A Remembrance of the Worthy Show and Shooting by the Duke of Shoreditch

A REMEMBRANCE Of the worthy SHOW and SHOOTING BY THE DUKE of SHOREDITCH, ANDHIS ASSOCIATES THE Worſhipful Citizens of London

THE Learned in time paſt have greatly commended the penning of Hiſtories, becauſe that by them their Poſterity is certifyed, what hath been done in the days of their Anceſtors; the D4 40The Duke of Shoreditch the benefit whereof is greatly conſidered in the wiſeſt of this Age, and I would it were unknown to none. Our Elders heretofore that have regiſtred the great Battels and Skirmiſhes in times paſt mention that the Long-Bow hath done great acts, and been the overthrow of mighty Armies: Wherefore conſidering what profit and ho nourour Commonwealth of England hath gained by the Long-Bow, I have thought convenient to ſet down in Memory that moſt honourable Show of Archers, which was at London on the Seventeenth of Sep tember, 1583. chiefly for two Cauſes: Firſt, To exhort our Country men to continue at home this laudable Exerciſe, the better to diſcourage our Enemies when they haply hear thereof, that by ſo notable a thing ſhewed but in a Merriment, may the better conjecture what Engliſh men could do, if neceſſity compelled them to the ſame. Se condly, To follow the Cuſtome of our An ceſtors, which is, to leave Enrolled ſuch Matter as is worthy Memory, that ſo good a Work might ſeem new in ſuch our Succeſ ſors, and procure them to the furtherance of the like Cauſes in themſelves.

The Prince of famous Memory, King Henry the Eighth, having red in the Chro nicles 41his Shooting. nicles of England, and ſeen in his own time how armies mixed with good Archers, have evermore ſo galled the Enemy, that it hath been great cauſe of the Victory, he being one day at Mile-end when Prince Arthur and his Knights were there ſhooting , did greatly commend the Game , and allowed thereof, lauding them to their Encourage ment.

This noble King at another time keeping a Princely Court at Windſor, cauſed ſundry Matches to be made concerning ſhooting in the Long–Bow: and to which came many principal Archers, who being in Game and the upſhoot given, as all men thought, there was one Barlo yet remaining to ſhoot, being one of the Kings Guard; to whom the King very graciouſly ſaid, Win them all and thou ſhalt be Duke over all Archers. This Barlo drew his Bow, and ſhooting won the beſt. Whereat the King greatly rejoiced, com mending him for his good Archery; and for that this Barlo did dwell in Shoreditch, the King named him Duke of Shoreditch. (A ſign of a Princly mind to the encouragement of his poor ſubject.) The memory of all which, both by Prince Arthur and the Duke of Shoreditch, hath been greatly revived, and within theſe five years ſet forward at 42The Duke of Shoreditch at the great Coſt and Charges of ſundry chief Citizens, whoſe Names I omit. And now this preſent year 1583. much more beautified than ever it was, as hereafter is expreſſed. The worthy Shoreditch Duke, as Succeſſor to the former Dukes his Prede ceſſors, gave warning to all his Marqueſſes, Earls and Barons, with all their Train of Archers whatſoever, in and about the City of London, to be in a readineſs to accompany him into the Field, every one with a Long–Bowe and four Shafts, upon the Seventeenth of September, and to meet him in Smithfield, which they did for the moſt part.

On which Day in the Morning, the Duke being at Marchant–Taylors Hall,there re paired unto him all thoſe that were appointed for the Conducting of his Perſon to the place of Meeting, as Barons, and a Multitude of good Archers under his own Enſign; who, with ſound of Trumpets, Drums, and other neceſſary Inſtruments for the beautifying of the ſame, paſſed along Broadſtreet, where the Duke dwelleth, marching through Moorgate to Finſbury–Fields, and from thence into Smithfield, where a great many attended for him: then the black Train, and the Goldſmiths went forward into Holborn, the Duke and his Com- 43his Shooting. Company following in a ſeemly order; where coming againſt Hatton–Houſe, the Gold ſmiths ſtaid, and caſt themſelves into Ranks, that the Duke might have fair paſſage be tween them: So that the Train being now marching along, and the Duke paſſing by the Marqueſs Barlo, aliàs Covell, he pre ſented to his Nobleneſs a Wedge of Gold, in ſign of good will, which the Duke very thankfully accepted; then came the black Train, offering by a Page a Speech to this effect, That he was ready to aid him with all his Power, for his ſafety, into the Field: Whereat the Page, out of a Box, flung a broad, gliſtering like Gold, certain Spangles, in ſign of Liberality.

