Biography of Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland 1574-1619

On 3rd June 1603 a number of English noble ladies selected by the Privy Council greeted Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland [aged 28] at Berwick-upon-Tweed, Northumberland [Map] with two-hundred horse including...

Frances Howard Countess Kildare

Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester [aged 57]

Philadelphia Carey Baroness Scrope Bolton

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire [aged 40].

Anne Lady Herbert [aged 20]

Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham [aged 34].

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 [aged 29] played Pallas.

Catherine Knyvet Countess Suffolk [aged 40] played Juno.

Frances Howard Duchess Lennox and Richmond [aged 25] played Diana.

Lucy Harrington Countess Bedford [aged 24] played Vesta.

Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby [aged 28] played Proserpine.

Margaret Stewart 1st Countess Nottingham [aged 13] played Concordia.

Penelope Devereux Countess Devonshire [aged 41] played Venus.

Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton [aged 26] played Macaria.

Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham [aged 35] played Astraea.

Susan Vere Countess Montgomery [aged 16] played Flora.

Dorothy Hastings [aged 25] played Ceres.

Elizabeth Howard Countess Banbury [aged 21] played Tethys.

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.

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.

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 Ladies Suffolk [aged 41], Darby [aged 29], Rich [aged 42], Effingham [aged 30], Ann Herbert [aged 22], Susan Herbert [aged 17], 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.

Memorials of affairs of state in the reigns of Q Elizabeth and K James I Volume 2. Jan 1605. Dudley Carleton [aged 32] to Ralph Winwood [aged 42]

Sir

I had written unto you at this time, though I had not been invited by your Letters I received by Captain Doyly. For in Mr. Chamberlain's Absense, I come in quarter, and have waited so diligently at Court this Christmas, that I have Matter enough, if the Report of Masks and Mummings can please you.

On St. John's Day we had the Marriage of Sir Philip Herbert [aged 21] and the Lady Susan [aged 18] performed at Whitehall, with all the Honour could be done a great Favourite. The Court was great, and for that Day put on the best Bravery. The [her son] Prince [aged 11] and [her brother] Duke of Holst [aged 26] led the Bride to Church, the Queen [aged 31] follow'd her from thence. The [her husband] King [aged 39] gave her, and she in her Tresses, and Trinketts brided and bridled it so handsomly, and indeed became her self so well, that the King said, if he were unmarried he would not give her, but keep her himself. The Marriage Dinner was kept in the great Chamber, where the Prince and the Duke of Holst, and the great Lords and Ladies accompanied the Bride. The Ambassador of Venice was the only bidden Guest of Strangers, and he had place above the Duke of Holst, which the Duke took not well. But after Dinner he was as little pleased himself; for being brought into the Closet to retire himself, he was there suffered to walk out his Supper unthought of. At Night there was a Mask in the Hall, which for Conceit and Fashion was fuitable to the Occasion. The Actors, were the Earle of Pembrook [aged 25], the Lord Willoby, Sir Samuel Hays, Sir Thomas Germain, Sir Robert Cary [aged 22], Sir John Lee, Sir Richard Preston, and Sir Thomas Eager. There was no smal Loss that Night of Chaines and Jewells, and many great Ladies were made shorter by the Skirts, and were well enough served that they could keep cut no better. The Presents of Plate, and other Things given by the Noblemen, were valued at £2500, but that which made it a good Marriage, was a Gift of the King's of £500 Land for the Bride's Joynture. They were lodged in the Councill Chamber, where the King in his Shirt and NightGown gave them a Reveille Matin before they were up, and spent a good time in or upon the Bed, chuse which you will believe. No Ceremony was omitted of Bride-Cakes, Points, Garters, and Gloves, which have been ever since the Livery of the Court; and at Night there was sewing into the Sheet, casting off the Bride's left Hose, with many other petty Sorceries.

