An extract from the notebooks of
Sir John
Finet
, assistant to
Sir Lewis Lewkenor
, Master of Ceremonies at the courts of
James I and
Charles I. Finet himself became Master
of Ceremonies in 1626.
[p. 143]
The fourth of January I received Order for the
invitation of the French Ambassador (the
Marquess de Fiat) the Venetian Seignior Pesaro
(not long before arrived here in place of Seignior Valeresso) and two Agents
Monsieur Brumeau
for the King
of Spaine, and
Monsieur Van Mal
for the Archdutches) to a Maske of
the Prince
, with certaine Lords and Gentlemen on Twelfnight. I propounded, and obtained of
the Venetian that he would (Sir Lewes Lewkner being then absent)
call in his way to Court, and accompany thither
the French Ambassadors, that I might with one
labour attend them both, and introduce them (as I had directions) by the Parke through
the Galleries at eight of the clock at night (the place, and hour assigned also the
Agents) but being the next morning, assured by
the Prince
himself, that the Maske was to be put off till Sunday the ninth of January, I was
upon his Highness intimation sent to disinvite them
all which I performed
[p. 144]
with the French personally, and with the
rest by Letter. But on Saturday reinvited them for the next day, when about four of
the
clock, the Marquess Hamilton, (
Lord Steward
of his Majesties Household) then supplying the place of the
Lord Chamberlaine
indisposed) gave me in charge to repaire to the Ambassadors, and to let them know,
that in regard of the inconveniency that would grow from the intrusion of multitudes
of
people by the way of the Galleries (if they were left open) he desired they would
enter
the Court by the great Gate, and thence pass
for their repose to the Marquesses Lodgings, till the King
should come by, and take them along with him. This intimation was given also to
the two Agents, who had the same Order for their Entrance as the former, but were
likewise diverted, and conducted to a Roome apart in my Lord Stewards
Lodgins, which was so ordered of design to avoid their, and the French Ambassadors
incounter, not with
apprehension of strife for place, their difference of qualities of Agents and
Ambassadors clearing all such question, but of distast perhaps to either from their
incompatibility; a regard taken also in placing their Followers in severall Scaffolds
to
avoid differences and wranglings that might occurre even amongst those of inferior
condition, if seated promiscuously together in a Scaffold; a provisionable care that
the King
himself had, and expressed it that day at his Dinner. The Ambassadors were seated
with the King
(as accustomed) and the Agents bestowed amongst the Lords, beneath Earles, and
above Barons.
Bibliography
H&S,
10.668-9
Nichols (1828), 4.1011
M. Sullivan (1913),
248-9
Bentley (1941-68), 4.643
Finet, Finetti philoxenis (1656), 143-4