Printed by A. J. [ABEL JEFFES] for EDWARD VENGE;
and are to be sold at his shop
without Bishops Gate.
[The unique copy of this Tract is preserved in the Advocates' Library
at Edinburgh. As it is however, somewhat confusedly written; its
information has been corrected and completed from other contemporary
sources.
* * * * *
✝This is quite incorrect. The following is a truer account:
On Sunday, being the 30th of July, 1587, in the 29th year of the
reign of ELIZABETH the Queen's Majesty of England, there went from
Peterborough Master WILLIAM DETHICK, _alias_ Garter Principal King of
Arms, and five Heralds, accompanied by 40 horse and men, to conduct
the body of MARY, late Queen of Scots, from Fotheringhay Castle
in Northamptonshire (which Queen had remained prisoner in England
nineteen years): having for that purpose, brought a royal coach drawn
by four horses, and covered with black velvet; richly set forth with
escutcheons of the Arms of Scotland, and little pennons round about
it.
The body (being enclosed in lead; and the same coffined in wood) was
brought down, and reverently put into the coach.
At which time, the Heralds put on their Coats of Arms, and
bare-headed, with torches' light, brought the same forth of the
Castle, about ten of the clock at night: and so conveyed it to
Peterborough [eleven] miles distant from Fotheringhay Castle.
Whither being come, about two of the clock on the Monday morning
[31st July]; the body was received most reverently at the Minster
Door of Peterborough, by the Bishop, Dean and Chapter, and [ROBERT
COOKE] _Clarenceux_ King at Arms.
And, in the presence of the Scots which came with the same, it was
laid in a Vault prepared for the same, in the Quire of the said
Church, on the south side; opposite to the tomb of Queen KATHARINE
[of Arragon], Dowager of Spain, the first wife of King HENRY the
Eighth.
The occasion why the body was forthwith laid into the Vault, and not
borne in the Solemnity; was because it was so extreme[ly] heavy, by
reason of the lead, that the Gentlemen could not have endured to have
carried it, with leisure, in the solemn proceeding: and besides,
[it] was feared that the solder might rip; and, [it] being very hot
weather, might be found some annoyance.
_A Remembrance of the Order and Manner of the Burial of MARY, Queen
of Scots._ Printed in _Archæologia_, I., 155 [for 355], 1770.
* * * * *
The following additional details are given in the Account drawn up by
[Doctor RICHARD FLETCHER] the Dean of Peterborough. See S. GUNTON,
_History of the Cathedral of Peterburgh_, p. 78. Ed. 1686.
The body, with the closures, weighed nine hundred weight; which being
carried, and attended orderly by the said persons, was committed to
the ground in the Vault appointed: and immediately the Vault was
covered, saving a small hole left open for the Staffs to [be] broken
into.
There were at that time, not any Offices of the Church Service done:
the Bishop being ready to have executed therein. But it was by all
that were present, as well Scottish as others, thought good and
agreed, that it should be done at the day and time of Solemnity.]
[Illustration]
_The Scottish Queen's Burial at Peterborough, upon
Tuesday, being Lammas Day_ [_1st August_], 1587.
HER body was brought in a coach, about 100 attending thereon, from
Fotheringhay Castle, upon Sunday [30th July], at night.
[RICHARD HOWLAND] the Bishop of PETERBOROUGH, [RICHARD FLETCHER] the
Dean [of Peterborough], the Prebends, and the rest [of the Chapter]
met the same at the Bridge: being not far from the town: and so conveyed
it to the Bishop's Palace, and from thence upon Tuesday being Lammas
Day, [it] was carried to the Church, where she was buried[10] on
the south side of the Hearse by torchlight. [_See previous page._✝]
* * * * *
The Hearse [_or Catafalque_] was made field-bed wise; the valance of
black velvet, with a gold fringe; [and] the top of the imperial covered
with baize. About it, were set ten Posies [of the Motto of the Arms
of Scotland], _In my defence, GOD me defend!_ with ten Scutcheons
great and little; and, at the top, a double one with a crown imperial
thereupon. The Supporters [were] Unicorns, with 100 pennons or little
flags. It was impaled with baize; and in it [were] fourteen stools,
with black velvet cushions.
Upon the pillars supporting the imperial of the Hearse, the which were
all covered with velvet, were fixed Scutcheons: bearing either [the]
Red Lion alone; or else parted with the Arms of France, or with the
arms of the Lord LENOX.
The Church and Chancel were hanged with baize and Scutcheons, as at
other funerals.
* * * * *
[Here must be inserted some additional information:
Upon Monday, in the afternoon, came to Peterburgh, all the Lords and
Ladies and other Assistants appointed; and at the Bishop's Palace was
prepared [at Queen ELIZABETH's expense] a great supper for them: where
all, at one table, supped in the Great Chamber; [it] being hanged with
black.
Dean R. FLETCHER, in S. GUNTON's _History_, &c., p.
78, Ed. 1686.]
