Venice and of Savoy had been placed the Maske night before but were this night placed with their Country-men in the Gallery mentioned At a reading in the Middle-Temple held by Mr. Martin were invited to Dinner the former three Ambassadors Sir Noell â—aron and the States Ambassador also At the Tables end sate the Reader on his left hand on the Bench next the wall sate the French Ambassador beneath him on that side the Savoyard then the Earle of Worcester c. On the Readers right hand on a forme sate first the Venetian beneath him the States Ambassador next him the Lord Lysle c. It was observable that at this time the States Ambassador as appeares made no scruple of quitting the Precedence to that of the Duke of Savoye which they have fince questioned and still stand upon The Ambassador of Savoy comming to the King at New Market Note not the Kings March the second was by me fetcht and conducted in the Lord Chamberlaines Coach with foure Horses in company of the Lord Worceston Sir James Spence and Sir William Austroder from his Lodging two miles out of Towne there to the Presence Chamber where he attended till the Lord Chamberlain comming forth of the Kings withdrawing Chamber brought him to his Audience there This done the Ambassador requested me to moove the Prince for the honour to kisse his hand But it was objected that the demand should have been more seasonably made before the very instant of pretending to it Whereto the Ambassador replyed that he had no spare time for it between that of his Arrivall at Court and his immediate repaire to his Majesty which excuse admitted he was immediately introduced to his Highnesse in his owne Lodgings March the sixteenth I brought the States Ambassador to an Audience at Theobalds after he had attended a while at the Lord Fentons Lodgings and was called up to his Majesty in the privy Gallery A Messenger from Russia came to his Audience at White-Hall the three and twentieth of March who not being qualified with the title of Ambassador I onely with no Lord to receive him met him at the Court gate and brought him to the Councell Chamber he was after an houre and an halfes attendance there sent for by one of my Lord Chamberlains Gentlemen received in the stone Table Chamber by that Lord and in the next admitted to the Presence of his Majesty The foure and twentieth of March being the Kings day of comming to the â—rowne of England and that yeare Sunday a tilting then prepared for was put off till the day following That evening a question falling between his Majesty and some Lords whether some all or no Ambassadors were to be invited The Lord â—hamberlain askt me if I knew whether ever the Spanish Ambassador Sarmiento had been invited to that solemnity I said he had and upon search of my notes found that at the Earle of Somersets Marriage he the Arch-Dukes Ambassador and both their Ladies had been present at a tilting This President brought over-ruld his Majesty who seemed inclined otherwise to invite the French Venetian and Savoyard never before at any tilting and now not willingly called to this because of the troubles that those publique Ministers usually brought by their Puntillios at such incounters Sir Lewes Lewkner was sent the evening before to the French and the Venetian and I to that of Savoy The next day at two of the Clock he received the two first and I the latter at the stayre foote of the Tilt-yard Gallery and conducted them to the Chamber next that of ordinary Audiences where they all attending till his Majesty and the Queen passed that way they were taken along with them to the tilting They were seated thus the French on the left hand of the King with his back to the side of the Balconie window and somewhat sidelong from the Queen that being held the best place after the Princes place on the Kings right hand beneath whom sate the Venetian both their backs to the Balcony and the Savoyard on the other side beneath the French Ambassador St. Georges Feast being come the French Ambassador without notice given to him or from him of his comming to Court for sight of the solemnity was present onely with Sir George … eere a Gentleman usher of the privie Chamber in the Closet of the Chappell for sight of the Procession both without Sir Lewes Lewkners or my attendance as his prepaire to Court was without our knowledge About the middle of the Kings dinner Mr. Secretary Winwood meeting me wisht me to accompany him where he was all alone in the Closet and to bring him to see the King and the Knights at dinner This I performed and conducted him to the Banqueting House where placing himselfe at the left hand of his Majesty dining he entertained discourse with him about an houre and after upon my intimation of the fitnesse of it he descended to the side Table and saluted the Prince and Knights of the order passing along before them and thence returning by the privy Galleries took Coach in the Parke to go to his Lodgings His omission of not making knowne to the King or his Lord Chamberlain as other Ambassadors had been accustomed his desire to see the Feast might have brought him to some inconvenience worse then loosing his dinner which the Spanish Ambassador had the year before as this might also have had at the Lord Chamberlains Table June 21. The King invited by the Earle of Exeter to hunt and dine at Wimbleton as was also the French Ambassador killed a brace of Staggs before he came to the house There I demanded when it would be his Majesties pleasure to give accesse to the Ambassador whom he had not yet seen there It was assigned him for after dinner The Ambassador dined with the Lords and Ladies at a Table placed in the midst of a faire Roome he seated in a Chaire at the upper end at his right hand the Earle of Arundell the Earle of Mountgomery the Lady Elizabeth Hatton the Lady Resse c. At his left the Lady of Exeter the Lady Ann. Tuffton the Marquesse de l'Isle Unckle to the Duke of Retz newly come into England and to that Feast in company of the French Ambassador the Lord Haye Then entered into favour Sir George Villars and others After dinner the Ambassador going to see the house he attended in the Gallery the Kings coming and had there an houres entertainment of discourse with his Majesty The Spanish Ambassador being invited to hunt with his Majesty in Theobalds Parke went thither early Don Diego Sarmiento and after hunting dined with his Majesty in the Privy Chamber The King seated as alwaies in the midst of the Table the Ambassador on his lest hand at the end his Son Don Antonio his Gentlemen and Servants had their dinner provided them in the Councell Chamber where Sir Patrick Murray my selfe and some other of the Kings
