A briefe declaratio[n] of the shews, deuices, speeches, and inuentions, done & performed before the Queenes Maiestie, & the French ambassadours, at the most valiaunt and worthye triumph, attempted and executed on the Munday and Tuesday in VVhitson weeke last, anno 1581 Collected, gathered, penned & published, by Henry Goldvvel, Gen.

A briefe declaratio[n] of the shews, deuices, speeches, and inuentions, done & performed before the Queenes Maiestie, & the French ambassadours, at the most valiaunt and worthye triumph, attempted and executed on the Munday and Tuesday in VVhitson weeke last, anno 1581 Collected, gathered, penned & published, by Henry Goldvvel, Gen.

Table of contents

Title page

To the verie worshipfull and his approued patrone, Master Rowland B•asebridge of great VVickombe, in the countie of Buck. Gen. his humble and faithful anowed: Henrie Goldwell wisheth that welfare which highteth eternall happines.

¶A Declaration of the Triumph shewed before the Queenes Maiestie, and the French Ambassadours, on VVhitson Munday & Tuesday.

The seconde dayes sport.

The Aucthors conclusion to the Reader.

§

§

[Page]

[Page]

A briefe declaratiō of the shews, deuices, speeches, and inuentions, done & performed before the Queenes Maiestie, & the French Ambassadours, at the most valiaunt and worthye Triumph, attempted and executed on the Munday and Tuesday in VVhitson weeke last, Anno 1581

Collected, gathered, penned & published, by Henry Goldwel, Gen.

Imprinted at London, by Robert VValdegraue, dwelling vvithout Temple-barre, neere vnto Sommer-set-House.

To the verie worshipfull and his approued patrone, Master Rowland B [...]asebridge of great VVickombe, in the countie of Buck. Gen. his humble and faithful anowed: Henrie Goldwell wisheth that welfare which highteth eternall happines.

[Page]

[Page]

SIr, I stande at a stay like the Ladie of TH [...]SSALI [...], and in a ma [...]mering maze like ALEXANDERS man, the o [...] making pitious plaintes in beholding the picture of her person, fearing she [...] shoulde not be fancied, and alwaies lamented when she wrote any letter, doubting it shoulde be disliked: The other wept in winter for extremitie of colde, and sorowed, in summer to remember the returne of HY [...]MS. So rest I assayled vvith such perplexities, and frozen with like [...]eare, not only douting to discouer these hono [...]rable Actions, for feare of the misreporting: but also fearing mine [...] vnworthiness [...] and want of skilfull eloquence to set f [...]th so woorthie a matter (as was the last Triumph perfourmed before her Maiestie:) Yet I considered with my selfe, better an ill reporter then a dumme speaker, better badly [...] open then quite forgotten, & better Porredge then no [...] VVhen APPOLLO is a sheepe then [...]AN is chief [...] [...]nstrill: vvhen PALLAS is absent, then SERES is [...] when TVL [...]IE is out of tovvn, thē CRASSVS may crake of his cunning. Therfore s [...]h no mā vvriteth at al of these vvorthies, nor no persō publisheth the exploits of these nobles, rather thē oblition should diminish their merits, I haue attēpted the vvriting. And so nere as I could I haue made a collection both of their names, speaches, and chiefest inuentions, vvhich as they bee, I present to your presence in name of a nevvse or noueltie, knovving none more vvorthie then your self, to vvhom to present this Pamphlet, both for your knovvledge in approued Martial Chiualrie, nor none vvhō I honour or ovve more dutifull loyaltie. As report hath rong forth your deserued vvorthynes, and flying FAM [...] hath resou [...]ded your seruice, both in greene youth [...] and [Page] these your graue yeres, employed asvvell in vvarres as in peace, in quailing the enemie, as in ruling your countrey, in aduenturing abroad, in aduertising at home, then a conductor, novv a [...] valiant as MARS, novve made a ciuill MAGISTRAT [...], then boldly in battell till the last blovve, novve [...] home in trayning vp souldiers, and to be short, then [...] ted a Captaine, like ACHILLES for coura [...] [...] as SCIPIO for singuler c [...]unsaile. [...] vvould delight you to heare of the tovvar [...] [...] English Nobles, and of the courage of our courtlie crue, sith you vvere absent at the perfou [...]ing of these pleasures, I haue at this present for your recreation thus certified these courtly and knightly discourses, to you vvho in times past haue bene, as gallant a courtier as a valliant souldier: But if you ere this haue bene tolde of this Triumph, it may be you heard not the names of the parties▪ a [...]d though you haue heard of the number of rumours, ye [...] paraduenture you knowe not theffect of their speaches, and though you haue h [...]d of their seueral coppies: yet happely you misse of their sund [...]e inuentions, and though you be priuie to most o [...] these matters, yet hope I you vvill like nere the vvorse of my labours, nor make lesse account of this my vvel meaning: therfore as one more aduenturus thē vvarie, more presu [...]ptuous thē vvittie, more [...]oole hard [...] then praise vvorthy, I submit my selfe to the knees of your courtesie, to like of me and my present, hop [...]ng to find that fauour at your handes vvhich an Emperour once shevved to his simplest Subiect, vvho more esteemed his poore dish of vva [...]er, thē the gifts of gold of his richest ma [...]chāts, the one proceding of loue to his povver, the other in hope of a greater gain? vvhose Image if you imitate I pronounce my self happie, and tho gain that I looke for, is your gracious good vvill? vvhereby I shalbe emboldened to attempt some vvorke more vvorthy, to gratifie your goodnes and to make mo [...] manifest my dutifull loyaltie, vvishing you novve and eueral things vvorldly to your vertuous vvill, & after the time of this transitorie life, your soule may sing Alle [...]ia vvith the number of thelect, and reap that revvard vvhich remianeth endlesse.

Yours most vvilling to be commaunded, & moste desirous to discharge his duety. H. G.

¶A Declaration of the Triumph shewed before the Queenes Maiestie, and the French Ambassadours, on VVhitson Munday & Tuesday.

