Hampton Court ... Illustrated with forty-three drawings by Herbert ...

REVELRY 49
with ladies, some on horsesin complete harness, justing
withlong andsharp spears, withmany moredevices than
Iam able to describe. Among all, one noted there
was a chess-board made with spiced plate,1 with men
thereof to the same; and for the good proportion,
and because Frenchmen be very cunning and expert
in that play, my Lord Cardinal gave the same to a
gentleman of France, commanding there should be
made a goodly case for the preservation thereof in
all haste, that he might convey the same safe into
his country. Then took my Lord a bowl of gold,
filled with hypocras, and putting off his cap, said,
' Idrink to the King my Sovereign Lord, and next
unto the King your master,' and therewith drank a
good draught. And when he had done, he desired
the Grand Master2 to pledge him cup and all, the
which was well worth 500 marks; and so caused all
the board to pledge these tworoyal princes.
"Then went the cups so merrily about, that many
of the Frenchmen were fain to be led to their beds.
Then rose up my Lord, and went into his privy
chamber to pull off his boots and to shift him;
and then went he to supper in his privy chamber,
and making a very short supper, yea, rather a short
repast,returned into the chamber of presence among
the Frenchmen,using them so lovingly and familiarly
that they could not commend him too much.
" And whilst they were in communication and other
pastime, all their liveries were served to their chambers.
1 ?Paste.
- Anne de Montmorengy.
D