Christmas: Its Origin and Associations: Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen CenturiesDawson, W. F. (William Francis)
History
Christmas: Its Origin and Associations: Together with Its Historical Events and Festive Celebrations During Nineteen Centuries
Dawson, W. F. (William Francis)
Christmas -- History
"'--Thus talking, we entred the Prince his Hall, where anon we heard
the noise of drum and fyfe. "What meaneth this drum?" said I. Quoth
he, "This is to warn Gentlemen of the Houshold to repair to the
dresser; wherefore come on with me, and ye shall stand where ye may
best see the Hall served:" and so from thence brought me into a long
gallery, that stretched itself along the Hall neer the Prince's table,
where I saw the Prince set: a man of tall personage, a manly
countenance, somewhat brown of visage, strongly featured, and thereto
comely proportioned in all lineaments of body. At the nether end of
the same table were placed the Embassadors of sundry Princes. Before
him stood the carver, sewer, and cupbearer, with great number of
gentlemen-wayters attending his person; the ushers making place to
strangers, of sundry regions that came to behold the honour of this
mighty Captain. After the placing of these honourable guests, the Lord
Steward, Treasurer, and Keeper of Pallas Seal, with divers honourable
personages of that Nobility, were placed at a side-table neer
adjoining the Prince on the right hand: and at another table, on the
left side, were placed the Treasurer of the Houshold, Secretary, the
Prince his Serjeant at the Law, four Masters of the Revels, the King
of Arms, the Dean of the Chappel, and divers Gentlemen Pensioners to
furnish the same.
"'At another table, on the other side, were set the Master of the
Game, and his Chief Ranger, Masters of Houshold, Clerks of the Green
Cloth and Check, with divers other strangers to furnish the same.
"'On the other side against them began the table, the Lieutenant of
the Tower, accompanied with divers Captains of foot-bands and shot.
At the nether end of the Hall began the table, the High Butler, the
Panter, Clerks of the Kitchen, Master Cook of the Privy Kitchen,
furnished throughout with the souldiers and Guard of the Prince: all
which, with number of inferior officers placed and served in the Hall,
besides the great resort of strangers, I spare to write.
"'The Prince so served with tender meats, sweet fruits, and dainty
delicates confectioned with curious cookery, as it seemed wonder a
world to observe the provision: and at every course the trumpetters
blew the couragious blast of deadly war, with noise of drum and fyfe,
with the sweet harmony of violins, sack-butts, recorders, and
cornetts, with other instruments of musick, as it seemed Apollo's harp
had tuned their stroke.
"'Thus the Hall was served after the most ancient order of the Island;
in commendation whereof I say, I have also seen the service of great
Princes, in solemn seasons and times of triumph, yet the order hereof
was not inferior to any.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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