[Page]

§

TO beginne particularly to wright of these attempts, and briefly to runne ouer [...]ache s [...]uerall action, the cause of the same is firste to be considered. After the arriuall of the French Ambassadours, and vpon thei [...] comming to the English court, The Nobles and Gentlemen of the same, desirous to sh [...]w them alcourtesie poss [...]ble fittest for such estates, and to sporte them with all courtly pleasure, agreede among them to prepare a Triumphe, whiche was very quickly concluded, and being deuised in moste su [...]ptuous order, was by them performed in as valiant a manner, to their endlesse fame and honour. The cheefe, or challengers in these attemptes, were these. [Page] The Earle of Arundel, the Lord Windsore Master Philip Sidney, and Master Fulke Grevill, Who calling themselues the four Foster Children of Desire, made their inuention of the foresaide Triumphe in this order and forme following.

The Gallary or place at the end of the Tiltyard adioining to her Maiesties house at Whiteball, The excellent ineuntion of the Triumph. whereas her person should be placed, was called and not without cause, the Castle or Fortresse of perfect beautie, for as much as her highnes should be there included, whereto the said Foster children layde Tytle and claime as their due by discent to belong vnto them. And vppon deniall or any [...] cpulse from that their d [...]s [...] red pa [...]rimonie, they vowed to vanquishe & conquer by force who so shoulde seeme to wit [...]stand it. For the accomplishing wherof they sent their challenge or first defiance to the Q [...]eens maiestie: which was vttred by a boy on Sunday, the sixt [...]enth of April last, as her Maiesty came frō the Chappel, who being apparrelled in red and white, as a Martial messenger of Desires fostered Children, without making any pr [...]cise reuerence [Page] at all, vttered these speeches of defiaunce, from his masters to her Maiestie, the effect whereof ensueth.

O Lady,The first defie or challenge. that doth intitle the titles you possesse with the honour of your worthinesse, rather crowning the great crowne you holde, with the fame to haue so excellinge an owner, then you receiuinge to your selfe any encrease, keeping that outward ornament? Vouchsafe with patient attention to heare the wordes which I by commandement am here to deliuer vnto you, wherein if your eares (vsed to the thankes giuing of your people and the due prayses of the earth) shall feele a stately disdayne to heare once the sounde of a de [...]ie? yet dare I warrant my selfe so farre vpon the reply deceiuing show of rare beauty, as that malice can not fall from so fayre a minde vppon the sely messenger, whose mouth is a seruant to others direction. Know ye therefore al onely Princesse, that hereby (for far of they are neuer) there lyes encamped the foure long h [...]ples, now hopeful fostered children of Desire: who hauing bin a great vvhile nourished vp vvith that infectiue milke, and to [...]o much care of their fiery fosterer, (though full oft that dry nurse dispaier indeuered to vvaine them from it) being novve as strong in that nurture, as they are vveake in Fortune, incouraged vvith the valiaunt counsaile of neuer fainting DESIRE, and by the same assured, that by right of inheritaunce euen from euer, the FORTRESSE OF BEAVTIE doth belong to her Fostered Children, Lastly, finding it blazed by all tongues, ingraued in all hearts, and proued by all eies that this fortresse [Page] built by nature is seated in this Realme: These foure I say and say againe, thus nourished, thus animated thus entituled, and thus enformed, doe vvill you by me, euen in the name of Iustice, that you wil no lō ger exclude vertuous DESIRE frō perfect BEAV TIE? VVhereto if you yelde, (O yelde for so al reason requireth) then haue I no more to say, but reioice that my sayings hath obteined so righfull, and yet so blissefull a request. But if (alasse but let not that be needful) BEAVTIR be accompanied vvith disdainfull pride, and pride vvaighted on by refusing crueltie. Then must I denounce vnto you (VVoe is me, ansvvere before it be denounced) that they determine by request to accomplish their claim, And because they vvill better testifie to the vvorlde, they haue bene brought vp vnder the vvings of honorable DESIRE, this honourable forevvarning they sende you. That vpon the xxiiii day of this month of April they vvill besiege that fatal FORTRESSE, vowing not to spare (if this obstinacie continue) the svvoorde of faithfulnesse, and the fire of affection? Novve if so it fall out, the vvorthie knights of your Court (moued vvith passion in them selues) disdaine of my senders boldenesse, or partiall liking (vvhiche I moste doubt) to the maiestie of your eyes, will either bid them battell before they approch, or suffering them to approch, will after la [...]or to l [...]uye the siege, They protest to meet them in vvhat sort they vvill chuse, vvihning onely it may bee perfourmed before your ovvne eies, vvhome they knovv as euen in iudgement, as daintie in chusing, vvhere if so they list. First at the Tilte in so many courses, as your self shall please to appoint. And then if any wil call them to the course of the field vvith Launce and svvord, [Page] they hope to giue such true proofes of their valler, as at least shal make their desires more noble, vovving on the other side, that if before the night part the fray, they do not ouercome al thē that come in against them, they vvil yeeld themselues slaues vnto you for euer? This therefore O Queene (greater in that you are Queen of your selfe, then in passing the vvhole compasse of the earth) haue I deliuered my charge, not as a challenge to your knightes? againste vvhome, (but in so iust a cause) they acknovvledge themselues vnable to match the meanest, But as a plaine proclaimation of VVarre, vnlesse the FORTRESSE OF BEAVTIE, that hath vvoon so many to lose themselues, be speedily surrendered: And novv it shalbe seene vvhat knights you haue, whom BEAVTIE may draw to resist a rightful title, And I for my pore part moued by that I see in you (thogh I serue your enemies) vvill daily pray that all men may see you, & then you shal not feare any arms of aduersaries: Or if enimies you must haue, that either they may haue the mindes of them that send me, or their fortunes in that they haue long desired.

At which day abouesaid for certain vrgent occasions,Vrgent ca [...] ses why the Challenge was deferd. the saide Challenge and Triumph by her Maiesties commādement, was deferted till the first day of May. At which day for like causes it was further deferred til the next Munday following, beeing the eighth day of May: And so till Whitson Munday, when they first began to perfourme it.

[Page] The said day being come, the foure Foster children had made preparation to besiege the Fortresse of Beawtie. And thereto had prouided a frame of wood which was couered with Canuas, & painted outwardly in such excellent order, as if it had bene very naturall earth or moulde, and caried the name of a Rowling trench, The order of the rovvling trench vvith most excellent inuentions. which went on wheeles, which way soeuer y• persons with in did driue it. Upon the top whereof was placed two Cannons of wood, so passing well coullered, as they seemed to be in deed two fayre field [...] peeces of ordinances, and by them was placed two men for Gunners clothed in Crymson Sarcenet, with their baskets of erth for defēce of their bodies by them. And also there stood on the top of the trench, an Ensigne bearer, in the same sute with the gunners, displaying his ensigne, and within the saide trench was cunningly conueyed, diuers kinde of most excellent musicke against the castle of Beauty. These things thus al in a readinesse, the Challengers approched, & came from the Stable toward the Tyltyard, one after another in braue and excellent order. And the manner of their seueral entrings was as foloweth.