Then came the Marqueſs of Clarkenwell with Hunters, who having been abroad with their Hounds, did wind their Horns, ſo that the noiſe of them, together with the yelling and yelping of the Hounds, and the whooping and hollowing of their Pa ges which followed, there was ſuch a delight taken by the hearers thereof, as is worth Memory; which Marqueſs coming with his Foreſter, profered his Service to the Duke, which he thankfully accepted; which Hun ters were under the Earl of Pancridge, whoſe two Sons being Nephews to the Duke, 44The Duke of Shoreditch. Duke, came with their power of Knights, Barons and Squires, accompanied with ma ny good and excellent Archers, taking place, to the honour of the Duke, into the Field. Then the Goldſmiths took their place be hind the Duke, whoſe Gunners, when the Duke was even paſt, gave a worthy Volley of Shot, which rung in the Air like a Thun der Clap; and ſo took place in the hindward. Then went all the Train through Chancery lane, Sir Owen Hopton her Majesties Lieutenant of the Tower of London, Sir Rowland Haward,and divers Aldermen of London and turned towards London down Fleetſtreet, until they came to Ludgate, where ſtood ready to receive them into the the City, certain Knights of great worſhip, with many other of the Aldermen of the City, and ſundry principal Commoners in the ſame, who being men of years, and had born great good will to the laudable Game of Shooting, entred with fair large Arrows in their Hands, in black Gowns, Citizen–like, and took their place behind the Duke; andPaul’s School came unto them the Mar chant–Tay lors in their Gowns, e very one ha ving a fair broad Ar row in their hands as they yet paſſed through Pauls Church yard on the South–ſide, there came ſundry Citizens forth unto them, all in their Gowns, and took place, every one having an Arrow, as before, to the better beauti fying and ſetting forth of the ſame. Thus paſſed they through into Cheapſide, who by that time they were come thither, all their Train was in place, & marched as followeth.

Firſt 45his Shooting.

Firſt came two Enſigns before the Mar ſhal of the Field, the Marſhal being clad in green Velvet and Sattin, with a Trunchion in his hand: Then followed him forty Fo reſters, apparelled all in Green, every one bearing a Bow and four Shafts by their ſide, with horns at their backs, which they winded as they went along.

And between every one of them Pages MrBeadel in Pater noſter –Row, and Mr.Smith in Pauls Churchyard chiefeſt. in white Frocks girt unto them, upon which was ſowed green Oaken Leaves, with Caps made in the ſame manner, every One bearing a Tiller Bow or Croſſ–Bow, and broad Arrows in their hands, to the number of Forty, all whooping and hallowing when Theſe green men were prepared by Mr. Wood who being continual Rangers did both expreſs his name, and beautifie the Show. His Badge alſo bare a fair Shield upon which ſtood this Sentence, More ways than one to the Wood. the Hunters did wind their Horns. Then came ſix Trumpets ſounding, with Drums and Fifes, guarded with Halberds; then came the Marqueſs of Iſlington with 12 Knights, and thoſe ſeveral had ſix Gentlemen atten dant on them, and Pages in white Fuſtian with black Stripes, and Caps agreeable, bearing Shields, with a ſeemly ſhow of Ar chers, wearing about their Necks and Bo dies green Ribbons, and large green Scarfs. Next followed a fair, large, red Streamer, with the red Lion, with Halberds, Drums, & proper Pages in green, with Taffety Night caps, bearing Shields & Shafts in their hands. Next five Swattruttersſtrangely apparal led 46The Duke of Shoreditch. led with great Hoſe down to the ſmall of their Legs, with ſtrange Caps agreeable, The Mar queſs of S.Johns wood brought the wild men. bearing on their Necks long Swords, which ſeemed very ſtearn in Countenance: Then followed five green men clad in Ivie, with Clubs on their Necks, which were young Trees, and the Roots upward; with a worthy Show of Bowmen, who for the moſt part wore Ribbons of coloured Orange Tawny, and Oringes hanging at them.