On 10th January 1608 the Ben Johnson [aged 36] Masque of Beauty was performed at the Banqueting House, Whitehall Palace [Map] to celebrate the completion of its refurburbishment. [her husband] King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland [aged 41] attended.

The performers included:

Anne of Denmark Queen Consort Scotland England and Ireland [aged 33].

Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk [aged 23].

Catherine Brydges Countess Bedford [aged 28].

Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby [aged 32].

Susan Vere Countess Montgomery [aged 20].

Lettice Perrot Baroness Chichester [aged 48].

Audrey Shelton Lady Walsingham [aged 39].

Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor [aged 33].

Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke [aged 17].

Elizabeth Barkham Lady Garrard [aged 15].

Elizabeth Somerset [aged 18].

Elizabeth Cecil Lady Hatton [aged 30].

Mary Neville 7th and 5th Baroness Abergavenny 3rd Baroness Despencer [aged 54].

Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor.

Arabella Stewart [aged 33].

On 5th June 1610 the Tethy's Festival Masque was performed at Whitehall Palace [Map] to celebrate the investiture of [her son] Prince Frederick [aged 16] as Prince of Wales. The script was written by Samuel Daniel at the request of the Queen [aged 35], who appeared in person as Tethys a goddess of the sea. Inigo Jones [aged 36] designed the staging and scenery.

Prince Charles [aged 9] took the part of Zephyrus,.

Princess Elizabeth Stewart Queen Bohemia [aged 13] appeared as the companion or daughter of Tethys, the "Nymph of Thames",.

Arabella Stewart [aged 35] took the part of the "Nymph of Trent",.

Alethea Talbot Countess Arundel, Surrey and Norfolk [aged 25] as "Nymph of Arun".

Elizabeth Vere Countess Derby [aged 34] as "Nymph of Derwent",.

Frances Howard Countess Essex and Somerset [aged 20] as "Nymph of Lee",.

Anne Clifford Countess Dorset and Pembroke [aged 20] as "Nymph of Air",.

Susan Vere Countess Montgomery [aged 23] as "Nymph of Severn",.

Elizabeth Radclyffe Viscountess Haddington as "Nymph of Rother",.

Elizabeth Talbot Countess Kent [aged 28] as "Nymph of Medway",.

Four sisters, daughters of Edward Somerset 4th Earl of Worcester [aged 60] and Elizabeth Hastings Countess of Worcester [aged 64], danced as the rivers of Monmouthshire:

Catherine Somerset Baroness Windsor [aged 35] the "Nymph of Usk".

Katherine Somerset Baroness Petre [aged 35] the "Nymph of Olwy".

Elizabeth Somerset [aged 20] the "Nymph of Dulesse" (Dulas), and.

Mary Wintour the "Nymph of Wye".

Letters of the Court of James I 1618. 31st October 1618. London. John Chamberlain [aged 65], Esq., to Sir Dudley Carleton [aged 45].

