Tilly Generall for the Emperor came to London and that morning sent for the Ambassador of Denmark to come to him after Dinner and received him at denmark-Denmark-House the Queen then there in the Privy Chamber introduced by Sir George Goring Vice-Chamberlaine to her Majestie and fetcht from the Lord Carews Lodging by the Queens Gentleman-Usher The 21. of September A Messenger formerly sent by the same Ambassador to the King his Master being returned he demanded and had an Audience of his Majesty in the Presence at Hampton Court without reposing any where though the Chappell had been assigned for it That night he returned to London he was pleased to excuse my attendance further then to my House in his way at Twittenham where he had taken me up to his Coach in his passage to his Audience of his Majesty He had demanded this access to his Majesty two or three dayes before by the King his Masters Agent Ma. Belaw but whether it had not been more properly carried to have gone immediatly to Court and there in person to have by the Lord Chamberlaine demanded an immediate Audience considering the neer relation between his Master and the King and the consequence of the newes then brought him of his Masters defeate was by some and may be with reason made a Quere The 22. of September as I was at Supper with the Ambassador of Denmarke one came to me with this message That Monsieur Quadt an Honourable Gentleman sent Ambassador from the Prince of Transilvania Bethlem Gabor being that day arrived here had address by Letters both from the Prince his Master and from the King of Bohemia to Monsieur Rosberf residing here for the affaires of that King but understanding that Monsieur Rosberf was out of Town and my selfe one of the Kings Masters of Seremonies to be there he desired my advise and furtherance for his proceeding I answered the Messenger that my way must be by the Lord Chamberlaine for his to his Majesty and that to that purpose I would repaire presently to his Lordships approbation of my Opinion that Monsieur Rosdrose returne to whom the Ambassador had such a particular address it was unfit and needless to give notice of him to his Majesty I went to him though without Commission and complied with him the next morning where receiving his allowance with thanks for my course taken and advise to stay the returning of Rosdrofe I wrote to this Gentleman how I had procecded and sent my Letter by his Servant In the meane time his Majesty having notice of the Ambassadors arriveall signified his pleasure by my Lord Chamberlaine to Master Rosdrose then returned and to me that the correspondence between the Ambassador and themselves considered and answerable to the proposition made by us two Two Ambassadors Arriving at different times lodged and defrayed in one House and at one Table from themselves the Prince of Transilvanians Ambassador and the King of Denmarks should be lodg'd together in the same house and dieted at the same Table with addition of ten pound per diem to the others eighteen pound The traine of the latet consisting but of four persons and that he should be admitted to his Andience the Tuesday following which was performed accordingly I accompanying to Hampton Court with the service of only two hired Coaches each with four horses He had allowed him by the Lord Chamberlaine one Coach with four horses daily to attend his service but for his Majesties profit and with the Ambassadors likeing I brought it to an attendance at such times only as he should be pleased the Evening before to command it In the mean time I doubting that some of those respects ordinarily given to Ambassadors at their first Audiences might be omitted whereof but that he himfelfe professed to affect privacie it was one not to have a Titular person appointed to accompany him thence to the Court I sent a Groome of the Chamber early that morning to order what my Lord Chamberlaine had left unordered and to have some Nobleman to meete and receive him there at his descent out of his Coach This being incharged to the Lord Compton he received no sooner then at the second Gate and there turning up the great staires through the great Hall and Guard-chamber the King was already under the State in the Privy-chamber expecting him which by suddainnesse of his approach so danted him as though he passed through well with his Latine Oration he forgot to present his Letters of Credence and was forced after his parting from his Majesty to send them back to him with excuse of his Servants absence whom he feyned to have had them about him when he being so suddainly without stay any where introduced and his Secretary left in the Press behind him could not come at them opportunely to deliver them All the time of his Audience he never covered being not invited to it by his Majesty who likewise stood all that time uncovered After he had finished his Oration and that his Majesty by me had given him a breife
Bruxells the Hague and Hambourgh The Ambassador of Denmark had the fifth of November a private Audience of his Majesty in the Withdrawing-chamber and was after it by me conducted over the Terras crosse the lower end of the Guard-chamber to the Queens Closet in her Privy-chamber for the like Audience of her Majesty to signifie the King his Masters pleasure of imploying him on a posting Journey into France with intention and command of his speedy returne hither But foure or five dayes after as he was upon the instant of his departure Letters came from his King which for a while retarded him till others comming he the sixteenth of November wrote to me to procure him another Audience of his Majesty with all possible speed allwayes regarding he said his Majesties convenience This in absence of my Lord Chamberlain I moved for and obtained within two hours after he comming to Court by water the Kings Coachman being not to be found for his so immediate Service The eighteenth of November after he had the day before prepared for his silent departure he in the morning early went in a Barge of his own hiring to Gravesend and by coach also at his own cost to Dover leaving behind him some murmurs of the Kings Servants that having done him the Service of their places expected their satisfaction and would not beleive but that they should be deceived of it he parting so suddainly without notice given or leave taking except some few dayes before of the King Queen and certaine Lords though his intention of his speedy returne were not undiscovered to some besides my selfe whom he trusted with it The day of his departure Monsieur Bonika sent from the Marquesse of Baden about important businesse having taken leave and received for his present a Chaine of Gold of 150 l. valew posted after for his company and safer passage to Paris On Sunday the fifteenth of November the Duke of Buckingham having prepared a sumptuous entertainment of a Supper and a Maske at york-York-house for the French Ambassador Monsieur Bassampierre had his Feast honored with the Presence of both their Majesties the King sitting towards the end of the Table with the Queen at his right hand the Ambassador was as soone as they were set invited by his Majesty to sit downe at the end of the Table on that hand which might seeme to be the upper end but was held the lower because next the doore and furthest from the fire he had a wet Towell to wash which given him by the Duke who stood by to serve him all the time of the Supper and would not be put from him nothwithstanding the Ambassadors many excusing refusall of such service c. the Ladies and strangers invited had a plentifull supper in the great Hall of the House while the King and Queen were retyred during some preparations for the Maske in that Roome where their Majesties were Feasted who that night lodged at Somerset-House and had the next day a continuance of their and the Ambassadors entertainment of Feasting Dancing c. The sixteenth of November the Queen prepared for him a Maske represented by the Duke of Buckingham the Earle of Holland Sir George Goring her Viz-Chamberlain and other her Majesties Servants at Somerset-house whereto he came from White-Hall in company of their Majesties by water and had made for him after the Maske a most sumptuous Banquet He should have had by assignation his publick parting Audience but the King with an intreating complement of letting him know and leaving it to his consideration how seriously the Queen was at that time applying her self to her Masking businesse drew him to have it deferred till the Sunday following when towards foure of the clock the Earle of Carliel with the Kings best coach and another of his Majesties fourteen of the Lords Coaches following six or seaven of the Kings Servants onely in them to leave the more place for strangers brought him for his repose to the Councell-chamber where Wine Bread Beere c. usually served in by the Guard was for that time spared as a custome of improper use towards the French and from thence over the Terras to the Banquetting-house where both their Majesties standing ready to receive him and the Ladies ranged in order of their qualities on the left hand of the King all along the Roome and the Lords and Gentlemen on the right The French that marched before the Ambassador being made to stay and be placed on that side for the fairer passage and prospect to their Majesties he there took publick leave of them both but after followed them along the Privy-galleries as far as to the Withdrawing-Roome and was thence conducted by the Earle of Carliel to his Lodgings to Supper in company of divers great Lords and Ladies with whom after Supper returning to the King and Queen he was present with them at a Play in the great Hall which ended and their Majesties waited on by him to the Kings Withdrawing-chamber he there took a second leave and returned late to his Lodgings Two dayes before his departure it being talked of in Court that the Master of the jewell-Jewell-House Sir Henry Mildmay had made his meanes to the Duke of Buckingham and other neere about the Kings person for carriage and delivery of the Present designed to the Ambassador which was a rich Jewell of foure great Diamonds with a great Pearle pendant at it alltogether esteemed by Jewellers at a Merchants rate to be worth seaven thousand pounds the Master of the Ceremonies understanding of these endeavours to the others profit and his disadvantage both present and future from president came to my house as to one whom it highly concerned he said in my right of reversion after his death or in case of his sicknesse or absence when I was to carry the like Presents to those Ambassadors that I had attended or done Service to whom they should be formerly presented with Jewels from his Majesty and intreated me to go with him to the Lord Chamberlain the Earle of Montgomery To whom when we came his Lordship upon the first overture of the difference resolved it to be an undue claime of the Master of the Jewell-house and professed he would to his power oppose him From his Lordship we went both together to the Earle of Pembrok then Lord Steward of his Majesties House-hold and but a small time before Lord Chamberlain and he with expression even of passion condemned the pretence of the Master of the Jewell-House saying no man could better speake to that question then he could who had been present when it was moved before the Lords of the Councell and King James himselfe for their decision By Sir Henry Carew and Sir Lewes Lewkner which had most right to the carriage of Presents the Master of the Ceremonies or the Master of the jewell-Jewell-house this latter pretended indeed he said to their carriage when they consisted of Plate or chaines of gold and
he shewed himselfe carefull in acknowledging the paines taken by the Kings Servants others for his service and having by his own servants inquiry learned of me how other Ambassadors imployed hither had inlarged or streightned themselves to that purpose he thus proportioned his gratuities viz. To my selfe he sent by one of his Gentlemen in a Purse 80 l. sterling to the Marshall of the Ceremonies Walter Brisco 10 l. To the Gentleman Usher that all the time of his stay here gave his attendance he gave 20 l. To the two Quarter waiters each of them 12 l. To the two Groomes of the Chamber each 7 l. To the Yeoman Usher Yeoman hanger Yeoman of the Ward-robes Servants and the Groome Porters Servants amongst them 14 l. To the Kings Coachman that attended him all the time of his first being here 6 l. To two of the Kings Coachmen that attended him after his returne between them 6 l. To the Master of the Kings Barge 2 l. To the eight Rowers of that Barge amongst them 1 l. 4 s. To other two Masters of two hired Barges 11 s. To six men of both those Barges 1 l. 4 s. To the Porters of the Court Gate 3 l. To the two Keepers of the Privy Lodgings 1 l. To two Porters of Saint James Parke 1 l. To six Coachmen of six Coaches hyred at the Kings charge 3 l. To my footman 1 l To the Servants of the House where he was Lodged and fed at the Kings charge amongst them 10 l. To my Lord Treasurers Secretary who had hastned his dispatch of 10000 l. of money paid and due besides a far greater somm a pair of silver pots which cost 21 l. 6 s. To the Master of the House where he had Lodged a Bason and Ewer that cost 18 l. Besides other gifts amounting in the Totall to 260 l. Sterling On Whitson Tuesday Beare-baiting being appointed for the Kings pastime at White-Hall I the day before gave notice of it to the Venetian Ambassador Alonso Contareni Resident and the next morning had his Servant sent to me to signifie his desire to be present at it this imparted to my Lord Chamberlain and by him to his Majesty he was ordained his standing in the Pergola of the Banquetting House on the left hand of that appointed for his Majesty and the Queen with Carpets to leane and tread on and a stoole no chaire to fit on The sport ended the Ambassador that had entered before the King and remained there after him was onely saluted by their Majesties in their passage without further complement at entering and parting Two dayes before the Departure of the Duke of Soubize with my Lord of Buckingham towards Portsmouth for the expedition then in hand to Retz I was commanded to accompany him thither to the seventh of June in company of Monsieur Blancan a brave valiant Gentleman He was refuged hither from France and other his followers himselfe riding in Coach with his Majesty and had his Lodgings taken up by Sir John Jepson and the Majors authority by the former in Houses of Garrison Souldiers by the latter in those of the Townes-men Two nights after his rest there a gang of druncken Marriners fell fowle in the streets with some of the meaner sort of French but after some two or three heads broaken and a sleight wound or two given all was pacified After which for prevention of further mischeif complaint was made by one to the Earle of Denbeigh then aboard as Rere-Admirall the Duke the Admirall and the Earle of Lindsey Vice-Admirall being then absent who sending to all the Fleets for restraint of their Marriners being on shoare at undue hours we heard no more of their insolency especially when within foure dayes after the Dukes returning from London a Guard of a dozen Souldiers of the Garrison were commanded to give their dayly attendance before the Duke of Soubizes Lodging The thirteenth of June going with him to his Majesty at Southwile where the Court then lay foure or five miles from Portsmouth and asking the Lord Stewards Earle of Pembroks opinion in absence of the Lord Chamberlain his Brother what course was to be taken for satisfaction of the Duke de Soubize his host and other of the Town for his followers Lodgings his Lordship gave me for answer that in regard his Lodgings had been defrayed by the King at London it was fit the like should be observed till his departure and that I should make a bill of my disbursements for them leaving his Dyet wood and coale and table linnen to his own provision and discharge as they had been at London The fourteenth of June I had word of two Commissioners styled by them who brought newes of them Ambassadors arrived in the road of the Cowes from Saly in Barbary for my better information whereof I went the day following to Court and had order for my repaire to them but not as with an honour to them of being sent for their reception before or at their landing but to discover what I could of the scope of their Negotiation and to let them know his Majesty had taken notice of their arrivall and proceeding to London they should there at his returne have a fitting time appointed for their Audience but when I came to the Cowes they were parted thence to Southampton whether following them I there performed my charge finding the substance of their Negotiation to be a suit for his Majesties protection and confederation with them against the Spaniard who had expelled them Spaine and the next day returned to Portsmouth About ten dayes before the King went to Portsmouth there came to London from France a Count of Emden second Brother to the cheife of that title and Family after whom his Majesty commanding my inquiry whether he were of the Imperiall party I found him not such and to be come hither onely for sight of England and of his Majesty pretending as I was told that he desired to live here unnoted till he might receive his Horses and Apparrel left in France for his better splendor at Court but the King going his journey before those came he while I was at Portsmouth came thither and not addressing himselfe to me for his Introduction to the King took an uncertain way by another Gentleman who leaving him alone when he came to Court walking in a place unbesitting for him I offered him my service gave his Majesty notice of him and had order for his accesse After which he immediatly without further Ceremony took his leave and dining at the Lord Stewards and Lord Chamberlains Table joyned in company of the Duke and Monsieur de Soubize he after returned to Portsmouth with a Warrant that I at his request obtained for him of the Duke for transport of six Geldings and two stone Horses for which Warrant he supposing because I in absence of the Dukes Secretary drew it that it had been a part of my Office in which till then
and for the Ambassadors more easie digestion of the new order established to that frugall purpose He had at Dinner the Service of the Kings Officers and Guard and the company besides of the Earle of Cleaveland of the Lord de la Ware and of seaven or eight Gentlemen the Kings Servants I immediatly after dinner repairing to the King for knowledge of his pleasure for the instant of his Audience was by his Majesty called apart and asked whether he must not invite him to cover I excusing my my definite resolution answered that I had by discourse already drawn from him that at his Audience of the French King then sick in Bed he had been called by him to his Bed-side and made to sit downe and cover But replyed the King I know that the King of Spain doth not allow the Duke of Mantova's Ambassador to be covered in his presence Sir quoth I That may be an effect of the supercilious and affected greatnesse of that King beyond others in conformity whereof I am told by this Ambassador that while he was at Paris neither of the two Spanish Ministers Ordinary nor Extraordinary vouchsafed him a visite and that he in returne thereof never looked after them Well replyed his Majesty then I know what to doe bring him to me with that his Majesty entring the Presence Chamber stayed there under the State the Ambassadors comming and the discharge of his complement which was briefe onely expressing the respects of his Master in the account he had command to give his Majesty of his Assumption to his Principality by the death of his Brother How much the Duke his Master honored the King what honour he himselfe had by that imployment c. The King before he spake having made him an invitation which he took to cover This finished he returned to his Chamber the Earle of Cleaveland reconducting him thither but refusing to pass further with him in the Kings coach on any part of the way he was to goe as not suiting his Lordship said with his quality of which opinion was my Lord Chamberlain producing for example Monsieur de Bassampierre who had the use he said of the Kings coach to his first Audience from London to Hampton Court but that dismissed there he returned in his own coach to London and had not the Earles company back that brought him thither The like both for Lord and coach was here observed and the Ambassador left to proceed on his way with his own coaches and company towards the Queen then remaining at Wellingbourn to drink those waters We went that night to Ammersham there in conference I acquainted him with something touching the Kings question to me of his covering which question he said he hoped his Majesty did not move as making doubt of his Masters right in those points of respect but to see how I could resolve him because said he it is well known to all that he goeth not lesse in respects given him by all Kings and Princes then the great Duke of Tuscany and the Duke of Savoy whose Ambassadors cover and so doth said he the Duke his Masters Ambassadors in Presence of the Pope the Emperour and the King of France of all whose Ministers when they are imployed to him he taketh the hand in his own House and elsewhere he onely giving them visits at their Lodgings sed in hoc Quaere From Ammersham we went through Alesbury to Stony-Stratford to dinner and to Bed to Northampton Thence I instantly dispatcht my Officer with Letters to the Queens Vice-Chamberlain Sir Geoge Goring and to the Earle of Carliel to procure an Audience the next day To which the Earle returned answer by Letter the Vice-Chamberlain being absent and assured me of the Queens especiall content for the Ambassadors arrivall there and that she would give him an Audience and a dinner the next day at Wellingbourn seven miles from Northampton from which he was fetched by the Lord Percy and foure of her Majesties Gentlemen of the best quality in two of her Coaches and one Lords was entertained at dinner by the Earle of Carliel in his Lodgings but at the Queens charge without the accustomed Court confusion unavoidable where the Kings Servants especially those of the Guard give their attendance and waited on onely by the Kings Servants and accompanied by the Countesse of Oxford and three of the Queenes Maides of honour After dinner he was conducted by the Lord Percy in other two of the Queens Coaches for the more honour by that Variety to the place where her Majesties Tent was planted neere the Wells and was there at the Tent doore met and introduced by the Earle of Carliel to her Majestyes Presence her musickke with voices disposed in an inner Roome of intent of entertaining him at his enterance had there a most gratious Audience delivered his Letters and complement in words little different from those he had used to the King and having taken his leave but after making a short returne with excuse of his desire to hear the Musick which he did for almost halfe an hours space in company of her Majesty both of them all the while standing he with exceeding satisfaction for so much honour received returned reconducted by the Lord Percy in the same coaches to Northampton The next day we went to Dinner to Stony Stratford to Bed to Dunstable and the sixteenth of August to London where at the instant of our Arrivall we were told of two Ambassadors Commissioners come from the King of Denmarke to his Majesty This made the Ambassador answerable to some discourse passed between him and me to that purpose fall to question me in what manner I thought should be their Treatment whether with or without defraying to which I returning no direct answer as holding it unfit for me definitly to resolve what would be his Majesties pleasure he put me in mind of what I had told him to that purpose at his first comming viz. That the King would no more defray Ambassadors Dyet Lodging or coaches having begun already with Monsieur de Bassampierre Now added he if the Ambassadors of Denmarke or the Duke of Savoys voiced to be on the way comming hither to whom he said he held himselfe being the Duke of Mantovan's Representant equall in all conditions should receive those respects beyond him he could not but in his Masters behalfe resent it who not to reckon it he said as a merit and to challenge from thence the Kings better respects had sent to his Majesty a person himself of as eminent quality he might he said boldly without arrogancy say it as any of his Court to give his Majesty an account of the late Dukes death and of the Assumption of this now living to his Principality without regard what the Spaniard thought or would think or do against it before he had ever heard or looked to hear from England for complement of condoling or congratulating Wheras the Emperor the king of France
taking Sir William Button my Collegue assistant of the Ceremonies to witnesse what he had said and done his Lordship willed me to returne and affirme to him the contrary with confidence But halfe the wordes which I had to say to this purpose when I came to him were scarce uttered when he confessed the Action yet not without blaming his Servants mistaking and forgetfullnesse to deliver back to him the paper At this time the French and Venetian Ambassadors invited to the Marriage were not free from Puntillios That made an offer to precede the Prince This stood upon it that they were not to sit at the Table without Chaires though the Prince The King not present had but a stoole the Count Palatine and the Princess onely for the honour of the day having Chayres and insisting upon a formality that the Carver was not to stand above him but neither of these prevailed in their reasonlesse pretences Neither was the Wife of the French Ambassador cleere of these disputes for when I had ushered her up amcungst the Countesses and left her there to the raniging of the Lord Chamberlaine he ordered shee should be placed at the Table next beneath the Countesses and above the Baronesses But the Viscountesse of Effingham standing to her womans right and possest allready of her proper place as she called it would not moove lower so held the hand of the Ambassatrice till after dinner the Ambassador her husband informed of the difference and opposition tooke it for an indignity and calling for his Wives Coach that by her departure it might be seen he was sensible she was by others perswasions stayed and was at supper placed beneath the Countesse of Killdare and above the Viscountesse of Haddington who made no scruple of it the Lady of Effingham in the interim forbearing with rather too much then too little Stommach both her supper and the Company The Ambassador of the united Provinces Sir Noel Caron kept himselfe all this while quiet without question of Prius or Posterius or thrusting for publique Note being a continually entertained guest during the solemnitie of the Marriage the carriage whereof on the day of it was this Between the howers of eleaven and twelve after that the Bride and Bride-groom had in manner of a procession passed along through the first Court at White-hall on a raised Terras conspicuous to all the first entered the Chappell was the Prince Palatine attended by the Batchellrie of the Nobilitie and after him the Princess apparrelled in white her haire layed out at length in Curls over-spreading her shoulders and Crowned with a Coronet of rich pearles and Diamonds followed by a dozen of choice Virgins Bcauties all cloathed in white who with her Highnesse ascended by six or seaven stepps an eelevated place purposely framed in the midst of the Chappell shee was encountered thereon by the Prince Palatine who ascended by the other end After these came up the King Queene and Prince seating themselves the King on the one side next whom at his right hand stood the Earle of Arundell carrying the sword and next him the Prince On the side opposite sate the Queen next her the Princesse then the Lady Baronesse Harington her late Governesse and last of that company Count Henry of Nassaw on the Kings side standing that place being voyded of all others The Sermon began preached by the Deane of the Chappell Bishop of London Doctor King and this ended the formall wordes of the Marriage with all Ceremonies in use were read by the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie and in place where it was requisite repeated by the Prince Palatine in English In conclusion a joy pronounced by the King and Queen and seconded with congratulation of the Lords there present which Crowned with draughts of Ippocras out of a great golden Bowle as an health to the prosperitie of the Marriage beg an by the Prince Palatine and answered by the Princess After which were served up by six or seaven Barons so many Bowles filled with wafers so much of that worke was consummate the Bravery and riches of that day was incomparable Gold and Silver laid upon Lordes Ladies and Gentlewomens backs was the poorest burthen Pearles and coastly Embroyderies being the commonest weare The Kings Queenes and Princes Iewells onely were valued that day by his Majesty himselfe upon occasion of discourse happening to the purpose of the Braverie then appearing at nine Hundred Thousand poundes sterling The next two dayes came behind in time not in cost to the former and an open Court was for that time kept with intertaining Tables and free admittance to them of all worthy commers English or strangers The one and twentieth of February following there was a great supper prepared by the King but at the cost of certain Lords who lost it for their ill running at the Ring against his Majesty and his party in a large roome built of purpose for the time over the North-Terras next the first Court of White-Hall The King and Prince onely were seated at a crosse Table placed at the end of the Roome next the Banqueting House The Prince Palatine the Lords Ladies and the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court that had been at the Marriage Maskers or Assistants to the Maske whereof there were of both about forty sate at another Table placed longwayes the Chamber Passages at the Marriage of the Earle of Summerset 1613. THe three and twentieth of December 1613 I was sent to the Ambassador of Venice Seig. Foscarini Sir William Button having been sent at the same time and on the same Errant to the Ambassador of France with this formall Message Mons. de Buisseaux that according to his Majesties most Royall disposition and desire to give all due content to Ministers of Forrain Princes whereof he himselfe the Ambassador had the yeare before received a particular Testimony having been then invited togeather with the French Ambassador to the Marriage of the Princess Palatine I was now sent to signifie his Majesties pleasure to this purpose That his Majesty was perswaded and with all desirous that his Excellencie would not passe any Mis-construction upon his proceeding if the Spanish Ambassador newly come into this Kingdome and who had not yet been present here at any entertainments of Court were togeather with the Arch-Dukes Ambassador invited to the Marriage of the Earle of Summerset Don diego Sarmiento de Acunna and not he the Ambassador of Venice that if he would be pleased to honour with his presence the Maske of Gentlemen of the Inns of Court to be performed on Twelfe night a time amongst us of the solemnest observance he should be most wellcome to it and in the meane time I was further to let him know that there was an intention he should be invited to the Marriage of the Lady Jane Dromond first Lady of the Queenes Bedd-Chamber at Candlemas To this his Answere was a question whether the King intended the Solemnitie towards
