not have him to cover in his Presence either from his Example or Invitation the King answered that I had well observed and understood it and that he had purposely kept off his own hat least the other might have put on his which for some considerations he was not yet satisfied to be convenient c. During the time of this Ambassadors stay here there passed no visite or other correspondence between him and the Venetian both of them pretending to precedence and not appearing upon the title to be mutually given of Excellenza or because the latter stood upon it that he was not visite first though the other came last being a Representant of a State that pretended to a parity with crowned Heads The fourth of December he took Barge at the Savoy Staires without any conduct though offered perhaps irregularly being no Kings Ambassador and went that night to Gravesend for his further Journey The night before his departure after many complementall Excuses of the length of his Journey and shortness of his provisions for it he presented me with a Purse and in it thirty peeces He gave to the master of the Jewell-House two dayes before a chain of fifteene pound value which was received but coldly as a gratuity beneath expectation and not proportioned to his quality There being a Maske in practice of the Queen in person with other great Ladies for the end of Christmas I three or foure dayes before Twelftide asked my Lord Chamberlain what course would be taken with the Ambassadors here resident Contareni for Venice and Joachimi for the States he answered that the King had already signified his pleasure that if they would come they should be wellcome and have places apart provided for them but that his Majesty was resolved never more to admit any Ambassadors resident to sit next his person under the State no more then to eate with him in publick I replyed that I thought this change in his Majesty from his Fathers manner would draw some Puntillious exception or Cavill from the Venetian unlesse it were seasonably and heedfully carried which to prevent it would not be I thought amiss for his Lordship to send to the Master of the Ceremonies for use of his experience which referred to me I wrote to him about it that morning he came to Court and thence after conference with my Lord went to both those Ambassadors the Venetian and the States This made no question of his comming nor placing other then as the King should command onely he said that if the Venetian should refuse to come he should perhaps doubt whether it would be fit for him to be there alone as out of a kind of Singularity condemning the others absence by his Presence The Venetian desired time for consideration and resolution it being a Novelty and a lessening to him he said of the honour affoarded to his predecessour but in the meane time he prevayled so by his reasons how heavily it might follow him in the Judgement and censure of his Republick when he should be the first of his Predecessours that ever suffered by such an exclusion and had as yet since his imployent here never received publick honour from his Majesty c. as that the King was pleased to let him know by my Lord Chamberlain personally repairing to him under pretence of returning his visit that he should for this once have the respects of being seated next his Majesty in manner as his Predecessours had been before him and with him the States Ambassador whom also my Lord Chamberlain had then visited with the same signification but that neither he nor any other Ambassador were ever to expect the like hereafter and that to confirm and intimate the Kings resolution in this point he as also the other should do well to give account of it to his State least other of their Ministers might hereafter pretend or think to obtain the like honour with importunity and further to take notice that if the King should make another Maske at Candlemas he must be content with a place to be assigned him apart and not next the chair of State if he would be present at it with which plaine intimation he seemed to hold himselfe satisfied and the Moneday seaven night after following after Twelfday he and the States Ambassador were assigned their Rendez-vous at the great Gate of the Court at six in the Evening and with them the States Ambassadors Wife and Daughters with limitation of as few followers as might be and those of the better sort The place for their repose was the Councell-chamber whence they were conducted first the Ladies to a Box reserved for them at the upper end of the Banquetting-house on the Kings right hand and next their followers to a Scaffold over and behind his Majesty then the Ambassadors themselves to the Presence of the King in the Privy-Galleries and after with his Majesty to the Maske the Venetian was seated on the right hand the States Ambassador on the left of his Majesty I understood after that the States Ambassadors Lady and her Daughters took exceptions against their being thrust up in a corner without respects To which I answered that I had brought the Ambassatrice a liberty of election from my Lord Chamberlain whether she would be pleased to sit amongst the great Ladies or apart and she had chosen to sit apart with her own company because she said she wanted Language so the fault was hers not mine if she were unsatisfied Monsieur Rosdorfe after he had resided here foure yeares for the King of Bohemia being called home was to receive his present which was endeavoured by his freinds that it should have equalled if not that Ambassador Baron Donnows of 400 l. in Plate at least that of Monsieur Paule that had been here in the same condition as Rosdorfe without Title of Ambassador and receiving at his parting a Chaine of 300 l. and 50 l besides as an ayudu de costa But Rosdorfe having not been well relished by some particularly by the Duke of Buckingham for his harsh plainnesse had given to him a Chaine worth onely 220 l. as of equall valew upon comparison and instance made with that of the resident of the King of Spaine Monsieur Bruneau and of Monsieur Van Mall Agent of the Arch-dukes While I was at Canterbury for some domestique occasions of my own Her Catz. I received a Letter the eighth of March signifying the arrivall of a deputy from the States and of the dangerous sicknesse of Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies of whose Office I was the Reversioner These two accounts and their consequence brought me the next day to London Two dayes after I received from my Lord Chamberlain this direction that I should intimate to the States Ambassador and to the deputy newly arrived that whereas they had desired an accesse to the Duke of Buckingham for an enterance to their businesse in hand and that my Lord Duke
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
heads 65 The Ambassador of France denies to be at the Coronation for two reasons 169 An Axiome of State That t is more honour to be last of a Superiour Order then first of an Inferiour 63 Agents from Barbary arrive in England 213 No Ambassador to have his charges defrayed except at conclusion of Peace Marriages or Baptismes 228 An Ambassador of a King to be brought in by an Earle at least ib. An Ambassador of a Duke to be brought in by a Baron ib. No Ambassador except a Kings to be met in the Kings Coach further off then Tower Wharfe ib. Abbot de la Seaglia Ambassador from Savoy 227 B. BOiscot the Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented 3 Barbarigo the Venetian Ambassador dyes in England 37 Baron Donaw sent Ambassador from the Palsgrave 61 Ballompierre arrives in England refuseth the Kings dyet 188 Benica Agent for the Marquis of Baden 189 The businesse 'twixt the States and our East India Merchants concluded 117 Barham Downe the Rendezvous of the English Ladies to welcome the Queen 153 C. NIne Counts attended the Palsgrave to England 2 A clash 'twixt the Savoy Ambassador and him of Florence 15 A clash 'twixt Gondamar and the States Ambassador 22 The Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador about his Present 39 A clash 'twixt England and France about le Clere 57 Cadenet the French Favorits Brother sent Ambassador Extraordinary into England 67 A Caprichio of some French Lords 70 Cadenet the French Ambassador allowed two hundred pound per diem for his dyet 73 D. THe Duke of Lenox appointed to attend the Palsgrave 1 The Duke of York meets the Palsgrave 2 Donati the Venetian Ambassador recalled for misdemeanour 58 Sir Dudley Carltons cold reception in France 188 A difference 'twixt the Master of the Ceremonies and him of the Jewell-house about the delivery of Presents 194 The difference decided 195 Sir Dormer Cotton sent Ambassador to Persia 177 E. THe Earl of Somersets Marriage c. 12 Exception taken by the French Ambassador 28 Exceptions taken another time 64 The Earl of Arundels revenge of the French Ambassador 68 An Error in the Danish Ambassador 185 The Earl of Rutland sent to transport the Prince from Spain c. 129 The Earl of Dorset Justice in Eyre in the Dukes absence 214 F. THe first Complement 'twixt the Lady Elizabeth and the Palsgrave 2 The French Ambassador stands upon some puntilioes 12 The Florentine Ambassador plac'd beneath the lowest English Baron at Court 24 Foscarini tragically and wrongfully put to death 29 The first rise of the Duke of Buckingham 35 The French Ambassador much discontented 49 The French Lords discontented because they sate not at the Kings Table 71 Fifty pounds sent the Muscovian Ambassador by the Lords of the Councell to pay for his Sea provision 108 G. GOndamars first arrivall in England 12 Gavelone Agent for the Duke of Savoy 15 Gondamar precedes the French Ambassador at the Earl of Somersets Wedding 17 Gondamar casts an aspersion upon the Hollands Ambassador 20 A great clash 'twixt divers Ambassadors 66 The great clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Shirley 174 F. CO Henry of Nassaw accompanies the Palsgrave to England 2 Sir Henry Manwaring recommended to the State of Venice by the King 50 Hamburgh Commissioners deemed to have Audidience of the Queen 183 I. INojosa the Spanish Ambassador clasheth with Don Diego Hurtado an Ambassador also extraordinary from Spain 126 Joachim made Ambassador leger from the States 160 K. KIng James his Apologie to the Arch-Dukes Ambassador 4 The King Knights six Holland Ambassadors at once without paying any sees 78 Kings James his Funerall 174 L. THe Lords make a Supper for the Lady Elizabeth 11 The Landgrave of Hessen comes to England 114 Sir Lewis Lewkner suspected to be of the Spanish faction â—38 The Lord Mayor of London to give place to no other but the King 237 M. THe manner of the Marriage of the Lady Elizabeth 10 Mareth the French Ambassador 53 Monsieur de la Chenay committed prisoner about Sir Walter Rawley 56 Monsieur de Tilliers the French Ambassador hath lodgings at Court but no dyet 165 Tilliers much