The manner of the fireworkes shewed vpon the Thames vpon the Thursday before the wedding .

TO begin these tryumphant sports , his highnes , the Quéenes Maiestie , Prince Charles , Prince Fredericke , with the Princes Elizabeth his royall bride , and the rest of the nobilitie of England , vpon Thursday the eleuenth of Februarie in the euening , being placed in the galleries and windowes about his Highnes Court of white Hall , where in the sight of thousands of people , many artificiall conclusions in Fireworkes were vpon the Thames performed , and that the pleasurable sights on the water , might equall the sumptuous showes on the land , thus they procéeded .

First , for a welcome to the beholders , a peale of ordinance like vnto a terrible thunder ratled in the ayer , and séemed as it were to shake the earth : Immediately vpon this , a Racket of Fire burst from the water , and mounted so high into the Element that it dazeled the beholders eyes to looke after it .

Secondly , followed a number more of the same fashion , spredding so strangely with sparkling blazes , that the skie séemed to be filled with fire , or that there had béene a combate of darting starres fighting in the ayre , and all the time these continued , certaine cannons planted in the fields adioyning made thundring musicke , to the great pleasure of the beholders .

After this in a most curious manner , an artificiall fireworke with great wonder was séene flying in the ayre , like vnto a dragon , against which an other fierie vision appeared flaming like to Saint George on Horsebacke , brought in by aburning Inchanter , betwéene which was then fought a most strange battell continuing a quarter of an hower or more : the dragon being vanquished , séemed to rore like thunder , and withall burst in péeces and so vanished , but the champion with his flaming horse for a litle time made a shew of a truimphant conquest , and so ceased .

After this , was heard an other ratling sound of Cannons , almost couering the ayre with fire and smoake , and forthwith appeared out of a hill of earth made vpon the water , a very strange fire flaming vpright like vnto a blazing starre : After which flew forth a number of rackets so high in the ayre , that we could not chuse but approue by all reasons that Arte hath excéeded Nature , so artificially were they performed , and still as the Chambers and Culuerines plaide vpon the earth , the fireworkes danced in the ayre , to the great delight of his Highnes , and the other Princes .

Out of the same mount or hill of earth flew an other strange péece of artificiall fire-worke , which was in the likenes of a hunted Hart , running vpon the waters so swiftly , as it had bene chaced by many huntsmen .

After the same , issued out of the mount , a number of hunting hounds made of fire burning , pursuing the aforesaid Harte vp and downe the waters , making many rebounds and turnes with much strangenes : skipping in the ayre , as it had bene a vsuall hunting vpon land .

These were the noble delights of Princes , and prompt were the wits of men to contriue such Princely pleasures .

Where Kings commands be , Art is stretcht to the true depth , as the performance of these Enginers haue here approued .

But now again to our wished sports , when this fiery hunting extinguished , and that the Elements a little cleared from fire and smoake , there came sayling vp , as it were vpon the Seas , certaine shippes and gallies brauely rigd with top and top gallant , with their flagges and streamers wauing like men of warre , which represented a Christian Nauie opposed against the Turkes , where after they had a while houered , preparing as it were to make an incursion into the Turkish countrey , they were discouered by two Towers or Castles of defence , strongly furnished to intercept all such inuading purposes , so sending forth the reports of a cannon , they were brauely answered with the like from the gallies , banding fire and powder one from an other , as if the God of battels had béene there present .

Here was the manner of a Sea Fight rightly performed : First by assayling one an other , all striuing for victorie , and pursuing each other with Fire and sword , the Caluerines merily plaid betwixt them , and made the ayre resound with thundring Ecchoes , and at last , to represent the ioyes of a victorie , the Castles were sacked , burned and ruinated , and the defenders of the same forced to escape with great danger .

During the time of all these triumphant exercises , there was not a man vnbusied , but euery one laboured , some on Land , some on Water , some one way , some an other , to moue his Highnes , and the rest of his princely friends a pleasing content , which hee and the other Princes with a gratious acceptance , applauded , to the great comort of the performers , and no litle ioy to the beholders .

The next morning , being Fryday , his Highnes , not intending to grace the following sports with his presence , gaue cause of forbearance , with some rest to the Enginers for their great toyle the night before .