* * * * *
On Tuesday, being the 1st of August, in the morning, about eight of
the clock, the Chief Mourner, being [BRIDGET RUSSELL] the Countess of
BEDFORD [_now the Widow of her third husband_], was attended upon by
all the Lords and Ladies; and brought into the Presence Chamber within
the Bishop's Palace: which [Chamber], all over, was hanged with black
cloth.
She was, by the Queen's Majesty's Gentlemen Ushers, placed somewhat
under a Cloth of Estate [_canopy_] of purple velvet: where, (having
given to the [_Gentlemen representing, on this occasion, the_] Great
Officers, their Staffs of Office (viz. to the Lord Steward; Lord
Chamberlain; the Treasurer, and Comptroller [of the Household]), she
took her way into the Great Hall.
* * * * *
_A Remembrance of the Order, &c._ _Archæologia_, I., 155 [for 355],
1770].
The Mourners came out of the Bishop's Palace; being set in order by the
Heralds thus:
First 100 Releevants; poor old women, for the most part widows: in
black cloth gowns, with an ell of white holland over their heads;
which they had for their labour, and nine shillings apiece in money.
These divided themselves in the body of the Church; and stood half on
the one side, and half on the other: and there stood during the whole
Solemnity.
At the Church door, the Singing Men and Quiristers met the Mourners
with a _Psalm_; and led them the way into the Chancel, continuing
singing, with the Organ, until the Sermon began.
Then followed two Yeomen, viz.: the Sheriff [of Northamptonshire]'s
Bailiff and the Bailiff of Peterborough; with black staves.
And after them [100 poor men, in] Mourning Coats.
Then Sir GEORGE SAVILE, in a Mourning gown, carrying the great
Standard: viz. a Cross on a Field azure; the Streamer, a Unicorn argent
in a Field of guiles; a Posy written, _In my defence, GOD me defend!_
Then followed Mourning Cloaks, two by two, a great number: whereof the
first were the late Queen's Officers.
And after them, Mourning Gowns.
Among these Officers of her House was [Monsieur DU PREAU] a French
Jesuit, her Confessor, with a golden crucifix about his neck; which he
did wear openly: and being told, That the people murmured and disliked
at it; he said, He would do it, though he died for it. Thus we may see
how obdurate their hearts are in malice; and how obstinate they shew
themselves in the vain toys and superstitious trifles of their own
imaginations.
Then [RICHARD FLETCHER] the Dean [of Peterborough].
Next the two Bishops: [RICHARD HOWLAND] of
PETERBOROUGH, and [WILLIAM WICKHAM, of]
LINCOLN.
[CHARLES WILLOUGHBY,] the Lord WILLOUGHBY of Parham;
[LEWIS MORDAUNT,] the Lord MORDAUNT [of Turvey];
[HENRY COMPTON,] the Lord COMPTON;
Sir THOMAS CECIL [_afterwards_ Lord BURLEGH, _and
later_ Earl of EXETER]:
All four, in gowns, with White Staffs; representing the [Lord] Steward;
[the Lord] Chamberlain; [the] Treasurer, and [the] Controller [of the
Queen's Household].
After these, 16 Scots and Frenchmen; which had been Officers in her
[_Queen MARY's_] House.
Then Sir ANDREW NOEL alone, carrying the Banner of Scotland.
Then [WILLIAM, _afterwards_ Sir WILLIAM, SEGAR] Percullis the Herald
[_Portcullis Pursuivant_] bearing the Crown [_or Helmet_] and Crest:
thereon a red lion rampant crowned, holding a sword the point upward;
the Helmet overmanteled guiles powdered ermine.
Then the Target [_or Shield_, borne by JOHN RAVEN,] _Rouge
Dragon_ [_Pursuivant_];
The Sword by [HUMPHREY HALES] York [Herald];
The Coat of Arms by [ROBERT GLOVER,] Somerset Herald.
Then [ROBERT COOKE] _Clarenceux_ [King at Arms] with a
Gentleman at Arms [_or rather, a Gentleman Usher_].
* * * * *
Then followed the Coffin [_empty of course_], covered with a pall of
velvet; six Scutcheons fixed thereon, upon the head whereof stood a
Crown of Gold.
Six Gentlemen bare [_the supposed_] corpse, under a velvet canopy borne
by these four Knights:
Sir THOMAS MANNERS,
Sir JOHN HASTINGS,
Sir JAMES HARINGTON,
Sir RICHARD KNIGHTLEY.
Eight Banerols [_a Banner, about a yard square, borne at the funerals
of great persons_] borne by eight Squires; four on either side of the
Coffin.
After the [_supposed_] corpse, came the Head Mourner [BRIDGET RUSSELL,]
the Countess of BEDFORD; assisted by the two Earls [JOHN MANNERS,] of
RUTLAND and [HENRY CLINTON, of] LINCOLN: [LUCY,] the Lady St. JOHN of
Basing bearing her train.
Then followed, by two and two, other Ladies:
[WILLIAM DETHICK gives us a fuller List of these Ladies than
this Tract. The brackets show those who went together.
