for the husbandmen and ploughs, he only maintaines a sheepeheard and his dog. But what do I talking of sheepe, when I am to follow the gestes of a King? I will leave them and their wolvish Lords, that have eaten up poore husbandmen like sheepe, and proceede where I left.

His Majestie being past Godmanchester, held on his way towardes Royston 1; and drawing neere the Towne, the Shiriffe of Huntingtonshire humbly tooke his leave; and there he was received by that worthy Knight Sir Edward Denny 3,

'This well-known market-town is situated in Hertfordshire, in a bottom among the chalk downs, on the extreme borders of that County and Cambridgeshire. Robert Chester, Esquire, who had been Sheriff of Hertfordshire in the 41st of Queen Elizabeth, and had the honour of entertaining the King in this Progress (see p. 105), possessed at that time the site of Royston Priory, which continued in his family during several generations; but it is now the property of Thomas Lord Dacre.—The King was so pleased with his Entertainment, and with the surrounding country, perfectly adapted to his favourite diversion of field sports, that he made repeated visits to Royston, and soon built there a small Palace, or hunting-box, wherein he signed the perfidious order for the apprehension of his favourite Carr. It was lately the residence of a carpenter, who purchased it for very little money. "The King's-house was built by James I. as an occasional residence for enjoying the amusements of hawking and hunting. That Monarch was at Royston with his favourite the Earl of Somerset, when he received intelligence of the murder of Sir Thomas Overbury; the Earl was arrested as a principal in this infamous transaction in the King's presence, and it is said, that his Majesty, who, at the moment of the arrest, had been leaning on his favourite's shoulder, said very coolly, as soon as he had quitted the apartment, " Now the de'el go with thee, for I will never see thy face any more." At the commencement of the Civil War King Charles removed from Hampton Court to his house at Royston, previously to his setting up his standard at Nottingham. On the 24th of June 1647, being a prisoner to the army, whose head quarters were then at Royston, he was lodged in his own house there two nights. The survey of Royston-house, taken during the interregnum, describes the King's lodgings as in good repair, consisting of a Presence-chamber, Privy-chamber, and other rooms. It has since gone to decay, and there are now very small remains of the building. In 1753, the site was leased to John Minchin for fifty years. This lease at the time of its expiration in 1803 was vested in Mrs. Anne Wortham." Lysons' Britannia, vol. II. p. 247.-Royston was famous during nearly the whole of the last century for a celebrated club, consisting of nearly all the Nobility and Gentry of the neighbourhood; the room in which they met being adorned with the portraits of many of them; of this club see the Gentleman's Magazine, vol. L. p. 474. LIII. pp. 813, 816. Sir John Bedell.

* Sir Edward Denny was summoned to Parliament, Oct. 27, 1604, by the title of Baron Denny of Waltham, and in 1626 was advanced to the degree of Earl of Norwich. He died in 1630, and was buried in Waltham Church. By his Lady, Mary, third daughter of Thomas Earl of Exeter, he had an only daughter, Honora, who in 1606-7, through the favour and countenance of King James was married to one of his servants and attendants from Scotland into England, Sir James Hay, Knt. to whom he granted the title of Lord Hay, with precedence next to the Barons of England, but without

High Shiriffe of Hartfordshire, attended upon by a goodly companie of proper men, being in number seven score, sutably apparalled, their liveries blew coates with sleeves parted in the middest, buttoned behinde in jerkin fashion, and white doublets, and hats and feathers, and all of them mounted on horses with red saddles. Sir Edward, after his humble dutie done, presented his Majestie with a gallant horse, a riche saddle, and furniture correspondent to the same, being of great value; which his Majestie accepted very graciously, and caused him to ride on the same before him; this worthy Knight, being of a deliver spirit, and agil body, quickly mounted, managing the gallant beast, with neate and eiduing workmanship, being in a rich sute of a yellow dun colour, somewhat neere the colour of the horse and furniture. And thus in brave manner he conducted his Majestie to one Maister Chester's house 1, where his Majestie lay that night on his owne Kingly charge.

place or voice in Parliament, and who, in 1615, was advanced to the title of Baron Hay of Sanby, and in 1617 to that of Earl of Carlisle; and of whom more hereafter.

The following anecdote is preserved by Fuller, on the authority of Thomas Smith, of Waltham Abbey: "It so fell out that I served Sir Edward Denny (towards the latter end of the raign of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory), who lived in the Abbey of Waltham Crosse, in the County of Essex, which in that time lay in ruinous heaps, and then Sir Edward began slowly now and then to make even and re-edify some of that chaos: in doing whereof, Tomkins, his gardner, came to discover (among other things) a fair marble stone, the cover of a tombe hewed out in hard stone; this cover, with some help, he removed from off the tombe, which having done, there appeared (to the view of the gardner, and Master Baker, Minister of the Town, who died long since), and to my self and Master Henry Knagg (Sir Edward's Bayliffe), the anatomy of a man lying in the tombe abovesaid, onely the bones remaining, bone to his bone, not one bone dislocated; in observation whereof, we wondred to see the bones still remaining in such due order, and no dust or other filth besides them to be seen in the tomb: we could not conceive that it had been an anatomy of bones only laid at first into the tomb; yet if it had been the whole carcass of a man, [it is generally conceived the body of King Harold,] what became of his flesh and entrals? for (as I have said above) the tomb was free from all filth and dust besides the bones.-This, when we had all well observed, I told them, that if they did but touch any part thereof, that all would fall asunder, for I had onely heard somewhat formerly of the like accident. Tryall was made, and so it came to pass. For my own part, I am perswaded, that as the flesh of this anatomy to us became invisible, so likewise would the bones have been in some longer continuance of time. Oh, what is man then, which vanisheth thus away like unto smoak or vapour, and is no more seen? Whosoever thou art that shall read this passage, thou mayst find cause

