FINETTI PHILOXENIS SOM CHOICE OBSERVATIONS OF Sr. JOHN FINETT KNIGHT And Master of the CEREMONIES to the two last KINGS Touching the Reception and Precedence the Treatment and Audience the Puntillios and Contests of Forren AMBASSADORS IN ENGLAND Legati ligant Mundum LONDON Printed by T. R. for H. Twyford and G. Bedell and are to be Sold at their Shops in Vine-Court Middle Temple and the Middle Temple Gate 1656. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PHILIP Lord Vicount Lisle c. MY LORD I Know well for I know it by Experience that your Lordship hath been trained up from a Youth in matters of Embassyes and Legantine Affaires as wel when you attended my Lord your Father to Denmark and other States of Germany as many yeares after in the French Court Therefore the Dedicatory addresse of this new Peece will not be adjudged incongruous by any discerning Reader but very pertinent considering the quality of the subject which treats of transactions of that nature being the Manuall observations of that knowing Knight and well accomplish'd Courtier Sir John Finett vvho officiated so many yeares in Affaires of that kind Therefore this Peece goes indented vvith many signall Passages of the Reception and Treatments of the Conduct Audiences the Pretences and Precedencies vvith divers Contests and Puntilioes of State between forren Ambassadors Among other parts of Industry vvhich vvere knovvn to be in that Worthy Knight one vvas to couch in vvriting and keep an exact Diary of vvhat things had passed in his Province as Master of the Ceremonies according to the laudable Custome of the Italians and transmitted by them to the high and low Dutch Ministers of State vvith others Moreover these Observations go interwoven vvith divers Historicall Passages and those most faithfully related there being nothing taken here upon trust but all upon his own knovvledge being stil upon the place himself and an Actor in every thing as appeared by the Manuscript he left And thus much out of the conversation I had often vvith him I vvas desired to tell the World Lastly Besides the Motives before mentioned there vvent another Inducement to this Election vvhich vvas the high respects and Honour I professe your Lordship having discovered in you a true Sidneyan Soule vvhich by a peculiar Noble Genius is observed to be extraordinarily inclin'd to the Theory and Speculative part of Vertue as vvell as to the Practicall In vvhich opinion I rest My most Honoured Lord Your very humble and ever ready Servant JAMES HOWELL Holborn this 20. of April 1656. THE Chief Heads and Substance of the ensuing DISCOURSE 1. THe Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented and the Kings Apologie for his satisfaction 2. The Braveries used at the Lady Elizabeths Wedding 3. Passages of Ambassadors about invitations to the Earl of Somersets Marriage 4. A clash betwixt the Savoy and Florence Ambassadors for precedence 5. Differences at a Mask betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors and the States 6. The Spanish Ambassador excepting against the States for sitting with him in the Kings presence 7. The Spanish Ambassador refusing to be at a Mask 8. The Venetian Ambassador discontented about his Present 9. Foure Ambassadors at a Readers Feast 10. Ambassadors invited to hunt with the King 11. Ambassadors invited to the Princes Creation 12. The rich present of Furres sent by the Emperour of Russia to the King 13. A clash betwixt the Spanish and French Ambassadors 14. Touching Sir Henry Manwayring 15. Exceptions taken by the French 16. The sitting of Ambassadors at a Mask with the King reform'd 17. Differences betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors reconcil'd 18. Of the flaunting Embassie of Monsieur Cadenet 19. Exceptions about placing 20. Six in joynt Ambassie at once from the States 21. The Russian Ambassadors puntillio for precedence 22. A great Embassie from the Emperour 23. Questions betwixt the Imperiall and Venetian Ambassadors concerning Titles and Visits the like with the French 24. The young Landgrave of Hessens entertainment 25. The States Ambassadors distasts 26. The Duke of Soubizes Negotiation 27. Exceptions taken by the Venetian Ambassadors 28. Exceptions of the States Ambassadors 29. The Prince his return from Spain 30. The French Ambassador gets ground of the Spanish 31. Difference betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors 32. Reasons for the Master of the Ceremonies to sit in the same Coach with the Ambassadors 33. A clash betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassador 34. Sir Robert Sherley Ambassador from Persia 35. Ambassadors extraordinary from France to treat of a Marriage 36. Death of King James and Solemnities of his Funerall 37. Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador 38. Reason of the Venetian Ambassador for Parity with Crownd heads 39. The King and Queens first interview at Dover 40. The Marquesse of Blamvillés contestations for formalities and his Lodging and Dyet at Court 41. His reason for not assisting at the Coronation 42. The great clash betwixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley 43. The French cashier'd from Court 44. Difference betwixt the Master of the Ceremonies and Jewell house who is to carry Presents to Ambassadors 45. Bethlem Gabors Ambassadors 46. The Reformation of Ambassadors sitting in publick and eating with the King 47. The Danish Ambassadors complaint 48. The Mantovan Ambassadors Expostulations 49. A new Declaration touching the Treatment of Ambassadors and the value of their Presents abated 50. The Expostulations of the Duke of Savoyes Ambassador 51. Questions and Puntillioes betwixt Regall and Ducall Ambassadors 52. The Lord Majors refusing to give place to the King of Denmarks Ambassador 53. A clash betwixt the Ambassador of Savoy and the Duke of Buckingham because he gave Sanctuary to my Lady Purbeck 54. The States Ambassadors exceptions and complaints how satisfied 55. The notable Plot the Spanish Ambassadors had traced to destroy the Duke of Buckingham With divers other Signall Passages of State and matters of remark wherewith the Discourse is interwoven In page 250. for and machinations read a machination with other small mistakes which the judicious Reader will not stumble at Sir JOHN FINETS OBSERVATIONS Touching Forren Ambassadors c. THE Count Palatine of the Rhone coming to marry the Lady Elizabeth landed at Graves end on Friday night the sixteenth of October and had his first welcom brought him thither from the King by the Lord Haye with the attendance of Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies and his second on Sunday following by the Duke of Lenox attended by many Lords Knights and Gentlemen the Kings Servants As he passed before the Tower in his Majesties Barges the discharge of the great Ordnance there served for a warning to the Earles of Shrewsbury Sussex Southampton and other Lords to waite on the Duke of Yorke to the Staires of White-Hall for his reception at his landing there and to conduct him to the presence of the King Queene Prince and Princesse in the Banqueting House where having made an humble reverence to his Majesty and passed his first Complement he addressed himselfe to
