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
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
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
immediate access without further Ceremony his Majesty being to returne the next day early to Hunting so the Ambassador repairing to Court at six in the Evening with reception of the President of the Houshold at the foot of the staires and of the Chamberlain at the top he was introduced to his Majestie in his withdrawing Chamber all his Followers remaining in the Presence The King upon assurance of the Plagues beginning to lessen at London and in other places neer about removed to Windsor and Hampton-Court and leaving the Queen some few dayes at Salisbury the Ambassador being upon his departure to follow his Majesty I let him understand that according to our Custome he was not to have his Post-horses defrayed though all the rest had been so hitherto when almost at the instant I received a Letter from the Earle of Carliel to whom in absence of my Lord Chamberlaine I had written for a formall resolution to that purpose signifying his Majesties pleasure that he should be defrayed for his Post-horses also as he had been for his Coaches and Carriages but with a protestation injoyned to be made by me as from his Majesty to the Ambassador as it formallv was when I delivered my message that he should be the last who should receive that Treatment and that he should have also his lodging provided in Court at Hampton which favour of his Majesty he at least in appearance accepted of most thankfully This Letter mentioned was written to me from the Earle of Carlile which siginification of his Majesties pleasure appearing in it for discharge of the Ambassadors Post-horses upon an account I had given that Lord at the instant of his departure with the King what words of resentment had falne from the Ambassador after I had told him of our Custome here as before in these formall termes and with passion answerable He had well observed he said how he had been intreated here since his comming in a different manner from other of his Nation and quality that Monsieur de Fiat and Monsieur de Villiaviller were not persons to stand with him in comparison otherwise then as they were his Masters Ambassadors yet had they received better respects then he That the world knew well enough what his condition and person was neer the person of his Master Monsieur le prmier being the first Gentleman of his Chamber and lodged alwayes for divers years next him in Court though he were now denied lodging in the Court of England where others had been allowed it especially in a time that the contagion of the Plague might be a motive to lodge him rather there then elsewhere with danger to his person whereas others as the Duke of de Chevereux though being a Prince he named him not as an equall instance and besides him Monsieur Villiaviller and Monsieur de Fiat had had their lodgings markt for them at Hampton Court That the Earle of Carliel though he had lodgings ordained for him at Saint Germaines in the Chancellors House the best of the Town and neer the Court would not be contented till he had his lodging Chamber and Anti-chamber in the Kings own House and had been treated for some eighteen moneths in manner as the world knew yet that he an Ambassador who for ought he knew was not to stay two moneths here was refused respects and treatment answerable in many things That he saw well enough what had been put upon him from time to time whereof but for doing so ill an Office as to raise difference or debate between the two Kingdomes which would be an ill Servants and Subjects part especially in times of our Warrs with Spain he would have shewed himself sensible He was after reâ—uted the maine boutefou of our Warre with France and would have returned the provision of diet that the King gave him which he thankt God he had meanes of his own besides that he had from the King his Master to allow himself in a plentifull measure and that what regard and treatment he had here he knew how and was in place about his Master able at one time or other to repay That further for that one particular of Post-Horses one or 200. crowns more or less was a poore thing in his consideration which to be defrayed or not defrayed was nothing to him in his own person but as he represented the person of the King his Master he was bound to take and give notice of it These and other the like Stommachous Speeches he let fall in my hearing which reported by me to my Lord of Carliel and by him to the King brought forth the Letter and with it the allowance specified The day before his departure when I presumed that his Majesties Officers had or would defray the Lodgings taken up and made use of for his Followers I found the Harbengers all departed and no Order left for their discharge In which regard for the Kings honour and avoidance of clamour from so many poor men as had furnished them with Beds and Chambers I sent for all their names caused them to come before the Green Cloth and there promised them my best endeavous with my Lord Chamberlaine and after procured of his Lordship a Warrant for twenty two pound to be paid them out of the Treasury of the Chamber for their respective satisfaction but when to be paid viderit tempus Saturday the 28. of October after Dinner when all being ready we all supposed the Ambassador would instantly depart he called me into his Chamber and imparted to me with request of my Secresie his designe to stay behind pour se purger as he profest to purge himselfe but whether of the humours of the Marquess de Bleinvill or of Monsieur l'Ambassadure taking the opportunity of the Queens stay behind the King for his more freedom of access to her Majesty I know not there he stayed intreating me to proceed with the grosse of his Traine retaining with him two or three Gentlemen and the Kings coach and assuring me he would follow on Monday Not to contradict him in his course designed I without reply or excuse parted that day with his Steward and followers in five coaches followed by seaven carts for his Baggage and forty foure sadle Horses and comming that night to Andever we had word brought us thither that the carriage with his Plate was not that day come forth of Salisbury a knavish carter when he see us all parted taking advantage and stealing away with his carriage before it came to loading so as leaving the Marshall of the Ceremonies behind to attend that charge we went on that night to Hart-ford Bridge then resting all Sunday more for the Frenches Satisfaction in attendance of their Lords Plate not yet come then for the duty they would have paid the day by rest though they had their Mass in the Inn but first with request of myapprobation for the fitness or unfitness of it in regard of
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
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
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
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
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
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
quit the Precedence to any but to Kings Ambassadors and to the Venetians so as if the Sovoy Ambassador should be there he must be absent and so he was but on the day of Tilting the Ambassador of Bohemia and the Venetian both appearing the Savoyard came not though he had that very morning by his promise assured his Presence together with the other two Wherupon the Venetian having already taken his place at the lower end of the Tilt-yard as had also the Bohemian grew to be much unsatisfied and suspicious This taking the hand of the Venetian who gave it him without question that the Savoyard might have cuningly insinuated himselfe into some place neerer the King either with the French Ambassador who perhaps he said might repent himselfe of the refusall he had made and accept of the place first appointed or with the Spanish though that in regard of their then not best Correspondence were much unlikely In either of which Cases the Ambassador of Savoy should to his scorne get the Precedence being so scated with the preceding Ambassadors against which if it were so he must he said protest by his immediate departure but the Savoyard as I have said not coming nor intending it as after appeared laid the fault of his default upon an instant opportunity even then he said offered to him by the French Ambassador of writing by an express of his that day to be dispatched though the true cause of his absence were imagined to be that he was not yet resolved as having no order for it to quit the Precedence to the Bohemian as to a Kings Ambassador in regard as he was Ambassador to the Prince Palatine he had disputed it so as he drove forth the day in feare and doubt till I that night resolved him as I promised him I would by a Letter from my Lord Chamberlains direction that he had that day received no wrong at all by any cuning or indirect carriage of the Savoy Ambassador for any advantage taken by his placing The Axiome before delivered by the Venetian Ambassador that the first place of an inferiour degree Nota. is worse then the last of a superiour was judged upon discourse I had with some of understanding in those Affaires to be of valew in a distinct Company but might be otherwise in a Joynt Assembly as at the conclusion of the Peace at Vervins where the French and Spanish meeting and contending for precedence viz. who should sit at the right hand of the Popes Legat an Expedient was found of sending into France for the Popes Nuntio residing there who scated at the right hand of the said Legat the Legat himselfe sitting at the Tables end the French Ambassador being offered the choyce of the next place he took that at the Legats left hand leaving the second at the right hand to the Spanish who taking it perswaded himselfe to have the better of it sed de hoc quaere December 1620. The French King comming so neer England as Callays and being newly returned thence towards Paris sent hither for his Ambassador Extraordinary the Marquess de Cadenet one of the Mareschalls of France and brother to that Kings Favorite the Duke de Luines He with an Attendance of between fifty and sixty persons