Pedro much desired to be on land, having indeed endured much sickness at sea, took him into his barge, and so, with the company of some other boats and pinnaces, came on shore at Portsmouth, before eight of the clock in the morning, where they were received with many shot of great ordnance from the castles, forts, and walls of the town. On the shore stood Sir Lewis Lucas, knight, accompanied with the mayor and officers of the town, ready to receive the said ambassadors, being, as it should seem, appointed so to do by the King and lords of the council. That day every one hastened to get off their luggage from the ships, preparing to go forwards likewise on their way toward London.

The next day, being Sunday, his Lordship rested there, went to the church, and heard a sermon publickly.

Monday, his Lordship having, as well by means of the King's officers and servants, who were sent for the purpose thither, as by his own care, provided for all necessaries to supply him in his journey towards London, about eleven of the clock set forward, riding in his carroch, and taking the said Don Pedro along with him; and so came that night to Alton, where they lodged.

Tuesday, the second of July, his Lordship rode from Alton, and lodged that night at Guilford, having taken special care, both that Don Pedro, the ambassador-lieger, whom his Lordship had brought along in company, should be respectively provided for himself, as was fitting; as also all other his followers most plentifully supplied for all necessaries in their travel, and that freely, without charge or expence to any of them.

Wednesday they rode forward towards Kingston, where the Conde de Villa Mediana and others staid, expecting the coming of the said ambassador; and where also his Lordship had bountifully provided for their entertainment in general.

Thursday, his Lordship having appointed the Lord Howard of Effingham, and some others of the better sort to accompany the said ambassador, and the Conde de Villa Mediana to London, he himself, with the rest of his company, rode for Windsor Castle, where as then the King lay, for his pleasure of hunting; who, there presenting themselves to his Majesty, were of him most graciously entertained and welcomed. At which time also his Lordship received further order from his Highness, when he would be pleased to give audience to the said ambassador, and to admit him to his royal presence, according to appointment; which was accordingly performed, at the Court at Whitehall, on Sunday, the fourteenth day of the said month of July following.

Now, for that it doth not fully appear by this former relation of his Lordship's travel and journey, how honourably and with what respect he and his whole company were received and entertained, ye shall understand, That, first, upon our landing at the Groyne, the governor of Galicia, as is afore rehearsed, and, as it should seem, by direct order from his Majesty, upon the former arrival of certain ships, wherein were the horses and other presents, sent from his Majesty to the King of Spain, had drawn together much people, and that of the better sort of the whole country, on purpose to make shew both of the

strength of the country, as also to be the more ready to do service, in supplying the English with all necessaries; and, for this purpose also, their greatest care was, that, during our abode there, there might appear no want of any thing. His Lordship, as is aforesaid, was lodged in the governor's house, which of itself was very little, and not able to give entertainment to so great a company. Therefore especial care was taken, that every man might, according to his estate, be lodged as conveniently, and as sufficiently, as the place would give leave; the town being much decayed, by reason of the late wars, nor as yet reedified since the sackage thereof by Sir John Norris and Sir Francis Drake: But we must acknowledge, that, for the greatest part, every man was lodged there, without exception. The care for lodging was not so much, as was their exceeding care they had for provision, victuals, and viands to serve the company, that country of Galicia being indeed very mountainous and unfruitful. And therefore, although his Lordship was very sufficiently provided for at the governor's house, and that since the room there, being little, could not by any means supply all, order was taken, that, in every house, wherein any Englishman lodged, provision of diet was made for him and his servants, at the King's proper cost; wherein of necessity we must observe both the great charge, as also the great care, that was taken to supply all necessaries in the best fashion: Notwithstanding which, there was daily provided so large a table, as conveniently could be, for all such knights and gentlemen, as would at their pleasure come to attend and keep his Lordship company at meat; this entertainment beginning the first day of our arrival at the Groyne, which was the sixteenth day of April, and continuing all the time of our being in the Groyne, which was till the third of May following: what time we set forward on our land journey, being then likewise furnished of mules, both for riding and carriage, all upon the King's charge.

