DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67417#0112
8o
HAMPTON COURT
leading part in “ Robin Goodfellow ” and the
other comedies that were given this Christmas-
tide.
The last and crowning performance took place
on Sunday, the 8th of January, when Daniel’s
“ Masque of the Twelve Goddesses ” was put on
the stage, and the Queen herself appeared as Pallas,
wearing a helmet studded with gems and jewelled
buskins. The ladies of the royal household took
the other parts, richly attired in gorgeous silks and
satins belonging to Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe,
andjafter much singing and reciting, led out the
ambassadors and courtiers to join in the dancing.
A stately measure was followed by merry galliards,
in which, we are told by an eye-witness, the Spanish
envoy showed himself “ a lusty old reveller,” and
young Prince Henry, a boy of eleven, was tossed
from hand to hand like a tennis-ball. All played
their parts well, but for grace and good footman-
ship Pallas bore the palm away. The beautiful
stage scenery and incidental music charmed all the
spectators, and the banquet at the close “ was de-
spatched,” we are told, “with the wonted confusion.”
So this merry Christmas came to an end, “ with
nothing to disquiet us,” writes Sir Dudley Carleton,
“ save brabbles amongst our Ambassadors,” who
clamoured for precedence as usual, “ and one or
two poor companions that died of the plague.”
The King, remarks the same writer, took no extra-
ordinary pleasure in these performances, but both
the Queen and Prince Henry entered thoroughly
into the fun, and invited the actors to perform in
HAMPTON COURT
leading part in “ Robin Goodfellow ” and the
other comedies that were given this Christmas-
tide.
The last and crowning performance took place
on Sunday, the 8th of January, when Daniel’s
“ Masque of the Twelve Goddesses ” was put on
the stage, and the Queen herself appeared as Pallas,
wearing a helmet studded with gems and jewelled
buskins. The ladies of the royal household took
the other parts, richly attired in gorgeous silks and
satins belonging to Queen Elizabeth’s wardrobe,
andjafter much singing and reciting, led out the
ambassadors and courtiers to join in the dancing.
A stately measure was followed by merry galliards,
in which, we are told by an eye-witness, the Spanish
envoy showed himself “ a lusty old reveller,” and
young Prince Henry, a boy of eleven, was tossed
from hand to hand like a tennis-ball. All played
their parts well, but for grace and good footman-
ship Pallas bore the palm away. The beautiful
stage scenery and incidental music charmed all the
spectators, and the banquet at the close “ was de-
spatched,” we are told, “with the wonted confusion.”
So this merry Christmas came to an end, “ with
nothing to disquiet us,” writes Sir Dudley Carleton,
“ save brabbles amongst our Ambassadors,” who
clamoured for precedence as usual, “ and one or
two poor companions that died of the plague.”
The King, remarks the same writer, took no extra-
ordinary pleasure in these performances, but both
the Queen and Prince Henry entered thoroughly
into the fun, and invited the actors to perform in