ces of rare inventions, and in act of diverse interludes, and
matters of pastime plaied by persons, as not onlie satisfied the
common sort, but also were verie well liked and allowed by the
Councell, and other of skill in the like pastimes; but best of all by
the young King himselfe, as appeered by his princelie liberalitie in
rewarding that service." The old chronicler quaintly adds, that
"Christmas being thus passed with much mirth and pastime, it was
thought now good to proceed to the execution of the judgment against
the Duke of Somerset." The day of execution was the 22nd of January,
1552, six weeks after the passing of the sentence.

King Edward took part in some of the Christmas masques performed at
his Court, with other youths of his age and stature, all the
performers being suitably attired in costly garments. Will Somers also
figured in some of these masques. The young King seems to have found
more amusement in the pageants superintended by Master Ferrers than he
had gained from some of the solemnities of the state in which he had
been obliged to play a prominent part; but none of the diversions
restored him to good health. Large sums of money were expended on
these Christmas entertainments, and the King handsomely rewarded the
Master of his pastimes.

George Ferrers, who was a lawyer, a poet, and an historian, was
certainly well qualified for his task, and well supplied with the
means of making sport, as "Master of the King's Pastimes." He
complained to Sir Thomas Cawarden that the dresses provided for his
assistants were not sufficient, and immediately an order was given for
better provision. He provided clowns, jugglers, tumblers, men to dance
the fool's dance, besides being assisted by the "Court Fool" of the
time--John Smyth. This man was newly supplied for the occasion, having
a long fool's coat of yellow cloth of gold, fringed all over with
white, red, and green velvet, containing 71/2 yards at L2 per yard,
guarded with plain yellow cloth of gold, 4 yards at 33s. 4d. per yard;
with a hood and a pair of buskins of the same figured gold containing
21/2 yards at L5, and a girdle of yellow sarsenet containing one
quarter 16d., the whole value of "the fool's dress" being L26 14s. 8d.
Ferrers, as the "Lord of Misrule" wore a robe of rich stuff made of
silk and golden thread containing 9 yards at 16s. a yard, guarded with
embroidered cloth of gold, wrought in knots, 14 yards at 11s. 4d. a
yard; having fur of