Memorials of the English affairs, or, An historical account of what passed from the beginning of the reign of King Charles the First, to King Charles the Second his happy restauration containing the publick transactions, civil and military : together with the private consultations and secrets of the cabinet.

Anno 1633.

[Car. 9] Some in Scotland had given out in speeches that the King thought the Crown of Scotland not worth his Journey thither, and some doubts were of secret designs amongst them, to set up there another King.

The King resolves to go thither, and went with a train of Lords, and others, suitable to his dignity. At Edenburgh he was Crowned, with all shew of affection and duty, and in a Parliament then held, the liberties of the Kirk are stood upon, the King gratifyed many of them with new honours: Yet some began then to mutter, and afterwards to mutiny, the King was in some danger passing over Dumfrith; but returned back to London in safety.

The Earl of Traquayre is made Treasurer of Scot∣land, and the Parliament there, gave a Tax to the King, which the Scots Nobles begged of him before it was gathered. The Lord Louden began to make opposition to the King; and to shew his intentions in that Parliament.

The Queen was brought to bed of another Son, James; who was created Duke of York, the Title reserved for the second sons of the King.

In Michaelmas Term was some discourse about the Communion Table in St. Gregories Church near Pauls; which by order of the Dean of Pauls, was removed and placed Altarwise, to the distast of several of the Parishoners, who at length ap∣pealed, and it came before the King and Council, who approved what the Dean had done.

Order was sent to Scotland that the prayers, and divine service should be celebrated twice a day in the King's Chapel there, after the manner used in England; and that the Communion should be monthly received on their knees, and the Ministers to wear the Surplice, and other Ceremonies to be observed. But the Dean of the Chapel there durst not put these orders in execution, for fear of dis∣pleasing the people.

The King revived his Father's declaration for tollerating lawfull sports (as it calls them) on the Lord's day, which gave great distast to many, both others, as well as those who were usually termed Puritans.

About Allholantide, several of the principal Members of the societies of the four Inns of Court, amongst whom some were Servants to the King, had a design that the Inns of Court should present their service to the King and Queen, and testify their affections to them, by the outward and splendid visible testimony of a Royal Masque of all the four societies joyning together, to be by them brought to the Court, as an expression of their love, and duty to their Majesties.

This was hinted at in the Court and by them Inti∣mated to the chief of those Societies, that it would be well taken from them, and some held it the more seasonable, because this action would manifest the difference of their opinion from Mr. Prynne's new learning, and serve to confute his Histrio Mastix against enterludes. This design took well with all the Inns of Court, especially the younger sort of them, and in order to put it in execution, the Ben∣chers of each Society met, and agreed to have this solemnity performed in the noblest and most state∣ly manner, that could be invented.

The better to effect this, it was resolved in each House to choose two of their Members, whom they should judge fittest, for such a business, to be a Committee, by Joint assistance to carry on that af∣fair.

In the middle Temple were chosen of this Com∣mittee, Mr. Edward Hyde, and Mr. Whitelocke. For the Inner Temple, Sir Edward Herbert, and Mr. Sel∣den. For Lincolns Inne, Mr. Attorney Noy, and Mr. Gerling. And for Grayes Inne, Sir John Finch, and Mr.—

This Committee, being impowred by the Ben∣chers of each Society met together, and, out of their own number, made several subcommittees, one subcommittee to take care of the poetical part of the business; another for the several pro∣perties of the Masquers, and Antimasquers, and other actors; another was for the Dancing, and to Whitelocke in particular was committed the whole care and charge of all the Musick for this great Masque, which was so performed, that it excelled any Musick that ever before that time had been heard in England.

[Anno 1633] The Business being thus distributed, each Sub-committee had their meetings, and carried on their business committed to their care, and had moneys provided by an equal proportion, by the Governors of each Society, who were not sparing, in that most material part of every design and action.

Whitelocke made choice of Mr. Simon Ivy, an ho∣nest and able Musician, of excellent skill in his Art, and of Mr. Laws to compose the Airs, Lessons, and Songs for the Masque, and to be Master of all the Musick under him. He also made choice of Four of the most excellent Musicians of the Queens Chappel, Monsieur la Mare, Monsieur du Vall, Monsieur Robert, and Monsieur Mari, and of di∣vers others of foreign Nations, who were most eminent in their Art, not in the least neglecting any of his own Country-men, whose knowledge in Musick rendred them usefull in this Action, to bear their parts in the Musick; and for the better preparation and practice of the Musick, they had Meetings together of English, French, Italians, Ger∣mans, and other Masters of Musick: Fourty Lutes at one time, besides other Instruments and Voices of the most excellent Musicians in Consort: The rest of the Sub-committees prepared all things in readiness, according to their several Charges; and the Grandees, Master Attorney-general Noy, Sir John Finch, Sir Edward Herbert, Mr. Selden, and all the rest of the Committees took great pains, and neglected no Meetings for the management of this great business of the Masque, which they knew would be acceptable to their Master and Mistress, and to all the Court.