scandall we were the next day at Kingston where at the furthest end of the Towne East-ward the Ambassadors House was appointed but not yet by default of some of the Kings Officers Lodgable so as returning into the Town we Lodged in Inns and elsewhere as we could on such a suddaine be provided and not without French murmurs till they were the third night after better bestowed in the quarter ordained from them This Ambassador being not yet come from Salisbury the Gentleman of his Horses and of chiefe mannage in his Affaires in observation of his Lords desire and the Kings pleasure signified to him by the Earle of Carliel that the Ambassador should have a Chamber in Court not as was mis-understood to lye in it but onely for his retrait as is before mentioned intreated the Earle of Carliel to move the King for his favour to that purpose when I had already for prevention possest his Majesty and my Lord Chamberlain that the Ambassadors intention of demand of a Lodging in Court was with the like limitation as the Earles of Carliel and Holland had had theirs in the Court of France viz. onely at time to retyre to In conclusion it was the pleasure of his Majesty and for such made known by my Lord of Carliel that expecting no cloath of State The yeomen hangers had onely began to set one up in his Chamber at Court but I instantly hindred it as not fitting wherof I gave account to the Lord Chamberlain and was applauded for it which from first to last of his stay there was not allowed him in Court though he had one as all Kings Extraordinary Ambassadors have in his private House at Kingston and having in his Chamher the allowance onely of a Gentleman and two Groomes to lye by him in Pallet he should be Lodged in Court as a particular or private Person and not otherwise for avoidance of future trouble to the King by President This obtained I sought to prevent another inconveniency by acquainting my Lord Chamberlain and Carliel with the Expectation I saw towards of having his Dyet provided in Court which would have made that publick which was intended private To prevent this I had order to fall as I did in discourse with the Gentleman of his Horses and to convey the Kings mind to him as I understood it I said from report and collection that it was intended he should have no other Dyet then what he had at Kingston by provision there from the Kings Officers and that if he would eate at Court at any time it might be at the Table of the Queens Lord Chamberlain or elsewhere there as a private Person sending thither Monsieur de Tilliers when he would from Kingston part of his provision to have it drest in Court for increase of his Dyet at the Table of her Majesties Lord Chamberlain but this was but discourse and to little purpose while the Ambassador himselfe remained yet with the Queen at Salisbury The stay of his there longer then he at the first intended or at the least in shew pretended gave me the liberty to sisit my home then at Brocket Hall for retrait from the sicknesse till a messenger bringing me the news that the Ambassador was come to Hampton Court I the next morning returned thither and that Afternoone accompanied him with two coaches each with foure Horses appointed for his continuall Service to the sight of Nonesuch These two coaches I increased to three with two Horses to each as more usefull then one and capable of his followers for their dayly passage to and from Court to Kingston The fourteenth of November that he might take possession of the honour allowed him by his Majesty to be Lodged in Court he commaded some of his stuffe of more necessary Service to be transported thither he himselfe that Evening following it and was there Lodged in the Garden Lodgings where had been sometime quartered the Lady Elizabeth before her marriage but presuming to have his Kichin allowed him there also ut supra he was refused it for having by his Servant formerly demanded it by my Lord Chamberlain as hath been touched his Lordship now sent for me and gave me in charge this to say to him That he beseecht him to beleive his Majesty did and would give him all the respects due to his quality and person and that for his owne particular he had faithfully endeavoured to do him his best Service for his Accommodation in Court according to his own desires but he found his Majesty absolutly resolved not to give way to what he requested concerning the having of a kitchin and some other Lodgings for some of his Gentlemen for conveniency sake This message delivered by me he asked me how the King would have him live in Court without eating I answered It was never intended for ought I knew that he should have further then his first demand which was a Lodging or two for his repose sometime or at the most to lye in with a Pallet or two and one Gentleman for his attendance as had been intimated to his Esquire before and that for his Dyet he might be pleased to take it and augment it as he should think fit with some of his own dishes brought thither from Kingston at the Table of the Queens Lord Chamberlain ut Supra To this he gave this peremptory reply Howsoever his Esquire had let him know that he must be there in his Lodgings with limitation as a private person he was never of the mind to assent to that distinction so much against the King his Masters honour to be Lodged as the King of Frances Ambassador at Kingston and as the Marquesse de Bleinvill in the Kings House but that both the Earle of Carliel had told him it was not intended Because at Kingston he had a State set up and his Table kept but that he should be treated in his Lodging in every thing as became an Ambassador and he himselfe also did now protest for it that he would not be and remaine there but absolutly under that title and would insist upon his Accommodation in all things there as an Ambassador from so great a King as the King his Master Which resolution of his I having made known to my Lord Chamberlain his Lordship acquainted the King with it and presently called me to the Presence of his Majesty in his Withdrawing Chamber where after I had repeated the Ambassadors answer his Majesty commanded me to returne to him with his pleasure thus plainly and particularly exprest That the Ambassador might remember that having requested earnestly the favour to have a Lodging in his Court to retyre to onely he would not at first assent to it till upon his Wives earnest intreaty he being loth to deny her the first request she had made to him was content to yeeld to it but that he never intended no more then he the Ambassador himselfe had demanded that he should have
