Henry Roberts, The Most Royal and Honourable Entertainment, of the famous and renowmed
King, Christiern the fourth, King of Denmarke, &c., who with a fleet of gallant ships,
arriued on Thursday the 16. Day of Iuly 1606. In Tylbery-Hope, neere Grauesend. 1606, sig. C2-3v
Narrative of the welcome given to King
James
and
King
Christian of
Denmark
at
Theobalds
during Christian’s visit to
England
, with passing reference to some of the entertainments given to the two kings by the
Earl of Salisbury
.
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There hence they set forwardes the way that leadeth to Stratford, and so to Theobals
twelue miles distant from
London
a famous and most delightfull house of the Right Honorable Earle of Salsburie, all
the way met with great companye of people, which saluted them and prayed for their
happiness, but moste especially vntill they came three or four miles from
London
, all which way was so replenished with men and women of good sorte, some on foote,
some on horsebacke, and some in Coaches, that there was hardlye way left for their
royall companie to passe them, such is the loue of this nation to the King
and his Louers and friendes, and in their loue, their desires so great to beholde
their delights, that no paine (whatsoeuer) but they esteeme as pleasure, to inioy
it, especiallye to beholde so honorable and heauenly sight, two anoynted kinges, and
so royall a Prince, whome God in his greate mercie euermore preserue, and keepe from
all Trayterous practises, and other euils. Amen.
Before these Royall persons came (neere the house of Theobals) there was strewed in
the highways aboundance of leaues, coloured greene, cut like Oaken leaues, on euery
one of which was written in large Romaine Letters of golde, (Welcome, Welcome) which
beeing presented to their Majesties, they praysed the deuice, and found their welcomes
as great to them and theirs as was spoken of.
At this moste beautifull house, after their welcome
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giuen by this moste bountifull Earle, Patrone of that famous place, they spent their
times foure nightes and dayes, where they receiue many great delights in hunting in
the Chace, & Parkes neere adioyning, where they killed store of Deere, with great
pleasure.
Some other times they spent in vewing the admirable pleasures that place affordeth,
beholding in great delight the sweet groaues, gardens, and walkes, which with such
rare workmanshippe is so beautified, and for varyetie so exceedeth, that time stealeth
too fast away, for the beholders, especiallye where Iudiciall eyes dooth take pleasures
therein, so rich, rare and of such exquisite perfection is that place, that a man
may fayle in describing the same, but cannot suddainly be wearyed with manye times
viewing & reuiewing therof.
On Sunday they rest from their pleasures, giuing the honor of the day to him that
sanctified the same, and hearing learned Sermons.
Amongst all the thinges which was to be noted at this honorable place, during these
two royal Kinges stay there, this I may not ouerpasse.
The house being twelue miles off from the Citie of
London
, notwithstanding the distance of the place, the great aboundance of people, which
came from
London
, to see these two royal kings & Prince, were so many, that men may wonder at, but
not certainely reporte, the high ways thether day nor night, neuer
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free for multitudes of People, going and comming in such greate companies, that all
the Townes and Villages adioyning, were so replenished with people, that there was
not lodging to bee had for many commers thether, nor victualls for their moneyes,
wherof many of good sort complained, & might haue fasted, had they not beene prouided
for in that honorable house. Such was the bountie of this Noble Earle in his large
allowance to all Officers for that time, that Beefe, Breade, Beere, Wine, and other
Vyandes, was not denyed to any that were either acquainted in the house with the Officers,
or anye their friends which wold seek it, as many found to their great comfort and
honor of the honorable Patrone of that house.
The four days appointed for the stay of this royall companye there, brought to end
with many delights and pleasure, to Gods glorie and their Graces good contentment.
On Munday, being the 28. of Iuly, after dinner, they leaue that place, retourning
gracious thankes to this worthie Earle for their cheere and pleasures, which being
truely considered of, may deseruedly bee spoken off, in all honour in the Courtes
of the mightiest Potentates.
As the Strangers, Partakers of both pleasures and cheere, to their great honor doth
applaud and for euer will commend in all places the renowned Earle
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and his most kinde & royal entertainment, they receiued at this famous house of Theobals
by his bountie.
The same night they returned againe to Blackwall, and from thence to Greenewich,
where our gracious Queene
Anne
(the hearts delight of these two royall Kings) kept her Court, vnto whose gracious
and moste louing companye they were welcome, where, to the protection of the God of
all glory and preace we leaue them, who euer defend them and all theirs.