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
now recovered and was indeed judged so to have done by the three Lords mentioned when dineing with the Bride he had the honour of the Princesse Company and Supping of both their Majesties neither of these having fallne to the Spanish Ambassador at the Marriage of the Earle of Sommerset The 5. of January 1614. The Earl of Sommerset then Lord Chamberlain notwithstanding he understood how the yeare before the Spanish and Arch-Dukes Ambassadors had been invited to the Marriage of him the Earle of Sommerset and not the French nor the Venetian for the reasons elsewhere appeareing gave me directions to invite the Spanish and the Venetian not usually coupled ut supra to a Maske of Gentlemen set forth at the charge of his Majesty and to come at an houre about six in the Evening to a Supper that should be prepared for them in the Councel Chamber They both with one question of what Ambassadors would be there and my assurance that I understood of none besides themselves as indeed then I did not accepted the Invitation and came the next day at the time appointed A little before Supper the Spanish Ambassador taking me aside desired me to deale freely with him to tel him whether Sir Noell Caron the States Ambassador were invited and if invited what place was intended him whether in publique neere his Majesty or in private in some Corner of the Roome I answered that I knew then and not before that he was invited and would be there But in which of those conditions publique or private I could not resolve him Hereupon he requested me immediately to go to my Lord Chamberlain for clearing of this doubt wherewith acquainting his Lordship and he his Majesty I returned with this assurance That Sir Noell Caron was invited and should be placed within the Barres neare the King as Ambassadors used to be To this he made his replye desiring me to convey it to the Lord Chamberlaine that if Sir Noell Caron should be togeather with him at Supper or in any other place then in the Kings presence he would use him with all the respects of civility but in so honourable a place as that where the sacred persons of the King Queene and Prince were to be present he should never with patience see the Representant of his Masters Vassalls and Rebells so he called them hold an equall ranck with him That it was directly against his Instructions to concurr with him in any publique Act as an Ambassador and that therefore it would be better for him as he intended with the favour of his Majesty to retire himselfe betimes without noise then to be forced as he must to discharge his duty by publique exception and protestation against the presence of him Sir Noell Caron to the disturbance of so royall an Assembly and whereupon I told him as from my Lord Chamberlain that his Lordship was informed his predecessor Don Alonso de Velasco had stood upon no such Puntillio when Sir Noell Caron had at another time been invited as now and sate as it was now determined he should he said he was most assured there never had been such a concurrence so as returning from him with this answer I fortuned to deliver it in the hearing of my Lord Treasurer and received from his Lordship an assurance that upon his knowledge and in his sight his predecessor Don Alonso de Velasco had indured without any exception the placing of the States Ambassador at the left hand of the King while he Don Alonso sate on the right But this neither would satisfie him nor hold him from affirming that not to contradict he said my Lord Treasurer who yet might forget or mistake in some circumstances he would ingage his head to be cut off if there ever had been any such placing which being againe reported by me to my Lords Chamberlain and Treasurer they both went to the King and debating the businesse with his Majesty first in presence of sundry of the Bedd-Chamber and after more in private with halfe a dozen of other Lords my Lord Treasurer my Lord Chamberlain my Lord of Worcester and I to attend them were sent to him into the Councell Chamber and there intreating first the Venetian Ambassador to pardon them if they did awhile leave him alone taking onely the Ambassadors Interpreter and my selfe with them into a little Roome there by my Lord Treasurer delivered the Kings mind to this purpose That his Majesty having invited him to the Maske with a mind to give him all content was sorry that this question should grow to disturbe it That his Majesty went upon grounds of former presidents of the like concurrence in the time of the Ambassadors predecessors and that the had for witnesses of it besides his owne memorie the Queene the Prince and sundry of the Lords who affirmed they had seene it That his Majesty having heretofore intertained Sir Noell Caron in that manner and now invited him as an Ambassador he left it to his consideration what injury he should do to abate of his accustomed respects towards him That whereas the Ambassador affirmed it was formally his Instructions not to concurr with him in any publique Act his Majesty wondred that his predecessor should not have the like Instructions or having had such should forget or neglect to stand upon it that if he had any such his Majesty requested him that reserving other matter which he in no sort desired that he should communicate besides that purpose he might have a sght of it for his fuller satisfaction To this the Ambassador replyed with many acknowledgments of the honour his Majesty had done him c. That first the witnesses his Majesty had produced were so substantiall as should he with his owne eyes have seene the contrary he should not have trusted them in opposition of their Testimony That if it should be known to the King his Master that Don Alonso had committed such errour it would be enough to make him loose his head That it was true that in his generall instructions received from the hand of the King his Master it was not intended but that upon his Arrivall in England finding in what condition of respect Sir Noell Caron was held here he wrote particularly to the King for his pleasure about his manner of carriage towards Sir Noell Caron in case he should be put to it upon any incounter of Negotiation or otherwise whereunto he had received by letter from his Majesty his will intimating That in concurrence of ordinary civill respects he should use him with courtesy but in no case admit concurrence with him in or to any publique Act and that his Majesty should be an eye witnesse of the letter at his pleasure The Venetian who remaind in the meane time in the Councell Chamber having been by the Spanish Ambassador before the Lords entrance made acquainted with the difference like to grow had affirmed to him That he could himselfe remember that when Don
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-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
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
were issued out of the Office but he had heard he said the Master of the Jewell-house Carew nobly of himselfe disclaim all pretence of right to carry them when they consisted of Jewels as Rings Chaines of Diamonds Hatbands or the like and that to this he could and would say more of his mind and knowledge if he should be called to it by his Majesty This question thus far cleered Sir Henry Mildmay neverthelesse desisted not to make freinds underhand for maintainance of his Claime till the day and almost houre that the Jewell was to be presented when the Duke of Buckingham that had seemed before to favour him came about for the Master of the Ceremonies and declared his opinion for him so as the Earle of Carliel who had in the interim the Jewell committed by the King to his custody after he had also declared his sentence the same way delivered it to the hands of the Master of the Ceremonies by whom it was that Evening presented to the Ambassador and who the nex day received in gratuity for it and for his attendance and paines taken in this Ambassadors service three hundred peeces immediatly after he had presented it he entering the Kings Withdrawing-chamber to give account to his Majesty how thankfully it was accepted I then standing at the door heard his Majesty say when Sir Lewes thankt him for his most gracious favor in committing it to his carriage that it was the Master of the Ceremonies right and none other to carry and present Jewels to Ambassadors The day of the Ambassadors departure November the fifteenth when he was resolved already and the Kings Barge with two other appointed for his transport to Gravesend the Tide falling late and the wind proving high and contrary he had Coaches hired for him at his own charge and with them and his own coaches went thither by Land the Master of the Ceremonies accompanying him so far but no further answerable to the new Order for conduct of Ambassadors The Marshall of the Ceremonies Walter Brisco only appointed for his service on the way forward as there might be necessary use of it till he should be imbarqued at Dover c. The Ambassador of Bethlem Gabor Prince of Transilvania having received a full satisfaction of his business as the condition of our affaires would permit and his Present of a thousand ounces of guilt Plate brought him by the Master of the Jewell House and two of his Officers with him rewarding these he reserved the gratuitie that might be expected from him by the other to time and consideration In the meane time I having been sought to by a Gentleman the Ambassadors only follower qualified as fit to sit with him at the Table to procure him also a Present as to the Ambassadors Secretary I told him I doubted of good success in that suite in regard not only of the present necessitous condition of the time but also because he had not at any time appeared in the Negotiation between his Master and the Lords which having kept him from notice of his merit would prove I thought a reason for his exclusion as indeed it did when acquainting my Lord Chamberlaine with his ayme his Lordship gave him a negative Answer to that purpose wherewith I quieted him The day after the Ambassador had received his Present recommending the demand of his parting Audience not yet formally given him to the Vicechamberlaine the Lord Carleton in absence of the Lord Chamberlaine then ill at ease and his Lordship demanding it in my hearing I propounded the fitness of his having it given in the Presence Chamber as being his last Audience therefore requisite to be in publique as the first Audience had been at Hampton Court but was answered by the King that he took him to be no man that would stand upon point of Ceremony so would have it he said in his Withdrawing-Chamber and me to introduce him by the way of the Parke which obeying I brought him after Dinner with the Service of two hired coaches the Kings beings excused by him when I offered it because he had not had it he said at his first Audience he was received by no other Nobleman then the Lord Vice-chamberlaine at the entrance of the Privy Gallery and by him brought to the King in his Withdrawing-Chamber whence I after conducted him to the Queen for the like Audience of her Majestie but receiving notice that she was even then gone to Somerset-House to her vespers and would returne for that Ambassadors occasion he likewise went to his Lodging and stayed there till the Queen repassing before his door he followed her to White-Hall and had in her Majesties Privy Chamber Audience and dismission This passed I accompanied him to the Duke of Buckingham for his farewell but the Duke being then absent and I going in his Search to the Privy Galleries found there his Majestie sitting all alone when after demand of pardon for my entrance so at unawares to his Presence I made use of the opportunity to tell his Majesty what had not an hour before passed between me and the Ambassador upon a question moved by Sir Maurice Dromond Gentleman-Usher to the Queen immediatly before his Audience which question he said had been then in his hearing moved by the Queene to the King viz. Whether the Ambassador would or not cover in her Presence and that the King was of opinion he would not cover I answered the Gentleman that I would not resolve him for the future but that for the time passed I knew I said he had covered at his first Audience after the Queen had once or twice invited him to it But for better resolution of this doubt I further told his Majestie with this opportunity I had a little before his said Audience asked the Ambassador as with the pretence of my own satisfaction who had not I said to him sufficiently observed him in that point whether he had at his fiâ—st Audience covered or whether he would now at his leave-taking cover in Presence of her Majesty His Answer was No I will not now cover though I did at first because said he I shall now appeare before her Majesty as comming of my own Errand only to take my leave having no particular Order for it from the Prince my Master but when I came first to her Majesties presence I speak to her my Masters words by my Masters command and so thought fit upon her Majesties Invitation to cover which now I will not do though I should be invited to it as having nothing to say to her from any but my self and this only tending to the leave I am to take of her Majesty Having reported this unto the King and finding him to approve of the Ambassadors reasons as civill I proceeded further to intimate to his Majesty That I had observed both at this Ambassadors first and last Audience that his Majesty was pleased to stand bare-headed all that time as if he would
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
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
Venise en toutes telles ocasions comm ' aussy celuy d'Espagne et des Archiducs Et quant a ce qu' on pretend qu' ayant esté conuié le dit Ambassadeur des Archiducs le Mardy Gras jour dernier des magnificences on pourroit faire construction qu' on faisoit quelque trait d'honneur a la Republique de Venise par dessus les Archiducs Sa Majesté dit qu' ayant este tousjours tres-curieux d'esquiuer toutes sortes d'offences a ses Amis en Subject de ceste condition le dit sieur Ambassadeur s' il luy plait d'y bien penser trouuerá que le fait de sa Majesté en cecy ne porte point de preiudice a sa Majesté Carestant la solemnité du Mariage un Acte continué combien qu' executè en plusieurs iours il ne contient ny prius ny posterius en soy ains se doit entendre que tous les iours ont pareille dignité voire si l'on y vouloit argumenter il se pourroit soustenir que le dernier jour seroit a prendre pour le plus gran iour comm'il s' ontend en plusiours autres cas et nommement aux festes de Noel que le Jour des Roys qui est le dernier se prend pour le plus gran jour et en plusjours places en la solemnite du Caresme prenant le Merdy Gras se prend aussy pour le plus grand Mesme au fait present le Ballet de la cour composé de Conseillers et des plus Grands de la Noblesse tant seigneurs que Dames auoit este assigne au Mardy comm ' au plus gran jour de la Feste Mais pour ne se trouuer d'accord la Noblesse de Colleges de Droict du jour enfuynant le dimenche on á este contraint d'ordonner celuy de la Cour au dit jour antrement se deuoit faire le Mardy cousm ' an plus gran jour Mais sa Majesté qui ne se porte pour Juge des differences qni naissent entre les Princes ne dit cecy pour rien resoudre de part eu d'autre Mais seulement pour monstrer les raisons qu' elle á eu de son coste au quel elle pense n' auoir foit tort a personne HIs Majesty perceiving that the Ambassador of the most serene Arch-Duke hath taken some exceptions that he was not invited to the solemnities of Madam his Majesties sole Daughter and of the most Illustrious Prince the Elector Palatine on Sunday the day of the Nuptialls whereas the Ambassador of the most serene Republicke of Venice was invited thereunto that day he hath thought good that the said Lord Ambassador and the Princes whom he serves should understand that his Majesty never intended to do any thing in prejudice to the pretences of either Prince or State in all procedures since his accesse to this Crown but alwayes declind to comport himselfe as judge of their competitions in this case leaving them both entire in what appertaines to them and treating them in a free generall way as his freinds Now touching the present businesse reflecting upon the Ambassador of Venice his Majesty lets the said Ambassador of the Arch-Dukes to understand that the said Ambassador of Venice having fourteen or fifteen dayes before the Wedding day informed his Majesty that he had order from the Republicke to congratulate the said Nuptialls he desired that he might perform the said office the very day of the solemnity and that he might do it with a better grace as also for a more open manifestation of the honour which the said Republicke doth beare unto his Majesty he was appointed Extraordinary allowance for the pomp and to put his men in liveryes accordingly upon the publicke charge an honour which his Majesty had not received of any Prince