A Journal of the Swedish Embassy in the Years 1653 and 1654, Vol II.
John Locke · en
The noblemen's coaches sent thither to accompany him went first, then
followed his two coaches, and last the Queen's coaches. In the last of
them sat the two Senators in the fore-end, Whitelocke in the back-end,
and the master in the boot; the gentlemen in the several coaches, the
pages and lacqueys walking and riding behind the coaches. At the bridge
of the castle was a guard of musketeers more than formerly, of about two
companies, with their officers; they made a lane from the bridge to the
end of the Court. As soon as Whitelocke was alighted out of the coach,
the Ricks-Hofmeister with his silver staff met him at the stairs' foot,
very many of the Queen's servants and courtiers with him very gallant.
Whitelocke's gentlemen went first, two and two up the stairs; after them
the Queen's servants, then the master of the ceremonies, then the
Hof-Marshal, then the two Senators and Whitelocke between them, followed
by his sons, his chaplains, physician, secretaries, and steward, and
after them his pages and lacqueys. In this order they mounted the stairs,
and through the great chamber to the guard-chamber, where the Queen's
partisans stood in their rich coats, with the arms of Sweden embroidered
with gold, their swords by their sides, and rich halberds gilded in
their hands; they stood in a fixed posture, more like images than men.
When they came to the audience-chamber, there was scarce room for any of
Whitelocke's gentlemen to come in; but by the civility of the Queen's
servants room was made for them, and they made a lane from the door of
the chamber to the upper end near the Queen, who was upon a foot-pace
covered with carpets, and a rich canopy over her head. Her habit was
black silk stuff for her coats, and over them a black velvet jippo, such
as men use to wear; she had upon her breast the jewel of the Order of the
Knights of Amaranta; her hair hung loose as it used to do, and her hat
was after the fashion of men. A great number of senators and of civil and
military officers and courtiers,--many more than ordinarily did appear at
any audience,--stood all bare about her, and a few ladies were behind
her. She stood upon the carpets before the state with her hat on; and
when Whitelocke came first into the room, and pulled off his hat, the
Queen presently pulled off her hat; and when Whitelocke made his honours,
she answered him, though at that distance, with a short curtsey. After
his three obeisances, being come up to the Queen, he kissed her hand;
then the Queen put on her hat, and Whitelocke{8} put on his hat, and
after a little pause, with high silence and solemnity in all the company,
Whitelocke took off his hat, and the Queen took off her hat likewise, and
all the time of his speaking both of them were uncovered. Whitelocke,
having made his ceremonies, spake to the Queen thus:--
[SN: Whitelocke's farewell speech.]
"Madam,