me there was a Table to be both served and sit at in State was all on the Queenes side as on the Kings and that if the Agents would come to either of them the first come might make his firstchoyce there was no doubt but his Lordships provident care for their placeing at the Maske would keepe them out of distance and danger of dispute for precedence So they both came but the Savoyard getting the start and siding allwayes close to the Spanish Ambassador was both at the supper and Maske the more conspicuous while the other kept himselfe retyred as Sconosiuto The Spanish Ambassador the Arch-Dukes and both their Ladies were on New-yeares day following invited to the sight of a Tilting the King and Queene there present where I by Command attended them The first of February 1613. Mons de â—uisscaux The Lord Viscount Lysle Lord Chamberlaine to the Queen sent me to invite in his Majesties name the French Ambassador to the Marriage of the Lady Jane Dromond to be Solemnized the next day at Somerset House He accepted the Invitatation with humble thankes as an especiall favour he said done to him by his Majesty but desired if his desire might be presented to her Majesty as that she might not interpret it for a singularity in him or a disobedience to her pleasure which rather then to incurr he would he said lay aside all other respects and submit his reason to her will that he might be excused his comming to Dinner and be present onely at Supper and at the entertainment after it When I had as far as good manners would allow me provoked him to the reason of his request that I might at least glance at it in returning his answer to the Lord Chamberlaine to procure it the better passage he would have made it appeare that a part of his reason was that his Lent was already entered and that to be at two meales of flesh togeather would be too great a sin but when I had removed that Objection with assuring him that at our great Feasts Fish was an especiall provision he came neerer telling me plainly but as to his Freind he said Sub Sigillo confessionis who hee knew would carry it no further that since the Spanish Ambassador had had the precedence of him in his invitation to the marriage of the Earle of Somerset he would not wrong the Master he represented to march in the second place as it would be taken if he should come to Dinner though many dayes had passed since the other and that the Queen and not the King gave this entertainment but if he might be spared he sayd from the Brides Dinner at the like whereof the other the Spanish Ambassador might be though to have done well to have spared his presence in regard neither the King nor Queene were there in person a point that men he said of his representative quality were especially to regard in all such publique solemnities he could not nor would refuse the honour of being there at Supper when both King and Queen would be as he heard present yet he concluded that riterateing his request that I would not communicate the formality of these reasons rather then he would in the least point distast her Majesty he would post-posing all other considerations be there both Dinner and Supper With this signification I returned to the Lord Lysle Lord Chamberlaine to the Queene who communicated it to the Earle of Worcester Master of her Majesties Horse He presented me at my parting with a gold Chayne worth 10 l. that he might convey it to her Majesty as he should go with her in a Coach from White-Hall to Somerset House It hung yet in intention when the Ambassadors Secretary came to me from his Lord with a further exception that howsoever the Queene were pleased that he should be present both Dinner and Supper he would be bold to prefer this condition to her allowance that he might not sit upon a Stoole but in a Chaire in the same manner as the Bride should be seated I answered I thought that would be a matter of no great difficulty But how quoth I if the Prince be there and have but a Stoole to sit on If my Lord Ambassador were sure of that replyed the Secretary I presume he would make no further question but in all beare his Highnesse Company To be resolved of this I went at his request to my Lord Lysle my Lord Worcester and my Lord Carew Vice-Chamberlaine whom I found alltogether and having assurance from them of the Prince his presence with the Bride at Dinner and requesting their Lordships as the Secretary desired me that they would not trouble the Queene any further concerning the Ambassador till the Secretary had been with him and returned with his finall Satisfaction he repaired that Evening to my Lord Lysle and propounding the same demand of a Chayre as he had done to me in the Afternoone it was resolved he should have one with the Prince and so ended that difference The next day he came and the Bride seated at the Tables end which was placed crosse at the upper end of the Hall had the Prince at her left hand as the better place neerest the Wall his Highnesse sitting with his right hand uppermost on her right the Ambassadors both in Chayres and opposite to him beneath the Prince in a little distance sate on a stoole a Duke of Saxonie here at that time to visite his Majesty The Arch-Dukes Ambassador received from me an Invitation the same day that I delivered one to another and accepted it though he were then in earnest sick in his Bed of a cold he had taken both for Dinner and Supper without Scruple or question I will not say without intention not to be at either but his cold increasing that night with a Loosenesse he wrote to me to come to him as I did the next Morning and there desired his absence might be excused to her Majesty His Lady came notwithstanding in the Afternoone as did also the French Ambassadors with her Husband in the Morning and had both of them their places at the Table next beneath the Countesses Seig. Gabellion the Duke of Savoys Agent was also invited and had his place appointed him at Dinner next beneath the Duke of Lenox Too high and at Supper both which might seem to have fallne out chanceably next above the Lord Knowles beneath the Earles and above the Barons The Ambassador of France sate that night at the end of the Table at the right hand of his Majesty with a distance between them of some halfe a dozen persons the Queene sate next the King on his left hand and neer her the Prince It may appeare that the scope and end of this question mooveing from the French Ambassador was that by some addition of honour he might get the start he seemed to have lost of preceeding the Spaniard and which himselfe bragged he had
as much murmured that they could have with them but a third part of 100000 Markes yeelded to be lent their Emperour and for which notwithstanding they knew not how to give one Marks worth of sufficient Security c. They went within few dayes after accompanied with Sir Dudley Digs his Majesties Ambassador to the Emperour of Russia downe to Gravesend and thence North-ward in such Ships as the Merchants of the Muscovy company had provided for their returne and for the continuance of the re-established Traffick of those parts In September 1618. The Lords of the Councell had committed to a Justice of Peace his House in nature of close Prisoner one Monsieur de la Chenay a French Gentleman late one of the followers of Monsieur de Mareth and now a domestique of Monsieur de Clere left Agent here after the departure of the Ambassador for having confessed upon examination before the Lords that he had an hand by the said Agents imployment in an escape that Sir Walter Rawleigh would have made into France for some disservice to his Majesty The Agent being hereupon sent for and appearing before the Lords assembled in the Councell Chamber refused to answer unto Interrogations till he should be proceeded with as others qualified as he was had been alleadging further that Mr. Bercher at the same time Agent for his Majesty in France had at an Audience before the Councell of State there pretended and claimed a right and honour done to his Representative quality viz. Not to propound his businesse till they the Lords Councellours should stand up as he did and be uncovered as he was in that place Ambassador he said being allowed to sit and be covered as they the Councellors also were at the time of their Audiences This le Clere affirmed had been yeelded to by the King his Masters Councellors and that he had reason to challeng the like from their Lordships The Lords Answer was that severall Countries had severall formes and that the manner of proceeding in France was no rule for ours in England where custome had made it otherwise But this answer would not serve to draw any from le Clere for satisfaction of their demands till at length the Lords neither to yeeld to him nor to force his resolution thought good to retyre themselves and him with them into another Chamber and there as by way of private discourse where the place being no Councell Chamber no odds of observance were given or taken they examined him upon his followers la Chenays confessions and actions he twice with great oathes denied all knowledge of them till at length la Chenay brought further to confront him acknowledging and confessing as he had done to the Lords before the truth of his imployment for Sir Walter Rawleighs escape le Clere could no further out-face it but with shame confessed it Whereof as soon as his Majesty was informed he was in his Majesties name commanded by the Lords to surcease from all further negotiation or exercise of his charge and not to come in presence of his Majesty till a messenger sent instantly post to France should returne with signification of that Kings pleasure for the avowing or dissavowing of his Ministers actions About a moneth after a letter came in answer with particular charge as the Agent pretended that he was to deliver it himselfe to the Kings own hand To which purpose posting to Royston where his Majesty then was and making offer himselfe to present his Letter he could not be admitted but being referred for delivery of it to one of the Lords that then attended his Majesty he refused it and said he would personally as he had command or not at all performe that Service So as returning to London and thence in few dayes to France with the same Letters undelivered and the account of his proceeding the Revocation of his Majesties Agent followed c. A Chiaus or messenger from Turkey being arrived at Gravesend was received there October the thirteenth by the Lord Rich accompanied with his Brother Sir Henry Rich the Master of the Ceremonies my selfe and halfe a score other Gentlemen that Lord entertained noblie at his owne charge all the company went the next morning from his owne Inn to the Chiauses and thence conducting him to the Kings Barge and two others come down for his Service and Landing him at Tower Wharfe we there entred the Lords Coach and other of his friends and of the City the Kings Coach not then serving and brought him to his Lodging defrayed as was also his diet during his stay here by the Turkey Merchants He had within few dayes after his publique Audience of his Majesty in the Banquetting House purposely hung for him with rich hangings where his Majesty touched one of his followers said to be his Son for cure of the Kings Evill useing at it the accustomed Ceremony of Signing the place infected with the crosse but no prayers before or after An Ambassador from Venice Seignior _____ Donati being come to reside here in place of Seignior _____ Contareni recalled by the Republique was brought to his first Audience the first of November by the Lord Clifford the Master of the Ceremonies seven or eight other nominated Gentlemen and my selfe as voluntary the Kings Coach the Lord Marquesse of Buckinghams and three other serving he was taken into them at the house of his predecessor mentioned and their places taken up by themselves in the Coach both on one side the Ancienter having the right hand next the Horses and the other side left to the Lord Clifford and the Master of the Ceremonies There came with us fifteen or sixteen Coaches to the Court The Ambassadors guided over the Terras to the Councell Chamber and after halfe an hours repose there back to the Guard Chamber were at the Presence doore received and introduced by the Lord Chamberlain for their Audience c. This Ambassador Donati was not long after revoked by his Prince for misdemeanors in his charge whilst he was Ambassador in Savoy and Seignior Geronime Landi sent to reside here in his stead A Maske of certain Lords and others being prepared for Twelfe night and to be represented in the Hall at White-Hall the Banquetting House having been burnt a little before gave occasion to his Majesty who had been often troubled with the Puntillious differences of Ambassadors about invitations precedencies and the like to take advantage of this more quiet time then accustomed while no French nor Spanish Ministers were here and to begin a new course at least pretended if not intended no more to admit of Ambassadors to sit with his Majesty under the State and to this purpose gave order for a Box or seate to be made apart with Stooles Cushions and leaning Carpets to be bestowed in it on his Majesties right but somewhat obliquely forward and therein were placed without exceptions from any of them the new come Venetian Ambassador Donati and foure Commmissioners sent
perhaps of note of his small Traine he was introduced to his Audience by a private way over the Leads into the Prevy Gallery where the King with two or three of his Councell and exclusion of others gave him Audience The 21. of March I had Command with his Majesties Coach to conduct him from his Longing in the Strand to White Hall by the way of the Park and Galleries to the Ordinary Chamber of Ambassadors Attendance and thence after some two hours presence of stay there to the presence of his Majesty in the private Gallery The Conde de Gondemar sent Extraordinary Ambassasador from the King of Spaine arriving at Dover about the beginning of March was met there with Coaches by the Masters of the Ceremonies at Gravesend by the Earle of Dorset and by him with many of the Kings Servants and near thirty Coaches brought from his Landing out of the Kings Barge c. at Tower Wharfe to the Bishop of Elyes House in Holborne taken up for him with an Example not unmurmured at The 12. of March He had his first publique Audience conducted to it by the Earle of Arrundell at White Hall where after some small time of repose in the Councell Chamber passing over the then ruinous woodden Terras at the instant that he was entring the first great doore next that of the Guard Chamber the weight of the over thronging multitude next about him pressing downe part of the Plancks and Joyces under him that it suddainly fell and with all the Earle of Arrundell the Lord Gray and others with great danger and some hurt particularly to one youth who under the ruins had his arme and shoulder broken the Ambassador having received but halfe a fall of the nether parts of his Body onely his Servants next him staying and holding him by the upper as he was at the instant of entring under the doore The danger and feare of it past he was received at the Presence doore by the Lord Chamberlain and brought to the Presence of his Majesty without discomposition of countenance or otherwise for his fall rather merrily excusing it as an effect of his hast and longing to see his Majesty The Kings day March the foure and twentieth returning towards the Solemnity usuall at it of running at the Tylt c. his Majesty was pleased to send an Invitation to the Spanish Ambassador extraordinary Count of Gondemar and also to the French Ambassador Ordinary the Count de … lleurs to be there and because of their accustomed difference about precedence there was care had as much as might be to please them both to to their satisfactions especially his Majesty being resolved for his reasons before alleadged of the trouble they brought with them in that point to admit neither of them to sit under the Seate next him Hereupon it was concluded on his Majesties part and the places offered to both their considerations that they should be both seated in severall places on his right hand thus The French Ambassador in the first Window of the Duke of Lenox his Lodging over the great Gate next without the Tilt-yard East-ward and the Spanish in a standing dressed up of purpose over the Porters Lodge within the Tilt-yard Upon view both in equall distance from his Majesty The Spaniard professed to be pleased with his allotment but the French not so alleadging though he had at the first seemed content with the distribution that the Spaniards assigned place was in publique and in the Kinge eye his not but in a private corner out of the view of the King and almost of the people though in scituation higher then the other and in the same body of the Kings House but that which he most urged and stood upon was that suppose there should be in their rancking there no difference and that they should be both placed and entertained on equall termes yet even that was a Subject for a maine exception in regard that the French King his Master would not he said treate with the Spaniard as questioning onely parity nec vult Gaesarve priorem Pompeiusve parem but as making no question of his right of Priority which he would challenge and take as his due wheresoever Besides he said because the Spaniard might seeme to haue the better place as being most in the Kings and peoples sight and that place allotted him more retyred and out of view though within the Body of the Kings own House he desired that if the place were so equall as some Spanishly inclined pretended he might have the first choyce and it should content him In fine being left herein unsatisfied he absolutely refused to come at all or to send his Lady though her place were already assigned her in a Compartment provided and kept for her neere his Majesty within the Gallery so as in conclusion the Spaniard remained Master of the Field where no Enemy appeared taking his place appointed over the Porters Lodge as mentioned In the meane time other Questions grew between other Ambassadors then also invited as between the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Ambassador of Venice Signior Landi the Duke of Savoys Ambassador Seignior Gabellione and the States Ambassador Sir Noell Caron they all invited made promise to be there and to content themselves with the places appointed them at the lower end of the Tilt-yard in the House of the Lady Walsingham but the Venetian understanding the day before that the King of Bohemias Ambassador was to accompany the Ambassador of the Princes of the Union in his way homewards as far as Gravesend and supposing he could not possible returne in time to be present at the Titling he sent Sir Lewes Lewkner to my Lord Chamberlain to intimate Crowned Heads or Kings Ambassadors That whereas the Ambassador of Venice had been ever accustomed to be treated al pare with the Ambassadors of Teste Coronate if he should be placed apart with onely the Duke of Savoys and States Ambassadors at one end of the Tilt-yard and the Spanish Ambassador alone at the other Axiome it would be a diminution of his quality the first place of an inferiour degree being ever held he said worse then the last of a Superiour and that rancking being not regall which was that he pretended but ducall as he must esteem it if he might not have the King of Bohemias Ambassador for companion Upon this formality of the Venetian the Master of the Ceremonies repairing to the Bohemian Ambassador and receiving his assurance with promise that he would returne in time from Gravesend and be there in person the Venetian and Savoyard Gabellione concluded likewise with promise to each other to be there and with them the States Ambassador but this last the Evening before obtruded a new exception and sent word to my Lord Chamberlain that he had an express command from his Masters the States which it seemes he had not so well thought of or had forgotten till then not to
quit the Precedence to any but to Kings Ambassadors and to the Venetians so as if the Sovoy Ambassador should be there he must be absent and so he was but on the day of Tilting the Ambassador of Bohemia and the Venetian both appearing the Savoyard came not though he had that very morning by his promise assured his Presence together with the other two Wherupon the Venetian having already taken his place at the lower end of the Tilt-yard as had also the Bohemian grew to be much unsatisfied and suspicious This taking the hand of the Venetian who gave it him without question that the Savoyard might have cuningly insinuated himselfe into some place neerer the King either with the French Ambassador who perhaps he said might repent himselfe of the refusall he had made and accept of the place first appointed or with the Spanish though that in regard of their then not best Correspondence were much unlikely In either of which Cases the Ambassador of Savoy should to his scorne get the Precedence being so scated with the preceding Ambassadors against which if it were so he must he said protest by his immediate departure but the Savoyard as I have said not coming nor intending it as after appeared laid the fault of his default upon an instant opportunity even then he said offered to him by the French Ambassador of writing by an express of his that day to be dispatched though the true cause of his absence were imagined to be that he was not yet resolved as having no order for it to quit the Precedence to the Bohemian as to a Kings Ambassador in regard as he was Ambassador to the Prince Palatine he had disputed it so as he drove forth the day in feare and doubt till I that night resolved him as I promised him I would by a Letter from my Lord Chamberlains direction that he had that day received no wrong at all by any cuning or indirect carriage of the Savoy Ambassador for any advantage taken by his placing The Axiome before delivered by the Venetian Ambassador that the first place of an inferiour degree Nota. is worse then the last of a superiour was judged upon discourse I had with some of understanding in those Affaires to be of valew in a distinct Company but might be otherwise in a Joynt Assembly as at the conclusion of the Peace at Vervins where the French and Spanish meeting and contending for precedence viz. who should sit at the right hand of the Popes Legat an Expedient was found of sending into France for the Popes Nuntio residing there who scated at the right hand of the said Legat the Legat himselfe sitting at the Tables end the French Ambassador being offered the choyce of the next place he took that at the Legats left hand leaving the second at the right hand to the Spanish who taking it perswaded himselfe to have the better of it sed de hoc quaere December 1620. The French King comming so neer England as Callays and being newly returned thence towards Paris sent hither for his Ambassador Extraordinary the Marquess de Cadenet one of the Mareschalls of France and brother to that Kings Favorite the Duke de Luines He with an Attendance of between fifty and sixty persons of title and mark and of above three hundred others had passed the seas to Dover before any order for his Extraordinary reception was fully resolved on at London so as the Master of the Ceremonies being sent thither scarcely in time to receive him he passed his time there four or five dayes for the better ordering of his occasions After passing on towards London the Earle of Arrundell accompanied with the Lord of Hunsdon and divers Gentlemen of his Majesties Privy Chamber in about twenty Barges went from London the 28. of December and that night visited him in his Majesties name at his Lodging in Gravesend where the Ambassador not meeting his Lordship till he came to the Staire Head of his Chamber door and at his parting accompanning him no further no more then did the ordinary Ambassador the Count de Tillieurs who had been frownd upon by the Marquess for not meeting him sooner then at Gravesend The Earle of Arrundell was much displeased with it as with a neglect of his quality so as the next day in some part to right himself he desired the Master of the Ceremonies to go to the Ambassador and tell him that in regard his Trayne was great and his Lodging little he would not be troublesome to him there but would meet him in the Street and thence accompanie him to his imbarking So he did and on the way incountered another cause of exception in that the Ordinary Ambassador did not so much as offer him the hand my Lord pretending a kind of right to it The most of Opinions are That the Ambassador Ordinary should have of the place he took at the least to have it offered him in the presence of the Extraordinary but of this Quaere Arriveing at Denmark House ordained for the Ambassadors Aboade the Earle landing with him at the Garden Staires and accompanying him not further then to the foot of the first Staire ascending to the Privy Lodgings took his leave and saying there were Gentlemen there that should shew him his Lodging left him This bred much discourse and was with the other reserved proceeding of both the Ambassadors at Gravesend soone conveied to the knowledge of his Majesty who sensible more of the cause given by the Ambassadors then of the measure returned by the Earle of Arrundell stormed much at it till Sir Thomas Edmonds Comptrouller of the Kings House being sent the same night from his Majestie with some formalization to that purpose The Ambassador was said the next day to have made his excuse to my Lord of Arrundell that his indisposition in his Journey and at the time when he came to receive him was a cause that he met him no sooner nor accompanied him no further whereupon the difference was for that time accommodated After one dayes rest the King sent to the Ambassador for conduction to his already assigned Audience the Lord Marquess of Buckingham accompanied with the Earls of Dorset and Warwick four or five Barons and about twenty Gentlemen in the Kings and sixty other Coaches so many appointed but the number was soone increased to above one hundred he passed with his Traine from Denmarke House to Westminster the King there meeting him by Barge from White-Hall and staying his Entrance in the higher House of Parliament where he gave him and with him the Ordinary Ambassador a gracious Audience Besides the higher House of Parliament the Court of Requests and the Painted Chamber the way of his passage were all adorned with rich hangings of Tapistry At the end of his Audience intimating to the King that the haste of his return would make him bold to press his Majesty for another speedy Access His Majesty told
him he should if he pleased have it that Evening which was performed after his returne to his Lodging by a private repaire to Court in Barge accompanied only with my Lord of Buckingham when he had the Kings Eare two hours together On Wednesday following being the third of January he was invited to dine with the King at Westminster where his Majestie comming thither by water stayed for him with much impatience Et pâ—ur cause above an hour the Antipaste having been already set upon the Table Being at last come and entring with all his company the higher House of Parliament wherein they dined they so filled the Roome disorderly stuffed before with an unruly intruding multitude as no Officer was able freely to dischage his Service till the King sat down to meate the Extraordinary at a convenient distance on his left hand and the Ordinary at the Tables end the Prince not there The French Noblemen of the best quality were conducted by the Duke of Lenox and the rest by my self to the Court of Requests where the greater number of them taking their places promiscuously at the Table and the Duke leaving them perhaps somewhat abruptly before he had seen five or six of the principall set down at the upper end These begun whisperingly to murmure amongst themselves as those that might seeme neglected to be left so alone without some persons of like quality to accompany them and to invite them to their sitting which I perceiving began to perswade them to what they came for and had prevailed with the Marquess de Money and one or two more of them till my Lord Chancellor Bacon the Lord Treasurer Montague and the Lord Privy Seale Earle of Worcester entring the Roome and passing by them to sit downe as they did altogether at the right hand of the Table without giving other countenance of respect then putting off their Hats or once inviting the French to sit down with them they took their Cloaks and with shews of much discontent departed the Roome to their Coaches whether I and two other Scottish Gentlemen followed them fast with our best perswasions for returne but not able to prevaile we left them Halfe an hour after I went as I had Order upon an invitation I had delivered the day before to the Ordinary French Ambassadors House for his Lady to come that Afternoone to a Dancing appointed at White-Hall but she in her womans haste to be at those Sports being gone thither before I came I there found all the Gentlemen mentioned sitting at Dinner To whom I saying merrily that I was sorry they should eate two Dinners in one day one of their excuses having been that they had dined already and neither of them in the Kings House one of them replied That respecting as they ought the honour of the King their Master and their own quality they would make me their Judge whether when they were left alone by the Duke of Lenox without any person of sort to accompany them at their sitting down to meate and that three Messieurs de robe longue as they with a French scorne termed the three great Officers mentioned who had their Gowns on came and sate themselves down at the upper end of the Table without scarce so much as saluting them they had not reason to leave as they did the Company To which I briefly Answered I was no Judge nor Homme de robe longue neither were those they termed so of inferiour rank to the greatest Lords of this Kingdome so leaving them and going down the Staires I there met the two Marquesses of Buckingham and Hamilton coming to the purpose that I did to conduct the Lady Ambassadrice and Madam elle de St. Luc her Neece to the Ball when giving these two Lords a touch of what had passed least the French might think perhaps they came purposely to them to excuse their Trayctment which had been too great an honour for them they passed with them some few Complements and letting fall a word or two to the former purpose the Lords and I with them returned to Court and finding the Ambassadrice and her Neece in my Lord of Buckinghams Lodging I waited on them there and to the Ball where the Countess of Buckinghams Mother placing her next beneath her Daughter the Marquess Note this manner of placing the Ambassadrice and the Exceptions taken and above her selfe there grew a new quarrell of Exceptions from the other Countesses particularly from the Countess of Dorset that she was set above them The two Ambassadors entring with the King the Extraordinary sate down at his left hand and next him there the Ordinary at his Majesties right hand sate the Prince The day of the Kings Feast the Count d'Alle Son to the Duke d'Angontesme and the Count de Rochford Son to the Duke de Monbason and two or three others absented themselves because they might not be admitted to sit at the Kings owne Table as they affirmed the Count d'Allies Father the Count d'Auvergne d'Angontesme had done they said at Queen Elizabeths when the Marshall de Biron was here in England The next day our English Cavalliers and the French ran at the King whereas the Prince wonne the Prize On Twelfeday following the Ambassador and his cheife followers were brought to Court by the Earle of Warwick to be present at a Maske he seated as before with the King the better sort of the other on a fourme behind the Lords the Lord Treasurer onely and the Marquesse of Hamilton sitting at the upper end of it and all the rest in a Box and in the best places of the Scaffolds on the right hand of his Majesty No other Ambassadors were at that time present or invited The Munday after the Viscount of Doncaster invited the Ambassador and all his company men of note to a Supper prepared and set forth with that State and cost as hath been seldome seene To it were also invited for honour to the Feast and Company the King the Prince and most of the great Lords and Ladies in Towne The Ambassador himselfe went by Coach from Denmark House to Essex House where the Supper was the rest by water in Barges At Supper the King seated at a Table placed crosse the Roome and raised two steps above the Floore had at his right hand with a convenient distance the Prince at his left hand the Ambassador Extraordinary and at the Tables end below the Ordinary At the upper end of another Table reaching from one end of the roome to the other sate on the right hand side the Lady Marquess of Buckingham beneath her a French Nobleman and beneath him the French Ambassadors Lady the rest sate a Lord and a Lady as they held out On the other side sate uppermost the Countesse of Warwick then a French Lord next the Lady of Doncaster so as the Countesse of Dorset thought the Ancienter Countesse whether by choyce because she would not sit immediatly beneath