ELIZABETH MANNERS, the Countess of RUTLAND.}
ELIZABETH CLINTON, the Countess of LINCOLN.}
Anne, the [? Dowager] Lady Talbot.}
The Lady MARY SAVILE. }
ELIZABETH, the Lady MORDAUNT. }
CATHARINE, the Lady St. JOHN of Bletsoe.}
THEODOSIA, Wife of Sir THOMAS MANNERS.}
DOROTHY, Wife of Sir THOMAS CECIL. }
ELIZABETH, Wife of Sir EDWARD MONTAGU.}
MABEL, Wife of Sir ANDREW NOEL. }
Mistress ALINGTON. }
A Scottish Gentlewoman.}]
The other Gentlemen.
The ten Scottish and French Women of the [late] Queen's [Household]:
with black attire on their heads, of Taffaty before; and behind, White
Lawn hanging down, like French Hoods.
They, with the Scottish and French men, did all go out before the
Sermon, except MASTER MELVIN [i.e. ANDREW MELVILLE; and also BARBARA
MOWBRAY] who stayed; and came in when it was ended.
* * * * *
The Head Mourner and the [twelve] Ladies, with the two Earls assistant
were placed within the Hearse [_or Catafalque_].
The two Knights, with their Banners, were set at the East end of the
Hearse, without the pale: and the eight Squires, with their Bannerols,
four of a side, in like manner without the pale.
All the rest of the Mourners were carried up by a Herald above the
Hearse; and placed of each side, the women next the altar.
The Bishop and the Dean [of Peterborough] stood at the altar, with two
gilded basons.
* * * * *
All which being placed and set, and the Church quiet; [WILLIAM
WICKHAM,] the Bishop of LINCOLN began his Sermon [out of
_Psalm_ xxxix. 5-7].[11]
And in his prayer [when he gave thanks for such as were translated out
of this Vale of Misery, he] used these words:
"Let us bless GOD for the happy dissolution of MARY, late the Scottish
Queen and Dowager of France. Of whose life and departure, whatsoever
shall be expected, I have nothing to say: for that I was unacquainted
with the one; and not present at the other. Of Her Majesty's faith and
end, I am not to judge. It is a charitable saying of the Father LUTHER
'Many [a] one liveth a Papist; and dieth a Protestant.' Only this I
have been informed, That she took her death patiently; and recommended
herself wholly to JESUS CHRIST."
* * * * *
The Sermon ended, a long piece of velvet and a cushion were carried and
laid before the Countess [of BEDFORD], to go and kneel upon;
hard before the Bishop [of PETERBOROUGH]'s feet.
Then, by [Garter,] the King of Heralds, were carried the four Officers
with their White Staffs; and placed two at the top of the stairs under
the Bishop, and two beneath them.
Then the two principal Heralds [Garter and _Clarenceux_] fetched up the
Countess; the two Earls [of RUTLAND and LINCOLN] leading her, and the
Lady St. JOHN [of Basing] bearing up her train.
There she kneeled awhile.
And then all returned to their places.
This was the First Offering [for Queen ELIZABETH].
Not[e] that BRAKENBURY went this time before her [_the
Countess of BEDFORD_].
* * * * *
The two Earls [were] placed without the pale [of the Hearse], before
the Countess.
One of the Kings of Heralds fetched from the Hearse, the Coat Armour;
brought it down to the other King of Heralds; and he delivered it to
the two Earls. They carried it, obeisance being done to the Countess,
to the Bishop [of PETERBOROUGH]; and kissed it in delivering of it. A
third Herald took it of the Bishop; and laid it down on the altar.
The Sword, the Target, the Helmet, Crown, and Crest, in like sort was
all done by the two Earls: kissing their hands before them.
Then were the two Banners carried, by one after another, severally by
those that brought them; and so set upon the altar, leaning to the wall.
The other eight Bannerols were put into the Hearse as they stood.
* * * * *
Then went the Countess [of BEDFORD], Master JOHN MANNERS [acting as
Vice Chamberlain,] holding up her train the second time; and offered
alone [for herself] to the Bishop.
* * * * *
Then the Ladies and Gentlemen, by two and two, went up and offered.
Then the [four] Officers with White Staffs offered.
And, last of all, came there a Herald to the pulpit; and fetched the
Bishop of LINCOLN.
And then the most part of the Mourners departed, in the same order they
came in: and towards the door of the Chancel, stood the Scottish women,
parted on both sides; and as the English Ladies passed, they kissed
them all.
Then over the Vault, where the body lay; [RICHARD FLETCHER] the Dean
[of Peterborough] read the ordinary words of [the] Burial [Service].
And this being done: the four Officers brake their White Staffs over
their heads; and threw them into the Vault.
* * * * *
[Dean FLETCHER's _The Manner of the Solemnity, &c._,
concludes thus:
And so they departed to the Bishop's House: where was
a great feast appointed accordingly [at Queen ELIZABETH's
expense].
The concourse of people was of many thousands.
And, after dinner, the Nobles departed away; every one towards his own
home.
The Master of the [Queen's] Wardrobe paid to the Church, for breaking
of the ground in the Quire, and making the grave, £10; and for Blacks
of the Quire and Church, £20.[12]]