it being Extraordinary and not usuall among Princes Therefore his Majesty had all reason to correspond with the said Republicke in like civilities for so signall demonstrations of respect Add hereunto that the Spanish Ambassador not finding himselfe in case to assist and be present the first day of the Nuptialls and his Majesty being incertain whether he would be at any other day of the Solemnities his Majesty according to former custome commanded that the said Ambassador of Venice should be joynd with him of his most Christian Majestyes who had been invited for the same day according to the course that was allwayes observed to couple upon such solenmities the Ambassadors of France and Venice as also those of Spaine and the Arch-Dukes And whereas it is pretended that whereas the Ambassador of the said Arch-Dukes being invited upon Shrove-Tuesday the last day of the solemnity one might inferr that a greater shew of honour was made thereby to the Republicke then to the Arch-Dukes his Majesty sayeth that he having allwayes been most curious to avoid all sorts of offences among his friendes in matters of this kind the said Ambassador if he please to consider of it well will find that this doth not carry with it any prejudice at all to his Master in regard that the solemnity of the mariage being but one continued Act though performd divers daies admitted neither prius nor posterius in it selfe but it is to be understood that each day had the like dignity Nay if one would Argumentize thereupon it might be alledged that the last day should be taken for the greatest day as it is underslood in many other Coses and particularly upon the Festivalls of Christmas wherein the Twelfe day or the Festivall of the three Kings which is the last is taken for the greatest day And in many places Tueseday is taken for the chiefest day of Shrove-tide wherefore the Mask at Court compos'd of Noble men and Ladies was assign'd for that day as being the greatest of the Festivalls but his Majesty who doth not undertake to be Iudge of differences arising in this nature twixt the Ministers of Princes doth not speake this as to determine any thing on either side but onely to shew the reasons which he hath on his behalfe in this particular wherein he thinks not to have done any body wrong This being read by the Ambassador I demanded his answer which he said he could little inlarge beyond the former And then telling him I was by command to returne the paper suiteable to his owne and his Servants proceeding with his Majesty when he last sent his mind in writing he affirmed peremptorily that he neither asked nor had any paper back againe And in this regard he must be pardoned if he returned no answere since quoth he if I had received a message by word I had answered by word If by writeing by writeing But taking this message for neither I may I suppose be silent Wherewith when I had acquainted the Lord Chamberlaine his Lordship was semewhat moved as for his owne personall interest and
for publicke or for private This I answered I had no Commission to resolve as from the mouth of his Majesty and must therefore answere him with silence But if he asked my opinion as his friend and Servant I held it for private and in no sort publique since I took it to be an honour his Majesty was pleased to cast upon one of his most favoured Servants to have the Marriage Solemnized in his owne House and to invite to it whom he should think fit at his Princely pleasure This answer seemed to give him such satisfaction as he said he was of the same opinion and added that since his Majesty had vouchsafed the last yeare to do him the honour and right to preferr him before another unjustly pretending in his invitation to so publique a solemnity as was the Marriage of his onely daughter he should bemost incivill now to except against his pleasure in matter of so private a condition but ought rather to returne him as he now did most humble thankes for the most gratious regard he discovered to have of him and so consequently of the State whereof he was a Representant The next Morning I was sent to the French Ambassadors who though he might seeme the day before to hold one way with the Venetian and had corresponded with him to that purpose whether another and he did s'entre entendre becomes me no more to judge then to declare appeared now to have taken another way by himselfe and I delivered to him a formall invitation of the Marriage which having first asked me whether the Spanish Ambassador were yet invited and I answered I thought no he humbly beseecht his Majesty to pardon him if he excused his appearance at the Marriage in regard that that night he said he had the desluxion of a Rhume into his Teeth and a fit of a Ague whereof he doubted the returne I was scarcely back at Court with his answere when I was told that a Gentleman from the Venetian Ambassador had been to seeke me there and at my house where at the last having found me he said that his Lord desired me that if ever I would do him favour I would take the paines to come to him presently I winding the cause to be some new buz gotten into his Braine from some Intelligence he had had from the French of that Mornings proceeding excused my so present repaire with the necessity of my Commanded immediate Attendance on my Lord Chamberlaine which I did to gaine both time and further Instructions from his Lordship wherewith so soone as I was sufficiently armed I went to the Venetian and in presence of his Secretary Muscorus whom he desired might be admitted to our Conference he intreated me to repeate the wordes of my Invitation and those of his answer which I yeelded to after some discovery of my insatisfaction to be so punctually pressed as if he had meant to trip me and in conclusion had his approbation that all so farr was both in mannage and report without Exception but that which now he added troubled him and made him so to trouble me was a later procedure of his Majesty who as if the State he represented had either in affection or demonstration of forwardnes to do the King Service been inferiour to any had that Morning vouchsafed the French Ambassador and not him a Solemne Invitation To this after I had according to my Instructions in case I should incounter such formality brought him to confesse that the French Ambassador had indeed given him that intelligence I replyed that to be plain with him I had no sooner received the message of his desire to speake with me but conceiving it was to the purpose that I now found I did repaire to my Lord Chamberlaine with my opinion and for his Lordships further direction which I said was this That if the Ambassador of Venice should except against any favour shewed the French beyond him I should let him know it was not that his Majesty intended a difference in distribution of honour for their more and lesse Ceremoniall Invitation but that if amidst the confusion usually happening at such Solemnities there were any omission he desired it might be interpreted as chanceable and not of designe which the better to expresse I came I tould him even then from my Lord Chamberlaine and so from his Majesty with the same order to him as I had done to the French to invite him When not yet satisfied with an errand so ingrosse he desired me to deliver particularly and in the same wordes the Invitation I had carryed to the French Ambassador which when I had punctually performed he returned this finall answer That since I was there present a witnesse of his Realitie he would not as the French Ambassador had done excuse his absence with his sicknesse but was desirous his Majesty might know after his humblest and Thankfullest acknowledgment for his favour in his Invitation that he took the publick honour he had received the last yeare for so substantiall a Testimony of his royall mind towards him as in these private Solemnities for him to except against inviting this person or that whom he saw his Majesty was inclyned to make his guests at the Feast without overthronging it with the presence of others was to presume to take from him that liberty and pleasure which he the Ambassador would strive and had ever strived to observe with his best diligence and obedience With this answer I was parting when he suddenly stayed me with the reading of another scruple hinc illae lachrimae and asked me whether the Arch-Dukes Ambassador were also invited whereof when I had said to keepe my selfe clear from Categoricall asseverations when I knew not fully the King my Masters pleasure that I could not directly resolve him he would needs perswade me that I diffembled and that no doubt whatsoever I should say I had in charge to performe that service of Invitation first to him and after in my returne to Court to the other a perswasion which as soone as I found it aimed at what he was most jealous of precedencie I did not gainesay it 1 Seig. Gaveleone holding it ill manners to marr a beliefe of an Ambassadors making The same day I was also with the Agents of Savoy and of Florence and having invited them to supper and to the Maske after it The Florence said 2 Ant. Lâ—â—i that howsoever there passed a freindly Correspondence between him and the other and that their discretions might be like enough to keep them from incounters he must yet protest and stand for the maintainance of his Masters right of precedence whensoever he should meet any that would oppose or question it To this I replyed that howsoever his Majesty took no such notice of any that resided here as Agents and not Ambassadors for their Masters as that to invite or not to invite them was esfentiall yet my Lord Chamberlaine having told
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
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
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
Servants kept them company Don Antonio fitting on a stoole at the end of the Table gave subject of exception to one of the Kings Gentlemen ushers as being he said irregular and unusuall that place being ever wont to be reserved empty for State but this as a superstition of a Gentleman ushers was neglected After his Majesties dinner the Ambassador introduced by the Vice Chamberlain to the Presence of his Majesty in the Privy Gallery had there his Audience Sir John Digby and as he was parting the Lord Lysle Ghamberlain to the Queen asked me and I the Ambassador whether he had any intention to visite her Majesty he answered he thought it ill manners and a kind of disrespect at so short a warning to venture the trouble of her Majesty November the first Towards the time of Solemnity of Prince Charles his Creation for Prince of Wales the King advised with some of his Lords which of the Ambassadors French or Spanish were first to be invited to it The Spaniard had by a private and silent way offered himselfe to an Invitation The French had been earnestly pressed for by some Lords his favourous neere about the King And had he but two dayes before when he had an Audience of his Majesty made offer of his presence at the Feast his Majesty had perhaps been put to some plunge how to have excused it But on Sunday night the Eve of the Feast a resolution to invite neither was taken and I sent to the Spanish Ambassador with this Message that his Majesty thankt him much for the offer he had made to honour the Prince his Creation with his presence that some of his Majesties Servants neere him had earnestly solicited him to invite the French Ambassador but his desire having been as it should be ever to give content to all Ministers of Forren Princes he hoped and requested that he would not take it in ill part if he should not be at all invited no more then the French Ambassador should be to that Solemnity assuring him that to the next whensoever he should be invited before any The Ambassador returned him for answer that he most humbly kissed his Majesties hands and desired he would in all proceed with him as with an English man and his Servant that whensoever it should be his pleasure to do him the honour to invite him it should be his happinesse and an especiall contentment to him So againe when his Majesty should think fit he should be absent it should content him also as being his Majesties pleasure to have it so At my parting he was earnest to know whether there were not the like message and excuse sent to the French Ambassador whereof though had it been so it had been neither reason nor duty for me to discover when I assured him there was none he expressed much the greater Satisfaction About this time Cavalvere Guaratesi Agent here for the Duke of Florence being assigned an Audience of his Majesty was by mistake brought in by whom I know not by the way of the Parke and privy Gallerie and had a fire made him in the Chamber of the Ambassadors Ordinary Audience Sir Lewes Lewkner at the same time told me of him and wisht me to go to receive him but neither was that Service to be performed by me to the Person of an Agent and therefore by me declined neither was any Agent to be admitted to that place by that way but by the way of the privy Chamber November the first 1617. The Ordinary Ambassador of Venice Seignior _____ Barbarigo dying here Seignior _____ Contareni came hither Extraordinary and was brought to his first Audience at White-Hall by the Lord Clifford accompanied with halfe a score Gentlemen his Majesties Servants in his Majesties Coâ—ch and three of the Lords Coaches His house was at the Hospitall where he had attending our coming the French Ambassaâ—ors Coach the Masters of the Ceremonies who had dined with him and five or six of the Ambassadors owne and others providing After his rest in the Councell Chamber he was conducted to his Majesties Presence in the Presence Chamber and there after a breife speech Nota. and delivery of his letters of credence which before he had made an end of speaking he took not from the Secretary who held them in his hand he returned to his home in company of the Persons mentioned An Ambassador with his assistant Commissioner Chancellour of Museovey sent from that Emperour to his Majesty was the fifth of November 1617. received at Tower Wharfe by the Lord Compton having been first met at Gravesend by Sir Richard Smith and others sent in name of the City and brought up in their Barges The Kings Coach and five or six others tooke them in at Tower Wharfe but with such disorder of Gentlemen come from Court more then were appointed that too soone pressed into them as without my care and boldnes to displace some must of the better sort of Musfes have walked on foote to their Lodgings They were wellcomd at their Landing with a volley of great Ordinance from the Tower and shippes and were incountered on Tower Hill by the Aldermen of the City in their Scarlet Gownes and other Citizens in their Velvet Coates and Chaines of Gold all on Horse-back and thence conducted to their House in Bishopsgate-street where they were Lodged and defrayed at the charge of the Muscovey Company On Saturday the eight of November the Lord Chamberlain let me know his Majesties pleasure for my repaire to the French Ambassador with an assignation for his demanded Audience the next day at one of the Clock and with an excuse of unfitnesse of the houre in regard the King intended to depart that day betimes to Theobalds He came according to appointment and being introduced to his Majesties Presence I with demand of Pardon left him and taking with me the Kings Coach which together with the Lord Chamberlains attended that Service at the Court gate went without any Lord or other to accompany me to Bishopsgate-Street to setch thence the Muscovit Ambassadors to their Audience All their Servants of less esteem marched all the way on foot before him the rest in Coaches provided by the Merchants each of those on foot carrying before them with ostentation to open view some parcell of the various Present sent to his Majestie from the Emperour This consisted of Sable Furres black Foxes Ermynes Hawkes with their Hoods and Mantles covering their backs and wings all enbroydered with Gold and Pearle two lining Sables a Persian dagger and knife set with Stones and Pearles two rich Cloath of Gold Persian Horse-clothes a Persian kettle Drum to lure Hawkes with c. Besides many other Sables and black Fox furres sent the King from three of the principall Nobles of the Emperors Court and besides some presented to his Majesty from the Ambassadors and the Chancellour The Queene and Prince had likewise their severall presents of furrs from all
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