[Page] First,The Earle of Arundels entrie the firste day. the Earle of Arundell entred the Ty [...]teyarde, all in Gylt and engrauen Armour, with Caparisons and furniture richly and brauely embrodered, hauing attendaunt on him, Two gentlemen vshers, iiii. Paages riding on foure spare horses, and twentie of his Gentlemen. Al which aforesayde were apparayled in shorte Clokes and venetian hose of Crymson veluet, layd with gold lace, doublets of yellow Satten, hattes of Crymson veluet with gold bands and yellow fethers, and yellow silke stocks. Then had hee sixe tump [...]ers that sounded before him. And xxxi. [...]eomen that waited after him apparailed in Cassock coats, and venetian hose of Crimson veluet, layde on wich red silke and golde lace, Duble [...]s of yellow taffatie, Hats of crimson Taffatie, with yellowe feathers, and yellowe worsted stockings.

After him proceded the Lord Windsore, The Lorde VVindsors entrie the first day. in gilte and engrauen Armour, with caparisons and furniture, richely embroydered with golde, hauing attendant on him foure Pages riding on foure spare horses, and foure and twentie gentlemen, All apparailed [Page] in short cloaks of scarlet, lined through with orange tawnie taff [...]tie, & laide about with siluer lace, Dublets of orange taw [...]y Satten, venetiāhose of orange tawnie veluet, blacke veluet caps, with siluer bandes and white feathers, and silu [...]red rapiers & daggers, with scabberds o [...]blacke velue [...]. Foure trumpetters, and [...]wo footemen in cassocke coats and ven [...]tian hose of orange tawnie veluet, and black veluet caps with siluer bands & white fethers, foure gromes of his stable leading of his foure horses, in cassocke coats and venetian hose of orange tawnie [...]affatie, and orange tawnie feltes with siluer [...]ands, and white fethers. Then had he three score yeomen in coates of Orenge tawnie clothe, with the Vnicorne of of siluer plate on their sleeues, and orange tawnie feltes with siluer bands and white feathers.

Then proceeded M. Philip Sidney, M. Sydneys entry. in very sumptuous maner, wt armor part blewe, & the rest gilt & engrauen, with foure spare horses, hauing caparisons and furniture veri riche & costly, as some of cloth of gold embroidred wt pearle, & some embroodred [Page] with gold and siluer feathers, very richly & cunningly wrought, he had foure pages y• rode on his four spare horses, who had cassok coats & venetiā hose al of cloth of siluer, layd with gold lace, & hats of y• same with golde bands, and white fethers, and eache one a paire of white buskins. Thē had he a thirtie gentlemen & [...]eomen, & foure trumpetters, who were all in cassoke coats and venetian l [...]ose of yellow veluet, laid wt siluer lace, yellowe veluet caps with siluer bands and white fethers, and euery one a paire of white buskins. And the had vppon their coates, a scrowle or bande of siluer, which came scarse wise ouer the shoulder, and so downe vnder the arme, with this po [...]e, or sentence written vpon it, both before and behinde, Sicnos non nobis.

Then came M. Fulke Gr [...]uill, in gylt armour,M. Fulke Greuils entry. with riche and fayre caparisons and furniture, hauing foure spare horses with foure Pages riding vpon them, and foure Trumpeters sounding before him, and a Twentie men gentlemen and yeomen attending vpon him, who with the Pages & Trumpe [...]ers were all apparelled in loose [Page] Ierkins of Tawnie taffatie, cut and lined with yellowe sarsenet, & laied with golde lace, and cut downe the arme and set with loopes and buttons of golde, Uenetian hose of the same lined as asoresaid, laied with golde lace downe the side with loopes and buttons of golde, with each a paire of yellow worsted stockings. And ha [...]ts of Tawnie Taffarie with golde bands and yellow Fethers. Hauing thus all entred the Tilte yard, they proceeded on with the rowling trenche before them, which staied against the Queene, and they passed by, as though they would behold the Fortresse of Beauty. And so went about the Tilt, At last the boy that vttered the firste deflaunce pronounced these speeches to her Maiestie.

If the message lately deliuered vnto you had bene beleeued and followed.The second defie or chalenge. (O Queene) in whom the whole story of vertue is written with the language of BEAVTIE. Nothing should this violence haue needed in your inuiolate presence, your eyes which til now haue bene onely wont to discerne the bowed knees of kneeling heartes, and inwardly tourned, found alwaies the heauenly peace of a sweete mind, Shoulde not nowe haue their faire beames reflec [...] with the shining of A [...]moure, shoulde not nowe be driuen to see the furie of Desire, nor the fyery force of fury: But since so it is (alasse that so it is) that in [Page] the defence of obstinate refusal ther neuer groweth victory but by compassion? They are come, what neede I say more, you see them, ready in hart as you knowe, and able with handes as they hope, not only to assailing but to preuailing. Perehance you dispise the smalnesse of number, I say vnto you, the force of DESIRE goes not by fulnesse of company. Nay rather Vew with what vnresistable determination themselues approch, And howe not onely the heauens send their inuisible Instrument to ayde them. But also the very earth the dullest of al the Elements which with naturall heauinesse still striues to the sleepie Center,Meaning the musicke vvithin the mount. yet for aduancing this enterprise is cōtented actiuely as you shal see to moue it self vpō it selfe, to rise vp in height, That it may the better command the high & high minded FORTRESSE? Many wordes when deedes are in field are tedious both to the speaker and hearer,VVhervvith the mount moued and rose vp in height. you see their forces but know not their fortunes, if you bee resolued, it boots not, and threats dread not, I haue discharged my charge, which was euen when all thinges were ready for the assaulte, then to offer partlie a thinge not so much vnused as gratious in besiegers, you shal nowe be sommoned to yeld, which if it be reiected, then looke for the affectionate Allarme to bee followed with desirous Assaulte: The time approcheth for their approches: But no time shall stay me from wishing, that how soeuer this succeede, the worlde may long time enioy her cheefest ornament, which deckes it with her felfe, and herselfe with the loue of goodnesse.

