Old Sir William Cecil, Lord Burghley, died full of years and honors in 1598 and Robert Cecil, later to become the first Earl of Salisbury, came into his inheritance at Theobalds. He also succeeded his father as Secretary of State.
Five years later the Sun left the Elizabethan heaven, and Gloriana was no more. Queen Elizabeth was succeeded by her cousin King James VI of Scotland, son of Mary Queen of Scots and Lord Dalnley. James had already been King of Scotland for fifteen years, since the execution of his mother on Elizabeth’s warrant when he had been a young man of rising twenty-one.
Now he came into what he regarded as is personal inheritance, the crown of England, and for the first time the two kingdoms were ruled by the same person. James embarked on a slow and magnificent progress from Edinburgh to London. Robert Cecil, by virtue of his office, was summoned to meet his new sovereign at York, and from thence travelled down the country with him.
The growing procession stopped at many country houses on the way, including Cecil’s brother’s house, Burghley, where an eye witness records that he was “received with great magnificence, the house being so rich as if it had. been furnished at the charges of an emperor”. James hunted as he travelled, and while at Burghley he fell from his horse and broke a collar bone.
Continuing his progress he was entertained by Sir Anthony Mildmay, by Sir Oliver Cromwell, and by Sir Henry Cock at Broxbourne, and finally arrived at Theobalds, his last stopping place before reaching London. The crowds of people were so immense that an observer at Theobalds tried to count them but could not do so, declaring that each blade of grass had. changed into a man.
“The multitude of people in highways, fields, meadows, closes, and on trees were such that they covered the beauty of the fields, and so greedy were they to behold the countenance of the King that with much unruliness they injured and hurt one another”, following the King with shouts and cries and casting up of hats. Crowds from London and counties to the south poured out to Theobalds to catch their first glimpse of James. His arrival was described thus:
“Thus, then, for his Majesty coming up the walk. There came before him some of the nobility, some barons, knights, esquires, gentlemen and others, among them were the Sherriff of Essex and most of his men, the trumpets sounding next before his Highness, sometimes one, sometimes another, his Majesty not riding continuously betwixt the same two noblemen, but sometimes with one and sometimes with another as seemed best to his Highness; the whole nobility of the land around him observing no place of nobility, but all bare headed; all of whom alighted at the first court’s door, save only his Majesty who rode along still, with four noblemen laying hands upon his steed. In this manner he came to the court’s door where I myself stood, where he alighted, from his horse, from which he had not gone ten princely paces when there was delivered to him a petition by a young gentleman, his Majesty retuning his gracious answer that he should be heard and have justice’. At the entrance to that court stood several noblemen among whom was Robert Cecil, who, there meeting his Majesty, conducted him into his house – all which was practiced with so great applause of the people as could be – hearty prayers and throwing up of hats”.
Later the King stood at a window for over half an hour, and the poor soldiery were well feasted at the King’s expense. Local merchants evidently did very well out of this royal visit, for the King found it necessary to issue a proclamation saying that the price of such things as meat, bread, butter and cheese should not be raised to exorbitant heights within the verge of his court.
This was James’ introduction to Theobalds, and it seems that he was well pleased with his reception and very taken with its surroundings. In 1606 he was at Theobalds again, for four days, accompanied this time by his relative by marriage, King Christian IV of Denmark. (James’ wife, Anne, was a Danish princess.) James was delighted at the thought of entertaining a fellow monarch and set himself to please his royal guest. But entertainment was a simple matter, for Christian’s idea of happiness began and ended in the bottle, which was also very much to King James’ liking. Sir John Harrington, a wit of Elizabeth’s court, has left a well-known account of the revels at Theobalds, where Robert Cecil (by now Earl of Salisbury) played host to both kings.
“The sports began each day in such manner as persuaded me of Mahomet’s paradise. We had women and indeed wine too of such plenty as would have astonished each sober beholder. Our feasts were magnificent, and the two royal guests did most lovingly embrace each other at table; I think the Dane hath strangely wrought on our good English nobles, for those whom I never could get to taste good liquor now follow the fashion and wallow in beastly delights. The ladies abandon their sobriety and roll about in intoxication. There hath been no lack of good living: shows, sights and banqueting from morn to eve.
“One day a great feast was held, and after dinner the representation of Solomon his temple and the coming of the Queen of Sheba was made before their Majesties. The lady who did play the Queen’s part did carry most precious gifts to both their Majesties; but forgetting the steps arising to the canopy overset her caskets into his Danish Majesty’s lap and fell at his feet, though I rather think it was in his face. Much was the hurry and confusion; cloths and napkins were at hand to make all clean. His Majesty got up and would dance with , the Queen of Sheba; but he fell down and humbled himself before her and was carried to an inner chamber and laid on a bed of state, which was not a little defiled with the presents of the Queen of Sheba which had been bestowed on his garments, such as jelly, wine, cream, beverage, cakes, spices and other good matters.
“The entertainment went forward and most of the presenters went backward or fell down, wine did so occupy their upper chambers. Now did appear Hope, Faith and Charity. Hope did assay to speak but wine rendered her endeavors so feeble that she withdrew and hoped the King would excuse her brevity. Faith was then all alone for I am certain she was not joined by good works, but left the court in a staggering condition. Charity came to the King’s feet and seemed to cover the multitude of sins her sisters had committed. In some sort she made obeisance and brought gifts, but said she would return home again as there was no gift which heaven had not already given his Majesty. She then returned to Hope and Faith who were both sick and spewing in the lower hall.
“Next came Victory in bright armour and presented a rich sword to the King who did not accept it but put it by with his hand; but Victory did not triumph long, for after much lamentable utterance she was led away like a silly captive and laid to sleep on the outer steps of the antechamber.
“Now did Peace make entry and strive to get foremost to the King, but I grieve to tell how great wrath she did discover unto her attendants and much contrary to her semblance most rudely made war with her olive branch and laid on the pates of those who did oppose her coming. I did never see such lack of good order, discretion and sobriety as I have now done”
