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Masque is in Paintings.
1600 Wedding of Henry Somerset and Anne Russell
1603 The Entertainment at Althorp
1603 Prince Henry's Welcome at Winchester
1604 Masque of the Twelve Goddesses
1608 Masque of The Hue and Cry After Cupid
1613 Marriage of Elizabeth Stewart and Frederick V Elector Palatine
1616 The Golden Age Restored Masque
Henry Machyn's Diary. 15th January 1562. The xv day of January the Quen('s) (age 28) grace cam to Beynard Castyll [Map] to the yerle of Penbroke (age 61) to dener, and mony of here consell, and tared soper, and at nyght there was grett chere and a grett bankett [banquet], and after a maske, and here grace tared all nyght.
Henry Machyn's Diary. 18th January 1562. The xviij day of January was a play in the quen('s) hall at Westmynster by the gentyll-men of the Tempull, and after a grett maske, for ther was a grett skaffold in the hall, with grett tryhumpe as has bene sene; and the morow after the skaffold was taken done.... women for ....
Note. P. 272. Play by the gentlemen of the Temple. This play was the celebrated "Ferrex and Porrex," written by Sackville and Norton, the old editions of which bear in their titlepage, that it was "shewed before the Queenes most excellent Majestie, in her Highnes court of Whitehall, the 18th Jan. 1561, by the gentlemen of the Inner Temple." Collier's Hist. of English Dramatic Poetry, i. 180.
On 16th June 1600 Henry Somerset 1st Marquess Worcester (age 23) and Anne Russell Countess Worcester (age 22) were married. He the son of Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester (age 50) and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester (age 54). They were fifth cousins.
Mary Fitton (age 21) led a Masque in celebration at the Blackfriars residence of Henry Brooke 11th Baron Cobham (age 35) with Queen Elizabeth I of England and Ireland (age 66) and William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke (age 20) attending. She, Mary soon afterwards became the mistress of William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke and soon became pregnant.
On 25th June 1603 the Ben Johnson (age 31) Masque The Entertainment at Althorp was performed at Althorp House, Northamptonshire [Map] to welcome the new Royal Family on their journey from Edinburgh to London following the death of Queen Elizabeth. The performance was attended by Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 28) and her son Henry Frederick Stewart Prince of Wales (age 9).
Prince Henry's Welcome at Winchester was a masque produced by Anne of Denmark and performed in 1603 at Winchester on a day between 11 and 17 October.
Diary of Anne Clifford. Before 25th December 1603. Before Xmas my cousin Frances was sent for from Nonsuch to North Hall by reason that her Grace was to go from thence to be brought up with the Lady Harrington in the country. All this time we were merry at North Hall. My cousin Frances Bouchier (age 16) and my cousin Frances Russell and I did use to walk much in the garden and were great with one another. Now there was much talk of a masque which the Queen (age 29) had at Winchester and how all the ladies about the Court had gotten such ill names that it was grown a scandalous place, and the Queen herself was much fallen from her former greatness and reputation she had in the world.
Note 1. The Diary appears to pass at once from 1603 to 1616.
On 8th January 1604 the Masque of the Twelve Goddesses was performed in the Great Hall at Hampton Court Palace, Richmond [Map]. The performers included:
Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 29) played Pallas.
Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 40) played Juno.
Frances Howard Duchess Lennox and Richmond (age 25) played Diana.
Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford (age 24) played Vesta.
Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 28) played Proserpine.
Margaret Stewart 1st Countess Nottingham (age 13) played Concordia.
Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 41) played Venus.
Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton (age 26) played Macaria.
Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham (age 35) played Astraea.
Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 16) played Flora.
Dorothy Hastings (age 25) played Ceres.
Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 21) played Tethys.
On 6th January 1605, Twelfth Night, the Ben Johnson (age 33) Masque of Blackness was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map]. The performers included:
Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 30) played Euphoris.
Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford (age 25) played Aglaia.
Anne Lady Herbert (age 22) played Diaphane.
Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 29) played Eucampse.
Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk (age 41) played Kathare.
Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire (age 42) played Ocyte.
Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill (age 39) played Notis.
Anne St John Lady Effingham (age 30) played Psychrote.
Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury (age 22) played Glycyte.
Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 17) played Malacia.
Mary Sidney Lady Wroth (age 18) played Baryte.
Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham (age 36) played Periphere.
Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2. At Night we had the Queen's Maske in the Banqueting-House [Map], or rather her Pagent. There was a great Engine at the lower end of the Room, which had Motion, and in it were the Images of Sea-Horses with other terrible Fishes, which were ridden by Moors: The Indecorum was, that there was all Fish and no Water. At the further end was a great Shell in form of a Skallop,wherein were four Seats; on the lowest sat the Queen (age 30) with my Lady Bedford (age 25); on the left were placed the Ladies Suffolk (age 41), Darby (age 29), Rich (age 42), Effingham (age 30), Ann Herbert (age 22), Susan Herbert (age 17), Elizabeth Howard (age 22), Walsingham (age 36) and Bevil (age 39). Their Apparell was rich, but too light and Currizan-light for such great ones. Instead of Vizzards, their Faces, and Arms up to the Elbows, were painted black, which was Disguise sufficient, for they were hard to be known; but it became them nothing so well as their red and white, and you cannot imagine a more ugly Sight, then a Troop of lean-cheeked Moors. The Spanish and Venetian Ambassadors were both present, and sate by the King in State; at which Monsieur Beaumont quarrells so extreamly, that he saith the whole Court is Spanish. But by his Favour, he should fall out with none but himself, for they were all indifferently invited to come as private Men, to a private Sport; which he refusing, the Spanish Ambassador willingly accepted, and being there, feeing no Cause to the contrary, he put off Don Taxis, and took upon him El Senor Embaxadour, wherein he outstript our little Monsieur. He was privately at the first Mask, and fate amongst his Men disguised; at this he was taken out to dance, and footed it like a lusty old Gallant with his Country Woman. He took out the Queen, and forgot not to kiss her Hand, though there was Danger it would have left a Mark on his Lips. The Night's Work was concluded with a Banquet in the great Chamber, which was so furioufly assaulted, that down went Table and Tresses before one bit was touched. They say the Duke Holst will come upon us with an after reckoning, and that we shall see him on Candlemas Night in a Mask, as he hath shewed himself a lusty Reveller all this Christmas.
On 10th January 1608 the Ben Johnson (age 36) Masque of Beauty was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] to celebrate the completion of its refurburbishment. King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland (age 41) attended.
The performers included:
Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 33).
Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk (age 23).
Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford (age 28).
Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 32).
Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 20).
Lettice Perrot Baroness Chichester (age 48).
Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham (age 39).
Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor (age 33).
Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke (age 17).
Elizabeth Barkham Lady Garrard (age 15).
Elizabeth Somerset (age 18).
Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton (age 30).
Mary Neville 3rd Baroness Despencer (age 54).
Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor.
Arabella Stewart (age 33).
On 9th February 1608 John Ramsay, Viscount Haddington (age 28) and Elizabeth Radclyffe were married at Whitehall Palace [Map]. She by marriage Viscountess Haddington. She the daughter of Robert Radclyffe 5th Earl of Sussex (age 34) and Bridget Morrison Countess Sussex.
James I (age 41) gave the bride away and sent the bride a gold cup containing a grant of lands worth an income of £600 per year, also paid off Ramsay's debts of £10,000.
The marriage was celebrated with the Masque of The Hue and Cry After Cupid in the evening at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] written by Ben Johnson (age 36).
The principal masquers, nobles and gentlemen of the Court, appeared in the guise of the twelve signs of the Zodiac; the men, five English and seven Scottish courtiers, were:
Ludovic Stewart 2nd Duke Lennox 1st Duke Richmond (age 33).
Thomas Howard 14th or 21st Earl of Arundel 4th Earl of Surrey 1st Earl Norfolk (age 22).
Philip Herbert 4th Earl Pembroke 1st Earl Montgomery (age 23).
William Herbert 3rd Earl Pembroke (age 27).
Esmé Stewart 3rd Duke Lennox (age 29).
Theophilus Howard 2nd Earl Suffolk (age 25).
James Hay 1st Earl Carlisle (age 28).
Robert Crichton 8th Lord Sanquhar.
John Kennedy, Master of Mar.
Robert Rich 2nd Earl Warwick (age 20).
Mr Erskine.
On 5th June 1610 the Tethy's Festival Masque was performed at Whitehall Palace [Map] to celebrate the the investiture of Prince Frederick (age 16) as Prince of Wales. The script was written by Samuel Daniel at the request of the Queen (age 35), who appeared in person as Tethys a goddess of the sea. Inigo Jones (age 36) designed the staging and scenery.
Prince Charles (age 9) took the part of Zephyrus,.
Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia (age 13) appeared as the companion or daughter of Tethys, the "Nymph of Thames",.
Arabella Stewart (age 35) took the part of the "Nymph of Trent",.
Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk (age 25) as "Nymph of Arun".
Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby (age 34) as "Nymph of Derwent",.
Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset (age 20) as "Nymph of Lee",.
Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke (age 20) as "Nymph of Air",.
Susan Vere Countess Montgomery (age 23) as "Nymph of Severn",.
Elizabeth Radclyffe Viscountess Haddington as "Nymph of Rother",.
Elizabeth Talbot Countess Kent (age 28) as "Nymph of Medway",.
