A RELATION OF SVCH THINGS AS were obserued to happen in the Journey of the right Honourable CHARLES Earle of NOTTINGHAM L. High Admirall of ENGLAND His Highnesse Ambassadour to the King of SPAINE Being sent thither to take the Oath of the sayd King for the maintenance of Peace betweene the two famous Kings of Great Brittaine and Spaine According to the seuerall Articles formerly concluded on by the Constable of Castilla in England in the Moneth of August 1604. Set forth by Authoritie LONDON Printed by Melchisedech Bradwood for Gregorie Seaton and are to be sold at his Shop vnder Aldersgate 1605. To the Reader HAuing collected together many generall obseruations in that Honourable iourney into Spain lately performed by the right honourable and worthy Earle The Earle of Nottingham although amongst many reasons which perswaded me to be therein to my selfe secret and to the world sparing in diuulging this Treatise I found especially and which I must of necessitie confesse mine owne weakenesse in compiling the same and making it fit and worthy of so generall a reading as by this consequence it must vndergoe yet being ouer-weighed with many especiall motiues which I could not well answer or contradict I thought rather to expose my selfe to the fauourable censure of the worthiest best minded who rather respect a plaine and home-bred stile yet true than a tale consisting of eloquent phrases but doubtfull than pleasing my selfe in mine owne fearefull humor giue cause of offence to them whom most I laboured to content The first of these motiues being That many of my friends knowing me to haue been by especiall appointment an Attendant vpon his Lordship in that honourable emploiment and vnderstanding of the care taken by me in obseruing some particulars in the same exceedingly vrged me to giue them a perfect knowledge and satisfaction thereof which as it was a thing likely to be tedious so could they not receiue that contentment by a briefe Report which a more ample Relation and Discourse might better affoord Another was That for that it came to our knowledge how many false and ill contriued reports had beene bruted abroad after our departure from England aswell derogating from that honourable enterteinment we receiued in generall whilest we were in Spaine as from the proceedings of his Lordship and his Company in some particulars I could not but taxing my selfe of dutie to his Lordship and the rest endeuour to satisfie all doubtfull and vnsatisfied minds with relating and declaring the truth thereof But a third and a more especiall cause is That sithence our returne one not well informed hauing vndertaken to know much of the proceedings of that Iourney and mistaking himselfe in his own vnderstanding lately published a Pamphlet of many false and erroneous obseruations therby possessing the Readers with an vntrue Relation of that the trueth whereof they so much desired Vpon these former considerations therfore I was aduised to tender vnto your generous acceptance my wel-meaning endeuors which although they cannot giue that pleasure and content in reading you happily expect yet shall they assure you what they promise That is A true Relation of such things which happened in that honorable Iourney In reporting whereof I had rather be condemned for plainnesse than once suspected for reporting an vntrueth ROB. TRESVVELL aliâs SOMERSET Herauld A RELATION OF such things as were obserued to happen in the Iourney of the right Honourable CHARLES Earle of NOTTINGHAM c. his Hignesse Ambassadour to the King of SPAINE being sent thither to take the Oath of the sayd King for the maintenance of Peace betweene the two famous Kings of GREAT BRITTAIN and SPAIN according to the seuerall Articles formerly concluded on by the Constable of Castilla in England in the Moneth of August 1604. SO soone as the right honorable Charles Earle of Nottingham L. High Admirall of England had taken notice from his Maiesty That it was his will and pleasure to employ him in this great Ambassage to the K. of Spaine calling to minde how honourably and richly the Duke of Fryas Constable of Castilla late Ambassadour for the said king had formerly demeaned himselfe in England presently with a most honourable resolution neither fearing the hazard of his person being now aged nor regarding the expences that so great and honourable an employment should require with what speed he conueniently might endeuoured to performe his Maiesties designes and appointment heerein And therefore by the aduice of the Councell of England he first resolued both what honourable personages and what number of them might be fitting for accompanying and attending him in this his great imployment To whom when as particular Letters from the Councell by his Maiesties especiall commandement were dispatched to giue them notice to prepare themselues to attend the said Noble Earle according as his Highnesse had commanded they seemed so willing and readie to performe their duty and seruice therein that his Lordship was farre more troubled to denie many and that of very good sort who voluntarily tendered their seruice in good will and honour of his Lordship to attend him in this his appointed voyage than he was at first in bethinking what company were necessary to take with him And therefore at last concluding of a competent number not without displeasing many he resolued vpon these whose names heereafter follow The Earle of Pearth The Lord Howard of Effingham his sonne and heire The Lord Willoughbey The Lord Norrys Sir Charles Howard knight his second sonne Sir Thomas Howard knight second sonne to the Earle of Suffolke Sir Iohn Sheffeild knight sonne and heire to the Lord Sheffeild Master Pickering Wotton sonne and heire to the Lord Wotton Sir Richard Lewson knight Admirall of the fleet and Viceadmirall of England Master Thomas Compton brother to the Lord Compton Hans Herman Van Veiscenbach a German and of good esteeme in England Sir Robert Drewry Sir Robert Maunsell Treasurer of the kings Nauy and Vice admirall of the fleet Sir Edward Howard his nephew Sir Thomas Palmer Sir Edward Swift Sir William Smith Sir Iohn Treuor surueyor of the nauy Sir Robert Killegrew Sir Richard Cowper Gentleman-porter of the Kings house Sir George Buc. Sir Guylford Slingsby Sir Adolfus Cary. Sir Francis Howard his Lordships nephew also Sir Sackuyle Treuor Rereadmirall of the fleet Sir Walter Gore Sir William Page Sir Giles Hoftman Sir Thomas Roe Sir Iohn Eyres Sir Phillip Cary. Sir Henry Knowles Sir Iohn Gueuarra Knights Master Giles Porter his interpreter Doctor Marbeck Doctor Palmer Physitians Master Pawlet Master Cary. Master Barret Master Iohn Lewson Lewis Tresham Captaine Thomas Button William Button Iohn Fearne Hierom Laments Henry Butler Iohn Milliscent Bernard Saunders Philip Roper Francis Plomb Roger Tailor Captaine William Morgan Henry Minn Christopher Fredericke Thomas Buc. Captaine William Polewheele Edmond Fittou Walter Grey Iohn Atkinson Dudley Carleton Edward Smith and many other gentlemen of good condition and quality aswell his Lordships priuate Officers and
Seruants as diuers whose names are not heerein remembred The ships appointed to attend his Lordship and his company for transportation of themselues the followers and necessaries were these The Beare being shippes royall The Dew-repulse being shippes royall The Wast-spight being shippes royall The Mary-Anne The Amity The Resistance The great Hoy called the George According to appointmēt the said Lords Knights and Gentlemen prepared themselues to giue their attendance whensoeuer his Lordship should take his iourney and therefore vnderstanding that he intended to take leaue of the king on Thurseday the one and twentieth day of March according to the computation of England the greatest number of them being very richly apparelled themselues and extraordinarily appointed for their seruants gaue their attendance at Nottingham house the said one and twentie day of March his Lordship hauing appointed many barges and boates for conueying himselfe the said lords and knights and their company to the Court the Kings Highnesse then being at Greenwich the said Earle hauing ordained his owne company to be in number as followeth Six Trumpeters clad in Orange colour Damaske with cloakes of cloth of the same colour and Banners of Damaske with his Honours armes thereupon Six Footemen in Orange Tawny veluet alike suted Six Pages clad likewise in veluet of the same colour with their cloakes suteable Thirty gentlemen with cloakes of blacke veluet