of title and mark and of above three hundred others had passed the seas to Dover before any order for his Extraordinary reception was fully resolved on at London so as the Master of the Ceremonies being sent thither scarcely in time to receive him he passed his time there four or five dayes for the better ordering of his occasions After passing on towards London the Earle of Arrundell accompanied with the Lord of Hunsdon and divers Gentlemen of his Majesties Privy Chamber in about twenty Barges went from London the 28. of December and that night visited him in his Majesties name at his Lodging in Gravesend where the Ambassador not meeting his Lordship till he came to the Staire Head of his Chamber door and at his parting accompanning him no further no more then did the ordinary Ambassador the Count de Tillieurs who had been frownd upon by the Marquess for not meeting him sooner then at Gravesend The Earle of Arrundell was much displeased with it as with a neglect of his quality so as the next day in some part to right himself he desired the Master of the Ceremonies to go to the Ambassador and tell him that in regard his Trayne was great and his Lodging little he would not be troublesome to him there but would meet him in the Street and thence accompanie him to his imbarking So he did and on the way incountered another cause of exception in that the Ordinary Ambassador did not so much as offer him the hand my Lord pretending a kind of right to it The most of Opinions are That the Ambassador Ordinary should have of the place he took at the least to have it offered him in the presence of the Extraordinary but of this Quaere Arriveing at Denmark House ordained for the Ambassadors Aboade the Earle landing with him at the Garden Staires and accompanying him not further then to the foot of the first Staire ascending to the Privy Lodgings took his leave and saying there were Gentlemen there that should shew him his Lodging left him This bred much discourse and was with the other reserved proceeding of both the Ambassadors at Gravesend soone conveied to the knowledge of his Majesty who sensible more of the cause given by the Ambassadors then of the measure returned by the Earle of Arrundell stormed much at it till Sir Thomas Edmonds Comptrouller of the Kings House being sent the same night from his Majestie with some formalization to that purpose The Ambassador was said the next day to have made his excuse to my Lord of Arrundell that his indisposition in his Journey and at the time when he came to receive him was a cause that he met him no sooner nor accompanied him no further whereupon the difference was for that time accommodated After one dayes rest the King sent to the Ambassador for conduction to his already assigned Audience the Lord Marquess of Buckingham accompanied with the Earls of Dorset and Warwick four or five Barons and about twenty Gentlemen in the Kings and sixty other Coaches so many appointed but the number was soone increased to above one hundred he passed with his Traine from Denmarke House to Westminster the King there meeting him by Barge from White-Hall and staying his Entrance in the higher House of Parliament where he gave him and with him the Ordinary Ambassador a gracious Audience Besides the higher House of Parliament the Court of Requests and the Painted Chamber the way of his passage were all adorned with rich hangings of Tapistry At the end of his Audience intimating to the King that the haste of his return would make him bold to press his Majesty for another speedy Access His Majesty told
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
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
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
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
to it privately by water and after him the French Ambassador for a sight of the manner of his Majesty and the Lords first entrance to that great Work The Ambassadors were placed as in private behinde a Traverse on the Kings right hand which when the King began his Speech was drawn open The Venetian not to loose any of those Rights he was so jealous of and with reason upon so fresh a hazard as he had run sent to me before hand for knowledge of the course designed for the Ambassadors repaire and requested he might be admitted to the sight of it as they should be publick or private Hereat my Lord Chamberlaine made at the first some difficulty as not of Custome he said though once allowed to his Predecessor Landi adding that the French would be there as attendant Domestiques of the Queen that she had been there as was intended but was hindred by her indisposition and that no sit place could be found where he might see unseen but at last the Earle of Arundell acquainting the King with his designes I had directions to bring him by a private back way to the enterance neere the King on his left hand where in the throng he stood concealed The ninteenth of June An Ambassador from the States This was too high and irregular an Extraordinary Ambassage from the States brought Monsieur de Arsennes Monsieur de Joachimi both formerly here and Monsieur Burmania from Gravesend with Sir Lewes Lewkners conduction to Tower Wharffe where received by the Earle of Lincolne they passed on with his Lordship to their Lodging at Generall Cecils House in the Strand their imployment was chiesly to congratulate the Kings marriage The 21. of June Ratification of the Kings marriage the three French Ambassadors were by the Duke of Buckingham with attendance suiting such a Conductour fetcht from Somerset-House and brought to White-Hall by the way of the Guard Chamber Presence and Privy Chamber to the Kings Withdrawing Chamber whence with both their Majesties they entered the Banquetting House Thore their Majesties seated in their chaires of State the Queen on the right of the King the Duke de Cheuereux seated somewhat more forward on the left together with the other two French Ambassadors behind whome stood the Lord Keeper the Earles of Carliel and Holland both there imployd in France for conclusion of that matrimoniall businesse with other great Lords and next besides and behind the Queen the great Ladies and French Lords There was solemnly and distinctly read the Ratification c. After which the King joyning hands with the Queen and kissing her they all with-drew while the Room might be prepared for the Kings dinner the Queen retyring her selfe to her Quarter dined there in her own Presence Chamber the great Ladies by themselves in the Guard Chamber soone after the King with his Ambassadors came to dinner in the Banquetting House where on his left hand with the usuall distance sate the Duke and at the Boards end the two other Ambassadors A Question in the interim growing between the Officers whether the place opposite to the Duke were not the most proper for them which the Master of the Ceremonies affirmed had been the custome of one instant Treatment of three Commissioners but his assertion was not followed for the betterr convenience of the said Officers carving and sewering after Dinner the Roome cleered and cleansed their Majesties with the Ambassadors the Lords and Ladies returned and spent the rest of that Afternoon in revelling c. The Ambassador of Venice who had forborne to request or make so much as an offer to be present in publick or private of the solemne ratification of the marriage where he thought not fit perhaps to bring to question the intent of his pretended Rights of Parity con le teste Coronate was the next day introduced to an Audience of the Queen demanded by her Majesties Lord Chamberlain the Count de Tillieurs late here Ambassador Ordinary with the King and now returned a follower of the Queen After notice given me of this assigned Audience I received the Ambassador at the Court Gate conducted him through the Preaching Court along the long darke winding Entrey up to the Queenes Guard Chamber and into the Chappell Chamber next it whence after notice given by me to her Majesties Lord Chamberlain of his Presence there he passed on was received there at the Presence Chamber doore by the Lord Chamberlain and by him brought to the Queen in her Privy Chamber and thence after his congratulation returned to his Lodging without my attendance The three and twentieth of June the three Commissioners from the States had publick Audience of his Majesty conducted to it by the Earle of Warwick they passed the old Ordinary way up the great stone Staires over the Wooden Terras to the old Councell Chamber then restored to the Ancient use upon the Queens use of the other for her Presence Chamber and were called thence by the Master of the Ceremonies to proceed through the Guard Chamber where the Earle of Holland Captaine of the Guard stood ready in the midst of the Chamber his company ranged on each side of it to receive them and the Lord Chamberlain then absent to introduce them to his Majesties Presence in the Presence Chamber Whence after dismission they turned by the way to the Chappell Chamber into the Queens Guard and Presence Chamber received there by her Majesties Lord Chamberlain and by him brought to their Audience into her Privy Chamber This their Access to the Queen was demanded somewhat late that day but referred therefore to the time of her own pleasure onely intimating that the King had granted them that day an Audience and requesting my Lord Chamberlain to let her Majesty know so much and with all their most humble desires of the like honour from her Majesty but with their due respects of her own best conveniency that day or another at her pleasure Soone after these Audiences Monsieur de Arsennes and Monsieur Burmania taking their leave returned home Monsieur Joachim remaining here with the charge of Ambassador Extraordinary They were at that time presented each of them with a 1000. ounces of gilt Plate The Venetian Ambassador having taken shadow at the carriage or mis-carriage of his service done at King James his Funerall was tender and jealous of every occasion that might touch his State in interest of honour for which regard having received advice from his Prince that an Ambassage Extraordinary was resolved on to be sent from Venice for condolement and congratulation in August or September following he was curious to know by my inquirie from my Lord Chamberlain what would be the manner and extent of their reception About which imploying my selfe I could get no more from his Lordship then that they should be sure of it to the full of former Presidents which he could not learne he said had been ever further off then at
