105 



Did Queen Elizabeth visit Bath in the Years 1574 and 1592. By 

 Emanuel Green. 



(Bead January 15th, 1879.J 



From some entries lately found in the Churchwardens' 

 accounts of St. Michael's parish, now being published by the 

 Somerset Archaeological Society,* the question was suggested 

 that Queen Elizabeth must have been in Bath in 1574, and this 

 I was able to answer from some notes I then had by me.f 

 Whilst much has been said of a visit in 1591 or 1592, nothing 

 was previously known of that of 1574, and I now hope, by 

 tracing her Majesty throughout her journeys, by using original 

 contemporary documents, to settle all doubt as to her where, 

 abouts in those years. 



Under the name of a Progress, it was the custom of the Court 

 to make a short annual tour or excursion through different, not 

 too distant, parts of the country, and, as may be supposed, these 

 took place during the summer months. In July then, 1574, the 

 Queen, being melancholy and much depressed about State 

 matters, suddenly, with a promptitude we may imagine somewhat 

 characteristic, determined to start on her Progress, barely 

 allowing time for the usual preparations. Quoting now a roU 

 of the Lord Chamberlain's, entitled an account for " Appareling 

 and making Keadye of the Q Mats Howses with others in Prograsse 

 tyme," the route taken can be traced day by day. Starting 

 from Greemvich her Majesty dined at Mr. Lovell's at Merton 

 Abbey, passed on to Richmond, and then by Stanewell and 

 Colebrook reached Windsor. Leaving Windsor on the 11th 

 of July, she passed by Bynfelde to Beading, then to Mr. 

 Treasurer's house, and so on the 22nd reached Ewelme, From 

 Ewelme a Yeoman was sent off in all haste to Mr. Brown's house 

 (at Halton) and then on to Woodstock, "to see those houses 

 furnished, with full expedition, by reason of her Highness 



* By C. B. Pearson, M.A. f The Bath Herald, 9th & 16th March, 1878. 



Vol. IV., No. 2. 



