C. Cornwallis (1641), 12-15
An extract from a biographical account of the life of
Prince Henry
, by
Sir Charles Cornwallis
, entitled The Life and Death of Our
Late Most Incomparable and Heroique Prince,
Henry
, Prince of
Wales
.
Cornwallis was treasurer of
the Prince
's household.
[p. 12]
The 16. yeare of his Age, being to come to the
time of his Investment in the Principalitie of
Wales
and Cornewall; He did advance
his owne Title and Right so farre, as with modestie he might: which presently was
gently and lovingly entertained, and granted of his Majestie, with the consent of
the Right Honourable, the High Court of Parliament: The fourth of Iune following,
being appointed for that solemne action, the Christmas before which, his Highnesse
not onely for his owne Recreation, but also that the World might know, what a brave
Prince they were likely to enjoy, under the Name of Meliades, Lord of the Isles,
[p. 13]
(an ancient Title due to the
first borne of
Scotland
) did in his Name, by some appointed for the same of purpose,
strangly attired, accompanied with Drummes and Trumpets in the Chamber of Presence,
before the King
and Queene, and in the presence of the whole Court, delivered a
Challenge to all Knights of Great Britaine, in two Speeches; the relation whereof
were out of purpose, but the summe was:
That Meliades, their Noble Master,
boyling with an earnest desire, to trie the Valour of his young yeares in foraigne
Countreyes, and to know where Vertue triumphed most, had sent them abroad to espy
the same, who after their long Travailes in all Countreyes, and returne; shewing,
how no where in any Continent, save in the Fortunate Isle of Great Britaine, they
had found his wishes; which ministring matter of exceeding joy to their young
Meliades, who (as they said) could lineally derive his Pedegree from the famous
Knights of this Isle, was the cause that he had now sent to present the first fruits
of his Chivalrie at his
[p. 14]
Majesties
feete. Then after, returning with a short speech to her Majestie, next to the
Earles, Lords, and Knights, excusing their Lord in this their so sudden & short
warning: and lastly, to the Ladies; they after humble delivery of their Chartle,
concerning time, place, conditions, number of weapons, and Assailants, tooke their
leave, departing solemnly as they entred.
Now began every where
preparations to be made for this great fight, and happy did he thinke himselfe who
should be admitted for a Defendant, much more Assailant: At last, to encounter his
Highnesse, with his six Assailants, 58. Defendants consisting of Earles, Barons,
Knights, and Esquires, were appointed and chosen, eight Defendants to one Assailant,
every Assailant being to fight by turnes, eight severall times figthting, two every
time with push of Pike and Sword, twelve stroakes at a time; after which, the Barre
for separation was to bee let downe untill a fresh onset.
The great night
of this Solemnity now approaching, his Highnesse in his
[p. 15]
owne lodging, in the Christmas, did Feast the Earles, Barons,
and Knights assailants, and defendants, untill the great Twelfth appointed night,
on
which this great fight was to be performed; which being come, his Highnesse, to the
great wonder of the beholders, did admirably fight his part, giving and receiving
that night, 32. pushes of Pikes, and about 360. stroakes of Swords, which is scarse
credible in so young yeares, enough to assure the World, that Great Britaines brave
Henry
aspired to immortality.
Against the morrow, after the same said
fight, was also prepared a Magnificke Feast at his Highnesse house at Saint Iames,
at which his Majestie, his Highnesse, his Brother and Sister, with all the other
Earles, Lords, and Knights of the Court were present; where after Supper (according
as before they had beene judged) his Highnesse gave three prises, to the three best
deserving, viz. to the Right Honourable the Earle of
Montgomery
one, and to Sir
Thomas Darcy
, and Sir Robert Gourdon Knights, the other two.
[An account of
the Prince
's Creation follows.]
Bibliography
Cornwallis (1641), 12-15
H&S, 10.512-13