DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.67417#0135
THE STUART KINGS AND OLIVER CROMWELL 99
England in May 1669, and enjoyed a day’s stag-
hunting in the Park with Prince Rupert. After-
wards he saw the palace, which, in his opinion,
greatly surpassed all other of the King’s pleasure-
houses. He admired the “ Indian tapestries, and
water-colours of Caesar’s Triumphs,” but, like most
Italians, was still more struck by the green lawns
and espalier trees, the statues and jets d’eaux of
the gardens. Certain towers and snug corners,
evidently intended for the benefit of the King’s
mistresses, also attracted his notice.1
In the latter years of his reign Charles II. seldom
visited Hampton Court. But he spent some time
at the palace in 1669, after receiving the news of
his mother’s death, and held councils there in 1679
and most of the following years. To the last he
took great interest in the decoration of the State
rooms, and caused the ceilings to be painted by
Antonio Verrio, a Neapolitan artist whom he
brought over to revive the manufacture of tapestries
at Mortlake. It was here that Verrio, whose ex-
travagance constantly led him into debt, one day
boldly ventured into the King’s presence and de-
manded a further advance of money to pay his
workmen, since, as his Majesty well knew, neither
pedlars nor painters could afford to give long
credit. The King said with a smile that he had
lately ordered him £1000. “Yes, Sire,” replied the
painter, “ but that was soon paid away, and I have
no gold left.” “ At that rate,” said Charles, “ you
spend more on yourself in a week than I do on
1 L. Magalotti, “Travels of Cosimo III. in England,” 327-329.
England in May 1669, and enjoyed a day’s stag-
hunting in the Park with Prince Rupert. After-
wards he saw the palace, which, in his opinion,
greatly surpassed all other of the King’s pleasure-
houses. He admired the “ Indian tapestries, and
water-colours of Caesar’s Triumphs,” but, like most
Italians, was still more struck by the green lawns
and espalier trees, the statues and jets d’eaux of
the gardens. Certain towers and snug corners,
evidently intended for the benefit of the King’s
mistresses, also attracted his notice.1
In the latter years of his reign Charles II. seldom
visited Hampton Court. But he spent some time
at the palace in 1669, after receiving the news of
his mother’s death, and held councils there in 1679
and most of the following years. To the last he
took great interest in the decoration of the State
rooms, and caused the ceilings to be painted by
Antonio Verrio, a Neapolitan artist whom he
brought over to revive the manufacture of tapestries
at Mortlake. It was here that Verrio, whose ex-
travagance constantly led him into debt, one day
boldly ventured into the King’s presence and de-
manded a further advance of money to pay his
workmen, since, as his Majesty well knew, neither
pedlars nor painters could afford to give long
credit. The King said with a smile that he had
lately ordered him £1000. “Yes, Sire,” replied the
painter, “ but that was soon paid away, and I have
no gold left.” “ At that rate,” said Charles, “ you
spend more on yourself in a week than I do on
1 L. Magalotti, “Travels of Cosimo III. in England,” 327-329.