Gravesend whether a Master of the Ceremonies should be sent with the Kings Barge to meet them and a Nobleman of fitting quality to Tower Wharffe to receive them at their Landing there The eight and twentieth of June a Turkish Chiaus or messenger who came hither about the time of King James his Death having demanded Access to the Queen for congratulation and being allowed it I was the same day sent to for that Service by Monsieur de Tilliers and in absence of Sir Lewes Lewkner who came notwitstanding at the instant of the Audience introduced him to her Majesty in her Privy Chamber where she received him with the interpretation of Sir Lewes Lewkner in French another in English to the Queen of what another said to him in English from the Chiaus his mouth in Turkish About that time the Duke de Cheuereux with his Lady the Dutches tooke leave of their Majesties so did Monsieur de Tremes and the Marquess de Fyas soone after The Duke presented me by his Steward with a chaine of 30 l. valew which was assured me to have been ordained double to that but I had to doe with the unjust Steward The other Ambassadors acknowledged my paines with thanks et nihil ultra These gone the Plague increasing the Court removing to Salisbury and I with my family retiring from the danger of infection in London to the Countrey I rested all the rest of that Summer unimployed In the meane time a Splendid Ambassador N. Oxensterne arrived at Southampton from the King of Sweden was received and conducted by Sir Andrew Kith to the Presence of his Majesty at Salisbury Sir Lewes Lewkner being then under restraint for his carriage towards the Venetian Ambassador and I absent c. for the reasons mentioned Having in October understood of the Treatment of the Ambassador of Sweden at Salisbury and how necessary my Service was and would be at Court during the absence and restraint of the Master of the Ceremonies for the cause before specified I repaired thither making the best way I could through the danger of the sickness then dispersed almost every where over the Countrey and being arrived there found Sir Lewes Lewkner commanded from his attendance on the Marquess de Bleinvill newly come over Ambassador from the French King to his House at Acton neere London upon complaint of the Venetian Ambassador for his pretended interest and partiall carriage towards the said Ambassador at the Funerall of the late King as is before delivered whereupon I received the Lord Chamberlains commands upon his Majesties pleasure signified to that purpose to attend that Service entered on by another one of the Heraulds but quitted upon the charge given me to discharge it so repaired to the Ambassador with the signification of the proper duty of my place and of the command I had from his Majesty to performe it at all his occasions whereof one fell out two or three dayes after when going to see that antiquity at Stonenge I accompanied him The next day going with him to render his visits to the Earle Marshall and Lord Chamberlain I had order opportunely to tast his disposition for his remove the King being assigned his to Windsore and Hampton Court when I finding his ambition to Lodge in the Kings own House there acquainted my Lord Chamberlain with it who had already given order for his Lodging at Kingston and received from his Lordship answer That his Majesty would never allow any Ambassador to be Lodged so neere him whereupon letting the Ambassador know as dexterously as I could what order had been already taken for his residence at Kingston His answer at first was that what was his Majesties pleasure should be his obedience but proceeding he asked the Plague having been as I am told so much and so lately in that Towne may I not be Lodged within the Kings House at Hampton I replyed it had not been the Custome for Ambassadors to be so Lodged yet said he the Duke de Cheuereux had his Lodging in the House at Richmond and so had the Marquesse de Fyat To this I spared then to reply as by way of contestation but conveying his answer to my Lord Chamberlain and he it to the King His Majesty commanded me to carry to the Ambassador this small resolution That the Queen having been desirous for the long acquaintance sake that had passed between her and the Dutches de Chevereux to have her neer her at the time of her the Dutchesses Delivery and lying in then towards would have her lodg'd in the Kings House at Richmond and that she having her lodging there it was fit that the Duke her Husband should have his there also And as for Monsieur de Fiat it concerned both his Majesties profit and his ease to bring him together with the other Ambassador to one House when a second kept for them at London at the Kings charg as was the Dukes at Richmond would be both dangerous in regard of the Sickness troublesome to the Kings Officers by their serving in of provisions for Diet at two severall places and of great expence Besides it was intended that if those Ambassadors should have come to lye at Hampton Court from Richmont the King would have instantly removed to Windsor or to some other of his Houses To this the Ambassador Bleinville answered he knew not that but this he knew he said that Lodgings were marked for the other within Hampton Court and to be made use of there at their pleasure adding that the Earles of Carliel and Holland late Ambassadors to the King his Master when they were with his Majesty at Saint Cermans were quartered neere the Kings House yet would not rest contented with their Lodging till they had gotten within his Majesties own House two or three roomes furnished for their retraite and to lodge in at their pleasure though indeed they spared to make such use of them In conclusion I said that neither his Majevty nor the King his Father had ever lodged any Ambassador in their Houses while they themselves lodged in them and that his Majesty now would be loth to make a President that would hereafter beget him so great a trouble as this was like to be and that therefore his Majesty hoped that the Ambassador would not take it in ill part if desirous to give him satisfaction and to treate him in all as the Representant of the King his Master he did in this not correspond with his desires c. Having said thus much to him as from the King he not without some countenance of insatisfaction and with intimation that he had but propounded it only and would leave it to the Kings consideration and pleasure there was for that time no further question made of it To dayes after desiring me to procure him an Audience I intended the King for it at his return from Hunting and though it were late I was sent to him with his Majesties pleasure for his
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
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
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
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
both which would be he said a Solecisme in point of visits not approveable amongst Ambassadors especially while one of them was in health and might therefore visit him without the others company This may appea e to be an acknowledgment of precedence from the Venetian which seemed questioned For mine own betterinstruction to the purpose of this Puntillio I went instantly first to the Venetian Ambassador and found him to have forborne that complement expecting the first discharge of it to come from the Danish and that as they should lead he would follow From him I went to the other of Denmark and found him that was in health not excuseing the forbearance of his visits by his Collegues sicknesse but plainly affirming the observation of it to be improper as from the King of Denmarkes Ambassador to a Duke of Savoys Besides that he could plead he said that he and his Collegue having taken their publick leaves of the King their visits of an Ambassador later come were not to be expected To this I replyed with a President I had learned from the relation of an experienced Statesman Her Joachimi Ambassad or for the States how the King of Frances Ambassador at the time that the States of the united Provinces were first acknowledged free and Soveraigne being at Disseldrop and come thither before the States Commissioners Arrivall about a Treaty expected to receive from thâ—m the first visiit as from Representants of an inferiour condition but they standing upon their pretended rights of Ambassadors last come to be first to be visited refused to visit first till at last the French Kings Ambassador the businesse he had in mannage necessitating him to it gave the first visit but this was no prevailing allegation for the Ambassador of Denmark From them I went to the Ambassador of the States and found him not expecting to have those of Denmark for his leaders but onely hindred by a Catharre which past he said he meant to visite the Savoyard and so he did the next day At that time when I purposely cast out some words tending to the question of precedence between the States and the Duke of Savoyes Ambassador the States said he wondered that any man would make that question when it had been adjudged the due of his State by the King of France in particular c. The next day being that of the Lord Majors Annuall Feast and the Ambassador of Savoy desirous to see his Lordship passe through Cheapside he having received no Invitation to the Feast with other Ambassadors perhaps because of his so fresh Arrivall or else to avoid the inconveniency of question likely to grow from precedence between him and the States Ambassador and the Ambassadors of Denmark not looking after it with consideration of their leave already taken of his Majestie I was requested by the said Savoy Ambassador to inquire somewhat further of the Ambassadors of Denmarks reasons and resolution for not visiting him which I did immediately repairing to him Monsteur Tompson where he had taken his stand