Moreouer , it was thought conuenient that a whole dayes preparation should be made , in prouiding against the Saterdayes pastimes , which moued a more longing desire in the harts of his subiects to sée the same , which at the time appointed was in this maner accomplied .

The manner of a Sea fight , shewed vpon the Thames , vpon the Saterday before the wedding .

BEtwéene the howers of two and thrée of the clocke the same day in the after noone being Sroue-saterday , the Kings Maiestie , accompanied with the Quéene , and the rest of the Princes and Péeres of estate , to adde the more glory to these pretended showes , placed themselues in great royaltie vpon the priuie staires of white Hall , where after a while expecting the beginning of the desired fireworkes , the Lord Admirall sent forth two or thrée gentlemen in a whirrie , with a flagge or banner to signifie the King , and the Nobilities tarriance for the representations , which was answered with an Intelligence by the report , from a great cannon , whereupon a certaine Venesian man of Warre , and a ship called a Caruell , came proudly with their flagges and colours sayling vp , in the sight of seuentéene Turkish gallies which lay houering vpon Lambeth side , betwixt whom was a most royall and praise worthy Imitation of a sea fight in such sort performed , as if the danger of such an Enterprise had bene by true action attempted , all which explaines the honors of martialists , and made his Maiestie , with many thousands of people of all sorts , and of many Nations eye-witnesses of the true manner of such like incounters . But not to be troublesome in my discourses , I will briefly explaine the incounters as they passed .

There was a barre or a kind of artificiall fence made vpon the riuer of Thames with Barges and Lighters chained together , to kéepe out passengers , which otherwise with much vnrulines would haue hindered the pastimes , and much troubled the performers , but being thus hemde in , as it were vpon the maine Seas , the two Venetian shippes as I said before , falling within danger of the Turkish gallies , indured a fresh encounter , and long time most worthily defended themselues , but by reason of the number of the gallies , they were at last boarded , taken , and carried as boote and prize vnder the commaund of a Turkish Castle , which represented and bare the name of the castle of Argeir , Furnished with 22. well approued great péeces of Ordinance , which was contriued and built vpon Lambeth side , at a place named Stand-gate , inuironed with craggie Rocks as the said Castle is now scituate in Turkie .

After the Gallies had taken these Venetian ships , and deliuered them into the Turkish Admiralls commaund , they had sight of an other Argosay or Galliaza , which séemed to be of Spaine , which likewise after a fierce conflict they made prize of , and with much tryumph rendred the same vp also to the Turkish Admirall .

After this , vpon a suddaine there was a thundring peale of Ordinance or Chambers placed in Lambeth Marshe , wherevpon the Scoutes and Watches of the Castle , discouered an English Nauie , to the number of fiftéene Saile of the Kings Pinnaces , making vp towards the point , with their red crost Streamers most gallantly wauing in the Ayre , to the great delight of all the beholders , which as then seemed to couer ouer the Thames in Boates and Barges .

Neare vnto this place stood a high built watch Tower , or Beacon of the Turkes , which at the first sight of the English Nauie was set on fire , as the manner is at all such incursions , which blazing Light ( as it séemed ) gaue notice to the Castle , and caused a readines in the same for defence : In the meane time , the Kings Pinnaces and the Turkish Gallies ioynde , betwixt whom , were showne many strange attempts , euen as they had ventured their very liues for their countries safeties : they spared neither powder nor pollicie , to sacke one an other , but on both sides bestird themselues so brauely , that his Highnesse withall the rest of his attendants were therewith much delighted : At last the Gallies being ouercharged with long and forward incounters of the English Nauie , for refuge and shelter made new vnto the Castle , which began likewise to play brauely vpon the English , and with their thundering ordinance made as it were the ground to shake .

The Kings Nauie to answere them was not backward in a performance , but made the ayre gloomie with fire and smoake rorering from their lowde mouthed Cannons .