but not _____ to the value of it in ready money he presented me with a Chayne of 30 l. value On S. Georges day Note if it should please him because Ambassadors are not to be in vited but to let the King know their desires to see that Feast the Polonian Ambassador having before received an Invitation to see if it should please him the Solemnity of that Feast was brought to White-Hall by Sir Lewes Lewkner the Lord Gray having been appointed to accompany him but arriving too late after his departure from his Lodging though indeed the sending of a Lord at that time was Supererrogatory and not usuall he rested himselfe in the old Councell Chamber till the Procession when placed in a stand purposely erected for him and his folfowers next the doore at the head of the Stone Stayres he saw the King and Knights pass by and after that the Ceremony in the Chappell from the Kings Closet there that finished he and the Arch-Dukes Agent Van Mab all day accompaning him were treated by the King in the Councell Chamber with the attendance of his Majesties Servants on whom he bestowed by advice of Van Mab about ten pounds in Hungarian Duckets and about the midst of his Majesties Dinner went to see and saluted the King Prince and Knights as they sate at Table and after retyring for a while in the Councell Chamber he departed On Sunday the fifteenth of July this Ambassador together with another of the House of Medici arrived here a little before from the Duke of Florence were invited to dine with the King and there to take their leaves A day or two before the Lord North had order from the Lord Chamberlain to accompany the Florentine while it was questioned what Person of somewhat a preceding quality should accompany the Polonian But most of the great Lords then absent from Towne and both the Kings best Coaches so imployed as they could not be spared severally to carry them there came a Countermand the Evening before for the Company of any Lord so as Sir Lewes Lewkner inone of his Majesties Coaches only attended them they came towards noon to Theobalds were recived at their descent from their Coaches by the Earle of Aubegney and conducted to the Gouncell Chamber neere which each of them had a Chamber appointed for their retraite they were after the Sermon brought to the King in the Privy Chambers and out of them following him to the Presence Chamber they there dined the Polonian at the lower side of the Table on the Kings left hand and the Florentine at the end of it A Count Palatine Cosin to the Polonian and three or four Knights of Malta and of Saint Stephen of the Florentines Traine dined in the Councell Chamber At the end of the Table sate the Count Palatine in a Chaire and for company the Lord Clifford on his right hand the three Knights on the left side and beneath them the rest of the Florentines company on the other side sate the Polonians Gentlemen c. the inferior sort sate not at all there but had the remaines after at the same Table Dinner done the Ambassadors after their retreat to their Chambers had their several Audiences The Polonian first in the Gallery who was after conducted to the Prince by his Highness Gentleman Usher And after him the Florentine in the same place and order The Polonian Ambassador not long after departed having obtained of his Majesty by the cunning assistance of the Count de Gondemar the loane I may say the gift as never to be restored of ten thousand pound sterling The 23. of December three Commissioners Ambassadors from the States being assigned their first publique Audience were conducted to it in the Kings Coach and four or five others by the Lord Clifford from their Lodging in Bread-streete their names were d'Arsen Lord of Somersdyks Bass Stavenets they were received at the Gaurd-Chamber door by the Earle of Warwick as Captaine of the Guard in his Brothers absence and after their Audience of the King in the Presence Chamber had one of the Prince in his Lodgings Twelftide appearing and a Maske being to be presented by the Prince and other Lords and Gentlemen my Lord Chamberlaine gave me in charge to repaire to the Venetian Ambassador Seigniour Girolenio Landi with this message as from himself with request of his Secrecy That whereas he had told him two or three dayes before that no Ambassador should be invited to the Maske as the King had signified to him his intention he perceived that the Spanish Ambassador the Count of Gondemar had under-hand pressed his Majesty to be invited so as not to appear to have doubled with him in what he had told him he bade me let his Excellency know that if he would for forme sake be invited and frame some excuse for his not comming he would himselfe as from his Majesty send him an invitation But if he would be really invited and come his request should be that he would make his way to it by the Marquis of Buckingham When I had delivered this message to the Ambassador in hearing of his Secretary whom he called in he made answer That for excuse of his not comming though for forme invited he would never give that advantage to the Spanish Ambassador to say of him that one day he would be well and annother ill for his satisfaction as he knew some had been as if he stood in awe of him and for the other point of making his way by the Marquis of Buckingham he would never do it since he had alwayes he said made his access to his Majesties Presence by the right door of the Lord Chamberlain and would now enter by no other But since he saw he said what this tenderness meant he desired me to intreat his Lordship in his name that he