Elizabeth's Coronation Procession
The following is a contextual and timed analysis of the events of Elizabeth I's coronation procession through the streets of London on 14 January, 1559, including identified participants, excerpted descriptions of the pageants and speeches that were presented at particular locations, and the connections to REED London records.
This work was produced by Rachel Milio.
Participants in the Event:
Queen Elizabeth I
Thomas Leigh, Worshipful Company of Mercers, Lord Mayor: Coleman Street
Richard Champyon, Worshipful Company of Drapers, Sheriff: Castle Baynard
John Hawes, Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, Sheriff: Tower
James Altham, Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, Alderman: Aldersgate
Thomas Offley, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, Alderman: Aldgate
William Chester, Worshipful Company of Drapers, Alderman: Bassishaw
William Alleyn, Worshipful Company of Leathersellers, Alderman: Billingsgate
David Woodroffe, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, Alderman: Bishopsgate
Roger Martin, Worshipful Company of Mercers, Alderman: Bread Street
Humphrey Baskerfield, Worshipful Company of Mercers, Alderman: Bridge
John Cowper, Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, Alderman: Bridge Without
John Whyte, Worshipful Company of Grocers, Alderman: Broad Street
William Hewet, Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, Alderman: Candlewick
Thomas Lodge, Worshipful Company of Grocers, Alderman: Cheap
Christopher Draper, Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, Alderman: Cordwainer
Thomas Whyte, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, Alderman: Cornhill
Alexander Avenem, Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, Alderman: Cripplegate
William Harper, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, Alderman: Dowgate
Thomas Curtes, Worshipful Company of Fishmongers, Alderman: Farringdon Within
Richard Malorye, Worshipful Company of Mercers, Alderman: Farringdon Without
Martin Bowes, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, Alderman: Langbourn
William Garrarde, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, Alderman: Lime Street
Thomas Rowe, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors, Alderman: Portsoken
John Lyon, Worshipful Company of Grocers, Alderman: Queenhithe
Richard Foulkes, Worshipful Company of Clothworkers, Alderman: Vintry
Rowland Hill, Worshipful Company of Mercers, Alderman: Walbrook
The beginning and end of the procession
Sources:
Raphael Holinshed, "Chronicles of England, Scotland, and Ireland", "Court of Aldermen, Repertory 14 1558-9"
Elizabeth is welcomed to the City
At Fenchurch, a child on a scaffold gives a speech welcoming Elizabeth to the city.
Event, Participants
Guild Representatives:
George Heaton, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
William Petreson, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
Richard Taylor, Worshipful Company of Grocers
Thomas Castell, Worshipful Company of Drapers
Performers:
musicians: child performer:
Child at Fenchurch
O pereles Souerayne Queene, behold what thys thy Towne
Hath thee presented with, at thy fyrſt entraunce heere:
Behold with how riche hope ſhe leades thee to thy Crowne,
Behold with what wo gyftes, ſhe comforteth thy cheere.
The fyrst is bleſſing tongs, which many a welcome ſay,
Which pray thou maiſt do well, which prayſe thee to the Skye,
Which wish to thee long lyfe, which bleſſe this happie day,
Which to thy kingdome heapes, all that in tongs can lye.
The second is true heartes, which loue thee from theyr roote,
Whose ſute is triumph now, and ruleth all the game.
Which faithfulnes haue wonne, and all vntruth driuen out,
Which skippe for ioy, when as they heare thy happy name.
Welcome therefore O Queene, as much as heart can thinke,
Welcome agayne O Queene, as much as tong can tell:
Welcome to ioyous tongs, and hearts that will not ſhrinke,
God thee preserue we pray, and wiſh thee euer well.
The First Pageant
The first pageant Elizabeth sees is on Gracechurch Street, where at the upper end there are three stages, one with a depiction of Henry VII and his wife Elizabeth, one with Henry VIII and Queen Anne, and one with Queen Elizabeth. This pageant was called "The Uniting of the two houses of Lancaster and York."
Characters
Henry VII, Elizabeth of York, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn
Performer
Child Performer
The two Princes that ſitte vnder one cloth of ſtate,
The man in the redde Roſe, the woman in the white:
Henry the ſeuenth, and Queene Elizabeth his mate,
By ring of marriage, as man and wife vnite.
Both hetres to both their blouds, to Lancaſter the Kyng,
The Queene to Yorke, in one the two houſes did knitte,
Of whome as heyre to both, Henry the eyght did ſpring,
In whoſe ſeate his true heire thou Queene Elizabeth doſt fitte
Therefore as ciuill warre, and ſhede of bloud did ceaſſe,
when theſe two houſes were vnited into one,
So now that iarre ſhall ſtint, and quietnes encreaſe,
We truſt, O noble Queene, thou wilt be cauſe alone.