come presently along with the Hambourgh Commissioners to the Queen as I had been first appointed In obedience whereof I presently taking Boat with them and landing at the Common-Court Staires we were there met by two of her Majesties Gentlemen-Ushers of her Presence Chamber and by them told that we should not repaire to any place of repose which I had assigned in the Chappell Closet on the Queens side because her Majesty was already staying for them in her Privy Galleries whether going by the passage of the Privy Staires they there had their access the Queen standing at one side of the Gallery amonst the Ladies This succeeded the Eve of the day July 31. that the French were removed from about the person of her Majesty the Kings Order to me ut supra relating to that important business The 13. of August The Ambassador of Denmark went in the Kings Coach his two Coaches defrayed by his Majestie attending to an Audience at None-such in the Privy Chamber there all but the Lords of the Privy Councell excluded he was fetcht to it from his Chamber of Repose such being the Kings pleasure though more then usuall at a private Audience by the Earle of Dorset The 23. of August An Ambassador Ordinary from Venice by name Alanso Coutarim having resided with the States of the United Provinces arrived at Gravesend where he was received by the Master of the Ceremonies was welcomed from the King at his Landing at Tower-Wharffe by the Lord Willoughby Then but a Baron Lord High Chamberlaine of England and by him conducted to his House at Charter-House where intreated to stay Supper an invitation which upon so short warning savoured more of good Fellowship then Courtship his Lordship and those with him had an Royall intertainment The 13. of September The King having received at Theobalds the unhappy news of an Overthrow given the King of Denmark by the Count of Tilly Generall for the Emperor came to London and that morning sent for the Ambassador of Denmark to come to him after Dinner and received him at Denmark-House the Queen then there in the Privy Chamber introduced by Sir George Goring Vice-Chamberlaine to her Majestie and fetcht from the Lord Carews Lodging by the Queens Gentleman-Usher The 21. of September A Messenger formerly sent by the same Ambassador to the King his Master being returned he demanded and had an Audience of his Majesty in the Presence at Hampton Court without reposing any where though the Chappell had been assigned for it That night he returned to London he was pleased to excuse my attendance further then to my House in his way at Twittenham where he had taken me up to his Coach in his passage to his Audience of his Majesty He had demanded this access to his Majesty two or three dayes before by the King his Masters Agent Ma. Belaw but whether it had not been more properly carried to have gone immediatly to Court and there in person to have by the Lord Chamberlaine demanded an immediate Audience considering the neer relation between his Master and the King and the consequence of the newes then brought him of his Masters defeate was by some and may be with reason made a Quere The 22. of September as I was at Supper with the Ambassador of Denmarke one came to me with this message That Monsieur Quadt an Honourable Gentleman sent Ambassador from the Prince of Transilvania Bethlem Gabor being that day arrived here had address by Letters both from the Prince his Master and from the King of Bohemia to Monsieur Rosberf residing here for the affaires of that King but understanding that Monsieur Rosberf was out of Town and my selfe one of the Kings Masters of Seremonies to be there he desired my advise and furtherance for his proceeding I answered the Messenger that my way must be by the Lord Chamberlaine for his to his Majesty and that to that purpose I would repaire presently to his Lordships approbation of my Opinion that Monsieur Rosdrose returne to whom the Ambassador had such a particular address it was unfit and needless to give notice of him to his Majesty I went to him though without Commission and complied with him the next morning where receiving his allowance with thanks for my course taken and advise to stay the returning of Rosdrofe I wrote to this Gentleman how I had procecded and sent my Letter by his Servant In the meane time his Majesty having notice of the Ambassadors arriveall signified his pleasure by my Lord Chamberlaine to Master Rosdrose then returned and to me that the correspondence between the Ambassador and themselves considered and answerable to the proposition made by us two Two Ambassadors Arriving at different times lodged and defrayed in one House and at one Table from themselves the Prince of Transilvanians Ambassador and the King of Denmarks should be lodg'd together in the same house and dieted at the same Table with addition of ten pound per diem to the others eighteen pound The traine of the latet consisting but of four persons and that he should be admitted to his Andience the Tuesday following which was performed accordingly I accompanying to Hampton Court with the service of only two hired Coaches each with four horses He had allowed him by the Lord Chamberlaine one Coach with four horses daily to attend his service but for his Majesties profit and with the Ambassadors likeing I brought it to an attendance at such times only as he should be pleased the Evening before to command it In the mean time I doubting that some of those respects ordinarily given to Ambassadors at their first Audiences might be omitted whereof but that he himfelfe professed to affect privacie it was one not to have a Titular person appointed to accompany him thence to the Court I sent a Groome of the Chamber early that morning to order what my Lord Chamberlaine had left unordered and to have some Nobleman to meete and receive him there at his descent out of his Coach This being incharged to the Lord Compton he received no sooner then at the second Gate and there turning up the great staires through the great Hall and Guard-chamber the King was already under the State in the Privy-chamber expecting him which by suddainnesse of his approach so danted him as though he passed through well with his Latine Oration he forgot to present his Letters of Credence and was forced after his parting from his Majesty to send them back to him with excuse of his Servants absence whom he feyned to have had them about him when he being so suddainly without stay any where introduced and his Secretary left in the Press behind him could not come at them opportunely to deliver them All the time of his Audience he never covered being not invited to it by his Majesty who likewise stood all that time uncovered After he had finished his Oration and that his Majesty by me had given him a breife