Which speach being ended, the Rowlling [Page] trench or Mounte of earth was mooued as nere the Queenes Maiestie as might be, which being setled, the musike played verie pleasauntly, and one of the Boyes being then accompanied with Cornets, summoned the Fortresse with this song.

Yeelde yeelde, O yeelde, you that this FORTE do holde,

which seated is, in spotlesse honors fi [...]lde,

Desires great force, no forces can withhold:

then to DESIERS desire, O yeelde O yeelde.

Yeelde yeelde O yeelde, trust not on beauties pride,

fayrenesse though fayer, is but a feeble shielde,

VVhen strong Desire, which vertues loue doth guide,

claymes but to gaine his due, O yeelde O yeelde.

Yeelde yeelde O yeelde, who first this Fort did make,

did it for iust Desires, true children builde,

Such was his minde, if you another take:

defence herein doth wrong, O yeelde O yeelde,

Yeelde yeelde O yeelde, now is it time to yeelde,

Before thaslault beginne, O yeelde O yeelde.

When that was ended, another Boye turning him selfe to the Foster children and their retinue, sung this Allarme.

Allarme allarme, here will no yeelding be,

such marble eares, no cunning wordes can charme,

[Page] Courage therefore, and let the stately see.

that naught withstandes DESIRE, Allarme allarme.

Allarme allarme, let not their beauties moue

remorse in you to doe this FORTRESSE harme,

For since warre is the ground of vertues loue,

no force, though force be vsed Allarme allarme.

Allarme allarme, companions nowe beginne,

about this neuer conquered walles to swarme,

More prayse to vs we neuer looke to winne,

much may that was not yet, Allarme allarme.

Allarme allarme when once the fight in warme,

then shall you see them yelde, Allarme allarme.

Which ended, the two Canons were short off,The shooting of, of the tvvo Canons, the one vvith svveet vvater, and the other vvith svveet poulder. the one with sweet poulder, and the other with sweete water, very o [...] oriferous and pleasaunt, and the noyse of the shooting was very excellent consent of mellodie within the Mounte: And after that, was store of prettie scaling ladders, and the footemen threwe Flowers and such fancies against the walles, with all such deuices as might se [...]me fit shot for Desire, All which did continue till time the Defendaunts came in.

Then came in the defendaunts in most [Page] sumptuous maner,The maner of the defendants comming in. with euery one his seruaunts, Pages, and trumpeters, (hauing some more, some lesse) in such order as I haue here vnder placed thē, with euery one his sundrie inuention, which for that some of them be mistical and not knowen to manie, I omit therefore for bre [...]ties s [...]ke to speake of anie, yet such speeches as weare spoken or presented for them to her Maiestie, so manie as were, or at the least as I c [...]uld come by, I haue [...]re in their order placed them, whereby their inucntions for whome they were spoken, are therin plainlie declared. Therefore I refer you to the reeding of them hereafter, But thus the desendaunts, entred the title yarde, one after an other as followeth.

First M. Henry Grey, Sir Thomas Parat, The defendant names that run at Tilte. M. Anthonie Cooke, M. Th [...]mas Ratcliffe, Master Henrie Knowles, M. William Knowles, M. Robert Knowles. M. Frauncis Knowles, M. Raffe Bowes, M. Thomas Kelway, M. George Goring, M. William Tresham, M. Robert Alexander, M. Edwarde Dennie, M. Herculus Meautus, M. Edward Moore, M. Richard Skipwith, M. Richard [Page]Warde, M. Edward Digibie, M. Henry Nowell, M. Henry Brunkerd. And afterwards in the middest of the running, came in Sir Henry Lea, as unknowen, and when he had brokē his sixe staues, went out in like maner againe.

So passing on one after another, when sir Thomas Parat and M. Cooke came to the end of the Tilt, ouer against the Queens Maiestie, one of their pages arraied like an Angel, vttred these speches vnto her.

