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HAMPTON COURT

other furniture for the same in every degree. Then my Lord Cardinal sent me, being his gentleman-usher, with two other of my fellows, to foresee all things touching our rooms, to be nobly garnished accordingly. Our pains were not small nor light, but daily travelling up and down from chamber to chamber. Then wrought the joiners, carpenters, masons, painters, and all other artificers necessary to be had to glorify this noble feast. There was carriage and re-carriage of plate, stuff, and other rich implements; so that there was nothing lacking to be imagined or devised for the purpose. There were also provided 280 beds, furnished with all manner of furniture to them belonging, too long particularly here to be rehearsed. But all wise men may and do sufficiently know what belongeth to the furniture thereof, and that is sufficient at this time to be said.

"The day was come to the Frenchmen assigned, and they ready assembled before the hour of their appointment. Wherefore the officers caused them to ride to Hamworth, a place and park of the King's, within three miles, there to hunt and spend the day until night. At which time they returned again to Hampton Court, and every of them was conveyed to their several chambers, having in them great fires and wine for their comfort and relief, remaining there until the supper was ready. The chambers where they supped and banqueted were ordered in this sort. First the great waiting-chamber was hanged with rich arras, as