The fight for a time continued fiercely , the victorie leaning to neither side , either of them attempting to assault and board each other , but at last the Gallies being sore bruzed and beaten , began to yéeld , wherevpon the English Admirall fell downe and cast anker before the Castle , and then spared not in the best manner to thunder off their Ordinance , whereat the Turkes yéelded both Castle and Gallies , and submitted to the conquest of the English Admirall , who fiered many of the said Gallies , sacked the Castle , and tooke prisoner the Turkish Admirall , with diuers Bashawes and other great Turkes , and also recouered the Venetian and Spanish Shippes , before taken by the Gallies . After the performance of all these aforesaid , the English Admirall , in a most tryumphant manner carried as a prisoner , the Admirall of the Gallies attired in a red Iacket with blew sléeues , according to the Turkish fashion , with the Bashawes , and the other Turkes , guarded to his Highnes priuie staires of white Hall , where his grace , Prince Palsegraue , and his Lady remained , which prisoners were lead by Sir Robert Mansfield , to the Lord Admiral , and by him they were conueyed to the Kings Maiestie , as a representation of pleasure , which to his Highnes moued delight , and highly pleased all there present .

All these aforesaid pastimes were most nobly performed betwéene the howres of thrée and sixe in the after noone , to the great content as well of forraigne nations as of our owne country people , whereof in one place , and at one time , hath bene seldome séene a greater number .

Also for a Farewell to this dayes pleasures , a traine of Chambers were discharged in Saint Georges Field of a long continuance , and of such an Ecchoing thunder , that they euen amazed the hearers . Thus ended Saterdayes shewes vpon the waters , being the eue of this great Mariage-day .

The manner of the Marriage vpon Shroue-sunday , with the Royall passage of Prince Fredericke and his Bride to his Maiesties Chappell at White-Hall .

BVt now to relate and make knowne the royall passage of the renowmed Bride-groome and his faire Bride , ( for the satisfying of many thousands ) as they entred into his Highnes Chappell at White-Hall : the next day being Sunday , euen ouercomes me with a reioycing description .

The Court being placed full of people of many Estates , sortes , and Nations , and their eyes and hearts fixed to behold the pompious glory of this Marriage in great Royaltie .

First came the Pals-graue , from the newe built Banquetting-house , attired in a white Satten sute , richly beset with Pearle and Golde , attended on by a number of young gallant Courtiers , both English , Scottish , and Dutch , all in rich manner , euery one striuing to excéede in sumptuous habilliaments , fitte for the attendants of so princely a Bride-groome . After came the Lady Elizabeth , in her Virgin-robes , clothed in a gowne of white Satten richly embrodered , lead betwéene her royall brother Prince Charles , and the Earle of Northampton : vpon her head a crowne of refined golde , made Imperiall ( by the Pearles and Dyamonds thereupon placed , ) which were so thicke beset , that they stood like shining pinnacles , vpon her amber coloured haire , dependantly hanging plaighted downe ouer her shoulders to her Waste , betwéene euery plaight a role or liste of Gold-spangles , Pearles , Riche stones , and Diamonds , and withall , many Diamonds of inestimable value , imbrothered vpon her sléeue , which euen dazeled and amazed the eies of the beholders : her traine in most sumptuous manner , carryed vp by fourtéene or fiftéene Ladies , attired in white Satten gownes , adorned with many rich Iewells .

After went a traine of Noble-mens Daughters , in white Vestements , gloriously set foorth : which Virgin Bride-maides attended vpon the Princesse , like a skye of Celestiall starres , vpon faire Phoebe . After them , came another traine of gallant young Courtiers , flourishing in seuerall Sutes , Embrothered and Pearled , who were Knightes , and the sonnes of great Courtiers : After them , came foure Herolds at Armes , in their rich coates of Heroldrie , and then followed many Earles , Lords , and Barrons , as well of Scotland as England , in most noble manner , then the king of Herolds , bearing vpon his shoulder a Mace of golde , and then followed the honourable Lords of his Highnes priuie Councell , which passed along after the Traine towards the Chappell , and then came foure reuerend Bishops of the Land in their Church abilliaments : After them foure Sargiants of the Mace in great state , bearing vpon their shoulders foure rich Enamelled Maces .

Then followed the right Honorable the Earle of Arundell , carrying the Kings Sword : And then in great Royaltie the Kings Maiestie himselfe in a most sumptuous blacke sute , with a Dyamond in his hatte of a wonderfull great value ; Close vnto him came the Quéene , attired in white Satten , beautified with much embrothery , and many Diamonds : Vpon her attended a number of marryed Ladies , the Countesses , and wiues of Earles and Barrons , apparelled in most noble manner , which added glory vnto this triumphant time and Marriage .

