132 The Duchess of Newcastle 



King, Charles the First, and Her Majesty the Queen, 

 in some particular entertainments which he made of 

 purpose for them before the late warrs. 



When His Majesty was going into Scotland to be 

 crowned, he took his way through Nottinghamshire; 

 and lying at Worksop-Mannor, hardly two miles 

 distant from Welbeck, where My Lord then was, 

 My Lord invited His Majesty thither to a dinner, 

 which he was graciously pleased to accept of: this 

 entertainment cost My Lord between four and five 

 thousand pounds; which His Majesty liked so well, 

 that a year after his return out of Scotland, he was 

 pleased to send My Lord word, that Her Majesty 

 the Queen was resolved to make a progress into the 

 northern parts, desiring him to prepare the like 

 entertainment for her, as he had formerly done for 

 him: which My Lord did, and endeavoured for it 

 with all possible care and industry, sparing nothing 

 that might add splendour to that feast, which both 

 their Majesties were pleased to honour with their 

 presence: Ben Johnson he employed in fitting such 

 scenes and speeches as he could best devise ; and sent 

 for all the gentry of the country to come and wait on 

 their Majesties; and in short, did all that ever he 

 could imagine, to render it great, and worthy their 

 royal acceptance. 



This entertainment he made at Bolsover-Castle 

 in Derbyshire, some five miles distant from Welbeck, 

 and resigned Welbeck for their Majesties lodging; 

 it cost him in all between fourteen and fifteen thousand 

 pounds. 



Besides these two, there was another small enter- 

 tainment which My Lord prepared for his late Majesty 

 in his own park at Welbeck, when His Majesty came 

 down, with his two nephews, the now Prince Elector 



