FIRST AMBASSAGE FROM RUSSIA ad. 



1557- 

 reposing himselfe that night. The next day being 



Saturday and the last day of Februarie, he was by the 

 merchants adventuring for Russia, to the number of one 

 hundred and fortie persons, and so many or more 

 servants in one liverie, as abovesaid, conducted towards 

 the citie of London, where by the way he had not onely 

 the hunting of the Foxe and such like sport shewed him, 

 but also by the Queenes majesties commandement was 

 received and embraced by the right honourable Viscount 

 Montague, sent by her grace for his entertainment : he 

 being accompanied with divers lustie knights, esquiers, His honorable 

 gentlemen and yeomen to the number of three hundred recew } n g' lnt0 

 horses led him to the North partes of the Citie of i^L™ 

 London, where by foure notable merchants richly appa- 

 relled was presented to him a right faire and large gelding 

 richly trapped, together with a footcloth of Orient 

 crimson velvet, enriched with gold laces, all furnished in 

 most glorious fashion, of the present, and gift of the sayde 

 merchants : where upon the Ambassadour at instant 

 desire mounted, riding on the way towards Smithfleld 

 barres, the first limites of the liberties of the Citie of 

 London. The Lord Maior accompanied with all the 

 Aldermen in their skarlet did receive him, and so riding 

 through the Citie of London in the middle, betweene the 

 Lord Maior and Viscount Montague, a great number of 

 merchants and notable personages riding before, and a 

 large troupe of servants and apprentises following, was 

 conducted through the Citie of London (with great 

 admiration and plausibilitie of the people running plenti- 

 fully on all sides, and replenishing all streets in such sort 

 as no man without difficultie might passe) into his 

 lodging situate in Fant church streete, where were pro- 

 vided for him two chambers richly hanged and decked, 

 over and above the gallant furniture of the whole house, 

 together with an ample and rich cupboord of plate of all 

 sortes, to furnish and serve him at all meales, and other 

 services during his abode in London, which was, as is 

 underwritten, until the third day of May : during which 



355 