the Ambassadrice or by chance I know not sate beneath two or three Ladies that she in right of ranck should have preceded After Supper they had the entertainment of a Maske presented by nine young Gentlemen whereof the Lord Montjoy and a Son of the Lord Hollis were two c. The Ambassador having remained here about fifteen dayes took leave of his Majesty at White-Hall and was presented with a Chayn of Diamonds being an old Jewell of the Crowne of 300 l. valew which because it was not Plate the King and Councell having upon the sight of so much equivalent to that sum judged it not fit to deprive the Kingdome of it was not brought to the Ambassador by the Master of the Jewell House Sir Henry Mildmay but by the Master of the Ceremonies The Ambassador having been defrayed for his Dyet Lodging and Coaches at the rate as was said of 200 l. per diem went to Gravesend the _____ of January himselfe and some few by Land the rest by water attended thence by Sir Lewes Lewkner onely to his imbarquing at Dover When it was thought that the Spanish Ambassador would have held it an indignity and wrong to his Master to be present at a Maske seen before by a French Ambassador as the last and the same Maske had been by the Mareshall de Cadenet at Twelftide he appeared at it on Shrove-Sunday seated at the left hand of his Majesty under the State different from what had been formerly resolved on that no Ambassador in regard of their troublesome Puntillious should any more sit so with his Majesty and had his family placed over a Box at the Kings right hand in which were placed the Spanish Ambassadors two Sons together with the Arch-Dutchess Agent In January Arrived at Gravesend six Commissioners from the States of the United Provinces viz. Messieurs de Senthusen Carmelin Soneh Bruyning Schot and de Vervow and the Secretary of their Commission Captain Huggins they were Lodged in Lumbarstreet and had their first Audience in the Privy Galleries at White-Hall As being but Deputies which had been enough for Ambassadors fetcht to it by the Lord Clifford and divers Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber in above twenty Coaches Parted from his Majesty they went with the same attendance to the Prince at St. Jameses where before their entrance to his Presence they were too late a ware of a Solecisme they had committed in having delivered the Princess Letters to the King as they had done the Kings Letters yet remaining in their hands to the Prince had they not suddainly cast an eye upon them for which they had no evasion but to make by the Master of the Ceremonies mouth an excuse of then Secretaries mistaking in the obscure light one Letter for another For Shrove-Tuesday following I carried them from the King an Invitation to a Maske of the Gentlemen of the Middle-Temple to be represented in the Hall of the Court whether I was appointed to conduct them in one of the Kings Coaches with order to be in the new Councell Chamber on the deceased Queens side which had been her Privy Chamber at seaven of the Clock without preparation other then of Bread and Wine for Collation I bestowed their followers on a Scaffold on the Kings right hand and in a Box under purposely reserved from them themselves together with Sir Noell Caron the Ambassador The Maske ended I brought them by direction to the King whom they had not yet at that time seen whence following his Majesty without his notice yet taken of them till they came to the Guard Chamber he there saluted them and had their attendance to the Banquet there and after in the Privy Gallery gave them all the good night The twentieth of January I had the Command of the Lord Chamberlain to introduce the six mentioned Commissioners to an Audience of the Councell and bring them for their repose to the old Councell Chamber where they attended the Lords leasure then much busied about the Exceptions taken by some Lords and other of our Nobility against the Creation and precedence given to certain Scotish and Irish Viscounts before English Barons c. The fift of March I received a Command and directions from the Lord Chamberlain the Master of the Ceremonies being then sick to go to Dover and receive there at his Landing an Ambassador Extraordinary from Poland his name and Title Osalinskie Count Palatine of Sindomerskie Hereupon order was given for my receipt of 50 l. imprest out of the Exchequer which in regard of the pressing hast pretended of the Service that would not admit the leasure of procuring a Privy Seale for it was by vertue of a Warrant from the Lord Treasurer Mountague and the Controwler of the Exchequer Sir Fulke Grevell Lord Brooke paid to me the next morning but in the mean time the Master of the Ceremonies having been first sent to by my Lord Chamberlain to speake with him and excusing his coming by his sicknesse supposing his imployment should have been no other then to attend the Spanish Ambassador at that time assigned an Audience was upon better notice and consideration of the businesses with the likelyhood of the benefit to accrew from it resolved to discharge it himselfe and to that purpose went to my Lord Chamberlain about it But I already imbarked in it and repairing to my Lord so maintained mine interest of Primer Seazine as his Lordship needed not perswasion to permit me to preceede as I did the next Morning with one of his Majesties Coaches and three other hired by me to be defrayed by his Majesty The eighteenth of March I came to Dover whence Capt. Buck an old Capt. a Scotish man that came in my Company from London and in the Ambassadors out of Poland went according to the Ambassadors Assignation to meet him at Callayes but the Ambassadors Journey retarded by the illness of the weather and wayes between Amsterdam and Antwerp and at Brussels where he stayed also ten dayes was a cause of the Captains fruitless stay at Callayes and of mine also and the Coaches at Dover cleaven dayes at the end whereof a Post sent from the Post-Master at Gravesend brought me word at Mid-night how the Ambassador was Landed there from Flushing These newes carried me instantly post thither and brought me in seaven hours to his sight and reception there from his Majesty before his rising Towards the Evening Sir Lewes Lewkner sent by the King and the Lord Chamberlain as supposing I could not obtaine time enough to the knowledge of his Landing came thither in Company of Sir Robert Steward and divers other Gentlemen to wellcome him from his Majesty The next Morning the Kings and three other Barges being sent down for his Transport to London we all went thither ranged by Sir Lewes Lewkner for avoydance of confusion at our imbarking the Ambassador and his cozen with eight Knights and two Gentlemen in the Kings Barge his chiefe Gentlemen and
performed The third of Aprill I had Order from my Lord Chamberlain that the Master of the Ceremonies being imployed to Dover with the Kings Coach and fourteen other at his Majesties charge to bring up the Emperours Ambassador Suartzenberg and that the said Ambassador was in the interim landed at Gravesend I should take one of his Majesties Barges and hasten thither to receive him and excuse that crosse incounter letting him know that the Marquesse of Hamilton was to come downe to receive him that Evening With which order I tooke Barge when the Tide was far spent rowed downe till we met a flowing water and a strong contrary wind at Woollwich so was forced to Land there and finding no Horses to go on foot five miles to Darford where taking Post to Gravesend I found there Sir Lewes Lewkner returned from Canterbury and delivered my message from his Majesty to the Ambassador That Evening my Lord Marquesse Hamilton accompanied with the Lord Wentworth Lord Bruse and about twenty Gentlemen came to his Lodging and was met by him in the Entry almost at the street doore of the Inn conducted by him to his Chamber the Ambassador after some little refusall preceding though in his own House and after brought back by them to the Street doore The next Morning my Lord Marquesse againe repaired to him with the Company of the Lord Viscount Doncaster then on his way Ambassador Extraordinary for France and a while after the Ambassador repayed their visits at the Marquesse Inn when the Tide serving we all came to London in ten Barges The Ambassador the Marquesse the two English Lords three Dutch Lords and the Master of the Ceremonies in the first Barge Two Dutch Barons my selfe and foure or five English in the second and the rest in the rest as they incountred Landing at Denmarke-House Garden-staires the Marquesse accompanied him to his Chamber there and was by the Ambassador re-accompanied to his Coach The Sunday following Aprill seaven the same Lord Marquesse accompanied with the Earle of Montgomery the Lords Candish This not usuall for one person twice to conduct one and the same Ambassador Bruse two other Lords and about twenty Gentlemen listed with divers Voluntaries in neere forty Coaches besides other hyred at the Kings charge to attend dayly fetcht him from denmark-Denmarke-House to his Audience in the Higher House of Parliament where he made his Oration in high Dutch interpreted by Sir Robert Anstroder to whom it had been the day before imparted in writing he was conducted by the Marquesse and the rest to the Prince at St. Jameses with whom he passed his Complement in Italian whereto the Prince called me for interpreter and thence returned with the same attendance to his Lodging at Denmarke-House Having remained here about six dayes defrayed by his Majesty and attended by his Officers and Servants the Venetian Ambassador Landi came to my House and acquainted me with some distasts he had to this purpose That the first day and almost houre of the Emperors Ambassadors comming to Denmark-House he had sent his Secretary to visit him and to congratulate his Arrivall who giving him the Title of Excellenza he had not corresponded but returned him the Ambassador that of Signioria Illustrissima wherefore his request to me was that I would in some manner let him know by way of discourse as if I had incountred him somewhere by chance that I had asked him whether he had yet made his visit to the Emperours Ambassador and that he had answered me he forbeare yet to visit him in regard that whereas the Republique had ever been accustomed to be treated al par delle Teste Coronate the Stile of Excellenza had not been given him but that of Signioria Illustrissima which for his Princes respect he must not let pass without tendring il pare the like of whatsoever title should be given him That unlesse it were of late the Kings of Spaines Ambassador all Ambassadors residing here had given him l'Excellenza but that the Emperours Ambassador had not onely not given him his due in Title but in personall honour also having not rendred him the visit of his Secretary by one of his Servants The substance of these Doleances I the next day imparted to the Emperors Ambassador and received for Answer that he would never treate del pare with him there being so great a difference between the Emperours his Masters quality and that of the Republick of Venice that the King of Spaines Minister would he knew stand upon the same termes of difference That if any other Kings Minister for I had told him the French Kings speaking Italian gave him alwayes Excellenza should do otherwise that should be no rule for him to be governed by That the Venetian Ambassadors Secretary had but once at the first given him Excellenza and had for the rest made use of the third Person ella c. That at his parting it was true that he the Emperors Aâ—mbassador had given him but Signuria Illustrissima but that if the Venetian Ambassador should style him so he would returne him onely Signuria to express the difference that ought to be put between their two tepresentative conditions That if he had not repayed the vifit sent by the Venetians Secretary by one of his Servants it was because that Secretary had said to him that his Lord would Quanto prima visite him which if he had done as he had promised he would after have first visited him by his Servant and then by himself This was the substance and even the particulars of his Answer which when I had returned to the Venetian he only said If hereafter he aske you any thing concerning my Reply let him know I pray upon those terms I will never visite him c. The Ambassador of Venice then told me that such another Puntillio had passed between this same Ambassador and the French Kings who having given him the first Welcome by his Secretary even at his landing at Somerset-House and the third day after personally visited him he the French expected a returne of both especially of the later to him before to any other Ambassador but that he the Emperors breaking the Law of Visites ever to be returned as they are made in time person and order had visited the Spanish before him In which regard when the Emperors Ambassador had sent to know if his leasure were that he might visite him that afternoon He returned a plain answer by the same Messenger That the weather had been long foule and he meant to make use of that faire day to take the fresh Aire abroad which was light sufficient for the others understanding to let him see the French was sensible of what had been done and would not receive a visite after the Spanish Ambassadors having given the first cause he said to be first served in returne of that complement But some were of Opinion that the French Ambassador had been too quick and too plain in
the Prince being present but unsaluted by him as he had been by me upon demand of his manner of carriage to that purpose directed till he had made an end of speaking to his Majesty and presented in writing the summ of his Negotiation parting thence he requested me to make Tryall whether the Prince would be pleased that Evening to give him Audience at his own Court in regard he held it a Solecisme in good manners to be present at the Tilting appointed for the next day and that sight much affected by him before he had kissed the hands of his Highnesse His Highnesse returned answer that he thankt him for his respects but having some businesse with the King that Evening and the next day being assigned for the Tilting a day or two after might serve for that Complement of visit which he in the meane time accepted as performed The day following he attended the Kings coming forth into the Gallery to waite on his Majestie to the Tilting and there to â—â—and at his Elbow But the Ambassadors in vertue of their former Invitations having already taken up their stands and prepared their Expectations the Kings indisposition and the continuing Tempestuous Weather were causes that all was remitted till the Sunday following when it was yet the third time deferred till the eighteenth of May following and then upon the indisposition also as before for altogether discharged The three and twentieth of Aprill he had his Audience of the Prince at St. Jameses in the Privy Chamber there and was received by me at the great Gate observing there the same stile as when he had access to his Majesty The nine and twentieth of Aprill the Russian Ambassador having not stirred from his home all the Winter and being desirous to take the fresh Aire was by me accompanied to Theobalds attended by as many of his followers as filled foure coaches and that night returned The next day he went with the same Traine and my conduct to the Artillery Garden to see that company trained but their houre not serving till towards the Evening he went in the interim to the Tower where at foure severall Store-Houses of Armes and at the Wardroabe the Merchants Servant that waited on him as his Steward gave to cach but two shillings six pence and to the Warders at the Gate comprehending with these two of them that every where there attended him ten shillings so poorely acknowledging was he for himselfe or the Merchants for him Don Carlos de Coloma Arrived here for Ordinary Ambassor from the King of Spaine in the beginning of May 1622 and foure or five dayes after had his first Audience at White-Hall with the conduct to it from his House in Holborne the Bishop of Eleys and possessed before by his Predecessor of the Marquesse Hamilton the Lords Wentworth and Bruse and about seaventeen or eighteen Knights and Gentlemen so many having been listed when eight or ten would have sufficed for the service in regard of the incumbrance so often growing from their numbers intruding to places in Coaches with the extrusion of strangers The Coaches sent for him were in all nineteen or twenty the greater part with foure Horses His Majesty received him in the Presence after he had been guided thither together with the Conde of Gondemar by an unusuall passage through the great Hall and by the Chappell up to the Councell Chamber in Queen Anns time the Presence there to rest him the former Councell Chamber being converted to a Lodging for the Duke of Lenox and the Banquetting House prepared for a Maske towards Three or foure dayes after the Conde de Gondemar tooke his leave of the King at Greenwich and with an Extraordinary honour dined that day privately with his Majesty On Fryday May the fifth the Ambassador of Russia received from me an Invitation to dine with the King on Sunday following which though with some scruple at first to do so before he had received answer of his business propounded to the Councell he yet thankfully accepted and having appointed him and hired by the Merchants six Coaches whereof one as I had ordained with foure Horses I brought him by halfe an houre after eleaven in the Kings coach accompanied with Sir Francis Kinnerston and Sir Edward Peyto chosen by myselfe as I had order and liberty given me At the Court Gate he was received by my Lord Wentworth at the upper end of the Hall his passage ordered as before to the Spanish Ambassador by the Earle of March after about a quarter of an hours rest in the Councell Chamber he was conducted by the Lord mentioned through the late Queens Lodgings to the Kings privy Gallery his followers returning from the doore thereof to the Guard Chamber where they were to dine and there met by his Majesty the Ambassador following him to the Privy Chamber where after his Majesty had washed and that the Ambassador had been wished to the like by the two Gentlemen mentioned who held the Bason and Towell as the Gentleman Usher had appointed but in his Countrey civility of respects to the Kings Presence had refused it he was called to sit downe at the lower end of the Table and was presented before he did eate by his Majesty with a Roll of Manchet and salt in a salt-seller the Custome of his Countrey challenging the presentation of them as an expression of his welcome without the observation of which Ceremony I was bold merrily to tell his Majesty that it was then in his power to starve the Ambassador who must not cate till it were performed Towards the middle of Dinner his Majesty stood up and bareheaded drank to him the Health of his Emperor till which Invitation of the King he was also by the Custome of his Countrey not to drink soon after to the Health of the Patriarch of his Country who had sent the King a rare Cup for a Present and lastly to the Ambassador himself in a guilded covered Bowle of about twenty pound value which Bowl after the Pledge was to be his own having been provided at the charge of his Majesty though with the Merchants ready money and by a Warrant from my Lord Chamberlaine reinburst to them his Lordship having first made a question whether the King or they were to provide it by the Master of the jewel-Jewel-House The Ambassadors Followers were intertained at Dinner in the Guard-Chamber where at the upper end of the Table sate his Nephew a person of greatest respect about him and of each hand of him and next to him sate Sir Francis Kynnerston and Sir Edward Peyto to accompany him beneath whom was a distance left for one mans seate to make a difference between that Nephew his company and the rest of the Ambassadors Followers who might nor did not presume once to touch any Dish that he had tasted of Dinner ended the Ambassador followed his Majesty into the Privy Gallery his Followers going the other way and there taking leave returned
by the way and with the conduction mentioned The night following was represented a Maske Acted the Christmas before by the Prince c. At which were present seated with his Majesty the Spanish Ambassadors Don Carlos de Coloma and the Count de Gondemar though this had taken his leave three or four dayes before his Son and other their Followers of quality had their feates neere the King in a Scaffold on his right hand the rest of them were bestowed together with the States and other strangers promiscuously on a Scaffold behind the King over the entrance there on the left hand of his Majesty The young Landsgrave of Hess was brought in by me the back way through the Garden and supping with the Duke of Lenox as did also the Baron of Paperhezin remaining here after the departure of the Emperours Ambassador was seated amongst the great Ladies The French Ambassador Monsieur de Tillier receiving a kind of Invitation by way of offer to be present at this Maske returned answer that he most humbly kissed his Majesties handes for the honour intended him but his stomach would not he said agree with cold meat and desired therefore his absence might be pardoned here by pointing at the Invitation and presence of the Spanish Ambassador in the first place at the same Maske the Christmas before now repeated May the two and twentieth was the day assigned for Sr. Georges Solemnity deferred till then The day before my Lord Chamberlain sent me to Sir Noell Caron to let him know and the rest of the States Commissioners Mess d'Arsen Bass and Stavenets that his Majesty would be pleased with their Presence at the provision and solemne service of that day and that to that purpose they should have their standings for sight of the first in a long window on the left hand almost over the Gate and of the latter in the Chappell Closet on the Queens side the Spanish Ambassador Don Carlos de Coloma being to possess that of the Kings side I delivered this Message by incounter to them all foure being then at the house of Sir Noell Caron neere Lambeth which they thankfully accepted onely Monsieur Stavenets asked whether there would be as much respect in the entertainment for the generall given to them as to the other Ambassador I answered I nothing doubted it but as soon as I was returned to render an account of my service to my Lord Chamberlain I found I had been up and downe sought for to be stayed my Journey but too late for when I came to his Lordship he told me if I had invited those Ambassadors to stand in the Closet of the Queens side I had exceeded my Commission because the Spanish Ambassador he said would never indure them so neere him where there was but a thin Wainscot Board between them and a Window to be opened at either of their pleasures which might be an occasion of scandall and distemper I answered I had done no otherwise then I had directions which his Lordship in part denied and I was not so unmannerly as to contest against But at last I received a new command to repaire to them with this message That there had been a misunderstanding and that the place in the Chappell for the regard mentioned of the Spaniards neerenesse to them was improper But if it would please them to be at the procession in the morning in their appointed stands and in the Evening at the divine Service and Solemnity there which would be all one with that of the Forenoon they should be wellcome This unpleasing message delivered I received for answer from the mouth of Monsieur d'Arsennes That as often as it would please his Majesty to honour them with Invitations to any of his entertainments they should esteem it for an especiall favour and gladly accept it so againe since it now seemed that their presence though they had been once invited might give distast either to his Majesty or to any other meaning the Spanish Ambassador whom he should be pleased more especially to favour they would in that also submit themselues to his pleasure and would be willingly absent but as for being present at either the procession or the Service in the Afternoone they desired since they must not be at that in the Forenoone that they might be excused if they came not all the rather because they were invited to the Earle of Exeters at Wimbleton and if they should stay the procession they doubted they should come thither unmannerly too late to Dinner and returne to Court not soone enough to Evening Solemnity With this message I returned to my Lord Chamberlain and so had the next day the free use of their places at the Procession and of the Closet at the Service for the young Landsgrave and his followers whom I conducted in the Dinner time to the Banquetting House where the Prince supplying his Fathers place his Majesty being then indisposed the Landsgrave stood at his Highnesse left hand as the Spanish Ambassador did on his right most part of the Dinner time The Ambassador of Russia being upon his departure I carried to him fifty pound from the Merchants of the Muscovy company but as sent to him from the Lords of the Councell so as the Company had directed me with this formall message That whereas different from some Ambassadors imployed from his Emperour he had desired money and nor provisions to be laid in in specie for his feeding at Sea that sum of fifty pound was sent him according to President but exceeding in proportion because whereas other Ambassadors whereof one had thirty five men his followers and the other fourscore had not had above forty pounds worth of Victualls for their whole Journey the summ now sent him was fifty pound but he seeming much unsatisfied with so small proportion and saying that Sir John Merrick Ambassador to his Emperour had had above two hundrd pound given him for the like made shew to refuse it whereupon I left him when sending his Interpreter after me downe the Stayres not as I thought to receive the money but desiring me to keep it or leave it with the Steward of the house I refuse it and saying that this was a matter of consequence inferring that either the Lords of the Councell in whose name I was to present the money did not in my Lord Ambassadors opinion understand what they had to do or that the Ambassador did do more then he ought to the dishonour of the King my Master I would have returned up to him to have taken the refusall as I said to the Interpreter it became me from the his Ambassadors own mouth but on the stairs I met one of his servants that brought order from his Master that he should as he did receive it The first of June following I repaired to him with a summons from my Lord Chamberlaine to take his leave the next day at Greenwich whether we went by land in four
Coaches besides the Kings for himself his Nephew my self and his two Interpreters and descending at the Garden gate he was at the entrance of the open Roome at the foot of the back Privy Staires received by my Lord Wentworth and by him conducted up to the Roome at the end of the Kings Privy Gallery and there took leave reconducted by the same Lord to his Station where meeting by chance with my Lord Cavendish and upon my motion saluted by him I made use of that civility so farre as to tell the Ambassador that that Lord being at the foot of the Staires when he went up and his Interpreters gone up before he could not acquaint him with the cause of his incounter there which was I said by command of his Majesty This officious lye I made least the Ambassador might have expected and found himself disappointed of a second Nobleman of precedent ranke to my Lord Wentworth to receive him according to the former Style of reception of those Russians first and last Audience and as I had the day before written to my Lord Chamlaine that it had been and would be required but his Lordship mistaking it being only an honour he thought proper for his dining with the King and for his first Audience and no other it had been without this devise omitted but this made use of it was by him very thankfully accepted Two or three dayes after he was feasted at his own House as he himself though another place were offered desired by the Merchants of the Muscovy Company whereof Alderman Freeman was Governor with whom with the rest and best of that Company dined my selfe and two or three other Gentlemen that I was intreated to bring with me Dinner being ended and the Table uncovered the Health to his Emperor was begun and pledged round then our Kings the Emperors Father the Patriark then the Princes his own and others Vsque ad ebrietatem after all the Company by their servants brought in their Present to himself viz. a gilded red Bowle a peece of fine skarlet wrapt in Taffaty to make him a Gowne and three other peeces of fine cloath of different colours This delivered there came in other Presents a gilded Bowle and a peece of fine cloath to his Nephew and to each of the Interpreters and a peece of cloath for his Porcest after those to each of his servants a pecce of cloth so all more merrily then soberly parted Three or four dayes after the Merchants requested me to deliver him his Present of Plate in the Kings and Princes names though provided at their charge I received it at Alderman Freemans House neer the Exchange being gilt Bowles of severall sizes only one Bason and Ewer parcell gilt and for distinction of the Kings Present from the Princes by my advice they tied a peece of red silke Ribbin to every parcell of that and a peece of white to this the number of his Majesties peeces being fifteene and of the Princes eight With these bestowed in two Hampers carried by two Porters I went that they might not be suspected if met by any of his Followers to come from elsewhere then the Court and from the King first down to Queen Hithe and the up to the Ambassadors at Saint Thomas Apostles Brought to his House I caused my man after I had finished my feighned complement in name of Majesty and of his Highness to range the Plate orderly each portion by it self on a Table that done the Ambassador with a formall Oration of thanks took one of the Kings Bowles and one of the Princes and drank their Healths in each inviting me the next day to Dinner that he migh he said express his thankfulnese which suddenly at that instant he could not for all my pains The Present he made me the next day and which after Dinner was solemly brought into the Roome by sixe severall men and carried before them consisted of two paire of rich Sables a lining for a Gowne of Sables Bellies a lining for a Iub of white and yellow Fox Bellies a Cup of silver gilded worth five or six pound and a Turkey Bow and two Arrowes worth altogether about thirty pounds The Duke de Soubise refuged hether from France upon miscarriage of some undertakings of his there 30 l. And Merchant 50 l. had an Audience of the King at Greenwich June the fifteenth and the next day one of the Prince given him by his Highnesse in the upper Garden Walkes where he entertained him in discourse above an houre with much respects from his Highnesse to whom he was at his Christning in Scotland a God-Father A day or two after the Russian Ambassador had received his Present he sent to me one of his Interpreters with the request that I would let the Lords know how the fifty pound sent him for his Provisions by Sea was all laid out and that I would intreat their Lordships in his behalfe for some addition Further that whereas in Lent he had forborne to take the first fasting week his Allowance of fish that he might as he had formerly he said requested have an allowance in money equivalent for it Also that their Lordships would be pleased before his departure to order some course about a woman that had deceaved him upon account of worke done for him of 18 l. To these requests the Merchants to whom I repaired for satisfaction the businesse being unfit for the Lords notice intreated me to returne these answers in the name of the Lords as I did That his Lordship the Ambassador might if he had pleased have received his provisions in specie as his Predecessors had done at other times which would have taken away all Subject of further question but since he would have money and himselfe therewith provide Victualls they had sent him 50 l. which for the proportion of his revenew exceeded all former Presidents That they could not exceed that summ if they would prevent future inconveniences from such Presidents but for his want of a weekes allowance their Lordships had appointed the Merchants to let him have 10 l. more and for the Woman that had deceaved him he must be righted by the Ordinary course of Law which if he would leave behind him a Letter of Attorney to prosecute in his absence they would give it their countenance and order for the just dispatch of it These answers returned as if I had received them from the Lords he made little reply to not without shews of insatisfaction onely the money which I delivered to his Interpreter he not unwillingly accepted In the interim of carrying the Present to this Ambassador and his demands mentioned Seignior Valeresso Ambassador Ordinary from Venice in place of Seignior Landi arrived at London fetcht from Gravesend by the Master of the Ceremonies on Fryday the seaventeenth of June and on Munday following had his first Audience at Greenwich conducted to it by Land by the Lord Cavendish Son to the Earle of