He was conducted without stay any where to the Presence Chamber where his Majesty was already come forth to receive him Having delivered his letters of credence he made an Oration to the purpose of the Kings Princely Office of mediation for Peace between the King of Denmark and Sweden of almost an houre long Which finished and breifely answered by his Majesty in the same Language the Ambassador turned to the Prince and beginning to him another formall speech the King left him so did the Ambassadors after a while the Prince and returned to his Lodgings This was on Thursday The Saturday following about ten of the clock at night came to my Lodging one of the Pages of the Bedd-Chamber to tell me from his Majesty that his pleasure was I should invite the Ambassador to dine with him the next day which I performed in the morning and had his Majesties Coach no more attending at the Court gate about Noone when the King having ordered that a Noble man should fetch him from his Lodging it was held by others needlesse and except at his first Audience now past and at his last I onely might serve the turne for his conduction which was allowed of and I with Sir James Spence onely brought him through the Presence into the withdrawing Chamber where the King within a while entering he took him with him to dinner in the Presence Chamber About the midst of the Table as accustomed sate the King at his left hand the Prince and at the Tables end beneath the Ambassador who had for his Carver none but the Princes and for his cup one of his own Gentlemen Before dinner a question grew which was diversly argued according to opinions whether the Prince were to fit covered at dinner or no in Presence of his Father seeing the Ambassador as a Kings representant was not to sit uncovered Some affirmed they had seene the Prince sit bare headed when an Ambassador had his hat on others otherwise But the King cleared all when after I had given him an hint of the question and that himselfe had sate a while uncovered he put on and willed the like to be done by the Prince and the Ambassador The Ambassadors Gentlemen had no Table appointed for them by the Kings expresse order because he said the young Prince of Anhaults Gentlemen who had been with him the weeke before had none though the reason might not seem to serve for one as for the other the different qualities of their Masters considered but were sent two or three of the cheife of them to the Table of the Groome of the Stoole the Lord Fenton the rest dined after with the Princes Waiters When dinner was done the King retyred himselfe and left the Ambassadors there in the withdrawing Chamber to attend there his returne which was an houre after and then holding with him a private conference his Servants were after admitted into the roome with whom I entring his Majesty drew out my Sword and knighted with it the Ambassador From thence the Ambassador went by assignation from the Prince who would save him he said his offered paines of going to his Inn and returning streight to his Highnesse Lodgings and after a short Audience tooke his leave His Majesty by the mediation of Sir James Spence was pleased besides giving him a Patent for confirmation of his Knight-hood to add a marke of honour to his Coate of Armes The next day we left New-Market dined at Cambridge saw the best Colledges there lay the first night at Newport neare Audley end which rare Building of the Earle of Suffolks the Ambassador also saw lodgd the next night at Waltham and after ten dayes absence were againe at London There after the Ambassador had rested a day or two he demanded Audience of the Queene but her Majesty refused to give it without other reason or excuse then that the King his Master had not written to her and why should she then she said see his Servant Towards the day of his parting the King being then returned to London and he having already taken leave of his Majesty at New-Market it was held by some of the Lords that his Majesty neede send him no present his businesse they said little concerning us here and his Master a remote Prince of little or of no necessary correspondence with us Besides he was sent hither with that Kings interest onely as with a demand of aid against the King of Poland and to solicite his Majesties mediation for freindship between him and the King of Denmarke and sinally to thank his Majesty for the good and beneficiall Office he had done the King and State of Swethland in composing by his Ambassador the bloody differences between them and the Russians with other the like reasons too frugally perhaps alleadged for sparing of a Present But I intimating to my Lord Chamberlain that seeing he had not been here defrayed by his Maâ—esty further then by his Coaches and Carriages had been otherwise well looked on and graced by his Majesty had fairely carried the businesse he came for of expressing of thankefullnesse and was the first Ambassador that ever came from that King since his coming to the Crown of Swethen His Lordship moved his Majesty in it and so prevailed as that he sent him by me a Diamond Ring and his picture inclosed in it worth about 2000 l. sent to him I said when I presented it as a private Toaken without publique Ceremonie to be worne by him not for the value but for the senders memory A day or two after he departed without any attendance or convoy of Barges or Coaches to Gravesend and there tooke Shiâ—ping I moved my Lord Chamberlain for the Ambassadors use of the Kings Barge to Gravesend but his Lordship answered me he knew of no such custome and could therefore give no such directions But his Lordship was herein mistaken both for the extent of his owne power and the Ambassadors right the custome having ever been for the Lord Chamberlain to command and for Ambassadors especially extraordinaries to use his Majesties Barges to and from Gravesend as at their coming so at their parting January 5 1617. My Lord Chamberlain acquainting me with the pleasure of his Maâ—esty for an Invitation already in charge to Sir Thomas Smith cheife of the Muscovey company to be delivered to the Ambassador and Commissioner of that Emperour for their dining the next day with his Maâ—esty his Lordship added that he had given order to the Jewell house for a faire guilt cup to be provided which when his Maâ—esty had drunke in to the Ambassador it was upon his pledge after the custome of that Country to be left to him as a present of the Kings favour whereupon I was bold to demand of his Lordship how he thought it would be apprehended if the Chancellor his Collegue should not receive the like honour this moved his Lordship to send to the Merchants for their opinion which brought forth
a resolutton that the honour which one had the other would no question expect and that threfore both must be alike proceeded with So the next day I was sent to them with the Kings Coach and the Marquesse of Buckinghams with the company of foure or five of the Kings Servants an honour more then usuall at such invitations but the Merchants had made it their request and it was not stood on for satisfaction of that particular Ambassador whose Nation stands so much on Ceremony with order to me to bring them to the Court gate by eleaven of the Clock and this without stay through the Guard Chamber and Presence to the privy Chamber where his Majesty would be seated under the State ready to receive them And that after their Complement should be passed thence I was to conduct them along the privy Gallery to the Councell Chamber for their conference with the Lords about their Negotiation while the King should be at Chappell and after to conduct them along the Terras and by the way they had before passed to the privy Chamber to dinner But all this designed course was inverted by his Majesties impatience to stay so long for them when by reason I had relyed on my Lord Marquesse of Buckinghams assurance over night that he would give order as Master of the Horse for the Kings coach to be ready the next day at the appointed houre and his Lordship had forgotten it we could not come to Court being so retarded till after eleaven so as the King being already gone to Chappell I received a direction different from the former and discending from the Coaches at the Court gate then happened another incongruity the Lord de la ware appointed to receive them there did not appeare at his time so as the Ambassadors Puntillios in their reception made a stand under the Court gate but at last against their Ceremonious stomacks went on as far as the midst of that first Court where they were met by the said Lord and after on the top of the Stone stayres by Richard Earle of Dorset which two Lords conducted them over the Terras into the Councell Chamber kept them company with almost an hours patience till his Majesties return from Chappell they were at last brought through the Stone-Table Chamber where the Lord Chamberlaine met them to the privy Gallery where about the midst of it stood the King and received them and was thence followed by them into the Privie Chamber where the two Ambassadors seared at the Tables end of his Majesties left hand they had their Health drunk to them by his Majestie after their Country manner and the two Cups they drunk in presented to them After this followed their Emperors Health drunk to them by his Majestie Their servants about fifty of them had a Dinner provided in the Guard Chamber where the Guard that waited on them failed not of their accustomed care by soone shifting away their Dishes to keep them from surfeiting The Ambassadors after Dinner were reconducted by the two Lords mentioned to their severall Stations and by me and some of the Kings Servants to their Lodgings Their failing at the time of their assignation as before was a cause that the conference they should then have had with the Councell was deferred till the day following at nine of the Clock which should have been otherwise either immediatly before Dinner or in the afternoon if they had not alleadged for excuse that it was the Custome of their Country that whensoever an Ambassador was to have an Audience of the Prince his Councell they were to see the Prince his Eyes first but in regard that their feasting with the King where they said they hoped his Majestie would allow them the liberty to take their Drink which they must forbear if business were immediatly to follow they desired they might not have their Audience till the next morning and then see his Majesties Eyes before they should see his Councellors This request though unusuall thought reasonable and granted I about nine in the morning fetcht them from their home where the Chancellor took exceptions that he had never a Gentleman sent to sit within his Coach which was the Lord Chamberlaines sent ordinarily then with the Kings as I did with his fellow Commissioner And bringing them by direction through the Park and the Tylt-yard Gallery to the Ordinary Chamber of attendance for Audiences the King saw them only in the next Roome save one to the Privie Gallerie and there with three words and their low reverences left them to the Councell Eight of which having gone before into the Councell Chamber and comming back to meet and receive them in the Stone-Table Chamber they were by them introduced the Ambassador preceding their Business heard they dispatcht brought back by the Councell to the Chamber where the King had seen them and they as they desired his Majesties Eyes and there left to my reconduction which they had to their Lodgings A Mask prepared for Twelftyde wherein the Prince was to be a principall Actor and that his first Exercise in that kinde was a subject for the King to invite to it the Spanish Ambassador and to observe the promise his Majestiy had made him the yeare before to that purpose the rather because a Marriage between the Prince and the Infanta was then in Treaty The French Ambassador in the mean time being left with litle or no regard of satisfaction given or sought to be given him either by private excuse or otherwise At which neglect as he understood it he took such shadow and offence as repairing to Court and demanding as unseasonably perhaps as impatiently Access to his Majesty was entertained by one or two Lords of the Bed-Chamber whom he that instant incountered with as satisfactory reasons as they could frame for diversion but with little effect though Sir Thomas Edmons Comptroller of his Majesties House who had been in France Ambassador were together with the Master of the Ceremonies sent to him immediatly after to the same purpose of modification so as standing first upon his Masters right of Priority before any other Kings particularly before that of Spaine and affirming that he could prove by many Presidents of our own that if the Spanish Ambassador were ever heretofore present at any such entertainment or Solemnity at Court it was by the French Ambassadors permission when either he would not be there or that he was sent to by his Majesty with intreaty to excuse his absence He at last threatned to make protestation against the wrong done his Master in his Ambassadors person But this threatning little it seems regarded by his Majestie who was resolved vpon his course for entertainment of the Spanish was a cause of the French Ambassadors sending his Secretary Post into France with the Account of the Kings and his own proceeding and of the Letters that came shortly after with his Revocation before his three years Residence wanting but
a quarter were expired for which demanding an Audience the 16 of March and having it granted or the next day he after two hours attendance had it of his Majesty in the Privie Gallery and within few dayes after departed the Kingdome The ill understanding between his Majestie and this Ambassador was an occasion that Master Secretary Lake sent for me and acquainted me with the trouble his Majestie had put himself to to make apparent the little reason the French Ambassador had to except so against his proceeding which to justifie his pleasure was he said that Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies and Sir William Button and I Assistants should search our Notes and presidents to the purpose of the Question Whereabout I presently imployed my self and sent my Collection answerable to the time of my Service and of my experience to Sir Thomas Lake then with the King at Newmarket but all to little purpose for his Majesties satisfaction beyond that he was resolved on for the Spanish Ambassador In March 1617. The Earle of Montgomery Gentleman of his Majesties Bedchamber was pleased to intreat my Service and company with him to the Venetian Ambassador Seig. Contereni his Lordship being sent to him from the King with a Message in the behalfe of Captaine Manwaring which I delivered by interpretation from his Lordships mouth to this purpose His Majesty understanding what present use the State of Venice had of men for their Service and desirous to shew his affection towards them in giving them his leave to raise certain companies here for their War had taken further notice that since they were to have Land-men to be commanded by Sir Henry Peyton and Ships from hence for their Convoy to Venice he thought fit to Recommend for command and conduct of those Ships Captain Manwaring a Gentleman that he had made speciall choice of and held most fit for that Imployment and though the Ambassadormight have heard perhaps that heretofore the said Captain Manwaring had followed the not approved course of a Pirate it was in his unsettled yeares and more desperate fortune but that now his Majesty knew him to be so reclaimed as if he should himselfe have present use of such a Commander he would imploy him as soon as any other of his Subjects and would take it for an Argument of that Common Weales respects to him if they would upon his recommendation entertain him For doing which they should find him more forward hereafter to further and assist them in any the like occasion when he should see that at his request they had made use of so fit a Subject for their Service To this the Ambassador made answer that the Republique was much obliged to his Majesty for his so gracious notice and furtherance of their Assignes and in particular for recommending one to their Service whom he himselfe and the World knew to be so worthy and whom he had already recommended to that State for imployment but had as yet received no answer which dayly expecting he must beg pardon if he did yet attend it without giving his resolution My Lord replyed that the King had been informd that the Ambassador had full Commission and power to imploy whom he should be pleased and that with that liberty he might he thought admit of the Captaine The Ambassador disclaimed that he had any such liberty and said that on the contrary he had order from the State to send the Ships away without any other Commander then such as were to go along with them to governe them in regard they had a Commission with them not to offend or assaile any they should incounter at Sea but if they should be assayled then to defend themselves as they might with the power that was to go along with them In conclusion his Lordship fell to demand that since Captain Manwaring could not have the command that his Majesty thought to prefer him to whether the Ambassador would not let him assure the King as from the Ambassador himselfe and in name of the Republique that if there should be hereafter any other imployment suiting with the condition of Captain Manwaring that he should have the offer of it before any man