Fourescore yeomen well apparelled with liuery cloakes of Orange Tawny cloth garded with siluer blew silk lace The said noble Earle being thus prepared went with his said company from Nottingham house the said Thursday about noone so shooting the bridge arriued at Greenwich immediatly after dinner and there presenting himselfe and his company vnto his Maiestie was most acceptably and graciously enterteined After some time spent in receiuing his Highnesse commandement aswell concerning himselfe in his owne particular as also touching the conducting and presenting of Sir Charles Cornwallys knight who was appointed for to be his Maiesties liedger Ambassadour with the king of Spaine The said Ambassadours Lords Knights and Gentlemen humbly taking their leaues of his Highnesse were for that night dismissed euery one taking himselfe to his lodging there remaining and expecting his Lordships further pleasure to be knowen when they should prepare to set forward on this iourney His Lordship hauing now dispatched his priuate counsels and intendments with his Maiesty and the Lords of the Councel gaue warning to his said company and followers to be ready against Tuesday morning being the six and twentieth day of the said moneth of March Which time he gaue to prepare themselues for that day he intended to set forward On which said day being both mindfull and forward for his intended Iourney he was early vp in the morning and taking the time of the tide and such company as were ready being to the number of 80. persons in diuers barges and boates passed from Nottingham house to Grauesend and there dined staying for much of the company which followed After dinner they rode from Grauesend to Chatham where he lodged that night The same night the Earle of Marre came from the court of purpose to congratulate with his Lordship and do such like priuate offices of friendship The next day being wednesday his Lordship would haue gone to the ships which were then fallen so low as Quynborow there riding at Anchor and staying our comming but the weather fell out somewhat foule and the wind contrary so that he rested at Chatham that night The next day being Thursday the eight and twentieth of March before seuen of the clocke in the morning his Lordship hauing commanded to be ready diuers barges and pinnesses to carry himselfe and his followers aboord the ships tooke his barge and about tenne of the clocke the same day entered the ship called the Beare lying in Quynborow Road as afore is said together with the Dew-repulse and the Wast-spight which three shippes kept company together and lay of purpose to transport his Lordship the Ambassadour Lidger and the other Lords Knights and Gentlemen that were of the company and traine Now what by reason of staying for some of the Lords and Gentlemen as yet not come a boord for the better disposing and ordering all things concerning the voyage as also for placing and appointing to euery man his roome accordingly The weather likewise being not very faire to put to sea we Anchored before Quinborow till Sunday morning being Easter day and the last day of March. At which time the wind comming about to the West and standing faire to put to sea his Lordship commanded to wey and to set saile which was done accordingly Sailing as farre as the tide would giue them leaue which was to a certaine Road between the Sands neere to the Shoe Beacon where they rested that night The next day being very foule and the wind contrary they were faine to ride it out til Tuesday morning being the second of April At what time the weather fell somewhat faire and his Lordship being desirous to take all aduantage that might forward the iourny commanded to wey againe and put to sea but the wind being very slacke he was becalmed and so driuen to a flatte neere the Spitts where for that the tide was much spent and the flood comming on they cast Ancor about one of the clocke in the afternoone there staying in expectation of wind till Wednesday morning when although there was little or no wind stirring yet his Lordship set forward tiding it as far as they could that night The next day being Thursday early in the morning the wind comming somewhat towards the North his Lordship caused to wey Ancor and so with expence of time and much pains the shippes recouered Douer Road where they ancored aswell for the receauing in of many of the company as also for taking in fresh water and victualls So soone as the fleet was discouered and comming neere Douer Road aswell the forts and blockehouses as the castle of Douer saluted them with many shot his Lordship answering them againe both out of his owne ship and out of the rest also with the like That night the Lordes and Gentlemen for whom they made stay at Douer came aboord and that night also his Lordship minded to haue set forward had not the Hoie called the George by spending of her Mast in her passage from Quynborow to Douer caused a longer aboad Now for that the saide Hoie was appointed to carrie prouision and necessaries for the fleete and could not be so soone made ready againe for seruice as was desired and for that the winde standing at North-east was a faire and fitte winde for going forward His Lordship aduised with Sir Richard Lewson the Admirall of the fleet that some course might be presently had to forward the iourney Sir Richard therefore with great care and extraordinarie paines labouring all that night being seconded by Sir Iohn Treuor Surueyor of the Nauie vnladed the saide
towne called Duenas The next day being Sunday we rode 9. leagues to a town called Fromista where for that Don Blasco and others were behind his L. thought good to stay all Munday least the weather being very hot might too much trouble them in riding post and that were to come after That night Don Blasco ouertooke his Lordship at Fromista Tuesday the 11. of Iune his L. dined at Osorno and somwhat late after dinner rode to Herrera to bed where he was lodged in a faire house of the Constable of Castilla Within this house are placed diuers pillars with letters engrauen after the maner of the Romane inscription so they plainly appeare to be monuments of the Romanes and left as reliques of their being in that country Wednesday the 12. of Iune his Lordship rode from thence 8. leagues and lodged at a towne called Aguilar de Campo the Marquesse of Aguilar being Lord thereof Thursday we rode forward 7. leagues to a towne called Rynoso a towne seated in the middest of the mountaines On Friday his L. rode to Villa Concha to dinner being 3. leagues and very ill way after dinner we rode 4. leagues further to a towne called Villa Ciuil to bed being the worst way and the worst place of intertainment we had in the whole country of Spaine being indeed seated amongst moūtains which harbor many beares wolues other wild beasts and wherewith the country round about is much troubled Saturday the 15. day of Iune we came to S. Andreas being distant from Villa Ciuil 7. leagues where his L. was receaued by the Magistrates and officers a mile out of the towne All the streets were strawed with rushes and hearbs and decked with bowes and at his entrance into the towne they gaue him many great ordinance with volly of small shot That night the Ambassador Leadger Don Pedro de çuniga who accompanied the King to Burgos came also to S. Andreas where during the time of his stay his L. expressed his bounty by rewarding Don Blasco the Aposentador and all the Kings other Officers and seruants with great chaines of golde faire iewels of good value and large summes of money to their generall contentment Sunday Munday and Tuesday his Lo. rested at S. Anderas aswell for that the horses sent by the King his L. owne horses the Ambassador Leadgers horses came not till Tuesday as also for furnishing the ships with fresh water and victuals for his returne for England And on Sunday in the afternoone his Lo. inuited the Aposentador Mayor Don Blasco de Aragon and others aboord the ships where he made them a very great banquet and at their going off saluted them with many pieces of ordinance His L. hauing on Wednesday the 19 of Iune with all expedition that conueniently might be shipped the horses and supplied the ships with all needfull prouisions about three of the clocke in the afternoon came aboord his ship called The Beare lying at road a long English mile from the Towne bringing also with him Don Pedro de çuniga who taried and supped with his Lordship that night After supper his Lordship commanded his Barge to conuey him to his appointed