Devonshire with the Lord Bruse and others in twenty five Coaches attending his Majesty he rested himselfe in the Councell Chamber and there entring the Presence was at the doore receiued by the Lord Chamberlain there presented by his Predecessor Seignior Landi he spake breifely and departed Having visited his Predecessor the Saturday before and after at the same time himselfe something unseasonably perhaps before he had had his Audience Seignior Landi seemed to complaine as of a neglect cast upon his Successor that he had not yet received a wellcome from his Majesty by some person of Title as had been he said the Custome of proceeding towards all his Predecessours Wherewith I acquainted my Lord Chamberlain brought for an answer from his Lordship that he understood not but that the Complement of wellcoming Ambassadors from the King upon their Arrivall had been-onely used at such times as their Audience was excused for having been deferred for reason of some instant pressing affaires of his Majesty but that for this time the interim would be so small between his Arrivall and his Audience as that the visit would hardly be given or at the least would be excusable if omitted which answer passed for currant both with him and the other as he professed to me when I first visited him after his Audience onely he desired that my Lord Chamberlain would but intimate his reason to him personally when he would next see him that he might receive the more honour from his own Testimony as he did after to his satisfaction His Predecessour next day after his Audience took leave of his Majesty accompanied to it at Greenwich by the Lord North And also the girdle and hang er when he received the honour of Knighthood from his Majesty and had the day after according to Custome the Sword wherewith he was Knighted sent to him from his Majesty and two or three dayes after an addition to his Armes in memory of his imployment hither June the thirteenth the Russian Ambassador being upon his departure after I had the day before assured my Lord Chamberlain whereof he doubted that Ambassadors from those parts had usually at their parting as at their first Arrivall some person of Title to accompany them to their imbarking I went in my Lord Chamberlains name as for his Majesties Service to the Lord Stanhop who accepted of it we went together the next day in the Kings Coach to the Ambassadors House and thence with five other to the Tower Wharffe where his Lordship leaving the Ambassador This entred the Kings Barge his followers in an other and with the Company of Sir John Merrick Alderman Hammersley and other Merchants we came to Gravesend Lodged at the Christopher were there Feasted that night by the Muscovy Company and the next morning making use of the Kings Barge to carry us to their Ships riding foure miles off at Tilbery he there imbarkt and we returned that night to London The 24. of June The Venetian Ambassador Ordinary Seignieur Girolomo Lando parted from London without the Master of the Ceremonies attendance to Gravesend his Company spared them as not of use or Custome for an Ordinary at departure neither had he the Kings Barge appointed for his Transport whereat the chiefe Barge-Master Warner respecting his Interest murmured as at a course unusuall and with wrong to the Ambassadors quality But herein he was mistaken the use being as hath bin said otherwise The Thursday before his parting on the Monday when it was not known but that he would be gone the Saturday he had received not one word to the purpose of his Present when it should be brought him Inso much as glancing in discourse with me at the affront as he called it like to be put upon him in his particular but in the generall upon his Republick Meaning Sir Lewes Lewkener who could never relish that States Ministers as Troppo steretti dimano not unlike to proceed he said from some ill affected to it I wrote to my Lord Chamberlaine about it and his Lordship with some passion recommending the consideration of it to the Lord Treasurer Order was given and the business effected after the proportion as my Lord Chamberlaine told me of 1200. ounces of gilt plate being two hundred more then were given his Predecessor Forscareni as with more respect to his better merit and to his nobler fashion of carriage here towards persons of all conditions beyond any or most of his Predecessors After the young Prince Landsgrave of Hessen had made about three moueths stay in England in which time he made a posting Journey to see Scotland he went in Coach with my company to Windsor there to take leave of his Majesty the sixth of July but could not have his Audience being remitted with reason of his Majesties then pressing affaires till Tuesday when after the Sermon whereat he was present entring with my conduction by the door of the Terras Staires into the Presence I received command to bring him through the Princes Lodgings into a Back-withdrawing Roome there behinde the Kings Privy Lodgings whence the King comming to him he with his two Assistants Councellors to his Father Master Klingelbuck and Master Zoble had his Audience and Farewell of the King and of the Prince also in the same place Thence he returned to London and the sixth of July imbarqued for Gravesend whether I accompanied him though without Order or without use of the Kings Barge or other respect of Extraordinary Honour by Present or the like only I moving the Lord Admirall the Marquis of Buckingham for a Ship of his Majesty to transport him in regard of some hazard to his person not unlikely to come from the Dunkerkers if they should light on him at Sea he being then in the States pay Commander of a Company he had assigned him a Lesser of two Ships then riding in the Downes 24 pouud which by directions of Sir William Saint Johns Vice-Admirall was to take him in at Dover A Mask to be presented by the Prince the Marquis of Buckingham and other Gentlemen on Twelfnight 1622. was for that day and a second remitted till Sunday the ninth of January principally with regard to his Majestes indisposition but as some thought not without expectation that the States Ambassadors would first be gone to avoide the distaste that might be taken from their not Invitation whereto it seemed his Majesty for some Spanish respect as was thought had no great affection But they staying their business with the Merchants about composing the East-Indian differences being not yet concluded divers underhand passages and discourses for and against the sight of the Maske were carried to and fro as much as might be to content them and not displease others For first they had an offer made them to have a Boxe appointed them apart and by themselves only which they absolutely refused Ambassadors Ordinarie before having had said they the honour to sit with his
then he had the other time of his being here bestowed on him which my Lord Chamberlaine told me he himselfe had caused to be so increased done as a Cast he said of his Office to a person worth They gave at the instant of their parting no gratuities to any that I could heare of excepting to the Master of the Jewell-House who discovered no great satisfaction in matter or manner to that purpose only they had set down in a lyst the names of such as they intended should be gratified after their departure as they signified to Sir Lewes Lewkener and to my selfe who three dayes after received from the hand of Sir Noell Carone comming personally in all their names to my House a purse and in it fifty peeces 50. pound Monsieur de Boiscot Ambassador Extraordinary from the Arch-Duke Arriving at London Who had been here before Ordinary Ambassador An. 1612. while the King was at Theobalds in his way to New-Market and setting forth from London in Company of the Spanish Ambassador Don Carlos de Coloma to come for their Audience of his Majesty On Sunday the 23 of February lay at Ware the first night the next at Royston the third at Cambridge where in Trinity Colledge the Masters Lodgings were taken up for them and the Kings Officers of his House appointed to serve them being defrayed there and all the way out and home by his Majestie but not before nor after in London The Wednesday following they were fetcht by the Lord Walden with three or four Gentlemen the Kings servants in the Kings Coach and others appointed for their Journey to New-Market where streight entering the Court for their repose in the Princes Lodgings his Highness being then gone for Spaine they were introduced by the Earle of Arrundel meeting them at the Presence then to the Privy-Chamber door through it and the withdrawing Chamber into the Kings Bed-chamber where all other but the Agent of the Archdutches Monsieur Van Mall who attended him there were excluded they had an hours Audience of his Majesty and returned that night to Cambridge The next day passing their time in sight of severall Colledges and of the Schooles where at a Congregation purposely called they were admitted Masters of Arts and heard after that a disputation in Phylosophy they the next morning parted thence to Audely-end and entertained there that night by the Lord Walden in absence of his Father the Earle of Suffolk they the next day came to London 1623 In May. I received his Majesties command to attend the Earle of Rutland appointed Admirall Generall of the Fleete sent for Spaine to transport the Prince and the Infanta to England with order and Instructions that as soone as his Lordship should be come to Saint Andera our Port assigned I should carry to the Prince wheresoever he should then be abiding in Spaine the news of the Ships Arrivall for his and the Infantas Service Sir Thomas Somerset Son to the Earle of Worcester had obtained the like imployment from his Majesty after I had received mine which I stirring in as being a derogation from my Service his Majesty was pleased to resolve it with this signification That he had sent Sir Thomas Somerset as a Person of more eminent quality for the more honour of the imployment and me as his Ordinary Servant and Officer of the Ceremonies for my more neere and usefull attendance on it Imbarqued and my Cabine markt for me in the Admirall of the Fleet the Prince Royall I kept on the same course with the Generall from the Downes to Portshmouth to Waymouth to Plimmouth and thence to Spaine with the slow motion that the winds lent us in above three moneths time from our first falling to the Downes till upon the eleaventh of September we entred the Port of Saint Andera in Biscay where meeting an assurance that the Prince was already come within a day or two's Journey of that Port with intention to imbarke himselfe and company being till then out of hope of our Ships so opportune an Arrivall in the two Ships of Sir Francis Stewart and Captaine Love that had lyen there for his Highnesse Service long before our coming though there were some discourse about the fitnesse or not of Sir Thomas Somersets and my going to meete the Prince before we should heare he were come into the Town of Saint Anderas my reasons and resolution with them for discharge of the Service which we were sent for viz. to carry the news as soon as we should come to Spaine of the Fleets readiness there prevailed and he and I rowed immediatly to shoare whence ryding that night over the mountaines in most darke and Tempestuous weather we met his Highnesse about six leagues up within Land early the next morning when besides the Joy his Highnesse received at our incounter and the Fleets Arrivall a news that he said made him looke upon me when I told it as on one that had the face of an Angell the Duke of Buckingham when I after met him and told him the like to express his content kissed me and drawing from his finger a Diamond of above an hundred pounds valew gave it me for a present As soon as his Highnesse was come to Saint Andera he committed to my charge and attendance an Ambassador Extraordinary Don Dicgo Hurtado de Mendoza and honourable Person of that House one that I had known and received honours from in Spaine nine yeares before when I was sent thither with a present from his Majesty and was now sent by that King to waite on the Prince to England and to bring back an account of his sase Arrivall there He was quartered and I with him in Sir Francis Stewarts Ship the Saint George out of which I accompanied him one day in the Port of Saint Andera and another at Sea to his Audiences of the Prince aboard his Ship and a third time in the Castle of the Isle of Silley wherein the Windes in our returne had forced us The third day of the Prince his stay for wind at Saint Anderas in which Town his Lodging was prepared though he lay every night on Shipboard upon an occasion offered of a storme that took him the first Evening when having been aboard and the Spanish Lords also that had accompanied him from Court he intended to returne on shoare in a Barge but was with hazard of drowning to himselfe and all with him driven to lye for that night in one of the other Ships which they happily recovered he made a Dinner for the Grands and the rest of quality in the great Cabbyne of the Ship called the Prince where at his own Table placed cross at one end of the roome sate himself the Spanish Ambassador mentioned our Kings Ambassadors Sir Walter Ashton the Cardinal de Capata and the Conde de Gondemar all the other Tituladoes and persons of quality being placed at another Table set long wayes no man but I Sir
William Crosts one of his Highness Gentlemen and such as must necessarily attend the service being allowed Entrance The wind comming faire of Oct. His Highness parted from Saint Andrews and the fifth of October having in the mean time touched at Silley and passed some foule weather he came before Portsmouth where he and the Duke of Buckingham immediatly landed The Ambassador Mendoza held it his duty immediatly to follow them so went on shoare and I with him though somewhat over-late that he might there personally congratulate his Highness safe Arrivall when his Highness in his haste to Court rode out at one gate before we could land and enter the other There lodging the Ambassador by the Mayors Billetting we passed three nights before we could be provided in that troublesome time of so many mens landing with Coaches Carts and Horses for his proceeding to London To which purpose sending a Warrant which I had before proviseonally gotten at Sea with the Duke of Buckinghams hand to it to Sir Daniell Norton a Justice of Peace in Hampshire he sent in three Carts whereof we imployed but two and sufficient number of Sadle Horses and his own Coach and four Horses with which and with the Prince his left purposely by his Highnesse for that Service we set forward to London the eighteenth of October went that night to Petersfield twelve miles and the next day to Gilfford twenty miles where the Ambassador being met halfe a mile from the Towne by one of the Viscountess of Annundales Gentlemen her Lord waiting then on the King in his place of Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber with an Invitation to Lodge at her House it was accepted The Master of the Ceremonies with three or foure Gentlemen came that night to us having brought with them three or foure hyred Coaches and one with six mules sent the Ambassador Extraordinary by the Marquess de la Inojosa who sometime before arrived in England The next day the Marquess mentioned and the other Ambassador Extraordinary Don Carlos de Coloma met us Answerable to an assignation given by Sir Lewes Lewkner about foure miles from London with halfe a dosen more coaches Then the Ambassadors quitting their own Coach and entring the Princes were all arrived in the Evening at Excester House their appointed Lodging where Lodged also with them Don Hurtado de Mendoza out of his own and the other Ambassadors election after offer had been made him both for his Lodging and defraying at his Majesties charge but was excused by the Marquess de la Inojosa with saying he should be his guest while he remained in England so much I signified the next Morning to Don Diego from my Lord Chamberlain with intimation further that if he found himselfe not Lodged or treated to his mind he should have other provisions elsewhere adding that his Majesty and particularly the Prince had given my Lord Chamberlain an especiall charge to do him honour in all things and to procure him his full Satisfaction To this offer he replyed with many thanks but with refusall saying the Marquess was his kinsman and with him he would quarter and defray himselfe the furniture and Hangings of his Chamber supplyed him from the King being he said an honour sufficient for him There he remained and at three dayes end I was sent to him from my Lord Chamberlain to know his desire for his Audience and to let him know withall that if he had aessicted a speedy dispatch his Lordship would write to the King for it that going from London the Wednesday and coming that day or the next to Royston he might the next day after have his Audience the King having dessigned his remove from thence on Saturday to Fincham-brook a place that afforded no commodity for his reception or otherwise if he were not prest by his Affaires he might be pleased to respite his Journey to the King till his Majesty should returne to Theobalds where he would not be till a Fortnight after This latter offer he made choyce of as of the most proper allowance of time to provide himselfe of Liveries c. for his followers of which he came unprovided In the meane within foure or five dayes of his Arrivall at London his Lordship willed me to know of him if he would be pleased to receive visit from him and other Noblemen that owed and would discharge their respects which offer he thankfully accepted of and received on the next day from his Lordship and the Earle of Arrundell coming to him both together The thirteenth of October the Marquess de la Inojosa and Don Carlos de Coloma set forth towards Royston to congratulate the Prince his returne not yet seen by them his Highnesse remaining yet with the King but being on their way as far as Buntingford they there met a message from Mr. Secretary Conway in name of his Majesty either that they should be pleased to come presently to his Majesties Presence and from that to the Princes and returne that night to Buntingford Royston being a place the messenger said as he was willed of ill reception or to stay at Buntingford that night and have their Audience the next day and so returne This choice seemed somewhat round and of hard digestion to the Marquesse and passed not without Exception comparatively against the much different Treatment of the French Ambassador the weeke before who had he said both supped and Lodged in Court at Royston though this his Treatment was suddain as was his coming thither by Post with onely two Gentlemen congratulate the Prince at his Arrivall who prevended by the same Ambassadors Servant with a congratulation at his Landing at Durham House Stayres in name of his Master and having assured him he should be the first Ambassador he would give access to his Highnesse was immediately after sent to from the Spanish Ambassador to the same congratulating purpose The wind comming now about for France but he refused his demanded Audience with excuse of his hast of repaire to the King his Father In conclusion the Marquess went to Royston and had so good respects out wardly at least from his Majesty and the Prince as he in countenance made shew of good satisfaction but c. About a week after Don Hurtado de Mendoza his Arrivall I dined with the Venetian Ambassador Seig. Valeresso he upon notice taken of my former acquaintance with the other desired me to let him know after he had first told me how he had sent a Gentleman to the Marquess de la Inojâ—sa with a congratulatory visit and that for the title given the Marquess of Excellenza he had returned his thanks in the third Person onely that he was his humble Servant and desired to perform personally all due Complements but that he had found a doore shut which hindred him of Enterance so hoped he would pardon him and to that purpose To this I brought him answer from the Marquess that he had heard of his worth
desired his acquaintarve and good Correspondence and was sorrey that any thing should hinder it but if it should please him to honour him with a viset he could not exceed the Title which other Ministers of the King his Master had used and so left it to his consideration whether he would or not visit him To a Serjeants Feast at the Middle-Temple the French Ambassador had been invited in the first place and after the Spanish which known to this and interpreted in the sence it ought he excused his Presence with some businesse that he doubted might at that time be brought him from his Majesty The French Ambassador came and with him the Venetian and the States Ambassador who disappointed of the company they were promised of the Master of the Ceremonies I met them there and after dinner brought them to their Coaches The Marquess de la Inojosa who came hither Extraordinary Ambassador long before Don Diego Mendoza doubting that this would challenge precedence as being the last and freshest person of imployment from the King his Master according to the received rule of Ambassadors come the last and of March first wrought by all the cuning meanes he could to lessen his esteem as by entertaining him under pretence of his Allye being of his family and name into the same House with him abating thereby the splendour he should have received if Lodged elsewhere and at the Kings charge as it had been offered and by styling him in his Letters sent to him on his way from Portsmouth thus a Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza Ambassador Extraordinary de sa Majestate circa la persona del Principe Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza Ambassador Extraordinary of his Majesty about the person of the Prince All this would not keep Don Hurtado from his pretence which to some appeared to be cleared by his sitting as he did always at the head of the Table in the Marquises House which yet to others seemed but to make him a guest and that place therefore in that right â—nly given him nor from professing as I heard him often that it was his right to preceed and would do so wheresoever he should meet him abroad and in publick not respecting the reasons alleadged for the Marquis that he was Consejero de Estado Vizroy of Navarr and had the Marriage Negotiation c. Don Diego de Mexia Governor of the Castle of Antwerpe Generall of the Ordnance to the Archdutchess and her Ambassador Extraordinary to his Majesty arrived here Novemb. 5. followed by many brave Gentlemen Tituladoes and Souldiers he was received at Gravesend by the Lord of Bellfast late Lord Deputy of Ireland and by him conducted to his Lodging the same with the three Spanish Extraordinaries whether he came on foote after his landing at the Savoy whilst the Kings and Noblemens Coaches sent from Court to receive him at denmark-Denmarke-House had a Countermand to take him in at the Tower but the Tyde falling faire otherwise then was supposed to give him safe passage under the Bridge they missed him and returned as is mentioned Don Hurtado de Mendosa after a moneths stay for his Audience during the Kings absence from London received a Message from my Lord Chamberlaine by Sir Lewes Lewkner and by me That since he had had so long a patience in attendance of his Audience here at London his Majesty would not adde further trouble to it but come himselfe hither to give it him So the 13. of November the King being come to Town the day before the Earle of Rutland who had in his Fleet brought him out of Spaine was made choice of for his conduction to Court The Lord attending at Bedford-House where he Lodged the repaire thither of the Gentlemen of the Kings Privy Chamber listed for the Service a Messenger from his Lordship brought them word to White-Hall as they stood expecting his comming thither that there were three Coaches attending them at the Court-Gate to carry them to the Earl of Rutlands House This Message so much displeased them it being in their Opinion an irregular course for them to go to his House when the Custome said they had ever been for the Lords wheresoever sent to take them along with him to White-Hall as some of them refused to go at all others went thither in those sent Coaches and attended his Lordship with the Lord Windsor the Lord Scroope and Sir Thomas Somerset to the Ambassadors at Exeter House followed by twenty Coaches and thence to White-Hall With the Ambassador to present him to his Majesty came the first sent Ambassador Extraordinary Don Carlos the other the Marquiss de lainojosa excusing that part more due and fit as was judged for his discharge with regard to the Question of Precedence mentioned After his Audience of the King the Lord Viscount of Andever being there ready to conduct him to the Prince brought him by the way of the Stone Gallery to his Highness Quarter where after a gratious reception in his Presence Chamber the Ambassador returned as before accompanied to his Lodging The Earle of Kelley well attended with many Gentlemen and Coaches went from White-Hall the 15. of November to fetch the Archdutchess Ambassador from Excester-House supplied there with hired Coaches so many as made the whole number of them at the least fifty After his rest a while in the Councell Chamber disposing the Lackeyes and inferiour sort of Followers to come behinde that their Masters might have the easier and fairer access to his Majesty whereof the Spanish Ambassadors Gentlemen for want of that Order failed the day before he had Audience of his Majesty and thence wnet streight to one assigned him of the Prince he was accompanied to these Audiences by the Marquess de la Inojosa and Don Carlos de Coloma in the same Coach neither of these two questioning Precedence as the Marquess had done of Mendosa who told me the Evening after that that question was resolved by Letters which he had that very day received from the King his Master to his advantage which was ended but feighned as appeared soone after For Sunday the 16. of November Don Hurtado de Mendoza hastening his dispatch had assigned and given him his second and last Audience which my Lord Chamberlaine the day before told me was to be given him in his Majestes withdrawing Chamber by the way of the Park and Privy Gallery as private whereupon I was bold to put his Lordship in mind that that being the last sight he was then like to have of his Majesty it would be expected that according to Custome he should have some Nobleman sent to conduct him which his Lordship apprehending as fit My Lord of Kneighton Captaine of the Guard was appointed for it and with a President Extraordinary and irregular but for his respect to the Ambassador whom it seemed he desired particularly to honour or for the more resplendent attendance of his own person as Captaine of that Band he brought along
into the Downes we went in the Kings coach to Deale where expecting the wind two or three dayes with the patience of an hungry entertainment from a close handed Ambassador as his present to me at his parting from Dover being but an old guilt Livery Pot that had lost his fellow and was not worth above twelve pounds accompanied with two paire of Spanish Gloves to make it almost thirteen made good to my shame and his he at length imbarked for his Transport under the conduct of Sir Richard Ringley Admirall of the nar row Seas in the Ship called Happy Entrance and was there left by me but not so soon by the crosse windes which held him in the Downes almost a seavennight before they would blow him over He was scarse abroad when Letters overtook him sent from Spaine in the Marquess de Inojosa Pack with sharpe reproofes for his resumption to contest about Precedence with the said Marquess who it seemed after the style of Spaine different from ours that gives the last Extraordinary the first place was to have it for the respect of his being Gouncellour of State Vizroy of Navar and formerly Governour of Milan which Letters not onely revoked the Commission he had from the King of Spaine to the Arch-Dutches and the King of France as he should return that way home but commanded also his retrait immediately upon his Arrivall in Spaine to his own House with a kind of Confinement till he should know the King his Masters further pleasure The Arch-Dutchess Ambassador Don Diego de Mexia parted from London about a week after and having pressed hard for liberty to be transported to the Port he came from of Mardick neere Dunkerk could not obtaine it for satisfaction it might seeme to the Hollanders offended and taking Exceptions at the manner and place of his first passage with his Majesties Convoy from that Towne pretended to be then by them at Sea beleaguered so as he was forced to imbark at Dover for his Transport to Callaies in the Kings Ship commanded by Sir Richard Bingley A Maske being prepared by the Prince with the Duke of Buckingham and others c. for Twelfnight a message was sent from his Majesty to the French Ambassador by whom carried I could not learne to this purpose That whereas there was a Maske towards and that his Majesty was desirous that the Marquess de la Inojosa who had not seene any in this Kingdome should be at it he intended to visit him also the French Ambassador and in the first place but would take it as a respect to his satisfaction if to avoid the incounter and question about their Precedence he might before hand know that he would be absent framing some such excuse as he should think fittest To this the Ambassador returning at that instant no satisfieing answer he soone after intreated the Earle of March to present one from him to his Majesty in these words That about two yeares since upon the like occasion he had received the like message but knowing how strongly his Majesty stood then affected to the Allience with Spaine he would give him no distast but with excuse of his indisposition kept himselfe absent that if he should now againe do the like he should in the sight of the world put a scorne upon himselfe and do an unanswerable wrong to the King his Master between whom and the King of Spaine his Majesty knew if he would be pleased to declare his knowledge that there was no question to be made of the right of Precedence that in this regard he humbly beseecht his Majesty to proceed plainely and fairely without useing any more colourable or alternative Invitations as he had done which might imply a Parity in no sort to be yeelded to by the King his Master in whom was the absolute right of Priority That if his Majesty intended to invite him he hoped he would intend also to entertain him with fitting respects for come he would if he should be invited and if he should not and the other should he would protest against it and immediatly returne home to the King his Master with the account of his Treatment That further his Majesty would be pleased to consider that whereas he was at that instant sending a Person of quality to the King his Master he might with reason expect that whatsoever want or omission he the French Ambassador should meet with here it would be returned in France in the same measure This message the substance whereof he repeated to me two or three dayes after was brought little sooner to the King then it was made known to the Marquess de la Inojosa who instantly sent for the Master of the Ceremonies and in a storming manner gave him a message repeating it twice or thrice to be delivered to his Majesty by him in this sence that he knew what respect had been formerly given the King of Spaines his Masters Ministers especially those that had been here Extraordinary and what alternative course of invitation had been used with them and the French that he looked for no less honour to be done to him then to his Predecessors and that since it was both his right and his turne to be now invited he would expect it beseeching his Majesty not underhand to invite the French Ambassadors as he knew he said he was intended but to invite him directly and openly first and only that so if he Inojoso must be made a Subject for gazers abroad it might be to some purpose and that he might have a just and an apparent cause to write to his Master of the wrong done him here in his Minister with other words in an high Spanish Stile to that purpose which when the Master of the Ceremonies had twice or thrice requested him to temper to take time to think better of them and to communicate his intended message with his Collegue Don Carlos he only yeelded to satisfie him in this last of communicating his intention as he did that night with that much more temperate and considerate Gentleman from whom wresting as Don Carlos himself after acknowledged a consent for the carriage of that message to the King by Sir Lowes Lewkner the Maske was thereupon respited c. The nineteenth of January having received directions from my Lord Chamberlaine to repaire to Newmarket for attendence of Sir Robert Sherrley arrived Ambassador from the King of Persia to his Audience which by his Majesties appointment he was to have there with the advantage and commodity of his neere aboad at Saxham his first rest after his Landing and long Travells and whence his sister the Lady Crosts sent to me to London to prepare his access to his Majesty As soone as he was come to Court I sent my man to him with norice of my comming thither to serve him and having received answer of his desireâ— to be dispatcht for his speedy return I acquainted both the Duke of Buckingham and Master Secretary
