The General History of England by James Tyrrell

I must not here forget, that whilst the French Ambassadors stay'd in England, the King to shew them the Prowess of the English Nation, entertain'd them with a Solemn Tournaement of Thirteen Knights on a side, which was perform'd in Cheapside, between the Cross and Soper-lape, now Queen street, the Street being well cover'd with Sand, to keep their Horses from slipping; across the Street at the upper end, was erected a spacious Scaffold, made like a Tower, whereon the Queen and all the Chief Ladies of the Court sat to behold the Performance; about the midst of which happend an unlucky Accident that had like to have prov'd fatal to them all, for the Scaffold breaking under them, it put the Queen and Ladies into a very great Fright, but as it pleas'd God, they receiv'd no other Hurt. The King thereupon swore He would severely punish the deceitful Workmen, but being soften'd by the Queen's intercession for them on Her Knees, She at last, (tho with some difficulty) obtained their Pardon of Him.