which are requir'd to repreffe the Force of the most potent Enemy; Store of Nobility, Multitude of People, Provifions of all Kinde, immeafurable Power. Let not your Majefty fuffer the English moft experienced in military Affaires, the most warlike Scoth, the fierce and moft couragious Irish idly to behold the Dangers of a King moft joyn'd in Friendship, and of a Nation mostaffected to your Majefty; and rather to expect in their own Roofes fo large a fpreading Flame, then, whiles they may, extinguish it in their Neighbours. To provide in others Danger for your owne, nor to caft your Eye only on prefent, but alfo on future Things, belongs to your Majefties celebrated Wifedome, belongs to your Magnanimitie, which either World fhall admire, which long Pofteritie fhail report and praife, which preferved Poland shall reverence. And my most renowned King, as for the prefent hee imbraceth with all poffible Thankefulneffe, the particular Affection of your Majeftie towards him, fo in all Time to come, he will declare himselfe that Friend, which fhall from his Soule both favour your Majefties profperous Succeffes, and in adverse, if any fuch should chance, be no leffe mooved then with his proper Danger.

A Relation of the Departure of the most Illustrious Prince of WALES, from Madrid the Ninth of September, this present Yeare. 1623. Stilo Novo.

To Don ALONSO NELI DE REIBADENEYRA, Lord of Vega de Porras, neere to Valladolid.

T

HE Wonder of Cordoua (Seneca, Romes Mafter,) faid, that the first Point of Ingratitude, was to bee forgetfull of a Benefit. Thofe which I receiv'd from Don Francefco de Reibadeneyra, a Knight of the Order of Santiago, Father to your Worthines, I cannot in Gratitude paffe over in Silence, for acknowledging whereof, I may well fay (that the Sonne of Reafon and Recognition rofe in me early) and moreover by an hereditary Bequeathment, Sonnes put their Fathers in Mind, what I ftood endebted in to yours, whereof I now pay a part, laying at the Feete of your Cenfure, (for the Discharge of my Office, in Refpect of your Wit, and more then humane Parts) this laft Difcourfe, of the Departure and Magnificences of the Prince, except the Shallowneffe of my owne Braine abate fome Graines of the due Estimate. Fare you well.

Andrez de Mendoza.

The Comming of the illuftrious Prince of Wales into thefe Kingdomes, being the ftrangeft Occurrent that in a royall Perfon the World hath for many Ages feene, which dafht and obfcured all ancient Patternes and Examples, it aftonished whole Nations, and raifed up affured Hopes of great Profperities

and.

and Opinions, of his comming amongst Men, being fo diverfly conceived, beyond the Bounds of ordinary Difcourfe, as in fundry of my Relations hath beene reported, wherein are difcovered and revealed many Points of Urbanity, Greatnes, and Gallantrie, I thought my felfe likewife obliged to write of his Departure, comprehending (as you fhall fee) fo many Circumstances of Pleafure, and Contentment. For which, the ninth of September was conftituted, and by the Conde de Olivares, as chiefe Master of the Horse, Councellor of Eftate, and the Kings neereft Confident; Order was given, that hee fhould bee accompanied by twelve Gentlemen Wayters, to ferve and attend him, Conde de Villa mor, de Meiorada, de Villa Franqueza, and Catillana, D. John de Sabe, Ara the Gallant, D. Diego de Zarate Landi, D. Jofeph de Samano, D. Antonio Zapata, D. Garcia de Caftro, D. Juan de Cordoua, D. Aularo de Guzman, D. Pompeio de Farfis, all Perfons of renowned and great Quality. They and their Servants, with all honourable Apparence, of Coaches, Horfe-litters, Jewels, Liveries, and Gallantry, manifefting the Greatnes of their Perfons, by undertaking it with that Oblervance and Cheerefulnes, which ufually they fhew, in any Thing commended to their Care.

The Carriages were committed to the Licentiate Don Lewis de Paredes Alcayd of the Pallace and Court, and his Care and Diligence herein was but requifite, for fo great Provifions as belonged to the King and the Infantes, befides thofe of the Prince which hee had in Charge, and the preparing of the Wayes, and opening of Paffages, to the Licentiated Juan de Queniones, Lieutenant to the Corrigidor of Madrid, who in this, as in all other Things, fhewed his Affection and Defire to ferve the King; Then to provide victuall, to minifter Juftice to both Parts, and to governe a Company fo neceffary to be ruled and ordered, as fuch a Number of Coachmen, Littermen, and Muleters, was referred to the Licentiate, Don Diego Franco, de Garnica Alcayd, which was not one of the leaft Services that ever hee performed.

