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All About History Books
The Chronicle of Walter of Guisborough, a canon regular of the Augustinian Guisborough Priory, Yorkshire, formerly known as The Chronicle of Walter of Hemingburgh, describes the period from 1066 to 1346. Before 1274 the Chronicle is based on other works. Thereafter, the Chronicle is original, and a remarkable source for the events of the time. This book provides a translation of the Chronicle from that date. The Latin source for our translation is the 1849 work edited by Hans Claude Hamilton. Hamilton, in his preface, says: "In the present work we behold perhaps one of the finest samples of our early chronicles, both as regards the value of the events recorded, and the correctness with which they are detailed; Nor will the pleasing style of composition be lightly passed over by those capable of seeing reflected from it the tokens of a vigorous and cultivated mind, and a favourable specimen of the learning and taste of the age in which it was framed." Available at Amazon in eBook and Paperback.
Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I is in Tudor Books.
Relation of the Formalities and Shews made at the Creation of Prince Henry Prince of Wales, on the 4th of June 1610.
Note 1. As there is no Name to this Letter, I cannot exactly determine by whom it was written; tho' the minute Exactness with which all Circumstances are related, and comparing this with other Papers of that Gentleman's, induces me to think it was wiote to Mr. Trumbull by Mr. John Finner, afterwards Master of the Ceremonies; many of whofe Letters I find in this curious Collection.
You shall now receive a Letter which is not short, and yet no more then only the Report of three Days Work. The Prince's Creation was upon Monday last, whereof a speciall Place was provided within the Pallace of Westminfter; where both the Houses of Parliament being for that Time assembled, his Majesty entring in his royall Robes, his Crown upon his Head, did first take his Place of State: His Trayne was supported by the Viscount Crambourne and the Lord Burleigh. After a good space of Time the Prince entred at the lower End of the great Chamber, having a Surcote of purple Velvet close girt unto him.
[5th June 1610] The next Day was graced with a moft glorious Maske, which was double. In the first, came first in the little Duke of York between zwo great Sea Slaves, the cheefest of Neptune's Servants, attended upon by twelve little Ladies, all of them the Daughters of Earls or Barons. By one of these Men a Speech was made unto the King and Prince, expressing the Conceipt of the Maske; by the other, a Sword worth 20000 Crowns at the least was put into the Duke of York's Hands, who presented the same unto the Prince his Brother from the first of those Ladies which were to follow in the next Maske. This done, the Duke returned into his former Place in midst of the Stage, and the little Ladies performed their Dance to the Amazement of all the Beholders, considering the Tenderness of their Years and the many intricate Changes of the Dance; which was so disposed, that which way soever the Changes went the little Duke was still found to be in the midst of these little Dancers. These light Skirmishers having done their devoir, in came the Princesses; first the Queen, next the Lady Elizabeth's Grace, then the Lady Arbella (age 35), the Countesses of Arundell (age 25), Derby (age 34), Essex (age 20), Dorset, and Montgomery (age 23), the Lady Hadington, the Lady Elizabeth Grey, the Lady Windsor, the Lady Katherine Peter, the Lady Elizabeth Guilford, and the Lady Mary Wintour. By that time these had done, it was high time to go to Bed, for it was within half an Hour of the Sun's, not setting, but rifing: Howbeit a farther Time was to be spent in viewing and scrambling at one of the most magnificent Banquets that I have seen. The Ambassadors of Spaine; of Venice, and of the Low Countries, were present at this and all the rest of these glorious Sights, and in Truth so they were.
Mr. John Chamberlaine to Sir Ralph Winwood.
My very good Lord, London, 10th Feb. 1612.
...
The Lady Haddington was forward with Child and miscarried the last Week. The Lady of Bedford lyes in weak case; and they say drawing on. The Countess of Salisbury's Daughter is to be Christened this Day in the King's Chappell, the Queen and the Countess of Suffolk being to be Godmothers.