the Ambassador assured his Lordship he might rest upon that both for the respect that the Republique he knew carryed to his Majesties Recommendation and for the merit also of the Gentleman then Recommended whom he had already as he had said by his Letters presented to the State for his valour and forwardnesse to do them service The Russian Ambassador having received an Assignation the two and twentieth of March for the next dayes repaire to an Audience of the Councell a request was made by some of the Muscovy Merchants as such that well understood their Puntillious humoursthat way that the Ambassadors might have pretending it to be the custome of their Countrey and an honour due to their Emperour a sight of his Majesty before their conference with his Councell which yeelded to I had order to fetch them with one of the Kings Coaches and the Lord Chamberlains which was for their more honour every Audience sent to them in Company of the Kings under title of his Majesties Coach taking with me one Gentleman of his Majesties Servants to accompany me for avoidance of the like exceptions as had been formerly taken by the Chancellour I brought them to the Court at two of the clock and discended at the great gate there before I entered I desired them as I had in charge not to take it in ill part if they found there never a Noble man to receive them since it was I said a Ceremony not performed towards an Ambassador of any Prince whatsoever except onely at his first and last Audience This could not hold them from murmuring and expressing with discontented Countenances their ill Satisfactions yet onward they went following my guidance as my Lord Chamberlain had given me directions up the Stone Steps through the Guard Chamber and Presence to the privy Chamber where after some little time of stay neere the State but not sitting nor having any Stooles for it offered them the Lord Chamberlain came forth and brought them into the privy Gallery where the King seated about a third part distant from the doore there towards the Councell Chamber with his chaire back to the wall on the left hand his Majesty rose up to them at which they made their profound reverences repeated in breife the substance of their errand had a gracious answer and were dismissed to rest themselves in the Stone-Table Chamber till the Councell should be assembled for them who in a short time after passing by them and onely saluting them one of the Clerkes of the Councell called to me to bring them in when comming forwards they made a suddaine stand because they saw none of the Lords to returne forth to me and introduce them till at length that respect also was by three or foure of the principall
Lords given them and they being entred the Chamber and seated in two chayres placed at the upper end of the Table propounded and dispatcht so much of their businesse as the ripenesse of it would give leave and departed by the way of the Audience Chamber through the Privy Garden and the Cloyster or Stone Walke there to their Coach and were thence by me and the other Gentleman conducted to their Lodging The next day being the foure and twentieth of March and the day of his Majesties comming to the Crowne I was sent with a Gentleman to accompany and two Coaches as before to the same Ambassadors to conduct them to a Tylting whither the Merchants had made way for an Invitation by the way of the Park to the end of the Tylt-yard Gallery next it where in the first Window next that entrance were placed for them two Stooles and a Carpet to leane on the Travers drawn between them and the King whom after the Tylting they were admitted to see and salute their Followers of all conditions excepting their Interpreter for their use were bestowed on a Scaffold ordained only for them next the entrance into the Tylt-yard on the Kings left hand where three or four of the better sort of them had a leaning Carpet laid before them and Seats to sit on the rest had a Seate or two and so took as they could their best commodities At the time of these Ambassadors Iast appearance in the Councell Chamber they had an assignation to be there againe the Wednesday sollowing but other business then intertaining the Lords beyond expectation it was deferred for a sevennight longer when I fetcht and brought them attended as before through the Park and Galleries to the Chamber next that of ordinary Audiences where they had not nor affected a sight of his Majesty before their Audience of the Councell as they had done before Thence I go to acquaint the Lords of their being present there and retuning with Answer of their Lordships readiness to receive them They would not be perswaded to move thence till some of the Lords should as at other times come forth to entroduce them which at last they did and brought them giving them the hand of entrance into the Councell Chamber whence after they had obtained a promise of a faire end to their Negotiation the Lords reaccompanied them to the Chamber whete they first received them and there left them to my conduction The French Ambassadot Monsieur de Mareth having been detained here by the indisposition of his wife or rather for fome other cause tending to his more faire loose at his departing three weeks after he had taken leave of his Majesty demanded and had another Audience whereof he had a quick dispatch with no ill countenance from his Majestie or shew of insatisfaction from himself The Russian Ambassadors having received Letters from their Emperor hasting their return demanded Audience of his Majestie and had it the 13. of Aprill attended to it by me as before They expected and desired at the same time as at other when it was always refused or excused to have a Nobleman to receive them at their comming to Court but it was before hand incharged to me to put them from that hope in regard no other Princes Ambassadorswhatsoever were allowed that honour at private Audiences but only at the first and last publike and sometimes when they were invited to dine with his Majesty as they were The 24. of April following when they should have received an Assignation for their last Audience and fiuall dismission but the Signification of it having been incharged to no one particular of the Merchants nor as it out to have been to the Master or Assistant of the Ceremonies it was forgotten or neglected till the very morning of the day assigned for it whereof when I and one Gentleman with me with only two Coaches as formerly came to fetch them they complained as of a disrespect being their last Audience yet they set forth at halfe an hour past two that they might be at the Court by three their hour appointed precisely and by me observed as punctually that neither they might stay against which they ever murmured for the King nor the King which had been most unfit for them At the Court Gate they were received by the Lord Gerrard in the middle of the Court by the Lord Crumwell an honour done them more then for ought I ever heard to any other Ambassador and yeilded to upon their own and the Merchants importunity and on the top of the Stone-Stairs by the Earle of Ormond who with the two other Lords conducting them through the Guard-Chamber a different way from what had been before Ordered for their passage over the Terras to the Banqueting House but suddenly changed with regard to the then appearance of Courtiers which in that larger Roome would have lessened the Majesty of that presence They were received at the Presence Chamber door by the Lord Chamberlain and brought by him to his Majesty there standing under the State who when he had received their thanks and was passing to his last Complement of farewell they fell earnestly to press his Majesty that his Ambassador then nominate for Muscovy might be sent along in company with them and with the money granted to be lent them which was an hundred thousand Marks But the King excusing both saying he was not yet fully resolved upon the choise of the person for that charge who must have time he said to put himself to equipage To this answer they objected their Commission and Instruction which they affirmed to have from their Emperor to this purpose That in case they should obtaine the sending back with them of an Ambassador they should not come away without him so as in conclusion the King upon their much and even unmannerly importunity denied them not that request also whereof they knew so well how to serve themselves as going thence immediatly to the Councell demanding permission for it but at that very instant they would not let go the hold they had gotten of the Kings assent till they were dismissed with the like from their Lordships of sending the Ambassador in their company though this could not succeed without great charge and trouble to the Merchants in so long a stay as must be necessary for the preparatives of the till then but privately nominated Ambassador Sir Dudley Diggs This concluded they left the Lords were reconducted by the three Lords before mentioned to the place of their first reception and by me to their lodging When the next moneth began his Majesties trouble the Lords and the Merchants ended with the dispatch and departure of these two Ceremonious Ambassadors who content neither with the Kings present then sent them and by me delivered having been provided at the Merchants charg though presented in his Majesties name and worth above six hundred pounds between them nor with the Merchants worth well neere
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
hither from the States of the united Provinces The Prince Palatines Ambassador the Baron of Donowe at that time likewise imployed hither was seated as a domestique but not without consideration of avoyding question uppermost above all the Lords on the fourme usually placed for them 1619 The Count de Tillieurs sent to reside here Ambassador Ordinary from the French King in succession of Monsieur de Maretz though after almost an yeare and an halfes intermission of that charge came towards his first Audience of his Majesty then at Windsor the fifteenth of September and was met at Staines by the Earle of Kelley Groome of the Stoole to his Majesty sent thither to receive and conduct him the Lord North having been the Evening before appointed by the Lord Chamberlain for that service but countermanded the next morning upon maturer consideration of the fitnesse to send to meete him a person of a more eminent place and title then a Baron with the Lord Kelley went in his Majesties Coach my selfe and five Gentlemen of the privy Chamber he had Audience given him in the Presence or privy Chamber one there serving both turnes where having in a gracefull fashion made his approach with three reverences and passed a breife Complement called to his Secretary for his Letters of credence and presented them Which whilst the King was reading he turned towards the Prince then present and passed with him a short Complement which some judicious standers by censured for unseasonable having not yet finished the purpose he had in hand with the King affirming his carriage had been better onely to have bowed to the Prince after he had presented his first respects to his Majesty and not to have spoaken to the Prince till he had fully ended what he had to say to the King After his Majesty had invited him to cover he obeyed but uncovered immediatly holding his hat all the time after except one little instant in his hand that night he returned to Staines with the Lord Kellies conduct who went immediately back to Windsor and the Ambassador the next morning to London The day of the French Ambassadors Audience at Windsor came thither one of the young Dukes of Halstein cozen Germane to the deceased Queen Ann who sending for me to his Lodging desired my assistance for his private accesse to the King He having been here at another time before with his Majesty and that he might have the honour to hunt with him the next morning without further noise or trouble of Ceremony For this I repaired to the Lord Chamberlain and craving his advice and directions had for answer that in regard the Duke came privatly and desired but a private accesse he wished me to addresse my selfe to one of the Gentlemen of the Bedd-Chamber and particularly to the Marquesse of Buckingham that the King might be acquainted with his desires So speaking that night late both with his Lordship and his Majesty I had for answer that the next morning at seven of the Clock his Majesty would be glad of his sight and of his Company in hunting At the houre assigned he and I with him entring the Kings withdrawing Roome while his Majesty was booting himselfe he there received his wellcome and waiting on his Majesty to his Coach he was admitted to sit by him After taking Horse with his Majesty in the Parke he road and I with him the death of a leash of Bucks returning after in Coach with his Majesty to Windsore he went the next day to London A seavennight after his Excellency had my company to his Majesty at Wansted and that night back to London The Count Guido Son to the Marquesse de Villa or as some others stilled him de Sillana who had been here Extraordinary about six yeares before was sent hither Extraordinary from the Duke of Savoy to condole the death of Queen Ann dead halfe a yeare before when our Blacks had been already laid by by which those that he and his followers wore were made the more unsuitable He had his Audience in the Presence at White-Hall More solito brought to it by the Earle And the Sunday following was accompanied to his second and last Audience and to dine with his Majesty at Theobalds He sate with the King in the privy Chamber there at the lower end of the Table the Ordinary Ambassador Gabellione sitting at the side opposite to the King neere the end About the midst of dinner his Majesty dranke the Dukes health bare headed and standing till they both had pledged it After this the Count Guido dranke the Kings health to his Collegue having first demanded leave for it of his Majesty Three or four men of Tille as Count Tispoti and _____ which to do him honour had accompanied him hither dined in the Councell Chamber accompanied by the Duke of Lenox the Earle of Leicester Sir Thomas Edmonds Treasurer of his Majesties Household and other Gentlemen The Baron of Denow eimployed to his Majestie from the Prince Palatine soone after the Crown and title of King of Bohemia was conferred on him by the Election of those States had had after his Arrivall here two or three private Audiences without publique notice or stile of King given him by his Majesty He was afterwards appointed to follow the King to Newmarket whither he came the 27. of January with no other company or attendance but Master Williams Agent here for the affaires of that King or rather for the Queen our Kings only Sister and his own few followers Sir Lewes then remaining at London and expecting the Arrivall of a Spanish Ambassador Don Diego Sarmiento new made Conde de Gondemar some occasions at the same time having drawn me to Newmarket I received there the Lord Chamberlaines Command to do the Ambassador the service of my place so I waited on him to his first Audience there the thirtieth of January when my Lord Marquess of Buckingham the Earl of Montgomery the Lords Viscounts of Purbeck and Doncaster the Lord Gray and divers others of his Majesties better sort of Servants did him the honour on foot to come to his Inn his Majesties Coach walking by accompany him thence on foot to the Court where his Majestie receiving him in the withdrawing Chamber rook him instantly with him into his Inner Lodgings whence after an hour and an halfes conference he was reconducted by all the Lords mentioned on foot as before to his Lodging From that time he had his accesses to Court and to his Majesties Presence as a Domestique without Ceremony and this by the Kings own Signification of his Pleasure to me to that purpose From Newmerket he went along with his Majesty to Royston Theobalds London and with my continuall Attendance Towards the end of February Monfieur Reuinch Hauson Ambassador from the Princes of the Union of Germany came to the King at Theobalds conducted thither by Sir Lewes Lewkner only at his own particular request for avoidance of noyse and
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