The Second Pageant
The second pageant, entitled the Seat of Worthy Governance, is at the conduit in Cornhill. A child depicting Elizabeth is placed in a royal seat, and is surrounded by virtues (Pure Religion, Love of Subjects, Wisdom, Justice) and contrary vices (Superstition and Ignorance, Rebellion and Insolency, Folly and Vainglory, Adulation and Bribery).
Event, Participants
Guild Representatives
Phylyp Gunter, Worshipful Company of Skinners
Thomas Hunt, Worshipful Company of Skinners
Thomas Bannyster, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
Myles Mording, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
John Traves, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
Performer
Child performer, Queen Elizabeth, Child Performer
While that Religion true, ſhall ignorance ſuppreſſe,
And with hir weigtie foote, breake ſuperſtitious head,
whyle loue of ſubiects, ſhall Rebellion diſtreſſe,
And with zeale to the Prince, inſolency downe treade.
Whyle Iuſtice, can flattering tongs and briberie deface,
While follie and vayneglorie to wiſedome yeeld their handes
So long ſhall gouernement not ſwarue from hir right race,
But wrong decayeth ſtill and rightwiſenes vp ſtandes.
Now all thy ſubiuects heartes, O Prince of yereles fame,
Do truſt theſe vertues ſhall mainteyne vp thy throne,
And vice be kept downe ſtill, the wicked out to ſhame,
That good with good may ioy, and naught with naught may mone.
The Third Pageant
The third pageant witnessed by Elizabeth took place at the Great Conduit in Cheapside, at the end of Soper Lane. In this pageant, eight children represent the eight blessings.
Event, Participants
Guild Representatives
Geoggrey Walkeden, Worshipful Company of Skinners
Clement Cornwall, Worshipful Company of Ironmongers
Thomas Pyerson, Worshipful Company of Scriveners
Henry Bukfolde, Worshipful Company of Girdlers
Thomas Marston, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
Frances Barneham, Worshipful Company of Drapers
Performers
Child Performer
Thou haſt bin eyght times bleſt, O Queene of worthy [...]
By meekenes of thy ſpirit, when care did thee beſette,
By mourning in thy griefe, by mildnes in thy blame,
By hunger and by thirſt, and iuſtice couldſt none gette.
By mercy ſhewed, not felt, by cleanes of thine heart,
By ſeeking peace alwaies, by perſecution wrong.
Therefore truſt thou in God, ſince he hath helpe thy ſmart,
That as his promis is, ſo he will make thee ſtrong.
Elizabeth passes the Standard in Cheapside
When Elizabeth passes the Standard in Cheapside, trumpeters and livery company members are present.
Participants:
Guild Representatives
Roland Hayward, Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
Richard Barnys, Worshipful Company of Mercers
Richard Stockbridge, Worshipful Company of Mercers
Robert Offley, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
Performers
trumpeters
Elizabeth passes the Cheapside Cross
Elizabeth passes by the Cheapside Cross, which is decorated.
Participants:
Guild Representatives
Thomas Picket, Worshipful Company of Grocers
John Jackson, Worshipful Company of Founders
Robert Wygge, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Edward Gylberd, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Waits at St. Peter's Church door
The waits of the city play their instruments at the door of St. Peter's Church.
Participants:
Performers
waits
Lord Mayor's gift to Elizabeth
At the upper end of Cheapside, the City Recorder gives Elizabeth a purse with 1000 marks of gold on behalf of the Lord Mayor and the city.
Events, Participants
Representatives of the City
Ranulph Chomeley, City Recorder
Thomas Leigh, Lord Mayor
The Fourth Pageant
The fourth pageant witnessed by Elizabeth takes place at the Little Conduit in Cheapside. At this pageant, a child representing Truth gifts a Bible for Elizabeth to Sir John Parrat. The pageant also features two hills, one representing the Ruinosa Respublica and the other the Respublica Bene Instituta. The Aldermen are also standing at the upper end of Cheapside.
Participants:
Representatives of the Aristocracy
John Parrat
Representatives of the City
Aldermen
Guild Representatives
Richard Buckland, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
Thomas Brown, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
John Harrison, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Richard Grace, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Performers
child performer, Truth
This old man with the ſythe, olde father Tyme they call,
And hir his daughter Trueth, which holdeth yonder Booke,
Whome he our of his rocke hath brought forth to vs all,
From whence this many yeares ſhe durſt not once out looke.