bestowed on Ambassadors I carried it and presented it with this complement MOnsieur j'ay l'honneur que par ma main le Roy vous fait present de son purtrait le quel il vous prie poster pur amour de luy en testmoignagede bons agreables services devoirs que vous luy auez rendus pour le Roy vostre Maistre durant vostre Ambassade icy en Angleterre My LORD I have the honour that the King by my hand doth present you with his purtrait which he prayes you to we are for his Love in Testimony of the good and acceptable services and duties which you have rendred him in behalfe of the King your Master during your Embassie here in England Three or foure dayes after he had taken leave he intreated my opinion and Assistance for punishment of one Phillip Weisman a Germane whose cheife Trade of life having been to undertake the conduct and defraying of Gentlemen of his Country at a price agreed on in their Travailing to and in this and other Kingdomes as he had formerly done of Phillip the yong Landsgrave of Hesse and a Duke of Holstein here he made offer of of his service and was entertained for the defraying of this Ambassador while he remained at Paris after the time of that Kings defraying him till his first Audience was past at the rate of five hundred and fifty Crownes a Moneth for Dyet and Lodging of twelve Masters and twelve Servants This Bargaine made but as the fellow pretended much to his losse in regard of the dayly increaseing number of guests at the Ambassadors Table he a while held himselfe silent both at the Ambassadors departure from Paris and on the way where he undertook the whole companies defraying at twenty five Crownes a man till they should come to London but within two dayes after their arrivall here he began to make his demands in so unreasonable a measure and with such touch to his honour as he made complaint of him by me to my Lord Chamberlain who acquainting the King with it his Maiesty was pleased that the Lord President of the Councell the Lord Chamberlain and Vice-chamberlain should heare and determine the businesse Whereupon the said Philip appearing before them together with two or three Gentlemen of the Ambassadors and my selfe the Lords passed on him their sentence which according to the Ambassadors request sent by me to the Lords and as it was the next day repeated by the Lord President and referred to the Ambassadors owne penning in French was as followeth MOunsieur Henry Comte de Manchester President de Conseil prive du Roy de la Grand Brittaigne Phillipe Comte de Montgomery Grand Chamberlan Conscillers du Conseil prive d'estat de la dicte Majeste Commis Depute par sa dicte Majeste pour entendre la potestation que Sieur Rosenkrantz Ambassador extraordinaire pour la Majeste dt Densmark auroit fait a l'encontre de Phillippe Weysman pour quelques injures mesdisances que qu' il auroit proferree escrites contre sa personne au prejudice de reputation du Roy son Maistre de sa bonne renomme ' e en particulier ayants par commandement expres de sa Maieste adiourne examinè le dit Phillippe Wiseman â—nsemble entenduenmesme temps par confrontation quelques uns des domestiques du dit sieur Ambassadour aultres ensemblé lu examiné sa lettre and dit sieur Ambassadour Avons trouvé que le dit Phillippe sans raison hors de propos apres avoir receu beaucoup plus d'argent qu' on ne luy autoii accordé selon sa propre confession auroit malicieusement effrontement mis en avant telles paroles eserits sans avoir esgard a la dignité de la parsonne que le dit Ambassador represente ny a sa qualitè particuliere avons ordonne qu'il soit mis en sure garde jusques a ce qu'il donnera satisfaction au dit Ambassador si ce n'est qu'il troue bon de le fayre mener au Roy son Maistre pour l'estre chastié selon qu'il a merité En foy de quoy nous signons la presente le 14. of April 1627. Manchester Montgomery Carleton My LORD HEnry Earle of Manchester President of the privy Councell of his Majesty of Great Britain Philip Earle of Mongomery great Chamberlaine and of the Councell of State to his said Majesty being Commissioners and Deputies for his said Majesty to heare the Protestation which the Lord Rosenbranck Ambassador Extraordinary to his Majesty of Denmarke shall make against Phillip Wiseman for certaine injuries and calumnies which he should speak and write against his person in prejudice of the honour of the King his Master and of his own particular reputation having by express commandment from his Majestie adjourned and examined the foresaid Philip Wiseman and understood the same time by confrontation of some of the Domestiques of the said Lord Ambassador and others as also examined his Letter to the said Lord Ambassador We finde that the said Philip without any reason or cause having received more monies then were agreed upon according to his own confession hath maliciously and impudently blazed abroad such words and writings without having regard to the honour of the person whom he presents or to his own particular quality therefore we have inordered that he be put in safe Custody untill he give satisfaction to the foresaid Ambassador if he thinks it not fit to bring him before the King his Master to be punished according to his demerit In faith whereof we signe this present Instrument this 14. of Aprill 1627. Manchester Montgomery Carleton The fellow persisting stubborne and most averse from submission was after four or five dayes restraint in the house of a Messenger delivered by Warrant of the Lord President of the Councell and the Lord Chamberlaine from the Messengers hands to the Ambassadors who causing him to be imprisoned in the Counter by vertue of the said Warrant which gave him power to dispose of him he was upon the point of being sent for Hambourgh but his stomach lessening and his submission made with acknowledgement of his fault both by word and writing he was at last set at liberty Five or sixe dayes before Saint Georges Feast was to be kept at White-Hall the Ordinary Ambassador of Venice Contareni desired my Confetence intimated by his Secretary sent to me to the purpose of his best course for his sight of that Solemnity I hereupon repairing to him told him That the manner had ever been except in one or two Exceptions when the King was pleased to send his Invitation for Ambassadors to convey to his Majesties knowledge by the Lord Chamberlaine their desires to have the honour of his right and the solemnitie that day whereupon he desired me to performe that part from him which I did had his Majesties allowance to it and let the
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