lodging which was in the Repulse where he entred the Trumpets sounding and being saluted with many shot of great Ordinance In the same road his L. ancored till Thursday and vpon Thursday we put to sea but for that the tide was spent and the winde falling out contrary after an houre or two sailing we were driuen to cast ancor resting that night till the next tide at which time his Lo hoisted saile and put to sea and with scant winde sailed Friday and Saturday On Sunday the weather fel out very foule and stormy insomuch as the Wast-spight spent in that storme her maine mast but escaped further danger Munday Tuesday and Wednesday we sailed but with very vnconstant windes being many times becalmed On Thursday afternoone the land was descried but very farre off That day and night we sailed within sight of land and vpon Friday about foure of the clocke in the afternoone we came to an ancor before Portsmouth but somewhat farre into the sea That night also came the Waste-spight who made great meanes to come so soone hauing spent her maine-mast as is aforesayd Some of our company made hard shift that night to go on shore enduring the hardnesse of the weather which fell out ill all that euening On Saturday morning early his Lordship went in his Barge to the Repulse wherein Don Pedro was and knowing that the sayd Don Pedro much desired to be on land hauing indeed endured much sicknesse at sea tooke him into his Barge and so with the company of some other Boats and Pynnesses came on shore at Portsmouth before eight of the clock in the morning where they were receiued with many shot of great Ordinance from the Castles Forts and Walles of the Town On the shore stood Sir Lewis Lewkus knight accompanied with the Mayor and Officers of the Towne ready to receiue the sayd Ambassadours being as it should seeme appointed so to doe by the King and Lords of the Counsell That day euery one hastened to get off their luggage from the ships preparing to goe forward likewise on their way toward London The next day being Sunday his Lordship rested there went to the Church and heard a sermon publickly Munday his Lordship hauing aswell by meanes of the Kings officers and seruants who were sent for the purpose thither as by his owne care prouided for all necessaries to supply him in his iourney towards London about eleuen of the clocke set forward riding in his Caroch and taking the sayd Don Pedro along with him and so came that night to Alton where they lodged that night Tuesday the second of Iuly his L. rode from Alton and lodged that night at Guilford hauing taken especiall care both that Don Pedro the Ambassador Leidger whom his Lo. had brought along in company should be respectiuely prouided for himselfe as was fitting as also all other his followers most plentifully supplied for all necessaries in their trauell and that freely without charge or expence to any of them Wednesday they rode forward towards Kingston where the Conde de Villamediana and others stayd expecting the comming of the sayd Ambassadour and where also his Lordship had bountifully prouided for their entertainment in generall Thursday his L. hauing appointed the L. Howard of Effingham and some others of the better sort to accompany the said Ambassadour and the Conde de Villa mediana to London he himselfe with the rest of his company rod for Windsor castle where as then the King lay for his pleasure of hunting who there presenting themselues to his Maiesty were of him most gratiously intertained and welcomed At what time also his Lo. receaued further order from his Highnesse when he would be pleased to giue audience to the said Ambassadour and to admit him to his royal Presence according to
this purpose only all ready to giue his Lorship entertainment after the best fashion when the time came that his Lordship might conueniently land for vntill three of the clocke after noone the flood was not vpon which he must of necessity land the Gouernour sent diuers of the Commanders of the town to giue notice that he and other the Magistrates of the towne would attend vpon the bridge his Lordship thereupon tooke his barge carying in the head therof an Ancient of white silke with the picture of the sunne in the vpper part thereof his Moto or word being Desir Na ' Repos written in maner of a Beud within the same and so came in very honourable maner to the bridge where staied for him the said Gouernor Iudges and Magistrates of the towne enterteining the English as they landed the whilest the musicke being Shagbots and Hoboyes placed for that purpose vpon the bridge plaied sweet and delectable melody and so the Spaniards intermingling themselues with the English according to their degrees euer giuing the right hand to the English passed into the Towne in order as followeth First went foure of his Lordships seruants who were appointed Marshals for his traine After followed certaine of his officers in his house chamber in their liueries Next after followed the gentlemen his seruants and especiall officers in their liueries of blacke veluet Then followed the Esquires and Knights euery one according to his degree then with our Lords and Nobles diuers Spanish Commanders and Iudges of the kingdome of Galicia At their entrance into the town there was shot off an exceeding great volley of shot both great and small and so they passed all on foot to the Condies house and at the entrance of his Lordship into the house there were shot off a great number of Chambers being for that purpose as it should seeme planted ouer against the Condies gate His Lordship being thus receiued was exceedingly well appointed and lodged That night what by reason of the littlenesse of the roome and the muchnesse of the company he was both lated and could not but be much troubled at his Supping wherein the Cond and his officers did make manifest their exceeding care and respect to haue all things to content his Lordship and the company with so much attendance and obseruance as it was rather a trouble and offence to any well minded to see their extraordinary paines taken in ther seruice than cause of exception in any wise especially for that it did appeare There was prouided what the countrie could any way affoord There his Lordship rested from that time forward sometimes riding abroad to take the aire on horsebacke other times in his Carroch euer with much applause and admiration of the people So that it could not but giue him much contentment to obserue how welcome he seemed generally to the whole country In his passages abroad he tooke occasion to shew his bounty to the poore which in that place abound greatly many of them being very miserable creatures to see and wherewith his Lordship was in mercy charity much moued not sparing his purse one houre in the day for besides what he gaue abroad he neuer shewed himselfe in his gallery but he prouided good summes of money to giue for reliefe of those miserable poore people who indeeed during his abode there made little account of other liuing than of his reliefe Whilest we rested in the Groyne a certaine mariner being one of the Repulse and hauing vpon Wednesday the seuenteenth day of the present moneth of April brought on shore some company and staying in Towne vntill amongst lewd company he became tipled that thereby he gaue offence in his behauiour by violent striking of one of the Churchmen of the towne although it was not directly complained of by any either of the Church or of the towne yet by chance came to his Lordships knowledge who for that he receaued such extraordinary kind and liberall vsage both for himselfe and his followers and that generally from all if no other cause might moue him but that was much offended therewith and therefore thought good to take due punishment of that so foule a fault commanding that present inquiry should be made through all the shippes who of them had been on shore at last finding the offendour he committed him presently to the Bibboes there to remaine till the next day which was Friday what time he appointed Sir Richard Lewson his Admirall and Marshall to call vnto him the other Admiralls and Captaines of the fleete and throughly to examine the offence and accordingly to proceed without any respect or fauour They calling before them the said offendour and finding indeed that the fellow was drunke and by no meanes could remember whether he had stroken the said Churchman or no although the maner of his striking was so slight and the party said to be stroken so vile in reputation of the whole city as they