discontented and his high language 163 The Marquis Pompeo Strozzi Ambassador from the Duke of Mantova 214 A maxime among Ambassadors 232 Meanes found to content the Dutch Ambassador 242 N. A Notable clash 'twixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley the circumstances thereof 174 A notable high Memoriall the English Ambassador gave the King of Spaine 245 News brought in halfe an hour from Dover to Canterbury of the Queens arrivall 153 O. OSalinskie Ambassador Extraordinary from Poland 74 New Orders at Court touching the treatment of Forren Ambassadors 228 The new Orders practised first upon Ballompierre the French Ambassador 228 P. PResents to Ambassadors lessened 31 A rich Present sent by the Muscovit to the King 39 The Polish Ambassador receives 10000 l. of the King by way of loane 90 The Prince like to be drowned in Spaine 221 A Picture case delivered the Mantoüan Ambassador from the King without his Picture for a Present worth 500 l. 222 The Prince taxed by the Spanish Ambassadors 245 Q. QUadt an honourable person by the Prince of Transilvania 185 She excuseth her presence at the Coronation 169 The Queens arrivall in England and newes brought in half an hour from Dover to Canterbury by Mr. Terhit 153 R. AReformation of Presents given Ambassadors 31 Aremarkable passage for precedence hapned at Vervins 'twixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors 67 Rosdorf Ambassador for the King of Bohemia 197 Rosencrants the Danish Ambassador 180 Sir Robert Shirley laies his Turban at the Kings feet 137 Mr. Robert Tirhit rides in half an houre from Dover to Canterbury S. THe States Ambassador gives place to him of Savoy 32 The Spanish Ambassador countenanced more then the French 48 Six Commissioners in joynt Embassy from Holland Soubizes arrivall in England being Godfather to the last King in Scotland 111 T THe Turks Ambassadors Son touch'd by the King 58 The title of King denied by King James to the Palsgrave 62 The Tarrace at Whitehall falls under Gondamar when he had his first Audience for a match in Spain 63 Two Ambassadors of divers Princes lodged in one house 186 The Co. of Tremes sent to condole King Jame's death 146 U. THe Vicountesse of Effingham clasheth with the French Ambassadors Wife 9 The Venetian Ambassador gives place to the Bohemian 66 The Venetian Ambassador Knighted and the Sword given him 113 The Venetian Ambassador questions the giving of precedence to him of Denmark 207 W. Away found to please the Ambassador of Spain and France 36 A way found out another time to please them 64 A witty answer of the Transilvanian Ambassador 195 Sir Walter Ashtons complaint in the Court of Spaine against the Marquis of Inojosa and Don Carlos Coloma 244 Z. ZAmoiski Son to the Chancellor of Polands arrivall 25 FINIS
the Queene kissed her hand saluted the Prince and turning to the Princesse who was observed till then not to cast the least looke towards him he stooped to touch the lowest part of her Garment when with her hand staying his he received a kisse from her Highnesse and soon after they all retyred to the privy Lodgings The next day he spent in visiting the King Queene Prince and Duke of Yorke and twice the Princesse once in the afternoone at her owne Lodging in State and once after Supper with lesse ceremony His Traine consisted of a number not so great as Gallant most of them being much better fashioned and better cloathed then Germany usually sends them forth There were of them eight Counts besides Count Henry of Nassaw about six and thirty Gentlemen and of the rest about an hundred and fifty The place appointed for his most usuall abode was Essex House neer Temple Barr but he had other Lodgings assigned him for his owne Person as he should have occasion to use them for his owne private retraite at White Hall with the King and with the Prince 〈◊〉 Saint Jameses The thirteenth of February following I was sent by the Lord Chamberlaine Earle of Suffolke from his Majesty to the Arch-Dukes Ambassador Monsiuer de Boiscot with this formall invitation to the Marriage of the Princesse That his Majesty who desireth to perform all things with conveniency having invited the French Ambassador and the Venetian to assist at the first dayes solemnity requested him to honour the second or third dayes either Dinner or Supper or both with his presence After some time of pause his first question was with a troubled countenance whether the Spanish Ambassador were invited I answered answerable to my Instructions in case of such demand that hee was sick and could not be there he was yesterday quoth he so well as that the offer might have very well been made him and perhaps accepted To this I replyed That his Majestie having observed that the French and Venetian Ambassadors holding between them one course of correspondence and the Spanish and Arch-Dukes another their Invitations had been usually joynt This he denyed saying The French had been fun dry times invited to Masques c. and not the Venetian the Venetian and not the French the Spaniard the like but He the Arch-Dukes Ambassador never That for his owne particular person as hee was Boiscot he should think himselfe honoured to be called by his Majesty upon any termes were it to serve up a Dish to the Princesses Table but as he was the Representant of so great a Prince as the Arch-Dukes one who would never allow he sayd so much as a question or thought of Competition betweene him a Monarchall Soveraigne and a meane Republique governed by a sort of Burghers who had but an handfull of Territory in comparison of his Master and as would be averred he sayd by ancient proofes had ever yeilded precedence to the Arch-Dukes Predecessors when they were but Dukes of Burgundie hee could not be present at that Solemnity That further hee knew not wherein he had deserved so ill of his Majesty as not to have received from him any countenance or favour in all the time of his residing here and the Venetian as he himselfe had bragged many that for these and the like considerations he would never be received to a second place or day after one that should have the first bestowed on him so unworthily In conclusion he desired That though this was and should be his peremptory answer I would from him request the Lord Chamberlaine that that might be allowed him for consideration and that the next morning he would by his owne Servant send his more direct resolution which he accordingly did in writing seene to few more then to his Majesty and the Lord Chamberlaine to the former purpose thus That he had ever yet had the honour to have been invited by his Majesty that the Invitation hee now had was in a second place to one who was farr from all colour of reason to precede him that his Majesty had herein expressed his affection that he was sorry he could not be there c. This written signification redemanded and taken back after it was read by his Servant having beene made the Saturday the Sundayes and Mundayes feasting jollity and gallantry stilld all further noyse of it till on Tuesday I was commanded to carry him a written Declaration in French as followeth SA Majesté 's estant apperceūe que l'Ambassadeur des serenissimes Archiducs á pris ombrage de ce qu'il n'auoit esté conuié auz solemnitez de Madame Fille vnique de sa Majestè et du tres illustre Prince l'Electeur Palatin au Dimenche jour de noces l'ayant este l'Ambassadeur de la serenissime Republique de Venice conuié pour ce jour lá á trouué bon que le dit sieur Ambassadeur et les Princes auxquels il sert entendissent qu'en cela sa Majesté n'a voulu rien faire qui fist preiudice aux pretensions de l'un ou de l'autre de leur Princes ou Estats comm ' en toutes procedures depuis son aduenement a ceste couronne il'à decliné se porter Juge de leur competition en cest ' endroit ains de laisser un chacun entier en ce que luy appartient traictant tous en general comme ses Amis Or quant an fait present touchant l'Ambassadeur de Venise sa Majesté fait scauoir an dit Ambassadeur des Archiducs qu'ayant le dit Ambassadeur de Venise quatorze où quinze jours auant le iour des Noces fait entendre a sa Majesté qu'il auoit ordre de par la dicte Republique de congratuler aux dictes Noces qu' il desiroit faire cest ' office le jour mesme d'icelles d'autant que pour donner meilleure grace et manifestation plus ouuerte que porte la dicte Republique a sa Majesté on luy auoit ordonné frayspour la pompe et liuréesases gens aux despens publics honneur que sa Majesté n'anoit receu de nul autre Prince et qui est bien extraordinarie et plus de constume entre les Princes sa Majesté auoit toute raison de rendre a la dicte Republique la pareille de l'honneur qui par demonstration si signalée elle luy fairoit Ajouste aussy ne que s'j trouuant l'Ambassadeur d'Espagne en estat de l'assister le dit premier iour et estant incertain a sa Majesté s' il ne s' y pouuoit trouuer quelque autre iour des solemnitez sa Majesté trouuiot bon selon sa coustume de ioindre le dit Ambassadeur de Venise a celuy du Roy tres-Chrestien qui auoit esté conuié pour le mesme jour selon la fason que sa Majesté á tousjours tenue d'accouplir les Ambassadeurs de France de
Venise en toutes telles ocasions comm ' aussy celuy d'Espagne et des Archiducs Et quant a ce qu' on pretend qu' ayant esté conuié le dit Ambassadeur des Archiducs le Mardy Gras jour dernier des magnificences on pourroit faire construction qu' on faisoit quelque trait d'honneur a la Republique de Venise par dessus les Archiducs Sa Majesté dit qu' ayant este tousjours tres-curieux d'esquiuer toutes sortes d'offences a ses Amis en Subject de ceste condition le dit sieur Ambassadeur s' il luy plait d'y bien penser trouuerá que le fait de sa Majesté en cecy ne porte point de preiudice a sa Majesté Carestant la solemnité du Mariage un Acte continué combien qu' executè en plusieurs iours il ne contient ny prius ny posterius en soy ains se doit entendre que tous les iours ont pareille dignité voire si l'on y vouloit argumenter il se pourroit soustenir que le dernier jour seroit a prendre pour le plus gran iour comm'il s' ontend en plusiours autres cas et nommement aux festes de Noel que le Jour des Roys qui est le dernier se prend pour le plus gran jour et en plusjours places en la solemnite du Caresme prenant le Merdy Gras se prend aussy pour le plus grand Mesme au fait present le Ballet de la cour composé de Conseillers et des plus Grands de la Noblesse tant seigneurs que Dames auoit este assigne au Mardy comm ' au plus gran jour de la Feste Mais pour ne se trouuer d'accord la Noblesse de Colleges de Droict du jour enfuynant le dimenche on á este contraint d'ordonner celuy de la Cour au dit jour antrement se deuoit faire le Mardy cousm ' an plus gran jour Mais sa Majesté qui ne se porte pour Juge des differences qni naissent entre les Princes ne dit cecy pour rien resoudre de part eu d'autre Mais seulement pour monstrer les