Then came the reſidue of the Earl of Pancridge’s Train in the Fore–front there of; the two ſons to the Earl of Pancridge (himſelf not preſent, but his coſt and Charges in ſign of a willing mind did large ly appear,) with a worthy Company of excellent good Archers acompanied with Trumpets, Halberds Drums, Enſigns, and all other things neceſſary to the beauti fying of the ſame to their great praiſe, for their large Liberalities, beſides the great bountifulneſs of the Earl their Father.

Next following the Felowſhip and neer Neighbours of Ludgate parts; who at the Furtherance of this Show, had been at great Especially M. Blamor chief of them. coſt in proviſion of Trumpets, Drums, Enſigns, Fifes, and other Furniture, the moſt part were Haberdaſhers of London; who 47his Shooting. who very orderly marched through the City of London, being ſumptuouſly appa relled in Velvet Jerkins, and Hats agree able, with Chains of Gold about their Bo dies, and Pages bearing their Shields of fine workmanſhip, and a worthy Train of good Archers wearing green Scarfes and Ribbons of the ſame colour. The ſhow of Feryers proceeded, which was One hun dred handſome Fellowes with Calivers on their Necks, all trimly decked with white Feathers in their Hats; ſo had all their Com pany of Archers throughout: Then their Enſign and two Cardinals, wearing broad Hats of Tawny colour, with two ſilk ſtrings buttoned under their Chins; the ends hang ing down to their feet, apparelled in red Velvet and Satten; next followed two Fri ers clothed in black Robes, with bald Crowns and Beads in their hands, ſeeming to pray very devoutly, and bleſſing them that paſſed by, cauſing great laughing and ſport.

Then came the whole Inhabitants fol lowing, beautifying the Show, very coſtly aparelled, with a Child in the midſt of them, mounted on a great Horſe richly trapped, ſounding a Trumpet, to the great wonder of many the beholders

Then 48The Duke of Shoreditch.

Then followed the Citizens and Inhabi tants of Fleetbridge, Fleetſtreet, and Tem plebar, with a Show worth the beholding, of ſeemly Archers, all bravely apparelled in Silks and Chains, with their Enſigns, Drums, Trumpets, and ſuch other Furni ture. Then the odd Deviſe of Saint Clements Pariſh, which but ten days before had made the ſame Show in their own Pariſh, in ſet ting up the Queens Majeſties Stake in Hol born fields, which Stakemaſter Knevit, one of the Gentlemen of her Majeſties Chamber, gave unto them at his coſt and Charges. And a Gunn worth three pound, made of Gold, to be given unto him that beſt de ſerved it by ſhooting in a Peece at the Mark The L. of Leiceſter11 gave them 2 Bucks, & 40 s. in mo ney. The E. of Arundel did lend them his houſe to feast in, be sides a hogſ head of wine, and Veniſon, which he gave them. which was ſet up on purpoſe at Saint Iame’s Wall; whereby was to be ſeen the great good will of ſo bountiful and worſhip ful a Gentleman; who hath promiſed year ly, during his life, to give five ſhillings more to the ſame; the gift was given for a year to the Winner, and to the Pariſh for ever: The liberality of the right honorable Lords of the Nobility, their Bountifulneſs towards the feaſting of the whole Pariſh alſo, is worthy remembrance. The maner of the Show was, firſt, Saint Clement wearing a Rochet and a Miter, having a long gray beard, rid upon a Horſe, with his 49his Shooting. his man before him, between two hampers full of ſmall white loves, giving of Bread unto the poor, or any that would have the ſame: having alſo twelve men following on foot in white Canvas Caps, and Canvas Frocks girt to them, with Baſkets on their ſhoulders, waiting upon him, ha ving a blew Anchor painted on their breaſts and backs, finding it ſo regiſtred of him in their Legendary, That S. Clement was firſt a Baker, who for his good wit and honeſt life, was made a Biſhop, and after a Saint. After this Show came all the young men of S. Clements Pariſh, very well apparelled with Chains and ſome Scarfs; every one having his Page attending upon him in black Frocks, decked with Silver, with Caps agreeable with Edgings of white Furrs, ve ry ſeemly, bearing Shields and Shafts, which before did carry the Guns of the Bat chelors, when they went to ſet up the Stake, and to ſhoot for the gilded Gun. Next fol lowed the ancient Houſholders of the ſame Pariſh, with their Pages, having an Enſign, with Drums, and ſuch other Furniture, with a worthy Show of Archers following.