These were the passages of our States of England , accompanying the princely Bride and Bridegroome to his Highnes Chappell , where after the celebration of the Marriage , contracted in the presence of the King , the Quéene , Prince Charles , and the rest aforesaide : they returned into the banquetting house with great ioy .

The Lady Elizabeth being thus made a Wife , was led backe , not by two Batchellors as before , but by the Duke of Lineux , and the Earle of Nottingham , in a most reuerend manner , before the Palsegraue . At his returne from the chappell , went sixe of his owne Country gallants , clad in crimson Veluet , laide excéedingly thicke with gold lace , bearing in their hands sixe siluer Trumpets , who no sooner comming into the Banquetting house , but they presented him with a melodious sound of the same , flourishing so delightfully , that it greatly reioyced the whole Court , and caused thousands to say at that instant time , God giue them ioy , God giue them ioy .

Thus preparing for dinner , they passed away a certaine time , and after fell to Dancing , Masking , and Reuelling , according to the custome of such Assemblies , which continued all the day , and part of the night in great pleasure .

The order of the Mundayes showes , with the Kings running at the Ring with the Nobilitie of the Land .

THe next day ( being Shroue-munday ) by the King and Nobilitie of England was spent in great honour , where their rich Robes of Estate seconded the day before , with many commendable graces : for the whole Court so gloriously shined with Imbrothered abilliaments , that it made euen a smiling chéerefulnes sit vpon the countenance of many thousand beholders .

For the Kings Maiestie in his owne person , accompanied with his braue spirited sonne Prince Charles of great Brittaine , the Royall Bride-groome , Count Pallatine , the Duke of Linneux , with diuers other of the Earles and Barrons of England and Scotland , together with the praise-worthy Péeres of the Netherland Prouinces , performed many famous races at the Ring , an exercise of much renowne and honour , and the knightly sports , and the Royall delights onely befitting the dignitie of Kings and Princes , and of the chiefest Nobilitie .

First , about the rayles or lists in the Tylf-yard , adioyning to White Hall , were placed many Herolds at Armes , to beautifie the honourable atchiefements of these knightly Potentates , and withall , the Knight marshall of England , and his seruants , all in new liueries with their staues of office , to abate the too forward vnrulines of many disordered people , which otherwise would haue much troubled the Turnaments , and as an ayde vnto them , many of his Highnes Yoemen of the Guard were attendant in the listes , and withall , most of the Kings Trumpetters in their rich imbrothered coates , the pentioners and Knights of his graces houshold with their guilded Pole-axes , guarding as it were in a round , the King with his Knightly followers .

The Quéenes Maiestie , with her daughter the Princes Elizabeth , attended on by many of the greatest Ladies of the Land , being placed in the Galleries and windowes of the Banquetting house , In the presence of many thousands of his Subiects , the King mounted vpon a Stéed of much swiftnes , was the first that began the honourable pastimes , and like a most noble martialist tooke the Ring vpon his speare , thrée seuerall times together , whereat the trumpets still sounded to the great ioy of all the beholders .

After him the Illustrious Prince , Count Palatine , vpon a horse of that braue courage , which séemed to stand vpon no ground , where with a spirit of much forwardnes , he tooke the Ring vpon his speare twise together , so lightly , and so nimbly , that the whole assembly gaue him high commendations .

After him , the braue young flower , and hope of England , Prince Charles , mounted as it were vpon a Spanish Iennet , that takes his swiftnes from the nature of the winde , most couragiously , and with much agillitie of hand , tooke the Ring clearely foure times in fiue courses , which was in the eye of the Kings Maiestie and the Nobilitie , there present , a sight of much admiration , and an exceeding comfort to all the land .

The Duke of Lineux , the Earle of Arundell , the Earle of Dorset , the Lord Haddindon , with diuers other Barrons of England , and Scotland , afterward , in honour of this magnificent mariage , performed many worthy races , and many times tooke the Ring with much strangenes , a pleasure so princely , that it euen made the beholders hearts to leape with ioy .

The Quéenes Maiestie , with her daughter the Princes , all the while standing in the windowes , as eye-witnesses to these noble delights , smiled with much chéerefulnes , graciously thanking them all for their loues , but especially the new married Bride , in honour of whose mariage all these courtly pastimes were performed .