generally pitied any man should once be called in question for so base a person the said Commissioners and Iurie proceeded and finding him guilty of striking the said Churchman being contrary to Law and his Lordships former decrees in that behalfe adiudged him to be presently hanged Heere it is to be vnderstood that the matter could not be so priuately caried but many of the Towne and some Churchmen also had made meanes to get aboard and saw the proceeding so austere resolute that presently they sollicited the Conde the Honourable Condesse his wife vpon any condition to hinder the execution Whereof when the Conde but especially the Condesse and her daughter had taken notice they neuer left intreating his Lordship to recall his auerred sentence and iudgement and which to do his Lordship could not without offering much vnkindnesse refuse or denie Many reasons were alleadged by the Conde and the Condesse that the party offended was a man vile in reputation and esteemed as a man halfe Lunatike that the offence was not a malicious or determinate wilful offence and therefore the premisses considered his Lordship could not but with more iudgement passe it ouer than so seuerely prosecute the execution of Iustice vpon so mean a cause especially sithence no information or complaint was by the party offended or by any other of the Court prosecuted on his behalfe His Lordship thus vrged granted he should be deliuered vnto the Conde to be vsed as he thought good therefore commanded he should be brought on land and deliuered vnto him which was done one of the Masters going along with him the Boatson leading him with a halter about his necke who when he came before the Conde fel on his knees and would haue made much protestation but the Honorable Conde tooke him vp tooke off the halter frō his necke and commanded him to be carried to eat in the Buttery for that the dolefull lookes of the man moued much pity in the Conde On Tuesday the foure
with crosses on their breasts in shew like knights of Matta bringing in with them a chariot wherein the chiefe sate Peace Plenty and other vertues being likewise planted in the same with their seuerall names written on their backes After whom likewise followed foure other knightes armed with trumpets sounding When they had all appeared they fell to Barriers according to the direction of certaine Gentlemen appointed to marshall the same Some of our English Lords and Knights being intreated by the Spaniards to assist them therein also they encountered one another single first by two after increasing their number according to the pleasure of the Iudges and Marshals when they had broken their staues or at least done their best to breake them retiring fell to it againe with their swords according to the maner of Barriers fiue blows a peece In a Scaffold directly opposite against the place wherein the Lords stood sate the Iudges of these sports amongst whom the Lord Howard of Effingham was intreated by the Magistrates of the towne to be one which Iudges vpon euery encounter gaue reward to the best deseruer as Scarfes Gloues Choppimors Ribbens and such like which were by the Knights thankefully receaued and bestowed as fauoures vpon their mistresses at last the Knights encountered pell mell one another and as it seemed in a very furious maner But the Barre being made in fashion like a trough and many fire works being cunningly contriued in the same and duely tooke fire and so with flame and smoake they were parted These sports ended there was a banquet caried vp to his Lordship other the Lords and Ladies which were in another roome next adioining being indeed both plentifull and costly and serued in by the chiefe Gentleman of the Country and Towne The banquet ended and night comming on there were brought into the same place diuers fire works one in the fashion of a Chariot another like the wheele of Fortune another like a Castle and such like garded and attended with diuers wild men with clubbes and wheeles with seuerall fire works men riding with speares in their hands all conteining squibbes and fire-workes with which they ranne at one another as in maner of Tilt. The diuersities of the fire workes were many and for the strangenesse and maner of performance thereof generally commended and so well liked as two houres spent in that pastime seemed but a moment Friday the third day of May his Lordship hauing his company furnished with conuenient Mules for riding as also for cariage of their trunks and necessaries about eleuen of the cloke accompanied with the Gouernour and other the Magistrates of the towne set forward on his iourney Don Blasco de Aragon and Don Iaspar de Bullion the chiefe Herbenger for the King accompanying his Lordship for the purposes aforesaied in the passage from the towne the waits and shagbots were placed playing all the while at our departing from the towne and our leaue taking of the Gouernour they gaue a small volley of shot out of the towne His Lordship being halfe a mile out of the towne and yet within sight of the ships as they lay at Road the said shippes tooke their leaue also of vs with many peece of ordinance The said Gouernour as before is mentioned is named Don Lewis de Carilla de Toledo c. and is of the countrie of Castilla but appointed heere by the King as Gouernour of the Groyn and all the country of Gallicia a man of very mild and affable behauiour very curteous and most respectiue of the English in generall as by the great care and good vsage of vs whilest we lodged in the Groyn appeared That night being as is aforesaied the third day of May according to the computation of England we rode to Bytaunce being distant three leagues from the Groyn where his Lordship and his company were well entertained and lodged Saterday the fourth day of May we rode from Bytaunce to a certaine town called Villa Alua 6. leagues where our entertainment was such as the towne could affoord by reason of the meanes thereof Sunday the fifth day of May we rode forward to a very faire towne called Lugo being distant from Villa Alua seuen leagues The Alcaylde and other officers of the town meeting his Lordship about halfe a mile without the gates and accompanying vs into the towne the streets being decked with bowes and the wals of their houses garnished with their best hangings and furniture In the way comming thither his Lordship receaued letters of intelligence and congratulations from the Conde at the Groyne which he accepted very kindly The messenger being dispatched from Lugo and rewarded with a chaine of Gold of good value on Munday we rode to a certaine towne called Terra Castella distant from Lugo eight leagues Tuesday the seuenth day of May we trauelled all the morning vp to a high mountaine by the space of six leagues and dined at a litle village called çebrera where we receiued such intertainmēt vnexpected as was altogether in an arbor of green bowes made of purpose of such a conuenient length that that receiued his Lordship and all the better sort of his traine And after dinner we rode to a certaine towne called Villa Franca being distant six leagues where his Lordship was receaued with the townesmen the streets by all the way where we passed being garnished with bowes and strewed with hearbs and flowers musicke being likewise placed neere the house where his Lordship should lodge Wednesday for that the company were somewhat weary his Lordship disposed himselfe to rest chiefly for that the Ambassadour Leadger complained of sickenesse as also to relieue the Mules forbearing to trauell in so foule weather as it fell out to be the same day Thursday the ninth day of May we rode by a town called Congusta to Beubibre to bed where his Lordship was lodged in a castle of the Conde de Alualista but very old and meane The towne being so poore and men also as if the officers of his Highnesse had not then as indeed they did taken more than ordinary paines and care it had not been possible to haue lodged halfe the Company Friday the tenth day of May we came to Astorga being a city walled and standing in a pleasant and champion country and conteining in it many Churches amongst which one is a Cathedrall two Frieries and two Noneries A mile without the towne we were met with the Alcayldy and Officers of the towne ouer the gates hung diuers guidons and banners of silke one of them being a large white banner of Damaske in fashion of a Guydon and placed in the middest of the rest Musicke likewise playing all the way as we passed the houses garnished with their best hangings and the streets strewed with hearbs and flowers Saturday the eleuenth day of May his Lordship hauing had vnderstanding of the fairenesse of the castle there belonging to the Marquess of Astorga and being desired by Don Blasco