Pages in the Lord Chamberlaines and in the two other the rest He was received at Tower-Wharrfe by the Earle of Warwick accompanied with the Lord Cromwell and sundry of his Majesties Servants And in the Kings and seven or eight Coaches was conducted to his Lodging in Crutchet Fryers ordained for him and defrayed as was also his diet at a certaine rate agreed upon per diem without attendance of any of the Kings Servants His landing at Gravesend and his so speedy repaire to London was a cause that the Lord mentioned met him no sooner The next day being Sunday and his Majesty desirous for three or four dayes to leave the Town his Publike Audience was assigned and given him at White-Hall with the Conduct of the Earle of Essex and the like number of Gentlemen and Coaches as before where in the Presence there he presented Letters with a long Elegant Oration in Latine to his Majesty The Tuesday following he was accompanied to his Audience of the Prince at Saint Jameses by the Lord Danvers the Master of the Ceremonies and my selfe with other Gentlemen The 24. of March the day of the Kings comming to the Crowne having been invited to a Tylting of the Prince and other Knights he was fetcht thither in the Kings Coach by Sir Lewes Lewkner but before he came the French Venetian and Savoy Ambassadors were seated in their and his appointed stand hung and covered with Tapistrie over the Gate or Porters Lodge entring into the Tiltyard on the right hand of his Majestie These three other I was sent for to conduct from where they all dined together at the French Ambassadors Sir Edward Sackvill having been appointed to conduct the Venetian but he was parted from home before Sir Edward came thither The French Ambassador at his entrance into the Stand casting his Eyes about him and asking which was the better place that on the right hand as of Custome or the other on the left as of Respect and nearest to the King The Venetian Ambassador forwardest with his Answer said where ever the French Kings Ambassador sits there will be the best place To which the French Ambassador making no reply This may resolve which is the upper end of a Table in the midst of a roome when the best man sits at the end of it though the placing of the Chimney may perhaps and doth sometimes as here in England alter it but sitting down uppermost on the left hand from the Kings right the other two sate by him in their Order till the Polonian comming they made him roome to take as he did the second place The Tylting ended and not before they had all of them a Salutation given them by the King from the place where he sate so parted without further Ceremony then with my recommendation The six Commissioners of the States and the Ambassador Ordinary Sir Noell Caron with the Secretary of their Commission were conducted by Sir Edward Cceill to the Chamber next the Gate at the lower end of the Tyltyard and there with his company saw the Tylting These Commissioners about the beginning of Aprill demanded a finall Audience and dispatch from his Majesty and had for Answer that the Sunday following his Majesty was pleased they should dine with him and then take their leaves but soone after a disinvitation was brought by the Lord Kelley with this excuse That his Majesty having since received the news of the King of Spaines death and intending that day as the most fit to assume his habite of mourning supposing that this and Feasting would not accord so if they would be pleased to stay their Journey till the time of mourning should be expired which would be at Saint Georges Day about a fortnight after they should have a day assigned them for the honour of eating with his Majesty In the mean time their demanded Audience should be given them on Sunday in the afternoon which accepted of and the other excused with the reason of their pressing haste to be at home they came then to Court in his Majesties Coach perhaps too high for their qualification of Deputies as by the place of their last Audience they might seeme to be taken for no more introduced by the Earle of Kelley to his Majesties presence in the Chamber of private Audiences there took their leaves and received all sixe of them the Order of Knight-hood Upon which grew a question from some of the Kings Servants interessed concerning payment of their fees accounting from each of them to receive forty foure pound sixteen shillings these being demanded by one Mr. Agher their Collectour and at the first not refused by them to be paid the next day when they came to take their leaves of the Lord Chamberlain a doubt being made of the duenesse of their payment in regard they were publique Ministers and a resolution asked of his Lordship he absolutely affirmed to their Secretary there present that it was unfit they should pay any Fees and that if they were againe demanded they should use his name for their discharge of payment yet notwithstanding this Signification from his Lordship the Collector ceased not to solicite in the name of the Gentlemen Ushers and others protesting against the Lord Chamberlains power to give away or withhold their rights till finally at their departure April 14. they left behind them this Order upon the importunity of the Collector and my interposition that if his Majesty should be pleased himselfe to say to the Lord Chamberlain or to the Officer that challenged the Fees that they should not be paid they had no reason to loose the honour of his Majesties free favour but if otherwise his Majesty should say they ought to be paid that the Ambassador Ordinary Sir Noell Caron should ingage himselfe as he did to me the same day by his promise for their payment I understood after from my Lord Chamberlain that his Majesty signified his pleasure to him From that time to the yeare 1635 none such have paid that those Fees should not be paid as being not properly to be exacted from Ministers of Forren Princes or such as should have any Ordinary relation to them The Commissioners went hence the fourteenth of Aprill to their Shipping at Gravesend in one of his Majesties Barges and were followed the next day in an other by the Baron of Donow Ambassador for the King of Bohemia he also having about the same time had his dismission and that day mine and some other Gentlemens company to their imbarking before Tilbury The States Commissioners were presented as I was informed with 3000 ounces of gilt Plate equally divided amongst them and their Secretary Constantine Huggins with a Chayne of Gold 45 l. valew The King of Bohemias Ambassador had assigned him for his present 1160 ounces of guilt Plate but this being not then presented but with assurance to be sent after him he two or three years after returned hither to recover it and did
with whom though he had no correspondency of business nor visits he had yet of Salutation and civill respects which had many times in incounters in the Streets passed between them and might and should pass on his part at the Mask if he should there meete him This message returned by me to the Lord Chamberlaine and seconded at the same time by the Ambassadors Secretary and my Lord conveying it to the King his Majesty was pleased that he should be as he was the next day invited and was at the Maske entertained with the like respect as was the Spanish Ambassador The States Ambassadors were not at the same time invited with respect to the incompatibility between them and the Spanish and the Russian then here might with as little reason expect it in regard he had questioned precedence of all other Kings Ministers The French Ambassador had an Invitation pro forma tantum with a civill request of his next comming to avoid question which it seemes he tooke not with discontent because his Wife and Neece were there present invited In March 16. Sir William Russell a cheife Merchant of the Muscovy company made request in his own name and of the rest of that Society that I would sometimes repaire to the Russian Ambassador a gallant Gentleman of the Emperours Alliance and a great Commander in his Wars by name Thomas Simonwitz with a visit and Complement in his Majesties name I told him the Master of the Ceremonies was already imployed for his attendance and that with the knowledge and order of the Lord Chamberlain or of the Lords of the Privy Councell and I should wrong him and my selfe to undertake it This made him with other of those Merchants to intimate as much to the Councell in the Lord Chamberlains absence So I was by their Lordships appointed to attend that business and had notice given me to that purpose both by Sir William Russell and Mr. Secretary Calvert to whom objecting the Exceptions that might be justly taken by Sir Lewes Lewkner if he were not made acquainted with the imployment cast on me by the Lords in a Service wherein he was already entred I had for my further Satisfaction a messenger sent to Sir Lewes by Mr. Secretary who returned with an uncertain answer no other then that he would himselfe come and speak with Mr. Secretary about it but coming not in five or six dayes after and Sir William Russell and the other Merchants continuing to solicit my repaire to the Ambassador he went himselfe to Sir Lewes and brought me his assurance of satisfaction with acknowledgement of my civill procceding and with profession of his willingnes that I should enter upon the imployment which I did the next day Going to the Ambassadors Lodging in St. Thomas Apostles and signifying as I had instruction from Mr. Secretary that the King had sent me to him c. He professed to be specially contented and pleased that whereas he had hitherto he said had no other but Sir William Russell a Merchant and no Souldier nor Courtier to be his Prestau as he termed him signifying the like Officer as the Master of the Ceremonies he should be henceforth honoured by the visits of a Cavalier and a Courtier attending his Majesty with whom he might and would be more free in communicating whatsoever should concern the Service of his great Lord and Master the Emperour The Eve of the Kings day March the foure and twentieth I was sent to him for my Lord Chamberlain as from the King whose name though his Majesty had nothing of the knowledge nor trouble of it I alwayes used in all or most of my messages and addresses to him to let him understand that the next day I was to attend him to the sight of the Prince at his Tilting with the Service of his Majesties coach and such others as should be needfull for his followers which coaches were to be provided at the Merchants charge though with use of the Kings name but before he accepted of the Invitation onely acknowledging the honour of it he by way of caution demanded if I knew what place he should have and how entertained in regard he said that if his Majesty should not receive him as an Ambassador preceding both the French and Spanish he would rather keep himselfe absent then disturbe the Solenmity by protesting and standing as he must for his Masters right I assured him the care for prevention of that quarrell was already taken by his Majesty and so it was indeed For whereas the French and Venetian Ambassadors were also invited the Spaniard the like but he had excused his absence with his retrait to Highgate to take the fresh aire and merrily saying when he was invited that he had rather keep away then be present at those Excercises of danger to the Prince his person till he should be Father of two or three Children by the King his Masters Daughter those Ambassadors were appointed their places without in the Tilt-yard in a Scaffold or standing erected of purpose and hung with Tapistry on the right hand of the King neere the Gate but the Muscovite had his ordained in the same Gallery with his Majesty but on his left hand and with a Traverse drawn between them till that after the Tilting he was onely to see the Kings face and so depart all which he interpreted to be the greater honour the other Ambassadors letting it pass in the meane time without Exceptions as regarding his remote correspondence and holding themselves not prejudiced by his so placing The French and Venetians followers were ordained their stands under the Gallery Windowes at the right hand of the King the Muscovits at the entring of the Tilt-yard on that side and the States at the neather end All those Stands as before at other times having been taken up by the Master of the Ceremonies or the Assistants order to be defrayed by his Majesty The States three Ambassadors Commissioners were ordained their places at the lower end of the Tilt-yard as the yeare before and this without any of their Exceptions taken at it But the Venetian Ambassador somewhat punctuall in remembrance of his last years Treatment and now expecting the like respects to be given him as he understood were to be given to the French Ambassador for Sir Lewes Lewkner being appointed to conduct him my selfe the Muscovits and Sir Robert Anstroder the States Ambassador he was as it seemes he understood it not thought on to that purpose so as sending to me about it and I acquainting my Lord Chamberlain with his formality his Lordship entreated by me Sir Edward Sackvill the Earle of Dorsets Brother to accompany him which he being the next day ready to have performed the Solemnity was in regard of the Kings indisposition and the fowleness of the weather deferred till the Saturday following and then the like upon the like occasion till after Easter and so longer till at length it was not at all
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 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
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-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
Majesty in the same place together with the French and other Kings Ambassadors as also with the Spanish till that Question fell between him and Sir Noell Caron but the intention in truth was that they should not then be invited at least to be ranked in publick as they pretended it to be their due al par delle Teste Coronate and reasons were framed to keep them off from discontent as well as from their apparence there but they might seem not of the Substantiallest As first that the States having given their assistance to the Rochellers against the French King the presence of their Ministers would be distastfull and in a manner incompatible codem loco tempore honore with that Kings Ambassadors but this proved not exclusion the French intended to make no such having as he said to me no order for it neither had the pretended distasts for the States former assistance yet passed he said so far as to publick notice and exception from the King his Master Another exclusion was obtruded upon their pretence of Precedence to the Duke of Savoys Ambassador but no such Ambassador being now in England there wanted ground for that exclusion also Arsennes Stavencts and Basse The last was against their number that they could not all there be conveniently seated together with his Majesty with the other Ambassadors invited but this Bar they removed by their answer that if they might have the honour of an Invitation there should be but one of them present to receive it esteeming that a sufficient honour to the rest absent In a word when neither these reasons nor others would serve to still their Exceptions against their not being invited they were referred to adventure of content or not content and so were not at all invited Onely a dozen of their followers had places assigned them over the Lord Chamberlains Box at the entrance into the Banquetting House from the Princes Galleries Monsieur de' Arsennes Son and their Secretary Sr. Constantine Huggins were placed on the fourme beneath the Lords The French Ambassador that night and the Venetian supped with the Duke of Lenox and entered the Roome with the King both seated there on his left hand the French even with him and the Venetian somewhat more forward The Negotiation of the States Ambassadors with our East-Indian Merchants being brought in appearance to a finall conclusion the Master of the Ceremonies onely without any Titular Person was sent for them with the Kings Coach January the one and twentieth to take their leaves of his Majesty but a new difference in the interim occuring they were sent to at two of the Clock the instant of their setting forth and were stayed their Journey which appointed for the Fryday following they had againe the Kings Coach with the Master of the Ceremonies and one other sent for them and entring White-Hall by the Parke and Tiltyatd Gallery they attended his Majesties time he being then ill at ease in the Chamber of Ordinary Audience next that of the Stone Table whereinto after an houre they were called by Mr. Secretary Conway and being there with the Commissioners for that businesse upon point of signing their generall agreement a new question arose from the Merchants with exception against the validity of their caution which lasting til late at night Mr. Secretary in the mean time passing often between them and the King they had a dismission for the next dayes Audience of his Majesty to which the Earle of Warwick had appointment to conduct them his Lordship having said in the hearing of some of the Lords who after told it to the Lord Chamberlain that it was fit some person of honourable Title not Sir Lewes Lewkner onely should be sent to their Lodgings to accompany them to Court at their last Audience which my Lord Chamberlain excusing as forgotten by him having not been put in mind of it he said by Sir Lewes it was against the next day provided for when the Earle of Warwick accordingly attended with two or three other Noblemen and divers Gentlemen of the Kings Servants in eight or nine Coaches besides the kings brought them to Court where passing through the Guard Chamber and Presence into the Councell Chamber on the late Queens side they there