The time for presenting of this Masque at White-Hall, was agreed to be on Candlemas Night to end Christmas: and the several parts of it being brought near to a readiness for action, Hyde and Whitelocke were sent by the Committee to the Lord Chamberlain, the Earl of Pembroke and Montgome∣ry, and to Sir Henry Vane the Controller of the King's House, to advise with them, and to take order about the Scenes and other matters relating to the Masque, and about preparing things in the Banquetting-house in order thereunto.

The Gallery behind the State, at the end of the Banquetting-house, was reserved for the Gentle-men of the Inns of Court, who should come thither to see their Masque, that there they might sit toge∣ther, and none else to be admitted with them into that place.

The Dancers, Masquers, Anti-Masquers, and Musicians, did before-hand practise in the place where they were to present the Masque, and the Scenes were artificially prepared at the lower end of the Banquetting-house: The grand Masquers were four Gentlemen of each Inns of Court, most suitable for their Persons, Dancing, and Garb for that business: And it was ordered, that they should be drawn in four rich Chariots, four Masquers in each Chariot, by six Horses in a Chariot; but there grew a difference about the order of their going, which of the Inns of Court should have the first Chariot, so of the rest in their order; and how the several grand Masquers should sit in the several Chariots, who in the first or chiefest place, and who in the second, third, and last place. To satisfie this. it was propounded, and assen∣ted to by the Committee, that the Chariots should be made after the fashion of the Roman Tri∣umphant Chariots, and being of an Oval form, in the Seats there would be no difference of place in them.

For the several Colours, and for the precedence of the Chariots, it was agreed that one of each house of the Committee should throw the Dice, and as that happened the Society to be bound of which he that threw was a number.

On Candlemas-day in the Afternoon, the Mas∣quers, Horsemen, Musicians, Dancers, and all that were Actors in this business, according to order met at Ely-house in Holborn, there the grand Com∣mittee sace all day to order all Affairs; and when the Evening was come, all things being in full rea∣diness, they began to set forth in this order down Chancery-Lane to Whitehall.

The first that marched were twenty Footmen, in Scarlet Liveries with Silver-lace, each one having his Sword by his side, a Baton in his hand, and a Torch lighted in the other hand; these were the Marshal's-men who cleared the Streets, made way, and were all about the Marshal, waiting his Com∣mands. After them, and sometimes in the midst of them came the Marshall, then Mr. Darrel, after∣wards Knighted by the King: He was of Lincolns-Inn, an extraordinary handsom proper Gentleman; he was mounted upon one of the King's best Hor∣ses, and richest Saddles, and his own Habit was exceeding rich and glorious; his Horsemanship very gallant; and besides his Marshals-men, he had two Lacquies, who carried Torches by him, and a Page in Livery that went by him, carrying his Cloak.

After him followed one hundred Gentlemen of the Inns of Court, five and twenty chosen out of each house; of the most proper and handsom young Gentlemen of the Societies, every one of them was gallantly mounted on the best Horses, and with the best Furniture that the King's Stable, and the Sta∣bles of all the Noblemen in Town would afford, and they were forward on this occasion to lend them to the Inns of Court.

Every one of these hundred Gentlemen were in very rich Clothes, scarce any thing but Gold and Silver-lace to be seen of them; and each Gentle-man had a Page and two Lacquies waiting on him in his Livery by his Horse-side: The Lacquies car∣ried Torches, and the Page his Masters Cloak. The richness of their Apparel and Furniture glittering by the light of a multitude of torches attending on them, with the motion and stirring of their mettled Horses, and the many and various gay Liveries of their Servants; but especially the personal beauty and gallantry of the handsom young Gentlemen, made the most glorious and splendid shew that ever was beheld in England.

After the Horsemen came the Antimasquers, and as the Horsemen had their Musick, about a do∣zen of the best Trumpeters proper for them, and in their Livery, sounding before them; so the first Antimasque being of Cripples, and Beggers on horseback, had their Musick of Keys and Tongues, and the like, snapping and yet playing in a Con∣sort before them.

These Beggers were also mounted, but on the poorest leanest Jades that could be gotten out of the Dirt-carts, or elsewhere: and the variety and change from such noble Musick, and gallant Hor∣ses, as went before them, unto their proper Mu∣sick, and pitiful Horses, made both of them the more pleasing.