to take view thereof in passing out of the towne alighted to see the same the house indeed being a very strong castle and hauing in it a very faire gallery with many goodly pictures and pieces of painting both large and costly and also a rich library with many fine rarities in the same After riding foure leagues to a certaine towne called La Ban'esa where in the way comming we were mette with diuers Gypsies as they termed them men and women dauncing and tumbling much after the Morisco fashion continued till we came to the towne Sunday the twelfth day of May we rode eight leagues to a towne called Benavente where a mile without the towne Alcaylde chiefe Officers of the towne met vs bringing with them a company of Gypsies likewise singing and dauncing playing and shewing diuers feats of actiuity conducting his Lordship to the Conde of Benevante his house where he lodged that night Munday we rode forward eight leagues to a certaine towne called Villa Garcia where we were receaued with a morrise daunce of certaine comely gentlemen being in number eight as also with eight Boyes attired like Satyres or Shepheards with Shepheards hookes who as they daunced plaied with the same after the fashion of Mattachyna In this Towne is a very faire Colledge wherein is only taught the rules of Grammar and grounds of the Latine tongue It conteineth about 600. Scholers the Church a very faire Church very richly set out with many goodly peeces of painting the Altar and Quier exceeding rich and faire From hence his Lordship receaued order by the Kings officers to go to a certaine towne called Simancas which though it was rather further in distance than Valladolid yet for that his Lordship should not come late nor his company ouer-wearied this towne was appointed to receiue him before our comming to the Court. Other reasons were giuen that is in the right way between Villa Garcia and Valladolid a bridge was lately broken whereby of necessity we must haue passed and also that the King desired we should enter through the high street and the best part of the towne which we did and therefore appointed our way by Cimancas Accordingly we came to Simancas on Tuesday at night somewhat late being ouertaken with extraordinary foule weather and greatlie annoyed with the same In the way between Villa Garcia and Simancas we passed by a very faire monastery of Monkes of the order of S. Benedick being not long sithence builded but exceeding faire and rich whereunto there is belonging inclosed as much ground as the wal thereof being of stone is in circuit a league or better within which is all kind of game royall as Phesants Partridges Hares Conies and such like The Church heere is very curiously and workemanly built and garnished with many curious peeces of painting with Copes very rich and very curiously wrought That night at Supper his Lordship had notice that it was the Kings pleasure we should rest at Simancas all Wednesday and not till Thursday come to the Court. On Wednesday after dinner there came from the Court Don Iuan de Suniga eldest sonne to the Conde de Villa mediana Ambassadour in England as also Don Pedro de Tassis the new appointed Ambassadour for England accompanied with diuers others who hauing congratulated his Lordship staying with him some halfe houre or there abouts departed That night we vnderstood that it was the Kings pleasure his Lordship should come to Court on Thursday whereupon euery one taking notice thereof made preparation accordingly Thursday being the sixteenth day of May we staid till after dinner expecting to receaue more particular directions from Court at which time there came to attend his Lordship thither The marquesse of Camerassa Don Pedro de Suniga Don Iuan de Tassis Don Blasco de Aragon and diuers other Knights and Gentlemen of the Kings house and chamber bringing with them diuers coches so that his Lordship was intertained by Don Blasco and the Marquesse in the first coch the Ambassadour Leager by some others in the second other Knights and Gentlemen filling aswell the other coches which came along from the Groyne as those which were brought from Court by these Lords After we had trauelled about foure English miles for from Cimancas to the Court it was accounted but six and hauing been met with many of the better sort in their coches his Lordship was moued by Don Blasco and the rest to go into a certain banquetting house which stood vpon the high way to see the delicacy of the orchards and gardens as to tast of the variety of fruits within the same But we rather suppose to make stay for such Nobles as were appointed by the King to giue meeting to his Lordship and were not as then come forward During his Lordships stay in this garden there was a horse presented vnto him from the King which the King himselfe did vse to ride on After they had staied there by the space of a long houre or more there came from the Towne diuers Noblemen the chiefe wherof was the Duke of Fryas Constable of Castilla the Kings late Ambassadour in England the Duke of Infantasgo the Duke of Alberquerques the Duke of Cea the Duke of Sesa the Duke of Pastraua The Marquesse of S. German the Conde of Chincou the Conde of Punion en Rostro the Marq. de Lauanessa the Conde of Aguyllar the Conde de Berosa the Conde de Nieua the Conde de Cornua the Conde de Paredes the Conde de Lodosa the Marquesse del Carpio the Marquessods Tauera the Marquess de Villa Nueua the Conde Apala Conde de Salinas Marq. de Ceralua Marq. de Fuentes Marq. de Alcanes Conde de Galues the Admirall of Aragon and many other Lords and Knights in great number His Lordship setting forward in very good order accompanied with a great multitude of Nobles Knights and Gentlemen as afore is saied The weather being all that time extraordinarily hot suddenly to the great disordering of all the company there fell so great a shewer of raine as the like was not seene of long time before and continuing till the company could get to the towne notwithstanding which his Lordship kept still his horse backe accompanied with many of the chiefe of the company and riding forward to his appointed lodging which was in a very faire house of the Conde of Salinas and not farre distant from the Court an infinite number of people 800. coches filled with Ladies were gotten out of the towne to meet and see his Lordship and his company all which tooke part of this great shewer to their no little discomfort The order of our going into the towne was appointed as followeth First rode two Trumpets all the sumpter and carriages being about two houres before sent into the towne after whom followed certaine Gentlemen seruants to the Knights and Lords as also the Leadger Ambassadours seruants in liueries very faire to the number of sixty Then followed six Trumpeters
of his Lordships in suits of Damaske holding their Trumpets in their hands but not sounding Then came diuers Gentlemen of good sort with whom also followed his Lordships Gentlemen and principall Officers in their Liueries of blacke veluet to the number of thirty Then followed the Esquires Knights and Lords euery one according to their degree being accompanied with seuerall Spanish Knights and Lords after whom came his Lordship accompanied with the Nobles afore mentioned which order for that the raine fell so exceedingly could not be continued as was ment but by reason thereof diuers made what hast they could to their lodging and yet were throughly wet before they could get thither His Lordship accompanied as afore and entring into the towne at the Gate called La Puerta del Campo passed through the chiefe parts of the towne and along by the Court gate The King Queen and Ladies as it was sa d standing in seuerall windowes to take view of the company about six of the clocke came to the place appointed for his Lordships lodging That night came diuers Noble men as also the Mayordomo to the Queen to visit his Lordship from her Highnesse which was much wondred at by the Spaniards themselues for that if they speake true they neuer knew the like fauour done to any Ambassadour whatsoeuer The next day being Friday the seuenteenth day of May there came to visit his Lordship the Duke of Lerma Don Francisco Gouees de Sandoual c. a man of especiall regard and account with the King accompanied with diuers Dukes and