Mary Tudor - Anna Whitelock [116]
In London the populace marked the Spanish prince’s safe arrival with officially organized bonfires and feasting, as well as “ringing and playing.” Two days later, processions, Te Deums, and more ringing of bells were ordered in every parish of London.8 Philip sent the count of Egmont to Winchester to “inform the Queen of his arrival, visit her, tell her of his health and assure her of his affection.” The next day Gardiner arrived with a large diamond as a gift from Mary. Philip reciprocated with a diamond of his own, though unfortunately it was noted to have been “considerably smaller.” Mary also sent “a very richly wrought poignard, studded with gems, and two robes, one of them as rich and beautiful as could be imagined.”9 Mary issued a proclamation summoning all those who were to attend the wedding:
Forasmuch as (God be thanked) the Prince of Spain is now safely arrived and come unto this the Queen’s highness’ realm of England, her grace’s pleasure therefore is that all noblemen and gentlemen, ladies and others appointed by her Majesty to attend upon her grace against the time of her marriage, do with all convenient speed make their repair to her grace’s city of Winchester, there to give their attendance upon her highness.10
At the Church of the Holy Rood in Southampton, which had been lavishly adorned for his visit with brocade, gold fabrics, and embroidered canopies, Philip heard Mass and gave thanks for his safe voyage. Later, at the house that had been prepared for him, he addressed the English councillors who had gathered there. He had come to live among them, he said, not as a foreigner but as a native Englishman, not for want of men or money but because God had called him to marry their virtuous sovereign. He thanked them for their expressions of faith and loyalty and promised that they would find him a grateful and loving prince. Then, turning to the Spanish nobles in his entourage, he expressed his hope that, as they remained in England, they would follow his example and conform to the customs of the country. As he finished speaking, he raised to his lips a flagon of English ale and drank farewell to the men who were gathered before him.11
Having spent the weekend resting in Southampton, Philip set out on the twelve-mile ride to Winchester, through pouring rain, escorted by a guard of a hundred men wearing his livery. About six in the evening, Philip entered Winchester, mounted on a white horse and wearing a rich coat of cloth of gold, a feather in his hat and dressed in a suit embroidered with gold, “the English and Spanish nobles, one with another, riding before him.”12 At the cathedral, amid a fanfare of trumpets and bell ringing, the bishop of Winchester, the lord chancellor, and five other bishops greeted him. After praying in front of the sacrament Philip was taken by torchlight to his lodging in the dean’s house to prepare for his first meeting with the queen.
At about ten in the evening, Philip walked through the gardens to the Bishop’s Palace, where he and Mary were to meet. Surrounded by three or four councillors and her ladies-in-waiting, Mary came out to the door of her chamber and “very lovingly, yea, and most joyfully received him.” She was dressed in a gown of black velvet over an underskirt of frosted silver adorned with magnificent jewels. Hand in hand they sat down and for about half an hour remained in pleasant conversation. Philip spoke in Spanish, Mary replied in French. Philip then rose and kissed the other ladies present, and his attendants kissed the queen’s hand. As he departed, he said, “Good night, my lords all,” in English, as Mary had just taught him to do.13
At three the following afternoon, the prince made his first public visit to the queen. Accompanied by a number of English nobles, he walked on his own behind