rested till the Lords Commissioners for their businesse came to them and after an hours expence in discourse about some remaining rubs It was finally agreed on and the Lord together with the Ambassador having signed to the accord their Lordships leaving them repaired to the King and after them followed the Ambassadors through the late Queens Lodgings into the Privy Gallery where entring the Kings withdrawing Chamber they there took their leaves the three Ambassadors with Sir Noell Caron first and after the other inferiour Commissioners strangers for that business Monsieur Stavenets was there Knighted and two other having been knighted before viz. Monsieur de Arsennes by the King of France and Monsieur Basse by the King of Sweden The next day being to take leaue of the Prince they had sent for their conduct Sir Robert Car Gentleman of his Highnesse Bed-Chamber with the Kings and Prince's Coaches entring by the Privy Garden Gate at White-Hall and thence by the further end of the long Stone Gallery into the Prince his Lodgings where in his Chamber of presence he gave them their Audience and farewell thence they went to visite and take leave of the Marquess of Buckingham and so home The first of February after they had spent here the full time of fourteen moneths in Negotiating and had had of the King and Councell above sixty Audiences they went in Coaches of their own without the Kings to Tower Wharffe and there imbarked in hyred and borrowed Barges to their Ships which laid not far off and were purposely sent to transport them This default of the Kings Coach and Barge at their parting ever woont at that time to serve Ambassadors proceeded from the Master of the Ceremonies who should have been my Lord Chamberlains Remembrancer for I acquainted his Lordship after with the omission and I had for answer that he knew not of the certaine time of their departure which the Master of the Ceremonies might and ought to have observed if he had not learned overmuch to some others particular satisfaction The Spanish Ambassador or been over partiall c. At ten in the morning when they were all ready to depart the Present from his Majesty was not come which for that slackness they were upon point of leaving behind them but the Master of the Jewel-House Sir Henry Mildmay even then in tempore arriving and personally presenting it as he said his Majesty had particularly cōmanded him though that might seem to have been said ad captandum they received for each of the three Commissionershares five hundred ounces of faire gilt plate and to their Secretary Sir Constantine Huggins a Chaine of Gold of a hundred markes more by twenty pound
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
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 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
Conway with the cause of my comming and the address I had from my Lord Chamberlaine to him too for my further Government so the 27. of January I was sent to Saxham with the Kings Coach only and five Gentlemen the Kings Servants and parting thence the next morning early in obedience of a Command sent Post to me thither from my Lord Duke after midnight That the King having assigned the Audience for the afternoone would have me bring the Ambassador by ten in the forenoon we came with three Coaches besides the Kings to Court where conducting him immediatly up to the Princes Privy Chamber which in absence of his Highness was purposely hung for honour to the Ambassador he was fetcht thence by the Earle of Anglesey through the Privy Chamber and the Withdrawing-Chamber where the Duke met him into the Kings Bedchamber There having made his two first respects of Approach with his Turbant on his whole habite being Persian at the third he took it off and laid it at the Kings feete and made his Speech of Entrance kneeling till the King willing him to arise and cover he did and presenting his Letters of Credence written in the Persian Language and un-understood for want of an Interpreter no where then to be found in England After this having gratious words and countenances from his Majesty he returned accompanied as he came to the Prince his Lodgings where Master Secretary Conway repairing to him intertained him an hour with discourse concerning the Propositions of his Negotiatiation which he had a little before delivered to him and the Duke in Writing and so returned to Saxham Immediatly upon this Ambassadors Arrivall at Court I acquainted the Duke with his intention to lay his Turbant at the Kings feet though he said he had kept it alwayes on in the Presence of the Emperour and the King of Spaine and thereby made way for his Majesties Allowance of his covering which was otherwise doubted would not have been permitted in regard of his naturall Subjection though in his former imployment into England when he wore his owne Countrey Habite he had been after some question about it allowed to cover in the Kings Presence From the same King The 12. of February he came to London with my attendance in company of his Sister Crofts and others met between Tottenham and Newington with six Coaches whereof one with foure Horses and hired by me at the Kings charge by my Lord Chamberlains permission for that day onely his Lordship saying he had yet no order for it from his Majesty The 14. of February having received an assignation for his Audience of the Prince at Saint Jameses his Highnes Coach and two Horses being commanded to be ready there at twelve of the clock I found there the Earle of Arund Son to the Lord Marquess Hamilton and Gentleman of the Prince his Bed-Chamber with six or seaven more of his Highness Servants that had received Order for his conduction to his presence We went thence to the Ambassadors Lodgings in Fleet-street and there meeting the Lord North and some Gentlemen of his Kindred we brought him to the Prince his Presence Chamber at Saint Jameses where his Hignesse standing ready to receive him the Ambassador entered performing all his reverences with his Turbant on bowing himselfe low at his second reverence and touching the ground with his right hand and then his head when come neere the Prince who stood uncovered he fell on his knee but instantly raised by his Highnesse he fell to the Complementall part and from that to the earnest of his errand which offered to the Prince's consideration in writing he retyred as he entered and returned to his home with the conduction mentioned The five and twentieth of February Mr. Secretary Conway wrote me a Letter to come to speake with me for the Kings Service which obeyed he told me the Duke of Buckingham and he had received notice of two Ambassadors landed at Gravesend from the States of the United Provinces This was when Sir Lewes Lewkner was had in Jealousie for his affection to the Spanish Ambassadors and that they had made choyce of me to be sent thither to receive them I told him after humble thanks for the honour my Lord Duke and his Honour intended me in that imployment that I must in the duty of my place receive my charges from the Lord Chamberlain and that I thought the Master of the Ceremonies had or would have the discharge of that Service committed to him He replied he thought he would rather attend the Spanish Ambassadors then the Dutch and for my Lord Chamberlaine he said he had sought him for that purpose but not finding him he desired me to acquaint him with the Dukes and his choyce of me which when I accordingly imparted to his Lordship he told me that Sir Lewes had been with him that afternoon and received his Directions to go presantly to Gravesend with the Kings Barge to bring them to London The next morning my Lord Wentworth sent me word that he was made choice of to receive them at their landing at the Tower and desired my company with other Gentlemens thither whence he conducted them being two Joynt Commissioners Monsieur d'Arsennes that had been here not long before and Monsieur Jaachimi one of the States Generall of Zealand with the attendance of half a score Coaches half a dozen of the Kings Servants and as many Commanders of the Low Countries whereof Generall Veere was one to their Lodging in Lumberstreet The Sunday following 29. of February the Lord Cavendish had order to bring them to their Audience of his Majesty with him went the Lord de la Ware and other Gentlemen whereof my self one though Sir Lewes had charge of the Service being come to the Ambassadors Lodging we found so many Coaches sent and brought thither to do them service and honour as our whole number all with four horses was thirty Having rested themselves a while in the Councell-Chamber they were introduced to the Kings Presence in his withdrawing Chamber by the back way that leads from the Councell Chamber to the Privie Galleries and not in the Presence Chamber the ordinary place of Audience for Ambassadors Extraordinary quod nota The next day having received an Assignation for an Audience of the Prince and the Lord Compton son to the Earle of Northampton being appointed to conduct him to it at Saint Jameses I went thither about one of the clock with intention only to be present at it when hearing that Sir Lewes Lewkner was not likely to be there for his service I upon request of the Lord Carew Chamberlaine to his Highness attended it accompanying the Lord Compton who had with him two of the Princes Coaches beyond Custome and two of the Lords and on the way in Cheapside meeting them the Ambassadors not expecting as they said a person of honour should be sent for them they there shifted Coaches came to Saint
Jameses and with their Coaches entered the first Court this also beyond Custome only once excepted at an Audience of the Marquess de la Inojosa and had their Audience c. The 23. of March I was sent to them to assigne them an Audience of his Majesty the next day at two in the afternoone but the King the night following taking little rest by reason of a defluction in his foote I was againe sent to them with Excuse and request from the King to spare their paines till the daye after between three or four When entering by the Parke I conducted them to the Ordinary Chamber of Attendance for Audiences and there let them know as I had directions that in regard his Majestie was not yet free from his paines and was then falne to sleep they would be pleased to go and rest themselves a while at Master Secratarie Conwayes Chamber as a place more commodious wherein to pass the uncertain time of his Majesties sleep and that at his waking the Duke would come and fetch them to his Majesty But his Grace being then with the Prince in Exercise at Saint Jameses three hours almost past before his returne to White-Hall where at length comming to them he brought them to the King by the back Stayers into his Bed-chamber whence without entring into Treaty of businesse the houre so late being unfit for it they had a quick dispatch and departed The nine and twentieth of March the two Spanish Ambassadors Inojosa and Coloma were assigned an Audience for two of the clock and the States at foure when to prevent their incounters the Spanish were introduced by Sir Lewes Lewkaer through the Parke and Privy Galleries to the King in his Withdrawing Chamber where they had a lowd and long expostulating Audience and I in the meane time as I had directions received the other Ambassadors of the States at the Court gate and conducting them to the Councell Chamber on the late Queens side they were immediatly upon the Spanish departure called to the Kings Presence in the same place and making their Entry by the other end of the Privy Galleries they had a faire Audience returning as the other did by the way of their enterance 1624 June the fourteenth having understood that the States Ambassadors were to take their leaves of his Majesty at Theobalds and that Sir Lewes Lewkner had neither received order nor intended to conduct them to it I galloped thither and found them dining with Mr. Secretary Conway After dinner I went to the Kings back Lodgings and finding there the Prince presumed to beseech his Highness to be pleased to move his Majesty for their admittance to his Presence whereupon receiving a command to bring them into the Privy Gallery over the Leaden Terras there they had a long and a favourable Audience and also the like of the Prince in his Quarter The 19. they parted thence by Land towards Margate for their imbarking there without provision of Coach or Barge or care taken for either by Sir Lewes Lewkner The little paines which I took in their Service was beyond my expectation acknowledged by them with the gratuity of a peece of Plate worth 30 l. The 21. of June the Marquess de la Inojosa after he had much imbroiled his Masters and our Kings Affaires in the Treaty of Marrriage then on foot between the Prince and the Infanta and had forged as was said certaine reports of the Duke of Buckinghams and some other Lords of Parliament secret Combynation to his Majesties prejudice and to the raysing Apprehensions in him if he would have cherrished them against the Prince his Son was upon his departure hence when demanding Accesse to take his finall leave of his Majesty he was refused it and without any present sent him or Allowance of one of the Kings Ships to convoy him or of other Coaches or carriages on the way other then of his own hiring went together with Don Carlos de Coloma his Colleague in Office not in disposition to imbarke at Dover in a Merchants Ship attended thither by Sir Lewes Lewkner not as Master of the Ceremonies and the Kings Officer but as a private Gentleman accompanying and assisting him of courtesie for prevention of Inconveniences and Affronts not unlikely in their passage to be offered that Nation by some of the inferiour sort of ours especially parting as they did in termes of disgrace and disagreement from his Majesty The French Ambassador Ordinary Count de Tilliers after almost five yeares residence here received from the King his Master an unexpected short warning for the quitting of his charge and for his speedy returne home which remove the World said was of designe carried in such hast that the Count de Tilliers might not make means for his longer stay here while he was known to be no freind to the Match then in proposition between our King and the French Kings second Sister his departure was about the end of June when an Extraordinary the Marquesse de Fiat came hither who had been formerly here in company of the Mareshall de Cadenet and at his Arrivall now at Gravesend was met by the Earle of Warwick and by me conducted to Suffolke House with no great number or lustre of followers to be there Lodged as well as defrayed not without murmur of the Earle of Suffolke forced to a corner of his own House which he could not wholly leave by reason of his lingering sicknesse then upon him Instantly upon his coming thither he sent to demand Audience of his Majesty en courser as he termed it who was then at Windsore and had it given him the very day of his comming thither being Sunday the fourth of July after he had been domestiquely entertained at Dinner by the Marquess Hamilton then Lord Steward of the Kings House-hold having been brought from London to Court by the Lord of Kensington with the company in the same coach of the Master of the Ceremonies and two or three other Gentlemen he was at the great Chamber doore received by the Lord Chamberlain and in the Presence or Privy Chamber both being come there had his Audience with much grace and countenances of Familiarity from his Majestie The Prince at his enterance stood by as a Beholder and after salutations given and returned the King inviting the Ambassador to cover he excused it as long as the Prince should stand as in his Fathers Presence uncovered till at last for these respects his Highnesse retyring he put on presented his Letters and after a good time of entertainment in severall discourses he retyred to his Lodging in the Deans House till Wednesday following and then returned to London This House though within the Castle could not be properly said to be of the Kings See after when Monfier de Chasteauneuf was here for the Peaces Ratification because the Deans though some French for their glory would have had it otherwise held The rest of that Sommer he
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-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 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
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
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
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-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