would be pleased to go directly to his Majesty and by way of remembrance no otherwise put him in mind from him That the last year the French Ambassador Extraordinary Monsieur de Cadenet and the Ordinary Monsieur de Tilliers were invited to the Prince his Maske at Christmas and the Spanish Ambassador to the same Maske repeated at Shrovetide to which he could and might justly have taken Exceptions that he was both times omitted but that the King of Bohemiaes Ambassador being not then no more then he invited he was content to suffer with him but that now though he might in reason expect that he should be as in his turne invited alone he would not be so punctuall but would referre all to his Majesties pleasure yet if any other Ambassador should be invited he would expect the like honour as a respect due to the Prince and State he represented who in all publicke places had and were to have entertaintment al par delle teste Cornate equall with Crowned Kings And as for the Spanish Ambassador he said his presence at the Maske should notbe an Exclusion to him
his proceeding considering that the Emperors Ambassador both affirmed that the Spanish had first vifited him personally wheras the French had by an hasty anticipation only performed it by his Servent and that at another time the same French Ambassador had passed over a subject for the like punctuality without any scruple or question as when the Bohemian Ambassador was here and had first visited the Spanish he was for all that visited by him the French Tthat by the stile held in the Emperors Court the precedence is given to the Spanish and that he was therefore bound to observe it here yet notwithstanding all this the French upon a second offter of visite from the Emperors Ambassador excused his being at home so as there passed no complement of visite at all between them In the mean time the Venetian Ambassador after I had returned as from my self the Emperors Ambassador his answer ut supra wrote to me an ofter to come to my House which preventing by going to his told me he had received a returne of his visite sent by his Servant by a Servant of the others who at the first entrance of his Message giving his own Master the title of Excellenza and him the Venetian of Signioria Illustrifsima said his Excellency hoped to see him before his departure which words though of a double sence of seeing him at his own House or at the others taken as a courtesie he desired me to let him know as I did that he had spared to make Reply to his courtesie by his own the Venetians Servant because the Title likely to be used by the Emperors Ambassador and justly to be returned considering the Republicks paritie with Crownd Heads by the same Servant might perhaps breed further distaste but that I that was neutrall and uninterested might let him know as he desired me I would without danger of offence or ingagement by application of Title that he was most sorry any such difference should hinder the Visite and acknowledgement of respects which he and his Republique owed the Emperor and his Ministers but that if any mean could be found to carry things with indifferencie that he would most readily imbrace it That at the first if he had not expressed himself by those different Titles given by his Secretary he had himselfe personally visited him and without further condition put himself upon his wisdome That regarding the duty he owed the State he represented he would not leave his first hold and finally for his own particular he was his most humble servant c. To this the Emperors Ambassador returned that he was sorry the difference stood so stifely upon between them should keep him from the acquaintance of a person of whom he had received so worthy respects that he could not alter what he had once with good reason resolved never to treate del pare with the Venetian Minister That what he stood upon or had done proceeded not he protested from any Capriccio of his own or command of his Master but meerly as he knew of his own experience according to the Stile and manner held between the Emperors and all Venetian Ambassadors ab antiquo so desired pardon for his freedome presented his love and service c. The last Complement being returned to the Venetian Ambassador the business ended without interview or further question or difference between them The 11. of April this Ambassador had his second private Audience fetcht from Denmark-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
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
Conway with the cause of my comming and the address I had from my Lord Chamberlaine to him too for my further Government so the 27. of January I was sent to Saxham with the Kings Coach only and five Gentlemen the Kings Servants and parting thence the next morning early in obedience of a Command sent Post to me thither from my Lord Duke after midnight That the King having assigned the Audience for the afternoone would have me bring the Ambassador by ten in the forenoon we came with three Coaches besides the Kings to Court where conducting him immediatly up to the Princes Privy Chamber which in absence of his Highness was purposely hung for honour to the Ambassador he was fetcht thence by the Earle of Anglesey through the Privy Chamber and the Withdrawing-Chamber where the Duke met him into the Kings Bedchamber There having made his two first respects of Approach with his Turbant on his whole habite being Persian at the third he took it off and laid it at the Kings feete and made his Speech of Entrance kneeling till the King willing him to arise and cover he did and presenting his Letters of Credence written in the Persian Language and un-understood for want of an Interpreter no where then to be found in England After this having gratious words and countenances from his Majesty he returned accompanied as he came to the Prince his Lodgings where Master Secretary Conway repairing to him intertained him an hour with discourse concerning the Propositions of his Negotiatiation which he had a little before delivered to him and the Duke in Writing and so returned to Saxham Immediatly upon this Ambassadors Arrivall at Court I acquainted the Duke with his intention to lay his Turbant at the Kings feet though he said he had kept it alwayes on in the Presence of the Emperour and the King of Spaine and thereby made way for his Majesties Allowance of his covering which was