Then came the Marqueſs of Hogſden with a ſtately Enſign of red Crimſon Da maſk, in the midſt of the which Enſign there was E 50The Duke of Shoreditch. was a Phenix in ſilver carried by two men on two Staves, with ſound of Trumpets and Drums; the Show beautified with Pages as before, Handſwords to make room, and Halberds to guide and keep them in or der.

After them came the Marqueſs of Shackel well, chief Treaſurer to the Duke, with his Men, every one with white and green Ribbons, and Badges in their Hats, be fore whom was carried a moſt fair and long Enſign of red Damaſk, in the which was the Golden Lion: After the Enſign fol lowed two with Hand–ſwords, to make room, and then after them two Pages all in white Jackets, upon the which was paint ed with poudred Armour, and the one Page bare a Shield, on the which was painted a Well, on one ſide of the Well there was a Leg, and on the other an Arm, both Arm and Leg ſhackled to the Well, and branches of Box ſpringing out of the ſame; the other Page a broad Arrow in his hand.

Next after this Company came the Maſter Comptroller of the Duke’s Houſe with his Men, every man having a Bow and four Arrows as the reſt, and green Ribbons a bout their Necks.

Then 51his Shooting.

Then came a large Table, wherein was written a Deſcription of the benefit of the Shooting in the Long–Bow, and how ſhooting hath been decayed, and by whom reſtored; advertiſing men from all unlaw ful Games, as Dicing, Carding, Tipling in Alehouſes, and ſuch like, wiſhing to have the Exerciſe of Shooting to be had in uſe both by Maſters and Servants to the ſtrength and commodity of this Realm, as alſo to the terror of all Forreign Enemies, beſides two Tables drawn with Inſcriptions of honeſt Exerciſe: Then came two fair Enſigns, white and black, with Whifflers in Chains of Gold, with white Staves, and Henchmen following them bearing Shields, every Shield painted with a ſeveral Deviſe; then came the Duke himſelf, going be tween two fine Pages bearing Shafts, the Duke bearing a Standard Arrow in his hand, and being apparalled in a long Gown, Citizen–like, with a Hat on his Head, agreeable to the order of the chief Commoners of the City; then after him followed Sir Owen Hopton Knight, Lieu tenant of her Majeſties Tower of London, Sir Rowland Hayward, with other the Aldermen and Citizens ofLondon, bearing Standard Arrows in their hands, with a ſeem ly Company of Archers: Then came the Earl E2 52The Duke of Shoreditch. Earl of Buckley cloſe with Maſter Daye at Alderſgate,13 with a Show of Marqueſſes and Barons, accompanied with many Knights of Archery, beautified with Trum pets, Drums, Enſigns, and Halberds, all the Archers wearing green Scarfs; the black Prince having twelve Knights, and a Troop of Barons following him in Chains of Gold very orderly, and between them Pages in green Jackets and green Taffety Night–caps, all dropped with Gold and Conceits of rare Device on their Shields.

Then laſt of his Train came the Baron Stirrop, whoſe coſtly Stake will be in me mory after he is dead, now ſtanding at Mile end. This Baron brought a ſeemly Show of good Archers, all with green Ribbons about their Neck, and Eſcocheons in their Caps with the gilded Stirrop, expreſſing the truth of his Name: Who, beſides his great Coſt and Charges in Feaſting of his Archers, did chuſe many good Ringers of his Neigh bours, who in the Morning early did Ring at the chiefeſt Churches about London, for the honour of the Duke and his Company, feaſting them in moſt commendable man ner for their pains, who in the going out of the Duke through the City, did alſo Ring the Bells in many chief Churches all the way 53his Shooting. way he went, and likewiſe at his coming home, to their great pains and labour.

