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
"On the Thursday following the Prince was solemnly invited by the
Canons of Christchurch to a comedy called _Yuletide_, where many
thinges were either ill ment by them, or ill taken by us, but wee had
very good reason to think the former, both for that the whole towne
thought so, and the whole play was a medley of Christmas sportes, by
which occasion Christmas Lords were much jested at, and our Prince was
soe placed that many thinges were acted upon him, but yet, Mr. Deane
himselfe, then vice-chancelor, very kindly sent for the Prince and
some others of our howse, and laboured to satisfie us, protesting that
no such thing was mente, as was reported, whereupon wee went away
contented, and forebore the speaking of many things which otherwise
were afterwards intended, for aunswering of them in their owne kind.
"On Candlemas nighte it was thoughte by our selves, and reported in
the towne, that the Prince should resigne his place, but nothing being
in readines for that purpose itt was deferred, but yet, least nothing
should bee done, there was a Vigilate (as they terme it) a watching
nighte procured by the Prince and his Counsell, and graunted by the
officers of the Colledge, which was performed in manner following.
"THE VIGILATE.
"First, about eighte of the Clocke (for then itt was to begin, and to
continue till fowre in the morning) the Colledge gates were shutt, and
all the students summon'd by the sounding of a Trumpett three times,
to make their personall appearance in the greate Hall, where after
they were all come together, that the Prince's pleasure might bee the
better knowne, this proclamation was publikely pronounced by a
Serjeant att Armes, in the hearing of them all.
"The high and mighty Thomas by the favour of Fortune Prince of Alba
Fortunata, Lord St. Johns, High Regent of the Hall, &c. To all
Presidents, Vice Presidents, Officers, Readers, Masters, Batchelors,
Felowes, Schollers, Commoners, Under-commoners, Servaunts, Scruitors,
sendeth greeting.
Whereas of late by the turbulent spirits of seditious minded persons
hath bene buzzed into the eares of many of our loving and liege
subjectes a fearefull and dangerous report of our sudden downefall,
which according to their libelling speeches should att this nighte
fall upon us--We have thought it necessary not so much for our owne
feares which are none at all, as for satisfieing and strengthening our
welmeaning friends in their love and duty, to publish and by these
presents to all our loyal subjects of what state and condicion soever,
that they make their personall appearance to the setting and
furnishing of a most strong guarde and carefull watch as well for
their security as the safety of our owne royall person, & the whole
Common-wealth; In the which generall watch for the better comfort and
ease of all men, our selfe, with our honourable privy Counsell, and
the rest of our Nobility, intend to bee personally present.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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