otherwise doubted would not have been permitted in regard of his naturall Subjection though in his former imployment into England when he wore his owne Countrey Habite he had been after some question about it allowed to cover in the Kings Presence From the same King The 12. of February he came to London with my attendance in company of his Sister Crofts and others met between Tottenham and Newington with six Coaches whereof one with foure Horses and hired by me at the Kings charge by my Lord Chamberlains permission for that day onely his Lordship saying he had yet no order for it from his Majesty The 14. of February having received an assignation for his Audience of the Prince at Saint Jameses his Highnes Coach and two Horses being commanded to be ready there at twelve of the clock I found there the Earle of Arund Son to the Lord Marquess Hamilton and Gentleman of the Prince his Bed-Chamber with six or seaven more of his Highness Servants that had received Order for his conduction to his presence We went thence to the Ambassadors Lodgings in Fleet-street and there meeting the Lord North and some Gentlemen of his Kindred we brought him to the Prince his Presence Chamber at Saint Jameses where his Hignesse standing ready to receive him the Ambassador entered performing all his reverences with his Turbant on bowing himselfe low at his second reverence and touching the ground with his right hand and then his head when come neere the Prince who stood uncovered he fell on his knee but instantly raised by his Highnesse he fell to the Complementall part and from that to the earnest of his errand which offered to the Prince's consideration in writing he retyred as he entered and returned to his home with the conduction mentioned The five and twentieth of February Mr. Secretary Conway wrote me a Letter to come to speake with me for the Kings Service which obeyed he told me the Duke of Buckingham and he had received notice of two Ambassadors landed at Gravesend from the States of the United Provinces This was when Sir Lewes Lewkner was had in Jealousie for his affection to the Spanish Ambassadors and that they had made choyce of me to be sent thither to receive them I told him after humble thanks for the honour my Lord Duke and his Honour intended me in that imployment that I must in the duty of my place receive my charges from the Lord Chamberlain and that I thought the Master of the Ceremonies had or would have the discharge of that Service committed to him He replied he thought he would rather attend the Spanish Ambassadors then the Dutch and for my Lord Chamberlaine he said he had sought him for that purpose but not finding him he desired me to acquaint him with the Dukes and his choyce of me which when I accordingly imparted to his Lordship he told me that Sir Lewes had been with him that afternoon and received his Directions to go presantly to Gravesend with the Kings Barge to bring them to London The next morning my Lord Wentworth sent me word that he was made choice of to receive them at their landing at the Tower and desired my company with other Gentlemens thither whence he conducted them being two Joynt Commissioners Monsieur d'Arsennes that had been here not long before and Monsieur Jaachimi one of the States Generall of Zealand with the attendance of half a score Coaches half a dozen of the Kings Servants and as many Commanders of the Low Countries whereof Generall Veere was one to their Lodging in Lumberstreet The Sunday following 29. of February the Lord Cavendish had order to bring them to their Audience of his Majesty with him went the Lord de la Ware and other Gentlemen whereof my self one though Sir Lewes had charge of the Service being come to the Ambassadors Lodging we found so many Coaches sent and brought thither to do them service and honour as our whole number all with four horses was thirty Having rested themselves a while in the Councell-Chamber they were introduced to the Kings Presence in his withdrawing Chamber by the back way that leads from the Councell Chamber to the Privie Galleries and not in the Presence Chamber the ordinary place of Audience for Ambassadors Extraordinary quod nota The next day having received an Assignation for an Audience of the Prince and the Lord Compton son to the Earle of Northampton being appointed to conduct him to it at Saint Jameses I went thither about one of the clock with intention only to be present at it when hearing that Sir Lewes Lewkner was not likely to be there for his service I upon request of the Lord Carew Chamberlaine to his Highness attended it accompanying the Lord Compton who had with him two of the Princes Coaches beyond Custome and two of the Lords and on the way in Cheapside meeting them the Ambassadors not expecting as they said a person of honour should be sent for them they there shifted Coaches came to Saint
taking Sir William Button my Collegue assistant of the Ceremonies to witnesse what he had said and done his Lordship willed me to returne and affirme to him the contrary with confidence But halfe the wordes which I had to say to this purpose when I came to him were scarce uttered when he confessed the Action yet not without blaming his Servants mistaking and forgetfullnesse to deliver back to him the paper At this time the French and Venetian Ambassadors invited to the Marriage were not free from Puntillios That made an offer to precede the Prince This stood upon it that they were not to sit at the Table without Chaires though the Prince The King not present had but a stoole the Count Palatine and the Princess onely for the honour of the day having Chayres and insisting upon a formality that the Carver was not to stand above him but neither of these prevailed in their reasonlesse pretences Neither was the Wife of the French Ambassador cleere of these disputes for when I had ushered her up amcungst the Countesses and left her there to the raniging of the Lord Chamberlaine he ordered shee should be placed at the Table next beneath the Countesses and above the Baronesses But the Viscountesse of Effingham standing to her womans right and possest allready of her proper place as she called it would not moove lower so held the hand of the Ambassatrice till after dinner the Ambassador her husband informed of the difference and opposition tooke it for an indignity and calling for his Wives Coach that by her departure it might be