raisons qu' elle á eu de son coste au quel elle pense n' auoir foit tort a personne HIs Majesty perceiving that the Ambassador of the most serene Arch-Duke hath taken some exceptions that he was not invited to the solemnities of Madam his Majesties sole Daughter and of the most Illustrious Prince the Elector Palatine on Sunday the day of the Nuptialls whereas the Ambassador of the most serene Republicke of Venice was invited thereunto that day he hath thought good that the said Lord Ambassador and the Princes whom he serves should understand that his Majesty never intended to do any thing in prejudice to the pretences of either Prince or State in all procedures since his accesse to this Crown but alwayes declind to comport himselfe as judge of their competitions in this case leaving them both entire in what appertaines to them and treating them in a free generall way as his freinds Now touching the present businesse reflecting upon the Ambassador of Venice his Majesty lets the said Ambassador of the Arch-Dukes to understand that the said Ambassador of Venice having fourteen or fifteen dayes before the Wedding day informed his Majesty that he had order from the Republicke to congratulate the said Nuptialls he desired that he might perform the said office the very day of the solemnity and that he might do it with a better grace as also for a more open manifestation of the honour which the said Republicke doth beare unto his Majesty he was appointed Extraordinary allowance for the pomp and to put his men in liveryes accordingly upon the publicke charge an honour which his Majesty had not received of any Prince it being Extraordinary and not usuall among Princes Therefore his Majesty had all reason to correspond with the said Republicke in like civilities for so signall demonstrations of respect Add hereunto that the Spanish Ambassador not finding himselfe in case to assist and be present the first day of the Nuptialls and his Majesty being incertain whether he would be at any other day of the Solemnities his Majesty according to former custome commanded that the said Ambassador of Venice should be joynd with him of his most Christian Majestyes who had been invited for the same day according to the course that was allwayes observed to couple upon such solenmities the Ambassadors of France and Venice as also those of Spaine and the Arch-Dukes And whereas it is pretended that whereas the Ambassador of the said Arch-Dukes being invited upon Shrove-Tuesday the last day of the solemnity one might inferr that a greater shew of honour was made thereby to the Republicke then to the Arch-Dukes his Majesty sayeth that he having allwayes been most curious to avoid all sorts of offences among his friendes in matters of this kind the said Ambassador if he please to consider of it well will find that this doth not carry with it any prejudice at all to his Master in regard that the solemnity of the mariage being but one continued Act though performd divers daies admitted neither prius nor posterius in it selfe but it is to be understood that each day had the like dignity Nay if one would Argumentize thereupon it might be alledged that the last day should be taken for the greatest day as it is underslood in many other Coses and particularly upon the Festivalls of Christmas wherein the Twelfe day or the Festivall of the three Kings which is the last is taken for the greatest day And in many places Tueseday is taken for the chiefest day of Shrove-tide wherefore the Mask at Court compos'd of Noble men and Ladies was assign'd for that day as being the greatest of the Festivalls but his Majesty who doth not undertake to be Iudge of differences arising in this nature twixt the Ministers of Princes doth not speake this as to determine any thing on either side but onely to shew the reasons which he hath on his behalfe in this particular wherein he thinks not to have done any body wrong This being read by the Ambassador I demanded his answer which he said he could little inlarge beyond the former And then telling him I was by command to returne the paper suiteable to his owne and his Servants proceeding with his Majesty when he last sent his mind in writing he affirmed peremptorily that he neither asked nor had any paper back againe And in this regard he must be pardoned if he returned no answere since quoth he if I had received a message by word I had answered by word If by writeing by writeing But taking this message for neither I may I suppose be silent Wherewith when I had acquainted the Lord Chamberlaine his Lordship was semewhat moved as for his owne personall interest and
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
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
Alonso was invited as he was now by his Majesty he and Sir Noell Caron were seated in a compartment or place apart and that Don Alonso did except against Carons sitting in the same place neare his Majesty he affirmed also That howsoever it might now passe between the Spanish Ambassador and the States he himselfe would not permit that he should sit allato his own word in even ranck with him but all the Allegations of the Venetian were held to proceed rather from a spirit of disturbance forward as his naturally was to make ill businesse then that what he said was simply truth In fine the Lords returning with this Declaration of the Ambassadors to his Majesty came back soone after with his definite pleasure thus That since he could not accord this difference which troubled him much for the respects he bare to the Spanish Ambassador he had willed them to signifie to him that he might take what course should best please him And that if he would not stay the Maske he would take order that the States Ambassador should likewise depart to avoyd all further question about either of their pretences After this the Ambassador himselfe and the Lords fell to termes of reconciling if it could be possible the difference the Lords offering that the Spanish Ambassador should sit on the right hand of the King and at the Spaniards right hand the Venetian and that at the left hand next the Queene and Prince should sit the States Ambassador this he harkened not yeelded to but with such limitations as were not fit for Sir Noell Caron to admit of as that he should either sit a degree or step lower which the place would not afford or with some distance behind the Queene and that he should not enter with the King but some quarter of an houre after and the like but the conclusion was nothing being agreed on that they would informe the King of his resolution of departure and so left him yet immediately after they returned the third time and after some reasons to no prevaileing purpose I told him againe that the King desired to see the next day his instructions and so had sent him the good night The Lords being departed I stayed behind as was his Majesties pleasure and charge given me to tell him from his Majesty for conclusion thus much That he had not been driven to this streight without his owne fault because if he had made question in season and acquainted the King with the limitation of his instructions in that point there might have been another course had for prevention whereto he replyed that he had found his Majesty in all so gracious as he could not but with all most humble thankfulness acknowledge it and that it might be held indeed a fault in him that he had not before hand declared himselfe to that purpose but no man could foresee all things So haveing merrily requested the Lords before that since his Servants were not Ambassadors and would not strive for places they might be allowed roome to see the Maske he with one Gentleman his Secretary and a footeman I attending him to his Coach departed The King the next day at his dinner discoursing to this purpose brought forth amongst other Arguments this one against the Spanish Ambassador that the Exception or protestation he had made could not be any way made good by him the King of Spaines Agent in regard the Vassallage which the King his Master pretended of the States was not properly his but should belong if to any to the Arch-Dukes to whom he had made a cession of those Provinces and had likewise he said but a poore title to them having at the time of the Treaty of Truce between them agreed to treate with them as with a free State and given them since in severall letters the title and stile they pretend to and which all other Princes and States he said give them of Les Estats confederez de provinces vnies This dispute and difference occurred in the time that the Truce between the King of Spaine the Arch-Duke and the States yet lasted The Venetian Ambassador as soone as the Spanish was departed was conducted by me into the second Roome from the privie Gallerie and there attending till his Majesty and the Qucene came went along with them and was seated on the left hand of the King beneath the Queene and the Prince on the right At the same time the Agent of Florence to whom was sent by the Lord Chamberlaine to invite him Il. Gavallo Francis co Guarolesi no other then an ordinary Messenger of the Chamber as to a Minister inferiour to an Ambassador supped also in the Councell Chamber and followed the King to the Maske with the Venetian but having been ordained his seate in one of the Galleries he intreated me to moove the Lord Chamberlaine that as he understood the great Duke his Masters Agent and the Duke of Savoyes had been he might be placed among the Lords Earle of Suffolke which was assented to and he was placed by the Lord Chamberlaine and the Lord Treasurer there present beneath the lowest Baron the Lord Mordant and above Sir Thomas Howard second Son to the Lord Treasurer 26 of Oct. 1614. An Ambassador from the Emperor of Russia landing at Tower wharfe was there received by the Lord Danvers I and other Gentlemen his Majesties Servants attending his Lordship thither The five and twentieth of Aprill following he haveing been invited to dine with his Majesty at White-Hall was seated on his left hand towards the Corner of the Table and a Secretary that came in Commission with him at the Tables end He had two of his own Servants attending at his Elbow but with little Service the Kings Servants supplying and his other followers bestowed elswhere in the Court apart It was first ordered that the Prince should have dined there also seated at the Kings right hand towards the other end of the Table but this considered to be somewhat short the dishes many and doubted besides whether the Ambassador would have accepted of the place at his Majesties left hand if the Prince should have had the right his Highnesse dined not with his Majesty 1615 On St. Georges day the King of Spaines Ambassador discovered to the Master of the Ceremonies Sir Lewes Lewkner a desire he had to see the order of that Feast of the Garter wherewith the King made acquainted Don Diego Sarmiento his Majesty returned him an assurance of wellcome He was placed for sight of the procession as it should passe by upon the Terras in the window there about the middle of the Brick-wall that divides the first Court and the Cloyster Court and thence had his prospect upon his Majesty and the Knights in their passage who being returned to the Chappell he repaired thither through the Guard Chamber and had his place for sight of divine Service and Offering in the Kings Closet After retyring to the