The Habits and properties of these Cripples and Beggers, were most ingeniously fitted (as of all the rest) by the Commissioners direction, wherein (as in the whole business) Mr. Attorney Noy, Sir John Finch, Sir Edward Herbert, Mr. Selden, those great and eminent Persons, as all the rest of the Committee, had often Meetings, and took extraor∣dinary care and pains in the ordering of this bu∣siness, and it seemed a pleasure to them.

After the Beggers Antimasque, came men on Horseback, playing upon Pipes, Whistles, and In∣struments sounding Notes like those of Birds of all sorts, and in excellent consort, and were followed by the Antimasque of Birds: This was an Owl in an Ivy-bush, with many several sorts of other Birds, in a clustre about the Owl, gazing as it were upon her: these were little Boys put into covers of the shapes of those Birds, rarely fitted, and sit∣ting on small Horses, with Footmen going by them, with Torches in their hands; and here were some besides to look unto the Children, and this was very pleasant to the Beholders.

After this Antimasque, came other Musicians on Horseback playing upon Bag-pipes, Horn-pipes, and such kind of Northern Musick, speaking the following Antimasque of Projectors to be of the Scotch and Northern Quarters; and these, as all the rest, had many Footmen with Torches waiting on them.

First in this Antimasque, rode a Fellow upon a little Horse, with a great Bit in his mouth, and upon the man's head was a Bit, with Headstall and Rains fastned, and signified a Projector, who begged a Patent, that none in the Kingdom might ride their Horses, but with such Bits as they should buy of him.

Then came another Fellow with a bunch of Carrots upon his Head, and a Capon upon his Fist, describing a Projector who begg'd a Patent of Mo∣nopoly, as the first Inventer of the Art to feed Ca∣pons fat with Carrots, and that none but himself might make use of that Invention, and have the Priviledge for fourteen years, according to the Statute.

Several other Projectors were in like manner per∣sonated in this Antimasque; and it pleased the Spectators the more, because by it an Information was covertly given to the King, of the unfitness and ridiculousness of these Projects against the Law: and the Attorney Noy, who had most know∣ledge of them, had a great hand in this Anti∣masque of the Projectors.

After this, and the rest of the Antimasques were past, all which are not here remembred; there came six of the chief Musicians on Horseback upon Foot-clothes, and in the habits of heathen Priests, and Footmen carrying of Torches by them.

After these Musicians, followed a large open Chariot drawn with six brave Horses, with large Plumes of Feathers on their Heads and Buttocks: The Coachman and Postillion in rich antique Li∣veries. In the Chariot were about a dozen per∣sons, in several habits of the Gods and Goddesses, and by them many Footmen on all sides bearing Torches.

After this Chariot followed six more of the Mu∣sicians on horseback, with Footclothes habited, and attended with Torches as the former were.

After them came another large open Chariot like the former, drawn with six gallant Horses with Feathers, Liveries, and Torches, as the other had.

These Chariots were made purposely for this occasion; and in this latter Chariot were about a dozen Musicians in like habit (but all with some variety and distinction) as those in the first Chariot.

These going immediately next before the Grand Masquers Chariots, play'd upon excellent and loud musick all the way as they went.

After this Chariot came six more Musicians on Footcloth, Horses habited and attended as the other.

Then came the first Chariot of the Grand Mas∣quers, which was not so large as those that went before, but most curiously framed, carved, and painted with exquisite Art, and purposely for this service and occasion. The form of it was after that of the Roman Triumphant Chariots, as neer as could be gathered by some old Prints and Pictures extant of them: The Seats in it were made of an Oval form in the back end of the Chariot, so that there was no precedence in them, and the faces of all that sate in it might be seen together.

The colours of the first Chariot were Silver and Crimson, given by the Lot to Grays-Inn, as I re∣member: the Chariot was all over painted richly with these colours, even the Wheels of it most ar∣tificially layd on, and the carved work of it was as curious for that Art, and it made a stately Show. It was drawn with four Horses, all on breast, and they were covered to their heels all over with cloth of Tissue, of the colours of crimson, and sil∣ver, huge Plumes of red and white Feathers on their heads and buttocks; the Coachman's Cap and Feather, his long Coat, and his very Whip and Cushion of the same stuff and colour.

In this Chariot sate the four Grand Masquers of Grays-Inn, their habits, Doublets, Trunk-hose, and Caps, of most rich cloth of Tissue, and wrought as thick with silver Spangles as they could be placed, large white silk Stockings up to their Trunk-hose, and rich Sprigs in their Caps; themselves proper and beautiful young Gentlemen.

