=Source.=--_Archæologia_, vol. xxvi., pp. 276 _et seq._ (London:
1836).
_The coming into England of the Lord Gruthuyse from the right high and
mighty Prince Charles duke of Burgundy._
When he [Gruthuyse] came to the castle of Windsor, into the quadrant,
my lord Hastings, chamberlain to the King, Sir John Parr, Sir John Don
with divers other lords and nobles received him to the King. The King
had caused to be imparrailled on the far side of the quadrant three
chambers richly hanged with cloths of Arras and with beds of state,
and when he had spoken with the King's grace and the queen, he was
accompanied to his chamber by the lord chamberlain and Sir John Parr
with divers more, which supped with him in his chamber; also there
supped with him his servants. When they had supped, my lord chamberlain
had him again to the King's chamber. There incontinent the King had
him to the queen's chamber where she had there her ladies playing at
morteaulx,[30] and some of her ladies and gentlemen at the closheys[31]
of ivory, and dancing. And some at divers other games accordingly. The
which sight was full pleasant to them. Also the King danced with my
lady Elizabeth, his eldest daughter. That done, the night passed over,
they went to his chamber. The lord Gruthuyse took leave, and my lord
chamberlain with divers nobles accompanied him to his chamber, where
they departed for that night. And in the morning when Matins was done,
the King heard in his own chapel our Lady's mass, which was melodiously
sung, the lord Gruthuyse being there present. When the mass was done,
the King gave the said lord Gruthuyse a cup of gold garnished with
pearl. In the midst of the cup is a great piece of unicorn's horn,[32]
to my estimation, seven inches compass. And in the cover was a great
sapphire. Then went he to his chamber where he had his breakfast. And
when he had broken his fast, the King came to the quadrant. My lord
prince also, borne by his chamberlain called Master Vaughan, which bade
the aforesaid lord Gruthuyse welcome. Then the King had him and all his
company into the little Park, where he made him to have great sport.
And there the King made him ride on his own horse, a right fair hobby,
the which the King gave him.... The King's dinner was ordained in the
lodge, and before dinner they killed no game save a doe; the which the
King gave to the servants of the lord Gruthuyse. And when the King
had dined, they went a-hunting again. And by the castle were found
certain deer lying; some with greyhounds and some run to death with
buck-hounds.... By that time it was near night, yet the King shewed
him his garden and Vineyard of Pleasure, and so turned into the castle
again where they heard evensong in their chambers.
[30] A game resembling bowls.
[31] Nine-pins.
[32] A charm against poison in the cup.
The queen ordained a great banquet in her own chamber. At which banquet
were the King, the queen, my lady Elizabeth the King's eldest daughter,
the lord Gruthuyse (etc).... There was a side table at which sat a
great view of ladies, all on the one side. Also in the outer chamber
sat the queen's gentlewomen, all on one side. And on the other side of
the table over against them, as many of the lord Gruthuyse's servants,
as touching to the abundant welfare like as it is according to such a
banquet. And when they had supped, my lady Elizabeth danced with the
Duke of Buckingham and divers other ladies also. Then about nine of the
clock the King and the queen, with all her ladies, brought the said
lord Gruthuyse to three chambers of Pleasance, all hanged with white
silk and linen cloth, and all the floors covered with carpets. There
was ordained a bed for himself, of as good down as could be gotten,
the sheets of Rennes, also fine fustians; the counterpoint cloth of
gold, furred with ermine, the tester and celer also shining cloth of
gold, the curtains of white sarcent; as for his head suit and pillows,
they were of the queen's own ordering. The second chamber was another
of state, the which was all white. Also in the same chamber was made
a couch with feather beds, hanged with a tent knit like a net, and
there was a cupboard. In the third chamber was a bath or two, which
were covered with tents of white cloth. And when the King and the
queen, with all her ladies, had showed him these chambers, they turned
again to their own chambers, and left the said lord Gruthuyse there,
accompanied with my lord chamberlain, which disrobed him, and went both
to the bath.... And when they had been in their baths as long as was
their pleasure they had green ginger, confits and ypocras, and then
they went to bed.
AN ENGLISHMAN'S LIBRARY (_circa_ 1475).
=Source.=--_Paston Letters_, vol. iii., No. 869.
[+Note.+--The original manuscript is much decayed, and the
portions between brackets represent attempted reconstructions of the
text.]
_The inventory of the English books of John [Paston] made the fifth day
of November, anno regni regis E. iiij...._
1. A book had of mine hostess at the George ... of _The Death of Arthur
beginning at Cassab[elaun_, _Guy Earl of] Warwick_; _King Richard Cœur
de Lion_;[33] A chronicle ... to Edward III.
2. Item, a book of Troilus[34] which William Bra ... hath had near ten
years, and lent it to Dame ... Wyngfeld, and _ibi ego vidi_.
3. Item, a black book with _the legend of Lad[ies,[35] la Belle Dame]
saunce Mercye_; _the Parliament of Bird[s_;[36] _the Temple of]
Glass_;[37] _Palatyse and Scitacus_; _the Me[ditations]_; _the Green
Knight_.[38]