Servants kept them company Don Antonio fitting on a stoole at the end of the Table gave subject of exception to one of the Kings Gentlemen ushers as being he said irregular and unusuall that place being ever wont to be reserved empty for State but this as a superstition of a Gentleman ushers was neglected After his Majesties dinner the Ambassador introduced by the Vice Chamberlain to the Presence of his Majesty in the Privy Gallery had there his Audience Sir John Digby and as he was parting the Lord Lysle Ghamberlain to the Queen asked me and I the Ambassador whether he had any intention to visite her Majesty he answered he thought it ill manners and a kind of disrespect at so short a warning to venture the trouble of her Majesty November the first Towards the time of Solemnity of Prince Charles his Creation for Prince of Wales the King advised with some of his Lords which of the Ambassadors French or Spanish were first to be invited to it The Spaniard had by a private and silent way offered himselfe to an Invitation The French had been earnestly pressed for by some Lords his favourous neere about the King And had he but two dayes before when he had an Audience of his Majesty made offer of his presence at the Feast his Majesty had perhaps been put to some plunge how to have excused it But on Sunday night the Eve of the Feast a resolution to invite neither was taken and I sent to the Spanish Ambassador with this Message that his Majesty thankt him much for the offer he had made to honour the Prince his Creation with his presence that some of his Majesties Servants neere him had earnestly solicited him to invite the French Ambassador but his desire having been as it should be ever to give content to all Ministers of Forren Princes he hoped and requested that he would not take it in ill part if he should not be at all invited no more then the French Ambassador should be to that Solemnity assuring him that to the next whensoever he should be invited before any The Ambassador returned him for answer that he most humbly kissed his Majesties hands and desired he would in all proceed with him as with an English man and his Servant that whensoever it should be his pleasure to do him the honour to invite him it should be his happinesse and an especiall contentment to him So againe when his Majesty should think fit he should be absent it should content him also as being his Majesties pleasure to have it so At my parting he was earnest to know whether there were not the like message and excuse sent to the French Ambassador whereof though had it been so it had been neither reason nor duty for me to discover when I assured him there was none he expressed much the greater Satisfaction About this time Cavalvere Guaratesi Agent here for the Duke of Florence being assigned an Audience of his Majesty was by mistake brought in by whom I know not by the way of the Parke and privy Gallerie and had a fire made him in the Chamber of the Ambassadors Ordinary Audience Sir Lewes Lewkner at the same time told me of him and wisht me to go to receive him but neither was that Service to be performed by me to the Person of an Agent and therefore by me declined neither was any Agent to be admitted to that place by that way but by the way of the privy Chamber November the first 1617. The Ordinary Ambassador of Venice Seignior _____ Barbarigo dying here Seignior _____ Contareni came hither Extraordinary and was brought to his first Audience at White-Hall by the Lord Clifford accompanied with halfe a score Gentlemen his Majesties Servants in his Majesties Coâ—ch and three of the Lords Coaches His house was at the Hospitall where he had attending our coming the French Ambassaâ—ors Coach the Masters of the Ceremonies who had dined with him and five or six of the Ambassadors owne and others providing After his rest in the Councell Chamber he was conducted to his Majesties Presence in the Presence Chamber and there after a breife speech Nota. and delivery of his letters of credence which before he had made an end of speaking he took not from the Secretary who held them in his hand he returned to his home in company of the Persons mentioned An Ambassador with his assistant Commissioner Chancellour of Museovey sent from that Emperour to his Majesty was the fifth of November 1617. received at Tower Wharfe by the Lord Compton having been first met at Gravesend by Sir Richard Smith and others sent in name of the City and brought up in their Barges The Kings Coach and five or six others tooke them in at Tower Wharfe but with such disorder of Gentlemen come from Court more then were appointed that too soone pressed into them as without my care and boldnes to displace some must of the better sort of Musfes have walked on foote to their Lodgings They were wellcomd at their Landing with a volley of great Ordinance from the Tower and shippes and were incountered on Tower Hill by the Aldermen of the City in their Scarlet Gownes and other Citizens in their Velvet Coates and Chaines of Gold all on Horse-back and thence conducted to their House in Bishopsgate-street where they were Lodged and defrayed at the charge of the Muscovey Company On Saturday the eight of November the Lord Chamberlain let me know his Majesties pleasure for my repaire to the French Ambassador with an assignation for his demanded Audience the next day at one of the Clock and with an excuse of unfitnesse of the houre in regard the King intended to depart that day betimes to Theobalds He came according to appointment and being introduced to his Majesties Presence I with demand of Pardon left him and taking with me the Kings Coach which together with the Lord Chamberlains attended that Service at the Court gate went without any Lord or other to accompany me to Bishopsgate-Street to setch thence the Muscovit Ambassadors to their Audience All their Servants of less esteem marched all the way on foot before him the rest in Coaches provided by the Merchants each of those on foot carrying before them with ostentation to open view some parcell of the various Present sent to his Majestie from the Emperour This consisted of Sable Furres black Foxes Ermynes Hawkes with their Hoods and Mantles covering their backs and wings all enbroydered with Gold and Pearle two lining Sables a Persian dagger and knife set with Stones and Pearles two rich Cloath of Gold Persian Horse-clothes a Persian kettle Drum to lure Hawkes with c. Besides many other Sables and black Fox furres sent the King from three of the principall Nobles of the Emperors Court and besides some presented to his Majesty from the Ambassadors and the Chancellour The Queene and Prince had likewise their severall presents of furrs from all
Pages in the Lord Chamberlaines and in the two other the rest He was received at Tower-Wharrfe by the Earle of Warwick accompanied with the Lord Cromwell and sundry of his Majesties Servants And in the Kings and seven or eight Coaches was conducted to his Lodging in Crutchet Fryers ordained for him and defrayed as was also his diet at a certaine rate agreed upon per diem without attendance of any of the Kings Servants His landing at Gravesend and his so speedy repaire to London was a cause that the Lord mentioned met him no sooner The next day being Sunday and his Majesty desirous for three or four dayes to leave the Town his Publike Audience was assigned and given him at White-Hall with the Conduct of the Earle of Essex and the like number of Gentlemen and Coaches as before where in the Presence there he presented Letters with a long Elegant Oration in Latine to his Majesty The Tuesday following he was accompanied to his Audience of the Prince at Saint Jameses by the Lord Danvers the Master of the Ceremonies and my selfe with other Gentlemen The 24. of March the day of the Kings comming to the Crowne having been invited to a Tylting of the Prince and other Knights he was fetcht thither in the Kings Coach by Sir Lewes Lewkner but before he came the French Venetian and Savoy Ambassadors were seated in their and his appointed stand hung and covered with Tapistrie over the Gate or Porters Lodge entring into the Tiltyard on the right hand of his Majestie These three other I was sent for to conduct from where they all dined together at the French Ambassadors Sir Edward Sackvill having been appointed to conduct the Venetian but he was parted from home before Sir Edward came thither The French Ambassador at his entrance into the Stand casting his Eyes about him and asking which was the better place that on the right hand as of Custome or the other on the left as of Respect and nearest to the King The Venetian Ambassador forwardest with his Answer said where ever the French Kings Ambassador sits there will be the best place To which the French Ambassador making no reply This may resolve which is the upper end of a Table in the midst of a roome when the best man sits at the end of it though the placing of the Chimney may perhaps and doth sometimes as here in England alter it but sitting down uppermost on the left hand from the Kings right the other two sate by him in their Order till the Polonian comming they made him roome to take as he did the second place The Tylting ended and not before they had all of them a Salutation given them by the King from the place where he sate so parted without further Ceremony then with my recommendation The six Commissioners of the States and the Ambassador Ordinary Sir Noell Caron with the Secretary of their Commission were conducted by Sir Edward Cceill to the Chamber next the Gate at the lower end of the Tyltyard and there with his company saw the Tylting These Commissioners about the beginning of Aprill demanded a finall Audience and dispatch from his Majesty and had for Answer that the Sunday following his Majesty was pleased they should dine with him and then take their leaves but soone after a disinvitation was brought by the Lord Kelley with this excuse That his Majesty having since received the news of the King of Spaines death and intending that day as the most fit to assume his habite of mourning supposing that this and Feasting would not accord so if they would be pleased to stay their Journey till the time of mourning should be expired which would be at Saint Georges Day about a fortnight after they should have a day assigned them for the honour of eating