84 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book II. 



those at Haddington, Peebles, Dumfries, and Teviot- 

 dale, of which we have no records. The sport, doubt- 

 less, continued as of yore at Chester and many other 

 localities identified with racing, including the environs 

 of the metropolis, where there appears to have been 

 several courses which subsequently became " a wilder- 

 ness of houses." 



^^ Queen Elizabeth — daughter of Henry VIII. and his 

 second wife, Anne Boleyn — born September 7, 1533 ; ascended 

 the throne November 17, 1558 ; died March 24, 1603. In her 

 youth, Elizabeth was a good horsewoman ; and indeed, after 

 she ascended the throne, her Majesty frequently rode on 

 horseback during her progresses through the country. As 

 we have already seen, the Virgin Queen was a notable patroness 

 of the Turf, kept a racing establishment, and probably had 

 the pleasure of seeing some of her own horses go first past 

 the winning-post. More than any other English sovereign, 

 Elizabeth lived among her subjects, and even long after her 

 death, her birthday was kept in " memory green " throughout 

 the realm. 



Turning to the Annals we ascertain the following 

 details : 



In the month of May, 1574, preparations were 

 made by Archbishop Parker for a visit of the queen 

 Croydon. at his palace of Croydon during the races ; 

 0.1574. ^^^ ]yjj.^ 5^ Bowyer, the queen's usher of 

 the black rod, was sent down to prepare lodgings for 

 her Majesty and her officers of state, attendants, etc. ; 

 but, after all these preparations, the visit was deferred. 



Among the distinguished persons who were to 

 accompany the queen, lodgings were provided at the 

 palace for the Lord Chamberlain, the Lord Treasurer 