Of the Maskes and Reuells presented by the Gentlemen of the Innes of Court , vpon the Munday night .

THe procéeding Night , sports were as sumptuous , as the passed dayes , and in as gallant a manner performed : whereof to satisfie the desirefull Reader , I must thus speake of .

The Gentlemen of the Innes of Court , in the best and rarest manner they could deuise , prepared Maskes and Reuells in the Court , that night to be presented : and about the houres of eight or nine , they passed from the Roles in Chancery-Lane , to White Hall , in as royall manner as euer gallants did to the Court of England .

First , there rode some thrée score braue spirited Gentlemen vpon great Bard-horses , most richly trapped with imbrothered furnitures , themselues attired in cloth of golde and tissue , most gloriously shining , lighted by a number of torches , to beautifie the showe with more Eye-pleasing delights .

After them , some sixe and thirtie Maskers , diuided by twelues , in most strange Anticke sutes , in a most admirable and stately manner . Likewise vpon costly trapped stéedes , each of them hauing a Blackamoore Page attending on Horse backe , with torch lights burning in their hands .

After them followed thrée Charriots of Maskers and Reuellers , in garments of a meruellous fashion , so artificially disguised , that they moued much wonder . Vpon them attended a number of Footemen , bearing burning torches , and withall , many trumpets sounding melodiously , which was a sight both to Eye and Eare , of an excéeding glorie : These performed many delightfull dances in his Highnes presence , and other pastimes of pleasure , to the great comfort of all the beholders , and to the high honours of this magnificent Marriage .

Of the Tryumphs and Reuells vpon the next night following , being Shroue-tuesday .

THe next day being Shroue-tuesday , a day of pleasure , and Iollitie by custome , but farre more delightfull by reason of this magnificent mariage , which moued many occasions of mirth in his Highnes court , for euery day in seuerall attires , were the Nobilitie of the land seene flourishing in the chamber of presence , and much was the cost spent in banqueting of forraigne estates , as wel Princes Embassadors , as the Péeres and Nobles attending vpon the Palsegraue , which vpon this day was as royally performed , as vpon the former .

The bountie of his Maiestie excéeded , for his Highnes court was frée for all people of fashion , as well Cittizens as others , and few came thither that departed without kind entertainement for liberalitie , with spredding armes kept open houshold , whereby the time may well be recorded for a time of Princes pleasures , by reason Princes were the maintainers thereof .

The night procéeding , much expectation was made of a stage play to be acted in the great Hall by the Kings Players , where many hundreds of people stood attending the same : but it hapned contrarie , for greater pleasures were preparing , which in this manner were performed , as vpon the night before a most famous maske came to court , by the Gentlemen and studients of the lawe , from the Roles Office , by land , so some thrée hundred Gentlemen more , of the same estate and calling , by water , to equall them in statelines , came likewise vp the Thames by water , with a maske to White Hall , at whose setting forth from Winchester-house in their Barges , a peale of ordinance placed on the backeside , séemed as it were thunder , the Barges were beautified with many flagges and Streamers , lighted with a number burning cressets and torches , attended on by Drums and Trumpets , which sounded all the way most melodiously , the Gentlemen and maskers , had most glorious and rich suites of cloth of gold and siluer , with other Robes of much delight and pleasure , their entertainements in Court were gratious , and their performance as curious as the skill and Art of wit could deuise , at which the King and all the royall assembly there present , tooke high contentment .

The Kings Maiestie , in the royaltie of his minde , and in regard of these rare deuises of the Gentlemen of the Innes of Court , ( being most of them sonnes to great states of the land ) inuited them all within few daies after , to a royall banquet , where not onely by his Highnes , but by the Palsegraue and his Bride , they had most kind and friendly thankes .

And now to conclude my discourse , the ioyes hereof were declared in manie places , as well Citie as Court : for the Belles of London rung generally in euery Church , and in euery stréete Bon-fires blazed abundantly , there was neither cost nor paines spared by his Highnes subiects , that any way might giue signes of ioy , for the Marriage of his princely daughter to her royall Husband , whom God blesse with long happines , and Throanes of Angelles kéepe and defend . Amen .