Laſt of all came the Goldſmiths, accom panied with ſome other Inhabitants in Cheapſide and elſewhere, that joyned with them in Company. The Invention of the Show was worthy noting: Firſt came Trumpets and Drums, with two Handſwords playing, making room, with a fair beautified Enſign: Then the ancienteſt ſort firſt in Gowns and Hats, with every one a fair large Arrow in his hand, expreſſing Marqueſs Barlo, ali as Covell was the chief in the Forefront of the Shoo ters. the good will to the Long–Bow, and now being aged, do give over that laudable Game to their Sons and Servants, yet ſtill well willers to the Action; and every one of them had his Page ſeemly cloathed in red Mandilians, ſtriped with ſilver, like broad Laces, and Caps of red Taffety, edged with white Furr; theſe carried their Shields of ſundry Deviſes, in the one of their hands, and an Arrow in the other hand: Then came a Ship ready rigged, carried Pagent wiſe, and cunningly made to toſs and lean ſometimes on the one ſide, and ſometimes on the other, with a Sea–fiſh ready to over throw the ſame, thruſting forth her Head, and plucking it in again, in the midſt of the Waves, and two Indians or Blackmores to E3 54The Duke of Shoreditch. to go near unto it: On the one end of the Ship ſtood the Unicorne, on the other end the Maremaid. The Ship ſeemed as though it had newly come from India, and by great travel and danger had brought home her burden, laden with Gold and Sil ver: Then followed the younger Men of their Train, and for the moſt part apparal led in Sattin Dublets, ſilk Hats, Chains of Gold about their Bodies, and ſilk Hoſe, with a Bow and four Shafts, and every one had his Page going before him in red Mandili ans, as before mentioned, and Caps accord ingly ſutable, ſome bearing Pickers, ſome Spades, and ſome Hammers, ſignifying as though they came from the Indies, and had thence, by great labour, brought homethat Treaſure which the Ship carried: And others carried Wedges of Gold, and ſome of them Silver, which by Workmanſhip is made out of the ſame Earth that the Ship bringeth; and every one of theſe Pa ges had upon their Mandilions theſe Senten ces written both before and behind;

Honeſt labour procureth health, By honeſt labour men come to wealth.

Thus every one had his Page bearing theſe Tools, like Workmen by whoſe Labor many 55his Shooting. many things are made out of Gold and Sil ver to the uſe of all men, and to the avoid ing of Idleneſs. Then upon a Staff was borne in the midſt of the ſame Show, a Coronet, whereat hung three Arrows of Silver, very workmanly made; then follow ed a Conſort of broken Muſick, playing all the way, to the great delight of all the Be holders and Hearers of the ſame: And laſt of all an hundred Shot, being very ready and nimble to diſcharge, and theſe were well appointed with Powder. Thus went they along through Cheapſide up Cornhill, and turned by Leaden–hall to Biſhops gate, where at the end of Houndſditch the Street was chained in, and there placed the Image of a monſtrons Giant, which in times paſt dwelt in that place, being ſtout ly defended with long Morrice–Pikes, Hal berds, and Wheel Guns of great ſhot ready charged againſt the Duke’s Gunners and Archers, who valiantly ſhot many Arrows into the Giant, and diſcharged their Cali vers, which the Giants men would not put up, but ſhook their Spears, ſhot off their Pieces in ſhow to defend the Place, which ſince that Giant lived belonged to Prince Arthur: Thus for ſport on both ſides, the Trumpets ſounded, the Drums, ſtruk up, the Enſigns were toſſed in ſeem ly E4 56The Duke of Shoreditch. ly ſort, and the Fencers with Tanſwords made room, beginning a Battel in ſeemly ſhow, the Shot of the Goldſmiths diſcharg ed their ſhot ſo faſt, and in good order, to the ſhaking of the Giants Fort, that hardly the People near hand, might know one a nother. Thus the Train paſſed to Shore ditch Church, and then turned down into Hogſdon–fields,into a fair large green Pa ſture Ground of goodly Compaſs, where a Tent was ſet up for the Duke and the chief Citizens, where, when they were come, they might ſit to ſee the Shooters ap pointed to ſhoot at the Butt new ſet up for the ſame, being Sevenſcore and eight yards from the other end of the Tent. The true number of Archers that ſhot, was Thirty hundred: The number that accom panied him into the Field, of Archers, Ci tizens, Whifflers, and thoſe which guard ed them with Bills, was Forty and one hundred and odd Perſons, beſides Pages and Henchmen, which was in number Three hundred and odd. The Attire worn by all this Company (for the moſt part) was very gorgeous; ſome in black Velvet Jerkins, Dublets of Satten, with Hats of Velvet; the moſt part in Satten and Taffe ty, and Hats of Taffety, a great many wearing Chains of Gold. The true num ber 57his Shooting. of Chains of Gold worn among the Company, that I ſaw, was Nine hundred forty two; the reſt of the Company did all wear green large Skarfs, ſome white Scarfs, otherſome green Ribbons, Oringe tawny Ribbons, ſome black and white, green and white, but the moſt part was green.