FINETTI PHILOXENIS SOM CHOICE OBSERVATIONS OF Sr. JOHN FINETT KNIGHT And Master of the CEREMONIES to the two last KINGS Touching the Reception and Precedence the Treatment and Audience the Puntillios and Contests of Forren AMBASSADORS IN ENGLAND Legati ligant Mundum LONDON Printed by T. R. for H. Twyford and G. Bedell and are to be Sold at their Shops in Vine-Court Middle Temple and the Middle Temple Gate 1656. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE PHILIP Lord Vicount Lisle c. MY LORD I Know well for I know it by Experience that your Lordship hath been trained up from a Youth in matters of Embassyes and Legantine Affaires as wel when you attended my Lord your Father to Denmark and other States of Germany as many yeares after in the French Court Therefore the Dedicatory addresse of this new Peece will not be adjudged incongruous by any discerning Reader but very pertinent considering the quality of the subject which treats of transactions of that nature being the Manuall observations of that knowing Knight and well accomplish'd Courtier Sir John Finett vvho officiated so many yeares in Affaires of that kind Therefore this Peece goes indented vvith many signall Passages of the Reception and Treatments of the Conduct Audiences the Pretences and Precedencies vvith divers Contests and Puntilioes of State between forren Ambassadors Among other parts of Industry vvhich vvere knovvn to be in that Worthy Knight one vvas to couch in vvriting and keep an exact Diary of vvhat things had passed in his Province as Master of the Ceremonies according to the laudable Custome of the Italians and transmitted by them to the high and low Dutch Ministers of State vvith others Moreover these Observations go interwoven vvith divers Historicall Passages and those most faithfully related there being nothing taken here upon trust but all upon his own knovvledge being stil upon the place himself and an Actor in every thing as appeared by the Manuscript he left And thus much out of the conversation I had often vvith him I vvas desired to tell the World Lastly Besides the Motives before mentioned there vvent another Inducement to this Election vvhich vvas the high respects and Honour I professe your Lordship having discovered in you a true Sidneyan Soule vvhich by a peculiar Noble Genius is observed to be extraordinarily inclin'd to the Theory and Speculative part of Vertue as vvell as to the Practicall In vvhich opinion I rest My most Honoured Lord Your very humble and ever ready Servant JAMES HOWELL Holborn this 20. of April 1656. THE Chief Heads and Substance of the ensuing DISCOURSE 1. THe Arch-Dukes Ambassador discontented and the Kings Apologie for his satisfaction 2. The Braveries used at the Lady Elizabeths Wedding 3. Passages of Ambassadors about invitations to the Earl of Somersets Marriage 4. A clash betwixt the Savoy and Florence Ambassadors for precedence 5. Differences at a Mask betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors and the States 6. The Spanish Ambassador excepting against the States for sitting with him in the Kings presence 7. The Spanish Ambassador refusing to be at a Mask 8. The Venetian Ambassador discontented about his Present 9. Foure Ambassadors at a Readers Feast 10. Ambassadors invited to hunt with the King 11. Ambassadors invited to the Princes Creation 12. The rich present of Furres sent by the Emperour of Russia to the King 13. A clash betwixt the Spanish and French Ambassadors 14. Touching Sir Henry Manwayring 15. Exceptions taken by the French 16. The sitting of Ambassadors at a Mask with the King reform'd 17. Differences betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassadors reconcil'd 18. Of the flaunting Embassie of Monsieur Cadenet 19. Exceptions about placing 20. Six in joynt Ambassie at once from the States 21. The Russian Ambassadors puntillio for precedence 22. A great Embassie from the Emperour 23. Questions betwixt the Imperiall and Venetian Ambassadors concerning Titles and Visits the like with the French 24. The young Landgrave of Hessens entertainment 25. The States Ambassadors distasts 26. The Duke of Soubizes Negotiation 27. Exceptions taken by the Venetian Ambassadors 28. Exceptions of the States Ambassadors 29. The Prince his return from Spain 30. The French Ambassador gets ground of the Spanish 31. Difference betwixt the Spanish Ambassadors 32. Reasons for the Master of the Ceremonies to sit in the same Coach with the Ambassadors 33. A clash betwixt the French and Spanish Ambassador 34. Sir Robert Sherley Ambassador from Persia 35. Ambassadors extraordinary from France to treat of a Marriage 36. Death of King James and Solemnities of his Funerall 37. Complaint of the Venetian Ambassador 38. Reason of the Venetian Ambassador for Parity with Crownd heads 39. The King and Queens first interview at Dover 40. The Marquesse of Blamvillés contestations for formalities and his Lodging and Dyet at Court 41. His reason for not assisting at the Coronation 42. The great clash betwixt the Persian Ambassador and Sir Robert Sherley 43. The French cashier'd from Court 44. Difference betwixt the Master of the Ceremonies and Jewell house who is to carry Presents to Ambassadors 45. Bethlem Gabors Ambassadors 46. The Reformation of Ambassadors sitting in publick and eating with the King 47. The Danish Ambassadors complaint 48. The Mantovan Ambassadors Expostulations 49. A new Declaration touching the Treatment of Ambassadors and the value of their Presents abated 50. The Expostulations of the Duke of Savoyes Ambassador 51. Questions and Puntillioes betwixt Regall and Ducall Ambassadors 52. The Lord Majors refusing to give place to the King of Denmarks Ambassador 53. A clash betwixt the Ambassador of Savoy and the Duke of Buckingham because he gave Sanctuary to my Lady Purbeck 54. The States Ambassadors exceptions and complaints how satisfied 55. The notable Plot the Spanish Ambassadors had traced to destroy the Duke of Buckingham With divers other Signall Passages of State and matters of remark wherewith the Discourse is interwoven In page 250. for and machinations read a machination with other small mistakes which the judicious Reader will not stumble at Sir JOHN FINETS OBSERVATIONS Touching Forren Ambassadors c. THE Count Palatine of the Rhone coming to marry the Lady Elizabeth landed at Graves end on Friday night the sixteenth of October and had his first welcom brought him thither from the King by the Lord Haye with the attendance of Sir Lewes Lewkner Master of the Ceremonies and his second on Sunday following by the Duke of Lenox attended by many Lords Knights and Gentlemen the Kings Servants As he passed before the Tower in his Majesties Barges the discharge of the great Ordnance there served for a warning to the Earles of Shrewsbury Sussex Southampton and other Lords to waite on the Duke of Yorke to the Staires of White-Hall for his reception at his landing there and to conduct him to the presence of the King Queene Prince and Princesse in the Banqueting House where having made an humble reverence to his Majesty and passed his first Complement he addressed himselfe to