On each side of the Chariot were four Footmen in Liveries of the colour of the Chariot, carrying huge Flamboies in their hands, which with the Torches gave such a lustre to the paintings, span∣gles, and habits, that hardly any thing could be in∣vented to appear more Glorious.

After this Chariot came six more Musicians on Footclothes, and in habits like the former; these were followed by the second Chariot as the lot fell for the Middle-Temple; this differ'd not in any thing from the former, but in colours only, which were of this Chariot silver and blue, the Chariot and Horses were covered and deckt with cloth of Tissue, of blue and silver, as the former was, with silver and crimson.

In this second Chariot were the four Grand Masquers of the Middle-Temple, in the same ha∣bits as the other Masquers were, and with the like Attendance, Torches and Flamboys, with the for∣mer. After these followed the third and fourth Chariots, and six Musicians between each Cha∣riot, habited, on Footclothes, and Horses, as be∣fore. The Chariots were all of the same make, and alike carved and painted, differing onely in the colours.

In the third Chariot rode the Grand Masquers of the Inner-Temple,: And in the fourth Chariot went those of Lincolns-Inn, according to the Lot of each of them.

The Habits of the sixteen Grand Masquers were all the same, their Persons most handsom and love∣ly, the Equipage so full of State and height of Gal∣lantry, that it never was out-done by any repre∣sentation mentioned in our former Stories.

The Torches and flaming huge Flamboys born by the sides of each Chariot, made it seem lightsom as at Noon-day, but more glittering, and gave a full and clear light to all the streets and windows as they passed by. The march was slow, in regard of their great number, but more interrupted by the multitude of the Spectators in the streets, be∣sides the windows, and they all seemed loth to part with so glorious a Spectacle.

In the mean time the Banquetting-house at White-hall was so crouded with fair Ladies, glitter∣ing with their rich Cloths and richer Jewels, and with Lords and Gentlemen of great quality, that

there was scarce room for the King and Queen to enter in. The King and Queen stood at a Window looking strait-forward into the Street, to see the Masque come by; and being delighted with the noble Bravery of it, they sent to the Marshall to desire that the whole Show might fetch a turn a∣bout the Tilt-yard, that their Majesties might have a double view of them; which was done accord∣ingly, and then they all alighted at Whitehall-Gate, and were conducted to several Rooms and places prepared for them.

The King and Queen, and all their noble Train being come in, the Masque began, and was incom∣parably performed in the Dancing, Speeches, Mu∣sick, and Scenes; the Dances, Figures, Properties, the Voices, Instruments, Songs, Airs, Composures, the Words and Actions, were all of them exact, and none failed in their Parts of them, and the Scenes were most curious and costly.

The Queen did the honour to some of the Mas∣quers to dance with them her self, and to judge them as good Dancers as ever she saw; and the great Ladies were very free and civil in dancing with all the Masquers, as they were taken out by them.

Thus they continued in their Sports until it was almost Morning, and then the King and Queen re∣tiring to their Chamber, the Masquers and Inns of Court Gentlemen were brought to a stately Ban∣quet, and after that was dispersed, every one de∣parted to their own quarters.

Thus was this earthly Pomp and Glory, if not Vanity, soon past over and gone, as if it had ne∣ver been.

The Queen who was much delighted with these Solemnities, was so taken with this Show and Masque, that she desired to see it acted over again: wereupon an Intimation being given to the Lord Mayor of London, he Invited the King and Queen, and the Inns of Court Masquers to the City, and en∣tertained them with all state and magnificence, at Merchant-taylors Hall.

Thither marched through the City the same Show, that went before to Whitehall, and the same Masque was again presented to them in the City; the same Horsemen, Lacquies, Liveries, Torches, Habits, Chariots, Musick, and all other parts of the former Solemnity, and in the same state and equipage, as it was before presented.

This also gave great contentment to their Ma∣jesties, and no less to the Citizens, especially to those of the younger sort, and of the female sex: and it was to the great honour, and no less charge of the Lord May or Freeman.

The persons imployed in this Masque, were paid justly, and liberally; some of the Musick had one hundred pounds apiece, so that the whole charge of the Musick came to about a thousand pounds: The Clothes of the Horsemen, and the Liveries of their Pages and Lacquies, which were at their own particular charge, were reckon'd one with ano∣ther at a hundred pound a Suit at the least, and one hundred of those Suits to amount to ten thousand pounds. The charges of all the rest of the Masque, and matters belonging to it, were reckon'd at as much more, and so the charge of the whole Masque which was born by the Societies, and by the par∣ticular Members of it, was accounted to be above one and twenty thousand pounds.