Before they came to the Tent, the Train marched about the Field in Warlike man ner, and forthwith caſt themſelves about and broke their Ray, every one haſting to the Tent where the Duke purpoſed to begin ſhooting. Then every Enſign brought in his Archers, and there with ſound of Trum pet proclaimed by the Herauld, That every man ſhould avoid Forty foot from each ſide of the Butt; otherwiſe to ſtand to their own perils. Thus went they to ſhooting, where by then three Enſigns had ſhot, which was about three of the Clock; word was brought to the Duke, That certain of Prince Arthur’s Knights was coming into the Field, deſirous to ſpeak with his Nobleneſs; having anſwer that they ſhould be enter tained courteouſly. Forthwith the Gold ſmiths made forth to meet them, ſtaying at their own Stake againſt their coming, who anon came, and then the Goldſmiths En ſign, and ſome of their Pages very orderly, with 58The Duke of Shoreditch. with ſome of the Archers in Chains of Gold, went and met theſe courteous Knights, mounted upon ſtately Palſreys, with ten Pages alſo on Horſback, and Iriſh Lackies with Darts running by their Horſes on foot, beſides a Trumpeter, a Herauld, and a Meſſenger, upon good Geldings: The Knights were apparelled in Cloth of Tiſſue, or Crimſon Silk and Gold; their Pages in green Silk; having likewiſe a ſeemly Com pany of Archers very richly apparelled in Sattin Dublets and Chains of Gold, to the number of Two hundred, attending on Foot, half going before, the reſidue coming behind. (A worthy Show beſeeming ſo noble a Game). Thus with great reverence they came near to the Tent, the Meſſenger clad in a Jacket of black Velvet, with a black Velvet Cap, and green Sattin Dub let; pronounced an Oration to the Duke, the Copy thereof followeth.

Moſt noble Duke, firſt to your good ſelf and next unto all your worthy Society and Company in general; I in the behalf of the moſt noble and renowned Prince Arthur, and all his noble Knights, gratifie you (and yours) with the choice of a thouſand com mendations: Fame blowing abroad, and in the Court of the Noble Prince Arthur that 59his Shooting. that this day (in this place) ſhould be prac tized the moſt excellent quality of ſhoot ing in the Long–Bow. Which news were no ſooner blazed in that moſt Royall Court, but by the conſent of their renowned Prince, theſe noble Knights mounted themſelves on Horſeback, (calling to mind) the great courteſie they received of your Nobleneſs, at the late Royal Show of their famous Prince. For requital of which your great Friendſhip, this Troop of noble Knights (for the honor they owe to the Long–Bow) are repaired hither to preſent unto your Nobleneſs a friendly Gift; which is, five Bows of Gold, and five Silver Arrows; requiring your Nobleneſs to beſtow them on five of the moſt valiant, moſt active, and moſt expert of all your Train, in ſhooting in the Long–Bow, requeſting (friendly) we may preſently ſee the delivery of them to thoſe perſons moſt worthy: hoping you will accept theſe their friendly Gifts, ſpringing from well willing minds, loth to hinder your worthy exerciſe, we omit for expence of time, that which elſe more largely ſhould have been diſcourſed. Theſe actions being finiſhed (we preſume of your courteſie) we ſhall depart friendly, alwaies wiſhing the proſperous ſucceſs of your wor thy Exerciſe.