Dispayre,The speeche of sir Thomas Parrat and master Cooke, to the Queene no not dispaire (moste high and happie Princesse) could so congeale the frozen knighte in the ayer but that DESIRE, (ah sweete DESIRE) enforced him to behold the Sun on the earth, wheron as he was gasing with twinckling eye (for who can behold such be [...]mes stedfastly) he begun to dissolue into droppes, m [...]lting with such delighte that hee seemed to preferre the lingering of a certaine death, before the lasting of an vncertaine life, suche is the nature of engrauen loyaltie, that it chuseth rather to haue the body dissolued then the minde disliked, Thus consuming with con [...]ent, (a sweete sicnesse is conceite) and pining with more then speakable passions, he suddenly beheld that Sunne to be besieged which he so deuoutly serued, wherewith boiling in no lesse disdain [...], then surprised with immoderate pensiuenesse, he vttered these wordes: O Ioue, if thou mean to resolue nature into contraries, why doe I liue to see it, if into nothing, why doe I liue at all, if the foote scale the head, there is no rest [Page] if DESIRE ouershoote duetie, there is no reason, and where either of these are, there can be no rule. And so setting more sighes then may bee numbred by syphers, this present time, (ah greefe) this present time, that honest and fayre harted frozen Knighte died, (what said I) euen that which againe with grief I must say died, whose ghost making speedy passage into the ELISIAN fieldes (for what more swifte then a soule) in the middest of the infernall multitude, with s [...]re [...]ches, cryes and clamers, made both Heauen and hell to redouble this Eccho,By the Sun is meant her Maiestie, called before the Fortres of Beavvtie. O times, O men, O cu [...]uption of manners, the Sunne is besieged, the Sunne (O mischiefe) the Sunne is besieged which strange and vnacquainted tea [...]es, caused not onely murmuring amongest the Ghosts beneathe, but amusing among the Gods aboue, who aswell to represse the tumultes whiche might haue risen among the shaddowes, as to reuenge the pride which began to growe on the earth, sente downe an Angell with this commaundemente,Sir Thomas Parrat and M. Cooke vvere both [...]n like ar [...]our beset, vvith apples and fruite, he one sig [...]ifiyng Adā, [...] the other [...]ue, vvho [...]ad haire [...]ung all [...]ovvn his [...]elmet. Goe discende, and cause ADAM and EVE to appeare on the earth in that sort as they were in Paradise, that the world may know them and wonder at them, [...]or seeing out of their loines haue issued those preposterous lymmes, I know none more fit to correct them! Certes none more willing: They will attempte any thing for thy sake and seruice of that earthly, and yet (O straunge consceite) moste heauēly Sunne, for as they were before driuen frō their DESIRE, because they desired to knowe the best, so now shall they be driuen to their DESIRE whiche they couet to honour most, This shall be their rewarde, they shall come neeere and yet shall not searche, and bee they farre of, it shall warme, A cloud may sometimes barre their sight, but nothing [Page] shall depriue them the sauegarde, yet commaunde them to be humble in affection, thoughe [...]uente, leaste they seeme to disdayne that pride [...], whiche they desire themselues,The Angell speaketh to the Queene The [...] [...]he higheste, delighteth in the shaddowe whiche [...] shortest, and nourisheth the tree whose roote grow [...]th deepest, not whose toppe springeth loftiest. This commission and counsell ended all thinges were in a moment accompli [...]ed with suche seleritie (for to the Gods time is tied) that they were sped as soone as they were spoken, And now most renoumed and deuine Sunne, Adam & Eue being present, vouchsafe to heare somwhat in their behalfs pronounced, Sir Knights, if in besieging the sunne ye vnderstood what you had vndertaken, ye would not destroye a common blessing for a priuate benefite: VVill you subdue the sunne,He speaketh to the challengers in the behalfe of the tvvo knights, Adam & Eue. who shal rest in the shadow where the weary take breath, the disquiet rest, and all comforte, wil ye bereaue all men of those gl [...]stering and gladsome beames, what shall then prosper in the shining, but you will limbe it by the rayes. O rare exhalations, brothers you may bee to DESIRE, but sonnes ye are to ill hap, whiche thinkes you can not sincke deepe enoughe into the sea, vnlesse you take your sal from the sunne, Desist you knights, desist, sithe it is impossible to resist, content your se [...]es with the sunnes indifferent succour, suffer the Ieniper shrub to growe by the loftie Oake, and claime no prerog [...]tiue where the sunne grauntes no priuiledge, for being of the same mettall that others are, the sunne wil work the like effects, as she doth [...] others, The Giants wold haue ben gods, if they could haue scaled the heauens & you no lesse then star [...]es, could you cōquer the same But as their throwing hil vpō hil did manifest their pride, but nothing further [Page] their pretence, So your laying challenge vpō claim, & conquest vpon challeng, may wel proue a wil but no worthinesse, A desire to reach, but no possibility to recouer, In which your soaring attemptes if you chāce to fal, the only cōfort you haue, is to cry with PHAETOn MAGNIS EXCIDIMVS AVSIS: But if no perswasions may moue your minds: Know ye proud Knights, there are that haue hearts as big as mountaines, and as far aboue you in provvesse, as ye are aboue all in presumption, yet not so vaine (vvhiche ye terme valiant) to assault the sunne, and vvhy, because it is impregnible, vvee content to enioy the light, ye to ecclipse it, vve to rest vnder the feete, ye to run ouer the head, we to yeeld to that vvhich nothing can conquer, you to conquer that vvhich maketh all men Captiues. But vveare it possible, that head could deuise, courage attempt, or hand execute any thing that might shevv the depth of our vnspot ted Loialty, soone should be seene (and for your selues to soone) that your enterprises should bee of as small account then, as novv they are of lightlihood, to deepe an impressi [...]n is engrauen in our thoughts, for the maiestie of that sunne vvhich novv pearcing our eyes hath fully subdued our hearts, that vve are prest in her defence to offer the vvhole vvorld defiance, In proofe vvhereof I am charged to throvve dovvne his Gauntler, vvhich vvho so dareth take vp, shall feele both the heate of their iuste conceiued quarrell, and the reproch of their ovvn deserued folly, not my riding in breaking a fevve staues to ende the strife, but at Tournie or vvhat else so euer they can deuise or dare aduenture for to vvin the benefite of BEAVTIE, Thus moste renoumed and deuine BEAVTIE, vvhose beames shine like the Sun, haue ADAM and EVE aduentured to defend the Sunne, [Page] the same I call Beautie the lighte of the vvorlde, the maruel of men, the mirour of nature, on vvhich their encounter, if those fauourable gleams may fall, they vvil not onely thinke to haue done good herein, but to be restored ag [...]ine to Paradi [...]e, the one meaneth to repose his trust in a vvoman, vvho like Eve cannot be beguiled, t [...]e other to rest on a Saint, vvhich by a Serpent vvill not be tempted, Thus being placed in the Garden of your Graces, O of all thinges moste gratious vvhere vertues grovve as thicke as leaues did in Paradise. They vvill take heedeto taste of the forbidden fruite, contented to beholde, not coueting to take holde, And for that it hath bin long argued, [...]nd no arguing can end? vvhether the first offence came by the crudelitie of ADAM, or the simplicitie of Eve, the one defending his faulte by sounde arguments, the other excusing hers by sharp ansvveres, they most humbly s [...]e for this, that either by Six courses betvvene them the quarrell may bee ended, or by your highnes peremptory sentence determined, for they both being in the vvorld are desirous that one might beare the blame of both, And vvhat herein your excellencie shall set downe, there is none shall gainsay, For whensoeuer the question shall be moued, No other reason shall bee allovved then this.

Elizabetha dixit.

This speech being thus ended, Sir Thomas Parat, and M. Cooke proceded backward on the other side of the Tilte, And when M. Ratcliffe came likewise against the Q [...]ene, one of his Pages pronounced [Page] these speeches in his Masters behalf to her Maiestie.

