MOURNING.
The French Queens, before the Reign of Charles VIII. wore White upon the death of the King; and were called "Reines Blanches." It was changed to Black on the death of Charles VIII. 1498. [See P. Dan. Hist. iv. 590.]
In a Wardrobe account for half a year, to Lady-day 1684 (a MS. purchased by Mr. Brander at the sale of the Library of Geo. Scot, Esq. of Woolston-Hall, 1781), are the following entries for the King's Mourning.
"A Grey Coat lined with Murrey and White flowered Silk, with Gold Loops, and four Crape Hat-bands."
Again, "A Sad-coloured Silk Coat, lined with Gold-striped Lutestring, with Silver-and-Silk Buttons; and a Purple Crape Hatband."
Again, "A Purple Coat."
The Emperor Leopold, who died 1705, never shaved his Beard during the time of Mourning, which often lasted for a long time. [Bancks's Hist. of Austria, p. 277.]
The Empress-Dowagers never lay aside their Mourning, and even their Apartments are hung with Black till their deaths. [Bancks's Hist. of Austria, p. 400. He says this from Baron Polnitz's Memoirs, vol. iv. p. 46.]
The Bavarian Family never give a Black Livery, or line their Coaches, in the deepest Mourning. [Polnitz, i. letter 22.]
The Pope's Nieces never wear Mourning, not even for their nearest Relations; as the Romans reckon it so great a happiness for a Family to have a Pope in it, that nothing ought to afflict his Holiness's kindred. [Polnitz's Memoirs, ii. letter 33.]
Queen Anne, on the death of Prince George of Denmark, wore Black and White, with a mixture of Purple in some part of her Dress. The precedent was taken from that worn by Mary Queen of Scots for the Earl of Darnley, which was exactly in point. [Secret History of England, ii. 299.]
King Charles I. put the Court into Mourning for one Day on the death of the Earl of Portland (Richard Weston), Lord High Treasurer. [Stafford's Letters, i. 389.]
BEARD, &c.
CHARLES I.[377]—WILLIAM I.
Mrs. Thomas's Great Grand-Father was Mr. Richard Shute, a Turkey Merchant, one of the Members for the City of London, and much favoured by King Charles I. who gave him the Name of Sattin-Shute, by way of distinction from another Branch of the same Name and Family, and from his usually wearing a Sattin Doublet cut upon White Taffata.
"Without doubt," says Mrs. Thomas (for she was her own Biographer), "he was very nice in the mode of that Age, his Valet being some hours every morning in starching his Beard, and curling his Whiskers; but," continues she, "during that time a Gentleman, whom he maintained as a Companion, always read to him on some useful subject." He lived in Leaden-Hall Street, the site on which stands the India House, and had a Country-seat at Berking, in Essex. Here he had a very fine Bowling-green, as he delighted much in that exercise. The King, who was fond of the diversion, once told Mr. Shute, he would dine with him some day, and try his skill on his Bowling-green. The King went, and was so pleased with the place, it being very retired, and likewise with Mr. Shute's skill in Bowling (he being accounted one of the best Bowlers of his time), that he frequently visited afterwards Berking-Hall, without any Guards, and with three or four select Gentlemen, his attendants, when, as the King expressed it, he had a mind to drop State, and enjoy himself as a private man:—"Ah, Shute," said he one day, with a deep sigh, "how much happier than I art thou, in this blessed retirement, free from the cares of a Crown, a factious Ministry, and rebellious Subjects!" They generally played high, and punctually paid their losings; and though Mr. Shute often won, yet the King would, one day, set higher than usual, and, having lost several games, gave over; when Mr. Shute said,—"An please your Majesty, One thousand pounds rubber more, perhaps Luck may turn:"—"No, Shute," replied the King, laying his hand gently on his shoulder, "Thou hast won the day, and much good may it do thee, but I must remember I have a Wife and Children." P. xxi.
This place was afterwards dismantled by Mr. Shute's heir, and in a few years became a ploughed field. The King gave Mr. Shute several places; among which were the Deputy Lieutenancy of the Ordnance, and the Mastership of St. Cross's Hospital, to the amount of four thousand pounds per annum. P. xxv.
These he gave up when the Civil War broke out; and retired to Hamburgh, where he died a few years after the death of the King. P. xxvii.
William the Conqueror played deep; for, tradition says, that Walter Fitzbourne, a Norman Knight, and great Favourite of the King, playing at Chess on a Summer's evening, on the banks of the Ouse, with the King, won all he played for. The King threw down the Board, saying he had nothing more to play for. "Sir," said Sir Walter, "here is land." "There is so," replied the King; "and if thou beatest me this Game also, thine be all the Land on this side the Bourne, or River, which thou canst see as thou sittest." He had the good fortune to win; and the King, clapping him on the shoulder, said, "Henceforth thou shalt no more be called Fitzbourne, but Ousebourne."' Hence it is supposed came the name of Osborne. Life of Corinna, p. xxviii.