John Chamberlaine to Dudley Carleton, April, 12, 1603.

We learn from Thomas Millington’s The True Narration of the Entertainment of his Royal Majestie, from the time of his Departure from Edenbrough, till his Receiving at London, etc. that

The 31st of March, being Thursday, his Majestie with great solemnitie and pompe was proclaimed King of England, Scotland, Fraunce, and Ireland, at the Market Crosse of Edenbrugh, in presence of the whole Officers of Estate of the Realm, and many of the Nobilitie of Scotland, and sundry Knights and Gentlemen of England.

James departed Edinburgh on the 5^th of April. His party was large and would grow as he progressed toward London. Besides the height of the Scottish nobility

there were in his Highnes' traine many numbers of gallant and well appointed English Knights and Gentlemen, who attended his Majestie that day

He first entered Berwick Castle which had, until then, been the sturdy forward post to defend the northern frontier from Scottish raiders and armies.

He next arrived at Newcastle, on the 9^th, where the mayor presented him with “the sword and keyes” to the city, “with humble dutie and submission”.

James was understandably cautious. He was a Scottish king and there was no example yet as  to how to successfully make such a transition. Already he had knighted many Englishmen as he progressed. They would presumably prove steady allies. In Newcastle and elsewhere he ratified “all their customes and priviledges that they were possessed of, and had a long time held” in order that the cities of the realm would rest easier in the confidence that the transition would leave them fully intact.

In London, the Privy Council had scheduled the funeral of Queen Elizabeth for the 28^th of the month. Especially  wise for a monarch, James would proceed slowly surely for a number of reasons, but, most particularly, in order to arrive after the funeral. His new kingdom had one more task to accomplish before it would be fully ready to welcome a new ruler. He would need to be associated only with good news and celebration. The cities along his route would be especially proud to have celebrated a personal visit. They would have the high honor of providing him hospitality even before the city of London.

 

John Chamberlaine to Robert Dudley, April, 12, 1603.

 

All things continue in the same quiet course. Only here was a proclamation to retain the Council, and all other officers, in their old places; and to restrain the concourse of idle and unnecessary passers into Scotland; the number whereof grew to be a great burden to the country, and brought all things out of order. The Lord Henry Howard was sent thither to possess the King's ear, and countermine the Lord Cobham. Your old friend Tobie Matthew was sent with a letter from Mr. Bacon, but I doubt whether the message or messenger were greatly welcome. The King uses all very graciously, and hath made Sir Robert Carey of his Bed-chamber, and Groom of the Stole. John Davis is sworn his man; and Neville restored (as he writes himself) to all his titles and fortunes.

The 10th of this month the Earl of Southampton and Sir Henry Neville were delivered out of the Tower by warrant from the King. These bountiful beginnings raise all men's spirits, and put them in great hopes, insomuch that not only Protestants, but Papists and Puritans, and the very Poets, with their idle pamphlets, promise themselves great part in his favour; so that to justify and please all, hic labor, hoc opus est; and would be more than a man's work. The last that were sent were Sir Henry Neville and Sir Harry Lennard with five thousand pounds in gold and one silver, saving your cousin Montpesson, that carried him six geldings and a coach with four horses; and other officers that are daily sent away to provide and execute their charge. Here have come divers from the King; as, Roger Aston, Foulis, Hamilton, and now last, one Bruce, whom they call "Lord Abbot of Kinloss", and is thought shall be incorporated with our Council.

We have no certainty where the King is, they that come last say he appointed to be at Berwick the 7th of this month; and think he is now on the way to York; where he will make no long stay, but comes to Worksop, a house of the Earl of Shrewsbury's; so to Beauvoir Castle; thence to Burley; thence to Oliver Cromwell's by Huntingdon; to Sir Thomas Sadleir's in Hertfordshire; to Hertford Castle; to Theobalds; to the Charter-house, or Howard House; and so to the Tower till his Coronation. I cannot hear that the Queen or any of the Princes come with him ; only they talk of the Duke of Lenox, two Marquisses, the Earl of Mar, whose brother, Sir Thomas Erskine, they say, is made Captain of the Guard; and two hundred other Nobles and Gentles. Though you had no greater business, yet, methinks, you might make an errand to see these sights, for here will be arches and pageants great plenty.

The queen’s funeral is appointed the 28th of this present, with as much solemnity as hath been used to any former prince, and that by the king’s own directions. It shall be kept at Westminster, and the Lady Arabella [Stuart] is to be chief mourner, accompanied with two marquises, sixteen countesses, and thirty barristers, with all their train, besides the greatest part of the nobility, all the council and officers of the household.

Sources:

The Progresses, Processions, and Magnificent Festivities, of King James the First…, Volume 1 (1828).

The Court and Times of James I, Containing a Series of Historical ..., Volume 1 (1848)

 

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