The second biggest bit of gossip came second in the letter.
Mistress Anne Russell, bride to be, had been to see the Queen where she was
treated with great favor.
Mrs. Anne Russel went from Court upon Monday last, with 18
Coaches, the like hath not bene seen amongest
the Maydes. The Queen in publiq, used of her
as gracious Speaches, as have bene h[e]ard of any, and comanded all the Mayds to
accompany her to London; soe did all the Lords of the Court. Her Mother brought
a great Nomber of Strangers to Court; all went in a Troope away. The Marriage
wilbe upon Monday next, her Majestie wilbe there, as it is hoped.[1]
Talk of the wedding and of preparations to host the Queen
were everywhere.
Dudley Carleton was secretary to Sir Edward Norreys, at
Ostend, in Flanders, at this time. The position was too humble to afford a paid
agent but he had his friend John Chamberlain to send letters every week or two filled with the
gossip of the day.
Chamberlain’s letters at this time were also filled first with
the Earl of Essex being questioned in the dread Star Chamber and second with
news of the big wedding.
We shall have the great marriage on Monday at the Lady Russells,
where it is saide the Quene will vouchsafe her presence, and lie at the Lord
Chamberlains [Lord Hunsden’s], or the Lord Cobhams, whose mariage is thought
likewise shalbe then consummated if it be not don alredy.[2]
Chamberlain’s letter is dated the 13th.
Mistress Anne’s big day would be attended to the crème-de-la-crème
of Court society. Those, at least, who could be present in the environs of
London at the time. The presence of the Queen would make it as special a day as
could possibly be. Some might travel from farther afield at the prospect that
she would be present.
As might be expected with so much of interest going on, the
letters are more frequent than usual. In the next, from Rowland Whyte, the health
of the queen and implications for the wedding start the letter off, followed by
news from the conflict in Ireland and diplomatic matters in Boulogne, France.
HER Majesty is in very good Health, and purposes to honor
Mrs. Anne Russell Marriage with her Presence; it is thought she will say there Monday
and Tuesday. My Lord Cobham prepares his Howse for her Majestie to lye in,
becawse it is neare the Bridehouse. There is to be a memorable Maske of 8
Ladies; they have a straunge Dawnce newly invented; their Attire is this: Each
hath a Skirt of Cloth of Silver, a rich Wastcoat wrought with Silkes, and Gold
and Silver, a Mantell of Carnacion Taffete cast vnder the Arme, and there Haire
loose about their Shoulders, curiously knotted and interlaced. These are the Maskers.
My Lady Doritye, Mrs. Fitton, Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Onslow, Mrs. Southwell, Mrs. Bes
Russell, Mrs. Darcy, and my Lady Blanche Somersett. These 8 dawnce to the Musiq
Apollo bringes, and there is a fine Speech that makes mention of a Nintth, much
to her Honor and Praise. The Preparacion for this Feast is sumptuous and great,
but it is feared, that the Howse in Blackfriars wilbe to[o] litle for such a
Company. The Marriage is upon Monday; what els may happen in it, I will signifie
when it is past.[3]
It is not difficult
to picture the bride’s mother running about here and there to direct workmen as
they prepare the hall. The food being laid in as she and her head cook inspect
it. All of this is going on around rehearsals of the masque, nervous young
ladies and their personal maids inspecting their gowns as they listen to
direction.
Whyte’s next letter to Sir Robert is posted a week after the
wedding. Pressing matters concerning Lord Sidney making an attack on Dunkirk
and the reception of the news by the Queen must come first. A report on the status
of shipping horses from England to the continent must come next. Then there is follow
up to the last letter on Boulogne. At last, we learn:
This Day senight her Majestie was at Blackfriars, to grace
the Marriage of the Lord Harbert and his Wiffe. The Bride mett the Queen at the
Waterside, where my Lord Cobham had provided a Lectica, made like half a
Litter, wherein she was carried to my Lady Russels by 6 Knights. Her Majestie
dined there, and, at Night, went thorough Doctor Puddins [Sir William Paddy’s]
Howse (who gave the Queen a Fanne), to my Lord Cobhams, where she supt. After
Supper the Maske came in, as I Writ in my last, and delicate it was, to see 8
Ladies soe pretily and richly attired. Mrs. Fitton leade, and after they had
donne all their own Ceremonies, these 8 Ladys Maskers choose 8 Ladies more to
dawnce the Measures. Mrs. Fitton went to the Queen, and woed her to dawnce; her
Majestie asked what she was; Affection, she said. Affection! said the Queen,
Affection is false. Yet her Majestie rose and dawnced; soe did my Lady Marques
[of Winchester] The Bride was lead to the Church by the Lord Harbert of Cardiff,
and my Lord Cobham; and from the Church by the Earles of Rutland and Cumberland.
The Giſts given that Day Were valewed at 1000l.
in Plate and Jewels, at least. The Entertainment was great and plentifull, and
my Lady Russell much comended for it. Her Majestie, vpon Tuesday, came backe
again to the Court, but the Solemnities continued till Wednesday Night; and now the Lord Harbert, and
his faire Lady, are in Court.[4]
The “letica” is the palanquin shown at the head of this
article. The famous picture lets us see a moment in the festivities first hand.
John Chamberlain writes Carleton the next day, on the 24th
of June. Nearly all of the letter is about the Maurice of Nassau’s invasion of Nieuwpoort,
in the company of many English generals seeking glorious battle in the field “whence
if they can dispatch quickly, they meane to besiege Dunkerke”. It is from
Chamberlain that we learn “Sir Robert Sidney lost his tent, and all his other
provision and furniture in one of those ships that were spoiled, and Sir
Francis Vere some part of his stuffe.”
We also learn that Carleton is no longer in Ostend, Flanders,
but in England. He has been at Oxford and is expected to be at Ricot on a
matter relating to Lady Norris. After all of this we learn a bit more of the
wedding.
I doubt not but you have heard of the great mariage a at the
Lady Russells, where the Quene was present, being caried from the water side in
a curious chaire and lodged at the Lord Cobhams; and of the maske of eight
maides of honour and other gentlewomen in name of the Muses that came to seeke
one of theire fellowes, and of the knighting of Sir Fetipher [Fettiplace?] with
many goode wordes more then God knowes he was worthy of. And this being summa
totalis of that I have to say, I commend you to the protection of the Almighty.[5]
For a while letters will be filled entirely with news of the Earl of Essex’s fall from grace and the military engagements in Ireland and Flanders.
[1]
Collins, Arthur. Letters and Memorials of State, Queen Mary, Queen
Elizabeth, King James, King Charles the First (1746). 201.
[2]
Williams, Sarah. Letters Written by John Chamberlain During the Reign of Queen
Elizabeth (1861). 79.
[3]
Collins, II.201-2. Rowland Whyte to Sir Robert Sidney. From Grenwich, Saturday,
June 14, 1600.
[4]
Collins, II.203. Rowland Whyte to Sir
Robert Sidney. From Court, June 23, 1600.
[5]
Williams, 83. John Chamberlain to Dudley Carleton. From London, June 24, 1600.
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