Four sisters, daughters of Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester (age 60) and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester (age 64), danced as the rivers of Monmouthshire:
Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor (age 35) the "Nymph of Usk".
Katherine Somerset Baroness Petre (age 35) the "Nymph of Olwy".
Elizabeth Somerset (age 20) the "Nymph of Dulesse" (Dulas), and.
Mary Wintour the "Nymph of Wye".
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Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 3. [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.
On 15th February 1613 The Memorable Masque of the Middle Temple and Lincoln's Inn was a masque performed at the Great Hall of Whitehall Palace as part of the wedding festivities.
Edward Phelips (age 56) helped organise the Masque paying Inigo Jones (age 39) £110 for the scenery and stage-works.
On 20th February 1613 The Masque of the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] as part of the wedding festivities. The masque was sponsored by the Inner Temple and Gray's Inn both of whom spent around £1200.
On 3rd February 1614 Robert Ker 1st Earl Roxburghe (age 44) and Jean Drummond Countess Roxburghe (age 29) were married at Somerset House [Map]. She, Jean, was the sister of his son-in-law John Drummond 2nd Earl Perth (age 26) who had married his daughter Jean Ker Countess Perth. The wedding was attended by the King (age 47) and Queen (age 39). There was a masque Hymen's Triumph written by Samuel Daniel.
The The Golden Age Restored Masque was a Jacobean era masque, written by Ben Johnson (age 44) and designed by Inigo Jones (age 42); it was performed on 1st January 1616 and 06 Jan 1616, almost certainly at Whitehall Palace.
Diary of Anne Clifford. 6th January 1616. Upon the 6th being Twelfth day I supped with my Lady of Arundel (age 31)1 and sat with her in the Ladyship's Box to see the Masque which was the second time it was presented before the King and Queen.
Note 1. Daughter of Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury (age 63). Her portrait, in the same frame with her Lord (age 30), in the Cartoon Gallery. (Now in Great Hall).
In 1617 the Masque of Cupid's Banishment by Robert White was a Masque performed for Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland (age 42) at Deptford, Kent [Map]. Richard Browne 1st Baronet (age 12) played the part of "Diana".
Pleasure Reconciled to Virtue Masque was a Masque by Ben Johnson (age 46) first performed on Twelth Night 1618 ie 6th January 1618 in the Banqueting House at Whitehall Palace.
On 8th January 1621 Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport (age 24) took part in a Masque before King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 20) staged by James Hay 1st Earl Carlisle (age 41) at Essex House.
On 21st January 1640 Mountjoy Blount 1st Earl Newport (age 43) participated with King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 39) in the extravagant masque on the theme of Philogenes, royal Lover of the People.
John Evelyn's Diary. 6th May 1651. I attended the ambassador to a masque at Court, where the French King (age 12) in person danced five entries, but being engaged in discourse, and better entertained with one of the Queen-Regent's (age 49) secretaries, I soon left the entertainment.
Note. The "Ballet du Roy aux festes de Bacchus" i.e. "The King's Ballet at the Festivals of Bacchus" was performed by Louis "Sun King" XIV King France on the 2nd May 1651 with his close companions, and professional dancers at the Palais-Cardinal, the Richelieu residence on rue Saint-Honoré.
John Evelyn's Diary. 1st January 1662. I went to London, invited to the solemn foolery of the Prince de la Grange, at Lincoln's Inn, where came the King (age 31), Duke, etc. It began with a grand masque, and a formal pleading before the mock Princes, Grandees, Nobles, and Knights of the Sun. He had his Lord Chancellor (age 52), Chamberlain, Treasurer, and other Royal Officers, gloriously clad and attended. It ended in a magnificent banquet. One Mr. Lort was the young spark who maintained the pageantry.
John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd July 1663. I saw the great Masque at Court, and lay that night at Arundel House [Map].
John Evelyn's Diary. 2nd February 1665. I saw a Masque performed at Court, by six gentlemen and six ladies, surprising his Majesty (age 34), it being Candlemas day.
John Evelyn's Diary. 18th February 1667. I was present at a magnificent ball, or masque, in the theatre at the Court, where their Majesties [Note. King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 36) and Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England (age 28)] and all the great lords and ladies danced, infinitely gallant, the men in their richly embroidered, most becoming vests.
John Evelyn's Diary. 4th February 1668. I saw the tragedy of "Horace" (written by the VIRTUOUS Mrs. Philips) acted before their Majesties [King Charles II of England Scotland and Ireland (age 37) and Henrietta Maria Bourbon Queen Consort Catherine of Braganza Queen Consort England 1638-1705]. Between each act a masque and antique dance. The excessive gallantry of the ladies was infinite, those especially on that ... Castlemaine (age 27), esteemed at £40,000 and more, far outshining the Queen (age 29).