Condes Thither also that day came the Duke of Medyna de Ryoseco a youth of ten yeares of age Admirall of Castilla by inheritance accompanied with diuers other Lords and men of great account Vpon Saterday the eighteenth day of May in the morning the King sent the Conde d' Guklues and diuers others of his Priuy chamber to visit his Lordship the same day The first audience somewhat before dinner his Lordship had intelligence that the Kings Maiesty intended to giue him audience in the after noone whereof the English Lords Knights and Gentlemen taking notice prepared themselues to giue their attendance although not in so good fashion as they desired would had they had vnderstanding thereof ouer night his Lordship therefore staying his Highnesse pleasure about three of the clocke in the after noone The Constable accompanied with twenty Noblemen or more whereof three or foure of them were of the Grandes of Spaine and diuers other men of dignity and esteeme in the Court bringing with them many coches came to conduct his Lordship and the company to the Court many people were gathered in the streets to see the passage of his Lordship his company The number of the coches was about twenty but notwithstanding many of our Noblemen and Knights rode vpon their rich footeclothes the Kings guard waited euen from the vttermost gate of the Pallace to the Presence chamber dore being all newly suited in colloured veluet yellow red but in seuerall habits that thereby they might be the better distinguished being in number 300. whereof there are 100. Swissers 100. Spanish horsemen and 100. Wallons At the Pallace gate stood diuers Noble men Knights and Gentlemen amongst whom was the Duke of Infantasgo the Marquesse of Vellada and others all appointed to receaue and giue his Lordship entertainment and to conduct and guide the company vp into the Presence where the King sate vnder a rich cloth of Estate and by him stood eight Grandes of Spaine couered It is not lawfull for any to stand couered in the presence of the King except he be a Grande The care these Lords tooke to giue contentment to the English was so great that we might easily perceiue they spared not to put out of the saide roome all manner of people of what condition soeuer of purpose to make way and giue place euen to the meanest of the English which would presse in to see the King not keeping out any of how meane condition soeuer His Lordship hauing deliuered his mind in Oration by the mouth of Master Gyles Porter his Interpreter as also the Kings Maiesties Letters into his Highnesse owne hands the King descending from his chaire gaue intertainment to his Lordship with most kind and affable behauiour appointing him to sitte downe by him and that very neere which especiall fauour was much obserued and reported as a thing neuer vsed to any Ambassadour before that time Some short time spent in conference with his Lordship his Highnesse was pleased to take notice of such Nobles and Gentlemen as accompanied his Lordship in this his long and painfull iourney and thereupon required they should draw neere which they did each after other to do their reuerence and as they say Besar las manos which was only in bowing low to the ground without touching either hand or foot or any other part of his garments this done his Lordship tooke his leaue and the King appointed the Constable and others to conduct his Lordship and company to the Queenes side where in a very faire presence sate her Highnesse with the Infanta by her vnder a rich cloth of Estate accompanied with many Ladies and Maides of Honour diuided on either side the same roome a good distance each from other standing close by the wall almost from one end of the chamber to the other The Gentlemen Knights and Lords going along and before his Lordshippe were receiued by the Mayor domo to the Queene and so conducted to her presence After some conference and complement his Lordship taking leaue of her Maiesty for that it began to be late all the Lords Knights and Gentlemen were called vp to the Queen as formerly they had been to the King euery one after other bowing himselfe in obeysance and kissing the skirt of her Highnesse kirtle departed being conducted by the said Dukes and Lords which both brought them to the Court and accompanied them backe againe to his lodging Sunday the nineteenth day of May the Kings Maiesty went in procession first going into the Church neere the Pallace called Saint Paules after through the towne to a Church called Saint Maries in maner as followeth First went many Friers singing bearing amongst them diuers crosses banners and other ceremonious reliques of the Church the Sacrament being likewise caried by foure church-officers Then followed diuers Noblemen according to their degrees Next before the Kings owne person went the yonger of the Princes of Sauoy Then the king himselfe in person after whom followed the Cardinal being Archbishop of Toledo and with him the Prince of Sauoy the elder brother Then followed together the Prince of Moroco the Emperours Ambassadour the Ambassadour of France the Ambassadour of Venice after whom followed diuers Gentlemen of the Kings chamber and the rest of the traine After dinner there was preparation made for the christening of the Prince and for that the Court stood from the Church
there was set vp of purpose for a more close and conuenient passage a very large Scaffold adioining to the end of a long Gallery and to the Church likewise the timber whereof was all couered with cloth of Gold very rich and the Scaffold being high was a good meanes to giue sight to all the people The manner of their comming to Church was in this sort The Kings Trumpets were placed neere and before the Church in seuerall companies alwaies sounding and one answering other about foure of the clocke in the after noone there appeared descending by the Scaffold afore mentioned to go into the Church of S. Paules which as is likewise said adioining to the scaffold the Knights Lords and Grandes going before and some Dukes of especiall name bearing diuers ceremonies likewise as the Salera or Salt borne by one the Taper of wax by another the Chrisome by another then the Crown borne by the Constable before whom went the King of Armes The Prince was borne by the Duke of Lerma in his armes but tied to him with a rich scarfe or Band he was assisted by the Prince of Sauoy and the Conde of Miranda Then followed the Infanta in a chaire as it should seeme made for that purpose and borne by diuers Gentlemen of the Kings bed and Priuy chamber on their shoulders assisted by the yonger Prince of Sauoy At the Church doore the Cardinal staied for them in his Pontificalibus accompanied with three Bishops and other especiall officers of the Church the singing men going before and so conducting them to the Font which was richly prepared and couered with a Canapy of cloth of gold the Cardinall performed all the ceremonies according to the order of their Church and so with Church musicke noise of Trumpets and many other wind Instruments they finished their ceremonies returning in such maner as they went being accompanied also with most of the great Ladies of the kingdome and those of the Court. He was Christened Phillippe Domingo Victor His Godfather was the elder Prince of Sauoy of whom he tooke his name Victor His Godmother was the Infanta his Sister His Lordship was placed conueniently in the house of the Conde d' Rubadauia in the morning both to see the procession as also the going of the Prince to Christening But so soone as they were passed by he with some other were priuately conueied through a gallery on the backeside of a Monastery into the Church into a place appointed of purpose for him and the Lords that were of his company On Munday in the after noone the Ambassadour Leadger was by his Lordship presented to the King and by him gratiously receaued and allowed That day in the after noone came diuers Ambassadours to visit his Lordship as first Don Francisco de Meschite Ambassadour for the state of Venice as also the French Ambassadour Monsieur Baron de Barault Cheualier who after some short stay departed At the time of the French Ambassadours being there came likewise the Ambassadour resiaunt for the Emperour His Lordship euer shewing much affability and curtesie and accompanying them on their way to their coches with kind behauiour of his being greatly obserued caused an extraordinary respect and an exceeding loue of all men towards him That night also came to visit his Lordship the Cardinall