almost continually attended his Majesty in the Progresse allwayes lodged and defrayed Towards the end of Novembâ—r upon order from my Lord Chamberlain for reception of another Extraordinary from France Monsieur dâ— Villiaueler Secretary of State there and hither sent about the same businesse of Marriage with Pr. Maria Henrietto Sir Lewes Lewkner went to Dover with the Kings coach and fourteen other hired but much sooner then he needed for the Kings profit though not alltogether by the fault of his forwardnesse but of Letters to that purpose from Mr. Secretary Conway for when he was come thither no news certain could assure him of the Ambassadors yet arrivall at Callayes In the meane time the other Ambassador allready here hastning likewise his incounter more then he needed pressed my Lord Chamberlain for two more to other two attending hired Coaches which he had already to meet him as he intended at Rochester when my Lord imposing on me late at night the Service of procuring them I with much a doe got them ready by eight the next Morning which done repairing to my Lord with the account of the Ambassadors Accommodation and readinesse to depart Letters came from Sir Lewes of the others not yet Landing or so much as knowledge of his approach this known to the Marquesse de Fyat could not stay or turne his resolution of going that night to Rochester whither he said he must go or fast having sent his cook and provisions before him so as parting the three and twentieth of November he had too much and perhaps to little reason both for respect of the Kings charge and of President as one Extraordinary to meete another so far off with no more difference of quality between them he went as far as Dover whether no sooner then six dayes after came the other from his place of Landing the Downes forced thither by the windes and the next day after to Canterbury the next to Sittingborne the next to Rochester and the day after to Gravesend where he was that day received by the Earle of Dorset Edward accompanied with five and twenty Gentlemen the Kings Servants and others come downe thither with two and twenty Barges These with regard of the Tides unfitnesse were commanded to attend at Tower Wharfe about Noone and his Lordship hastning thither by Land in Coach we rowed two hours against the Tide and comming to our Inn in the Evening waited on his Lordship to the Ambassadors Lodging where in the midst of the entery towards the Staire foore my Lord was met by the Marquess de Rothelin brother in Law to Monsieur de Valliauiler and Monsieur de Massy his other brother in Law and received by him and his Collegue on the top of the Staires no sooner Thence after a long contention the Earle of Dorset entred first the Chamher after him Monsieur de Villeaviler next him with the like strife Sir Edward Harbert not long before Ambassador Ordinary in France and then Monsieur de Fiat At his Lordships returne the Ambassadors enforcing likewise upon him the Precedence brought him to the Street door In the time of my Lords Supper the Ambassador sent a Gentleman to know of him his commodity of imbarquing the next morning and had the like complement returned from my Lord by a Gentleman with the good night and the liberty of his time to imbarque howsoever the Tyde would invite him to be ready against a eleaven of the clock the next day and after some question from his Lordship whether he were againe to repaire to the Ambassadors if he did not personally returne his Visite the next morning and a resolution hereupon from the Master of the Ceremonies Sir Edward Harbert that had been an Ambassador my self and ethers there that though they should faile of their Complement he must not of his to fetch them from their Inn to their imbarquing he performed it and with the two Ambassadors the Marquess de Rothelin Sir Edward Harbert Monsieur de Massey and the Master of the Ceremonies in the first Barge some other principall persons and my selfe in the second we came to our landing at Suffolk-House ascended with my Lord of Dorset alwayes fored to the Precedence to the newest Ambassadors Lodging but after much contenrion could not keep off the Ambassadors company till taking leave and Coacht at the street Gate his Lordship and the rest departed In the time of this Monsieur de Villiavilers stay here which was about a moneth the King then at Newmarket his Majesty invited him to his Audience to be given him at Cambridge where received and defrayed all the way out and home and presented from his Majesty with a Diamond Ring of 4000 l. valew so the Ambassador himself that pretended much knowledge in Jewels esteemed it and with one from the Prince of above a thousand pound valew he there took his leave but had after at Theobalds and London severall Audiences and on Newyears-Eve departed towards Dover the other Ambassador accompanying him to Rochester with an intention to have gone with him as farte as Dover but that Sir Lewes Lewkner with regard to the irregularity of his Journey further then had been formerly by president from other Ambassadors Collegues undertaken and with respect of his Majesties charge for two more then for one he diverted it with intimation silently given the King of Monsieur de Fiats changeable intention and signification thereupon from his Majesty to the Ambassador that he must speedily speak with him which brought him back from Rochester to his home at suffokle-Suffokle-House the day following Both these Ambassadors were defrayed to Rochester but no further The fourth of January I received Order for the invitation of the French Ambassador the Marquess de Fiat the Venetian Seignior Pesaro not long before arrived here in place of Seignior Valeresso and two Agents Monsieur Brumeau for the King of Spaine and Monsieur Van Mal for the Archdutches to a Maske of the Prince with certaine Lords and Gentlemen on Twelfnight I propounded and obtained of the Venetian that he would Sir Lewes Lewkner being then absent call in his way to Court and accompany thither the French Ambassadors that I might with one labour attend them both and introduce them as I had directions by the Parke through the Galleries at eight of the clock at night the place and hour assigned also the Agents but being the next morning assured by the Prince himself that the Maske was to be put off till Sunday the ninth of January I was upon his Highness intimation sent to disinvite them all which I performed with the French personally and with the rest by Letter But on Saturday reinvited them for the next day when about four of the clock the Marquess Hamilton Lord Steward of his Majesties Household then supplying the place of the Lord Chamberlaine indisposed gave me in charge to repaire to the Ambassadors and to let them know that in regard of the inconveniency that would
grow from the intrusion of multitudes of people by the way of the Galleries if they were left open he desired they would enter the Court by the great Gate and thence pass for their repose to the Marquesses Lodgings till the King should come by and take them along with him This intimation was given also to the two Agents who had the same Order for their Entrance as the former but were likewise diverted and conducted to a Roome apart in my Lord Stewards Lodgins which was so ordered of design to avoid their and the French Ambassadors incounter not with apprehention of strife for place their difference of qualities of Agents and Ambassadors clearing all such question but of distast perhaps to either from their incompatibility a regard taken also in placing their Followers in severall Scaffolds to avoid differences and wranglings that might occurre even amongst those of inferior condition if feated promiscuously together in a Scaffold a provisionable care that the King himself had and expressed it that day at his Dinner The Ambassadors were seated with the King as accustomed and the Agents bestowed amongst the Lords beneath Earles and above Barons Here end the Services of my Place of Assistant Master of the Ceremones under King James who died the 27. of March following SERVICES PERFORMED by Me as Assistant Master of the CEREMONIES The first yeare of King Charles From the beginning of the Raigne of King CHARLES THE thirteenth of Aprill I conducted the Persian Ambassador Sir Robert Sherly from his Lodging at Tower-Hill to an Audience of his Majesty at White-Hall Descending at the great Gate of the Court I brought him William Earle of Pembrick as I had my directions from the Lord Chamberlain through the darke passage from the Sermon Court to the Councell Chamber on the late Queens side whence going to the Kings Privy Chamber I there gave notice of the Ambassadors arrivall to a Gentleman Usher of that Chamber all further passage being begun then to be debarred to all but Privy Councellours and Bed-chamber men who conveying my intimation to my Lord Chamberlain in the Privy Galleries I had a charge returned that conducting him by the way of the late Queens Lodging to his Majesty in his Withdrawing Chamber no other but my selfe should go along with him this obeyed he passed with his Majesty some few words of condoling complement and returned by the way he entered The next day I conducted to an Audience for the same purpose and by the same way Monsieur de Bruneau Secretary Resident as he stiled himselfe for the King of Spaine with whom entered onely into the Privy Gallery one Cosmo sometimes Servant and Secretary to the Conde de Gondemar but I had instantly charge from my Lord Chamberlain upon his sight of him to tell him he must avoid that Roome as he did upon my admonition Three dayes after I performed the like Service and with the like directions and Service for conducting of Monsieur Van Mall Agent for the Arch-Dutches The third of May I introduced the Venetian Ambassador Seignior Pesaro to the like Audience his Secretary notwithstanding my admonition following us into the Privy Gallery and by his example the other followers when hearing me say to the Ambassador that he might be pleased to leave behind him la sua gente the Secretary answered Si si bisoina Leseine la gente as reckoning himselfe being Secretary not de la gente leaving them behind and entering with the Ambassador not onely into the Gallery but into the Presence of his Majesty though not approaching neerer then halfe the way within the Chamber The French Ambassador performing his complement of condoling with conduction of the Master of the Ceremonies Another Extraordinary Ambassador from France The Count de Tremes sent to condole the death of King James arrived at Dover in the beginning of May and was received there by the Master of the Ceremonies with the Service of twenty Coaches hired at the Kings charge for his Transport to Gravesend and thence of an answerable number of Barges to suffolk-Suffolk-House his appointed Lodging together with the other Ambassador Monsieur de Fyat Resident Extraordinary The day after his arrivall he was brought to his publick Audience in the Presence Chamber by the Earle of Montgomery served by five coaches of the Lords besides that of the Kings all covered with black cloath for mourning his passage was through the Hall to the Councell Chamber and after his rest there to the Kings Presence where in company of his collegue presenting foure Letters to his Majesty one after the other The last of which appeared by the Kings cheerfull countenance at the receipt of it to come from his then affianced Mistresse On Saturday the seaventh of May the Funerall of King James was to be Solemnized and his Body to be attended to Westminster Church by his Son King Charles and by all the other Lords Officers and Servants in their proper rancks as they had by their severall places and charges relation to that last duty For this purpose the generall Rendez-Vous or assembly being to be made at denmark-Denmarke-House about nine in the morning and the King himselfe repairing thither between twelve and one many disputes grew between particulers for their pretended rights of Precedence about which while they were in question and I attending the Heraulds call to my place of march either as assistant Master of the Ceremonies together with Sir Lewes Lewkner to precede the Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber as the Heraulds told me we were ranckt by the Earle Mareshall or promiscously to go amongst them as sworn Servants of that number I had command from his Majesty to repaire to the two French Ambassadors where they were at that time reposing themselves in a Chamber apart and to waite on them all the way to Westminster Church in ranck next after the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury as in the cheife and highest place that could be assigned them about which That is as by oâ—der of procession before after some questions propounded by them for their better satifactions they were desirous to see the Heraulds Book where their places were ordered which shewed by Sir John Burrowes Norrey King of Armes they took Exceptions at their rancking though it were next the Standard and neerest the Body of all other except the Heraulds Trumpetours and other Officers of necessary Assistance because the King himselfe they said went behind the Body alone with whom as Representants of their Master they pretended an equall ranck and March one on his right hand and another on his left But this not allowed them as being against our received Custome and they having denied it the day before they at length seemed to rest satisfied so set forth at the time having first presented themselves with their respects to his Majesty and took and kept both one even course of Parity and the latter came marching all the way on the right
Audiences which was made to none but to Emperours and Kings Ambassadors Also that the same quantity of Wine viz. so many Tonns was allowed them here in England free of Impost as was allowed to Kings Ambassadors with a difference of a less quantity to those of inferiour Princes And that he had at the Funerall sent to him from his Majesty the like quantity of Blacks as was sent to the French Ambassador All which and more were Arguments he said of their unquestioned Parity with Crownd Heads He told me further that in Spaine not long before the Emperours Ambassador endeavoring the abatement of the respects given them there made a request to the King that he would alter the Pragmatick of giving the Title of Illustrissimo to the Venetian which the Venetian Ambassador having notice of made it known to the French Ambassador there Resident and intreated him to acquaint therewith the King his Master which he did and had answer returned from the King that if the Title of Illustrissimo given the Emperours and his Ambassadors were to be changed for that of Excellentissimo he should in his name demand that the like alteration might be made for the Venetian otherwise that the already received and used Title of Illustrissimo should be continued answerable to the present Pragmatick as it hath been ever since without change given in Spaine to the Ambassadors of the State of Venice as to all other Kings Ambassadors without difference The 31. of May 1625. Madam Maria Henrietta second Daughter to Henry the Fourth King of France and the then affianced Wife of King Charles being upon her Journey for England his Majesty prepared for her incounter and Reception went by water to Gravesend thence by Post and Coach to Canterbury A day or two before the Master of the Ceremonies had order for the Provision and sending down of thirty two Coaches to serve her Majestie and the Duke de Chevereuxe imployed then Ambassador Extraordinary from that King for his Presence at the Solemziation and finall ratification or consummation of the Marriage The Coaches mentioned to be taken up for the Service were defrayed by the King but Carts and Post-Horses brought in by Warrant sent abroad to the Countrey were to be immediatly paid for at prizes usuall by such as should have use of them The confusion was extraordinary for want of orderly directions in almost all things but especially in the distrbiution of Coaches Carts and Horses he that first laid hand on them possessing them though unworthy when others of far better qualitie and more modest were not at all or ill accommodated His Majesty entering Canterbury was received by the Mayor who had borrowed the Recorder Master Henry Finches mouth for a wellcomming Speech delivered with much Elegancy was lodg'd at the Lord Wootons House parcell of the demolisht Abby of Saint Augustine The great Lords and their Ladies that attended him from London which were Arrundell Excester Devonshire Saint Johns Andever Dacre de la Ware Mordant Wentworth Harvey and others were quartered severally in the City and had their Randezvous for Diet of his Majesties providing at the Bishops Pallace The third day following his Majesty leaving the married Lords and Ladies at Canterbury went to Dover for view and directions of what was fitting for the Queens accommodation about which and in expectation of the newes of her approach he there spent the time from Thursday to Tuesday when Master Robert Tyrrwhit servant to his Majesty returned from France whether he had been purposely sent with the newes of her departure from Amiens and her intention to be on Wednesday at Bolloigne which made the King upon assurance that the Queen Mother indisposed in her health would not come thither with her daughter alter the resolution he had of passing the Seas and the next day returned to Canterbury with the reason of giving to the Queen some time of refreshing after her Sea-distempers before he would see her But on Thursday the Kings Fleet not able for the winds opposition to recover Bulloigne and left for the same cause on Fryday and two dayes after on Munday the 12. of May about nine of the clock the reports of Canons from the French coast and the wind then come faire made us presume of her Majesty then shipping as it did after assure us of her landing at seven in the Evening passing out of her Boat on shore by an artificiall moveable Bridge framed for that use only The newes of her arriveall was by Master Tirwhit within half an hour and six minuits carried to the King at Canterbury Her Majesty rather ill at ease then sick after her Sea motions was carried from the shore to the Town in a Litter there received Wellcome and presented by the the Mayor she went in Coach up to the Castle and had there the next day her best and happiest Reception from the King come that morning from Canterbury May 13. Their Majesties dining that day together the King after dinner gave Audience to the Duke de Chevereux the Duke of Buckingham with my Service introducing him to the Presence Chamber of the Queen whence the King honourd him after his Audience with his company to his Majesties own Presence Chamber for a sight and wellcome of the faire Dutches de Chevercux After this their Majesties set forth for Canterbury and within two or three miles of it on Barrham Down were attended for their meeting and reception by the Lords and Ladies mentioned these latter presenting themselves from a fitting distance where the Queen stood to her Majesty each in their ranke with three low reverences kissing her hand and her Majesty them for their greater honour That night their Majesties supt and slept together Sic consummatū est The next day they removed to Cobham neer Rochester and from thence and Gravesend they came with the lowd wellcome of great Ordinance from the Ships on the Thames and from the Tower to London May 16. Their landing was at the Privy Staires of Whitehall where in the Sheild Gallery stood on each side ranged those Ladies of quality and beauty that had not yet seen the Queen and there they had from her particular respects of satisfaction The Duke de Chevereux and his Lady were lodged at Somerset House and had the next day a Visit sent them from his Majesty by the Earle of Arrundell with two or three Lords with divers Gentlemen attending who after conducted him to his publick Audience of his Majesty in the Presence Chamber Thence he was upon passage to the Queene for the like but word being brought that she was not well at ease he was remitted to another time and returned to his Lodging with the company of the Count de Tremes and the Marquess de Fiat with him joynt Commissioners The next day being that of the Overture of Parliament his Majesty to avoid the danger of the Plague then growing strong by the concourse of people went
immediate access without further Ceremony his Majesty being to returne the next day early to Hunting so the Ambassador repairing to Court at six in the Evening with reception of the President of the Houshold at the foot of the staires and of the Chamberlain at the top he was introduced to his Majestie in his withdrawing Chamber all his Followers remaining in the Presence The King upon assurance of the Plagues beginning to lessen at London and in other places neer about removed to Windsor and Hampton-Court and leaving the Queen some few dayes at Salisbury the Ambassador being upon his departure to follow his Majesty I let him understand that according to our Custome he was not to have his Post-horses defrayed though all the rest had been so hitherto when almost at the instant I received a Letter from the Earle of Carliel to whom in absence of my Lord Chamberlaine I had written for a formall resolution to that purpose signifying his Majesties pleasure that he should be defrayed for his Post-horses also as he had been for his Coaches and Carriages but with a protestation injoyned to be made by me as from his Majesty to the Ambassador as it formallv was when I delivered my message that he should be the last who should receive that Treatment and that he should have also his lodging provided in Court at Hampton which favour of his Majesty he at least in appearance accepted of most thankfully This Letter mentioned was written to me from the Earle of Carlile which siginification of his Majesties pleasure appearing in it for discharge of the Ambassadors Post-horses upon an account I had given that Lord at the instant of his departure with the King what words of resentment had falne from the Ambassador after I had told him of our Custome here as before in these formall termes and with passion answerable He had well observed he said how he had been intreated here since his comming in a different manner from other of his Nation and quality that Monsieur de Fiat and Monsieur de Villiaviller were not persons to stand with him in comparison otherwise then as they were his Masters Ambassadors yet had they received better respects then he That the world knew well enough what his condition and person was neer the person of his Master Monsieur le prmier being the first Gentleman of his Chamber and lodged alwayes for divers years next him in Court though he were now denied lodging in the Court of England where others had been allowed it especially in a time that the contagion of the Plague might be a motive to lodge him rather there then elsewhere with danger to his person whereas others as the Duke of de Chevereux though being a Prince he named him not as an equall instance and besides him Monsieur Villiaviller and Monsieur de Fiat had had their lodgings markt for them at Hampton Court That the Earle of Carliel though he had lodgings ordained for him at Saint Germaines in the Chancellors House the best of the Town and neer the Court would not be contented till he had his lodging Chamber and Anti-chamber in the Kings own House and had been treated for some eighteen moneths in manner as the world knew yet that he an Ambassador who for ought he knew was not to stay two moneths here was refused respects and treatment answerable in many things That he saw well enough what had been put upon him from time to time whereof but for doing so ill an Office as to raise difference or debate between the two Kingdomes which would be an ill Servants and Subjects part especially in times of our Warrs with Spain he would have shewed himself sensible He was after reâ—uted the maine boutefou of our Warre with France and would have returned the provision of diet that the King gave him which he thankt God he had meanes of his own besides that he had from the King his Master to allow himself in a plentifull measure and that what regard and treatment he had here he knew how and was in place about his Master able at one time or other to repay That further for that one particular of Post-Horses one or 200. crowns more or less was a poore thing in his consideration which to be defrayed or not defrayed was nothing to him in his own person but as he represented the person of the King his Master he was bound to take and give notice of it These and other the like Stommachous Speeches he let fall in my hearing which reported by me to my Lord of Carliel and by him to the King brought forth the Letter and with it the allowance specified The day before his departure when I presumed that his Majesties Officers had or would defray the Lodgings taken up and made use of for his Followers I found the Harbengers all departed and no Order left for their discharge In which regard for the Kings honour and avoidance of clamour from so many poor men as had furnished them with Beds and Chambers I sent for all their names caused them to come before the Green Cloth and there promised them my best endeavous with my Lord Chamberlaine and after procured of his Lordship a Warrant for twenty two pound to be paid them out of the Treasury of the Chamber for their respective satisfaction but when to be paid viderit tempus Saturday the 28. of October after Dinner when all being ready we all supposed the Ambassador would instantly depart he called me into his Chamber and imparted to me with request of my Secresie his designe to stay behind pour se purger as he profest to purge himselfe but whether of the humours of the Marquess de Bleinvill or of Monsieur l'Ambassadure taking the opportunity of the Queens stay behind the King for his more freedom of access to her Majesty I know not there he stayed intreating me to proceed with the grosse of his Traine retaining with him two or three Gentlemen and the Kings coach and assuring me he would follow on Monday Not to contradict him in his course designed I without reply or excuse parted that day with his Steward and followers in five coaches followed by seaven carts for his Baggage and forty foure sadle Horses and comming that night to Andever we had word brought us thither that the carriage with his Plate was not that day come forth of Salisbury a knavish carter when he see us all parted taking advantage and stealing away with his carriage before it came to loading so as leaving the Marshall of the Ceremonies behind to attend that charge we went on that night to Hart-ford Bridge then resting all Sunday more for the Frenches Satisfaction in attendance of their Lords Plate not yet come then for the duty they would have paid the day by rest though they had their Mass in the Inn but first with request of myapprobation for the fitness or unfitness of it in regard of
scandall we were the next day at Kingston where at the furthest end of the Towne East-ward the Ambassadors House was appointed but not yet by default of some of the Kings Officers Lodgable so as returning into the Town we Lodged in Inns and elsewhere as we could on such a suddaine be provided and not without French murmurs till they were the third night after better bestowed in the quarter ordained from them This Ambassador being not yet come from Salisbury the Gentleman of his Horses and of chiefe mannage in his Affaires in observation of his Lords desire and the Kings pleasure signified to him by the Earle of Carliel that the Ambassador should have a Chamber in Court not as was mis-understood to lye in it but onely for his retrait as is before mentioned intreated the Earle of Carliel to move the King for his favour to that purpose when I had already for prevention possest his Majesty and my Lord Chamberlain that the Ambassadors intention of demand of a Lodging in Court was with the like limitation as the Earles of Carliel and Holland had had theirs in the Court of France viz. onely at time to retyre to In conclusion it was the pleasure of his Majesty and for such made known by my Lord of Carliel that expecting no cloath of State The yeomen hangers had onely began to set one up in his Chamber at Court but I instantly hindred it as not fitting wherof I gave account to the Lord Chamberlain and was applauded for it which from first to last of his stay there was not allowed him in Court though he had one as all Kings Extraordinary Ambassadors have in his private House at Kingston and having in his Chamher the allowance onely of a Gentleman and two Groomes to lye by him in Pallet he should be Lodged in Court as a particular or private Person and not otherwise for avoidance of future trouble to the King by President This obtained I sought to prevent another inconveniency by acquainting my Lord Chamberlain and Carliel with the Expectation I saw towards of having his Dyet provided in Court which would have made that publick which was intended private To prevent this I had order to fall as I did in discourse with the Gentleman of his Horses and to convey the Kings mind to him as I understood it I said from report and collection that it was intended he should have no other Dyet then what he had at Kingston by provision there from the Kings Officers and that if he would eate at Court at any time it might be at the Table of the Queens Lord Chamberlain or elsewhere there as a private Person sending thither Monsieur de Tilliers when he would from Kingston part of his provision to have it drest in Court for increase of his Dyet at the Table of her Majesties Lord Chamberlain but this was but discourse and to little purpose while the Ambassador himselfe remained yet with the Queen at Salisbury The stay of his there longer then he at the first intended or at the least in shew pretended gave me the liberty to sisit my home then at Brocket Hall for retrait from the sicknesse till a messenger bringing me the news that the Ambassador was come to Hampton Court I the next morning returned thither and that Afternoone accompanied him with two coaches each with foure Horses appointed for his continuall Service to the sight of Nonesuch These two coaches I increased to three with two Horses to each as more usefull then one and capable of his followers for their dayly passage to and from Court to Kingston The fourteenth of November that he might take possession of the honour allowed him by his Majesty to be Lodged in Court he commaded some of his stuffe of more necessary Service to be transported thither he himselfe that Evening following it and was there Lodged in the Garden Lodgings where had been sometime quartered the Lady Elizabeth before her marriage but presuming to have his Kichin allowed him there also ut supra he was refused it for having by his Servant formerly demanded it by my Lord Chamberlain as hath been touched his Lordship now sent for me and gave me in charge this to say to him That he beseecht him to beleive his Majesty did and would give him all the respects due to his quality and person and that for his owne particular he had faithfully endeavoured to do him his best Service for his Accommodation in Court according to his own desires but he found his Majesty absolutly resolved not to give way to what he requested concerning the having of a kitchin and some other Lodgings for some of his Gentlemen for conveniency sake This message delivered by me he asked me how the King would have him live in Court without eating I answered It was never intended for ought I knew that he should have further then his first demand which was a Lodging or two for his repose sometime or at the most to lye in with a Pallet or two and one Gentleman for his attendance as had been intimated to his Esquire before and that for his Dyet he might be pleased to take it and augment it as he should think fit with some of his own dishes brought thither from Kingston at the Table of the Queens Lord Chamberlain ut Supra To this he gave this peremptory reply Howsoever his Esquire had let him know that he must be there in his Lodgings with limitation as a private person he was never of the mind to assent to that distinction so much against the King his Masters honour to be Lodged as the King of Frances Ambassador at Kingston and as the Marquesse de Bleinvill in the Kings House but that both the Earle of Carliel had told him it was not intended Because at Kingston he had a State set up and his Table kept but that he should be treated in his Lodging in every thing as became an Ambassador and he himselfe also did now protest for it that he would not be and remaine there but absolutly under that title and would insist upon his Accommodation in all things there as an Ambassador from so great a King as the King his Master Which resolution of his I having made known to my Lord Chamberlain his Lordship acquainted the King with it and presently called me to the Presence of his Majesty in his Withdrawing Chamber where after I had repeated the Ambassadors answer his Majesty commanded me to returne to him with his pleasure thus plainly and particularly exprest That the Ambassador might remember that having requested earnestly the favour to have a Lodging in his Court to retyre to onely he would not at first assent to it till upon his Wives earnest intreaty he being loth to deny her the first request she had made to him was content to yeeld to it but that he never intended no more then he the Ambassador himselfe had demanded that he should have