hither from the States of the united Provinces The Prince Palatines Ambassador the Baron of Donowe at that time likewise imployed hither was seated as a domestique but not without consideration of avoyding question uppermost above all the Lords on the fourme usually placed for them 1619 The Count de Tillieurs sent to reside here Ambassador Ordinary from the French King in succession of Monsieur de Maretz though after almost an yeare and an halfes intermission of that charge came towards his first Audience of his Majesty then at Windsor the fifteenth of September and was met at Staines by the Earle of Kelley Groome of the Stoole to his Majesty sent thither to receive and conduct him the Lord North having been the Evening before appointed by the Lord Chamberlain for that service but countermanded the next morning upon maturer consideration of the fitnesse to send to meete him a person of a more eminent place and title then a Baron with the Lord Kelley went in his Majesties Coach my selfe and five Gentlemen of the privy Chamber he had Audience given him in the Presence or privy Chamber one there serving both turnes where having in a gracefull fashion made his approach with three reverences and passed a breife Complement called to his Secretary for his Letters of credence and presented them Which whilst the King was reading he turned towards the Prince then present and passed with him a short Complement which some judicious standers by censured for unseasonable having not yet finished the purpose he had in hand with the King affirming his carriage had been better onely to have bowed to the Prince after he had presented his first respects to his Majesty and not to have spoaken to the Prince till he had fully ended what he had to say to the King After his Majesty had invited him to cover he obeyed but uncovered immediatly holding his hat all the time after except one little instant in his hand that night he returned to Staines with the Lord Kellies conduct who went immediately back to Windsor and the Ambassador the next morning to London The day of the French Ambassadors Audience at Windsor came thither one of the young Dukes of Halstein cozen Germane to the deceased Queen Ann who sending for me to his Lodging desired my assistance for his private accesse to the King He having been here at another time before with his Majesty and that he might have the honour to hunt with him the next morning without further noise or trouble of Ceremony For this I repaired to the Lord Chamberlain and craving his advice and directions had for answer that in regard the Duke came privatly and desired but a private accesse he wished me to addresse my selfe to one of the Gentlemen of the Bedd-Chamber and particularly to the Marquesse of Buckingham that the King might be acquainted with his desires So speaking that night late both with his Lordship and his Majesty I had for answer that the next morning at seven of the Clock his Majesty would be glad of his sight and of his Company in hunting At the houre assigned he and I with him entring the Kings withdrawing Roome while his Majesty was booting himselfe he there received his wellcome and waiting on his Majesty to his Coach he was admitted to sit by him After taking Horse with his Majesty in the Parke he road and I with him the death of a leash of Bucks returning after in Coach with his Majesty to Windsore he went the next day to London A seavennight after his Excellency had my company to his Majesty at Wansted and that night back to London The Count Guido Son to the Marquesse de Villa or as some others stilled him de Sillana who had been here Extraordinary about six yeares before was sent hither Extraordinary from the Duke of Savoy to condole the death of Queen Ann dead halfe a yeare before when our Blacks had been already laid by by which those that he and his followers wore were made the more unsuitable He had his Audience in the Presence at White-Hall More solito brought to it by the Earle And the Sunday following was accompanied to his second and last Audience and to dine with his Majesty at Theobalds He sate with the King in the privy Chamber there at the lower end of the Table the Ordinary Ambassador Gabellione sitting at the side opposite to the King neere the end About the midst of dinner his Majesty dranke the Dukes health bare headed and standing till they both had pledged it After this the Count Guido dranke the Kings health to his Collegue having first demanded leave for it of his Majesty Three or four men of Tille as Count Tispoti and _____ which to do him honour had accompanied him hither dined in the Councell Chamber accompanied by the Duke of Lenox the Earle of Leicester Sir Thomas Edmonds Treasurer of his Majesties Household and other Gentlemen The Baron of Denow eimployed to his Majestie from the Prince Palatine soone after the Crown and title of King of Bohemia was conferred on him by the Election of those States had had after his Arrivall here two or three private Audiences without publique notice or stile of King given him by his Majesty He was afterwards appointed to follow the King to Newmarket whither he came the 27. of January with no other company or attendance but Master Williams Agent here for the affaires of that King or rather for the Queen our Kings only Sister and his own few followers Sir Lewes then remaining at London and expecting the Arrivall of a Spanish Ambassador Don Diego Sarmiento new made Conde de Gondemar some occasions at the same time having drawn me to Newmarket I received there the Lord Chamberlaines Command to do the Ambassador the service of my place so I waited on him to his first Audience there the thirtieth of January when my Lord Marquess of Buckingham the Earl of Montgomery the Lords Viscounts of Purbeck and Doncaster the Lord Gray and divers others of his Majesties better sort of Servants did him the honour on foot to come to his Inn his Majesties Coach walking by accompany him thence on foot to the Court where his Majestie receiving him in the withdrawing Chamber rook him instantly with him into his Inner Lodgings whence after an hour and an halfes conference he was reconducted by all the Lords mentioned on foot as before to his Lodging From that time he had his accesses to Court and to his Majesties Presence as a Domestique without Ceremony and this by the Kings own Signification of his Pleasure to me to that purpose From Newmerket he went along with his Majesty to Royston Theobalds London and with my continuall Attendance Towards the end of February Monfieur Reuinch Hauson Ambassador from the Princes of the Union of Germany came to the King at Theobalds conducted thither by Sir Lewes Lewkner only at his own particular request for avoidance of noyse and
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