The Cardinall Zapata, the Marques de Aytona, and the Conde de Gondomar, Counsellors of Eftate, were appointed to accompanie, and to affist, in whatsoever was neceffarie to bee confulted or treated of, in the Behalfe of the King; for as there is no Action of Princes, which is not fubject to great Variety of Accident, and new Reafons give Occafion of present Debatements, Points of State muft neceffarily bee fcand and difcuft; the Conde de Monterrey, Prefident of Italy, fo rare and famous in Understanding, was commaunded to attend his Highnes, for the Contentment hee had given herein fince his Comming, and the great Acceptance which the Prince made of his Service; and hee was commaur.ded to joyne with the Counfell of Eftate, to treat of any Matter that fhould come in Queftion, and for Secretarie there was ordained Don Andres de Prada, and Lofuda Knight of the Order of Saint John, one that alfo deferved higher Employments.

The Kings House, furnisht with double Officers, from the highest to the leaft, at the Difpofition of the Conde de Baraias, his Mayordome, or Steward.

The Privy Chamber and all belonging to it, was commended to the Duke of Buckingham, who attended in that Place, and moft of the Gentlemen there attending

attending were of the English Nation, and the Offices being inferiour to ours, it was the leffe Inconvenient, they fhould come for the Time under forraine Obedience, then to oblige fo great Nobilitie, to new Orders and Cuftomes: the Servants and Pages of Conde de Olivaries, attended and ferv'd the Duke, as they had done fince the first Day of his Arrivall.

Thofe of his
Majesties

Chamber be

ing all of the lity of Spain. chiefe Nobi

Horfes, and Mules of Carriage, with whatsoever to them belonged was referred to the Charge of D. Francifco Zapata, one of the Kings Ryders, who was confident of his owne Experience: and amongst so many and fundry Perfons that went along in this Troop, there were D. Jacynto Caftelin, and Don Antonio de Farfis: D. Gieronimo de Tapia, and D. Manuel Gutienes the Kings Pages, the Chiefe of the Order of Calatrava, the reft were of the Order of St. Jago.

The Lieutenant to the great Poft-Mafter, Santiago de Saldanna and his Officers, and the Spanish and Almaine Guardes, were under Baraias Command, and whatsoever elfe belongs to fo many Lords: all which ftrove to the uttermoft, in adorning their owne Perfons, and enriching their Servants Liveries.

His Majestie presented to the Prince: And the Marques Flores de Avila his principall Rider, and a Gentleman of his Chamber, in his Name, deliver'd eighteene Spanish Genets, fixe Barbaries, fixe breeding Mares, and twenty Foles, all covered with Clothes of Crymfon Velvet, garnifht and garded with gold Lace, and Scutchions of his Armes, and one of them had a Saddle of fine Lambskinnes, the other Furniture fet and embroyder'd with most rich Pearle, befeeming well both his Majeftie, and his Highneffe, and two Stallions, with their Mares, and a Pistoll, Sword and Dagger, set with Diamonds of great Value and Eftimation, fourfcore fmall Shot, the like Number of Croff-bowes, with which the Duke of Medina Sidonia had ferved, and a Sword, and Piftoll, with which the Duke of Ouna once ferved his Majeftie: and an hundred felected Swords, amongst all those of the Court, and the Prince gave the Marqueffe of Flores, a rare Jewell of Diamonds.

To the Duke of Buckingham were given twelve Spanish Gennets, foure Morifcos or Barbarie Horse, foure Mares, and ten Foales covered with Mantles of crimson Velvet, garnisht with Gold, and of Swords and Handpeeces, about fiftie: with a Girdle of Diamonds of the Value of thirty thousand Crownes.

And to the Captaine of the Guard, Baron of Kenfington, two hundred Buttons of Diamonds, and foure Horfes, and with them certaine Slings. And to the Estimation of fifty 1000. Duckets in Jewels amongst the English Gentrie a Gift and Largeffe correfpondent to fo great a Monarch.

The Queene our Lady and Miftres befides Linnen, prefented to the Prince, fiftie Skins of Ambar unfhaven, and an hundred and fiftie Cabretanes, or of young Kids: their Sent and Perfume amounting to a great Sum of Crownes.

VOL. I.

Hh

The

The Conde d'Olivares (befides divers Pictures and other rich Utenfils of the House) prefented his Highnes with three Chains of needle Worke, fo rich as proper only for a Prince.

Don Layme Manuel de Cordeves Marqueffe of Belmonte, gave him foure Barbary Horfes, and his Highnes commanded a very faire Chaine, to be given him that brought them.

His Majeftie and his Highneffe went twice, to take Leave of the Lady Infanta, and of other Royall Perfons, to the Monaftery of the Defcalfas; where they were entertained with Teares of Joy, and his Majeftie com manded that the Marques of Villena, and the Prince of Efquilache, fhould enter, with other Lords, that had Sifters and Daughters there. And her Highnes gave unto the Prince, many Boxes of Sents, Flowers, and other Things of great Curiofity and Riches.