in Cheapeside for sight of the shew Sconosciato and plainly received it for his resolution that neither he nor his Collegue had any intention to visit him first as having no example of the like done at any time by either the King their Masters Ambassadors or by any other Kings to the Ambassador of the Duke of Savoy and when I after met the Venetian at the Feast wherto he and the States Ambassador were invited I understood the like of his mind and expectation for example to be given him by the Ambassador of Denmark as pretending to doe nothing he said but should be al par delle teste Coronate with which insatisfaction I returned to him of Savoy who could not make good his pretence by any President or example but rather he had one against himselfe which the Venetian Ambassador was said to have suggested to the Ambassador of Denmarke for his forbearance of the French Ambassador the Marquesse de Bleinville who would not give the first visit to the Savoyard when they were both here together in England the Ambassador of France standing upon it that in regard of the honour of so neere allyance as the Duke of Savoy had with so great a King as his Master he ought to give him the first respect as being most due to him But this reason the Ambassador of Savoy retorred to his owne purpose as that therefore the French Kings Ambassador ought first to visit him for the more honour to the King his Masters Sister and with no disparagement to himselfe in regard of the not questionable difference of their rancks But in the end all or the cheife blame of the Savoy Ambassadors want of visit lighted on the Venetian so that of Savoy charged him as on him that having committed a former errour he said not to have visited the Duke of Mantovas Ambassador while he was here from the same reason of difference stood upon by him of Denmark cared not to commit another and a greater errour though he and all the Ministers of that Republick that should negotiate with his Master might be sure by way of retribution as he threatned to suffer for it The consideration of inconveniences which might in likelyhood accrue to the common cause from such ill correspondence amongst Ambassadors our freinds made me the next day after the Lord Mayors Feast to addresse my selfe to the Earle of Carliel as to a person of the most experience in Ambassages for his judgement in these differences this was that the Ambassadors of Denmark and that of Venice were in the wrong and that for Presidents if they stood upon them he himselfe would furnish them with one of his owne having himselfe as he affirmed when he was Ambassador Extraordinary in France given the first visit to the selfe same Ambassador of Savoy Arriving there after him and had observed that the Popes Nuntio and all other Ambassadors then there had done the like yet that for the better information of his owne judgement he would he said instantly goe and so did to the King for his who together with the Lord Steward Earle of Pembrok the Lord Chamberlain and other Lords there present in his Majesties Withdrawing-chamber were all of opinion that the Ambassadors of Denmark were over punctuall and as the King himselfe said so much too blame for standing upon such nice points in a time that required rather care and study to get freinds then for lack of performing complements hazard the losse of any as were they his Ambassadours and should doe so he would chide them well for it The substance hereof I conveyed to the Ambassadors understanding but it would not move them While these Puntillio's were in agitation a Play on all Saints day being appointed at Court to begin Christmas with I was told the day before by the Venerian when he visited me at my House that he was invited to the sight of it and
to parte but invited to stay at Supper though unseasonably perhaps at so short a warning for a person of his quality after some importunity of the Ambassador yeelded but with excuse to indeare it might seeme his invitation over suddaine and familiar that he must first returne to White-Hall to waite on his Majesty promising to returne speedily as he did with such Gentlemen of his Company as would accompany him The supper was sumptuous excellently ordered and of five severall Services The guests at it were thus ranged At the Tables end my Lord Haye alone at his right hand the old Ambassador and beneath him the new at his left hand Sir Henry Wotton then nominated Ambassador for Venice and beneath him Sir Henry Rich the rest in their places Within few weekes after the Ambassador Foscarini departed who after at Venice being a man free full of fancy of a stirring Spirit and undertaking was accused to the State of holding intelligence with the Spaniard by three or foure conspiring Villaines for what ends either of malice to him or advantage to themselves I know not and condemned and strangled in Prison but not long after being found guiltless by his Accusers Confession his Body was disinterred buryed with Solemnity and his Family that after the course of that severe State suffered were restored to their suspended charges in that Republique The fifth of November the day of the Powder Treason his Majesty had invited the Arch-Dukes Ambassador Monsieur de Eoiscot to dine with him He was conducted into the privy Gallerie Chambers somewhat before dinner and thence to the Kings presence His Majesty dined in the privy Chamber where as soon as he was set the Ambassador having washed apart sate down also at the Boards end at the left hand of the King rising at the end of dinner an instant before his Majesty he followed him back into the privy Lodgings His Secretary and other Servants two onely left to attend him at the Table had at the same time ten or twelve dishes of meate served them in the Chappell Chamber on the Kings side He demanded after dinner Audience of the Prince but whether his Highnesse had such businesse with the Queen his Mother as his excuse carryed or that he thought the demand of the Ambassadors Audience unseasonable and too familiar with so short a warning he had it not till the next day when he came purposely for it at the houre of his Assignation The Venetian Ambassador Foscarini being after some five or six yeares time of his residence to returne for Venice a day or two before he had desired for his departure his Majesties present of Plate being brought to his House he addressed himselfe to Sir Dudley Carleton then newly returned from his Ordinary Ambassage at Venice with a complaint that whereas his Secretary Muscorus with whom he had had a long and harsh difference had been presented at his departure above halfe a yeare before with a chayne of Gold of an 100 l. value being he said more by 40 l. then any of this place had before received he an Ambassador that had resided here the time of a double Ambassage was unproportionably rewarded adding That if he knew how to carry it without discovery he would at his owne charge make up the ordinary value the present as he affirmed consisting of not above 600. ounces of gilt plate To cleere the mistaking deceit or intention of this proceeding I went for better satisfaction of the Ambassador and of Sir Dudly Carleton who thought himselfe in regard of his late imployment bound to stir in it to Mr. Seymer one of the Officers of the Jewell House under Sir Henry Carewe Mr. of it and was assured by him that it was of the Kings own ordinance and regulating if the value of the Present prooved lesse then accustomed his Majesty haveing he said been informed that his liberality towards Ambassadors in the Presents bestowed on them at their parting exceeded that of other Princes to his Ambassadors so as he was resolved upon a defalcation And whereas the French and Spanish Ordinaries were wont to have bestowed on them each 4000. ounces of gilt Plate his Majesty had begun with the French Ambassador Monsieur de Buisseaux and had sent him but two thousand ounces the like course he said he held not long after with Monsieur de Boiscot Ambassador for the Arch-Duke whose predecessors having before had sixteen hundred ounces he was assigned and received but eight hundred So answerably the Venetian Ambassadors having usually received at their departures two thousand ounces this had ordered him after the proportion of the other but a thousand ounces and for so much the said Officer affirmed he would justify the weight of his Present which might in reason have kept him from murmur in regard he was by that proportion honoured with the gift of 200. ounces more then was the Arch-Dukes Ambassador who had stood with him in competition for precedence The King being desirous that the French Venetian and Savoyard Ambassadors should all be invited to a Maske at Court prepared for New-years night an exception comming from the French was a cause of deferring their invitation till Twelfe night when the Maske was to be re-acted This French Ambassador having demanded Audience by the mediation of the Lord Haye and not obtained it as he affected haveing not taken the due course of accesse by the Chamberlain the Earle of Pembrooke or being perhaps forgotten was offended that the Spanish Ambassador who had demanded one before the Kings remoove to Royston but was referred to his conveniency at his returne thence should have as he had an Audience before him With this consideration and not without his Majesties sence of such formality he was not invited till for the Twelfe night when he with the other two mentioned were received at eight of the Clock the houre assigned no Supper being prepared for them as at other times to avoid the trouble incident and were conducted to the privy Gallery by the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lord Danvers appointed an honour more then had been formerly done to Ambassadors Ordinary to accompany them the Master of the Ceremonies being also present They were all there placed at the Maske on the Kings right hand not right out but Byas forward first and next to the King the French next him the Venetain and next him the Savoyard At his Majesties left hand sate the Queene and next her the Prince The Maske being ended they followed his Majesty to a Banquet in the Presence and returned by the way they entered the followers of the French were placed in a seate reserved for them above over the Kings right hand the others in one on the left The Spanish Ambassadors Son Seig. Van Mall and the Agent of the Arch-Duke who invited himselfe were bestowed on the forme where the Lords sit next beneath the Barons English Scotish and Irish as the Sonns of the Ambassador of