So manie vvere the misfortunes, (most renoumed and beavvtifull Princesse) of the desolate knight my master,M. Ratcliffes speech to the Queene as neither the shortnes of the time vvil suffer me to repeat, nor the greatnes af the misterie to remember? But let this su [...]ise that some there vvere and so manifold, that Geometrie vvhere on the body of man hangeth coulde not beare being intollerable, not the minde vvhich consisteth in Arithmeticke, number being infinite. Thus alvvayes crossed by fortune, vvhose crossing is no blessing, he determined to seperate him selfe as farre from societie, as his actions vvere from successe, vvho vvandering through many desertes, yet finding as he thought no place desolate, happened at the last to come to a Cliffe adioyning to the maine Sea, couered all vvith moste vvhereon he vvas vvalking, much delighted vvith the sol [...]arie seate, but not vvell liking the cold scituation, he suddenly sunke into a hollovv vaulte, surprised at the first vvith feare, but seeing it at the last a place of succour, he accounted his former miseries mee [...]ly appeased by this present fortune. In this Denne he vsed for his bed mosse, for his candle mosse, for his ceeling mosse, and vnlesse novve and then a fevve coales, mosse for his meate. A dry food God vvot and a fresh, but so moistened vvith vvette t [...]ares, and so salt, that hard it vvas to coniecture, vvhether it vvere better to feede or to fast. Here he gaue himselfe to continuall meditation, seperating his mind frō his body, his thought from his hart, yea deuorcing him self frō himself, in so much that with [Page] his strange diet & nevv conceites, he became so enchaunted, that neither the remembrance of others, nor a thought touching himselfe coulde enter into his minde: An alteration seldome heard of, that the place vvhere [...]s he vv [...]s shrovvded in, shoulde make him to forget vvho he is? Liuing thus a long time for that no limme should seeme short, rising according to [...]s maner to vvalke in the mosse in the grisping of the day hee espied vpon the shore certaine men either cast avvay by shipvvrake, or cast ouerborde by Pyrattes, vnto vvhome he vvent and perc [...]ing by their pl [...]ints one vvhich lay dead amōgst thē to be their master, enquired vvhence they vvere, but they not vvilling to repeate their misfortunes, opened the bosome of the gentleman, and pulled out as crovvle containing a claime, a challenge, nay a conquest of BEAVVTIE. At the sight vvherof, suddenly (quoth he) Beavvtie, and therevvithall apalled paused, entring by litle and litle out of his present M [...]LANCHOLI [...]S into his former misfortunes, who as one avvaked out of a long dreame, beganne thus to debate. O Beavvtie vvhere thy Fortresse is sounded I knovv, but what these brethren should mean I mar [...]ile, for as I am assured that to vvinne thee none coulde be so fortunate, so did I [...] that to claime thee none coulde be so fonde, vvhen as thou O deuine BEAVVTIE art of euery one to be desired, but neuer to be conquered of DESIRE. But as the Eagle beholding the sunne, cou [...]teth to builde her [...]est in the same, and so dimmeth her sight. So they vevving the brighnesse of BEAVVTIE are incensed to conquer it by DESIRE. And vvhat then? because she is inuincible shall I be indifferent. No, I vvill forsake this caytifly Cottage, and vvill take Armes [Page] to defende that BEAVVTIES CASTLE. Nothing shall remoue me from mine attempt, which being perfourmed, nothing can mooue me, yea but shee hath seruantes alreadie a number, I but vnlesse I be there, not the vvhole number, but many vvere famous but none more faithfull, yet alasse, if thou go, thou shalt euer be infortunate, better alvvaies infortunat, then one disloyal, vvhich vvords being ended, he demāded vvhether they vvoulde in like case aduenture vvith one of no lesse courage then their master, but certainly of greater affection: VVhose seruice he hauing vpon small entreatie obteined, for that belyke they were desirous to see the euent for the vvhich they had suffe [...]ed such aduentures, hee departed to his caue, hevving a shield out of the hard cliffe enriched onely vvith soft mosse: A double signe of his desire, thinking that nothing could manifest BEAVVTIE so well as PITHAGORAS wallunt, a tender [...]yne and a hard shell. And novve most excellent and deuine BEAVVTIE, deuine it must needes be that vvorketh so heauenly,Here the boy deliuered M. Ratclifs shild to the Queene sith he is called from his solitarie Caue to your sumptuous Court, from bondage to liberty, from a liuing death to a neuer dying life, and all for the sake and seruice of BEAVVTIE: Vouchsafe his shielde vvhich is the ensigne of your same to be the instrument of his fortune. And for prostrating himselfe to your feete, he is here readie prest to aduenture any aduentures for your gracious fa [...]r.

Which speeche beeing ended,Here entreth the iiij. sons of S. Francis Knovvles. he retyred back as the rest. And af [...]er him came the foure Sonnes of Sir Frauncis Knowles, on after another, according to their age, [Page] and all in like armour, who comming to the end of the Tilt, stayed till these speeches were vttred by one of their Pages, who being apparailed like vnto Mercurie, pronounced these speeches in the Knights behalues to her Maiestie.