The Embaffadors, Grandes, and Counsellors of Eftate, went to take Leave of his Highnes; by whom they were honor'd, and he thanked them for the Care and Paines they tooke, in all the Meetings for his Difpatches: and hee fent to vifit all religious and grave Perfons, ecclefiafticall and fecular of the Affembly, to whom he gave the like Thankes: for as in Greatneffe, fo is he in no Manner of Urbanitie defective. On Thursday at feven of the Clocke in the Morning, in the Prefence of the Counsell of Eftate, betweene the Hands of the illuftrious Patriarke of the Indies, his Highneffe with the King of Spaine, performed fome Ceremonies of the matrimoniall Capitulations, and thofe of the Convention of the State.

The Day after, in the Evening, about five of the Clocke, his Majeftie went for the Prince in publike, wearing a blacke Sute, and Jewels, for the Sorrow of the Princes Departure, and his Highneffe ware no Jewels at all. The Concourse of People was fo great, that neither any Refpect of his Majefty, nor Feare of the Guards could keepe them back, fo dearely Spaine loves her Kings. The Love of the Prince, is growne fo naturall: and his Confidence, and Tractabilitie in Treaties, hath fo augmented it; as also the Spaniards are fo eafily wonne with Affabilitie, an infallible Effect of their Demerit and Valour. And fo likewife, as beeing Sonne to a most abfolute and understanding King, his Highneffe knew how to imitate with fuch admirable Sufficiency. The Queene and the Infanta, accompanied with all the Ladies of the Court, the Wives and Ladies of Embaffadors, Ladies, and Menima's, which are certaine yong Nobilitie expected; who being entred, they went and received him without the Tarrima. And all turning towards her, Hee first tooke Leave of the Queene of Spaine, without an Interpreter in the French Tongue and afterwards by Meanes of his Embaffador Ordinarie, who interpreted for the Infanta, with whom hee continued about halfe an Houre. And all the English Lords and Knights kiffed the Queenes, and the Infanta's Hands.

A Place of the Court fo

call'd.

Where being conducted and accompanied by the Lordes Infantes, to his Coach, and the Duke of Infantado, the Conde de Olivares, the Duke of Buckingham,

A Monafte

ry of bareleg'd Friers.

Buckingham, and the Earle of Briftoll; the Spaniards on the Side of his Highneffe, and the English on the Kings Side, they went to the Defcalfa's, to take their laft Leave of his Highnes, leaving behinde them this great and famous Place. They returned by Night. And afterwards his Highnes Gifts and Presents were made knowne, fuch as befeemed a Prince, to Perfons who fhall be made knowne; wherein he fhewed the Greatneffe of his Perfon, and the Defire and Refpect they bare to his Majefty, and ought to fhew and manifeft.

To the King our Lord hee gave a Sword fet with Diamonds, which in the least Estimate muft needs be held a great Gift: and his Majefty gave him that delivered it, a Jewell correfpondent to the Majestie of a King.

To the Queene our Miftreffe, hee fent a faire and relucent Diamond, which was esteem'd to be of twenty Caracts Weight: And a Triangle, and two Eare Rings of Diamonds, as big as an indifferent Beane, great in Value, but greater in Art, and Workmanship: and the Queenes Majeftie gave to the Keeper of the Wardrobe that brought them, three thousand Crownes.

To the Lady Infanta a String of two hundred and fifty great peare fashioned Pearles, of rare Perfection, and of five Caracts: and one with a Diamond which cannot be valued and two little Peare-pearles for the Eares, of inestimable Value: and other two Pearles for the fame Parts, marvellous great.

To the two chiefe Ladies of the Chamber, the Ducheffe of Gandia, and the Counteffe of Lemos. To the chiefe Mayor-domos or Stewards: the Duke of Infantado, and the Conde of Benavente, Jewels of Diamonds. And the Duke gave five hundred Ducats to him that brought them: and to seventeene Ladies and Minima's feventeene Jewels, as estimable for Value, as for Art.

To the Lord Infante Don Carlos a poynted Diamond, in a Cup, fet in a Ring, as a true Present from a Prince to his Highneffe.

Some rare

To the Lord Cardinall Infante a Pectorall of Topazes, Diamonds, and a pendent Pearle, which might fupply the Abfence of the Peregrina. To the Conde de Olivares, a great Diamond called a Portugues, and it was fome time Don Sebaftians, it is of eight Caracts, Jewell fo with a pendent Pearle of great Price. And the Conde gave to the Keeper of the Wardrobe, to Mr. Endimion Porter, and Mr. Thomas Carey of his Highneffe Chamber, Jewels of good Value, and each of them fixe excellent Swords, with all their Furniture.

called.

To the Counteffe of Olivares, a Croffe of very great Diamonds in forme of a Columne. And to the Lady Maria de Guzman her Daughter, a Ring worth a great Summe of Crownes.

To the Admirall of Caftilla a great Jewell, and his Excellency a thousand Crownes to him that brought it, and to the Marqueffe of Carpio the like.

To the Duke of Hixar: To the Marques of Mondexar: To the Kings Confeffor, and to the Bishop of Segovia foure Jewels of Diamonds worthy of fuch Perfons, and him that gave them.