the King desired speedily to give him because of his intended remove the week following to Wansteed This had been assigned for Sunday the ninth of July had not the Master of the Ceremonies intimated that it would prove improper in regard that the two Venerian Extraordinaries were that day to have their parting Audience at two of the clock and to alter their houre by anticipation or this to come after them might beget distaste his Majesty would have appointed the next day being Saturday but that being judged too precipetate so to surprize an Ambassador before he could recollect himself so soone after his Arriveall and he also apprehending it in that sence it was by me made known to him that he should have his Audience the Tuesday following July 11. at Wansted In the meane time I received Order from my Lord Chamberlaine to hire two Coaches of the Kings providing besides his Majesties own Coach for his and his Followers daily use The 16. of July I was to waite on him to his Audience assigned at Wansted with the conduct of the Earle of Northampton but his Majesty altering the hour of two after to ten before Dinner I was put to it at nine of the clock the night before to command an Assembly for the altered houre so brought him at his due houre to his Audience The 9. of July the two Extraordinary Venetian Ambassadors took leave of his Majesty in the Banquetting House purposely prepared for it and hung with the rich Hangings introduced by the Earle of Mongomery their repose having been first in the Councel Chamber whether they came by the way of the Park a suddaine extream shower having made the ordinary way through the Sermon-Court impossible Then after took leave of the Queen also July the 17. They parted to Gravesend in Barges of the Kings providing and so farre the Master of the Ceremonies attended them but leaving them there as at the limits of all Ambassadors conduct or reception in observation of the new Order resolved on as before they were served only by Walter Brisco Marshall of the Ceremonies for the readier hire of their Carriages at their own charges as was also all their Coaches the Kings for their personall use excepted to their lodging the next day at Sittingborne to their Dinner the day following at Canterbury and to their imbarquing at Dover in two Ships of his Majesties for their landing at Callis Though I had done little or no Service they sent me a Chaine of twenty two pound valew having towards the rest of the Kings Servants carryed themselves as Italian Lesnianti without superfluity but not without the others murmurs The day that the Denmark Ambassador had his publick audience of the King at Wansted he having exprest to me his desire for the conveniency of admitting and returning visit of particulars before he had seen the Queen with an over-nice curiosity having allready seen the King I wrot to Sir Morris Dromond a Gentleman Usher of her Majesties Privy-chamber that he would help me to the knowledge of her Majesties pleasure for his Audience which he did by Letter upon communication both with her Majesty and her Lord Chamberlain Monsieur de Tilliers with signification that I should bring him the next day between one and two in the Afternoon so as late that night I wrote to my Lord Chamberlain for better assurance from Errour what order I had received from Sir Maurice Dromond and touched upon the course usuall of fetching the Ambassador at his first publick Audience from his home by a Person of Title but that the shortnesse of the time and the two Courts divisions hindring this I thought I said it would be sufficient if the Count de Cipierre Master of the Horses to her Majesty should receive him at his Landing at Greenwich so that morning I conducted him in the Kings coach and two other hyred to his imbarking at Tower Wharffe thence to the incounter at Greenwich Bridge of the Count mentioned to his repose in the Councell-chamber and after to the Queen in her Privy-chamber the Ambassador speaking to her French having upon my advise changed his first purpose of speaking to her in Latine c. The next day hastning his private Audience of his Majesty he sent the King his Masters Agent Master Below to Wansted and obtained it for the day following July the fourteenth introduced by a private stayre to a Chamber where he might attend the Kings time of admittance which instantly succeeding his Majesty in the Gallery there no Privy Councellours or other neere gave him his eare for above halfe an houre and dismist him for his returne to London The two Commissioners from Hambrough They had brought no Letters to her Majesty yet demanded and had Audience contrary to that when the Ambassador of Sweden demanded and was refused of Queen Ann because he had brought her no Letters being desirous to kiss the Queens hand as an honour they said which other imployd from their State before them had received of the Queen deceased they requested me to make their way which I did repairing for it to her Majesties Lord Chamberlain but he then instantly gone for France I addrest my selfe to the Bishop of Mando and between him and Madam de Saint George Groome of the Stoole to her Majesty got their Audience to be assigned for the next day the thirtyeth of July between foure and five after Vespers But about two that Afternoon I was told by Sir William Gordon Gentleman Usher to the Queen that the King would speak with me presently about a businesse of importance when repairing to his Majesty in his Privy-Gallery he commanded me that I should without any noise or notice to any go instantly to the deputies of Hambrough and let them know that whereas they were assigned their Audience of the Queen that day her Majesty being ill at ease could not give it them till the next I perceiving this alteration to be without her Majesties knowledge and for some particular cause best known to the King went without further question about the Service but first told Sir William Gordon that it might happen as I guessed by some directions doubtingly given me by the King that he would alter his mind and that the Audience should proceed at the houre first appointed for it upon which consideration I would go I said to the Commissioners where they then Lodged at the Still-yard and discharge them of their expectation but not so fully as that I would not leave them in some opinion that the Queen might perhaps so recover of her indisposition as to send to them to come to her that day this I performed and entertaining them in doubt whether they should go or not having perswaded them to dismisse their allready prepared coaches and if they should be sent for to make their passage by water I after an hours expence of time with them had a messenger sent to me from the King that I should
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-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-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-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-house this latter pretended indeed he said to their carriage when they consisted of Plate or chaines of gold and
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-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
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
Ambassador know as much who expecting answerable to my promise That I should a day or two before the Feast assigne him the time and way of his comming to Court I in the interim by my Officer sounded the disposition of the States Ambassador and Deputy for their sight of it also which I did the more covertly because the Venetian seemed to affect his being alone at the Feast and that the other unless they should of themselves request it might be absent for what cause I could not conceive unless for his own more conspicuous note when finding them also desirous to see the solemnity I rendred the account hereof to his Majesty and after to the Venetian that he might not be ignorant of his company which he readily allowed of but when my Officer had cast out a word as I had given him in charge tentandi gratia upon some doubt I had of a Puntillio that the Denmarke Ambassador finding the windes blow so stiffely against his departure would be there also he started at it and whereas before he had given his full resolution that he would not faile to be at the Court gate about nine of the clock before noone as I had assigned him he added that he could not tell in what disposition of health he might be that day so if he came not at the houre appointed I should no longer expect him From this change of his resolution to an uncertainty I presumed he would faile and so found it when on the day and somewhat before the houre he sent his Secretary to me with a Complement to be delivered by my Lord Chamberlaine to his Majesty that the night before having had a Fit of an Ague and doubting the effect of the cold Aire so soon upon it he should not dare to venture so soone abroad to have the honour of his Majesties sight at that great Feast but he hoped that the next year he should have that happiness c. From what reason this Puntillio grew was unknown I was told after by one of the Venetians Followers That he was absent aâ— affecting Precedence of the King of Denmarks In Ambassador regard this gives it to the Ambassador of the Electors and the Venetian doth not but guessed at to be a pretence of precedence that the State of Venice might perhaps have as Kings of Cypres and Candy though by the Turks dispossessed of the former and under that title to pretend precedence of the King of Denmarke as an Elective King wheâ—eas they held themselves Kings of Cypress by inheritance hut what reason the Ambassador of Venice Landi had at the Prince his first exercise of his Armes at Tylt Anno 1619. to yeeld the hand to the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Baron of Donnow The Venetian Ambassador was of opinion when I I first discoursed with him about the accustomed manner of the Ambassadors seeing the Feast and presenting themselves to the King at his Dinner that he was to performe it alone without company of the States Ambassadors and of the same mind was the Ambassador of Denmarke for himselfe and this course approved of by my Lord Chamberlaine but when during the Kings Dinner they attended the instant for discharge of that Complement in the Conncell Chamber and that the States Ambassador Joachimi had described them the manner of his march together with the French Ambassador at a Feast two or three years before when he was imployed a Commissioner hither The Ambassador of Denmarke refused not to assist and make one worke of it which they did viz. The Ambassador of Denmarke Joachimi and Mousieur Cattz with my conduct in the time of second course as the King himselfe had ordered it upon my Proposition first the first and next the other two complying in their order at the Kings left hand as they altogether entred that way and at that side of the Table and after passing down along before the Knights of the Order with their respects bestowed personally on each Knight as they deemed fitting and by the way they entred returning I had received them at their repaire to Court one after the other as I had first designed with the Venetian Ambassador at the Court gate whether also and no further I went to receive him of Donmarke because he came upon his own invitation and not the Kings and had intended not to come had not the cross windes taken away his liberty of departure From the Gate I brought them to the Kings Chappell for sight of the Ceremony there having also appointed the Queens Closet in the Chappell for the States Ambassador in case the Venetian had come but in his absence I made use of it for the others followers Thence at the beginning of the Provision I conducted them cross the lower end of the Guard Chamber to the Terras where in the first corner next the door on the right hand I had caused a Scaffold to be raised and carpet to be spred on the wall before and on the rayles behinde them where they might have sight of his Majesty and the Knights in their procession That finished we returned to the Chappell and the Service ended I bestowed them for their repose in the Councell Chamber till the time should serve for the sight of his Majestie at the Feast ut supra The Ambassador of Denmarke preparing dayly for his departure retarded onely by the want of 10000 l. sterling to be paid him for his Master to whom his Majesty was debter of a far greater somm some about him toucht upon the custome here of the Kings presenting his Secretary with a Chaine of Gold which though I pretended and alleadged from example and for reasons brought against the Transilvanian Ambassador might be denyed him I made way for it notwithstanding by my Lord Chamberlains favour which after his Lordships question whether I could produce a president for it and my answer that if there were none it would not be amiss I said in my opinion that one might be dispenced with for a Secretary of a Representant of a King so neere in blood to his Majesty and to whom he stood so much ingaged for supplies of money c. it was assented to and a chaine of an 100. markes valew presented to one Mr Calendrine a Gentleman that having followed and served him all the time of his abode here and now at his return in place of his Secretary then absent was thought by the Ambassador fittest of any about him to be under that Title so rewarded All occasion of longer stay being removed and the time of the Ambassadors departure being designed as by his letter he let me know for the third of May I warned the Kings coach to be ready to carry him to Tower-wharffe and his Majesties Barge with two other for his baggage and Servants to Gravesend so that day I accompanied him thither took leave there of him and the next day returned to London Towards the time of his departure
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
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
and the Arch-Dutches had already by way of prevention sent to his Master persons of eminent condition to condole and congratulate who had been lodged in his Masters Court Viz. After that of Monsieur de Bassampierre and defrayed as he was most assured that any Ambassador should be whom the king of England should please to send in return of his imployment to the Duke his Master howsoever it had been his fortune to be made a second President for that course of not defraying newly taken in this Court and to be observed hereafter answerable to the intimation he had received by my mouth from his Majesty Which as it was he said a liberty that such great kings might take in their degrees of Eminency above other inferiour Princes as the king of France had likewise already began and continued yet for his Majesty to establish an Order and after to break it especially while he himself should be here a Witness and a Sufferer in it could not but be to him of so hard digestion as that though he did but now discourse of it with me in private hoping and beleiving that no such measure should be offered to him yet he must if offered for the Duke his Masters honour formalize himself against it and give account of it With these words and reasons I acquainted his Majesty at Aldershot and brought him such satisfaction with them as having regard to the Ambassadors content and to the consequence of his own Order established for no more defraying His Majesty gave me in charge with the best dexterity that I could apply to let the Ambassador understand his resolution taken to that purpose In obedience hereof I the twentieth of August returning to London conferred first with one Mr. Wollsin his Majesties sworn Servant Though imployd here in some businesses for the King of Denmark let him know his Majesties resolution no more to defray Ambassadors and intreated him to go before to Gravesend for the more civill conveyance of the Kings pleasure to that purpose least if I should directly and in plain termes acquit my self of my charge imposed it might have had the rellish of an Exclusion or Exception of their persons from Honours formerly received by other Ambassadors That night taking a barge for my passage I went to them to Gravesend Their names were Tomson and Brah. and only letting them know I had been at Court with the account of their Arrivall and for knowledge of his Majesties pleasure about their Reception not so much as touching the point of their not being defrayed for the reason mentioned I concluded that I was there by the King my Masters command to receive and obey theirs for assistance of any of their followers that they should be pleased to imploy to take up their Lodgings and to perform other Services for their Accommodation So without other answer question or exception from them that might bewray distast from such Innovation I took leave and returned to London where Mr. Wollfin I and a Servant of the Ambassadors conferring with one Paul Foure an entertainer of strangers and dwelling in Lumhard Street at what rate he would provide them their Dyet and Lodging he with a Mechanick consideration of the plunge they were like to be put to being disappointed of their first expectation to be defrayed made unreasonable demands as of twelve pounds for eight Masters and six Servants per diem till sending to Gravesend to the Ambassadors for their resolution they agreed for six pounds per diem So after the preparation of the Kings and two other Barges leaving a Light-horsman to be taken up for their Baggage at Gravesend and of the Kings Coach with the