with his Majesty In the mean time their demanded Audience should be given them on Sunday in the afternoon which accepted of and the other excused with the reason of their pressing haste to be at home they came then to Court in his Majesties Coach perhaps too high for their qualification of Deputies as by the place of their last Audience they might seeme to be taken for no more introduced by the Earle of Kelley to his Majesties presence in the Chamber of private Audiences there took their leaves and received all sixe of them the Order of Knight-hood Upon which grew a question from some of the Kings Servants interessed concerning payment of their fees accounting from each of them to receive forty foure pound sixteen shillings these being demanded by one Mr. Agher their Collectour and at the first not refused by them to be paid the next day when they came to take their leaves of the Lord Chamberlain a doubt being made of the duenesse of their payment in regard they were publique Ministers and a resolution asked of his Lordship he absolutely affirmed to their Secretary there present that it was unfit they should pay any Fees and that if they were againe demanded they should use his name for their discharge of payment yet notwithstanding this Signification from his Lordship the Collector ceased not to solicite in the name of the Gentlemen Ushers and others protesting against the Lord Chamberlains power to give away or withhold their rights till finally at their departure April 14. they left behind them this Order upon the importunity of the Collector and my interposition that if his Majesty should be pleased himselfe to say to the Lord Chamberlain or to the Officer that challenged the Fees that they should not be paid they had no reason to loose the honour of his Majesties free favour but if otherwise his Majesty should say they ought to be paid that the Ambassador Ordinary Sir Noell Caron should ingage himselfe as he did to me the same day by his promise for their payment I understood after from my Lord Chamberlain that his Majesty signified his pleasure to him From that time to the yeare 1635 none such have paid that those Fees should not be paid as being not properly to be exacted from Ministers of Forren Princes or such as should have any Ordinary relation to them The Commissioners went hence the fourteenth of Aprill to their Shipping at Gravesend in one of his Majesties Barges and were followed the next day in an other by the Baron of Donow Ambassador for the King of Bohemia he also having about the same time had his dismission and that day mine and some other Gentlemens company to their imbarking before Tilbury The States Commissioners were presented as I was informed with 3000 ounces of gilt Plate equally divided amongst them and their Secretary Constantine Huggins with a Chayne of Gold 45 l. valew The King of Bohemias Ambassador had assigned him for his present 1160 ounces of guilt Plate but this being not then presented but with assurance to be sent after him he two or three years after returned hither to recover it and did
with whom though he had no correspondency of business nor visits he had yet of Salutation and civill respects which had many times in incounters in the Streets passed between them and might and should pass on his part at the Mask if he should there meete him This message returned by me to the Lord Chamberlaine and seconded at the same time by the Ambassadors Secretary and my Lord conveying it to the King his Majesty was pleased that he should be as he was the next day invited and was at the Maske entertained with the like respect as was the Spanish Ambassador The States Ambassadors were not at the same time invited with respect to the incompatibility between them and the Spanish and the Russian then here might with as little reason expect it in regard he had questioned precedence of all other Kings Ministers The French Ambassador had an Invitation pro forma tantum with a civill request of his next comming to avoid question which it seemes he tooke not with discontent because his Wife and Neece were there present invited In March 16. Sir William Russell a cheife Merchant of the Muscovy company made request in his own name and of the rest of that Society that I would sometimes repaire to the Russian Ambassador a gallant Gentleman of the Emperours Alliance and a great Commander in his Wars by name Thomas Simonwitz with a visit and Complement in his Majesties name I told him the Master of the Ceremonies was already imployed for his attendance and that with the knowledge and order of the Lord Chamberlain or of the Lords of the Privy Councell and I should wrong him and my selfe to undertake it This made him with other of those Merchants to intimate as much to the Councell in the Lord Chamberlains absence So I was by their Lordships appointed to attend that business and had notice given me to that purpose both by Sir William Russell and Mr. Secretary Calvert to whom objecting the Exceptions that might be justly taken by Sir Lewes Lewkner if he were not made acquainted with the imployment cast on me by the Lords in a Service wherein he was already entred I had for my further Satisfaction a messenger sent to Sir Lewes by Mr. Secretary who returned with an uncertain answer no other then that he would himselfe come and speak with Mr. Secretary about it but coming not in five or six dayes after and Sir William Russell and the other Merchants continuing to solicit my repaire to the Ambassador he went himselfe to Sir Lewes and brought me his assurance of satisfaction with acknowledgement of my civill procceding and with profession of his willingnes that I should enter upon the imployment which I did the next day Going to the Ambassadors Lodging in St. Thomas Apostles and signifying as I had instruction from Mr. Secretary that the King had sent me to him c. He professed to be specially contented and pleased that whereas he had hitherto he said had no other but Sir William Russell a Merchant and no Souldier nor Courtier to be his Prestau as he termed him signifying the like Officer as the Master of the Ceremonies he should be henceforth honoured by the visits of a Cavalier and a Courtier attending his Majesty with whom he might and would be more free in communicating whatsoever should concern the Service of his great Lord and Master the Emperour The Eve of the Kings day March the foure and twentieth I was sent to him for my Lord Chamberlain as from the King whose name though his Majesty had nothing of the knowledge nor trouble of it I alwayes used in all or most of my messages and addresses to him to let him understand that the next day I was to attend him to the sight of the Prince at his Tilting with the Service of his Majesties coach and such others as should be needfull for his followers which coaches were to be provided at the Merchants charge though with use of the Kings name but before he accepted of the Invitation onely acknowledging the honour of it he by way of caution demanded if I knew what place he should have and how entertained in regard he said that if his Majesty should not receive him as an Ambassador preceding both the French and Spanish he would rather keep himselfe absent then disturbe the Solenmity by protesting and standing as he must for his Masters right I assured him the care for prevention of that quarrell was already taken by his Majesty and so it was indeed For whereas the French and Venetian Ambassadors were also invited the Spaniard the like but he had excused his absence with his retrait to Highgate to take the fresh aire and merrily saying when he was invited that he had rather keep away then be present at those Excercises of danger to the Prince his person till he should be Father of two or three Children by the King his Masters Daughter those Ambassadors were appointed their places without in the Tilt-yard in a Scaffold or standing erected of purpose and hung with Tapistry on the right hand of the King neere the Gate but the Muscovite had his ordained in the same Gallery with his Majesty but on his left hand and with a Traverse drawn between them till that after the Tilting he was onely to see the Kings face and so depart all which he interpreted to be the greater honour the other Ambassadors letting it pass in the meane time without Exceptions as regarding his remote correspondence and holding themselves not prejudiced by his so placing The French and Venetians followers were ordained their stands under the Gallery Windowes at the right hand of the King the Muscovits at the entring of the Tilt-yard on that side and the States at the neather end All those Stands as before at other times having been taken up by the Master of the Ceremonies or the Assistants order to be defrayed by his Majesty The States three Ambassadors Commissioners were ordained their places at the lower end of the Tilt-yard as the yeare before and this without any of their Exceptions taken at it But the Venetian Ambassador somewhat punctuall in remembrance of his last years Treatment and now expecting the like respects to be given him as he understood were to be given to the French Ambassador for Sir Lewes Lewkner being appointed to conduct him my selfe the Muscovits and Sir Robert Anstroder the States Ambassador he was as it seemes he understood it not thought on to that purpose so as sending to me about it and I acquainting my Lord Chamberlain with his formality his Lordship entreated by me Sir Edward Sackvill the Earle of Dorsets Brother to accompany him which he being the next day ready to have performed the Solemnity was in regard of the Kings indisposition and the fowleness of the weather deferred till the Saturday following and then the like upon the like occasion till after Easter and so longer till at length it was not at all
