The Mysteries of All Nations: Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together with Strange Customs, Fables, and TalesGrant, James (Archaeologist)
History
The Mysteries of All Nations: Rise and Progress of Superstition, Laws Against and Trials of Witches, Ancient and Modern Delusions Together with Strange Customs, Fables, and Tales
Grant, James (Archaeologist)
Occultism; Superstition; Trials (Witchcraft)
The story of King James VI. of Scotland and I. of England, and the
witches who attempted to drown him and his queen at sea, enables us to
judge of the credulity of the age in which this Solomon lived. The
king having resolved to marry, sought the hand of Princess Anne of
Denmark. In the month of July 1589 the Earl Marischal was despatched
to Copenhagen with a suitable retinue to conclude the match. He found
the Court of Denmark ready to listen to his proposals, and the lady so
willing to comply, that little time was lost in arranging the match.
Hasty preparations were made, and the marriage was solemnised by
proxy. A fleet of twelve sail was fitted out to convey the young queen
to Scotland. Through unforeseen circumstances, the queen's departure
was long after the time originally intended. At last the fleet sailed;
and it encountered such a fearful storm, that the ships were driven
back to the coast of Norway. Owing to the lateness of the season, and
the disabled state of the vessels, it was resolved that the queen
should not again expose herself to the dangers of an angry sea that
season.
When news reached the king of his queen's unfortunate misadventure, he
resolved to proceed on a voyage of discovery in search of her. On the
22nd of October he embarked at Leith, taking with him his chancellor,
chaplain, and a few courtiers. After a stormy passage of five days the
king landed at Upsal, where the queen was waiting. On the 23rd of
November the king and princess were married in a more solemn manner
than they had been some time previously by proxy, and they went to
Copenhagen to spend the winter. In Denmark the king spoke learnedly to
the great men of the state, whom he convinced of his superior
knowledge: he disputed on predestination and other favourite topics.
After six months delay, he departed for his kingdom, and on May-day
1590, he, his youthful bride, and splendid train arrived in Leith.
The coronation ceremony, performed with great solemnity, was gone
through on the 17th of May at Holyrood House. After three sermons, the
queen's shoulders and part of her breast were uncovered, and the holy
oil poured thereon, subsequent to which the crown was put on her head.
On the Tuesday following the queen made her public entrance into
Edinburgh, where she was received with extraordinary marks of
rejoicing. At the city gate a municipal orator greeted her Majesty
with an address in Latin, and then from a gilded globe, resting over
the gate, a little fellow, representing an angel, descended and
delivered to the queen the keys of the city.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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