Report hath bruted all abroad,The speech of the foure sonnes of sir Frauncis Knovvles, pronounced by their page being apparelled like vnto Mercurie. that desperate DESIRE vvith a vvonderfull armie of affections hath laid his siege against the inu [...]ncible FORTRESSE OF PEEERELESSE BEAVVTIE, and that the chiefest champions of this most famous enterprise, are foure of [...]incies fellovves, Fosterbrothers to DESIRE, and drie nurst by dispaire, valiant Knights, and honourable personages, vvhose hautie hearts deserue renovvne at least, for venturing to vvin the goldē fleece vvithout MEDEAS helpe. The Gyaunts long agoe did scale the cloudes men say, in hope to vvinne the fort of IVPITER. The vvantō youth, vvhose vaxed vvings did ftie vvith soaring vp aloft, had scapt vnscorcht if he had kept a meaner gale belovv. So falles it ou [...] in this attempt, DESIRE vaunts to conquer BEAVVTIES FORTE by force, vvherin the goddesse keepes continually vvatch and vvarde, so that DESIRE may dispaire to vvin one ynche of her against her vvill. Her stately seate is set so high, as that no leuell can be laid against her vvalles, and sooner may men vndertake to hit a starre vvith a stone, then to beate her braue bulvvarkes by batterie. No vndermining may pre [...]aile, for that her forte is founded vpon so firme a Rocke, as vvill not stirre for either fraude or force: And is there any hope to vvinne by famine such a forte as yeeldes continuall foode to all her foes, and [Page] though they feede not fat therevvith, yet must they either feede thereon or fast, for BEAVVTIE is the only baite vvhereon DESIRE bites, and loue the chiefe restoritie that lady BEAVVTIE likes, so that she cā no more be left vvithout meat, then men can liue vvith out mindes: Of all affections that are, DESIRE is the most vvorthie to vvoe, but least deserues to vvinne BEAVVTIE, for in vvinning his sainct he looseth him selfe, no soner hath desire vvhat he desireth, but that he dieth presently: So that vvhen BEAVVTIE yeeldeth once to desire, then can she neuer vaunt to bee desired againe: VVherefore of force this principle must stād it is conuenient for DESIRE euer to vvish, nec [...]ssarie & that he alvvaies vvant, O rare & most renovvmed BEAVVTIE, O goddes to be honored of all, not to be equalled of any, become not novve a prisoner, your FORTRESSE is inuincible, no doubt DESIRE vvill content him selfe vvith a fauourable parley, & vvaight for grace by loyaltie not chalenge it by lavvnce, although he make nere so braue, the vvordle doth knovve, that Ladi [...] BEAVVTIE needes no rescue to rayse this siege, for that she sits aboue al reach, her heauenly looks aboue when she so listes can dazell all mens eyes. But though she liste not vse those meanes, yet it is meete that all her seruantes come and shevve them selues deuout to do her vvil [...] perchaunce her pleasure is to see the fortes tried of these iiii. FOSTER friendes. O happie, tenne times happy they vvhose happe shalbe vvith fauour of her D [...], to take in hand this braue attempt: In hope wherof these iiii legitimate sonnes of Despaire, bre thren to hard mishappe, suckled vvith sighes, and svvathed vp in sorovv, vveaned in vvo, & drie nurst by DESIRE, long time fostered vvith fauourable [Page] countenāce, & fedde vvith svveet fancies, but novv of late (alas) wholy giuē ouer to griefe & is disgraced by disdain, are come vvith readie hearts and hands, to proue against these other 4. that DESIRE doth not deserue one vvinke of good fauour from Ladie BEAVTIES smiling eyes, for threatning to winne her, forte by force? They dout not the victorie if only they may find some litle shew from their Saint in fauour of their enterprise. If Mercurie haue saide amisse, blame those bright beames vvhich haue be [...]eft him of his wit, if well, v [...]uchsafe one becke to bid him packe avvay.

These speeches beeing ended, both they & the rest marched about the Tyl, [...]and so going backe to the nether ende thereof prepared themselues to run,The running of the Tilte. euery one in his tourne, each defendant six courses againste the former challangers, Who perfourmed their partes so valiantly on both sides, that their prowesse hath demerited perpetuall memory, & worthely woone honoure both to them selues and their natiue countrie. As Fame hath the same reported.

When this dayes sporte was thus accomplished, the boy that vttered the defiances, in these fewe speeches tooke his goodnight of the Queene.

[Page] In the tryall of this debatefull question (O your selfe) then vvith vvhat can be saide more,the boy that vttered the defiance, in this speeche tooke his goodnighte of the Queene. you see that seeing begins to faile. Might the ordinary truce maker though no truce be treated, (if at least your presence make it not lightsome to vvrappe all in her blacke and mourning vveedes) perchaunce mourning that since night first, vvas the noblest DESIRE, haue bene subiect to vndeserued tormentes: And therefore these knightes by thaucthoritie of darknesse verie vndesirously are compelled to departe from vvhence they came. (neuer part yet ere they goe) Thus much they command me in their names to confesse. That such excellencie they find in your knights and in comparison of them, such vnablenes in their selues. That if Desire did not banish dispaire as a traytor out of his kingdome, it vvoulde haue already vndermined their best grounded determination: but no invvard nor outvvarde vvounde, no vveakenesse, no vvearinesse, can daunt Desire, nor take avvay the natural effects that follovve it. T [...]erfore hauing left them no other courage then Desire, no other strength then Desire, no other beginning or ending cause but Desire. They vvill continue this harde and hardie enterprise to morrovve, in the meane time they can finde no place in their heartes that doeth not vvish you as svveet rest, as Psiche vvas conueyed vnto by the gentle Zephirus, and if it be p [...]ssible by the same gueste visited. They vvishe that vvhen your liddes looke vp, their Iuelles they may preserue them, to see to morrovv a better day thē this, & yet not so singuler successe, s as you may long, freely, & ioifully enioy; your selfe, to the delight of lookers, and vvonder of maikers: this said, the Knightes in order as they came departed.

[Page]

The seconde dayes sport.

The nexte dayes showe was done in this order.Here entereth a most excelling, & braue chariot, with rare curious, and costly vvork vvith the four challengers in it, vvhich chariot vvas very curiously shadovved vvith fine Lavvne. The four foster children of Desire, entered in a braue Charriot, (very finely and curiously decked) as men f [...]rewearied & half ouercome, The charriot was made in suche sort as vpon the top the 4 knights sate, wt a beautiful Lady, representing Desire about them. Wherunto their eyes were turned, in token what they desired, In the Lu [...]ke of [...] Charriot was conueied roome [...]or a full consort of Musicke, who plaied still very doleful musicke as t [...]e Charriot moued, the charriot was drawne by four horses according to the foure knightes, which horses were apparelled in White and carnation silke, beeing the colloures of Desire, and as it passed by the vpper end of the Tylt, a Harrault of Armes was sent before to vtter these speeches in the knights behalfe to her Maiestie.

No confidence in themselues,The firste speech the second day. O most vnmached Princesse, before whome enuy dieth, wanting all merenes of comparison to susteine it, And admiration is expressed, finding the scope of it void of conceaueable [Page] limits, Not any slight regarding the force of your valliant knights, hath encoura [...]ed the Foster children of Desire to make this day an inheritour of yesterdayes action: [...]ut the wing of Memorie alasse the sworne enimie to the wofullmans qui [...]tnesse, being constantly helde by the hande of perfection, And neuer ceassing to blow the cole of some kindled Desire, hath broughte their invvard fyer to blaze forth this flame vnquench [...]ble by any mean [...]s [...] by death the whole fewel be consumed, and ther [...] fore not able to maister it, they are violently bo [...]e vvhether desire dravves. Although they must con [...]es (alas [...]) that yesterdayes braue onse [...] should come to such a confession: That they are not greatly companied vvith hope, the common supplie [...] to Desi [...]es army. So as novve from summoning this Cast [...]l to yeld, they are fallen lowly to beseech you to vouchsafe your eyes out of that Impregnable Fortresse to beholde vvhat vvill fal out betvvixt them and your famous knights: vvherein though they bee so eu [...] pressed vvith the others vallure that a [...]ready they could vnnethe haue bene able to come [...] ▪ if the charriot of Desire had not carried them, yet vvill they make this vvhole assemblie vvitnesses so fai [...]e of their vvil, That sooner their souls shall leaue their bodies then Desire shall leaue soules: In that on [...]lye standes their strength that gaue them th [...] fi [...]st courage, and must be their last comfort. For vvhat resistance is there vvhere not onely they are met with fo [...]ren enemies, such as stately disdain, vvhich looks from so high a Tower to pore Desire. That though (in it selfe) it bee greate yet in her eies (so seated) it seemes small or such on the other side as vnfortunat dispair, vvhich makes the count [...]ie so barren vvhere [Page] they lay their siege, that it woulde take avvay all the foode of fancie: But euen ciuill warre yesterdaye grew betwixt them and others, who beares the same badge of Desire: that they do so, as thus bestead they are brought to this fayer passe, to desire no more, but that this death or ouerthrowe, may be seen [...] by those eyes who are onely vnhappy, in that they can neither finde fellowes nor see them selue [...].