by the way and with the conduction mentioned The night following was represented a Maske Acted the Christmas before by the Prince c. At which were present seated with his Majesty the Spanish Ambassadors Don Carlos de Coloma and the Count de Gondemar though this had taken his leave three or four dayes before his Son and other their Followers of quality had their feates neere the King in a Scaffold on his right hand the rest of them were bestowed together with the States and other strangers promiscuously on a Scaffold behind the King over the entrance there on the left hand of his Majesty The young Landsgrave of Hess was brought in by me the back way through the Garden and supping with the Duke of Lenox as did also the Baron of Paperhezin remaining here after the departure of the Emperours Ambassador was seated amongst the great Ladies The French Ambassador Monsieur de Tillier receiving a kind of Invitation by way of offer to be present at this Maske returned answer that he most humbly kissed his Majesties handes for the honour intended him but his stomach would not he said agree with cold meat and desired therefore his absence might be pardoned here by pointing at the Invitation and presence of the Spanish Ambassador in the first place at the same Maske the Christmas before now repeated May the two and twentieth was the day assigned for Sr. Georges Solemnity deferred till then The day before my Lord Chamberlain sent me to Sir Noell Caron to let him know and the rest of the States Commissioners Mess d'Arsen Bass and Stavenets that his Majesty would be pleased with their Presence at the provision and solemne service of that day and that to that purpose they should have their standings for sight of the first in a long window on the left hand almost over the Gate and of the latter in the Chappell Closet on the Queens side the Spanish Ambassador Don Carlos de Coloma being to possess that of the Kings side I delivered this Message by incounter to them all foure being then at the house of Sir Noell Caron neere Lambeth which they thankfully accepted onely Monsieur Stavenets asked whether there would be as much respect in the entertainment for the generall given to them as to the other Ambassador I answered I nothing doubted it but as soon as I was returned to render an account of my service to my Lord Chamberlain I found I had been up and downe sought for to be stayed my Journey but too late for when I came to his Lordship he told me if I had invited those Ambassadors to stand in the Closet of the Queens side I had exceeded my Commission because the Spanish Ambassador he said would never indure them so neere him where there was but a thin Wainscot Board between them and a Window to be opened at either of their pleasures which might be an occasion of scandall and distemper I answered I had done no otherwise then I had directions which his Lordship in part denied and I was not so unmannerly as to contest against But at last I received a new command to repaire to them with this message That there had been a misunderstanding and that the place in the Chappell for the regard mentioned of the Spaniards neerenesse to them was improper But if it would please them to be at the procession in the morning in their appointed stands and in the Evening at the divine Service and Solemnity there which would be all one with that of the Forenoon they should be wellcome This unpleasing message delivered I received for answer from the mouth of Monsieur d'Arsennes That as often as it would please his Majesty to honour them with Invitations to any of his entertainments they should esteem it for an especiall favour and gladly accept it so againe since it now seemed that their presence though they had been once invited might give distast either to his Majesty or to any other meaning the Spanish Ambassador whom he should be pleased more especially to favour they would in that also submit themselues to his pleasure and would be willingly absent but as for being present at either the procession or the Service in the Afternoone they desired since they must not be at that in the Forenoone that they might be excused if they came not all the rather because they were invited to the Earle of Exeters at Wimbleton and if they should stay the procession they doubted they should come thither unmannerly too late to Dinner and returne to Court not soone enough to Evening Solemnity With this message I returned to my Lord Chamberlain and so had the next day the free use of their places at the Procession and of the Closet at the Service for the young Landsgrave and his followers whom I conducted in the Dinner time to the Banquetting House where the Prince supplying his Fathers place his Majesty being then indisposed the Landsgrave stood at his Highnesse left hand as the Spanish Ambassador did on his right most part of the Dinner time The Ambassador of Russia being upon his departure I carried to him fifty pound from the Merchants of the Muscovy company but as sent to him from the Lords of the Councell so as the Company had directed me with this formall message That whereas different from some Ambassadors imployed from his Emperour he had desired money and nor provisions to be laid in in specie for his feeding at Sea that sum of fifty pound was sent him according to President but exceeding in proportion because whereas other Ambassadors whereof one had thirty five men his followers and the other fourscore had not had above forty pounds worth of Victualls for their whole Journey the summ now sent him was fifty pound but he seeming much unsatisfied with so small proportion and saying that Sir John Merrick Ambassador to his Emperour had had above two hundrd pound given him for the like made shew to refuse it whereupon I left him when sending his Interpreter after me downe the Stayres not as I thought to receive the money but desiring me to keep it or leave it with the Steward of the house I refuse it and saying that this was a matter of consequence inferring that either the Lords of the Councell in whose name I was to present the money did not in my Lord Ambassadors opinion understand what they had to do or that the Ambassador did do more then he ought to the dishonour of the King my Master I would have returned up to him to have taken the refusall as I said to the Interpreter it became me from the his Ambassadors own mouth but on the stairs I met one of his servants that brought order from his Master that he should as he did receive it The first of June following I repaired to him with a summons from my Lord Chamberlaine to take his leave the next day at Greenwich whether we went by land in four
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
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
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
his Kitchin there or any other Lodging for any of his followers except for some such as were of necessary Service about his Person That Carliel and Holland being in France had never any such favour done them there and that he would have Monsieur de Bleinvill know he valewed their condition not lesse then his rather more regarding the businesse they then treated on being of an higher quality then that he now had in mannage that notwithstanding all this he intended no such distinction of Lodging him there as a private Person with wrong to his publick quality that he would in all respects treat him so the free use of his House reserved and that he hoped he would not press him further to what was against his likeing and which he intended not to grant him so desired him to rest satisfied Having carried this his Majesties pleasure to the Ambassador he made no further answer then this That he saw his Majesty had bestowed a favour on him which he meant he should not make use of in giving him a lodging to lye in and no Kitching to dress his meate in and without eating he could not live That he would onely take himselfe to my Lord of Carlile for justification of what he had told him of his Majesties intention that he should be lodgd in Court not as was told him by his Esquire as a private Person but as an Ambassador and so might expect all Termes answerable that in the stile of an Ambassador he expected and had order from the King his Master to expect and stand upon his Treatment in all things as his Minister and that if he failed of this he would demand of his Majesty a particular Audience for his satisfaction to that purpose When I had conveyed all this to the Kings knowledge by my Lord Chamberlain and that the Ambassador had personally conferred about it with his Lordship and with my Lord of Carliel also I knew not how it come about by those Lords satisfaction when perhaps they saw no other remedy or rather by the Queens once more mediation with the King in the Ambassadors behalfe he had at length all he craved both for his Kitchin in Court part of his Dyet being deducted out of that allowed him at Kingston and for inlargment of his Lodgings having all those assigned him next the River in the Garden where sometimes Lodged the Lady Elizabeth but he could not obtaine allowance for any of his Gentlemen to be Lodged there except onely such Servants as were of immediat Attendance The next day he had an Audience but for other businesse this being cleered and the two and twentieth of November following another By this time Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies had by his freinds in Court so sollicited his returne to the Service of his charge as the Venetian Ambassador satisfied with a kind of acknowledgement from him was no hindrance to his re-attendance upon this and other Ambassadors as there was occasion The Coronation being ordained for the second of February two dayes before it my Lord Chamberlain sent Sir Lewes Lewkner to this Ambassador for knowledge of his finall resolution having made some question of it whether or no he would be present at the Solemnity when I meeting Sir Lewes neere the Ambassadors House we went both together to him and after some small time of conference between them two part I called too by the Ambassador we both received from him this answer That he would not be present at the Coronation for two or three regards the one was that his religion tied him not to assist at our prayers and Church Ceremonies but herein he said he was not so scrupulous as that he would not be content pour le respect du Roy de la grand Britaine de vouloir faire quelque petite bresche a sa conscience But that which most prevailed with him for his absence was he said that he had not been proceeded with in his Invitation as became the Person and quality of the King of France's Ambassador and as he understood the King of Spains Ambassador had heretofore been in a larger and more noble measure That he was not before hand called as the other had been at other Solemnities towards to confer and to be made acquainted with the style and condition of his Treatment and placing at the solemnity whereof he had received hitherto no other notice or allowance then what was given and to be given to the Venetian and States Ambassadors That further for him to be a Spectator where the Queen his Masters Sister excused her presence and her participation of the Solemnity of Crowning would be an incongruity with other the like exceptions to this purpose amongst which one was which he said he had reason to take against his Treatment here as not agreeable to his quality Whereat I interposed this question whether his complaint in that regard extended to that particular of his Invitation or to his Treatment in generall he replyed it extended onely to that of his Invitation and that for the rest of his Treatment he had received such respects and usage from his Majesty as he could not except against it Parting with this answer we incountered the Venetian Ambassador where he then was at the Lodging of Mr. Rossorfe the King of Bohemias Agent and could not in a long time drive him from the suspition of the Ambassadors earnest that all this was to deceive and amaze him that he might not come to the Coronation but by his absence run the hazard of the like affront as was put upon him at King James his Funerall till resolved in the Evening he made that appeare which he had before intimated at his House that he durst not be present at the Coronation if the French Ambassador were not not he said for scruple of conscience as the French pretended since he professed to understand it as an Act of State and not of Religion but for the scandalls sake which might grow with censure to him for assisting in one of our Churches at our Churches Ceremonies in company of the States Ambassador reckoned an Heretique during a Solemnity whereat the French Ambassador a Catholick had refused his Presence So as neither of both the Ambassadors came though the Venetian by question examined all wayes possible how he might have a sight of it without notice of any man in some corner but none found allowable and I excusing my attendance on him as being a publick Officer that should thereby discover him for a publick Minister if I should be seen neere and serving him There was onely present the States Ambassador whom Sir Lewes Lewkner fetching from his House in the morning while I accompanied his Wife and Daughters by water from the Savoy Staires we were all let in at a little posterne door on the South side of King Henry the sevenths Chappell upon a Scaffold there and there beheld the whole Solemnity The French