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
Coaches besides the Kings for himself his Nephew my self and his two Interpreters and descending at the Garden gate he was at the entrance of the open Roome at the foot of the back Privy Staires received by my Lord Wentworth and by him conducted up to the Roome at the end of the Kings Privy Gallery and there took leave reconducted by the same Lord to his Station where meeting by chance with my Lord Cavendish and upon my motion saluted by him I made use of that civility so farre as to tell the Ambassador that that Lord being at the foot of the Staires when he went up and his Interpreters gone up before he could not acquaint him with the cause of his incounter there which was I said by command of his Majesty This officious lye I made least the Ambassador might have expected and found himself disappointed of a second Nobleman of precedent ranke to my Lord Wentworth to receive him according to the former Style of reception of those Russians first and last Audience and as I had the day before written to my Lord Chamlaine that it had been and would be required but his Lordship mistaking it being only an honour he thought proper for his dining with the King and for his first Audience and no other it had been without this devise omitted but this made use of it was by him very thankfully accepted Two or three dayes after he was feasted at his own House as he himself though another place were offered desired by the Merchants of the Muscovy Company whereof Alderman Freeman was Governor with whom with the rest and best of that Company dined my selfe and two or three other Gentlemen that I was intreated to bring with me Dinner being ended and the Table uncovered the Health to his Emperor was begun and pledged round then our Kings the Emperors Father the Patriark then the Princes his own and others Vsque ad ebrietatem after all the Company by their servants brought in their Present to himself viz. a gilded red Bowle a peece of fine skarlet wrapt in Taffaty to make him a Gowne and three other peeces of fine cloath of different colours This delivered there came in other Presents a gilded Bowle and a peece of fine cloath to his Nephew and to each of the Interpreters and a peece of cloath for his Porcest after those to each of his servants a pecce of cloth so all more merrily then soberly parted Three or four dayes after the Merchants requested me to deliver him his Present of Plate in the Kings and Princes names though provided at their charge I received it at Alderman Freemans House neer the Exchange being gilt Bowles of severall sizes only one Bason and Ewer parcell gilt and for distinction of the Kings Present from the Princes by my advice they tied a peece of red silke Ribbin to every parcell of that and a peece of white to this the number of his Majesties peeces being fifteene and of the Princes eight With these bestowed in two Hampers carried by two Porters I went that they might not be suspected if met by any of his Followers to come from elsewhere then the Court and from the King first down to Queen Hithe and the up to the Ambassadors at Saint Thomas Apostles Brought to his House I caused my man after I had finished my feighned complement in name of Majesty and of his Highness to range the Plate orderly each portion by it self on a Table that done the Ambassador with a formall Oration of thanks took one of the Kings Bowles and one of the Princes and drank their Healths in each inviting me the next day to Dinner that he migh he said express his thankfulnese which suddenly at that instant he could not for all my pains The Present he made me the next day and which after Dinner was solemly brought into the Roome by sixe severall men and carried before them consisted of two paire of rich Sables a lining for a Gowne of Sables Bellies a lining for a Iub of white and yellow Fox Bellies a Cup of silver gilded worth five or six pound and a Turkey Bow and two Arrowes worth altogether about thirty pounds The Duke de Soubise refuged hether from France upon miscarriage of some undertakings of his there 30 l. And Merchant 50 l. had an Audience of the King at Greenwich June the fifteenth and the next day one of the Prince given him by his Highnesse in the upper Garden Walkes where he entertained him in discourse above an houre with much respects from his Highnesse to whom he was at his Christning in Scotland a God-Father A day or two after the Russian Ambassador had received his Present he sent to me one of his Interpreters with the request that I would let the Lords know how the fifty pound sent him for his Provisions by Sea was all laid out and that I would intreat their Lordships in his behalfe for some addition Further that whereas in Lent he had forborne to take the first fasting week his Allowance of fish that he might as he had formerly he said requested have an allowance in money equivalent for it Also that their Lordships would be pleased before his departure to order some course about a woman that had deceaved him upon account of worke done for him of 18 l. To these requests the Merchants to whom I repaired for satisfaction the businesse being unfit for the Lords notice intreated me to returne these answers in the name of the Lords as I did That his Lordship the Ambassador might if he had pleased have received his provisions in specie as his Predecessors had done at other times which would have taken away all Subject of further question but since he would have money and himselfe therewith provide Victualls they had sent him 50 l. which for the proportion of his revenew exceeded all former Presidents That they could not exceed that summ if they would prevent future inconveniences from such Presidents but for his want of a weekes allowance their Lordships had appointed the Merchants to let him have 10 l. more and for the Woman that had deceaved him he must be righted by the Ordinary course of Law which if he would leave behind him a Letter of Attorney to prosecute in his absence they would give it their countenance and order for the just dispatch of it These answers returned as if I had received them from the Lords he made little reply to not without shews of insatisfaction onely the money which I delivered to his Interpreter he not unwillingly accepted In the interim of carrying the Present to this Ambassador and his demands mentioned Seignior Valeresso Ambassador Ordinary from Venice in place of Seignior Landi arrived at London fetcht from Gravesend by the Master of the Ceremonies on Fryday the seaventeenth of June and on Munday following had his first Audience at Greenwich conducted to it by Land by the Lord Cavendish Son to the Earle of
Devonshire with the Lord Bruse and others in twenty five Coaches attending his Majesty he rested himselfe in the Councell Chamber and there entring the Presence was at the doore receiued by the Lord Chamberlain there presented by his Predecessor Seignior Landi he spake breifely and departed Having visited his Predecessor the Saturday before and after at the same time himselfe something unseasonably perhaps before he had had his Audience Seignior Landi seemed to complaine as of a neglect cast upon his Successor that he had not yet received a wellcome from his Majesty by some person of Title as had been he said the Custome of proceeding towards all his Predecessours Wherewith I acquainted my Lord Chamberlain brought for an answer from his Lordship that he understood not but that the Complement of wellcoming Ambassadors from the King upon their Arrivall had been-onely used at such times as their Audience was excused for having been deferred for reason of some instant pressing affaires of his Majesty but that for this time the interim would be so small between his Arrivall and his Audience as that the visit would hardly be given or at the least would be excusable if omitted which answer passed for currant both with him and the other as he professed to me when I first visited him after his Audience onely he desired that my Lord Chamberlain would but intimate his reason to him personally when he would next see him that he might receive the more honour from his own Testimony as he did after to his satisfaction His Predecessour next day after his Audience took leave of his Majesty accompanied to it at Greenwich by the Lord North And also the girdle and hang er when he received the honour of Knighthood from his Majesty and had the day after according to Custome the Sword wherewith he was Knighted sent to him from his Majesty and two or three dayes after an addition to his Armes in memory of his imployment hither June the thirteenth the Russian Ambassador being upon his departure after I had the day before assured my Lord Chamberlain whereof he doubted that Ambassadors from those parts had usually at their parting as at their first Arrivall some person of Title to accompany them to their imbarking I went in my Lord Chamberlains name as for his Majesties Service to the Lord Stanhop who accepted of it we went together the next day in the Kings Coach to the Ambassadors House and thence with five other to the Tower Wharffe where his Lordship leaving the Ambassador This entred the Kings Barge his followers in an other and with the Company of Sir John Merrick Alderman Hammersley and other Merchants we came to Gravesend Lodged at the Christopher were there Feasted that night by the Muscovy Company and the next morning making use of the Kings Barge to carry us to their Ships riding foure miles off at Tilbery he there imbarkt and we returned that night to London The 24. of June The Venetian Ambassador Ordinary Seignieur Girolomo Lando parted from London without the Master of the Ceremonies attendance to Gravesend his Company spared them as not of use or Custome for an Ordinary at departure neither had he the Kings Barge appointed for his Transport whereat the chiefe Barge-Master