_For the Table Book._
First.--The hall was prepared with a long table on each side, and formes
set by them; on the edges of which tables, and under those formes, were
lay’d carpets and cushions, for her majestie to kneel when she should
wash them. There was also another table set across the upper end of the
hall, somewhat above the foot pace, for the chappelan to stand at. A
little beneath the midst whereof, and beneath the said foot pace, a
stoole and cushion of estate was pitched for her majestie to kneel at
during the service time. This done, the holy water, basons, alms, and
other things, being brought into the hall, and the chappelan and poore
folkes having taken the said places, the laundresse, armed with a faire
towell, and taking a silver bason filled with warm water and sweet
flowers, washed their feet all after one another, and wiped the same
with his towell, and soe making a crosse a little above the toes kissed
them. After hym within a little while followed the subalmoner, doing
likewise, and after hym the almoner hymself also. Then lastly, her
majestie came into the hall, and after some singing and prayers made,
and the gospel of Christ’s washing of his disciples’ feet read, 39
ladyes and gentlewomen (for soe many were the poore folkes, according to
the number of the yeares complete of her majestie’s age,) addressed
themselves with aprons and towels to waite upon her majestie, and she
kneeling down upon the cushions and carpets, under the feete of the
poore women, first washed one foote of every one of them in soe many
several basons of warm water and sweete flowers, brought to her
severally by the said ladies and gentlewomen, then wiped, crossed, and
kissed them, as the almoner and others had done before. When her
majestie had thus gone through the whole number of 39, (of which 20 sat
on the one side of the hall, and 19 on the other,) she resorted to the
first again, and gave to each one certain yardes of broad clothe, to
make a gowne, so passing to them all. Thirdly, she began at the first,
and gave to each of them a pair of shoes. Fourthly, to each of them a
wooden platter, wherein was half a side of salmon, as much ling, six red
herrings, and cheat lofes of bread.[114] Fifthly, she began with the
first again, and gave to each of them a white wooden dish with claret
wine. Sixthly, she received of each waiting lady and gentlewoman their
towel and apron, and gave to each poore woman one of the same; and after
this the ladies and gentlewomen waited noe longer, nor served as they
had done throwe out the courses before. But then the treasurer of the
chamber (Mr. Hennage) came to her majestie with 39 small white purses,
wherein were also 39 pence, (as they saye,) after the number of yeares
to her majesties said age, and of him she received and distributed them
severally. Which done, she received of him soe manye leather purses
alsoe, each containing 20 sh. for the redemption of her majestie’s gown,
which (as men saye) by ancient ordre she ought to give some of them at
her pleasure; but she, to avoide the trouble of suite, which
accustomablie was made for that preferment, had changed that rewarde
into money, to be equally divided amongst them all, namely, 20 sh. a
peice, and she alsoe delivered particularly to the whole companye. And
so taking her ease upon the cushion of estate, and hearing the quire a
little while, her majestie withdrew herself, and the company departed:
for it was by that time the sun was setting.