Margaret’s instructions make clear that great care must be taken
to prevent any negative emotions. The pregnant queen must spend her Lying In
time surrounded by the height of luxury. All the senses must be spoiled. The
eye with fine woven scenes. The touch with luxuriously soft fabrics and down.
The taste and smell with her favorite foods,[1]
spices and fine wine. She must be attended every moment. There must be no
unsettling occurrence. Only women must enter
her chambers.
A copy of the instructions survive in Leland's Johannis Lelandi Antiquarii de Rebus Britannicus Collectanea.[2]
The few transcriptions that have been made into modern pages tend to skip
difficult terms and phrases without ellipses. Irregular spelling is always a
challenge for the lover of things Tudor. As far back as Margaret, many words originate
in Middle French, into the bargain.
I have supplied modern spellings of
some words in brackets. Several others are explained in footnotes. I have yet
to decipher what were the fabrics called “Reine” or “Tarteron”. Perhaps
someone will be so kind as to enlighten me in the comments.
ORDINAUNCES by Margaret Countesse of Richmond and Derby,
as to what Preparation is to be made against the Deliveraunce of a Queen, as also
for the Christening of the Child of which she shall be delivered.
HER Highnes Pleasure beinge understoode in what Chamber she
will be delivered in, the same must be hanged with riche Clothe of Arras,
Sydes, rowffe, Windows and all, excepte One Windowe, which must be hanged so as
she may have Light when it pleasethe her. Then must there be set a Royall
Bedde, and, the Flore layed all over and over with Carpets, and a Cupboard
covered with the same Suyte that the Chamber is hanged withall. Also there must
be ordayned a faier Pallet, and all Things appertayninge therunto, and a riche Sparver[3]
hanginge over the same. And that Daye that the Queene (in good Tyme) will take
her Chamber, the Chappell where her Highnes will receave and heare Devine
Service, must be well and worshipfully arrayed. Also the greate Chamber must be
hanged with riche Arrass, with a Clothe and Chaire of Estate, and Quishins
[cushions] thereto belonginge, the Place under and aboute the same beinge well
encarped.[4]
Where the Queene (comminge from the Chappell with her Lords and Ladyes of Estate)
may, either standinge or sittinge, at her Pleasure, receave Spices and Wyne.
And the next Chamber betwixt the greate Chamber and the Queenes Chamber to be
well and worshipfully hanged; which done, Two of the greatest Estats shall
leade her to her Chamber, where they shall take their Leave of her. Then all
the Ladyes and Gentilwomen to goe in with her, and none to come into the greate
Chamber but Women; and Women to be made all Manner of Officers, as Butlers, Panters,
Sewers, &c. and all Manner of Officers shall bringe them all neadfull
Thinges unto the greate Chamber Dore, and the Women Officers shall receave it
there of them.
The Furniture appertayninge to the Queues Bedde.
Fyrst ij Paire of Sheets of Reines, every of them 4 Yardes broade,
and 5 Yardes longe, 2 Head Sheets of like Reines, 3 Yardes broade, and 4 Yardes
longe, 2 longe and 2 square Pillows of Fustian, fluffed with fine Downe, every
of them with 2 Beeves of Reines, a Pane of Skarlet furred with Ermyn, and
embroudered with Crimson Velute[5]
upon Velute, or riche Clothe of Golde; and a Head Sheete of like Clothe of
Golde furred with Ermyn, a Kevertoure [coverture] of fine Lawne of v Breadthes,
and 6 Yardes longe, and an Head Sheete of 4 Breadthes, and 5 Yardes longe; a
Mattres fluffed with Wolle, a Fetherbed, with a Bolster of Downe, a Sparver of
Crimson Sattin embroudered with Crownes of Golde, the Kinge and Queenes Arms,
and other Device, lyned with double Tarteron, garnished with Frengs [fringes]
of Silke, blewe Russet, and Golde, with a rounde Bowlle of Golde, or Sylver and
gylte [gilt], 4 Quishins [cushions] of Crimson Damaske Clothe of Golde, a
rownde Mantell of Crimson Velute plaine furred throwgheout with Ermyn, Backe
for the Queene to weare aboute her in her Pallet. The Pallet at the Beddes Feete
must be arraied, accordinge as the Bedde is, with Sheets and Panes, &c.
excepte the Clothe of Golde of the Panes that longe to the Pallet to be of
another Coloure then that of the Bedde. It must be forseene, that suche Estats
as shall please the Kinge to appoint to goe to the Christninge, be placed neere
to the Place where the Queene is delivered, to the ende, that anon after the
Deliveraunce they may geve their readys [readiest?] Attendaunce upon the Childe
to the Churche.
[1]
This brief essay is not the place to explain what were the foods a pregnant
woman was forbidden to eat.
[2] Leland, John. Johannis Lelandi
Antiquarii de Rebus Britannicus Collectanea (1770). IV. 179-80.
[3] A canopy
generally hung from the ceiling.
[4] encarpe
is an Middle French term for hanging garlands of flowers and/or sculpted fruit.
[5] MF.
velour, velouté = velvet
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