All honour that may be attributed unto any man by a wife, he hath it
wholly and fully ... all dignities that she can indue him with are
already given and granted. No man pleaseth her that contenteth not him,
and what may I say more, she hath given over unto him her whole will, to
be ruled and guided as himself best liketh. She can as much prevail with
him in anything that is against his will, as your Lordship may with me
to persuade that I should hang myself.... Upon Saturday ... at nine
hours at night, by three heralds at sound of the trumpet he was
proclaimed king. This was the night before the marriage. This day,
Monday, at twelve of the clock, the Lords, all that were in this town,
were present at the proclaiming of him again, when no man said so much
as Amen, saving his father, that cried out aloud, "God save his Grace!"
The manner of the marriage was of this sort. Upon Sunday, in the
morning, between five and six, she was conveyed by divers of her nobles
to the chapel. She had upon her back the great mourning gown of black,
with the great wide mourning hood, not unlike unto that which she wore
the doleful day of the burial of her husband. She was led unto the
Chapel by the Earls Lennox and Athole, and there she was left until her
husband came, who was also conveyed by the same lords. The ministers,
two priests, did there receive them. The banns are asked the third time,
and an instrument taken by a notary that no man said against them, or
alleged any cause why the marriage might not proceed. The words were
spoken, the rings, which were three, the middle a rich diamond, were put
upon her finger, they kneel together, and many prayers said over them.
She carrieth out the ...[16] and he taketh a kiss, and leaveth her there
and went to her chamber, whither in a space she followeth, and there
being required, according to the solemnities, to cast off her care, and
lay aside those sorrowful garments, and give herself to a pleasanter
life. After some pretty refusals, more I believe for manner sake than
grief of heart, she suffereth them that stood by, every man that could
approach to take out a pin, and so being committed to her ladies changed
her garments.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[16] Word illegible.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
_ELIZABETH ASKED TO EXPLAIN_
_Cecil to Sir Thomas Smith, from Windsor_, August 21,
1565. _Wright's Elizabeth_, vol. i. p. 206.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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