seen he was sensible she was by others perswasions stayed and was at supper placed beneath the Countesse of Killdare and above the Viscountesse of Haddington who made no scruple of it the Lady of Effingham in the interim forbearing with rather too much then too little Stommach both her supper and the Company The Ambassador of the united Provinces Sir Noel Caron kept himselfe all this while quiet without question of Prius or Posterius or thrusting for publique Note being a continually entertained guest during the solemnitie of the Marriage the carriage whereof on the day of it was this Between the howers of eleaven and twelve after that the Bride and Bride-groom had in manner of a procession passed along through the first Court at White-hall on a raised Terras conspicuous to all the first entered the Chappell was the Prince Palatine attended by the Batchellrie of the Nobilitie and after him the Princess apparrelled in white her haire layed out at length in Curls over-spreading her shoulders and Crowned with a Coronet of rich pearles and Diamonds followed by a dozen of choice Virgins Bcauties all cloathed in white who with her Highnesse ascended by six or seaven stepps an eelevated place purposely framed in the midst of the Chappell shee was encountered thereon by the Prince Palatine who ascended by the other end After these came up the King Queene and Prince seating themselves the King on the one side next whom at his right hand stood the Earle of Arundell carrying the sword and next him the Prince On the side opposite sate the Queen next her the Princesse then the Lady Baronesse Harington her late Governesse and last of that company Count Henry of Nassaw on the Kings side standing that place being voyded of all others The Sermon began preached by the Deane of the Chappell Bishop of London Doctor King and this ended the formall wordes of the Marriage with all Ceremonies in use were read by the Arch-Bishop of Canterburie and in place where it was requisite repeated by the Prince Palatine in English In conclusion a joy pronounced by the King and Queen and seconded with congratulation of the Lords there present which Crowned with draughts of Ippocras out of a great golden Bowle as an health to the prosperitie of the Marriage beg an by the Prince Palatine and answered by the Princess After which were served up by six or seaven Barons so many Bowles filled with wafers so much of that worke was consummate the Bravery and riches of that day was incomparable Gold and Silver laid upon Lordes Ladies and Gentlewomens backs was the poorest burthen Pearles and coastly Embroyderies being the commonest weare The Kings Queenes and Princes Iewells onely were valued that day by his Majesty himselfe upon occasion of discourse happening to the purpose of the Braverie then appearing at nine Hundred Thousand poundes sterling The next two dayes came behind in time not in cost to the former and an open Court was for that time kept with intertaining Tables and free admittance to them of all worthy commers English or strangers The one and twentieth of February following there was a great supper prepared by the King but at the cost of certain Lords who lost it for their ill running at the Ring against his Majesty and his party in a large roome built of purpose for the time over the North-Terras next the first Court of White-Hall The King and Prince onely were seated at a crosse Table placed at the end of the Roome next the Banqueting House The Prince Palatine the Lords Ladies and the Gentlemen of the Inns of Court that had been at the Marriage Maskers or Assistants to the Maske whereof there were of both about forty sate at another Table placed longwayes the Chamber Passages at the Marriage of the Earle of Summerset 1613. THe three and twentieth of December 1613 I was sent to the Ambassador of Venice Seig. Foscarini Sir William Button having been sent at the same time and on the same Errant to the Ambassador of France with this formall Message Mons. de Buisseaux that according to his Majesties most Royall disposition and desire to give all due content to Ministers of Forrain Princes whereof he himselfe the Ambassador had the yeare before received a particular Testimony having been then invited togeather with the French Ambassador to the Marriage of the Princess Palatine I was now sent to signifie his Majesties pleasure to this purpose That his Majesty was perswaded and with all desirous that his Excellencie would not passe any Mis-construction upon his proceeding if the Spanish Ambassador newly come into this Kingdome and who had not yet been present here at any entertainments of Court were togeather with the Arch-Dukes Ambassador invited to the Marriage of the Earle of Summerset Don diego Sarmiento de Acunna and not he the Ambassador of Venice that if he would be pleased to honour with his presence the Maske of Gentlemen of the Inns of Court to be performed on Twelfe night a time amongst us of the solemnest observance he should be most wellcome to it and in the meane time I was further to let him know that there was an intention he should be invited to the Marriage of the Lady Jane Dromond first Lady of the Queenes Bedd-Chamber at Candlemas To this his Answere was a question whether the King intended the Solemnitie towards
me there was a Table to be both served and sit at in State was all on the Queenes side as on the Kings and that if the Agents would come to either of them the first come might make his firstchoyce there was no doubt but his Lordships provident care for their placeing at the Maske would keepe them out of distance and danger of dispute for precedence So they both came but the Savoyard getting the start and siding allwayes close to the Spanish Ambassador was both at the supper and Maske the more conspicuous while the other kept himselfe retyred as Sconosiuto The Spanish Ambassador the Arch-Dukes and both their Ladies were on New-yeares day following invited to the sight of a Tilting the King and Queene there present where I by Command attended them The first of February 1613. Mons de â—uisscaux The Lord Viscount Lysle Lord Chamberlaine to the Queen sent me to invite in his Majesties name the French Ambassador to the Marriage of the Lady Jane Dromond to be Solemnized the next day at Somerset House He accepted the Invitatation with humble thankes as an especiall favour he said done to him by his Majesty but desired