Source.—Gregory's "Chronicle" in the Collections of a London Citizen, pp. 222, 223. (Camden Society.)
This year, about Midsummer, at the royal feast of the Sergeants of the Coif, the Mayor of London was desired to be at that feast. And at dinner time he came to the feast with his officers, agreeing and according unto his degree. For within London he is next unto the King in all manner [of] thing. And in time of washing the Earl of Worcester was taken before the mayor and set down in the midst of the high table. And the mayor seeing that his place was occupied held him content, and went home again without meat or drink or anything, but reward him he did as his dignity required of the city. And took with him the substance of his brethren the aldermen to his place, and were set and served as soon as any man could devise, both of cygnet and of other delicacies enough, that all the house marvelled how well everything was done in so short a time....
Then the officers of the feast, full evil ashamed, informed the masters of the feast of this mishap that is befallen. And they, considering the great dignity and costs and charge that belonged to the city, anon sent unto the mayor a present of meat, bread and wine and many divers subtleties. But when they that come with the presents saw all the gifts and the service that was at the board, he was full sore ashamed that should do the message, for the present was not better than the service of meat was before the mayor and throughout the high table. But his demeaning was so that he had love and thanks for his message and a great reward withal. And thus the worship of the city was kept and not lost for him. And I trust that never it shall, by the grace of God.
THE MARRIAGE OF EDWARD IV. (1464).
Source.—Gregory's "Chronicle" in the Collections of a London Citizen, pp. 226, 227. (Camden Society.)
Now take heed what love may do, for love will not nor may not cast no fault nor peril in nothing.
That same year, the first day of May, our sovereign lord the King Edward IV. was wedded to the Lord Rivers' daughter; her name is Dame Elizabeth that was wife unto Sir John Grey.... And this marriage was kept full secretly long and many a day, that no man knew it; but men marvelled that our sovereign lord was so long without any wife, and were ever feared that he had been not chaste of his living. But on All Hallows' day at Reading there it was known, for there the King kept his common council, and the lords moved him and exhorted him in God's name to be wedded and to live under the law of God and Church, and (that) they would send into some strong land to inquire a queen of good birth according to his dignity. And then our sovereign might no longer hide his marriage, and told them how he had done, and made that the marriage should be opened unto his lords.
A DINNER OF FLESH (circa 1465).
Source.—The Boke of Nurture, by John Russell (1460-1470). (Roxburghe Club, 1867.)
The furst Course.