his Kitchin there or any other Lodging for any of his followers except for some such as were of necessary Service about his Person That Carliel and Holland being in France had never any such favour done them there and that he would have Monsieur de Bleinvill know he valewed their condition not lesse then his rather more regarding the businesse they then treated on being of an higher quality then that he now had in mannage that notwithstanding all this he intended no such distinction of Lodging him there as a private Person with wrong to his publick quality that he would in all respects treat him so the free use of his House reserved and that he hoped he would not press him further to what was against his likeing and which he intended not to grant him so desired him to rest satisfied Having carried this his Majesties pleasure to the Ambassador he made no further answer then this That he saw his Majesty had bestowed a favour on him which he meant he should not make use of in giving him a lodging to lye in and no Kitching to dress his meate in and without eating he could not live That he would onely take himselfe to my Lord of Carlile for justification of what he had told him of his Majesties intention that he should be lodgd in Court not as was told him by his Esquire as a private Person but as an Ambassador and so might expect all Termes answerable that in the stile of an Ambassador he expected and had order from the King his Master to expect and stand upon his Treatment in all things as his Minister and that if he failed of this he would demand of his Majesty a particular Audience for his satisfaction to that purpose When I had conveyed all this to the Kings knowledge by my Lord Chamberlain and that the Ambassador had personally conferred about it with his Lordship and with my Lord of Carliel also I knew not how it come about by those Lords satisfaction when perhaps they saw no other remedy or rather by the Queens once more mediation with the King in the Ambassadors behalfe he had at length all he craved both for his Kitchin in Court part of his Dyet being deducted out of that allowed him at Kingston and for inlargment of his Lodgings having all those assigned him next the River in the Garden where sometimes Lodged the Lady Elizabeth but he could not obtaine allowance for any of his Gentlemen to be Lodged there except onely such Servants as were of immediat Attendance The next day he had an Audience but for other businesse this being cleered and the two and twentieth of November following another By this time Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies had by his freinds in Court so sollicited his returne to the Service of his charge as the Venetian Ambassador satisfied with a kind of acknowledgement from him was no hindrance to his re-attendance upon this and other Ambassadors as there was occasion The Coronation being ordained for the second of February two dayes before it my Lord Chamberlain sent Sir Lewes Lewkner to this Ambassador for knowledge of his finall resolution having made some question of it whether or no he would be present at the Solemnity when I meeting Sir Lewes neere the Ambassadors House we went both together to him and after some small time of conference between them two part I called too by the Ambassador we both received from him this answer That he would not be present at the Coronation for two or three regards the one was that his religion tied him not to assist at our prayers and Church Ceremonies but herein he said he was not so scrupulous as that he would not be content pour le respect du Roy de la grand Britaine de vouloir faire quelque petite bresche a sa conscience But that which most prevailed with him for his absence was he said that he had not been proceeded with in his Invitation as became the Person and quality of the King of France's Ambassador and as he understood the King of Spains Ambassador had heretofore been in a larger and more noble measure That he was not before hand called as the other had been at other Solemnities towards to confer and to be made acquainted with the style and condition of his Treatment and placing at the solemnity whereof he had received hitherto no other notice or allowance then what was given and to be given to the Venetian and States Ambassadors That further for him to be a Spectator where the Queen his Masters Sister excused her presence and her participation of the Solemnity of Crowning would be an incongruity with other the like exceptions to this purpose amongst which one was which he said he had reason to take against his Treatment here as not agreeable to his quality Whereat I interposed this question whether his complaint in that regard extended to that particular of his Invitation or to his Treatment in generall he replyed it extended onely to that of his Invitation and that for the rest of his Treatment he had received such respects and usage from his Majesty as he could not except against it Parting with this answer we incountered the Venetian Ambassador where he then was at the Lodging of Mr. Rossorfe the King of Bohemias Agent and could not in a long time drive him from the suspition of the Ambassadors earnest that all this was to deceive and amaze him that he might not come to the Coronation but by his absence run the hazard of the like affront as was put upon him at King James his Funerall till resolved in the Evening he made that appeare which he had before intimated at his House that he durst not be present at the Coronation if the French Ambassador were not not he said for scruple of conscience as the French pretended since he professed to understand it as an Act of State and not of Religion but for the scandalls sake which might grow with censure to him for assisting in one of our Churches at our Churches Ceremonies in company of the States Ambassador reckoned an Heretique during a Solemnity whereat the French Ambassador a Catholick had refused his Presence So as neither of both the Ambassadors came though the Venetian by question examined all wayes possible how he might have a sight of it without notice of any man in some corner but none found allowable and I excusing my attendance on him as being a publick Officer that should thereby discover him for a publick Minister if I should be seen neere and serving him There was onely present the States Ambassador whom Sir Lewes Lewkner fetching from his House in the morning while I accompanied his Wife and Daughters by water from the Savoy Staires we were all let in at a little posterne door on the South side of King Henry the sevenths Chappell upon a Scaffold there and there beheld the whole Solemnity The French
March ten moneths after when begining their voyage the two differing Ambassadors in severall Ships they all three dyed on the way and with them the quarrell and inquirie after it The Venetian Ambassador Seignior Pesaro called home somewhat sooner then other Ambassadors of that States formerly had been parted hence to Gravesend without other attendance then those of his Family having sent me after I had taken my last leave of him a Gold Chaine of five ounces weight and the like of little more valew to the Master of the Ceremonies He had no sooner passed the Seas but here arrived by the way of the low Countryes two Gentlement sent Extraordinary Ambassadors from Venice the one Seignior Coraro who had resided here Ordinary about fourteen yeares before and Seignior Contareni they Landed at Gravesend seasonably for observation of the new order resolved on by his Majesty that no Ambassador should be met and received further off then there and were thence conducted by Sir Lewes Lewkner c. to their Landing at Tower-wharffe where they were welcom'd by the Earle of Dorset accompanâ—ed by the Lord Herbert Castle Island and other Gentlemen my selfe one not as an Officer or listed for it but Voluntary with the Kings Coach and seventeen other not one of them taken up at the Kings charge as had been accustomed but borrowed of Noblemen to avoid the charge of the Master of the Ceremonies professed to the Lord Chamberlain he would not undergo without assurance of better re-imboursment of his money then he had met with and were brought to their Lodgings in Aldersgate-street at the Lord Peters House defrayed there by the King with all their attendance of allmost an hundred Persons their Diet compounded for by Philipp Verzellini an Italian who had lived long in England at 40 l. per diem not comprehending the charge of the Houses Furniture being all the Kings and waited on by his Majestyes Officers and Servants whereof twelve of the Guard gave their dayly attendance The five and twentieth of June Sunday they were fetched to their publick Audience at Greenwich by the Earle of Carliel from their House in the Kings Coach and other to Tower Wharffe and thence by Barges introduced by the way of the great Gate Hall and Guard-chamber to the Presence where his Majesty standing under the State to receive them Seignior Carara spake first breifly delivering their credence when the other setling himselfe as to begin a more formall set speech his Majesty looking about for one to interpret the Master of the Ceremonies being retyred out of sight not over forward to do Offices of his Office to that State I being called to by the Lord Chamberlain made a repetition of the cheife heads and some of the Ambassadors long Oration to the King and after of his Majesties breife replye which done they returned accompanied as before to London The Sunday following they had a second Audience in private by the way of the Patke through the Privy-galleries to the Withdrawing-chamber there fetcht to it from their home by the Earle of Holland an honour not formerly afforded any Ambassador to have an Earles conduct from their House to a private Audience to which customarily none was to bring them from home but the Master of the Ceremonies though their Ambassage were Extraordinary and if ordinary he to have received them no further off then at their descent from their Coach at the Court Gate or foot of the Stayres next the Parke But this honour was done them by the Kings especiall pleasure and command as I was told it might or may be hereafter of trouble by the consequence when other over-punctuall Ministers of that State may perhaps challenge the like from president The second of July the Lord Conway Secretary of State sent word to my Lord Chamberlain then somewhat indisposed of the arrivall of two Commissioners from Hamborough who were styled by their followers whom they sent before with their Letters of credence Lords Ambassadors Their Letters being opened in the Lord Chamberlains sight Mr. Secretaries and mine the Commissioners were therein thus named Spectabilem Doctissimum virum Dominum Luntzman Syndicum c. Spectabilem virum Dominum Brand Senatorem c. Ablegavimus which words made me question the right and reception they seemed to pretend to of Ambassadors so far as communicating my reasons with my Lord Chamberlain and receiving his opinion that Ablegavimus was no more then we have deputed as our Ministers I was sent back to my Lord Conway and by him when also ill at ease with their concurring opinions to the King who approving them left me to follow my Lord Chamberlains directions according to which I that night wellcomed them at their Lodgings at Crouchet Fryars in name of his Majesty and let them know his pleasure for their Audience the next day at one of the clock to which I fetched them in the Lord Chamberlains coach onely least the use of the Kings might have seemed to raise their respects to the title they seemed to affect but upon better advise refused of Ambassadors they were received of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber where one of them having made a formall harange containing besides complement of condoleing and congratulating a complaint against his Majesties Ships lying at the mouth of the Ebb and hindering their free Traffique and an humble request of his leave to transport through his Seas without molestation Corne Powder Copper and Cordage to France and Italy their Merchants entering caution to their Senat that they should not transport any to Spaine then our Enemy his Majesty entered answered them by my interpretation that he would gladly continue with them the friendly correspondence held by his deceased Father and did not nor would interrupt them either at the mouth of their River or else-where at Sea for any quarrell he had to them or any way to hinder their Traffique but only keep them from Trading with the King of Spaine his Enemy which by Law of Nations and in justice he might and would do To which purpose they should further repaire to his Councell to whom he would give Order for their access to Negotiate so dismissed they returned and I with them to their Lodgings The sixth of July an Ambassador Extraordinary Paul Rozenerantz sent from the King of Denmark arriveing at Gravesend Then but a Baron and no Privy Councellor was there received by Sir Lewes Lewkner two dayes after at Tower-wharffe by the Lord Willoughby Lord High Chamberlaine of England and by him brought to his Lodging in Lumbard-Street where he had his Diet defrayed by his Majesty at eighteen pound per diem His attendance of the Kings Servants consisted only of a Gentleman Usher daily Waiter a Sewer and two others without any of the Guard daily to attent him His own Trayne passed not in all a dozen persons The day after his Arriveall he sent to know his Majesties pleasure for his Audience which
but a gracious answer I acquainted his Majesty with his instant desire that it might stand with his Majesties pleasure to have his publick Audience made private by commanding an avoidance of the pressing company or by his Majesties retrait to his more private Lodgings where the Ambassador might have an immediate access to him for communication of some particulars of his Negotiation which required speed in dispatch His Majesty was gratiously pleased to allow of the former and commanding all to stand back but the Ambassador they spake together a good time out of the hearing of any After taking his leave to returne to London and incountring on the way the Duke of Buckingham he caused his coach to turne back after him but in vaine the Duke taking another way but overtaking the Ambassador that night in his more speedie returne he there in the way received his Letters his complement and his request of a speedy dispatch in his businesse The fifth of October he had his Audience of the Queen assigned and given him at Hampton Court without any Person of Title to receive him at the Gate with excuse from the Gentleman Usher upon my remonstrance of their absence for Service of her Majesty the next day in her remove The Queen received him in her Privy-chamber where he after an Invitation or two of her Majesty covered for which he went not away uncensured of the observing Ladies and Lords there present His Majesty having received an account from France of the cold reception and entertainment given his Ambassador Sir Dudley Carleton Lord of Imber-court imployd thither Extraordinary for prevention and accommodation of whatsoever differences that might grow from the late remove of the French from about the Person of the Queen news came soone after to Court of the arrivall at Dover September the foure and twentieth of Monsieur de Bassampierre sent Ambassador from that King about the same businesse whom to entertain answerable to the stile and Treatment of our Kings Ambassadors there it was consulted of and resolved that neither the Master of the Ceremonies nor other Officers of his Majesty should be sent to receive serve him further off then at Gravesend a Nobleman no neerer then Greenwich for his conduction thence by water to Tower Wharffe and to his house hired and furnished by himselfe in Leaden-hall-street for which latter complement was chosen the Earle of Dorset On his way towards his House the Master of the Ceremonies letting fall some words concerning the provision of Diet made for him by his Majesties Order he would by no meanes accept of it answering that if the King would have been pleased to have assigned him a House he would have received also the favour of his Diet but to eate at an other mans charge in his own House as he would be bold to call that hired for him by his his Officers he desired pardon if he refused it so were the Kings provisions that had been allready served in turned back againe For Sunday following September the thirtieth he had his audience assigned him at Hampton Court and came thither in the Kings coach followed by divers Noblemens with the conduct of the Earle of Carliel though some were of opinion that the Earle of Dorset should have been properly his conductour as had been one and the same Person at the reception and first audience of the Lord of Imber-court in France he was brought after his repose in the Councell-chamber where a Dinner had been prepared for him but he came to late purposely it was thought to eate it and a collation set ready on the Table at his comming but remained untasted of by him or any of his followers through the great Hall to the Presence-chamber where both the King and Queen stood under the State to receive him the Lords and Gentlemen ranged on the Kings right hand the Ladies with the Dutches of Fremoville on the left And having presented his Letters to the King and passed other respects with his Majesty he performed the like with the Queen after which parting towards his coach accompanied by the Lord mentioned and others he was in the outward Court told that the Duke of Buckingham was comming after him whereat making a stand till the Duke came they two privatly and apart from the rest discoursed halfe an houre together before they parted the Ambassador dismissing the Kings Coach returned in his owne to London The twentieth of October a Signification from the Lords of the Councell came to the Ambassadors of Denmarke and of Betblem Gabor as also to Monsieur Benica Agent sent hither from the Marquess of Baden that if they would be pleased to come to Monsieur Rosdorss resident here for the King of Bohemia at his Lodging neere White-Hall which they could not but think as they did a bold Invitation for persons of their quality they should have word sent them thither of the time of the Lords readinesse to receive and heare them but when they were all there at the houre assigned one of the Clerks of the Councell brought word that Bethlem Gabors Ambassador and the Envoy from the Marquess of Baden were to have present access but that for the Ambassador of Denmark their Lordships desired his patience till some other time which he not without shew of resentment for such an Exclusion saying the other two were by me introduced first the Minister of Bethlem Gabor and immediatly after his dispatch the other The two and twentieth of October the Ambassador of Denmark had access to the King in his Withdrawing-chamber with my conduct and upon his dispatch I demanded pardon if I gave him not my attendance home because of a charge I had I said instantly tofetch the two Commissioners of Hambrough to their parting Audience so repaired to them where as I had already ordered it they stayed my comming at my House having before sent them to their Lodgings a Noblemans coach for their transport thither I brought them by the way of the Parke and Privy Galleries answerable to the stile of their first introduction in quality of deputies not Ambassadors into the Withdrawing-chamber there thanking his Majesty for his favours and desiring some small addition and cleering to and of their River of Elb blocked up by his Majesties Ships their other demand of transport of Corne Copper and ammunition of War ut supra being with reason denied them they took their leave and two dayes after had their presents of two Gold Chaines each of the valew of 210 l. brought them by two of the under Officers of the Jewell-house who had for their gratuity given them by the hand of one of the Commissioners ten peeces and to their Servants twenty shillings Two dayes after inviting me to dine with them they before Dinner presented me with a purse and fifty peeces Soone after taking their Journey to Dover without my conduction or expectation of it they there imbarqued for France to returne by Paris
not have him to cover in his Presence either from his Example or Invitation the King answered that I had well observed and understood it and that he had purposely kept off his own hat least the other might have put on his which for some considerations he was not yet satisfied to be convenient c. During the time of this Ambassadors stay here there passed no visite or other correspondence between him and the Venetian both of them pretending to precedence and not appearing upon the title to be mutually given of Excellenza or because the latter stood upon it that he was not visite first though the other came last being a Representant of a State that pretended to a parity with crowned Heads The fourth of December he took Barge at the Savoy Staires without any conduct though offered perhaps irregularly being no Kings Ambassador and went that night to Gravesend for his further Journey The night before his departure after many complementall Excuses of the length of his Journey and shortness of his provisions for it he presented me with a Purse and in it thirty peeces He gave to the master of the jewell-Jewell-House two dayes before a chain of fifteene pound value which was received but coldly as a gratuity beneath expectation and not proportioned to his quality There being a Maske in practice of the Queen in person with other great Ladies for the end of Christmas I three or foure dayes before Twelftide asked my Lord Chamberlain what course would be taken with the Ambassadors here resident Contareni for Venice and Joachimi for the States he answered that the King had already signified his pleasure that if they would come they should be wellcome and have places apart provided for them but that his Majesty was resolved never more to admit any Ambassadors resident to sit next his person under the State no more then to eate with him in publick I replyed that I thought this change in his Majesty from his Fathers manner would draw some Puntillious exception or Cavill from the Venetian unlesse it were seasonably and heedfully carried which to prevent it would not be I thought amiss for his Lordship to send to the Master of the Ceremonies for use of his experience which referred to me I wrote to him about it that morning he came to Court and thence after conference with my Lord went to both those Ambassadors the Venetian and the States This made no question of his comming nor placing other then as the King should command onely he said that if the Venetian should refuse to come he should perhaps doubt whether it would be fit for him to be there alone as out of a kind of Singularity condemning the others absence by his Presence The Venetian desired time for consideration and resolution it being a Novelty and a lessening to him he said of the honour affoarded to his predecessour but in the meane time he prevayled so by his reasons how heavily it might follow him in the Judgement and censure of his Republick when he should be the first of his Predecessours that ever suffered by such an exclusion and had as yet since his imployent here never received publick honour from his Majesty c. as that the King was pleased to let him know by my Lord Chamberlain personally repairing to him under pretence of returning his visit that he should for this once have the respects of being seated next his Majesty in manner as his Predecessours had been before him and with him the States Ambassador whom also my Lord Chamberlain had then visited with the same signification but that neither he nor any other Ambassador were ever to expect the like hereafter and that to confirm and intimate the Kings resolution in this point he as also the other should do well to give account of it to his State least other of their Ministers might hereafter pretend or think to obtain the like honour with importunity and further to take notice that if the King should make another Maske at Candlemas he must be content with a place to be assigned him apart and not next the chair of State if he would be present at it with which plaine intimation he seemed to hold himselfe satisfied and the Moneday seaven night after following after Twelfday he and the States Ambassador were assigned their Rendez-vous at the great Gate of the Court at six in the Evening and with them the States Ambassadors Wife and Daughters with limitation of as few followers as might be and those of the better sort The place for their repose was the Councell-chamber whence they were conducted first the Ladies to a Box reserved for them at the upper end of the Banquetting-house on the Kings right hand and next their followers to a Scaffold over and behind his Majesty then the Ambassadors themselves to the Presence of the King in the Privy-Galleries and after with his Majesty to the Maske the Venetian was seated on the right hand the States Ambassador on the left of his Majesty I understood after that the States Ambassadors Lady and her Daughters took exceptions against their being thrust up in a corner without respects To which I answered that I had brought the Ambassatrice a liberty of election from my Lord Chamberlain whether she would be pleased to sit amongst the great Ladies or apart and she had chosen to sit apart with her own company because she said she wanted Language so the fault was hers not mine if she were unsatisfied Monsieur Rosdorfe after he had resided here foure yeares for the King of Bohemia being called home was to receive his present which was endeavoured by his freinds that it should have equalled if not that Ambassador Baron Donnows of 400 l. in Plate at least that of Monsieur Paule that had been here in the same condition as Rosdorfe without Title of Ambassador and receiving at his parting a Chaine of 300 l. and 50 l besides as an ayudu de costa But Rosdorfe having not been well relished by some particularly by the Duke of Buckingham for his harsh plainnesse had given to him a Chaine worth onely 220 l. as of equall valew upon comparison and instance made with that of the resident of the King of Spaine Monsieur Bruneau and of Monsieur Van Mall Agent of the Arch-dukes While I was at Canterbury for some domestique occasions of my own Her Catz. I received a Letter the eighth of March signifying the arrivall of a deputy from the States and of the dangerous sicknesse of Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies of whose Office I was the Reversioner These two accounts and their consequence brought me the next day to London Two dayes after I received from my Lord Chamberlain this direction that I should intimate to the States Ambassador and to the deputy newly arrived that whereas they had desired an accesse to the Duke of Buckingham for an enterance to their businesse in hand and that my Lord Duke
judged it not so proper to give them one before their Audience of his Majesty they should be pleased to thinke and resolve of a time for the Latter which if they would demand for that day or the next he doubted not but they should have it the rather because his Majesty was to returne from whence he came but the day before to Theobalds and would not be againe at London till Thursday following That in the meane time their first Audience being past they might Negotiate with the Commissioners appointed for the further prosecution of their businesse This message received I interposed what I thought might be expected by them or be thought fit for the stile of their reception viz. whether to be brought to the Kings Presence by a Nobleman and to have the use of his Majesties coach c. as had been allowed to other of their Country qualified Ambassador To this it was answered by my Lord Carelton Vice-chamberlain that he then knew the Minister new come to be qualified no otherwise then for a deputy though a joynct Commissioner with the other and that he could not nor he thought would expect other Treatment then under that Title with this intimation I repaired to them and after delivery of my message with a touch to he last purpose I had for answer their desire of an Audience the next day which they had of his Majesty in the great Gallery of Somerset House the twelth of March by ten in the morning the Queen being then in her House retyred or not yet risen After Dinner my Lord Duke came to their House the Lord wimbletons to visit them while I that day dined with them I had the newes brought me of the Death of Sir Lewes Lewkner by which in right of his Majesties grant of Reversion by his Letters Patents I became sole Master of the Ceremonies The thirteenth of March the Ambassador of the States had without his Associate the Deputy a private Audience of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber whether I conducted him by the way of the Parke and the Privy-Galleries this being the first time of the States resident Ambassadours accesse to his Majestie by that way they having been allwayes till then accustomed to have their Audiences and accesses given them by the back-stayres without introduction or attendance of the Master or assistant Master of the Ceremonies which was at that time altered with the Kings better service and more convenience for avoydance of Surprises and also to that Ambassadors great honour not unaffected by him in that particular when his silent and private accesses given him before by the back-stayres and other obscurer passages might and did seeme to some an undervaluing of his publique quality and in this of the State he represented though others would have had it understood for a particular respect of his Majesty given to him as a Domestique which yet while his Audiences were never granted nor accesse given him but when at his request it was moved for by a Groome of the Bedd-chamber or by one of the two principall Secretaries it would hardly be so interpreted and so he himselfe expressed to me to conceive of it when upon my introducing him by that new way of the Privy Gallery he fell to discourse with me about it 1627. The Ambassador of Denmark Paule Rosenkrantz having negotiated with the King of France by the space of five Moneths or more returned for England and Landed at Dover in a Holland man of War when he had already written and obtained a grant of for one of the Kings Ships to transport him March the nine and twentieth 1627 the next day he came to London before his Lodging was fitted or order given for it To which purpose for excuse I compleyed with him from the Lord Chamberlain that he would be pleased to have patience for his ill accommodation till the Officers of the Ward-robe might set up his Bedd and directions be given for his Service and attendance as before this performed the next day he began again upon the Kings diet and charge having of his Train by list two and twenty persons Sunday the first of Aprill he had Audience assigned him both from the King and Queen To the first I conducted him without company of a Lord or other then his own followers this being not publick though the first Audience after his return from the Court gate by the Staire that ascends to the Sone-table chamber the way accustomed through the Park and Tiltyard Gallery being restrained by the King pleasure for his more privacy there and reposing himselfe in the next Roome to that Chamber was called forth to his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber and had there his Audience After passing through the Councell-chamber over the Terras by the lower end of the Guard-chamber to the Chappell Closet on the Kings side he was met at the Presence doore by Sir George Goring the Queens Vice-chamberlain and brought to her Presence in her Privy-chamber He was censured of too much forwardnesse instantly after he had performed his respects to cover which though he might pretend to have done in right of the King his Master as his representant yet towards a Lady and a Queen to have forborne till he had been by her twice or thrice invited to it or rather not to have covered at all since he would forfeit no place nor pretention by it had been no derogation Before he came to the Presence of the King I asked him if he desired his Gentlemen should kiss his Majesties hands he answered in no sort because quoth he I would not have notice taken of my new train as if I were a new come Ambassadour and for their kissing of the Kings hand they may do it at my departure This passed for a reason against the honour they might have had but was not moved for of kissing the hand of the King remitting it to some other opportunity which was offered the Sunday following Aprill the eighth when the Ambassador having a day before upon signification of his Masters pleasure for his returne demanded Audience for his leave taking of both their Majesties he was fetched from his Lodging in Lumbard-street by the Earle of Barkshire in correspondence of the Earle of Northampton that had accompanied him to his first Audience at Wansted with the company of halfe a dozen Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber c. The Sunday seavennight after this his last Audience my Lord Chamberlain having delivered to my hands a Jewell being a Picture case set with faire Diamonds and the Kings Picture in it to about 800 l. valew but to the Kings cost of 1200 l. it being sould to his Majesty for this use at that rate which his Lordship told me before he had destined to my carriage in observation of the course before established concerning the right pretended to by the Master of the Ceremonies for carriage of Jewells as the Master of the Jewell house doth of Plate to be