if his desire might be presented to her Majesty as that she might not interpret it for a singularity in him or a disobedience to her pleasure which rather then to incurr he would he said lay aside all other respects and submit his reason to her will that he might be excused his comming to Dinner and be present onely at Supper and at the entertainment after it When I had as far as good manners would allow me provoked him to the reason of his request that I might at least glance at it in returning his answer to the Lord Chamberlaine to procure it the better passage he would have made it appeare that a part of his reason was that his Lent was already entered and that to be at two meales of flesh togeather would be too great a sin but when I had removed that Objection with assuring him that at our great Feasts Fish was an especiall provision he came neerer telling me plainly but as to his Freind he said Sub Sigillo confessionis who hee knew would carry it no further that since the Spanish Ambassador had had the precedence of him in his invitation to the marriage of the Earle of Somerset he would not wrong the Master he represented to march in the second place as it would be taken if he should come to Dinner though many dayes had passed since the other and that the Queen and not the King gave this entertainment but if he might be spared he sayd from the Brides Dinner at the like whereof the other the Spanish Ambassador might be though to have done well to have spared his presence in regard neither the King nor Queene were there in person a point that men he said of his representative quality were especially to regard in all such publique solemnities he could not nor would refuse the honour of being there at Supper when both King and Queen would be as he heard present yet he concluded that riterateing his request that I would not communicate the formality of these reasons rather then he would in the least point distast her Majesty he would post-posing all other considerations be there both Dinner and Supper With this signification I returned to the Lord Lysle Lord Chamberlaine to the Queene who communicated it to the Earle of Worcester Master of her Majesties Horse He presented me at my parting with a gold Chayne worth 10 l. that he might convey it to her Majesty as he should go with her in a Coach from White-Hall to Somerset House It hung yet in intention when the Ambassadors Secretary came to me from his Lord with a further exception that howsoever the Queene were pleased that he should be present both Dinner and Supper he would be bold to prefer this condition to her allowance that he might not sit upon a Stoole but in a Chaire in the same manner as the Bride should be seated I answered I thought that would be a matter of no great difficulty But how quoth I if the Prince be there and have but a Stoole to sit on If my Lord Ambassador were sure of that replyed the Secretary I presume he would make no further question but in all beare his Highnesse Company To be resolved of this I went at his request to my Lord Lysle my Lord Worcester and my Lord Carew Vice-Chamberlaine whom I found alltogether and having assurance from them of the Prince his presence with the Bride at Dinner and requesting their Lordships as the Secretary desired me that they would not trouble the Queene any further concerning the Ambassador till the Secretary had been with him and returned with his finall Satisfaction he repaired that Evening to my Lord Lysle and propounding the same demand of a Chayre as he had done to me in the Afternoone it was resolved he should have one with the Prince and so ended that difference The next day he came and the Bride seated at the Tables end which was placed crosse at the upper end of the Hall had the Prince at her left hand as the better place neerest the Wall his Highnesse sitting with his right hand uppermost on her right the Ambassadors both in Chayres and opposite to him beneath the Prince in a little distance sate on a stoole a Duke of Saxonie here at that time to visite his Majesty The Arch-Dukes Ambassador received from me an Invitation the same day that I delivered one to another and accepted it though he were then in earnest sick in his Bed of a cold he had taken both for Dinner and Supper without Scruple or question I will not say without intention not to be at either but his cold increasing that night with a Loosenesse he wrote to me to come to him as I did the next Morning and there desired his absence might be excused to her Majesty His Lady came notwithstanding in the Afternoone as did also the French Ambassadors with her Husband in the Morning and had both of them their places at the Table next beneath the Countesses Seig. Gabellion the Duke of Savoys Agent was also invited and had his place appointed him at Dinner next beneath the Duke of Lenox Too high and at Supper both which might seem to have fallne out chanceably next above the Lord Knowles beneath the Earles and above the Barons The Ambassador of France sate that night at the end of the Table at the right hand of his Majesty with a distance between them of some halfe a dozen persons the Queene sate next the King on his left hand and neer her the Prince It may appeare that the scope and end of this question mooveing from the French Ambassador was that by some addition of honour he might get the start he seemed to have lost of preceeding the Spaniard and which himselfe bragged he had
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
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
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