Warner respecting his Interest murmured as at a course unusuall and with wrong to the Ambassadors quality But herein he was mistaken the use being as hath bin said otherwise The Thursday before his parting on the Monday when it was not known but that he would be gone the Saturday he had received not one word to the purpose of his Present when it should be brought him Inso much as glancing in discourse with me at the affront as he called it like to be put upon him in his particular but in the generall upon his Republick Meaning Sir Lewes Lewkener who could never relish that States Ministers as Troppo steretti dimano not unlike to proceed he said from some ill affected to it I wrote to my Lord Chamberlaine about it and his Lordship with some passion recommending the consideration of it to the Lord Treasurer Order was given and the business effected after the proportion as my Lord Chamberlaine told me of 1200. ounces of gilt plate being two hundred more then were given his Predecessor Forscareni as with more respect to his better merit and to his nobler fashion of carriage here towards persons of all conditions beyond any or most of his Predecessors After the young Prince Landsgrave of Hessen had made about three moueths stay in England in which time he made a posting Journey to see Scotland he went in Coach with my company to Windsor there to take leave of his Majesty the sixth of July but could not have his Audience being remitted with reason of his Majesties then pressing affaires till Tuesday when after the Sermon whereat he was present entring with my conduction by the door of the Terras Staires into the Presence I received command to bring him through the Princes Lodgings into a Back-withdrawing Roome there behinde the Kings Privy Lodgings whence the King comming to him he with his two Assistants Councellors to his Father Master Klingelbuck and Master Zoble had his Audience and Farewell of the King and of the Prince also in the same place Thence he returned to London and the sixth of July imbarqued for Gravesend whether I accompanied him though without Order or without use of the Kings Barge or other respect of Extraordinary Honour by Present or the like only I moving the Lord Admirall the Marquis of Buckingham for a Ship of his Majesty to transport him in regard of some hazard to his person not unlikely to come from the Dunkerkers if they should light on him at Sea he being then in the States pay Commander of a Company he had assigned him a Lesser of two Ships then riding in the Downes 24 pouud which by directions of Sir William Saint Johns Vice-Admirall was to take him in at Dover A Mask to be presented by the Prince the Marquis of Buckingham and other Gentlemen on Twelfnight 1622. was for that day and a second remitted till Sunday the ninth of January principally with regard to his Majestes indisposition but as some thought not without expectation that the States Ambassadors would first be gone to avoide the distaste that might be taken from their not Invitation whereto it seemed his Majesty for some Spanish respect as was thought had no great affection But they staying their business with the Merchants about composing the East-Indian differences being not yet concluded divers underhand passages and discourses for and against the sight of the Maske were carried to and fro as much as might be to content them and not displease others For first they had an offer made them to have a Boxe appointed them apart and by themselves only which they absolutely refused Ambassadors Ordinarie before having had said they the honour to sit with his
with him ranckt all the way through the Strand in head of the Coaches the Company of the Kings Guard to the number of sixty which in my hearing the Ambassadors Followers did interpret as an honour done their Master never done before to any other and when to undeceive them I said the Guard marched in that manner for attendance of their Captaine They replyed their honour was the greater to have such a Lord for company that had attending him such followers so apt are strangers to make use of all to their own advantage This Ambassador having finished his Audience of the King which lasted at the least an hour as he told me himselfe passed between them from first to last in Latine a Language that he was farre more bold then perfect in he regarding neither Grammer nor congruity he took leave also in the same place of the Prince his Highness The Captaine of the Guard and his brother the Lord Montjoy not leaving him till they brought him with the same Attendance to the Dining Roome of his lodging Here I think good to insert for suture occasions and use to the Master of the Ceremonies that Sir Lewes Lewkner reported to me that when he came from Dover in conduct of the Archdutches Ambassador Don Diego de Mexia Mr. Van Mall Agent here for her Highnesse perswaded him to take his place in one of the hired Coaches with some of the Ambassadors Gentlemen and with it to leade the way leaving the Ambassador to come in the Kings Coach in Company of such persons of Court Eminency as himselfe should be pleased to make choyce of which though Sir Lewes and he stumbled at he at last allowed of but being come to London he let Van Mall know it had been ever the manner and with good reason that the Master of the Ceremonies imployed from the King for the Ambassadors honour and to receive him at the Sea side or elsewhere in his way to Court was to have place with him in his Coach unlesse perhaps some Noble person were withall imployed in that Service which assertion confirmed by him with divers Persidents and Reasons the Marquess de la Inojosa and Don Carlos de Coloma acknowledging that they had both severally received him into their Coaches at their first Arrivall into this Kingdome the Arch-Dukes and Van Mall with acknowledgment of their Errour allowed it for requisite One Reason given then for the fitness of the Master of the Ceremonies sitting in Coach with Ambassadors on the way was that his Presence so at hand was most usefull and necessary for avoydance of disturbing incounters from passengers or otherwise in the way another that it was fit the Ambassador should have the Master of the Ceremonies alwayes neere him for discourse and satisfaction upon Questions concerning the Countrey c. And lastly for the honour of the Master that sends such a one to do honour by his conduct to the Person of the Ambassador Preparetion being made November the eighteenth for a great Feast by the Duke of Buckingham to entertain principally Don Diego de Mendoza and with him Don Diego de Mexia the Arch-Dukes Ambassador and his followers of quality The Marquess de la Inojosa it was intended should have been at it as was Don Carlos de Coloma but for the difference mentioned of Precedence between him and the other Extraordinary but the day before the Duke sending to him Sir George Goring with a message that he was sorry to understand he would be absent from the entertainment he intended because of some inconveniences c. The Marquess returned answer that he knew of no such inconveniences but that if it had or should please the Duke to invite him he would come to his Feast c. In sequell hereof the next day at Evening somewhat before the invited Ambassadors should set forth and were attending the person that should come to conduct them the Duke sent a Gentleman of his Chamber Mr. Endimion Porter which a Regalo of three large Flaskets full of Provision of the choisest of three Courses of Cates intended for the Feast One full of cold meates for the Antepasto another with fat fowle raw and ready for spit of all sorts and a third of the best and rarest sweet-meates all presented with this message that the Duke kissed his hands and would have held it an honour and an happinesse to have had his Company but since he would not have it he desired him to tast of what he had provided for him at that at the tasting of it at his Supper he would be pleased to drink the health of the King of England as he would at the same drink the health of the King of Spaine The Marquess immediate answer to this message was no more but this For the happinesse my Lord Duke sayes he should have had in my Company he might have had it if it would have pleased him to command it After returning thanks for his Present and saying it was easie to conceive what the Feast would be when a tast of it was so rare and plentifull he gave the bringer fifty Crownes bad the Company good night and went to Supper privately in his Chamber Soone after the Earle of Northampton being sent for conductor to the invited Ambassadors These after their reception at Yorke House the Dukes they were there thus placed at the Table On the left hand of his Majesty who was there as a guest inviting himselfe sate with a convenient distance Don Diego de Mendoza at the Tables end below Don Carlos de Coloma and the Arch-Dukes Ambassador at the other end of the Table on the right hand of the King sate the Prince At a long Table not halfe filled with guests placed long wayes the Roome sate the Tituladoes and Cavaliers that came with Don Diego de Mexia the other Don Diego Mendoza having with him no followers of quality worthy of that place and Company and none of the Marquesses de inojosa then appearing with regard to their Cheefes absence After Supper there was a Maske with a faire appearance of Ladieâ— at it and after the Maske a most sumptuous Banquet The one and twentieth of November Don Diego Hurtado de Mendoza set forth for his departure with my attendance towards Dover and being by me provided at the Kings charge with foure Coaches besides the Kings coach with foure Horses and a day or two before his goods being sent thither in the weekly returning Waggon at the rate of five shillings six pence per cent all the way by land at the Kings charge We laid the first night at Rochester the next at Canterbury and came the next day to Dover where the wind standing contrary after he and one Don Pedro de Aldeberandino Nephew to Pope Clement the eight glad to take the advantage of the Kings Ship for passage had in a small Boat set forth the Haven and were forced back againe as the Kings Ship at the same time was
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