The number of mules, sent to his Lordship for riding and carriage, were eight hundred, or thereabouts, whereof twenty-four were great assmules, of the King's provision, and appointed for his Lordship's own carriages; besides the mules for the Spaniards themselves, and their necessaries, which were esteemed above four hundred. The muletters, to regard these mules, were numbered to be above three hundred.

The company of English were accounted six hundred and fifty. Besides these, the King sent many of every office in court, some with the Aposentador, mayor, aforementioned, as divers others Aposentadors, or harbingers; stewards, ushers for the chambers, sewers, and officers for the table; officers of the ewery, pantry, cellar, chaundry; forty of the Spanish guard to serve the table, pastry-cooks, and such like. Every of these being particularly furnished with such necessaries as belonged to his office, as we might well perceive; for that, through the whole journey, they were fain to carry by mules, from place to place, all the said necessaries for their service; as, plate, linnen, bedding, hangings, chairs, tables, forms, pastry-boards, kitchen furniture, racks, spits, pans, and such like; as also most of their provision of meal, wine, oil, vinegar, herbs, fruit, sweet-meats, and such other: Wherein the said officers did so carefully and wisely behave themselves, that it appeared there wanted

566 THE JOURNEY OF THE EARL OF NOTTINGHAM, &c.

no will in them, either in care or pains, to give contentment to the whole company of the English. This charge of the King's endured until the return of his Lordship to the ships at St. Anderas, with very little difference, either of meats or service, at any time. Whither, for that the way from the Groyne was by experience found to be both long and ill, his Lordship had formerly directed the ships to go there to abide and stay his return, being indeed not above half the way from Valladolid, in comparison of his journey from the Groyne. Both in our going and return, we might well observe how joyful our coming seemed to the common people, both by their manner of behaviour, which was courteous, as also by their speeches, which were most kind; who, for that they found by experience the ill reports made heretofore of our nation altogether untrue, admiring our civility and good behaviour, being clean contrary to that which had been formerly preached unto them by their churchmen and friars, we received that kind congratulation and usage, that was possible for them to give, and us, as strangers and travellers, to receive. Insomuch as well we observed, as we passed, the country had taken exceeding care to make the ways both easy and pleasing for us to pass, digging down hills in many places, and mending the ways with timber, stones, and earth, no doubt, to their great pains and charge.

By which it most plainly appeared, with what joy and comfort they received the peace generally, manifesting the same as well by their deeds as words; and, no doubt, performed much more thankfulness to their King, for procuring it, than they would make shew of joy to us, for obtaining it.

And yet, what words might express, that might we daily hear; for we might observe, how they preached the same in pulpits, and spake of the same, even in their open plays and interludes, making, as they said, many feasts and joys for the blessed peace.

The bounty of the King in gifts, as well to his Lordship, as to divers other of his followers, together with the great charge his Highness was at, during our abode there, gave us not so good contentment in general, as did the good esteem and behaviour we found in all, from the highest to the meanest, upon every occasion ministered to them to shew the same, either in particular, or in general: His Lordship receiving all very thankfully, and not without a reciprocal shew of his bounty and good-will again, being indeed of his purse not sparing, and (with pardon be it spoken) as liberal, in his degree, as was necessary: Whose carriage and behaviour, during the whole journey, being such, and, upon good intelligence, sufficiently known to his Majesty, who employed him, and by him is both graciously allowed and accepted; he himself hath cause sufficient of gladness, and no other cause of exception in any sort. So, concluding with the blessing of our Saviour, Beati Pacifici, let us pray to Almighty God to make his Majesty as careless of war, as he, from time to time, in his great judgment, shall find peace to be necessary; his people and subjects ever obedient to all his designs and appointments, either in war, or peace; and his Majesty himself blessed with long life, health, and ability to undergo either, as it shall seem best to the Divine Majesty. Amen.

END OF VOL. II,