I remember, that in my last letter, I said that Sir Walter Raleigh [aged 64] was not secure. But now he is past all peradventure; for, upon Thursday morning [29th October 1618], he was be-headed, in the old Palace at Westminster, 'twixt the Parliament House and the church. On Wednesday, he was brought from the Tower to the King's Bench bar, as they say, the manner is when a man lives above a year and a day after he is condemned; and there demanded what he could say for himself, why the sentence pronounced against him at Winchester should not be put in execution. The sum of his answer was, that the king had employed him in his service, and given him a commission, wherein he styled him "his loyal subject;" and withal given him potestatem vitæ et mortis [the power of life and death]; which did amount to a pardon. For in all reason he must be master of his own life, that hath power over other men's. The judges replied, that there is no pardon for treason by implication. Wherefore, he must find a better plea, or undergo the sentence. Thus he spoke of his trial at Winchester, and avowed that all, or the far greater part of those that were present, did acquit him in their consciences; and that the king's gracious forbearing him so long, and, but for this late accident, longer would have done, even to a hundred years, if nature could have drawn out his life so long, did show that his majesty approved his innocence. But, in conclusion, he was willed to prepare himself, and so was delivered to the sheriffs of London, and conveyed to the Gatehouse, where he spent the rest of that day in writing letters to the king, and others, and in prayer with the Dean of Westminster, who came the next morning at five o'clock, and ministered to him the communion; and, when he had broken his fast, about eight o'clock, came to the scaffold, where he found the Earls of Arundel, Oxford, Northampton, the Lord of Doncaster, and divers others. He made a speech of more than half an hour, wherein he cleared himself of having any intelligence with France, which had been objected to him, more than to save his life, and hide himself from the king's indignation. Then, that he never said any ill intent words towards his majesty, not so much as in thought. That he had no other pretence, nor end in his last voyage, than the enriching of the king, the realm, himself, and his followers. That he never had any undutiful speech concerning his majesty with the runagate French physician, nor ever offered to Sir Lewis Stukely £10,000 to go with him into France, nor told him that the Lord Arran had given him advice to be gone; and that he and the Lord of Doncaster would maintain him in France, of which points he had been accused by them. And, though he protested not only to forgive them, but to pray God to forgive them, yet he thought fit to give men warning of such persons. To all this, and much more, he took God, so often, and so solemnly to witness, that he was believed of all that heard him.

He spake somewhat of the death of the Earl of Essex, and how sorry he was for him; for though he was of a contrary faction, yet he foresaw that those who esteemed him then in that respect, yet would cast him off, as they did afterwards. He confessed himself the greatest sinner that he knew; and no marvel, as having been a soldier, a seaman, and a courtier. He excused the disfiguring of himself, by the example of David, who feigned himself mad, to avoid danger, and never heard it imputed to him for a sin. In conclusion, he spake and behaved himself so, without any show of fear or affectation, that he moved much commiseration; and all that saw him confessed that his end was, as far as man can discern, every way perfect.

It will not be amiss to set down some few passages, of divers that I have heard. The morning that he went to execution, there was a cup of excellent sack brought him, and, being asked how he liked it, "As the fellow,"said he, " that, drinking of St. Giles's bowl, as he went to Tyburn, said, that was good drink if a man might tarry by it." As he went from Westminster Hall to the Gatehouse, he spied Sir Hugh Beeston in the throng, and, calling to him, prayed he would see him die to-morrow. Sir Hugh, to make sure work, got a letter from Secretary Lake to the sheriffs, to see him placed conveniently; and meeting them, as they came near to the scaffold, delivered his letter, but the latter, by mishap, had left his spectacles at home, and put the letter in his pocket. In the mean time, Sir Hugh being thrust by, Sir Walter bade him farewell, and said, "I know not what shift you will make, but I am sure to have a place." When the hangman asked his forgiveness, he desired to see the axe; and, feeling the edge, he said, that was a sharp medicine, to cure him of all his diseases and miseries. When he was laid down, some found fault that his face was westward, and would have him turned. Whereupon, rising, he said, "It was no great matter which way a man's head stood, so his heart lay right." He had given order to the executioner, that, after some short meditation, when he stretched forth his hands, he should despatch him; ´after once or twice putting forth his hands, the fellow, out of timorousness (or what other cause), forbearing, he was fain to bid him strike, and so, at two blows, he took off his head, though he stirred not a whit after the first. The people were much affected at the sight, insomuch that one was heard to say, that we had not such another head to cut off. Another wished the head and brains to be upon S. N.'s shoulders.

There was great means made for his life; and I hear the queen [aged 43] wrote very earnestly to the king, as he tendered her health, to spare him, for that she had received great good by his receipts. I hear not so much of her recovery of late, as when I wrote last, but rather that she goes peggiorando¹, insomuch that it is doubted whether the king will come hither to-day from Theobalds, or go direct to Hampton Court, where she lies.

peggiorando i.e. getting worse.