respect to any of us Sir Robert Sherley gave him a salutation and sate downe on a stoole neer him while my Lord of Cleaveland by an Interpreter signified in three words the cause of the Ambassador Sherleys and his and our comming to him but with little returne of regard from him till I informing the Interpreter of the new Ambassador what my Lords quality was he let fall his Trust-up-leggs from his chaire and made a kinde of respect to his Lordship This done Sir Robert Sherley unfoulding his Letters and as the Persian use is in reverence to their King first touching his eyes with them next holding them over his head and after kissing them he presented them to the Ambassador that he receiving them might performe the like observance when he suddenly rising out of his chaire stept to Sir Robert Sherley snarcht his Letters from him toare them and gave him a blow on the face with his Fist and while my Lord of Cleaveland stepping between kept off the offer of a further violence the Persians Son next at hand flew upon Sir Robert Sherley and with two or three blows more overthrew him when Master Maxwell of the Bedchamber and my Lord of Cleaveland nearest to him pulling him back while we of the company laid hands on our Swords but not drawing them because not any one Sword or Dagger was drawn by the Persians my Lord of Cleaveland remonstrated to the Ambassador the danger and insolencie of the Fact saying that if he and the Gentlemen there with him had not borne more respect to that King whom he represented then he the Ambassador had done to the Letters shewed him for justification of the others quality neither he nor those about him that had committed that insolency should have gone alive out of that place After these words he made some shew of acknowledgment and said he was sorrey he had offended his Lordship and us by his Act which he had performed transported with extreame rage against a Person that had dared to counterfeit the King his Masters hand which was alwayes he said set on the top of his Letters when these Letters he had shewed had it on the back-side and to heare as he had done that so meane a fellow and an Imposter should presume to say he had married the King his Masters Neece To this Sir Robert Sherley who was in the meane time retyred behind the company amazed and confounded with his blow and Treatment stept in and answered That he never said he had married the Kings Neece but the Queens kinswoman and that for the manner alleadged of signing his Letters it was true that the King of Persia in all imployments of his own Subjects to Forren Princes or in writing to them used to signe above in the front of his Letters but that when he imployed a stranger to any Forren Prince his signature was usually affixed on the back side of his Letters that before their opening they might shew who sent them To this the Ambassador replyed with scornfull looks onely we all with little or no respects to him departed and conducting Sir Robert Sherley to his Lodging accompanied the Earle of Cleaveland instantly to Court where finding the Duke of Buckingham in the Presence-chamber the King being even then come forth to Dinner his Lordship acquainted his Majesty with our adventure and I received present order to let Sir Lewes Lewkner know that he should instantly repaire to the new come Persian Ambassador and tell him that his Audience for that afternoone was thought fit to be snspended and remitted to another day that his Majesty might be particularly informed of the causes of the disagreement and disorder happened The greatest blot and fault of this adoe was cast upon Sir Robert Sherley for his default in his resolution not to returne with blows or words at least the affront done him which had he done would have confirmed the truth of his representative quality and not given subject from such weaknesse and want of Spirit discovered by him to the Merchants to dispute as they confidently did and to his own freinds to defend _____ the soundness of his commission yet at length he writing to his Majesty and beseeching him to send him into Persia with his two Letters tyed about his neck for tryall whether they were true or false the world began to have a conceit of his unjust sufferance and the King to charge it home to the Merchants with his command and especiall pleasure signified to them that he should be senr a long in their Fleet then ready to part for the East Indies and be by them Landed in Persia there to make his Purgation which they though unwillingly assented to and pressing for the other Ambassadors Audience he had it after eight or ten dayes delay assigned and given him the sixth of March fetcht to it by the Earle of Warwick c. Entering the Banquetting House where his Majesty stood under the State to receive him without one looke or gesture of respect till coming close to the Kings person he clapt his Letters to his cyes one after the other kissed them and presented them to the hand of his Majesty but not so much as bowing his Body at their delivery onely having finished his little Ceremony he in his retrait after some twenty paces made with his back to the King turned about and waving his hand on each side imperiously as commanding a prospect hindred by the multitude that pressed in between his sight and the Kings he made a kind of a stoopping reverence so a second and a third and departed When understanding that the Queen was gone abroad whom he meant to visite he imployed the time a while in a walke with all his coaches about Saint Jameses Parke and returning saw her Majesty The next day I brought the other Ambassador Sir Robert Sherley to a private Audience of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber After many Contestations between the Merchants and the Ambassador Sherley whether he were to be defrayed by them as the King required or by the King since his Majesty had intimated his resolution that he should be transported to Persia in the Fleet that was to pass for the East Indies at the beginning of May and in them also the other Ambassador that time being come of their departure they both arrived too late at the place of their imbarking the Downs for performance of that voyage in that season the Fleet that could no longer stay for them being already gone though Sir Robert Sherley had gotten the start of the other and imbarked in a Pinnace of the Fleet together with Sir Dormer Cotton imployed by his Majesty at the same time Ambassador to the King of Persia both for truth whether Sherley were or not an Imposter and also to fix a Trade there which the other Ambassador came to Negotiate so as they were all forced to returne to London and there attend the opportunity of departure in