of humility sufficient."

Though "Maister Chester" was then owner of the Priory at Royston, and attended on the King at his entrance into the Town; it was more probably at his mansion of Cockenhatch (in the parish

of Berkway, near Royston) that he had the honour of entertaining this Royal Master. A View of this house may be seen in Chauncy, p. 102.

The 30th day, being Satterday, his Majestie tooke his journey towards Standon 1, to Sir Thomas Sadleir's, and by the way the Byshop of London met him, attended on by a seemely company of Gentlemen in tawny coates and chaines of gold. At Sir Thomas Sadleir's his Majestie was Royally entertained, for himselfe and his Kingly Traine; nothing being wanting the best desired, nor that the meanest could demaund. There his Majestie stayed Sunday, before whom the Byshop of London preached.

His Majestie now drawing neere to London, the numbers of people more and more increased, as wel of Nobilitie, Gentrie, Citizens, countrey people, and all, as well of degree as of no degree; so great a desire had the Noble, that they preast with the ignoble, to see their Soveraigne; this being the difference of their desires, that the better sort, either in blood or of conceit, came to observe and serve; the other to see and wonder.

The second of May, being Munday, his Majestie removed to Brockesbourne 3,

In the Note, p. 52, the words " Sir Thomas Sadleir's, or" should not have been inserted. See a View of Standon in "Queen Elizabeth's Progresses," vol. II. p. 107; and some particulars of the Sadleir family in vol. I. p. 100; vol. II. p. 104.

* Dr. Richard Bancroft, whom the King soon after visited at Fulham, and who in 1603-4 was promoted to the See of Canterbury.

• Henry Cock, Esq. of Broxbourn, Herts, was constituted Sheriff of that County in 1574, afterwards made Cofferer to the Queen, and received the honour of Knighthood in 1591. Among the evidences of the Marquis of Salisbury at Hatfield House, Mr. Clutterbuck met with the following Letter written to his Lordship's ancestor Sir Robert Cecil, by Sir Henry Cock, upon the subject of the King's Visit to him at Broxbourn Bury :

"Right Honorable, Yesterdae I was desyrous to have done my duetye unto you, and then to have understoode from you at what tyme, upon Tewesdae next, the Lordes and yourselfe were determined to attend his Majestie at Broxborne; but your honor in respect of the funeralls had then lytle leasure, and I in respect of my great busynes made haste home. Therefore, I am bolde hereby humbly to intreat your honor for honorable advice and direccion herein, whereby I maye take such order for the same as in duetye becommeth me. If yt shall please your honor to come to Broxborne in ye forenoone (whereof I shall be very gladd) although I shal be shorte of y'at I doe desyre; yeat will I (God willing) doe my endevor to make ye best provision I can for the Entertainement of you in as good sorte as for the shortenes of ye tyme I shal be able, which I hope your honor will take in good parte, remembring, under your good favor, ye olde sayinge, Better to lack meate then good companie;' thus expecting by this bearer your honors favorable answere, which the remembrance of my humble duetye, I doe committ you nowe and ever to God's mercyfull proteccion. From Broxborne ye xxixth of Aprill 1602. Yours Honor's allwaies reddye at commandement, HE. COCKE.

"To the Right Honorable Sir Robert Cecyl, Knight, Principal Secretary of the Kinges most excellent Majestie, and one of his most honorable Privie Councell."

a house of Sir Henrie Cock's, Cofferer to the late Queene Elizabeth, and now also Cofferer to his Majestie, where he met him the Lord Keeper of the Great Seale1, the Lord Tresurer, the Lord Admirall 3, with the most of the Nobility of the land and Councell of State, who were favourably received. At which time the said Lord Keeper made a briefe and learned Speech to his Majestie; to which his Highnesse answered with great grace and Princely wisdome. But to speake of his Highnesse entertainment at Brockesbourne, it was so aboundant, as there was no man, of what condition soever, but hadde what appetite desired; his Majestie also receiving thereby great contentment. And continuing there but one night, he departed the next day, thanking the good Knight for his great expences.