The 60The Duke of Shoreditch.

The Duke with hearty thanks accepted theſe their preſents, promiſing with great proteſtation to match the Prince every way in good will and curteſie, wiſhing that this their amity might long continue.

Then the Knights departed with great grief to the Duke, becauſe he had provided a Bankquet for them, which could not be ſerved in by reaſon of the unrulineſs and throng of the People.

The Marqueſs Barlo chief of the Gold ſmiths, to gratify them with ſome Show of curteſie, beſtowed on them to Jugots or Wedges, one of Gold the other of Silver; and after did conduct them into their own liberties with a Volley of ſhot, which they very thankfully accepted.

And this one thing is worthy of memory, that upon the day of Prince Arthur’s ſhoot ing, which was five weeks before this Show, The Duke willing to beautifie the ſame in ſome ſeemly ſort, ſent a Buck of that ſeaſon by the Marqueſs Barlo, accompa nied with many Goldſmiths; who coming in Satten Dublets and Chains of Gold about their Bodies, with Horns at their backs, did all the way wind their Horns, and pre ſented 61his Shooting. ſented the ſame to Prince Arthur, who was at his Tent, which was at Mile–end green; he not only accepted the ſame, but alſo promiſed to have the Dukes curteſie in mind if God lent him life.

Having now digreſſed in brief, I will re turn to the Duke, who ſeeing the night draw on, broke up the ſhooting untill the next day, which was Wedneſday, where they all met again to try who could depart Vic tors of thoſe Games then to bee won. Which were in value as followeth; The firſt Fifty three ſhillings four pence, the ſecond five nobles, the third four nobles,the fourth Twenty ſhillings, and the fifth ten ſhillings. Thus every one having one ſhot at the But, the beſt five were young men; four of the beſt Games did the Earl of Pankridge’s men win; the fifth one of the Dukes men did get. The beſt and the ſecond were won by two of S. Dunſtans in the Eaſt; the beſt was a Skinners man, the ſecond a Brewers man, and he that won the firſt did dwell in S. Brides Pariſh, being a Sadlers Son, all which three were brought home in this manner. Firſt, for that it was dark, they were brought out of the Field with Torch lights to the number of two hundred, and the Winners mounted upon great Geldings, ſent to 62The Duke of Shoreditch. to them from out of thoſe parts where they dwelled, very ſumptuouſly trapped with cloth of Silk, and Silver, and another of Gold, with eight Trumpets Drums and Enſigns, with ſhot which came from Fleet ſtreet to fetch them home: and others with Halbards ſafely to conduct them, they all three were clad in green; the firſt in green Taffety, with a white Scarf about his Body, and a great Chain of Gold about his neck, with a Cap of Velvet, and a golden Band about the ſame, bearing an Arrow in his hand, and a green Ribbon hanging thereat; And ſo had they all: To their great laud and honour were they conducted firſt into Grubſtreet, then en tred the City at Cripplegate, down Wood ſtreet, and ſo into Cheapſide, continual ſhot was beſtowed to bring them home, to the great delight of the beholders: Thus marching through Paul’s Churchyard, they went to Ludgate, and ſo home, where their Trains was very thankfully received: Againſt they came home there was prepared great Banquets by their Maſters and Pa rents, to the great delight of that Pariſh where they dwelled, who would not for mony have loſt the honor of the ſame.

Then 63his Shooting.

Then did the Marqueſs Barlo with all the Goldſmiths and his convoy of men at Arms ſafe conduct the Duke home to his Norrich & Savage both notatable for ſhot in this Train. houſe, appointing one Jeffery Gates an ancient Servitor to them, to be the Lead er, who marched in the forward untill they came to the Duke’s houſe, where the Duke was no ſooner entred his houſe, and the Marqueſs together, with the chief of the Train, but the Harquebuſſers, at the appointment of Gates, charged their peeces, and forthwith did beſtow ſuch a Volley of ſhot, as cauſed the Glaſs to ſhake forth of the Glaſs windows; to the honour of the Duke, and the good liking of them all.

Then every Baron and the whole Com pany of Governors were brought home to their joy and comfort, making good chear, ſhooting off their Peeces, ſounding of Trumpets, and ſtriking up of their Drums to delight and comfort.

