[Wolsey hosts a banquet, ‘the like of which was never given either by Cleopatra or Caligula’]
On the 3rd October the general peace had been proclaimed in St. Paul's Church. The King was accompanied thither by the two Legates (Wolsey and Campeggio), all the ambassadors, and the lords and prelates of the kingdom. A solemn mass was celebrated by the Cardinal of York, with unusual splendour. After the Chief Secretary, Richard Pace, had delivered an elegant oration, the King, the Cardinal of York, and the French ambassadors proceeded to the high altar, where the articles of the peace were read, and sworn to by both parties, but in a tone audible only to themselves, which was tantamount to their having cancelled the words of the preamble concerning the expedition against the Turks.
The ceremonies being ended, the King and the rest went to dine in the palace of the Bishop of London. Then the King returned to Durham House accompanied by all the aforesaid. From thence the Cardinal of York was followed by the entire company to his own dwelling, where they sat down to a most sumptuous supper, the like of which was never given either by Cleopatra or Caligula. The banqueting hall was so decorated with huge vases of gold and silver, that he (Giustinian) fancied himself in the tower of Chosroes, where that monarch caused divine honours to be paid him.
After supper, a mummery, consisting of twelve male and twelve female maskers, made their appearance in the richest and most sumptuous array, being all dressed alike. After performing certain dances, they removed their visors. The two leaders were the King and the Queen Dowager of France, and all the others were lords and ladies, who seated themselves apart from the tables, and were served with countless dishes of confections and other delicacies. Large bowls filled with ducats and dice were then placed upon the table for such as liked to gamble. Shortly after, the supper tables being removed, dancing commenced, and lasted until after midnight. On the 5th the bridal entertainments had been celebrated at Greenwich, being attended by the two Legates, the ambassadors, lords, and prelates. The decorations were very sumptuous. The King stood in front of his throne. On one side was the Queen, (Katharine) and the Queen Dowager of France (Mary). The Princess (Mary) was in front of her mother, dressed in cloth of gold, with a cap of black velvet on her head, adorned with many costly jewels. On the other side were the two Legates, and others, according to rank.
The Reverend Cuthbert Tunstall, Privy Councillor, delivered an oration, after which the Princess was taken in arms, and the French ambassadors asked the consent of the King and Queen to the marriage contract. Both having assented, the Cardinal of York placed on her finger a small ring, in which a large diamond was set, supposed to have been a present from the Cardinal, and the Lord Admiral (of France) passed it over the second joint. The bride was then blessed by the two Legates, and mass performed by the Cardinal of York. The whole of the choir was decorated with cloth of gold, and all the court was in exceedingly rich array.
After these ceremonies were ended, the King and all the company went to dinner. The King received the water for his hands from three dukes and a marquis, and then water was also given to the Legates and others according to their rank. At the royal table the two Legates were seated on the right hand, at some little distance from the King; and on the left were two of the French ambassadors (namely, the Lord Admiral and the Bishop of Paris) the Dukes of Buckingham, Norfolk and Suffolk being seated at the inner side of the table. The other two French ambassadors, the Spaniard, the one from Denmark, and he (Giustinian), with marquises and other lords and prelates, dined in another chamber. After dinner the King and the Cardinal of York, with the French ambassadors, betook themselves into a certain room, to conclude some matters which remained for settlement, and all the rest departed.