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
respect to any of us Sir Robert Sherley gave him a salutation and sate downe on a stoole neer him while my Lord of Cleaveland by an Interpreter signified in three words the cause of the Ambassador Sherleys and his and our comming to him but with little returne of regard from him till I informing the Interpreter of the new Ambassador what my Lords quality was he let fall his Trust-up-leggs from his chaire and made a kinde of respect to his Lordship This done Sir Robert Sherley unfoulding his Letters and as the Persian use is in reverence to their King first touching his eyes with them next holding them over his head and after kissing them he presented them to the Ambassador that he receiving them might performe the like observance when he suddenly rising out of his chaire stept to Sir Robert Sherley snarcht his Letters from him toare them and gave him a blow on the face with his Fist and while my Lord of Cleaveland stepping between kept off the offer of a further violence the Persians Son next at hand flew upon Sir Robert Sherley and with two or three blows more overthrew him when Master Maxwell of the Bedchamber and my Lord of Cleaveland nearest to him pulling him back while we of the company laid hands on our Swords but not drawing them because not any one Sword or Dagger was drawn by the Persians my Lord of Cleaveland remonstrated to the Ambassador the danger and insolencie of the Fact saying that if he and the Gentlemen there with him had not borne more respect to that King whom he represented then he the Ambassador had done to the Letters shewed him for justification of the others quality neither he nor those about him that had committed that insolency should have gone alive out of that place After these words he made some shew of acknowledgment and said he was sorrey he had offended his Lordship and us by his Act which he had performed transported with extreame rage against a Person that had dared to counterfeit the King his Masters hand which was alwayes he said set on the top of his Letters when these Letters he had shewed had it on the back-side and to heare as he had done that so meane a fellow and an Imposter should presume to say he had married the King his Masters Neece To this Sir Robert Sherley who was in the meane time retyred behind the company amazed and confounded with his blow and Treatment stept in and answered That he never said he had married the Kings Neece but the Queens kinswoman and that for the manner alleadged of signing his Letters it was true that the King of Persia in all imployments of his own Subjects to Forren Princes or in writing to them used to signe above in the front of his Letters but that when he imployed a stranger to any Forren Prince his signature was usually affixed on the back side of his Letters that before their opening they might shew who sent them To this the Ambassador replyed with scornfull looks onely we all with little or no respects to him departed and conducting Sir Robert Sherley to his Lodging accompanied the Earle of Cleaveland instantly to Court where finding the Duke of Buckingham in the Presence-chamber the King being even then come forth to Dinner his Lordship acquainted his Majesty with our adventure and I received present order to let Sir Lewes Lewkner know that he should instantly repaire to the new come Persian Ambassador and tell him that his Audience for that afternoone was thought fit to be snspended and remitted to another day that his Majesty might be particularly informed of the causes of the disagreement and disorder happened The greatest blot and fault of this adoe was cast upon Sir Robert Sherley for his default in his resolution not to returne with blows or words at least the affront done him which had he done would have confirmed the truth of his representative quality and not given subject from such weaknesse and want of Spirit discovered by him to the Merchants to dispute as they confidently did and to his own freinds to defend _____ the soundness of his commission yet at length he writing to his Majesty and beseeching him to send him into Persia with his two Letters tyed about his neck for tryall whether they were true or false the world began to have a conceit of his unjust sufferance and the King to charge it home to the Merchants with his command and especiall pleasure signified to them that he should be senr a long in their Fleet then ready to part for the East Indies and be by them Landed in Persia there to make his Purgation which they though unwillingly assented to and pressing for the other Ambassadors Audience he had it after eight or ten dayes delay assigned and given him the sixth of March fetcht to it by the Earle of Warwick c. Entering the Banquetting House where his Majesty stood under the State to receive him without one looke or gesture of respect till coming close to the Kings person he clapt his Letters to his cyes one after the other kissed them and presented them to the hand of his Majesty but not so much as bowing his Body at their delivery onely having finished his little Ceremony he in his retrait after some twenty paces made with his back to the King turned about and waving his hand on each side imperiously as commanding a prospect hindred by the multitude that pressed in between his sight and the Kings he made a kind of a stoopping reverence so a second and a third and departed When understanding that the Queen was gone abroad whom he meant to visite he imployed the time a while in a walke with all his coaches about Saint Jameses Parke and returning saw her Majesty The next day I brought the other Ambassador Sir Robert Sherley to a private Audience of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber After many Contestations between the Merchants and the Ambassador Sherley whether he were to be defrayed by them as the King required or by the King since his Majesty had intimated his resolution that he should be transported to Persia in the Fleet that was to pass for the East Indies at the beginning of May and in them also the other Ambassador that time being come of their departure they both arrived too late at the place of their imbarking the Downs for performance of that voyage in that season the Fleet that could no longer stay for them being already gone though Sir Robert Sherley had gotten the start of the other and imbarked in a Pinnace of the Fleet together with Sir Dormer Cotton imployed by his Majesty at the same time Ambassador to the King of Persia both for truth whether Sherley were or not an Imposter and also to fix a Trade there which the other Ambassador came to Negotiate so as they were all forced to returne to London and there attend the opportunity of departure in
March ten moneths after when begining their voyage the two differing Ambassadors in severall Ships they all three dyed on the way and with them the quarrell and inquirie after it The Venetian Ambassador Seignior Pesaro called home somewhat sooner then other Ambassadors of that States formerly had been parted hence to Gravesend without other attendance then those of his Family having sent me after I had taken my last leave of him a Gold Chaine of five ounces weight and the like of little more valew to the Master of the Ceremonies He had no sooner passed the Seas but here arrived by the way of the low Countryes two Gentlement sent Extraordinary Ambassadors from Venice the one Seignior Coraro who had resided here Ordinary about fourteen yeares before and Seignior Contareni they Landed at Gravesend seasonably for observation of the new order resolved on by his Majesty that no Ambassador should be met and received further off then there and were thence conducted by Sir Lewes Lewkner c. to their Landing at Tower-wharffe where they were welcom'd by the Earle of Dorset accompanâ—ed by the Lord Herbert Castle Island and other Gentlemen my selfe one not as an Officer or listed for it but Voluntary with the Kings Coach and seventeen other not one of them taken up at the Kings charge as had been accustomed but borrowed of Noblemen to avoid the charge of the Master of the Ceremonies professed to the Lord Chamberlain he would not undergo without assurance of better re-imboursment of his money then he had met with and were brought to their Lodgings in Aldersgate-street at the Lord Peters House defrayed there by the King with all their attendance of allmost an hundred Persons their Diet compounded for by Philipp Verzellini an Italian who had lived long in England at 40 l. per diem not comprehending the charge of the Houses Furniture being all the Kings and waited on by his Majestyes Officers and Servants whereof twelve of the Guard gave their dayly attendance The five and twentieth of June Sunday they were fetched to their publick Audience at Greenwich by the Earle of Carliel from their House in the Kings Coach and other to Tower Wharffe and thence by Barges introduced by the way of the great Gate Hall and Guard-chamber to the Presence where his Majesty standing under the State to receive them Seignior Carara spake first breifly delivering their credence when the other setling himselfe as to begin a more formall set speech his Majesty looking about for one to interpret the Master of the Ceremonies being retyred out of sight not over forward to do Offices of his Office to that State I being called to by the Lord Chamberlain made a repetition of the cheife heads and some of the Ambassadors long Oration to the King and after of his Majesties breife replye which done they returned accompanied as before to London The Sunday following they had a second Audience in private by the way of the Patke through the Privy-galleries to the Withdrawing-chamber there fetcht to it from their home by the Earle of Holland an honour not formerly afforded any Ambassador to have an Earles conduct from their House to a private Audience to which customarily none was to bring them from home but the Master of the Ceremonies though their Ambassage were Extraordinary and if ordinary he to have received them no further off then at their descent from their Coach at the Court Gate or foot of the Stayres next the Parke But this honour was done them by the Kings especiall