Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill 1566-1605

On 6th January 1605, Twelfth Night, the Ben Johnson [aged 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 [aged 30] played Euphoris.

Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford [aged 25] played Aglaia.

Anne Lady Herbert [aged 22] played Diaphane.

Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby [aged 29] played Eucampse.

[her sister] Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 41] played Kathare.

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire [aged 42] played Ocyte.

Frances Knyvet Lady Bevill [aged 39] played Notis.

Anne St John Lady Effingham [aged 30] played Psychrote.

[her niece] Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury [aged 22] played Glycyte.

Susan Vere Countess Montgomery [aged 17] played Malacia.

Mary Sidney Lady Wroth [aged 18] played Baryte.

Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham [aged 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 [aged 30] with my Lady Bedford [aged 25]; on the left were placed the [her sister] Ladies Suffolk [aged 41], Darby [aged 29], Rich [aged 42], Effingham [aged 30], Ann Herbert [aged 22], Susan Herbert [aged 17], [her niece] Elizabeth Howard [aged 22], Walsingham [aged 36] and Bevil [aged 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.