During her brief annual progress around the outskirts of London, beginning in July of 1602, she was hosted in grand country-style, at the Harefield Place estate of Sir Thomas Edgerton.
After the Queene entered (out of the high way) into the Deamesne grounde of Harefielde, near the Dayrie howse, she was mett with 2 persons, the one representing a BAYLIFE, the other a DAYRIE-MAIDE, with the Speech. Her Majesty, being on horsebacke, stayed under a tree (because it rayned) to heare it.3
No previous progress seems ever to have involved a long scripted dialogue between a country bailiff and a dairymaid. As the rule rustic destinations chose rather to present productions featuring the special country magic of sprites and fairies.
While Elizabeth kept the distance of her travel short, and Harefield had considerably less to offer than other grander estates in past years, the Queen was clearly sturdy for her age and pleased, as always, to be feted. She graciously received a gift of a modest robe of rainbow colors presented together with a simple English poem.
The visit also featured a gift-lottery, each lot bearing a couplet describing the gift. Such were very popular among the ladies of the time.
Purportedly out of compassion for the courtiers that were accompanying her, the Queen agreed to head back from Harefield to a palace where all could escape the continual rains. “Her Majesty hath had compassion,” reports Sir Thomas Edmonds,
notwithstanding her earnest affection to go her progress, yet to forbear the same in favour to her people, in regard of the unseasonableuess of the weather; and, for that purpose doth appoint to return by the end of this week, and to settle at Oatlands.4
It is difficult, however, to see this as anything more than her Court being the compassionate party. Far more likely, for all that she had risen to the occasion, she was no longer up to progresses. Even short ones with light schedules. And, of course, it would have been her above all who they were anxious to keep out of the rain without offending her pride.
Still, the Queen wished to continue the planned itinerary. One can almost hear her. Look at her! She wasn't letting a little rain bother her! Edmond's next letter hints at the details.
Since the writing of my other letter there hath been a great forwardness to have continued the progress to my Lord of Hartford's house, but now at length it is utterly broken, in respect of the lateness of the season, and it is in deliberation to find out some places about Oatlands and Windsor, as Horseley and Sunninghill, and others like, where to entertain the Queen for a fortnight, and after wards to return to Nonsuch.5
Surely, it is a situation with which most are familiar. An aged family member refuses to give in to the years. The others demonstratively shake their head in wonder that he or she can still go on while they all are exhausted. They plead, let us drive you home so we can get some rest ─ hoping that his or her stubbornness will not cause themselves harm.
In the end, the Court proceeded to Oatlands where it remained until October 7. There the Queen was clearly still feeling her oats.
the young Lady of Derby wearing about her neck, in her bosom, a picture which was in a dainty tablet, the Queen, espying it, asked what fine jewel that was. The Lady Darby was curious to excuse the shewing of it, but the Queen would have it, and opening it and finding it to be Mr. Secretary's, snatched it away, and tied it upon her shoe, and walked along with it there ; then she took it thence and pinned it on her elbow, and wore it some time there also;...6
She was aware the Robert Cecil (Mr. Secretary) was governing her kingdom as much as she. For some months, at least, he had been transcribing her personal notes, in the official correspondence, in order that the recipients might be able to read them. Though she was writing her own personal notes, during this brief resurgence, the shaking of her hands apparently having temporarily abated, her pride had surely been wounded. The situation led to more than one such little display of pique.
At Oatlands, country themes remained foremost. The Earl of Worchester is now our correspondent.
We are frolic here in Court; much dancing in the Privy Chamber of country dances before the Queen's Majesty, who is exceedingly pleased there with; Irish tunes are at this time most pleasing,...7
The Queen dearly loved dancing but here she did not join in. She was, however, out amongst the roisterers enjoying the festive atmosphere, something she will soon no longer be able to bear.
On the whole the 1602 progress seemed to do Queen Elizabeth I great good. She kept her favorite of the moment, Fulke Grevill, always near her. He is pleased to report:
The best news I can yet write your Ladyship is of the Queen's health and disposition of body, which I assure you is excellent good, and I have not seen her every way better disposed these many years.8
Very soon the tide would turn. These were among the last happy days left to her.
1 Purdy, Gilbert Wesley. “Lady Southwell on the Final Days of Queen Elizabeth” Virtual Grub Streeet, March 24, 2019. https://gilbertwesleypurdy.blogspot.com/2019/03/lady-southwell-on-final-days-of-queen.html
2 Purdy, Gilbert Wesley. “Queen Elizabeth I's Heart and the French Ambassador” Virtual Grub Streeet, April 3, 2019. https://gilbertwesleypurdy.blogspot.com/2019/04/1602-queen-elizabeths-heart-and-french.html
3 Nichols, John. The Progresses And Public Processions Of Queen Elizabeth (1823). III.586.
4 Lodge, Edmund. Illustrations of British History, Biography, and Manners,... (1838). II.562-3. Sir Thomas Edmonds To the Earl Of Shrewsbury. August 3, 1602.
5 Ibid. II.568-9. Sir Thomas Edmonds To the Earl Of Shrewsbury. September 1, 1602.
6 Ibid. II.576. William Browne to the Earl Of Shrewsbury. September 19, 1602.
7 Ibid. II.582. Fulke Greville to the Countess of Shrewsbury. September 19, 1602.
8 Ibid. II.578. Earl of Worchester to the Earl Of Shrewsbury. September 19, 1602.
Also at Virtual Grub Street:
The Tudor Masque: Not just another sock-hop. February 18, 2023. "What made this different was that the nature of the masque involved especially lavish and exotic costumes."
A Brief Introduction to the Tudor Inn. February 5, 2023. "A London inn was homey enough, it would seem."
Lo, the Mighty Mole-Catcher! January 29, 2023. "Like all farmers, Tusser constantly had moles on his mind."
The Celebration of Plough Monday After Twelfth Day. January 22, 2023. "In some places if the Ploughman (after that day’s work) come with his Whip to the Kitchen Hatch..."
- Check out the English Renaissance Article Index for many more articles and reviews about this fascinating time and about the Shakespeare Authorship Question.
- Check out the Queen Elizabeth I Biography Page for many other articles.
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