pleasure and command as I was told it might or may be hereafter of trouble by the consequence when other over-punctuall Ministers of that State may perhaps challenge the like from president The second of July the Lord Conway Secretary of State sent word to my Lord Chamberlain then somewhat indisposed of the arrivall of two Commissioners from Hamborough who were styled by their followers whom they sent before with their Letters of credence Lords Ambassadors Their Letters being opened in the Lord Chamberlains sight Mr. Secretaries and mine the Commissioners were therein thus named Spectabilem Doctissimum virum Dominum Luntzman Syndicum c. Spectabilem virum Dominum Brand Senatorem c. Ablegavimus which words made me question the right and reception they seemed to pretend to of Ambassadors so far as communicating my reasons with my Lord Chamberlain and receiving his opinion that Ablegavimus was no more then we have deputed as our Ministers I was sent back to my Lord Conway and by him when also ill at ease with their concurring opinions to the King who approving them left me to follow my Lord Chamberlains directions according to which I that night wellcomed them at their Lodgings at Crouchet Fryars in name of his Majesty and let them know his pleasure for their Audience the next day at one of the clock to which I fetched them in the Lord Chamberlains coach onely least the use of the Kings might have seemed to raise their respects to the title they seemed to affect but upon better advise refused of Ambassadors they were received of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber where one of them having made a formall harange containing besides complement of condoleing and congratulating a complaint against his Majesties Ships lying at the mouth of the Ebb and hindering their free Traffique and an humble request of his leave to transport through his Seas without molestation Corne Powder Copper and Cordage to France and Italy their Merchants entering caution to their Senat that they should not transport any to Spaine then our Enemy his Majesty entered answered them by my interpretation that he would gladly continue with them the friendly correspondence held by his deceased Father and did not nor would interrupt them either at the mouth of their River or else-where at Sea for any quarrell he had to them or any way to hinder their Traffique but only keep them from Trading with the King of Spaine his Enemy which by Law of Nations and in justice he might and would do To which purpose they should further repaire to his Councell to whom he would give Order for their access to Negotiate so dismissed they returned and I with them to their Lodgings The sixth of July an Ambassador Extraordinary Paul Rozenerantz sent from the King of Denmark arriveing at Gravesend Then but a Baron and no Privy Councellor was there received by Sir Lewes Lewkner two dayes after at Tower-wharffe by the Lord Willoughby Lord High Chamberlaine of England and by him brought to his Lodging in Lumbard-Street where he had his Diet defrayed by his Majesty at eighteen pound per diem His attendance of the Kings Servants consisted only of a Gentleman Usher daily Waiter a Sewer and two others without any of the Guard daily to attent him His own Trayne passed not in all a dozen persons The day after his Arriveall he sent to know his Majesties pleasure for his Audience which
but a gracious answer I acquainted his Majesty with his instant desire that it might stand with his Majesties pleasure to have his publick Audience made private by commanding an avoidance of the pressing company or by his Majesties retrait to his more private Lodgings where the Ambassador might have an immediate access to him for communication of some particulars of his Negotiation which required speed in dispatch His Majesty was gratiously pleased to allow of the former and commanding all to stand back but the Ambassador they spake together a good time out of the hearing of any After taking his leave to returne to London and incountring on the way the Duke of Buckingham he caused his coach to turne back after him but in vaine the Duke taking another way but overtaking the Ambassador that night in his more speedie returne he there in the way received his Letters his complement and his request of a speedy dispatch in his businesse The fifth of October he had his Audience of the Queen assigned and given him at Hampton Court without any Person of Title to receive him at the Gate with excuse from the Gentleman Usher upon my remonstrance of their absence for Service of her Majesty the next day in her remove The Queen received him in her Privy-chamber where he after an Invitation or two of her Majesty covered for which he went not away uncensured of the observing Ladies and Lords there present His Majesty having received an account from France of the cold reception and entertainment given his Ambassador Sir Dudley Carleton Lord of Imber-court imployd thither Extraordinary for prevention and accommodation of whatsoever differences that might grow from the late remove of the French from about the Person of the Queen news came soone after to Court of the arrivall at Dover September the foure and twentieth of Monsieur de Bassampierre sent Ambassador from that King about the same businesse whom to entertain answerable to the stile and Treatment of our Kings Ambassadors there it was consulted of and resolved that neither the Master of the Ceremonies nor other Officers of his Majesty should be sent to receive serve him further off then at Gravesend a Nobleman no neerer then Greenwich for his conduction thence by water to Tower Wharffe and to his house hired and furnished by himselfe in Leaden-hall-street for which latter complement was chosen the Earle of Dorset On his way towards his House the Master of the Ceremonies letting fall some words concerning the provision of Diet made for him by his Majesties Order he would by no meanes accept of it answering that if the King would have been pleased to have assigned him a House he would have received also the favour of his Diet but to eate at an other mans charge in his own House as he would be bold to call that hired for him by his his Officers he desired pardon if he refused it so were the Kings provisions that had been allready served in turned back againe For Sunday following September the thirtieth he had his audience assigned him at Hampton Court and came thither in the Kings coach followed by divers Noblemens with the conduct of the Earle of Carliel though some were of opinion that the Earle of Dorset should have been properly his conductour as had been one and the same Person at the reception and first audience of the Lord of Imber-court in France he was brought after his repose in the Councell-chamber where a Dinner had been prepared for him but he came to late purposely it was thought to eate it and a collation set ready on the Table at his comming but remained untasted of by him or any of his followers through the great Hall to the Presence-chamber where both the King and Queen stood under the State to receive him the Lords and Gentlemen ranged on the Kings right hand the Ladies with the Dutches of Fremoville on the left And having presented his Letters to the King and passed other respects with his Majesty he performed the like with the Queen after which parting towards his coach accompanied by the Lord mentioned and others he was in the outward Court told that the Duke of Buckingham was comming after him whereat making a stand till the Duke came they two privatly and apart from the rest discoursed halfe an houre together before they parted the Ambassador dismissing the Kings Coach returned in his owne to London The twentieth of October a Signification from the Lords of the Councell came to the Ambassadors of Denmarke and of Betblem Gabor as also to Monsieur Benica Agent sent hither from the Marquess of Baden that if they would be pleased to come to Monsieur Rosdorss resident here for the King of Bohemia at his Lodging neere White-Hall which they could not but think as they did a bold Invitation for persons of their quality they should have word sent them thither of the time of the Lords readinesse to receive and heare them but when they were all there at the houre assigned one of the Clerks of the Councell brought word that Bethlem Gabors Ambassador and the Envoy from the Marquess of Baden were to have present access but that for the Ambassador of Denmark their Lordships desired his patience till some other time which he not without shew of resentment for such an Exclusion saying the other two were by me introduced first the Minister of Bethlem Gabor and immediatly after his dispatch the other The two and twentieth of October the Ambassador of Denmark had access to the King in his Withdrawing-chamber with my conduct and upon his dispatch I demanded pardon if I gave him not my attendance home because of a charge I had I said instantly tofetch the two Commissioners of Hambrough to their parting Audience so repaired to them where as I had already ordered it they stayed my comming at my House having before sent them to their Lodgings a Noblemans coach for their transport thither I brought them by the way of the Parke and Privy Galleries answerable to the stile of their first introduction in quality of deputies not Ambassadors into the Withdrawing-chamber there thanking his Majesty for his favours and desiring some small addition and cleering to and of their River of Elb blocked up by his Majesties Ships their other demand of transport of Corne Copper and ammunition of War ut supra being with reason denied them they took their leave and two dayes after had their presents of two Gold Chaines each of the valew of 210 l. brought them by two of the under Officers of the Jewell-house who had for their gratuity given them by the hand of one of the Commissioners ten peeces and to their Servants twenty shillings Two dayes after inviting me to dine with them they before Dinner presented me with a purse and fifty peeces Soone after taking their Journey to Dover without my conduction or expectation of it they there imbarqued for France to returne by Paris
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