of Toledo being a very stately Prelate well discended very rich in his cariage very curteous and in his expence liberall as by the apparelling of his pages and seruants and by his rich Sumpter cloths hangings and such like might well appeare Tuesday the one and twentieth of May his Lordship was conducted by Don Blasco vnto the church called S. Maries to see the ceremony and state of the Queenes churching whither the King and Queene came together the King riding on horsebacke the Queene in a very rich chariot of cloth of gold drawen by foure horses all trapped and harnessed with cloth of golde in which chariot likewise sat the Infanta Next followed in another chariot the yoong Prince in the armes of an ancient Ladie After followed two other caroches of blacke veluet wherein sat diuers Duchesses Countesses and other great personages widowes Then followed foure other caroches all of one fashion wherein sat seueral Ladies the Queenes Maids This was the first day of the Queens going abroad and as we accounted of it her Churching day This day his Lordship was inuited to dinner to the Constables where he was accompanied by the Duke of Alberquerque the Duke of Cesa and others The maner of feasting being not vsuall in Spaine and our company being many could not all receiue that contentment which the Constable desired to giue in generall For the countrey considered it is much to be maruelled how they could do what they did but it plainly appeared nothing was left vndone for want of cost and that all preparation was made that the countrey could any way affoord for their enterteinment Wednesday his Lordship was visited by the Conde de Lemos accompanied with diuers Noblemen and men of good quality That day likewise and Thursday his Lordship visited aswell the Ambassadors afore mentioned as also diuers other Lords and Ladies in the towne Friday the foure and twentieth day of May Thomas Knoell Esquire his Highnesse seruant and Messenger for the deliuerie of certaine Presents to the King of Spaine expecting and attending the Kings pleasure therein was sent for by Don Blasco to come and bring the sayd Presents into a priuate Garden belonging to the Duke of Lerma where the King and Queene came in person to receiue the same The Presents were six Horses three for the King and three for the Queene with saddles and clothes very richly imbroidered and costly two Crosbowes with sheifs of Arrowes foure Fowling-pieces with their furnitures all very richly garnished and inlayed with fine plate of golde and one couple of Lime hounds of an extraordinary goodnesse Which Presents were acceptably receiued the King and Queene very much obseruing and admiring the richnesse and fashion thereof On Saturday the fiue and twentieth day of May there came to visit his Lordship the Bishop Salustius Taernsius Bishop of Montepolitan in Hetruria and Ambassador for the Duke of Florence After dinner came likewise to visit his Lordship D. Iuan de Bourch Conde de Figaroa President of Portugall with his foure sonnes That day also came to visit him together with the Constable the Conde de Oliuares accompanied with diuers Marquesses and Earles This Conde was one of them that was in England in the time of Queen Mary The same day in the afternoon his Lordship visited the Queen and deliuered her a faire rich Iewell as a token from the Queen of England Sunday and Munday his Lordship went abroad to visit diuers Nobles that had formerly been with him as also spending some part of the same time in concluding with the Councell of Spaine of matters concerning his Ambassage and of all things necessary for the effecting and
performing the same Tuesday the eight and twentieth day of May his Lordship and all the rest of the company were inuited to dinner to the Duke of Lerma where they were most honourably intertained receauing there all contentment that might be for besides the plenty of his cheare the manner of the entertainment could not be bettered At the Table his Lordship was accompanied with the Duke of Lerma the Duke of Infantasgo the Duke of Alberquerque They were attended vpon at this feast by diuers Nobles Marquesses and Earles with many Knights and Gentlemen of the Kings priuy chamber and few others And besides the seuerall sorts of musicke during the time of dinner his Lordship and the rest hauing receiued what could be possibly giuen at the Table they were caried downe into a faire court paued with square stone in the middest whereof was a fountaine of cleare water The whole Court couered with canuas to defend and keepe off the heat of the sunne which at that time shone extreamly In this Court was of purpose a stage erected with all things fitting for a play which his Lordship and the rest were inuited to behold The King and Queen being in priuate likewise Spectators of that Interlude To write of euery particular of the Dukes entertainment were too much for he tooke exceeding care to performe al things with the greatest state as well appeared in this that for that the kitchin was crosse a square Court there were set vp high posts of timber with canuas strained to couer and defend the same in the passage of the meat from the dresser The ground being likewise couered with hangings of leather that no dust should arise whilest the seruice passed by At this feast seuerall Healths were druncke to the Kings of Great Brittaine and Spaine and to the happy continuance of the peace begun by the Duke of Lerma seconded by his Lordship and performed by all the company at the table Many Ladies of great account came priuately to see and obserue his Lordship and the company as they sate at meat well allowing and applauding the plenty and bounty vsed at this feast being indeed such a one as the like was not seene in Spaine many yeares before Wednesday his Lordship concluded with the Constable and Alexander Rouida Senatour of Millaine as concerning all matters touching the taking of the Kings oath Thursday the thirtieth day of May being Corpus Christi day the King went in Procession and for that he would be seene by the English the course was appointed by the gate where his Lordship lodged The manner was as followeth First came eight great Giants three Men three Women two Mores with a Taber and Pipe playing and they dauncing Then followed certaine Pilgrimes clad in blew After whō came many Crosses being in number 25. or 26. borne attended by the officers of the seuerall Churches to which they belonged Amongst whom were also mingled diuers pictures of Saints as Saint Iohn S. George killing the Dragon Saint Michaell Saint Francis Saint Andrew Saint Dominicke Saint Martin the picture of Christ in seuerall formes Mary Magdalen our Lady in diuers fashions also Many holy and pretious reliques Friers Mories dancers in maner of Gypsies beasts with fire-works Wild-men and such like toies as it should seeme to draw the people more readily with admiration After these followed diuers other Church reliques Friers Augustines Other Friers of the order of Saint Francis with their reliques Many Churchmen with lighted tapers in their hands the Kings Pages bearing torches Then the Sacraments borne by foure Churchmen in rich Copes Then the Lords and Grandes of Spaine Then followed the King bearing a lighted taper of Virgin wax after whom followed the Cardinall the Emperours Ambassadour the French Ambassadour and the Venetian Ambassadour the Prince of Sauoy the Prince of Moroco and others all bearing their tapers lighted in their hands The same day his Lordship staied till foure of the clocke after noone vntill his Highnesse pleasure were knowen that he was pleased as that day to take the oath formerly agreed on between them About which time there came to his Lordship Don Blasco de Aragon who brought word that the King expected his Lordships comming to the Court as that day and therefore for the more conuenient passage of the Nobles and Gentlemen that were to attend him thither order was taken that all should be supplied with Gennets that wanted and would send to the Kings stable for the same Euery man being furnished his Lordship set forward to the Court the Constable Don Pedro de Suniga being sent to accompany his Lordship thither as also diuers other Knights and Lords whose names for the sodainnesse of their comming and the number of them being so many could not be had His Lordships owne Gentlemen were in seuerall coches afore and staied at the Court gate expecting his Lordships comming thither where likewise great preparation was made diuers Noble men and others staying there