Which speech being done, the defendants came in, in such order as they came in the day before, therefore I shal not need to make a newe repetition of the same, sith al hath bene touched already. Then wente they to the Tourney, where they did very Nobly,Tourneyes, and Barriers couragiously tried. as the shiuering of the swordes might very well testefie, And after that to the barriers, where they lashed it out lustely, and fought couragiously, as if the Greekes and Troians had dealt their deadly dole, no partie was spared, nor estate expected, but eache knight indued to win the golden fleece, that expected eyther fame or the fauoure of his maistresse, whiche sporte continued all the same daye, And towardes the euening the sport being ended, ther was a boy sent vp to the queen being clothed in Ash colored garments [Page] in t [...]ken of humble submission, wh [...] hauing an Oliue brauch in his hande, and falling down prostrate on his face, and then kneeled vp, concluded this noble exercise with these wordes to her Maiestie,

Most renoumed Princesse of Princesse,The last speeche to the Queene in wh [...] can nothing obtein victorie, but vertue, The Foster children of Desire, (but heires onely to misfortune) [...]end me to deliuer in such wordes as sorrowe can a [...]orde their most humble hearted submission, they acknovvledge this Fortresse to be reserued for the eye of the whole vvorlde, farre listed vp, from the compasse of their d [...]tinie, They acknovvledge the blindenes of their error, in that they did not knovv [...] (hovv strong so e [...]er it be) vvithin it self to be no stronger vvithout it selfe then it pleased the desired, they acknowledge they haue degenerated frō their Fosterer in making violence accompany Desire, They acknovvledge that Desire receiued his beginning and nourishment of this [...], and therefore to committe vngratefulnesse in b [...]ing Armes (though desirous Armesl) against it [...] They aclovvledge Noble Desire should haue desired nothing so much, as the flo [...]ishing of that For [...]esse, vvhich vvas to be esteemed according to it selfes [...] They acknovvledge the least determination of vertue (vvhich stands for guard of this Fortresse) to be to strong for the strongest Desire, And therefore they do acknovvledge them selues ouercome, as to be [...] to this [...] for euer, which Tylt [Page] they will beare in their foreheades, as their other [...] i [...] engrauen in their hea [...]s: For witnesse therof they present this Oliue branch to your presence, in token of your Triumphant peace, And of their peaceable seruitude.

VVhereby they present themselues as bondmen by those bondes, vvhiche the losse of life, can onely loose: Only from out of that vvhich was theirs they craue thus much, to giue sōe token to those knights vvhich may be iudged to hauedon best in each kind of vveapon, or vvho by his deuise hath come in best sort in this desirous strife, this being don, they being now slaues (in whom much duetie requires) for fear of offēce, dare say no further, but wish from the bottom of their captiued hearts, That while this realm is thus fortified and beautified: Desire may be your [...] aduersarie.

Which speech being ended her maiestie gaue them al praise and great thankes, which they esteemed so well & thought themsel [...]es rewarded according to their own wishing, And so they departed each [...] in order, according to their first comming i [...].

The Aucthors conclusion to the Reader.

[Page]

THVS haue I (good Reader) according to my s [...]mple skill set forth this singuler pastime that thou maiest▪ beeing farre of? peraduenture knowe more, then they that were present and eye beholders of the same, which so [...]eere as I coulde either gather or get, I haue for thy pleasure here placed it, If any thing be wanting which is not here mentioned, or ought awry and not right reported, let this suffice, that my [...]il was good to haue gotten all, and most vnwiling to do ought amisse, yet s [...]ch as it is if thou well accept it, I shal thinke my paines wel emploied for thy pleasure, and gratified enough with that good will: Therefore wishing thee to thinke no worse of my work, then I thought the laber litle in working, crauing but P [...]na verba for my well meaning. I giue thee the friendly Farewell.

Thine to command in all courteous manner. HENRIE GOLDVVIL.

[Page]

Information about this book

Title statement

A briefe declaratio[n] of the shews, deuices, speeches, and inuentions, done & performed before the Queenes Maiestie, & the French ambassadours, at the most valiaunt and worthye triumph, attempted and executed on the Munday and Tuesday in VVhitson weeke last, anno 1581 Collected, gathered, penned & published, by Henry Goldvvel, Gen.

Goldwel, Henry.

Edition statement

1581

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2003-07 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A01848

ID [STC]

STC 11990

ID [STC]

ESTC S105771

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99841497

ID [PROQUEST]

99841497

ID [VID]

6083

Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal. The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission.

Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A01848)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 6083)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 384:19)

Source

— A briefe declaratio[n] of the shews, deuices, speeches, and inuentions, done & performed before the Queenes Maiestie, & the French ambassadours, at the most valiaunt and worthye triumph, attempted and executed on the Munday and Tuesday in VVhitson weeke last, anno 1581 Collected, gathered, penned & published, by Henry Goldvvel, Gen., Goldwel, Henry..

Extent

[36] p.

By Robert VValdgraue, dwelling vvithout Temple-barre, neere vnto Sommerset-House,. Imprinted at London :: [1581]. (Signatures: A-B C² .) (Running title reads: A declaration of the triumph shewed before the Queenes Maiestie.) (Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.)

Creation

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial practices

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.