Venetians the States Ambassadors and three Lords Coaches to attend their landing at Tower wharfe I travelled a whole day up and down in London and Westminster to finde a Lord fitting for their conduct from Gravesend But the Service refused or exculed by all for want of Authority from the Lord Chamberlain then with the King in Progress I at last prevailed with the Lord Ershin Son to the Earl of Marre to undertake it and fetch them thence with the attendance of half a score Gentlemen the Kings Servants to their landing and lodging ut supra In observation of the new Order established That no Ambassador should be met further off then Gravesend and there but by the Master of the Ceremonies only for their first welcome They should not have had a Noble man to meet them neerer then Gâ—eenwich or till their landing at Tower wharff But the intimation made against their being defrayed as before being new and harsh this course was thought fit as for that time to be taken somewhat to sweeten the other The twenty fourth of August these Ambassadors much pressing their Audience of his Majesty I sent my Oshcer about it to the Court then at Aldershot and had for answer That wheras the Ambassador of the Duke of Mantova desired to have his parting Audience as soon as might be though it were he said in answer of the Kings objection of the unfitness of the place he then was in under a Tree which should be to him he said a Palace and he esteemed himself as a Prince by such a favour His Majesty resolved they should have their Audiences both in one day the Tuesday following as Oatelands where there should be a Dinner provided for them and two Noblemen with two of the Kings Coaches for their severall conditions To this purpose I having a Blanck Letter sent me from my Lord Chamberlain to superscribe and present whatsoever Noble-man I should think fitting for the company of the Ambassadors of Denmark and being left to my adventure without a Letter for the choice of another to accompany the Montavan I subscribed my blanck Letter to the Earle of Murray of Scotland obtained his assent and prevailed so by intreaty with the Lord Morley as our Journey was appointed for the day when two daies before came to me a Letter from my Lord Chamberlain intimating That wheras the Queen was to come to Oatlands at the time assigned for the Ambassadors Audience there and that therefore the king would not alter his determined remove from Aldershot to Oaking That if the Ambassadors particularly those of Denmark should persist in their desire of a speedy Audience otherwise then the king wisht they should who would willingly have remitted them till Sunday following for their more solemn Reception at London They must not expect an entertainment with a Dinner in a place where nothing good was to be had c. But should have all of them together their Audiences at Oaking on Tuesday In observation of which direction I repaired to them salved up all as dexterously as I could and having the kings coach with the Earl of Murreys and for his companion the Earle of Galloway for attendance of those of Denmark And my Lord Morly with a coach of the Queens in place of the
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-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
Officers of Justice a Gentleman came in the morning from the Countess of Buckingham to the Ambassador of Savoy demanding leave of him for the said Officers to pass through his house into his Garden joyned to the Ladies for her more easie apprehension and arrest by that way which though at first he somewhat stuck at as wronging and lesning he thought the respect of his quality to leave his house free of entrance to such persons especially for the surprize and arrest of a fair Lady his Neighbour he at last notwithstanding suffered the Constable to enter it and with convenience to remain in it and in the Garden watching his opportunity till dinner-time when some of the Gentlemen attendants on him contriving a way to be rid of that incumbrance dressed the Ambassadors Page a handsome fair Boy in womans apparrell thrust him suddenly into the Lords Coach as if it had been the Lady making her escape and drove fast with him down the Strand followed by a multitude of people and those Officers not without danger to the Coach-man from their violence but with ease to the Ambassador that had his house by this device cleared of the Constable but himself after charged by the Duke That all this was done of designe for the Ladies escape which in that Hubbub she made to his no small prejudice and scorn in a business that so neerly he said concerned him she being Wife to his Brother and bringing him Children of anothers begetting yet such as by the Law because begotten and born while her Husband was in the Land must be of his Fathering The Ambassador for his Purgation from this charge went immediatly to the Duke at Whitehall but was denied accesse Wherupon repairing to my Lord Chamberlain for his mediation I was sent to him by his Lordship to let him know more particularly the Dukes displeasure and back by the Ambassador to the Duke with his humble request but of one quarter of an hours audience for his disblaming But the Duke returning answer That having alwaies held him so much his friend and given him so many faire proofs of his respects he took his proceeding so unkindly as he was resolved not to speak with him I reported this to the Ambassador and had for his only answer What Reason cannot do Time will Yet after this the Earles of Carliel and Holland interposing the Ambassador hungry after his Peace from a person of such power and regarding his Masters service and the publick affaires he a sevennight after obtained of the Duke an interview in Whitehall Garden and after an hours parley a reconciliation About the same time the Ambassador of Venice Contareni having sent an Express to Dover with a Packet came the Councels Warrant for passage of it to the Denmark Ambassadors attending there their passage for conveyance of it by them to the Venetian Ambassador in France Sir John Hippesley Lievtenant of the Castle under the Duke of Buckingham understanding of it and withall the mind of his Lord and Master mentioned sent to them for a sight of the Packet only as a duty he said of his charge which with some question Quere Whether this were not Pas de Clere in their mystery the Ambassadors yeilding to and sending it to him by their Secretary he refused to return it saying he would have care for the conveyance of it But sent it immediatly to Court to those hands that opened it and taking out as the Ambassador made complaint some particular Letters sent the rest to him whereat he formalizing himself as he did also for another Packer the Duplicate of this sent after it by his Secretary at Dover which delivered to the hand of a Marriner then upon passage was likewise intercepted He demanded Audience of his Majesty made protestation and offer to retire himself to Greenwich till the State he represented should upon the Account of his and their wrong signifie the sense of it and pleasure for his further proceeding But maturer consideration all his Letters being returned and his Majesty having professed to him his high displeasure for such proceeding made him alter his course and digest the pretended injury so far as only to give account of it to his State from whom he not long after received their pleasure that he should spare his access both to King and Councel till he should formally receive some publick satisfaction The usuall course was and is yet for Ambassadors to send to the Master of the Ceremonies a signification of their arrivall And after the said Master to let them know the time when be would repair to them to welcome them and conduct them to London After a long expectation of two Ambassadors Commissioners to come from the States Viz. Monsieur Randwick and Monsieur Pawe they arrived at Gravesend the seventh of February and were there met by Her Joachimi the Resident here Amongst other discourses they had with him as I was informed being then absent concerning the Treatment they might expect from his Majesty A Question was moved whether the Master of the Ceremonies were not to receive them there with the Kings welcome and to know their dispositions for the time of their coming to London before he should come to fetch them thence with the Kings Barge which it was affirmed Sir Lewes Lewknor had at other times done to some of their Ministers This scruple intimated to me at a time when I could discharge neither of those services my Wife being then dangerously sick of the small Pox and in that respect not stirring out of doors I wrot to the Resident Ambassador to this purpose That howsoever some perhaps extraordinary occasion might have begotten at some time such a redoubled course of observance the like whereof had not come under my experience it was no rule that if I my self had as I remembred I had once the Summer before made a first and second Journey to Gravesend to the Ambassadors of Denmark it was in the way of good manners to comply with them at a time of the Kings remote absence from London his Majesty being then in progress while in the interim I attended answer to my Letters for direction about the manner of their Treatment upon the Reformation then newly established for the defraying of Ambassadors which I hoped should serve them for a consideration to keep them from drawing into consequence that or any other former reception different from the Ordinary especially at a time that his Majesty endeavoured more then ever to reduce our formes of Treating Ambassadors to the stile of those practised by other Princes How these reasons prevailed I know not sure I am they had not any man sent to them in my place till the fourth day of their stay at Gravesend when Master Beaulieu Secretary to his Majesty for the French tongue intreated to that Service by me and allowed of upon my recommendation by my Lord Chamberlain brought them in the Kings Barge the twelfth
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
said Report there remain'd no other means then the examination of some of his Councell of State and principall Subjects which was put in execution accordingly causing them to be put to their Oathes in his own presence and commanding that such Interrogations and questions should be propounded unto them that were most pertinent to the accusation so that not the least part particle or circumstance remain'd which was not exactly examined and canvas'd And he found in the Duke and the rest who were examined a most clear and sincere innocency touching the impeachments and imputations wherewith your Majesties Ambassadors had charged them This being done he returned to make new instances unto the said Ambassadors that they would not prefer the discovery of the names of the Conspirators to the security of his Royall person to the truth and honour of themselves and to the hazzard of an opinion to be held the Authors and betrayers of a plot of so much malice sedition and danger but the sayd Ambassadors continued still in a knotty kind of obstinacy resolving to conceale the names of the Conspirators notwithstanding that he gave them Audience afterwards wherein the Marquis of Inojosa took his leave But a few dayes after they desired new Audience pretending they had something to say that concerned the publick good and conduced to the entire restitution of the Palatinate and thereby to the conservation and confirmation of the friendship with your Majesty But having suspended some few dayes to give them Audience thinking that being thereby better advised they would think on better courses and discover the Authors of so pernicious a Plot and having since made many instances to that effect and attended the successe of so long patience he sent his Secretary Sir Edward Conway and Sir Francis Cotington Secretary to the Prince commanding them that they should signifie unto the sayd Ambassadors that he desired nothing more then a continuance of the freindship betwixt the two Crowns therefore if they had any thing to say they should communicate it unto the sayd Secretaries as persons of great trust which he imployed therefore expresly to that end and if they made any difficulty of this also then they might choose amongst his Councill of State those whom they liked best and he would command that they should presently repaire unto them and if this also should seeme inconvenient they might send him what they had to say in a Letter by whom they thought fittest and he would receive it with his own hands But the Ambassadors misbehaving themselves and not conforming to any thing that was thus propounded the sayd Secretaries according to the instructions which they had received told them that they being the Authors of an Information so dangerous and seditious had made themselves incapable to treat further with the King their Master and were it not for the respect he bore to the Catholick King his dear and beloved Brother their Master and that they were in quality of Ambassadors to such a Majesty he would and could by the Law of Nations and the right of his owne Royall Justice proceed against them with such severity as their offence deserved but for the reasons aforesayd he would leave the reparation to the Justice of their owne King of whom he would demand and require it In conformity to what hath been sayd the sayd Ambassador of the King of Great Brittaine saith That the King his Master hath commanded him to demand refaction and satisfaction of your Majesty against the sayd Marquis de Inojosa and Don Carlos Coloma making your Majesty the Judge of the great scandall and enormous offence which they have committed against him and against publick right expecting justice from your Majesty in the demonstrations and chastisement that your Majesty shall inflict upon them which in regard of the manner of proceeding with your Majesty and out of your Majesties owne integrity and goodnesse ought to be expected Furthermore the sayd Ambassador saith That the King his Master hath commanded him to assure your Majesty that hitherto he hath not intermingled the correspondence and friendship hee holds with your Majesty with the faults and offences of your Ministers but leaves them and restraines them to their owne persons and that he still perseveres with your Majesty in the true and ancient freindship and brotherhood as formerly to which purpose hee is ready to give a hearing to any thing that shall be reasonable and give answer thereunto therefore when it shall please your Majesty to imploy any Ambassador thither he will afford them all good entertainment and receive them with that love which is fitting For conclusion the sayd Ambassador humbly beseecheth your Majesty that you would be pleased to observe and weigh well the care and tendernesse wherewith the King his Master hath proceeded towards your Majesties Ambassadors not obliging them to any precipitate resolutions but allowing them time enough to prove and give light of that which they had spoken And besides by opening them many wayes besides whereby they might have complyed with their Orders if they had any such which course if they had taken they might well have given satisfaction to the King his Master and moderated the so grounded opinion of their ill proceedings against the Peace together with the good intelligence and correspondence 'twixt the two Crownes Such was the complaint or charge rather which was exhibited by our Ambassador in Spain against Inojosa and Coloma for their misdemeanours in England which fill'd that Court full of dark whispers for the present and the World expected that the said Ambassadors should receive some punishment or at least some mark of disgrace at their return but matters growing daily worse and worse betwixt the two Crownes they were rather rewarded then reprehended Inojosa being promoted to be Governour of Milan and Coloma received additions of employment and honours in Flanders But the Civilities of England at that time towards the said Ambassadors was much cryed up abroad that notwithstanding so pernicious and machinations to discompose the whole English Court and demolish Buckingham yet were they permitted to depart peaceably and though they had no Kings Ship to transport them yet Sir Lewis Leukner was sent to conduct them to the Sea side for prevention of any affront or outrage that might have been offered them AN ABSTRACT Of the Signallst Passages that go to the Composure of this DISCOURSE A Pernicious plot of the Spanish Ambassadors to destroy the Duke of Buckingham fol. 243 The arrivall of the Palsgrave in England with the particular of his Train 1 The Ambassadors of France and Venice stand upon their Puntilioes 9 The arrivall of a Russian Ambassador c. 24 An Ambassador with the Chancellor of Muscovy sent to England 38 An Ambassador extraordinary from Sweden arrives 41 An affront offered the Swedish Ambassador 42 Another affront offerred the Swedish Ambassador 45 An Ambassador come from Turkie 57 The Ambassador of Venice ranked alwayes among Crowned