William Crosts one of his Highness Gentlemen and such as must necessarily attend the service being allowed Entrance The wind comming faire of Oct. His Highness parted from Saint Andrews and the fifth of October having in the mean time touched at Silley and passed some foule weather he came before Portsmouth where he and the Duke of Buckingham immediatly landed The Ambassador Mendoza held it his duty immediatly to follow them so went on shoare and I with him though somewhat over-late that he might there personally congratulate his Highness safe Arrivall when his Highness in his haste to Court rode out at one gate before we could land and enter the other There lodging the Ambassador by the Mayors Billetting we passed three nights before we could be provided in that troublesome time of so many mens landing with Coaches Carts and Horses for his proceeding to London To which purpose sending a Warrant which I had before proviseonally gotten at Sea with the Duke of Buckinghams hand to it to Sir Daniell Norton a Justice of Peace in Hampshire he sent in three Carts whereof we imployed but two and sufficient number of Sadle Horses and his own Coach and four Horses with which and with the Prince his left purposely by his Highnesse for that Service we set forward to London the eighteenth of October went that night to Petersfield twelve miles and the next day to Gilfford twenty miles where the Ambassador being met halfe a mile from the Towne by one of the Viscountess of Annundales Gentlemen her Lord waiting then on the King in his place of Gentleman of the Bed-Chamber with an Invitation to Lodge at her House it was accepted The Master of the Ceremonies with three or foure Gentlemen came that night to us having brought with them three or foure hyred Coaches and one with six mules sent the Ambassador Extraordinary by the Marquess de la Inojosa who sometime before arrived in England The next day the Marquess mentioned and the other Ambassador Extraordinary Don Carlos de Coloma met us Answerable to an assignation given by Sir Lewes Lewkner about foure miles from London with halfe a dosen more coaches Then the Ambassadors quitting their own Coach and entring the Princes were all arrived in the Evening at Excester House their appointed Lodging where Lodged also with them Don Hurtado de Mendoza out of his own and the other Ambassadors election after offer had been made him both for his Lodging and defraying at his Majesties charge but was excused by the Marquess de la Inojosa with saying he should be his guest while he remained in England so much I signified the next Morning to Don Diego from my Lord Chamberlain with intimation further that if he found himselfe not Lodged or treated to his mind he should have other provisions elsewhere adding that his Majesty and particularly the Prince had given my Lord Chamberlain an especiall charge to do him honour in all things and to procure him his full Satisfaction To this offer he replyed with many thanks but with refusall saying the Marquess was his kinsman and with him he would quarter and defray himselfe the furniture and Hangings of his Chamber supplyed him from the King being he said an honour sufficient for him There he remained and at three dayes end I was sent to him from my Lord Chamberlain to know his desire for his Audience and to let him know withall that if he had aessicted a speedy dispatch his Lordship would write to the King for it that going from London the Wednesday and coming that day or the next to Royston he might the next day after have his Audience the King having dessigned his remove from thence on Saturday to Fincham-brook a place that afforded no commodity for his reception or otherwise if he were not prest by his Affaires he might be pleased to respite his Journey to the King till his Majesty should returne to Theobalds where he would not be till a Fortnight after This latter offer he made choyce of as of the most proper allowance of time to provide himselfe of Liveries c. for his followers of which he came unprovided In the meane within foure or five dayes of his Arrivall at London his Lordship willed me to know of him if he would be pleased to receive visit from him and other Noblemen that owed and would discharge their respects which offer he thankfully accepted of and received on the next day from his Lordship and the Earle of Arrundell coming to him both together The thirteenth of October the Marquess de la Inojosa and Don Carlos de Coloma set forth towards Royston to congratulate the Prince his returne not yet seen by them his Highnesse remaining yet with the King but being on their way as far as Buntingford they there met a message from Mr. Secretary Conway in name of his Majesty either that they should be pleased to come presently to his Majesties Presence and from that to the Princes and returne that night to Buntingford Royston being a place the messenger said as he was willed of ill reception or to stay at Buntingford that night and have their Audience the next day and so returne This choice seemed somewhat round and of hard digestion to the Marquesse and passed not without Exception comparatively against the much different Treatment of the French Ambassador the weeke before who had he said both supped and Lodged in Court at Royston though this his Treatment was suddain as was his coming thither by Post with onely two Gentlemen congratulate the Prince at his Arrivall who prevended by the same Ambassadors Servant with a congratulation at his Landing at Durham House Stayres in name of his Master and having assured him he should be the first Ambassador he would give access to his Highnesse was immediately after sent to from the Spanish Ambassador to the same congratulating purpose The wind comming now about for France but he refused his demanded Audience with excuse of his hast of repaire to the King his Father In conclusion the Marquess went to Royston and had so good respects out wardly at least from his Majesty and the Prince as he in countenance made shew of good satisfaction but c. About a week after Don Hurtado de Mendoza his Arrivall I dined with the Venetian Ambassador Seig. Valeresso he upon notice taken of my former acquaintance with the other desired me to let him know after he had first told me how he had sent a Gentleman to the Marquess de la Inojâ—sa with a congratulatory visit and that for the title given the Marquess of Excellenza he had returned his thanks in the third Person onely that he was his humble Servant and desired to perform personally all due Complements but that he had found a doore shut which hindred him of Enterance so hoped he would pardon him and to that purpose To this I brought him answer from the Marquess that he had heard of his worth