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
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
judged it not so proper to give them one before their Audience of his Majesty they should be pleased to thinke and resolve of a time for the Latter which if they would demand for that day or the next he doubted not but they should have it the rather because his Majesty was to returne from whence he came but the day before to Theobalds and would not be againe at London till Thursday following That in the meane time their first Audience being past they might Negotiate with the Commissioners appointed for the further prosecution of their businesse This message received I interposed what I thought might be expected by them or be thought fit for the stile of their reception viz. whether to be brought to the Kings Presence by a Nobleman and to have the use of his Majesties coach c. as had been allowed to other of their Country qualified Ambassador To this it was answered by my Lord Carelton Vice-chamberlain that he then knew the Minister new come to be qualified no otherwise then for a deputy though a joynct Commissioner with the other and that he could not nor he thought would expect other Treatment then under that Title with this intimation I repaired to them and after delivery of my message with a touch to he last purpose I had for answer their desire of an Audience the next day which they had of his Majesty in the great Gallery of Somerset House the twelth of March by ten in the morning the Queen being then in her House retyred or not yet risen After Dinner my Lord Duke came to their House the Lord wimbletons to visit them while I that day dined with them I had the newes brought me of the Death of Sir Lewes Lewkner by which in right of his Majesties grant of Reversion by his Letters Patents I became sole Master of the Ceremonies The thirteenth of March the Ambassador of the States had without his Associate the Deputy a private Audience of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber whether I conducted him by the way of the Parke and the Privy-Galleries this being the first time of the States resident Ambassadours accesse to his Majestie by that way they having been allwayes till then accustomed to have their Audiences and accesses given them by the back-stayres without introduction or attendance of the Master or assistant Master of the Ceremonies which was at that time altered with the Kings better service and more convenience for avoydance of Surprises and also to that Ambassadors great honour not unaffected by him in that particular when his silent and private accesses given him before by the back-stayres and other obscurer passages might and did seeme to some an undervaluing of his publique quality and in this of the State he represented though others would have had it understood for a particular respect of his Majesty given to him as a Domestique which yet while his Audiences were never granted nor accesse given him but when at his request it was moved for by a Groome of the Bedd-chamber or by one of the two principall Secretaries it would hardly be so interpreted and so he himselfe expressed to me to conceive of it when upon my introducing him by that new way of the Privy Gallery he fell to discourse with me about it 1627. The Ambassador of Denmark Paule Rosenkrantz having negotiated with the King of France by the space of five Moneths or more returned for England and Landed at Dover in a Holland man of War when he had already written and obtained a grant of for one of the Kings Ships to transport him March the nine and twentieth 1627 the next day he came to London before his Lodging was fitted or order given for it To which purpose for excuse I compleyed with him from the Lord Chamberlain that he would be pleased to have patience for his ill accommodation till the Officers of the Ward-robe might set up his Bedd and directions be given for his Service and attendance as before this performed the next day he began again upon the Kings diet and charge having of his Train by list two and twenty persons Sunday the first of Aprill he had Audience assigned him both from the King and Queen To the first I conducted him without company of a Lord or other then his own followers this being not publick though the first Audience after his return from the Court gate by the Staire that ascends to the Sone-table chamber the way accustomed through the Park and Tiltyard Gallery being restrained by the King pleasure for his more privacy there and reposing himselfe in the next Roome to that Chamber was called forth to his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber and had there his Audience After passing through the Councell-chamber over the Terras by the lower end of the Guard-chamber to the Chappell Closet on the Kings side he was met at the Presence doore by Sir George Goring the Queens Vice-chamberlain and brought to her Presence in her Privy-chamber He was censured of too much forwardnesse instantly after he had performed his respects to cover which though he might pretend to have done in right of the King his Master as his representant yet towards a Lady and a Queen to have forborne till he had been by her twice or thrice invited to it or rather not to have covered at all since he would forfeit no place nor pretention by it had been no derogation Before he came to the Presence of the King I asked him if he desired his Gentlemen should kiss his Majesties hands he answered in no sort because quoth he I would not have notice taken of my new train as if I were a new come Ambassadour and for their kissing of the Kings hand they may do it at my departure This passed for a reason against the honour they might have had but was not moved for of kissing the hand of the King remitting it to some other opportunity which was offered the Sunday following Aprill the eighth when the Ambassador having a day before upon signification of his Masters pleasure for his returne demanded Audience for his leave taking of both their Majesties he was fetched from his Lodging in Lumbard-street by the Earle of Barkshire in correspondence of the Earle of Northampton that had accompanied him to his first Audience at Wansted with the company of halfe a dozen Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber c. The Sunday seavennight after this his last Audience my Lord Chamberlain having delivered to my hands a Jewell being a Picture case set with faire Diamonds and the Kings Picture in it to about 800 l. valew but to the Kings cost of 1200 l. it being sould to his Majesty for this use at that rate which his Lordship told me before he had destined to my carriage in observation of the course before established concerning the right pretended to by the Master of the Ceremonies for carriage of Jewells as the Master of the Jewell house doth of Plate to be
Ambassador know as much who expecting answerable to my promise That I should a day or two before the Feast assigne him the time and way of his comming to Court I in the interim by my Officer sounded the disposition of the States Ambassador and Deputy for their sight of it also which I did the more covertly because the Venetian seemed to affect his being alone at the Feast and that the other unless they should of themselves request it might be absent for what cause I could not conceive unless for his own more conspicuous note when finding them also desirous to see the solemnity I rendred the account hereof to his Majesty and after to the Venetian that he might not be ignorant of his company which he readily allowed of but when my Officer had cast out a word as I had given him in charge tentandi gratia upon some doubt I had of a Puntillio that the Denmarke Ambassador finding the windes blow so stiffely against his departure would be there also he started at it and whereas before he had given his full resolution that he would not faile to be at the Court gate about nine of the clock before noone as I had assigned him he added that he could not tell in what disposition of health he might be that day so if he came not at the houre appointed I should no longer expect him From this change of his resolution to an uncertainty I presumed he would faile and so found it when on the day and somewhat before the houre he sent his Secretary to me with a Complement to be delivered by my Lord Chamberlaine to his Majesty that the night before having had a Fit of an Ague and doubting the effect of the cold Aire so soon upon it he should not dare to venture so soone abroad to have the honour of his Majesties sight at that great Feast but he hoped that the next year he should have that happiness c. From what reason this Puntillio grew was unknown I was told after by one of the Venetians Followers That he was absent aâ— affecting Precedence of the King of Denmarks In Ambassador regard this gives it to the Ambassador of the Electors and the Venetian doth not but guessed at to be a pretence of precedence that the State of Venice might perhaps have as Kings of Cypres and Candy though by the Turks dispossessed of the former and under that title to pretend precedence of the King of Denmarke as an Elective King wheâ—eas they held themselves Kings of Cypress by inheritance hut what reason the Ambassador of Venice Landi had at the Prince his first exercise of his Armes at Tylt Anno 1619. to yeeld the hand to the