EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF EDWARD VI. (1547-1551).
Source.—Cotton MS. Ed. Clarendon Historical Society. Series II., Nos. 1-3, 1884.
After the death of King Henry the 8th, his son Edward, Prince of Wales was come to at Hartford, by the Earl of Hartford, and Sir Anthony Brown Master of the Horse; for whom before was made great preparation that he might be created Prince of Wales, and afterward was brought to Enfield, where the death of his Father was first shewed him; and the same day the Death of his Father was shewed in London, where was great lamentation and weeping: and suddenly he proclaimed King. The next day, being the —— of ——,[1] He was brought to the Tower of London, where he tarried the space of three weeks: and in the mean Season the Council sat every day for the performance of the Will, and at length thought best that the Earl of Hartford, should be made Duke of Somerset, Sir Thomas Seimour Lord Sudley; the Earl of Essex Marquis of Northampton, and divers Knights should be made Barons, as the Lord Sheffield, with divers others. Also they thought best to chuse the Duke of Somerset to be Protector of the Realm, and Governour of the King’s Person during his Minority; to which all the Gentlemen and Lords did agree, because he was the King’s Uncle on his Mother’s side. Also in this time the late King was buried at Windsor with much solemnity, and the Officers broke their Staves, hurling them into the Grave; but they were restored to them again when they came to the Tower. The Lord Lisle was made Earl of Warwick, and the Lord Great Chamberlainship was given to him; and the Lord Sudley made Admiral of England: all these things were done, the King being in the Tower. Afterwards, all things being prepared for the Coronation, the King being then but nine Years old, passed through the City of London, as heretofore hath been used, and came to the Palace of Westminster; and the next day came into Westminster Hall. And it was asked the People, Whether they would have him to be their King? Who answered, Yea, yea: Then he was crowned King of England, France and Ireland, by the Arch-Bishop of Canterbury, and all the rest of the Clergy and Nobles; and Anointed, with all such Ceremonies as were accustomed, and took his Oath, and gave a General Pardon....
March 31 [1550]. A Challenge made by Me, that I, with sixteen of my Chamber, should run at Base, Shoot and Run at the Ring with any seventeen of my Servants Gentlemen in the Court.
April 1. The first day of the Challenge at Base, or Running, the King won.
April 6. I lost the Challenge of Shooting at Rounds, and won at Rovers.
May 3. The Challenge at running at the Ring performed; at the which first came the King, sixteen Footmen, and ten Horsemen, in black Silk Coats, pulled out with white Taffety; then all the Lords, having three Men likewise apparelled: and all Gentlemen their Footmen in white Fustian, pulled out with black Taffety. The other side came all in yellow Taffety; at length the yellow Band took it thrice in 120 courses, and my Band touched often, which was counted as nothing, and took never, which seemed very strange, and so the Prize was of my Side lost. After that Tournay followed, between six of my Band and six of theirs.
May 6. The Testourn cried down from 12d. to 9d. and the Groat from 4d. to 3d.
June 21. The Cardinal of Lorrain, and of Chastilion, the Constable, the Duke of Guise, &c., were appointed Commissioners on the part of France who absolutely denied the first motion for the Scotch Queen, saying, Both they had taken too much Pains, and spent too many lives for her. Also a conclusion was made for her Marriage to the Dolphin. Then was proponed the Marriage of the Lady Elizabeth, the French King’s eldest daughter; to which they did most chearfully assent. So after they agreed neither Party to be bound in Conscience nor Honour, till she were twelve Years of Age and upwards. Then they came to the Dote which was first asked 1,500,000 Scutes of France, at which they made a mock; after for donatio propter nuptias, they agreed that it should be as great as hath been given by the King my Father to any Wife he had.
June 22. Our Commissioners came to 1,400,000 of Crowns, which they refused, then to a Million, which they denied; then to 800,000 Crowns, which they said they would not agree to.