Chapter XVI: French

En _Octobre_ Six cens & cinq,
Pour voieur du Monstre Marin,
Prendra du Souverain le cresme,
Ou en six cens & six en _Juin_,
Grand joye aux Grands & au Commun,
Grand faits apres ce grand Baptesme.

English.

In _October_ six hundred and five,
The Purveyor of the Sea Monster,
Shall take the unction of the Sovereign,
Or in six hundred and six in _June_,
Great joy shall be to the Great ones, and to the Commons,
Great feats shall be after this great Baptism.

ANNOT.

In the year 1606. the 14 of _September_, instead of which the printer hath put _October_, the Dolphin of _France_, _Lewis_ the XIII. son to _Henry_ the IV. was Christened with his two Sisters at _Fountainbleau_, and because the Ceremonies were extraordinary, and our Author calleth this a great Baptism, it will not be amiss for the satisfaction of the curious Reader, to give here succinctly a description of it.

In the great quadrangle of the Castles Yard, was erected a great Theatre, all spread and hanged with most rich Carpets and Hangings, in the middle of which Theatre was a square of thirty foot on each side, with rails about it, all covered with Carpets, in the front of it was erected an Altar, adorned with the Ornaments belonging to the Order of the Holy Ghost, behind the Table was a Footstool of three steps, spread with Carpets, and in the middle of the Footstool was a kind of a Stand, covered with a Silver Cloth, upon which were the Fount, covered with a most exquisite Towel, and a Canopy over it, on both sides of the Altars were two Scaffolds for two Quires of Musick, and a little lower on the right hand a Bench covered with Carpets for the Prelates to sit, among which were three Archbishops, nine Bishops and three Abbots, on the left hand were the Lords of the Councel, and before the Altar was the Cardinal of _Gondy_, encompassed with Almoners and Chaplains, and a great multitude of spectators seated upon Benches, in form of a Theatre, round about the Theatre were the guard of _Switzers_, having every one a Torch in his hand.

The Dolphin and his Sisters were in their Chambers upon Beds of State, with their Robes lined with Hermines, and were brought to the quadrangle, the waiting Gentlemen going before with Torches in their hands, with the Bed Chamber men, and Gentlemen of the Chamber, five Drums, Waits, and Trumpeters, Heralds, and the Knights of the Holy Ghost, with the three Honours; in the first, for the youngest Daughter, the Ewer, the Bason, the Pillow, the Wax Taper, the Chrisme, the Saltseller, were carryed by the Baron, Son to Marshal _de la Chastre_, by the Lords _Montigny_, _la Rochepot_, _Chemerand_, _Liencourt_, _Fervacques_, and the Lady was carryed by the Marshal of _Bois Dauphin_, followed by _Charles_ Duke of _Lorrain_ Godfather, and of _Don Juan de Medicis_, Brother to the great Duke of _Tuscany_, representing _Christian_, Daughter to the Duke of _Lorrain_, and Wife of the great Duke. After that followed the Dutches of _Guise_, the Countesses of _Guiche_, of _Saulx_, the Marchioness _Monlaur_, and other Ladies.

The Marshals of _Laverdin_, and of _la Chastre_, the Dukes of _Silly_, of _Monbazon_, of _Espernon_, of _Esguillon_ did the same office for the elder Lady. The Lord of _Ragny_ carryed her for _Diana_ Dutchess of _Angoulesme_, who did represent the _Infanta_, _Clara_, _Eugenia_, _Eusabella_, Archidutchess of _Austria_, followed by the Dutchess of _Rohan_, _Montmorency_, _Mayenne_.

The third Honour for the Dolphin was carried by the Earl of _Vaudemont_, the Knight of _Vendosme_ his elder Brother, the Duke of _Mensier_, the Earl of _Soissons_, and the Prince of _County_, all three Princes of the Blood, and the Dolphin was carryed by the Lord _Souvray_ his Governour, in the room of the Prince of _Condé_, first Prince of the Blood, who because of his sickness could do him no other service then to hold him by the hand. The Duke of _Guise_ carryed his Train, and the Cardinal of _Joyouse_ followed him, representing the Pope _Paul_ the V. then followed _Eleonor_ Wife to _Vincent_ Duke of _Mantua_, and the Princess of the Blood, all richly attired.

The Dolphin being brought upon the Table of the quadrangle, the Cardinal of _Gondy_ appointed for this Ceremony, came near him; and having heard him answer pertinently to the questions asked by the Almoner according to the usual forms, and to say the Lords Prayer and the Creed in Latine, he was exercised, appointed, and by the Cardinal of _Joyouse Legat_, named _Lewis_.

The Ladies were afterwards brought upon the Table, and the eldest, named _Elizabeth_ by the Dutchess of _Angoulesme_, representing the Archidutchess her Godmother, without any Godfather.

The youngest was named by _Don Juan_ of _Medicis_ (representing the great Dutchess) _Christierne_.

At Supper the King was waited upon by the Princess of his Blood; the Prince of _Condé_ served for Pantler, the Prince of _Compty_ for Cupbearer, the Duke of _Monpensier_ for Squire Carver, the Earl of _Soissons_ for high Steward, the Duke of _Guise_ and the Earl of _Vondemont_ waited upon the Queen, and the Duke of _Sully_ waited upon the Legat. The Godfathers sat, and after them the Princesses, Ladies and Lords of high quality, at the great Ball the Duke of _Lorrain_ did precede by the Kings order, for the only consideration that he was Godfather.

The next day there was a runing at the Ring, and at night the Duke of _Sully_ caused an artificial Castle to be assaulted with an innumerable quantity of Squibs, Chambers, Canon shots, and other Fire Works, but never any thing was seen more incredible or wonderful, then the beauty, ornament and lustre of the Princesses and Ladies of the Court; The Eyes could not stedfastly behold the splendor of the Gold, nor the brightness of the Silver, nor the glittering of Jewels; the Princes and Lords did out vie one another who should be most richly attired, among the rest the Duke of _Espernon_ had a Sword valued at 30000. Crowns, and upon the Queens Gown were 32000. Pearls, and 3000. Diamonds.