March ten moneths after when begining their voyage the two differing Ambassadors in severall Ships they all three dyed on the way and with them the quarrell and inquirie after it The Venetian Ambassador Seignior Pesaro called home somewhat sooner then other Ambassadors of that States formerly had been parted hence to Gravesend without other attendance then those of his Family having sent me after I had taken my last leave of him a Gold Chaine of five ounces weight and the like of little more valew to the Master of the Ceremonies He had no sooner passed the Seas but here arrived by the way of the low Countryes two Gentlement sent Extraordinary Ambassadors from Venice the one Seignior Coraro who had resided here Ordinary about fourteen yeares before and Seignior Contareni they Landed at Gravesend seasonably for observation of the new order resolved on by his Majesty that no Ambassador should be met and received further off then there and were thence conducted by Sir Lewes Lewkner c. to their Landing at Tower-wharffe where they were welcom'd by the Earle of Dorset accompanâ—ed by the Lord Herbert Castle Island and other Gentlemen my selfe one not as an Officer or listed for it but Voluntary with the Kings Coach and seventeen other not one of them taken up at the Kings charge as had been accustomed but borrowed of Noblemen to avoid the charge of the Master of the Ceremonies professed to the Lord Chamberlain he would not undergo without assurance of better re-imboursment of his money then he had met with and were brought to their Lodgings in Aldersgate-street at the Lord Peters House defrayed there by the King with all their attendance of allmost an hundred Persons their Diet compounded for by Philipp Verzellini an Italian who had lived long in England at 40 l. per diem not comprehending the charge of the Houses Furniture being all the Kings and waited on by his Majestyes Officers and Servants whereof twelve of the Guard gave their dayly attendance The five and twentieth of June Sunday they were fetched to their publick Audience at Greenwich by the Earle of Carliel from their House in the Kings Coach and other to Tower Wharffe and thence by Barges introduced by the way of the great Gate Hall and Guard-chamber to the Presence where his Majesty standing under the State to receive them Seignior Carara spake first breifly delivering their credence when the other setling himselfe as to begin a more formall set speech his Majesty looking about for one to interpret the Master of the Ceremonies being retyred out of sight not over forward to do Offices of his Office to that State I being called to by the Lord Chamberlain made a repetition of the cheife heads and some of the Ambassadors long Oration to the King and after of his Majesties breife replye which done they returned accompanied as before to London The Sunday following they had a second Audience in private by the way of the Patke through the Privy-galleries to the Withdrawing-chamber there fetcht to it from their home by the Earle of Holland an honour not formerly afforded any Ambassador to have an Earles conduct from their House to a private Audience to which customarily none was to bring them from home but the Master of the Ceremonies though their Ambassage were Extraordinary and if ordinary he to have received them no further off then at their descent from their Coach at the Court Gate or foot of the Stayres next the Parke But this honour was done them by the Kings especiall pleasure and command as I was told it might or may be hereafter of trouble by the consequence when other over-punctuall Ministers of that State may perhaps challenge the like from president The second of July the Lord Conway Secretary of State sent word to my Lord Chamberlain then somewhat indisposed of the arrivall of two Commissioners from Hamborough who were styled by their followers whom they sent before with their Letters of credence Lords Ambassadors Their Letters being opened in the Lord Chamberlains sight Mr. Secretaries and mine the Commissioners were therein thus named Spectabilem Doctissimum virum Dominum Luntzman Syndicum c. Spectabilem virum Dominum Brand Senatorem c. Ablegavimus which words made me question the right and reception they seemed to pretend to of Ambassadors so far as communicating my reasons with my Lord Chamberlain and receiving his opinion that Ablegavimus was no more then we have deputed as our Ministers I was sent back to my Lord Conway and by him when also ill at ease with their concurring opinions to the King who approving them left me to follow my Lord Chamberlains directions according to which I that night wellcomed them at their Lodgings at Crouchet Fryars in name of his Majesty and let them know his pleasure for their Audience the next day at one of the clock to which I fetched them in the Lord Chamberlains coach onely least the use of the Kings might have seemed to raise their respects to the title they seemed to affect but upon better advise refused of Ambassadors they were received of his Majesty in his Withdrawing-chamber where one of them having made a formall harange containing besides complement of condoleing and congratulating a complaint against his Majesties Ships lying at the mouth of the Ebb and hindering their free Traffique and an humble request of his leave to transport through his Seas without molestation Corne Powder Copper and Cordage to France and Italy their Merchants entering caution to their Senat that they should not transport any to Spaine then our Enemy his Majesty entered answered them by my interpretation that he would gladly continue with them the friendly correspondence held by his deceased Father and did not nor would interrupt them either at the mouth of their River or else-where at Sea for any quarrell he had to them or any way to hinder their Traffique but only keep them from Trading with the King of Spaine his Enemy which by Law of Nations and in justice he might and would do To which purpose they should further repaire to his Councell to whom he would give Order for their access to Negotiate so dismissed they returned and I with them to their Lodgings The sixth of July an Ambassador Extraordinary Paul Rozenerantz sent from the King of Denmark arriveing at Gravesend Then but a Baron and no Privy Councellor was there received by Sir Lewes Lewkner two dayes after at Tower-wharffe by the Lord Willoughby Lord High Chamberlaine of England and by him brought to his Lodging in Lumbard-Street where he had his Diet defrayed by his Majesty at eighteen pound per diem His attendance of the Kings Servants consisted only of a Gentleman Usher daily Waiter a Sewer and two others without any of the Guard daily to attent him His own Trayne passed not in all a dozen persons The day after his Arriveall he sent to know his Majesties pleasure for his Audience which