most pregnant wits of these our times, whom succeeding ages may justly admire.
Note. This book of Camden was first printed in 1605, but the date attached to the dedicatory epistle, June 12, 1603, indicates that it was complete in manuscript at the earlier period. For Camden’s interest in Shakespeare’s heraldic ambitions see no. XXVI.
XXXIX. GRANT OF RED CLOTH TO SHAKESPEARE AS GROOM OF THE KING’S CHAMBER IN JAMES I’S CORONATION PROCESSION (1604).
From the accounts of the Master of the Wardrobe, March 15, 1604. (Public Record Office.)
The Accompt of Sir George Hume, Knight, Master of the great Wardrobe to the high and mighty Prince, our Gracious Sovereign Lord, James by the Grace of God King of England, Scotland, France, & Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c, as well of all his receipts as of his emptions and deliveries of all manner of furnitures and provisions whatsoever by him bought and provided for his Majesty’s use and service against his royal entry and proceeding through his honorable city of London, together with our Sovereign Lady, Queen Anne, his wife, and the noble Prince Henry his son, solemnized the xvth day of March, 1603 [i.e. 1604] and in the first year of his reign of England, France, & Ireland, & of Scotland the seven-and-thirtieth. . . . Red Cloth bought of sundry persons and given by his Majesty to divers persons against his Majesty’s said royal proceeding through the City of London, viz.: . . . The Chamber . . .
