1600.] OF THE MARQUIS OF WORCESTER. 



honour the^narriage of Mrs. Anne Russell ; but the day 

 is not yet appointed by her Majesty, which troubles 

 many of her friends, that stay in town to do her service.&quot; 



Some weeks more pass on, when at length we learn 

 from Greenwich, under date the 14th of June: &quot;Her 

 Majesty is in very good health, and purposes to honour 

 Mrs. Anne Russell s marriage with her presence. It is 

 thought she will stay there (at Blackfriars), Monday 

 and Tuesday. My Lord Cobham prepares his house 

 for her Majesty to lie in, because it is near the Bride- 

 house. There is to be a memorable masque of eight 

 ladies ; they have a strange dance newly invented ; 

 their attire is this : Each hath a skirt of cloth of silver, 

 a rich waistcoat wrought with silks, and gold and silver, 

 a mantle of carnation taffeta cast under the arm ; and 

 their hair loose about their shoulders, curiously knotted 

 and interlaced. These are the masquers. My Lady 

 Doritye, Mrs. Fitton, Mrs. Carey, Mrs. Onslow, Mrs. 

 Southwell, Mrs. Bess Russell, Mrs. Darcy, and my Lady 

 Blanch Somersett. These eight dance to the music 

 Apollo brings ; and there is a fine speech that makes 

 mention of a ninth, much to her honour and praise. 

 The preparation for this feast is sumptuous and great ; 

 but it is feared, that the house in Blackfriars will be 

 little for such a company. The marriage is upon Mon 

 day.&quot; 



Accordingly on Monday the 16th of June, 1600, her 

 most gracious Majesty Queen Elizabeth, arrived at 

 Blackfriars in all possible state to grace the marriage 

 of the Lord Herbert and his wife. The Bride (the 

 same gossiping authority states) met the Queen at the 

 waterside, where my Lord Cobham had provided a 

 Lectica, [used similar to a sedan chair] made like half 

 a litter, whereon she was carried to my Lady Russell s 

 by six knights. Her Majesty dined there, and at night, 