Thus have I (as perfectly as I may) deſcribed the manner of the ſame, repor ting the truth of what I ſaw. Then on the Monday following, the Duke had provided a ſumptuous Feaſt, to which all the Ar chers came, being kept at the Biſhop of Londons Pallace, who for the good will he 64The Duke of Shoreditch. he bore to ſhooting, lent them his houſe freely, wiſhing that it might be as com modious to them, as the Show and Sight, for proviſion of ſo many Citizens in his houſe was comfortable to him. And for fear of diſorder, there was unto every Archer given a token ſtamped with a Broad Arrow, who at the gate of the Biſhops Pallace, delivered them to thoſe they were appointed to receive them.

Which done, every man (for the moſt part having Ribbons about their necks) went to thoſe Tables, which by good fore ſight were provided for them, every man taking his place vntill the Service was brought in, the Tables furniſhed before with Table–clothes, Salt Bread, and tren chers: The great Hall of the Pallace was filled, and over the heads of the People hung the moſt ſumptuous Enſigns, under which they were before conducted to the field. There might a man behold the great proviſion of meat, the Cooks in ſuch good order dreſſing the ſame in quiet ſort as was worthy noting. And when the ſervice of meat was brought in, the Trum pets ſounded, the Drums ſtruck up, and every man in very good order placed to their contentment, ſo that the great Hall, the 65his Shooting. the largeſt Parlor, the Galleries, and other Rooms in the Houſe were filled with People, who with great rejoycing gave thanks to God for his providence and bleſſings, many wayes beſtowed on them. Then was there ſerved into one large Table, which was the higheſt Table in the great Hall, boyled Capon, roſted Beef, Veniſon Paſties, Cuſtard, Tart, roſted Capon and Rabbets, with other Diſhes neceſſary for the time, with Wine, Beer, and Ale, and ever was repleniſhed with ſufficient thereof to their contentation.

The reſt of the Tables had this ſervice to every’ Meſs. Firſt boil’d Mutton, roſted Beef, a Paſty of Veniſon, and a roſted, Ca pon, and ſome had Rabbets, beſides Beer and Ale which was ſufficient, every Meſs had a Bottle of Wine ſerved in a Bottel unto the ſame: There were three hundred Meſſes of Meat ſerved in, to the great joy and comfort of thoſe that were there, being ſerved in ſuch good order as is laudable. When the Meat was ſerved in, every man familiarly drunk one to another, and then the Duke very reverently drank to them all, whereat the Trumpets founded, the People hollowed, the Drums ſtruck up, and ſuch a noiſe was made that it was heard far F 66The Duke of Shoreditch. far off. Then the Duke with ſome of his Knights and Gentlemen, went about the whole Houſe and viſited every Table, with Drum and Fife, to the well liking of them all, ſo that with much melody they came in again into the great Hall, giving thanks to the whole Company. Then ſundry times the Trumpets ſounded, the Drums ſtruck up, and the Company drank to the Duke, paſſing away the time un till Dinner was ended. Then another Company did wind their Horns, which in good order of meaſures they did. The People by this time beginning to depart, the Duke cauſed the Herald to ſtand up and make a proclamation, that the people might be ſilent; which done, he pro nounced in ſhort ſentence, a thankſgiv ing to God for our gracious Queen, deſi ring God to ſend her long Life and Victo ry over all her enemies; whereat the People cried Amen; lifting up their Caps, heaving up the Tables over their Heads, in ſign of joy of her Majeſty, whereat the Trumpets ſounded, the Company hol lowed and ſhowted. Laſt of all they prai ſed God and ſo departed; giving the rem nant of the broken Meat to the poor and needy, of which company a number gave diligent attendance for the ſame at the 67his Shooting. the great Gate. (A charitable deed in the knitting up of ſo honorable a matter.) Thus they declared their courteſies one to another, to the maintenance of Chri ſtian unity, which I pray God long con tinue, that this her Majeſties Realm of England may be kept ſtill in Peace and Tranquility, to the maintenance of Gods Glory, the Fame and perpetual renown of of her Majeſty; whoſe life, the God and giver of all life, prolong, that our lives which depend upon Hers, may the better be preſerved and continued.

Amen.