And, on Tuesday morning, the pain received by his fall was so great that he was not able to ride on horseback; but he turned from Sir John Harington's, to take a coach: wherein His Highness returned to Burlegh, where he was royally entertained as before; but not with half that joy, the report of His Majesty's hurt had disturbed all the Court so much.
The next day, being Wednesday the 27th day of April [1603], His Majesty removed from Burlegh towards Master Oliver Cromwell's.
And, in the way, he dined at that worthy and worshipful Knight's, Sir Anthony Mildmay's [at Apethorpe]; where nothing wanted in a subject's duty to his Sovereign, nor anything in so potent a Sovereign to grace so loyal a subject. Dinner being most sumptuously furnished, the tables were newly covered with costly Banquets [Dessert]: wherein everything that was most delicious for taste proved [the] more delicate by the art that made it seem beauteous to the eye: the Lady of the House being one of the most excellent Confectioners in England; though I confess many honourable women [to be] very expert.
Dinner and Banquet [Dessert] being past, and His Majesty at point to depart; Sir Anthony, considering how His Majesty vouchsafed to honour him with his royal presence, presented His Highness with a gallant Barbary horse, and a very rich saddle with furniture suitable thereto: which His Majesty most lovingly and thankfully accepted: and so, taking his princely leave, set forward on the way.
In this remove towards Master Oliver Cromwell's did the people flock in greater numbers than in any place northward. Though many before pressed to see their Sovereign, yet here the numbers multiplied.
This day, as His Majesty passed through a great common (which, as the people thereabout complain, Sir I. Spenser [John Spencer] of London hath very uncharitably molested [enclosed]), most of the country [district] joined together, beseeching His Majesty that the common might be laid open again for the comfort of the poor inhabiters thereabouts: which His Highness most graciously promised should be performed, according to their hearts' desire.
And so, with many benedictions of the comforted people, he passed on till he came within half a mile of Master Oliver Cromwell's [at Hinchinbrook Priory]; where met him the Bailiff of Huntingdon, who made a long oration to His Majesty, and there delivered him the Sword, which His Highness gave to the new[ly] released [Henry Wriothsley] Earl of Southampton [the Patron of Shakespeare] to bear before him.
O admirable work of mercy! confirming the hearts of all true subjects in the good opinion of His Majesty's royal compassion: not alone to deliver from the captivity such high Nobility, but to use vulgarly with great favours not only him, but also the children of his late honourable fellow in distress [i.e. of Robert Devereux Earl of Essex]. Well, GOD have glory, that can send friends, in the hour he best pleaseth, to help them that trust in him.
But to the matter. His Majesty passed, in state, the Earl of Southampton bearing the Sword before him, as I before said he was appointed, to Master Oliver Cromwell's house: where His Majesty and all his followers, with all comers whatsoever, had such entertainment, as the like had not been seen in any place before, since his first setting forward out of Scotland.