A little while after the Masque was performed, the Committee order'd Sir John Finch, Mr. Gerling, Mr. Hyde, and Whitelocke, to attend the King and Queen, in the name of the four Inns of Court, to return their humble thanks for their Majesties gra∣cious acceptance of the tender of their service in the late Masque. They were first brought to the King, who gave to all of them his hand to kiss; then Sir John Finch in the name of the rest spake to the King to this effect: Sir, by the Command of your Majestie's most affectionate and loyall Subjects, the Readers and Gentlemen of the Four Inns of Court, we are here to attend you with their most humble thanks, for your great Favour to them, in your gracious ac∣ceptance of the tender of their Service and Affections to your Majesty, in the late Masque presented to you, and for vouchsafing your Royal Presence at it.

The King with great affability and pleasingness, answered him presently to this purpose:

Gentlemen, pray assure those from whom you come, that we are exceeding well pleased with that Testimony which they lately gave us, of their great respect and affection to us, which was very acceptable, and per∣formed with that Gallantry, and in so excellent a man∣ner, that I cannot but give them thanks for it, and shall be ready upon all occasions, to manifest the good opinion I have of them, and to do them and you in par∣ticular any favour.

From the King they were brought to the Queen, and kissed her hand, and Sir John Finch her Attor∣ney, having made the like Complement to her Majesty, she answered quick, and well pleased,

That she never saw any Masque more noble, nor be∣ter performed than this was, which she took as a parti∣cular respect to her self, as well as to the King her Husband, and desired that her thanks might be re∣turned to the Gentlemen for it.

This being reported to the Benchers of each So∣ciety, they gave thanks to their respective Mem∣bers that were of the Committee, for the Honour they had done to the Society, by the well ordering of that business of the Masque.

Thus these Dreams past, and these Pompes va∣nished. It will be now time to return to the pub∣lick story of the latter part of this year.

The Arch-bishop Laud procured a sharp sen∣tence to be passed in the Star Chamber against Prynne that he should be imprisoned during his life, fined 5000 l. expelled Lincolns-Inne, Disbar∣red and Disabled to Practice, Degraded of his De∣gree in the University, be set on the Pillory and his Ears to be cut off, and his Book to be burnt by the common Hangman, which sentence was as se∣verely Executed.

But before the fine was estreated, the Archbishop and other high Commissioners by their Warrant caused Prynne's Books and Papers to be seised upon and brought away from his Lodging, and had them perused and sifted to find matter against him, of which Prynne complaining in the Star Chamber, the Arch-bishop denyed any such Warrant.

During Prynnes Imprisonment, Dr. Bastwick a Physician was brought into the High Commission Court, for his Book called Elenchus Papismi, & Flagellum Episcoporum Latialium, in Answer to one Short a Papist, who maintained the Pope's Suprema∣cy, the Mass, and Popery: And Bastwick's Epistle to his Book declared, that he intended nothing against our Bishops, but against those of Rome.

Yet this Dr. was sentenced by the high Commis∣sioners in a thousand pound Fine, to be Excommu∣nicated, debarred his practice of Physick, his Books to be burnt, and he to be Imprisoned, till he made a Recantation, and this was for maintain∣ing the King's Prerogative against Papacy, as the Doctor pleaded.

But on the other part, one who was a fierce Pa∣pist, named Chowney, wrote a Book in defence of the Popish Religion, and of the Church of Rome, aver∣ring it to be a true Church; and the Book was de∣dicated to, and Patronized by the Archbishop: so

far was Chowney from being punished and questi∣oned for that Doctrine.

In the censure of Bastwick, all the Bishops then present, denied openly that they held their Juris∣diction, as Bishops from the King, for which per∣haps they might have been censured themselves in H. 2. or E. 3. times.

But they affirmed, That they had their Jurisdic∣tion from God only, which denial of the Supremacy of the King under God, H. 8. would have taken ill, and it may be would have confuted them by his Kingly Arguments, and Regiâ manu: but these Bi∣shops publickly disavowed their dependance on the King.

And the Archbishop maintained the Book of Chowney, and that the Romish Church was a true Church, and erred not in Fundamentals: and some∣what was noted to pass from him and other Bi∣shops, in defaming the holy Scriptures; and Cal∣vin was very much slighted, and abused by them.

I cannot precisely aver all this, though I heard most of it, as it is here set down; and heard the rest of it, to this purpose, from those, who were present at the debating of these matters, in the high Commission Court.

Notes

• The King's progress to Scotland.
• October 13. the Duke of York born.
• October 18.
• Masque of the Inns of Court.
• Dr. Bast∣wick.
• Bishops in∣dependent of the King.