A lively prelude arose
from the musicians on the water; and two ushers with white wands
marched with a slow and stately pace from the portal. They were
followed by an officer bearing the civic mace, after whom came another
carrying the city's sword; then several sergeants of the city guard,
in their full accoutrements, and with badges on their sleeves; then
the Garter king-at-arms, in his tabard; then several knights of the
Bath, each with a white lace on his sleeve; then their esquires;
then the judges, in their robes of scarlet and coifs; then the Lord
High Chancellor of England, in a robe of scarlet, open before, and
purfled with minever; then a deputation of aldermen, in their
scarlet cloaks; and then the heads of the different civic companies,
in their robes of state. Now came twelve French gentlemen, in splendid
habiliments, consisting of pourpoints of white damask barred with
gold, short mantles of crimson velvet lined with violet taffeta, and
carnation-colored hauts-de-chausses, and took their way down the
steps. They were of the suite of the French ambassador, and were
followed by twelve cavaliers of the suite of the Spanish ambassador,
clothed in black velvet, unrelieved by any ornament. Following these
came several great English nobles with their attendants.'
There was a flourish of trumpets within; and the prince's uncle,
the future great Duke of Somerset, emerged from the gateway, arrayed
in a 'doublet of black cloth-of-gold, and a cloak of crimson satin
flowered with gold, and ribanded with nets of silver.
Pages:
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60