to receaue his Lordship and his company Amongst whom were the Duke of Lerma and some other Grandes and those of the greatest Lords in Spaine His Lordship being thus receaued was conueied vp through a long Gallery into a Presence and so into another inner roome the Gentlemen Knights and Lords euer going before in very good order In which roome his Maiesty staied for the comming of his Lordship receauing him with affable and kind congratulation and tooke him along with him by his side The Kings Sergeaunts at Mace going first after following all the Graundes and Lords of Spaine one among another then the foure Kings of Armes in their coats of Armes then the Duke of Lerma bearing the Sword naked wherein one thing is especially to be noted that the Duke bare not the Sword vpright as is the custome of England but bare it lying vpon his right shoulder so the King and his Lords went together into a very faire banquetting house very lately built the Ambassadour Leadger the Lords and diuers others following The King sitting in his Estate his Lordship and the Ambassadour Leadger were placed vpon his left hand the Grandes and other the Noblemen of Spaine being seated on the other hand two degrees lower Before the King was brought a little Table whereon lay the Bible and a Crucifix vpon it The Archbishop of Toledo read the oath with a reasonable loud voice at one part of the oath his Lordship held the Kings hands between his to which oath the King sware kneeling and laying his hand vpon the Booke and afterwards subscribed to the Articles and Agreements drawen and concluded by both Kings Friday the one thirtieth day of May his Lordship dined early for that there was that day appointed a sport which they call Inego de Toro and also Inego de Canas and for that his Lordship and all his company from the meanest to the highest should haue the pleasure of the sights there were some appointed to see euery
came Don Blasco to conduct his Lordship and the rest through a priuate Gallerie of the Kings which ioined to his Lordships lodging to the appointed place which was the new built banquetting house formerly spoken of by them termed the Grandsala where was appointed very conuenient roome for his Lordship and the rest of his Followers The roome was garnished with three hundred and twenty lights of wax al set in standerds of siluer of diuers fashions some great and some small After two or three seuerall songs song by diuers voices in parts placed seuerally in the same hall for that purpose the maske appeared and began as followeth First came thirty Musitions clad in long garments of red Taffaty garnished well to the shew playing on seuerall instruments After whom followed six Virgins dauncing one bearing in her hand a Sunne another a braunch of Oliue-tree another an Ancor another a Sword with two points on either point a bunch of flowers Then followed a Charriot made of an Antike fashion being drawen by two liue horses but exceeding little In the vpper part whereof sate the Infanta with a scepter of gold in her hand with the picture of a doue on the vpper end thereof at her feet sate two other Virgins who attended her On either side went diuers Pages bearing Torches of white wax At the vpper end of the Hall was appointed a very rich State all of Masons worke ascending vp by degrees richly gilded and garnished with diuers statues all gilt ouer in which were planted three chaires two great and one lesser and that between the other two In which middle chaire the Infanta being taken out from her Charriot was placed The two Virgins neere her and the other six vpon the degrees at the foot of the Estate At the neather end of the said hall stood the Maskers in a Gallery contriued for the purpose who vpon the drawing of a Curtyn appeared as it were in clowds The number of them were eight and twenty Knights and Ladies beside torch bearers wherof the King and Queen were two the rest all Grandes and men of great Honour The Ladies were all the Queens Maides The said Gallery being built in manner of an arch and fully set with looking glasses with the light of the torches shone as if it had been garnished with infinite number of starres The musicke playing the Maskers descended by foure and foure at a time in a stage made in fashion of a clowde and so dauncing to the vpper end of the Hall before they could returne backe other foure appeared and so ioined altogether vntill the number were come forth and then daunced altogether in good forme and measure After diuers daunces and measures appointed of purpose for this shew the King and Queen and so likewise all the company vnmasked themselues the King and Queen taking their seats in the places and chaires before mentioned before whom were diuers Galiards daunced by the seuerall Lords and Ladies vnmasked The Earle of Perth and the Lord Wiloughby were inuited and daunced likewise The King and Queen diuers times salied out from their chaires of Estate and daunced openly At last they began a Calling daunce which was begun by the Duke of Lerma holding a torch lighted in his left hand The maner was euery man called forth 2 women chusing one especiall conducted the other to her place and left the chosen to call out 2. men who likewise deliuering the torch to one especiall conducted the other to his seat Thus it passed to and fro amongst many of the great Lords and Ladies at last the King was called and his L. likewise but the torch being deliuered to the King his L. was againe brought to his seat The King called forth the Queen and another and after a few trauerses when the time came he should haue chosen and deliuered vp his torch he deliuered it to a Page standing by and so the sports ended Friday the seuenth of Iune his L. was appointed to take leaue of the King and so to set forward on his iourney for England therefore taking notice of his L. desire of returne ordered he should haue audience in the after noone In the meane time his Highnesse sent by Don Pedro çuniga and some other diuers chaines of gold to the number of 14. or thereabouts to some of the Kings seruants his L. chiefe officers hauing likewise before sent by Don Pedro çuniga vnto the Lords and many other Knights and especial men of his L. company and traine seuerall Iewels and chaines very rich About foure of the clocke in the after noone his Highnesse sent to his L. a very rich present of Iewels both for himselfe and his Lady which were presented to him by Don Blasco and brought by the masters officers of the Iewel house who were by him well gratified and rewarded Not long after the Constable and others came to giue his L. knowledge of the conueniency of the time for our comming to the Court whereupon his L. accompanied with the Lords Knights Gentlemen of his traine in seueral coches went to the Court where they were receaued by diuers Lords and Officers of the Court at the Pallace gate from whence the Kings guard made a passage euen to the kings Chamber The King staied to receiue his L. in a gallery which was long but narrow with whom his L. had conference in priuate by the space of three quarters of an houre and fearing to giue offence by tediousnesse made motion to his Highnesse that the lords and others of his company might likewise take their leaues The king very well pleased therewith the Lords Knights Gentlemen took their leaues being generally well respected of his Maiesty To conclude all his L. tooke his leaue also receauing many gratious and kind words from his Maiesty as also a ring with a Diamond said to be of the valew of 3000. pounds which he put vpon his L. finger and as he said in tokē of wedding him in true loue perpetually commanding the Duke of Infantadgo to conduct his L. and the rest to the Queen in like manner to take their leaue of her Maiesty Being brought to the Queen where she sate vnder a cloth of Estates with the Ladies Maids of honor about her for that it was late his L. made no long stay after a short time spent in complement tooke his leaue of her Highnesse as also so did all other the Lords and Knights of his traine to whom the Queen most respectiuely bowing her selfe with much fauor and grace gaue them a kind Farewell His L. being now throughly furnished of all conuenient meanes for his iourney about 5. of the clocke the same day being Saturday and the 8. day of Iune set forward being accompanied in his coch with the Constable diuers other noblemen in other coches accompanying his L. a mile or more out of the town where they taking their leaues departed That night we rode 6. leagues to a