bestowed on Ambassadors I carried it and presented it with this complement MOnsieur j'ay l'honneur que par ma main le Roy vous fait present de son purtrait le quel il vous prie poster pur amour de luy en testmoignagede bons agreables services devoirs que vous luy auez rendus pour le Roy vostre Maistre durant vostre Ambassade icy en Angleterre My LORD I have the honour that the King by my hand doth present you with his purtrait which he prayes you to we are for his Love in Testimony of the good and acceptable services and duties which you have rendred him in behalfe of the King your Master during your Embassie here in England Three or foure dayes after he had taken leave he intreated my opinion and Assistance for punishment of one Phillip Weisman a Germane whose cheife Trade of life having been to undertake the conduct and defraying of Gentlemen of his Country at a price agreed on in their Travailing to and in this and other Kingdomes as he had formerly done of Phillip the yong Landsgrave of Hesse and a Duke of Holstein here he made offer of of his service and was entertained for the defraying of this Ambassador while he remained at Paris after the time of that Kings defraying him till his first Audience was past at the rate of five hundred and fifty Crownes a Moneth for Dyet and Lodging of twelve Masters and twelve Servants This Bargaine made but as the fellow pretended much to his losse in regard of the dayly increaseing number of guests at the Ambassadors Table he a while held himselfe silent both at the Ambassadors departure from Paris and on the way where he undertook the whole companies defraying at twenty five Crownes a man till they should come to London but within two dayes after their arrivall here he began to make his demands in so unreasonable a measure and with such touch to his honour as he made complaint of him by me to my Lord Chamberlain who acquainting the King with it his Maiesty was pleased that the Lord President of the Councell the Lord Chamberlain and Vice-chamberlain should heare and determine the businesse Whereupon the said Philip appearing before them together with two or three Gentlemen of the Ambassadors and my selfe the Lords passed on him their sentence which according to the Ambassadors request sent by me to the Lords and as it was the next day repeated by the Lord President and referred to the Ambassadors owne penning in French was as followeth MOunsieur Henry Comte de Manchester President de Conseil prive du Roy de la Grand Brittaigne Phillipe Comte de Montgomery Grand Chamberlan Conscillers du Conseil prive d'estat de la dicte Majeste Commis Depute par sa dicte Majeste pour entendre la potestation que Sieur Rosenkrantz Ambassador extraordinaire pour la Majeste dt Densmark auroit fait a l'encontre de Phillippe Weysman pour quelques injures mesdisances que qu' il auroit proferree escrites contre sa personne au prejudice de reputation du Roy son Maistre de sa bonne renomme ' e en particulier ayants par commandement expres de sa Maieste adiourne examinè le dit Phillippe Wiseman â—nsemble entenduenmesme temps par confrontation quelques uns des domestiques du dit sieur Ambassadour aultres ensemblé lu examiné sa lettre and dit sieur Ambassadour Avons trouvé que le dit Phillippe sans raison hors de propos apres avoir receu beaucoup plus d'argent qu' on ne luy autoii accordé selon sa propre confession auroit malicieusement effrontement mis en avant telles paroles eserits sans avoir esgard a la dignité de la parsonne que le dit Ambassador represente ny a sa qualitè particuliere avons ordonne qu'il soit mis en sure garde jusques a ce qu'il donnera satisfaction au dit Ambassador si ce n'est qu'il troue bon de le fayre mener au Roy son Maistre pour l'estre chastié selon qu'il a merité En foy de quoy nous signons la presente le 14. of April 1627. Manchester Montgomery Carleton My LORD HEnry Earle of Manchester President of the privy Councell of his Majesty of Great Britain Philip Earle of Mongomery great Chamberlaine and of the Councell of State to his said Majesty being Commissioners and Deputies for his said Majesty to heare the Protestation which the Lord Rosenbranck Ambassador Extraordinary to his Majesty of Denmarke shall make against Phillip Wiseman for certaine injuries and calumnies which he should speak and write against his person in prejudice of the honour of the King his Master and of his own particular reputation having by express commandment from his Majestie adjourned and examined the foresaid Philip Wiseman and understood the same time by confrontation of some of the Domestiques of the said Lord Ambassador and others as also examined his Letter to the said Lord Ambassador We finde that the said Philip without any reason or cause having received more monies then were agreed upon according to his own confession hath maliciously and impudently blazed abroad such words and writings without having regard to the honour of the person whom he presents or to his own particular quality therefore we have inordered that he be put in safe Custody untill he give satisfaction to the foresaid Ambassador if he thinks it not fit to bring him before the King his Master to be punished according to his demerit In faith whereof we signe this present Instrument this 14. of Aprill 1627. Manchester Montgomery Carleton The fellow persisting stubborne and most averse from submission was after four or five dayes restraint in the house of a Messenger delivered by Warrant of the Lord President of the Councell and the Lord Chamberlaine from the Messengers hands to the Ambassadors who causing him to be imprisoned in the Counter by vertue of the said Warrant which gave him power to dispose of him he was upon the point of being sent for Hambourgh but his stomach lessening and his submission made with acknowledgement of his fault both by word and writing he was at last set at liberty Five or sixe dayes before Saint Georges Feast was to be kept at White-Hall the Ordinary Ambassador of Venice Contareni desired my Confetence intimated by his Secretary sent to me to the purpose of his best course for his sight of that Solemnity I hereupon repairing to him told him That the manner had ever been except in one or two Exceptions when the King was pleased to send his Invitation for Ambassadors to convey to his Majesties knowledge by the Lord Chamberlaine their desires to have the honour of his right and the solemnitie that day whereupon he desired me to performe that part from him which I did had his Majesties allowance to it and let the
I had not served him presented me by one of his Gentlemen with five peeces which I excusing to receive my Servant after accepted of as for his own and to that end in termes of such expression given him An houre before his imbarking his Steward presented me from him as too small an acknowledgment he said for my great paines with twenty peeces I gave the host of his House for his own Bed and Chamber as paid by the King for which and for the rest I was after to pass my account twenty shillings and for foure or five Beds more in his House the like not hindering by this the gratification whatsoever that Monsieur de Soubize should think fit to bestow on him The proportion I held of payment for Beds for his followers Billetted in the Towne was after two shillings the week a standing Bed and fifteen pence a Trundle-bed increasing this somm to some as their good and kind treatment of strangers deserved it The seven and twentieth of June the two Commissioners from Saley had their first Audience of his Majesty at White-hall upon a removing day which served me for excuse of the small appearance then at Court and of their not seeing the King under the State in the Presence-chamber at their first access though being but Representants of a newly formed Republick and no Christians they had no more reason to expect then to have that honour to be done them I conducted them from their Lodging in Fleet-street to the Common Stayres at White-Hall in one of the Kings Barges and thence to their Audience in the Privy Gallery whence his Majesty for further knowledge and debatement of their businesse remitted them to his Councell July the eigh The Ambassador Resident for the States of the United Provinces and their Deputies for the East-Indian busnesse and for accommodation of differences grown lately at Sea parting from London to Lodge at Colebrook were early at Windsore dined with my Lord Conway principall Secretary had their Audience in the Afternoon in the Withdrawing-chamber went that night to Kingston and the next day to London The tenth of July the Deputy being upon his departure I inquired of the Ambassador what might be the disposition of the said Deputy touching his Present from his Majestie whether to receive it in Plate or in a gold chaine and found him indifferent yet intimating withall that if his Majestie would be pleased to Knight him it would make the Present whatsoever more acceptable This made knowne by me to my Lord Chamberlaine and by his Lordship to the King he was that afternoon dignified Sir Jame Catz and after he and seven or eigh more attended the dispatch of some remaining part of his businesse he departed for Gravesend and thence for Holland July the twentieth having the day before presented me with five and twenty peeces but leaving the present ordained him for his Majesty of 500. Ounces of gilt plate allready prepared but reserved in the Goldsmiths hand pour cause to be sent after him as it was being cousened for him by the under Officers of the Jewell House to Monsieur Joachimi two months after the Bringer receiving from him the gratuity of six peeces The Duke of Buckingham being ready for his Expedition to Retz and sollicited by his Servant Master Fotherley for his Signature to the Warrants annually bestowed on Ordinary Ambassadors and Agents for Venison his Majesty appointed the Earle of Dorset for Justice in Eyre during the Dukes absence so the Warrants being by him assigned and I sending for them to Master Fotherley received from him not a refusall a question Whether it were not a part of his charge and a due for him to deliver them to the Ambassadors But this question soon resolved from presidents of Sir Lewes Lewkner I had them and delivered them viz. To the Ambassador of Venice three whereof one he bestowed on me as a right he said of my charge to the Ambassador of the States three whereof one was returned to me to the King of Denmarks Agent two whereof one came to me and to the King of Bohemias Agent two The sixth of August while I was retyred to my Country home at Twittenham I had notice given me that the Marquesse Pompeio Strozzi Ambassador Extraordinary from the Duke of Mantova was arrived at London with ten of his company whereof the Count di son Paulo Nicolo Delfino a Gentleman of Venice and Bartholomeo Amaltheo his Steward were received as men of quality This Ambassador having in his way negotiated with the French King came hither for condolement of the Duke his Master who dyed above five moneths before and for congratulation of the other Duke his Brothers succession to that Dukedome After I had of my selfe with respect to his quality visited him and drawn from him by discourse something of his ends c. I repaired to my Lord Chamberlaine then at his House at Endfield and from him as I had directions to his Majestie then at Winsore having before dispatched this my Officer with Letters to my Lord Chamberlaine But these comming in his Lordships absence were opened and presented by his Secretary to the Earle of Holland and by him to the King who in answer of their contents passed his resolution to be signified by me to my Lord Chamberlaine That the Ambassador should have his publique Audience at Winsore on Sunday following but not to have his Diet defrayed no more then any other Ambassador should from thence forwards nor have any coaches provided for them at his Majesties charge Except at times of publique Audiences I after this speaking with his Majestie for my better warrant concerning this new Order had a confirmation of his pleasure to that purpose and propounding only how fit and acceptable it might be for the said Ambassador if in correspondence of the treatment which I understood he had received in France he might have a dinner provided for him in Court the day of his first Audience it was assented to and his Majesties pleasure for it intimated by me to the Lord Steward of the Houshold the Earle of Pembroke After returning to London I let this Ambassador know his Majesties resolution taken for no more defraying of Ambassadors either diet or coaches whereat he taking no exceptions provided himselfe of two Coaches with six Horses each with which and with the Kings sent thither from Windsore for carriage of his own person he went the eleaventh of August to Bed to Staines and receiving there the next morning his Majesties wellcome by the Earle of Cleaveland was by his Lordship with the attendance of foure or five Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber in the Kings and the Lord Conways coach conducted to Windsore and found there prepared and fairly hanged three Lodgings of the Earle of Worcesters and a Table ready covered for his dinner answerable to what I had propounded to his Majesty and the Lord Steward for avoidance of a greater charge from continuall defraying
Kings to conduct him of Mantova we altogther having besides the service of three hired coaches for the first and two for the latter all at their own charge parted from London on Tuesday morning and were by two after Dinner at Oaking where after a brief Complement passed between the Ambassadors that had not till then seen one anothers The Mantovan having alwaies kept behind to let it be seen he was of another company and imployment and bringing them for their rest to two severall chambers I first introduced those of Denmark whose complement dispatched Letters delivered and themselves reconducted to their chamber I after brougth in the Mantovan for his farewell This passed and he returned to the place of his repose I again conducted the other two to a private Audience after their publick and leaving them with his Majesty accompanied the Mantovan to his coach and returned to the other whose private Audience finished we went that night to Winsore the next morning to Hampton court and were that evening as the Ambassador of Montava likewise was by another way at London whether both this and the other were accompanied by the Lords their conductors to their severall lodgings with a course and trouble to me beyond example of bringing two Ambassadors at once in one day to their Audiences so far from the ordinary standing court of his Majesty The next day August the twentyninth when the Ambassador of Mantova had before hand immediatly upon his return sollicited and obtained Assignation for a parting Audience of the Queen then come to Somerset house at two of the clock after noon and that I had received the desires of the Ambassadors of Denmark to have likewise their Audience of her Majesty with her first conveniency I received from the Earl of Carliel her Majesties pleasure That at the same hour those of Denmark should be admitted and the Mantovan an hour after and that to this purpose I should repair to the Earl of Dorset for his company with the former and to the Lord Morley for the latter But this Lord being indisposed I was driven to my former shift of procuring a Nobleman for the Service The Earl of Dorset undertook and discharged his part fetching the two Danes from their lodgings to Somerset house there entring the court with the Queens coach their other coaches staying in the street and accompanying them in the Councel chamber till their time of admission to the Queen and dismission back whither his Lordship went with them to their lodging In the mean time only attending them to the Gate of the court was arrested there by the necessity of my service for the introduction of the Mantovan who for want of a Nobleman to accompany him was fetch from thence by Sir Robert Ayton Secretary to the Queen and in one of her Majesties coaches brought to court where after a publick Audience given him in her privy chamber she gave him a more private one in her withdrawing chamber and at his leave taking presented him with a Diamond Ring from her own finger of four hundred pounds value which giving him exceeding satisfaction was an occasion taken by me for preparation of his better acceptance of the Kings Present to come of a thousand Ounces of gilt Plate as if both their Majesties had understood one another in the consent of so presenting him that the publick and ordinary rates present might pass with the better acceptation more out of danger to become a Prefident for the Kings greater charge hereafter But while I was thus provident for my Masters honour and profit a Message was brought me from my Lord Chamberlain then at Court intimating that wheras his Majesty was pleased by likelyhood from the Queens perswasion to correspond with her in the quality of their gifts That this Ambassadors present should have consisted of Plate He was now resolved to convert it to a Jewell and to add to the value proportioned as above And that to this purpose I should respite the presenting of the other till I should understand further from his Majesty This I did accordingly and the day after the Kings arrivall at London I received from the hand of the Earl of Holland the Lord Chamberlain being then going out of Town and leaving with me such order a Jewel being a Picture-case set with four Diamonds of about five hundred pounds value but no Picture in it for which his Majesties complement was for my delivery That his Picture wanting there because one could not be so suddainly provided and fitted to it it might be supplyed with that which the Ambassadors would he said preserve of him in his memory About the same time one of his Gentlemen whom he had made now and then use of for his Pen and had withall carried the Title and sometime executed the Office of Steward having heard of our custome heretofore to present Ambassadors Secretaries with Chains at their parting expected the like and made one Sir Francis Biondi his means to me by his Letter to that purpose whom I answered by Letter with reasons as before when Bethleem Gabors Secretary petended to the like favour from his Majesty but was refused it and so was this I having first acquainted the Ambassador himself with his pretence and with our course of limitation here for presenting Secretaries onely when they were as the Venetians Secretaries of the Embassage or had been for some especiall affaires imployed and noted for Assiduall Negotiators The fifth of September this Ambassador parting hence in the Kings Barge with no more Barges or Boates that one being capable of his Traine I accompanied him to Gravesend where presenting me with sixty double Pistoles I left him in his way to Dover for his imbarking c. He was not visited during the time of his stay here by the Venetian Ambassador no more then this by him The two Moores Commissioners from Saly having long attended the Kings returne to London and found little fruit of their Negotiation with the Lords demanded and had at last an Audience of his Majesty in the Privy-gallery comming to Court from their Lodging at Sir Abraham Williams in Westminster in a coach of their own hyring without my conduction onely I received them at the Court Gates brought them to the Councell-chamber thence to their Audience back to their coach and there left them The ninth of December the Ambassadors of Denmark went to an Audience of his Majesty at Havering with the Kings coach and two others hyred by themselves onely my selfe and no Nobleman accompanying them their Audience being to be private Arriving there towards Noone we found a Table covered for their dinner at the Kings charge whereto they sate down immediatly after the King was set to his and were served by the Guard for whom at their parting they gave to the hand of a Gentleman Usher Quarter-waiter 10 peeces After dinner they had their Audience in the Privy-chamber and that night returned to London They
were at their Dinner accompanied by the Earle of Holland Sir John North and others the upper end of the Table being found too narrow for both their seats they sate in chaires at the two sides opposite one to the other the preceding Ambassador taking his place with the end of the Table on his left hand as the first place in his opinion These two Ambassadors having another private Audience assigned them at Hampton Court were pleased upon my request to them by Letter to pardon my repaire to their Lodging in London thence to accompany them as I ought to have done in the Kings coach and take me in their way at my House in Twittenham where returning they left me after I had entertained them with a collation c. to their satisfaction Two dayes after they sent my Officer for demand of an Audience to take their leaves which they had granted them for Sunday following and were brought to it from London by the Earle of Cleaveland and foure or five Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber having provided for them a dinner at the Kings charge this being their last Audience as they should have had at the first answerable to the stile then observed but omitted towards them as also to the Mantovan Ambassador for the interruption mentioned before This course of their entertainment at a Dinner I propounded to his Majesty in time of his Supper two nights before by direction from my Lord Chamberlaine intimating the fitnesse of it they having the like at Havering in stead of that they should have had at their first publick Audience but was excused for the reasons as before and had from the King this formall answer O yes yes let them by any meanes have a Dinner At the same time also I propounded with agreement of the Master of the jewell-Jewell-House standing by and by direction from the Lord Chamberlain the consideration of having their Presents assigned beyond the proportion of their Predecessours which had been 1500. ounces of gilt Plate and no more making our reason the regard of their not having been defrayed as those other had been c. which his Majesty approving commanded the number of 2000. ounces to be made ready for each of them being soone after brought them by the Master of the Jewell-house himselfe who had from them the gratuity of _____ and his two Officers between them twelve peeces Their Secretary having not appeared in any businesse had no present After Dinner at which their conductour the Earle of Cleaveland and the Lord Gordon and others were guests with them I introduced them to their Audience by the proper way being publick through the Great Hall and Guard-chamber to the presence thence to the Queene in her Privy-chamber whither my Lord of Cleaveland made at the first some scruple to accompany them till my Lord Chamberlain had resolved him of the fitnesse and custome of it but would by no mens returne with them as both he by custome and the Gentlemen with him should have done to London whither I onely served them with my Attendance the rest taking their leaves at the Ambassadors taking coach The eleventh of October while neither their Letters nor present nor 1000 l. which they were to receive by way of defalcation from the great debt due to the King their Master from ours were ready for them they requested me to procure them a private Audience if this might not they said appear a Solccisme after they had had a publick one for their leave taking which I did bringing them to it by the way of the Titlt-yard and Privy-Galleries to his Majesties Withdrawing-chamber c. Neere the time of these Ambassadors departure Animo revertendi my Lord Chamberlain let me know that having received news of the comming of the Abbot de la Seaglia Ambassador from the Duke of Savoy he had written a Letter but not yet sent it to my Lord Major for provision of a House for him in the Citty to be paid for by the Ambassador but after I had intimated to his Lordship that the course had been to receive a signification first from the Ambassador himselfe of his Arrivall and of the number of his traine and accordingly to provide for him that if his House should be taken up before such signification were given and that he should not come in a moneth or more after the charge of it for that time must in reason rest upon his Majesty the House being not taken by his own order and he being to defray himselfe for all as was intended the letter was stayed and the provision of the House for that time respited After it was assured by some passengers in the same Ship with this Ambassador that he was landed and come onward his way as far as Rochester I repaired to my Lord Chamberlain for order of his reception how and where c. went with his Lordship to the King about it and received from his Majesty this formall signification that answerable to the order established and already practised towards the King of Frances Ambassador Monsieur de Bassampierre the the Duke of Mantovas and the King of Denmarks and particularly towards the last his Unckles he would not defray him nor any other except at conclusion of Peace Marriages Baptismes of his Children and such like Extraordinary occasions Upon further discourse that then passed where and how he should be received it was concluded by his Majesty not onely for the present but for the future that neither he nor any other Ambassador under a Kings should be met or received further off then at Tower-Wharffe in the Kings coach after he had been brought thither from Gravesend by the Master of the Ceremonies and that if he were a Kings Ambassador the Master of the Ceremonies meeting him no further off then at Gravesend unlesse his comming for the before excepted purposes might by order carry him further he should be received no neerer London then at Greenwich by a Nobleman out of the Barge that brought him from Gravesend into the Kings Barge and thence by him accompanied to his landing at Tower-wharffe and thence in the Kings coach to his Lodging The day after that this Order was established or rather revived no certaine notice being yet given or taken concerning the Savoy Ambassador for preparation of his House because no follower of his was come immediatly about it Mr. Gerbiere a Gentleman serving the Duke of Buckingham who had passed the Seas in his company and had received some particular direction to that purpose went with me to my Lord Chamberlain and acquainted him with the Ambassadors intentions and desires as of one that agreed not well he said with Journies by water and had brought with him a Coach and Horses of his own to come by land But this desire and design of his was soon diverted by his Lordship after he had pointed at the incommodity of a Noblemans meeting him with the Kings Coach at the end of
Southwark where was no house nor place proper for his and his companies stay til the instant of the Ambassadors coming thither and what he should want in that part of honour of having sent to him from the King to Gravesend the Master of the Ceremonies with his Majesties Barge for his transport who if he should come by land could not with that provision and must not with Coaches because of their late restraint of imployment for service of Ambassadors at the Kings charge attend him It was further intimated that if he should not think fit to make contiunall use of the Italian Jeronimo's house for his lodging which he had already hired he should have another hired for him for his better accommodation at a rate reasonabe to be paid by himself These Allegations and Reasons taken notice of by Mr. Gerbiere were conveyed to the knowledge of the Ambassador at Gravesend and his approbation being returned the next day I went early with the Kings Barge and another to bring him to Tower-wharff where by the Lord North with half a dozen Gentlemen the Kings Coach and seven other attending him he was conducted to h is lodging October 19. At my first access to him at Gravesend that I might besides the complement of his Welcome intimate to him his Majesties pleasure and course held and to be held for the Traytment of Ambassadors answerable to the new Pragmatick I spake to him in French thus MOnsigneur sa Majesté m'a enuoye icy aure l'honnour de ses Commandements pour vous receuoir vous dire de sa part que non seulement pour l'estime qu'ells fait de la personne que vous representez mais aussy de vostre propre personne vous estes tres-bien venu en son Royaume Et si vous trouuez que le traitement que vous receurez ne responen tout a vos merites vous l'attribuerez sil vous plait non pas a manquement de respect de le part de sa Majesté mais au rei glement procedure qu'il luy á convenu tenir d'oresen auant envers tous les Ambassadeurs Ministres des autres Roys Princes comme entre autres sa Majesté á recentement practiqué enuers les Ambassadeurs de son Oncle propre pour mon purticulier Je suis joy pour c. MY Lord his Majesty hath sent me hither with the honour of his Commandments to receive you and tell you in his behalf that nor only for the esteem he makes of the person which you represent but also for your own particular you are most welcome into his Kingdome And in case you find that the Treatment which you shall receive doth not correspond in all things with your merit you shall impute it if you please not to any want of respect on his Majesties part but to the regulation and procedure which it hath behovd him for the future to observe towards the Ambassadors and Ministers of other Kings and Princes as his Majesty hath lately practicd towards the Ambassadors of his Uncle and for my particular I am here c. Friday Octob. 19. The night of his Arrivall at London he demanded Audience of the King with his first conveniency which referred to his pleasure if he should think Sonday following too soon for it he accepted the liberty as a favour so far as for that day it was appointed and an Invitation delivered with all by me as I had order for his dining in Court whereto he was voluntarily fetched by the Earle of Carliel a Supererogatory courtesy of his Lordship and an irregularity of all president when a Baron Of no good example for Ministers inferiour to Kigns who might expect the like not an Earle should have discharged that part for a Dukes Ambassador and with the attendance of five or six Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber in five coaches besides the Kings came to Court dined in the Councel-chamber with the Earle and Gentlemen mentioned and five of his owne company And about foure of the clock attending so long the Queens returne from Vespers of whom having been formerly known to her he had a sight and Bay-samaine in transitu as she went to her coach through the Privy-Gallery had his Audience in the Presence returned to the Councel-chamber til the Queen and her Ladies were in readinesse to receive him and having had a gracious Audience of her Majesty with the same company and attendance that he came returned to his Lodging The Tuesday following though he had let fall of purpose it seemed for his after freedome some speeches tending to the liberty which his Majesty he said to me had given him once for all to have accesse to his Presence without Ceremony my Lord of Carliel telling me and desiring me to let him know his Majesties Pleasure to give him a private Audience that Afternoon I intreated his Lordship as far forth as he could he would direct that domestique privacy as diminishing from the respects due to his Majesty and the right of my charge in the duty of my attendances for those Services Which his Lordship rightly understanding tooke on him to regulate by remonstrating to the Ambassador as he did how much he should derogate from the regard proper to his own quality besides what might be challenged due to mine by the worlds taking notice and the discourses of the causes why I did not attend him at his Audiences and by perswading him that howsoever he might have his private accesses at his owne times to the Kings Presence yet that he would not upon account to be made of the businesses of State or of particular charges received by Packet from his Master present there commendation without my introduction So that day to begin his course I accompanied him to his Audience which he would otherwise have sought and had alone by the staier leading from the Garden to the first Chamber of the Privy-lodgings thence bringing of him to the King in his Withdrawing-chamber and a sevennight after did againe the like In the meane time having not in five or six dayes after his publick Audience received any visit from the Ambassadors then here residing A mazime amongst Ambassadors the custome amongst them carrying it that the first come is first to visit the last come I cast out a question whether the Ambassadour of the King of Denmarke had yet visited him he answered no and that he was willing to interpret the sicknesse of one of them Monsieur Brahe to be a cause that the other forboare that complement because said he being joynct they may perhaps think a joynct visite requisite and so one stay for the other till both be in good disposition In the meane time though he would he said make no scruple to visite the sick Ambassador who was unable to visite him yet that he could not conveniently do it to the one without the hazard of the worlds opinion that he did it to
