1624.] VISIT OF THE PERSIAN AMBASSADOR. 257 



he may be said to have created, and which was destined 

 to become the head-quarters of the EngHsh turf.''" 



In connection with this royal sojourn during the 

 spring, we must now turn back, in order to refer to the 

 following incidents. 



In January, 1624, Sir Robert Shirley arrived in 

 England from Persia, where, for some time past, he 

 had been trading in silks and other commodities of that 

 country. He came home accredited with diplomatic 

 functions by the then Shah, and received all the 

 honours and ceremonies usually accorded to ambassa- 

 dors. His journey to and sojourn at the court at 

 Newmarket is thus described by Sir John Finett : — 



"The nineteenth of January, having received directions 

 from my Lord Chamberlaine to repair to Newmarket for 

 attendance of Sir Robert Sherrley (arrived Ambassador from 

 the King of Persia) to his Audience, which by his Majesties 

 appointment he was to have there \i.e. Newmarket] with the 

 advantage and commodity of his neere abode at Saxhani (his 

 first rest after his Landing and long Travells, and whence his 

 Sister the Lady Crofts sent to me to London, to prepare his 

 access to his IVTajesty.) As soone as he was come to Court I 

 sent my man to him with notice of my comming thither to 

 serve him, and having received answer of his desires to be 

 dispatcht for his speedy return, I acquainted both the Duke 

 of Buckingham, and Master Secretary Conway with the 

 cause of my comming, and the address I had from my Lord 

 Chamberlaine to him too for my further Government : so the 

 27. of January I was sent [from Newmarket to] Saxhani with 

 the Kings Coach only, and five Gentlemen, the Kings Ser- 

 vants ; and parting thence the next morning early (in 

 obedience of a Command sent Post to me thither from my 

 Lord Duke after midnight, That the King having assigned 



* State Papers, Dom., vols. \^Z-\-]b, passim. 

 VOL. I. S 