heads 65 The Ambassador of France denies to be at the Coronation for two reasons 169 An Axiome of State That t is more honour to be last of a Superiour Order then first of an Inferiour 63 Agents from Barbary arrive in England 213 No Ambassador to have his charges defrayed except at conclusion of Peace Marriages or Baptismes 228 An Ambassador of a King to be brought in by an Earle at least ib. An Ambassador of a Duke to be brought in by a Baron ib. No Ambassador except a Kings to be met in the Kings Coach further off then Tower Wharfe ib. Abbot de la Seaglia Ambassador from Savoy 227 B. BOiscot the Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented 3 Barbarigo the Venetian Ambassador dyes in England 37 Baron Donaw sent Ambassador from the Palsgrave 61 Ballompierre arrives in England refuseth the Kings dyet 188 Benica Agent for the Marquis of Baden 189 The businesse 'twixt the States and our East India Merchants concluded 117 Barham Downe the Rendezvous of the English Ladies to welcome the Queen 153 C. NIne Counts attended the Palsgrave to England 2 A clash 'twixt the Savoy Ambassador and him of Florence 15 A clash 'twixt Gondamar and the States Ambassador 22 The Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador about his Present 39 A clash 'twixt England and France about le Clere 57 Cadenet the French Favorits Brother sent Ambassador Extraordinary into England 67 A Caprichio of some French Lords 70 Cadenet the French Ambassador allowed two hundred pound per diem for his dyet 73 D. THe Duke of Lenox appointed to attend the Palsgrave 1 The Duke of York meets the Palsgrave 2 Donati the Venetian Ambassador recalled for misdemeanour 58 Sir Dudley Carltons cold reception in France 188 A difference 'twixt the Master of the Ceremonies and him of the Jewell-house about the delivery of Presents 194 The difference decided 195 Sir Dormer Cotton sent Ambassador to Persia 177 E. THe Earl of Somersets Marriage c. 12 Exception taken by the French Ambassador 28 Exceptions taken another time 64 The Earl of Arundels revenge of the French Ambassador 68 An Error in the Danish Ambassador 185 The Earl of Rutland sent to transport the Prince from Spain c. 129 The Earl of Dorset Justice in Eyre in the Dukes absence 214 F. THe first Complement 'twixt the Lady Elizabeth and the Palsgrave 2 The French Ambassador stands upon some puntilioes 12 The Florentine Ambassador plac'd beneath the lowest English Baron at Court 24 Foscarini tragically and wrongfully put to death 29 The first rise of the Duke of Buckingham 35 The French Ambassador much discontented 49 The French Lords discontented because they sate not at the Kings Table 71 Fifty pounds sent the Muscovian Ambassador by the Lords of the Councell to pay for his Sea provision 108 G. GOndamars first arrivall in England 12 Gavelone Agent for the Duke of Savoy 15 Gondamar precedes the French Ambassador at the Earl of Somersets Wedding 17 Gondamar casts an aspersion upon the Hollands Ambassador 20 A great clash 'twixt divers Ambassadors 66 The great clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Shirley 174 F. CO Henry of Nassaw accompanies the Palsgrave to England 2 Sir Henry Manwaring recommended to the State of Venice by the King 50 Hamburgh Commissioners deemed to have Audidience of the Queen 183 I. INojosa the Spanish Ambassador clasheth with Don Diego Hurtado an Ambassador also extraordinary from Spain 126 Joachim made Ambassador leger from the States 160 K. KIng James his Apologie to the Arch-Dukes Ambassador 4 The King Knights six Holland Ambassadors at once without paying any sees 78 Kings James his Funerall 174 L. THe Lords make a Supper for the Lady Elizabeth 11 The Landgrave of Hessen comes to England 114 Sir Lewis Lewkner suspected to be of the Spanish faction â—38 The Lord Mayor of London to give place to no other but the King 237 M. THe manner of the Marriage of the Lady Elizabeth 10 Mareth the French Ambassador 53 Monsieur de la Chenay committed prisoner about Sir Walter Rawley 56 Monsieur de Tilliers the French Ambassador hath lodgings at Court but no dyet 165 Tilliers much discontented and his high language 163 The Marquis Pompeo Strozzi Ambassador from the Duke of Mantova 214 A maxime among Ambassadors 232 Meanes found to content the Dutch Ambassador 242 N. A Notable clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley the circumstances thereof 174 A notable high Memoriall the English Ambassador gave the King of Spaine 245 News brought in halfe an hour from Dover to Canterbury of the Queens arrivall 153 O. OSalinskie Ambassador Extraordinary from Poland 74 New Orders at Court touching the treatment of Forren Ambassadors 228 The new Orders practised first upon Ballompierre the French Ambassador 228 P. PResents to Ambassadors lessened 31 A rich Present sent by the Muscovit to the King 39 The Polish Ambassador receives 10000 l. of the King by way of loane 90 The Prince like to be drowned in Spaine 221 A Picture case delivered the Mantoüan Ambassador from the King without his Picture for a Present worth 500 l. 222 The Prince taxed by the Spanish Ambassadors 245 Q. QUadt an honourable person by the Prince of Transilvania 185 She excuseth her presence at the Coronation 169 The Queens arrivall in England and newes brought in half an hour from Dover to Canterbury by Mr. Terhit 153 R. AReformation of Presents given Ambassadors 31 Aremarkable passage for precedence hapned at Vervins 'twixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors 67 Rosdorf Ambassador for the King of Bohemia 197 Rosencrants the Danish Ambassador 180 Sir Robert Shirley laies his Turban at the Kings feet 137 Mr. Robert Tirhit rides in half an houre from Dover to Canterbury S. THe States Ambassador gives place to him of Savoy 32 The Spanish Ambassador countenanced more then the French 48 Six Commissioners in joynt Embassy from Holland Soubizes arrivall in England being Godfather to the last King in Scotland 111 T THe Turks Ambassadors Son touch'd by the King 58 The title of King denied by King James to the Palsgrave 62 The Tarrace at Whitehall falls under Gondamar when he had his first Audience for a match in Spain 63 Two Ambassadors of divers Princes lodged in one house 186 The Co. of Tremes sent to condole King Jame's death 146 U. THe Vicountesse of Effingham clasheth with the French Ambassadors Wife 9 The Venetian Ambassador gives place to the Bohemian 66 The Venetian Ambassador Knighted and the Sword given him 113 The Venetian Ambassador questions the giving of precedence to him of Denmark 207 W. Away found to please the Ambassador of Spain and France 36 A way found out another time to please them 64 A witty answer of the Transilvanian Ambassador 195 Sir Walter Ashtons complaint in the Court of Spaine against the Marquis of Inojosa and Don Carlos Coloma 244 Z. ZAmoiski Son to the Chancellor of Polands arrivall 25 FINIS