of February to Tower-wharffe where received by the Viscount of Wimbleton accompanied with halfe a score Gentlemen in five Noblemens coaches with the Venetian and Savoy Ambassador but without the Kings they were brought to their lodgingat the Italian Ordinary there to reside till at more leasure they might find better accommodation without touch at any hand to the purpose of the Kings not defraying them The fayling of the Kings coach proceeded from the forgetfulnesse of my Lord Chamberlains Gentleman of his Horses and became a Subject of no small distast and complaint formerly made by the Resident Ambassador to his Lordship in name of the rest as of a lessening in the respects usually afforded to all other publick Ministers of Princes which to reconcile a meane was thus found It was agreed that the Ambassadors should the third day after returne in their owne coaches by a private way about by London walls to the Tower and after a sight of that place to be fetched thence by the same Lord Viscount of Wimbleton with as many coaches as before attending the Kings coach and the Queens also sent along with it this accordingly performed and they so accompanied through London to their Lodging all was composed to their satisfaction The next Puntillio obtruded was whether at the day of their Audience they should dine in Court as some other Ambassadors particularly the Savoyard had done lately before To remove this rub I wrote to my Lord Chamberlains Secretary a Letter for his Lordships sight and consideration imparting that the Summer before in the progress time the Mantovan and the two Danish Ambassadors had dined in Court the first at his first Audience at Windsor Whereof see the reason as also why the Mantovan dined not in Court at his first Audience the latter at Havering at their second private Audience and that since that the King comming to White-Hall though the Treatment of dineing in Court were not perhaps necessary nor fit to be made to any Ambassador as out of an established course at or in the Kings standing House it having been made elsewhere with regard of inconveniency or want of place fitting with their owne provision to give themselves a dinner at or neere the Court in time of progress his Majesty was yet pleased to comply with them in that point but not to serve for an example to others But now there must a step be made backward to the yeare 1624. at which time there happend a noble traverse reflecting on the two Spanish Ambassadors viz. the Marquesse de Inojosa and Don Carles Columa then Resident here the last of a good disposition the other sower and harsh so that they were compard to oil and vinegar the businesse was thus the Prince of Wales being back from Madrid matters began to gather ill blood twixt England and Spain for the Treaty both of the match and Palatinate were dissolved by Act of Parliament and the Duke of Buckingham made use of Parliament and Puritan who swayed then most in the Houses to compasse this worke The Spanish Ambassadors understanding that the rupture of the matrimoniall treaty proceeded from the Practices of Buckingham they devised a way how to supplant and ruine him they fell into consideration that King James was grown old wherefore the least thing might raise umbrages of distrust and feare in him therefore by a notable way of plotting they informed him at a private Audience that there was a dangerous designe against his Royall Authority traced by the Duke of Buckingham and his confederats the manner of which conspiracy will appear in this following Memoriall or Remonstrance of Sir Walter Ashton left still Ambassador leger in the Court of Spaine which he presented there to the King himselfe which was thus To the King Sir SIr Walter Ashton Ambassador to the King of great Britain saith that the King his Master hath commanded him to represent unto your Majesty the reasons why he could receive no satisfaction by your Majesties answer of the fifth of January and that therby by the unanimous consent of his Parliament he came to dissolve the Treaties of Match and Palatinat He received another answer from your Majesty wherin he found lesse grounds to work upon and having understood that neither by the Padre Marsto or your Majesties Ambassadors who have assisted these daies passed in his Court there was something to be further propounded and declared touching the businesse of the Palatinat wherby he might receive contentment The said Ambassadors to this day have not said any thing at all to any purpose which being compared with other circumstances of their ill carriage he gathers and doubts that according to their ill affections and depraved intentions wherwith they have proceeded in all things but specially in one particular they have laboured to hinder the good correspondence with the so necessary and desired intelligence which should be conserv'd with your Majesty Moreover he saith the King his Master hath commanded him to give an account to your Majesty that in an Audience which he gave to the Marquesse of Inojosa and to Don Carlos Coloma they under the cloak and pretext of zeal and particular care of his Majesties person pretended to discover unto him a very great Conjuration both against his Royall Dignity and person Which was that at the beginning of this Parliament the Duke of Buckingham had consulted with certain Lords and others of the Arguments and means which were to be taken for the breaking and dissolving of the Treaties both of Match and Palatinat and their Consultations passed so far that if his Majesty would not conform himself to their Councels they would give him a house of pleasure whither he might retire himself to his sport in regard that the Prince had now years sufficient and parts answerable for the Government of the Kingdome The Information was of that quality that it was sufficient to make impressions in him of an everlasting jealousie in regard that through the sides of Buckingham they wounded the Prince his Son with the Nobility it being not probable that they could effect such a design without departing totally from that Obligation of faith and loyalty which they owed to his person and Crown because the interessed Lords made themselves culpable as Concealors Nor is it likely the Duke would hurt himself upon such an enterprize without communicating it first to the Prince and knowledge of his pleasure But because the Information might be made more cleer his Majesty did make many instances to the said Ambassadors that they would give the Authors of the said Conspiracy this being the sole means wherby their own honour might be preserved and wherby the great care and zeal they pretended to have of his person might appear But the said Ambassadors instead of confirming the great zeal they made profession to bear him all the answer they gave consisted of Arguments against the discovery of the Conspirators so that for confirmation of the
heads 65 The Ambassador of France denies to be at the Coronation for two reasons 169 An Axiome of State That t is more honour to be last of a Superiour Order then first of an Inferiour 63 Agents from Barbary arrive in England 213 No Ambassador to have his charges defrayed except at conclusion of Peace Marriages or Baptismes 228 An Ambassador of a King to be brought in by an Earle at least ib. An Ambassador of a Duke to be brought in by a Baron ib. No Ambassador except a Kings to be met in the Kings Coach further off then Tower Wharfe ib. Abbot de la Seaglia Ambassador from Savoy 227 B. BOiscot the Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented 3 Barbarigo the Venetian Ambassador dyes in England 37 Baron Donaw sent Ambassador from the Palsgrave 61 Ballompierre arrives in England refuseth the Kings dyet 188 Benica Agent for the Marquis of Baden 189 The businesse 'twixt the States and our East India Merchants concluded 117 Barham Downe the Rendezvous of the English Ladies to welcome the Queen 153 C. NIne Counts attended the Palsgrave to England 2 A clash 'twixt the Savoy Ambassador and him of Florence 15 A clash 'twixt Gondamar and the States Ambassador 22 The Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador about his Present 39 A clash 'twixt England and France about le Clere 57 Cadenet the French Favorits Brother sent Ambassador Extraordinary into England 67 A Caprichio of some French Lords 70 Cadenet the French Ambassador allowed two hundred pound per diem for his dyet 73 D. THe Duke of Lenox appointed to attend the Palsgrave 1 The Duke of York meets the Palsgrave 2 Donati the Venetian Ambassador recalled for misdemeanour 58 Sir Dudley Carltons cold reception in France 188 A difference 'twixt the Master of the Ceremonies and him of the Jewell-house about the delivery of Presents 194 The difference decided 195 Sir Dormer Cotton sent Ambassador to Persia 177 E. THe Earl of Somersets Marriage c. 12 Exception taken by the French Ambassador 28 Exceptions taken another time 64 The Earl of Arundels revenge of the French Ambassador 68 An Error in the Danish Ambassador 185 The Earl of Rutland sent to transport the Prince from Spain c. 129 The Earl of Dorset Justice in Eyre in the Dukes absence 214 F. THe first Complement 'twixt the Lady Elizabeth and the Palsgrave 2 The French Ambassador stands upon some puntilioes 12 The Florentine Ambassador plac'd beneath the lowest English Baron at Court 24 Foscarini tragically and wrongfully put to death 29 The first rise of the Duke of Buckingham 35 The French Ambassador much discontented 49 The French Lords discontented because they sate not at the Kings Table 71 Fifty pounds sent the Muscovian Ambassador by the Lords of the Councell to pay for his Sea provision 108 G. GOndamars first arrivall in England 12 Gavelone Agent for the Duke of Savoy 15 Gondamar precedes the French Ambassador at the Earl of Somersets Wedding 17 Gondamar casts an aspersion upon the Hollands Ambassador 20 A great clash 'twixt divers Ambassadors 66 The great clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Shirley 174 F. CO Henry of Nassaw accompanies the Palsgrave to England 2 Sir Henry Manwaring recommended to the State of Venice by the King 50 Hamburgh Commissioners deemed to have Audidience of the Queen 183 I. INojosa the Spanish Ambassador clasheth with Don Diego Hurtado an Ambassador also extraordinary from Spain 126 Joachim made Ambassador leger from the States 160 K. KIng James his Apologie to the Arch-Dukes Ambassador 4 The King Knights six Holland Ambassadors at once without paying any sees 78 Kings James his Funerall 174 L. THe Lords make a Supper for the Lady Elizabeth 11 The Landgrave of Hessen comes to England 114 Sir Lewis Lewkner suspected to be of the Spanish faction â—38 The Lord Mayor of London to give place to no other but the King 237 M. THe manner of the Marriage of the Lady Elizabeth 10 Mareth the French Ambassador 53 Monsieur de la Chenay committed prisoner about Sir Walter Rawley 56 Monsieur de Tilliers the French Ambassador hath lodgings at Court but no dyet 165 Tilliers much discontented and his high language 163 The Marquis Pompeo Strozzi Ambassador from the Duke of Mantova 214 A maxime among Ambassadors 232 Meanes found to content the Dutch Ambassador 242 N. A Notable clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley the circumstances thereof 174 A notable high Memoriall the English Ambassador gave the King of Spaine 245 News brought in halfe an hour from Dover to Canterbury of the Queens arrivall 153 O. OSalinskie Ambassador Extraordinary from Poland 74 New Orders at Court touching the treatment of Forren Ambassadors 228 The new Orders practised first upon Ballompierre the French Ambassador 228 P. PResents to Ambassadors lessened 31 A rich Present sent by the Muscovit to the King 39 The Polish Ambassador receives 10000 l. of the King by way of loane 90 The Prince like to be drowned in Spaine 221 A Picture case delivered the Mantoüan Ambassador from the King without his Picture for a Present worth 500 l. 222 The Prince taxed by the Spanish Ambassadors 245 Q. QUadt an honourable person by the Prince of Transilvania 185 She excuseth her presence at the Coronation 169 The Queens arrivall in England and newes brought in half an hour from Dover to Canterbury by Mr. Terhit 153 R. AReformation of Presents given Ambassadors 31 Aremarkable passage for precedence hapned at Vervins 'twixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors 67 Rosdorf Ambassador for the King of Bohemia 197 Rosencrants the Danish Ambassador 180 Sir Robert Shirley laies his Turban at the Kings feet 137 Mr. Robert Tirhit rides in half an houre from Dover to Canterbury S. THe States Ambassador gives place to him of Savoy 32 The Spanish Ambassador countenanced more then the French 48 Six Commissioners in joynt Embassy from Holland Soubizes arrivall in England being Godfather to the last King in Scotland 111 T THe Turks Ambassadors Son touch'd by the King 58 The title of King denied by King James to the Palsgrave 62 The Tarrace at Whitehall falls under Gondamar when he had his first Audience for a match in Spain 63 Two Ambassadors of divers Princes lodged in one house 186 The Co. of Tremes sent to condole King Jame's death 146 U. THe Vicountesse of Effingham clasheth with the French Ambassadors Wife 9 The Venetian Ambassador gives place to the Bohemian 66 The Venetian Ambassador Knighted and the Sword given him 113 The Venetian Ambassador questions the giving of precedence to him of Denmark 207 W. Away found to please the Ambassador of Spain and France 36 A way found out another time to please them 64 A witty answer of the Transilvanian Ambassador 195 Sir Walter Ashtons complaint in the Court of Spaine against the Marquis of Inojosa and Don Carlos Coloma 244 Z. ZAmoiski Son to the Chancellor of Polands arrivall 25 FINIS
the Queene kissed her hand saluted the Prince and turning to the Princesse who was observed till then not to cast the least looke towards him he stooped to touch the lowest part of her Garment when with her hand staying his he received a kisse from her Highnesse and soon after they all retyred to the privy Lodgings The next day he spent in visiting the King Queene Prince and Duke of Yorke and twice the Princesse once in the afternoone at her owne Lodging in State and once after Supper with lesse ceremony His Traine consisted of a number not so great as Gallant most of them being much better fashioned and better cloathed then Germany usually sends them forth There were of them eight Counts besides Count Henry of Nassaw about six and thirty Gentlemen and of the rest about an hundred and fifty The place appointed for his most usuall abode was Essex House neer Temple Barr but he had other Lodgings assigned him for his owne Person as he should have occasion to use them for his owne private retraite at White Hall with the King and with the Prince 〈◊〉 Saint Jameses The thirteenth of February following I was sent by the Lord Chamberlaine Earle of Suffolke from his Majesty to the Arch-Dukes Ambassador Monsiuer de Boiscot with this formall invitation to the Marriage of the Princesse That his Majesty who desireth to perform all things with conveniency having invited the French Ambassador and the Venetian to assist at the first dayes solemnity requested him to honour the second or third dayes either Dinner or Supper or both with his presence After some time of pause his first question was with a troubled countenance whether the Spanish Ambassador were invited I answered answerable to my Instructions in case of such demand that hee was sick and could not be there he was yesterday quoth he so well as that the offer might have very well been made him and perhaps accepted To this I replyed That his Majestie having observed that the French and Venetian Ambassadors holding between them one course of correspondence and the Spanish and Arch-Dukes another their Invitations had been usually joynt This he denyed saying The French had been fun dry times invited to Masques c. and not the Venetian the Venetian and not the French the Spaniard the like but He the Arch-Dukes Ambassador never That for his owne particular person as hee was Boiscot he should think himselfe honoured to be called by his Majesty upon any termes were it to serve up a Dish to the Princesses Table but as he was the Representant of so great a Prince as the Arch-Dukes one who would never allow he sayd so much as a question or thought of Competition betweene him a Monarchall Soveraigne and a meane Republique governed by a sort of Burghers who had but an handfull of Territory in comparison of his Master and as would be averred he sayd by ancient proofes had ever yeilded precedence to the Arch-Dukes Predecessors when they were but Dukes of Burgundie hee could not be present at that Solemnity That further hee knew not wherein he had deserved so ill of his Majesty as not to have received from him any countenance or favour in all the time of his residing here and the Venetian as he himselfe had bragged many that for these and the like considerations he would never be received to a second place or day after one that should have the first bestowed on him so unworthily In conclusion he desired That though this was and should be his peremptory answer I would from him request the Lord Chamberlaine that that might be allowed him for consideration and that the next morning he would by his owne Servant send his more direct resolution which he accordingly did in writing seene to few more then to his Majesty and the Lord Chamberlaine to the former purpose thus That he had ever yet had the honour to have been invited by his Majesty that the Invitation hee now had was in a second place to one who was farr from all colour of reason to precede him that his Majesty had herein expressed his affection that he was sorry he could not be there c. This written signification redemanded and taken back after it was read by his Servant having beene made the Saturday the Sundayes and Mundayes feasting jollity and gallantry stilld all further noyse of it till on Tuesday I was commanded to carry him a written Declaration in French as followeth SA Majesté 's estant apperceūe que l'Ambassadeur des serenissimes Archiducs á pris ombrage de ce qu'il n'auoit esté conuié auz solemnitez de Madame Fille vnique de sa Majestè et du tres illustre Prince l'Electeur Palatin au Dimenche jour de noces l'ayant este l'Ambassadeur de la serenissime Republique de Venice conuié pour ce jour lá á trouué bon que le dit sieur Ambassadeur et les Princes auxquels il sert entendissent qu'en cela sa Majesté n'a voulu rien faire qui fist preiudice aux pretensions de l'un ou de l'autre de leur Princes ou Estats comm ' en toutes procedures depuis son aduenement a ceste couronne il'à decliné se porter Juge de leur competition en cest ' endroit ains de laisser un chacun entier en ce que luy appartient traictant tous en general comme ses Amis Or quant an fait present touchant l'Ambassadeur de Venise sa Majesté fait scauoir an dit Ambassadeur des Archiducs qu'ayant le dit Ambassadeur de Venise quatorze où quinze jours auant le iour des Noces fait entendre a sa Majesté qu'il auoit ordre de par la dicte Republique de congratuler aux dictes Noces qu' il desiroit faire cest ' office le jour mesme d'icelles d'autant que pour donner meilleure grace et manifestation plus ouuerte que porte la dicte Republique a sa Majesté on luy auoit ordonné frayspour la pompe et liuréesases gens aux despens publics honneur que sa Majesté n'anoit receu de nul autre Prince et qui est bien extraordinarie et plus de constume entre les Princes sa Majesté auoit toute raison de rendre a la dicte Republique la pareille de l'honneur qui par demonstration si signalée elle luy fairoit Ajouste aussy ne que s'j trouuant l'Ambassadeur d'Espagne en estat de l'assister le dit premier iour et estant incertain a sa Majesté s' il ne s' y pouuoit trouuer quelque autre iour des solemnitez sa Majesté trouuiot bon selon sa coustume de ioindre le dit Ambassadeur de Venise a celuy du Roy tres-Chrestien qui auoit esté conuié pour le mesme jour selon la fason que sa Majesté á tousjours tenue d'accouplir les Ambassadeurs de France de
Alonso was invited as he was now by his Majesty he and Sir Noell Caron were seated in a compartment or place apart and that Don Alonso did except against Carons sitting in the same place neare his Majesty he affirmed also That howsoever it might now passe between the Spanish Ambassador and the States he himselfe would not permit that he should sit allato his own word in even ranck with him but all the Allegations of the Venetian were held to proceed rather from a spirit of disturbance forward as his naturally was to make ill businesse then that what he said was simply truth In fine the Lords returning with this Declaration of the Ambassadors to his Majesty came back soone after with his definite pleasure thus That since he could not accord this difference which troubled him much for the respects he bare to the Spanish Ambassador he had willed them to signifie to him that he might take what course should best please him And that if he would not stay the Maske he would take order that the States Ambassador should likewise depart to avoyd all further question about either of their pretences After this the Ambassador himselfe and the Lords fell to termes of reconciling if it could be possible the difference the Lords offering that the Spanish Ambassador should sit on the right hand of the King and at the Spaniards right hand the Venetian and that at the left hand next the Queene and Prince should sit the States Ambassador this he harkened not yeelded to but with such limitations as were not fit for Sir Noell Caron to admit of as that he should either sit a degree or step lower which the place would not afford or with some distance behind the Queene and that he should not enter with the King but some quarter of an houre after and the like but the conclusion was nothing being agreed on that they would informe the King of his resolution of departure and so left him yet immediately after they returned the third time and after some reasons to no prevaileing purpose I told him againe that the King desired to see the next day his instructions and so had sent him the good night The Lords being departed I stayed behind as was his Majesties pleasure and charge given me to tell him from his Majesty for conclusion thus much That he had not been driven to this streight without his owne fault because if he had made question in season and acquainted the King with the limitation of his instructions in that point there might have been another course had for prevention whereto he replyed that he had found his Majesty in all so gracious as he could not but with all most humble thankfulness acknowledge it and that it might be held indeed a fault in him that he had not before hand declared himselfe to that purpose but no man could foresee all things So haveing merrily requested the Lords before that since his Servants were not Ambassadors and would not strive for places they might be allowed roome to see the Maske he with one Gentleman his Secretary and a footeman I attending him to his Coach departed The King the next day at his dinner discoursing to this purpose brought forth amongst other Arguments this one against the Spanish Ambassador that the Exception or protestation he had made could not be any way made good by him the King of Spaines Agent in regard the Vassallage which the King his Master pretended of the States was not properly his but should belong if to any to the Arch-Dukes to whom he had made a cession of those Provinces and had likewise he said but a poore title to them having at the time of the Treaty of Truce between them agreed to treate with them as with a free State and given them since in severall letters the title and stile they pretend to and which all other Princes and States he said give them of Les Estats confederez de provinces vnies This dispute and difference occurred in the time that the Truce between the King of Spaine the Arch-Duke and the States yet lasted The Venetian Ambassador as soone as the Spanish was departed was conducted by me into the second Roome from the privie Gallerie and there attending till his Majesty and the Qucene came went along with them and was seated on the left hand of the King beneath the Queene and the Prince on the right At the same time the Agent of Florence to whom was sent by the Lord Chamberlaine to invite him Il. Gavallo Francis co Guarolesi no other then an ordinary Messenger of the Chamber as to a Minister inferiour to an Ambassador supped also in the Councell Chamber and followed the King to the Maske with the Venetian but having been ordained his seate in one of the Galleries he intreated me to moove the Lord Chamberlaine that as he understood the great Duke his Masters Agent and the Duke of Savoyes had been he might be placed among the Lords Earle of Suffolke which was assented to and he was placed by the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lord Treasurer there present beneath the lowest Baron the Lord Mordant and above Sir Thomas Howard second Son to the Lord Treasurer 26 of Oct. 1614. An Ambassador from the Emperor of Russia landing at Tower wharfe was there received by the Lord Danvers I and other Gentlemen his Majesties Servants attending his Lordship thither The five and twentieth of Aprill following he haveing been invited to dine with his Majesty at White-Hall was seated on his left hand towards the Corner of the Table and a Secretary that came in Commission with him at the Tables end He had two of his own Servants attending at his Elbow but with little Service the Kings Servants supplying and his other followers bestowed elswhere in the Court apart It was first ordered that the Prince should have dined there also seated at the Kings right hand towards the other end of the Table but this considered to be somewhat short the dishes many and doubted besides whether the Ambassador would have accepted of the place at his Majesties left hand if the Prince should have had the right his Highnesse dined not with his Majesty 1615 On St. Georges day the King of Spaines Ambassador discovered to the Master of the Ceremonies Sir Lewes Lewkner a desire he had to see the order of that Feast of the Garter wherewith the King made acquainted Don Diego Sarmiento his Majesty returned him an assurance of wellcome He was placed for sight of the procession as it should passe by upon the Terras in the window there about the middle of the Brick-wall that divides the first Court and the Cloyster Court and thence had his prospect upon his Majesty and the Knights in their passage who being returned to the Chappell he repaired thither through the Guard Chamber and had his place for sight of divine Service and Offering in the Kings Closet After retyring to the
Councell Chamber he had his dinner provided at his Majesties charge in the Lord Chamberlaines Lodgings therby and conducted thence in the time of his Majesties dinner to the Banquetting House he stood at his right hand intertaining discourse with him all the later part of his Majesties dinner About the beginning of July arrived at London a Young Nobleman of Poland Son to the great Zomoiski the famous Chancellour of that Kingdome he demanded accesse to his Majesty by a Germane one Ryder that then lived in England who speaking in hearing of Sir William Button Assistant of the Ceremonies as if the Master of the Ceremonies had been in great fault to have neglected to presse his desire of presenting his Service to the King was reprooved by Sir William Button for so rashly condemning the Master of the Ceremonies then imployd into Kent to meete and receive the new come French Ordinary Ambassador asking him if Zomoiski were a Prince Soveraigne or an extraordinany Ambassador that he should challenge that respect of a King not to be seene at the pleasure and time of every stranger But this difference quietted with the forward Germanes strikeing saile he had an Audience appointed and given him two dayes after in the Kings withdrawing Chamber The second or third day following the same Zâ—moiski sent to the Master of the Ceremonies to let him know of an invitation he had received from the King by a letter written to him in his Majesties name from Mr. John Murray of the Bedd-Chamber to hunt with his Majesty at Theobalds and asked by his Messenger the Master of the Ceremonies opinion and Counsell touching his intention to be present at Court the next Sunday as his letter intimated at the Audience for that day assigned of the new French Ambassador and touching his manner of carriage at it Answer was returned him by Sir Lewes Lewkner that he would not take upon him to resolve or advise a man of his quality especially having himselfe received no direction from the Lord Chamberlain to the purpose of his Invitation so left him doubtfull but not enough to hinder his repaire notwithstanding to Court on Sunday after dinner though too late to come to the Ambassadors Audience Who that day the second of July had it at Theobalds setcht in the Morning from his House at Charter-House by the Lord Walden appointed with Sir Lewes Lewkner Mons. de Mareth my selfe and halfe a score Gentlemen to accompany him thither whither he had for his transport one of the Kings Coaches and three others at the charge of his Majesty besides two or three of his owne providing Arriving at one of the clock he was brought to rest himselfe in the Councell Chamber and at two was called thence by the Master of the Ceremonies and conducted by the Lord Walden to his Audience in the Presence Chamber where the King standing under the State the Ambassador marcht towards him his owne followers first next the Kings Servants that had accompained him from London next before him Sir Lewes Lewkner and at his side the Lord Walden The Ambassador observing as little respect at his approaches as had been till then seene after some few wordes of Complement he presented his Letters which while his Majesty read he in all that time nor before did so much as cast his eye towards the Prince there present till Sir Lewes Lewkner rounding my Lord Walden in the eare his Lordship stept to him with an admonition for his addresse to the Prince which the Ambassador tooke But whether this admonition were well given or well taken or had been better deferred till the King had read his Letters or best of all perhaps intimated immediately after he had performd his respects to the King it may be a Quere His Majesty invited him once to cover at first but the Ambassador excusing the King put on and the other still stood bare headed till the King having read the Letter his Majesty put off againe and falling to a discourse with him of some length he never after covered till he was out of the Chamber He returned to London with Sir Lewes Lewkner and his followers attendance onely my Lord Walden leaving him at the Court gate and remaining that night not perhaps without a Solecisme in Ceremonie at Theobalds A day or two before his Audience a question fell out between Mr. Secretary Winwood and the Master of the Ceremonies whether the French Ambassador mentioned were or ought to be invited to dine at Court the Court being so far out of London the day of his first Audience Sir Lewes Lewkner said he knew of no such order why then quoth the Secretarie who should know it but his Majesty he added is ill served and ill instructed and those things now a dayes which should be done are not and those not done which should be The other replyed he was none of his Majesties Tutors and for himselfe he was to receive his directions from the Lord Chamberlaine and without them not to undertake any thing in his Office but to answer he said more directly he knew not wherein he had done amisse yes when said Mr. Secretary this French Ambassadors Ordinary was met by you in Kent when he should not and should have had a dinner provided for him in Court the day of his first Audience An errour of the Secretary which was neglected Sir Lewes produced his owne experience against both his assertions affirming he had met such and such Ambassadors on the way at some Towne between London and Dover and extraordinaries at their first landing and that Ambassadors Ordinary had many times to his knowledge had no dinner given them by the King at their first Audience November the first Seignior Barbarigo who about a moneth before came to reside here Ambassador in place of Seignior Foscarini departed his Majesty being at that time absent at Royston was conducted from Charter-house to White-Hall by the Lord Haye for his first Audience attended by many Gentlemen of his Majesties privy Chamber in two of the Kings Coaches and seaven or eight of the Lords besides five or six others hyred by himselfe Being come to White-Hall he had his conduction together with his Predecessor through the first Court up the great Staires by the Guard Chamber into the Councell Chamber where my Lord Haye remaining with him while the Master of the Ceremonies went to give an account that he was come he was after brought to his Majesty in the Presence no other Lord receiving him at the Presence doore the Earle of Somerset Lord Chamberlaine being then in Prison His Predecessor preceding and first speaking he delivered his Letters and a breife speech with a voice audible over all the Roome Whence reconducted by the same Lord and the Gentlemen mentioned to his house they there found beyond expectation a long Table ready covered and many white wax Lights not yet it not being foure of the Clock lighted When my Lord Haye offering