at some
great Councellors are much displeased with it, and so 'tis thought
shall be forbidden. And so wishing a merry Christmas and many a good
year to you and Mrs. Winwood, I committ you to God. Yours, most
assuredly, John Chamberlaine."

"On the 26th of January, Mr. Chamberlaine writes thus to Mr. Winwood:
'I doubt not but Dudley Carleton hath acquainted you with all their
Christmas-games at Court, for he was a spectator of all the sports and
shows. The King went to Royston two days after Twelfth-tide, where and
thereabout he hath continued ever since, and finds such felicity in
that hunting life, that he hath written to the Councill that it is the
only means to maintain his health, which being the health and welfare
of us all, he desires them to take the charge and burden of affairs,
and foresee that he be not interrupted or _troubled with too much
business_.'"

Campion's Masque in honour of Lord Hayes and his bride was presented
before King James, at Whitehall, on Twelfth Night, 1606; and in
reference to the Christmas festivities at Court the following year
(1607), Mr. Chamberlaine, writing to Sir D. Carleton, on the 5th of
January, says:

"The Masque goes forward at Court for Twelfth-day, though I doubt the
New Room will be scant ready. All the Holidays there were Plays; but
with so little concourse of strangers, that they say they wanted
company. The King was very earnest to have one on Christmas-night; but
the Lords told him it was not the fashion. Which answer pleased him
not a whit; but he said, 'What do you tell me of the fashion? I will
make it a fashion.' Yesterday he dined in the Presence in great pomp,
with two rich cupboards of plate, the one gold, the other that of the
House of Burgundy pawned to Queen Elizabeth by the States of Brabant,
and hath seldom been seen abroad, being exceeding massy, fair, and
sumptuous. I could learn no reason of this extraordinary bravery, but
that he would show himself in glory to certain Scots that were never
here before, as they say there be many lately come, and that the Court
is full of new and strange faces. Yesterday there were to be shewn
certain rare fire-works contrived by a Dane, two Dutchmen, and Sir
Thomas Challoner, in concert."

On January 8th, another letter of Mr. Chamberlaine thus refers to
gaming at Court: "On the Twelfth-eve there was great golden play at
Court. No Gamester admitted that brought not L300 at least. Montgomery
played the King's money,