The 3d of May, being Tuesday, his Majestie tooke his journey towards Theobalds, a house belonging to Sir Robert Cecil, and about foure miles distant from Sir Henrie Cock's, where met him the Lord Keeper, the Lord Treasurer, the Lord Admiral, with most of the Nobilitie of the land and Counsell of Estate, who were graciously received. At which time the Lord Keeper made a most grave, learned, briefe, and pithie Oration to his Majestie. To which his Highnes answered with great grace and princely wisdome. At this house there met his Majestie all or the most part of the old Servants and Officers in Household of our late Royall Mistresse Queene Elizabeth, and with them the Guarde of his Majestie's Body, all of them being courteously received to their owne content. Also in this house of Theobalds, his Majestie made divers Noblemen of Scotland of his Honourable Privie Counsell; viz. The Duke of Lennox 5; the Erle of Marr6; the 'Thomas Egerton, afterwards Lord Ellesmere. • Robert Cecil, Lord Burleigh.

Charles Howard, Earl of Nottingham.

• Theobalds, which soon after became a Royal Palace, will be repeatedly noticed in many of the subsequent pages. 5 Of whom, see before, p. 36.

6

John Erskine, seventh Earl of Marr, was born about 1558, and bred up with King James VI. under George Buchanan. He succeeded to his father's Earldom in 1572.-In 1595 the King committed the keeping of Prince Henry to the Earl of Marr, by a warrant under his hands of this tenor: "Because in the surety of my son consisteth my surety, and I have concredited to yow the charge of his keeping, upon the trust I have of your honesty; this I command you, out of my own mouth, being in the company of those I like otherwise, for any charge or necessity that can come from me, you shall not deliver him. And in case God call me at any time, see that neither for the Queen, nor Estates their pleasure, you deliver him till he be eighteen

years of age, and that he command you himself. "This from your assured Friend,

"Stiveling, 24 July 1595."

James'

Lord Home1; Sir George Hume, Treasurer of Scotland; Sir James Elphingston 3, The Earl of Marr was Ambassador to England 1601, and there entered into negotiations for securing the succession of James to the English Throne on the death of Elizabeth. He accompanied the King to England in 1603; but was obliged to return before he came the length of York, to appease Queen Anne who had demanded her daughter, Princess Elizabeth, and her son, Prince Henry, whom the Earl had left under the care of his Countess, with the express command not to deliver them to any person whatever without an order under his hand. This, it is said, the Queen never forgave. He now set out again for England, was sworn a Privy Councillor there, and installed a Knight of the Garter, 27th July 1603. He got an exoneration from the King for his care of Prince Henry, 28th June 1603, and obtained grants of several Abbeys and Church lands, then dissolved from the Crown. He also had a grant of the Manor of Charlton in Kent, 1604. He continued several years at Court, high in the favour of the King, who trusted to and confided much in him with regard to the management of foreign affairs; and, on the 17th December 1615, delivered to him the White Staff, appointing him High Treasurer of Scotland, which he held till April 1630. The revenue was so well managed by him, that at the King's coming to Scotland 1617, the Court was entertained with the greatest magnificence out of the Treasury. His Lordship died at Stirling, 14th December 1634, æt. 77, and was buried at Alloa, 7th April 1635." Wood's Douglas.

Of whom, see before, p. 35.

Afterwards Earl of Dunbar, who will be noticed in several of the subsequent pages.

• Sir James Elphinston, third son" of Robert third Lord Elphinston, was appointed a Lord of Session in 1588; a Commissioner of the Treasury in 1595; and Secretary of State in 1598. February 20, 1603-4, he was created a Peer by the title of Lord Balmerinoch. In 1604 he was nominated one of the Commissioners on the part of Scotland, to treat of an union with England, which at that time did not take effect, and on the 1st of March 1605 he was constituted President of the Court of Session. In that high office he stemmed the secret and corrupt influence of the Earl of Dunbar on the Bench with great spirit. The King now entertained so high a regard for Lord Balmerinoch, that it is said he had an intention of nominating him the English Secretary of State, but the following circumstance put a sudden stop to his Lordship's career of favour and preferment. In 1599 his near relation Sir Edward Drummond, having mentioned that it would be easy to procure a Cardinal's hat for his martial kinsman, Drummond, Bishop of Vaizon, by obtaining a Letter from James VI. to the Pope, to request the promotion of a Scotsman to the Cardinalate, in order that he might manage the correspondence betwixt the Courts of Rome and Edinburgh, his Lordship made a proposal to that effect to his Majesty. James was not averse to correspond with Clement, but scrupled to concede his apostolical titles, which were afterwards prefixed to a letter presented with dispatches for different Cardinals, and subscribed without hesitation by the King. Much address and intrigue was employed by the Earl of Dunbar and Secretary Cecil, Balmerinoch's implacable enemies, to persuade him to exculpate Jaines; his life and estate were secured by promises, and his offices were to remain at the King's disposal. Thus he was induced to conceal some circumstances in his account of the transaction, and to satisfy others; and at the expence of his own fame, and with the danger of his life, endeavoured to draw a veil over this part of his Master's conduct. His Lordship being sent down to Scotland, by land, under a guard, was imprisoned in Falkland, tried at St. Andrew's, and found guilty of treason. Upon the King's confirming the verdict, sentence was pronounced on his Lordship in