King of Bohemias Ambassador the Baron of Donnow The Venetian Ambassador was of opinion when I I first discoursed with him about the accustomed manner of the Ambassadors seeing the Feast and presenting themselves to the King at his Dinner that he was to performe it alone without company of the States Ambassadors and of the same mind was the Ambassador of Denmarke for himselfe and this course approved of by my Lord Chamberlaine but when during the Kings Dinner they attended the instant for discharge of that Complement in the Conncell Chamber and that the States Ambassador Joachimi had described them the manner of his march together with the French Ambassador at a Feast two or three years before when he was imployed a Commissioner hither The Ambassador of Denmarke refused not to assist and make one worke of it which they did viz. The Ambassador of Denmarke Joachimi and Mousieur Cattz with my conduct in the time of second course as the King himselfe had ordered it upon my Proposition first the first and next the other two complying in their order at the Kings left hand as they altogether entred that way and at that side of the Table and after passing down along before the Knights of the Order with their respects bestowed personally on each Knight as they deemed fitting and by the way they entred returning I had received them at their repaire to Court one after the other as I had first designed with the Venetian Ambassador at the Court gate whether also and no further I went to receive him of Donmarke because he came upon his own invitation and not the Kings and had intended not to come had not the cross windes taken away his liberty of departure From the Gate I brought them to the Kings Chappell for sight of the Ceremony there having also appointed the Queens Closet in the Chappell for the States Ambassador in case the Venetian had come but in his absence I made use of it for the others followers Thence at the beginning of the Provision I conducted them cross the lower end of the Guard Chamber to the Terras where in the first corner next the door on the right hand I had caused a Scaffold to be raised and carpet to be spred on the wall before and on the rayles behinde them where they might have sight of his Majesty and the Knights in their procession That finished we returned to the Chappell and the Service ended I bestowed them for their repose in the Councell Chamber till the time should serve for the sight of his Majestie at the Feast ut supra The Ambassador of Denmarke preparing dayly for his departure retarded onely by the want of 10000 l. sterling to be paid him for his Master to whom his Majesty was debter of a far greater somm some about him toucht upon the custome here of the Kings presenting his Secretary with a Chaine of Gold which though I pretended and alleadged from example and for reasons brought against the Transilvanian Ambassador might be denyed him I made way for it notwithstanding by my Lord Chamberlains favour which after his Lordships question whether I could produce a president for it and my answer that if there were none it would not be amiss I said in my opinion that one might be dispenced with for a Secretary of a Representant of a King so neere in blood to his Majesty and to whom he stood so much ingaged for supplies of money c. it was assented to and a chaine of an 100. markes valew presented to one Mr Calendrine a Gentleman that having followed and served him all the time of his abode here and now at his return in place of his Secretary then absent was thought by the Ambassador fittest of any about him to be under that Title so rewarded All occasion of longer stay being removed and the time of the Ambassadors departure being designed as by his letter he let me know for the third of May I warned the Kings coach to be ready to carry him to Tower-wharffe and his Majesties Barge with two other for his baggage and Servants to Gravesend so that day I accompanied him thither took leave there of him and the next day returned to London Towards the time of his departure
I had not served him presented me by one of his Gentlemen with five peeces which I excusing to receive my Servant after accepted of as for his own and to that end in termes of such expression given him An houre before his imbarking his Steward presented me from him as too small an acknowledgment he said for my great paines with twenty peeces I gave the host of his House for his own Bed and Chamber as paid by the King for which and for the rest I was after to pass my account twenty shillings and for foure or five Beds more in his House the like not hindering by this the gratification whatsoever that Monsieur de Soubize should think fit to bestow on him The proportion I held of payment for Beds for his followers Billetted in the Towne was after two shillings the week a standing Bed and fifteen pence a Trundle-bed increasing this somm to some as their good and kind treatment of strangers deserved it The seven and twentieth of June the two Commissioners from Saley had their first Audience of his Majesty at White-hall upon a removing day which served me for excuse of the small appearance then at Court and of their not seeing the King under the State in the Presence-chamber at their first access though being but Representants of a newly formed Republick and no Christians they had no more reason to expect then to have that honour to be done them I conducted them from their Lodging in Fleet-street to the Common Stayres at White-Hall in one of the Kings Barges and thence to their Audience in the Privy Gallery whence his Majesty for further knowledge and debatement of their businesse remitted them to his Councell July the eigh The Ambassador Resident for the States of the United Provinces and their Deputies for the East-Indian busnesse and for accommodation of differences grown lately at Sea parting from London to Lodge at Colebrook were early at Windsore dined with my Lord Conway principall Secretary had their Audience in the Afternoon in the Withdrawing-chamber went that night to Kingston and the next day to London The tenth of July the Deputy being upon his departure I inquired of the Ambassador what might be the disposition of the said Deputy touching his Present from his Majestie whether to receive it in Plate or in a gold chaine and found him indifferent yet intimating withall that if his Majestie would be pleased to Knight him it would make the Present whatsoever more acceptable This made knowne by me to my Lord Chamberlaine and by his Lordship to the King he was that afternoon dignified Sir Jame Catz and after he and seven or eigh more attended the dispatch of some remaining part of his businesse he departed for Gravesend and thence for Holland July the twentieth having the day before presented me with five and twenty peeces but leaving the present ordained him for his Majesty of 500. Ounces of gilt plate allready prepared but reserved in the Goldsmiths hand pour cause to be sent after him as it was being cousened for him by the under Officers of the Jewell House to Monsieur Joachimi two months after the Bringer receiving from him the gratuity of six peeces The Duke of Buckingham being ready for his Expedition to Retz and sollicited by his Servant Master Fotherley for his Signature to the Warrants annually bestowed on Ordinary Ambassadors and Agents for Venison his Majesty appointed the Earle of Dorset for Justice in Eyre during the Dukes absence so the Warrants being by him assigned and I sending for them to Master Fotherley received from him not a refusall a question Whether it were not a part of his charge and a due for him to deliver them to the Ambassadors But this question soon resolved from presidents of Sir Lewes Lewkner I had them and delivered them viz. To the Ambassador of Venice three whereof one he bestowed on me as a right he said of my charge to the Ambassador of the States three whereof one was returned to me to the King of Denmarks Agent two whereof one came to me and to the King of Bohemias Agent two The sixth of August while I was retyred to my Country home at Twittenham I had notice given me that the Marquesse Pompeio Strozzi Ambassador Extraordinary from the Duke of Mantova was arrived at London with ten of his company whereof the Count di son Paulo Nicolo Delfino a Gentleman of Venice and Bartholomeo Amaltheo his Steward were received as men of quality This Ambassador having in his way negotiated with the French King came hither for condolement of the Duke his Master who dyed above five moneths before and for congratulation of the other Duke his Brothers succession to that Dukedome After I had of my selfe with respect to his quality visited him and drawn from him by discourse something of his ends c. I repaired to my Lord Chamberlaine then at his House at Endfield and from him as I had directions to his Majestie then at Winsore having before dispatched this my Officer with Letters to my Lord Chamberlaine But these comming in his Lordships absence were opened and presented by his Secretary to the Earle of Holland and by him to the King who in answer of their contents passed his resolution to be signified by me to my Lord Chamberlaine That the Ambassador should have his publique Audience at Winsore on Sunday following but not to have his Diet defrayed no more then any other Ambassador should from thence forwards nor have any coaches provided for them at his Majesties charge Except at times of publique Audiences I after this speaking with his Majestie for my better warrant concerning this new Order had a confirmation of his pleasure to that purpose and propounding only how fit and acceptable it might be for the said Ambassador if in correspondence of the treatment which I understood he had received in France he might have a dinner provided for him in Court the day of his first Audience it was assented to and his Majesties pleasure for it intimated by me to the Lord Steward of the Houshold the Earle of Pembroke After returning to London I let this Ambassador know his Majesties resolution taken for no more defraying of Ambassadors either diet or coaches whereat he taking no exceptions provided himselfe of two Coaches with six Horses each with which and with the Kings sent thither from Windsore for carriage of his own person he went the eleaventh of August to Bed to Staines and receiving there the next morning his Majesties wellcome by the Earle of Cleaveland was by his Lordship with the attendance of foure or five Gentlemen of the Privy-chamber in the Kings and the Lord Conways coach conducted to Windsore and found there prepared and fairly hanged three Lodgings of the Earle of Worcesters and a Table ready covered for his dinner answerable to what I had propounded to his Majesty and the Lord Steward for avoidance of a greater charge from continuall defraying
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