The ruthfull wight that ſitteth vnder the barren tree,
Reſembleth to vs forme, when common weales decay,
But when they be in ſtate triumphant, you may ſee
By him in freſhe attire that ſitteth vnder the baye.
Nowe ſince that Tyme agayne his daughter Trueth hathe brought,
We truſt O worthy Q. thou wilt this trueth embrace,
And ſince thou vnderſtandſt the good eſtate and naught,
We truſt welth thou wilte plant, and barrennes diſplace.
But for heale the ſore, and cure that is not ſeene,
Whiche thing the Booke of trueth doth teach in writing playne:
She doth preſent to thee the ſame, O worthy Queene,
For that, that words do flye, but writing doth remayne.
Elizabeth at Paul's School
Passing through St. Paul's Churchyard, Elizabeth goes to Paul's School where she hears a speech delivered by a child in Latin.
Musicians at Ludgate
Elizabeth passes through Ludgate, where musicians play and livery company men are stationed.
Participants:
Guild Representatives
Henry Nayler, Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
John Lacy, Worshipful Company of Clothworkers
George Allyn, Worshipful Company of Skinners
Thomas Nycoll, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
Performers
musicians
The Fifth Pageant
Elizabeth crosses Fleetbridge to the Conduit in Fleet Street for the fifth and final pageant about Debora consoling for the good government of Israel, with personages representing the Nobility, the Clergy, and the Communality.
Events, Participants
Guild Representatives
Thomas Sponer, Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths
John Hulson, Worshipful Company of Scriveners
Richard Serrour, Worshipful Company of Grocers
William Mortimer, Worshipful Company of Carpenters
John Craythorne, Worshipful Company of Cutlers
Lawrence Taylor, Worshipful Company of Cutlers
Frances Barker, Worshipful Company of Drapers
Garrard Lee, Worshipful Company of Drapers
Child performer
Iabin of Canaan king had long by force of armes
Oppreſt the Iſraelites, which for Gods people went,
But God mynding at laſt for to redreſſe theyr harmes,
The worthie Debora as iudge among them ſent.
In warre ſhe through Gods ayde, did put hir foes to flight.
And with the dint off worde the band of bondage braſt.
In peace ſhe, through Gods ayd, did alway mainteyne right,
And iudged Iſraell till fortie yeares were paſt.
A worthie preſident, O worthie Queene, thou haſt,
A worthie woman iudge, a woman ſent for ſtay.
And that the like to vs endure alway thou mayſt,
Thy louing ſubiects will with true hearts and tongs pray.
Elizabeth passes St. Dunstan Church
At St. Dunstan's Church, children are appointed to stand with their governors. A child offers to make an oration for Elizabeth in Latin. Richard Bucland the haberdasher paid for the construction of the scaffold at St. Dunstan's.
Events, Participants
Performers
Children of the hospital, Governors
Richard Bucland, Worshipful Company of Haberdashers
City's Farewell at Temple Bar
For the final stop of her procession, Elizabeth stops at Temple Bar, which is adorned with images of the giants Gogmagog the Albion and Corineus the Briton. On the south side of Temple Bar, a group of children sing, and a child dressed as a Port gives Elizabeth her farewell from the City. After this, Elizabeth processes to Westminster, the final destination and location of her coronation.
Events, Participants
Guild Representatives
William James, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
Richard Totehill, Worshipful Company of Stationers
Gyles Atkinson, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
Barthilmewe Broskerby, Worshipful Company of Scriveners
Richard Broune, Worshipful Company of Merchant Taylors
Child performer
As at thine entrance firſt O Prince of high renowne,
Thou wast presented with tongues ans hearts for thy fayre,
So now sith thou muſt needes depart out of this towne,
This Citie sendeth thee firme hope and earneſt prayer.
For all men hope in thee, that all vertues ſhall raigne,
For all men hope that thou, none errour wilt ſupport.
For all men hope that thou wilt truth reſtore againe,
And mend that is amiſſe, to all good mennes comfort.
And for this hope they pray, thou mayest continue long,
Our Queene amongst vs here, all vice for to ſupplant,
And for this hope they pray, that God may make thee strong,
As by his grace puiſſant, ſo in his truth constant
Farewell O worthie Queene, and as our hope is ſure,
That into errours place thou wilt nowe truth reſtore,
So trust we that thou wilt our ſoueraigne Queene endure,
And louing Ladie ſtande, from henceforth euermore.