National Archives, SP
14/31/26, fols. 97-97v
Letter,
John Chamberlain
to
Dudley Carleton
, 11 Feb. 1608,
London
. One folded sheet, two leaves: the
letter occupies pp. 1-3 blank; p. 4 subscription.
[fol. 97]
I can send you no perfect relation of the mariage nor maske on tewsday, only they
say, all, but specially the motions were well performed, as venus with her chariot drawne by swannes comming in a cloude to seeke her sonne, who with his companions Lusus
risus and Iocus, and fowre or fiue waggs more were dauncing a matachina and acted yt very antiquely,
before the twelue signes (who were the master-maskers) descended from the zodiake,
and plaide theyre parts more grauely beeing very gracefully attired. the bride dined
in state accompanied by
the Prince
, the younge Duke, the Lady
Elizabeth
, the countesse of Oxford, the dukes of Saxonie and other states to furnish the table.
[fol. 97v]
in the middest of dinner, the King drancke a carouse in a cup of gold, which he sent to the bride, together with a bason and ewer, two liuery pots ^ ⎡and⎤ three standing cuppes all very fayre
and massie, of siluer and guilt, and withall, a patent for a pension of 600li a yeare out of the exchecquer to the longer liuer of them, with this message that he wisht them as much ioy and comfort all theyre life, as he
receued that day he deliuered him from the daunger of Gowry. many other great presents
there were of plate sent from all sides, but Dunbarres went beyond all beeing valued
between fowre and fiue hundred pound.
Bibliography
CSPD 1603-1610, 403
Chamberlain (1939), 1.254-7
H&S, 10.482-3
Nichols (1828), 2.189