All these were dailie attending, downe lieng and vprising, and at meales: he kept in his great cham|ber a continuall boord for the chamberers and gentle|men officers, hauing with them a messe of the yoong lords, and another of gentlemen. Besides all these, there was neuer an officer, gentleman, or worthie person, but he was allowed in the house, some thrée, some two, and all other one at the least, which grew to a great number of persons. Thus farre out of the checker roll, besides other officers, seruants, retei|ners, and suters,Thomas Wolseie twise ambassador to the emperour Charles. that most commonlie dined in the hall. After that he was thus furnished, he was sent twise in ambassage to the emperour Charles the fift, for diuerse vrgent causes touching the kings EEBO page image 921 maiestie, it was thought, that so noble a prince (the cardinall) was most méet to be sent: wherfore being readie to take vpon him the charge thereof, hée was furnished in all degrées and purposes, most like a great prince.

For first he procéeded foorth furnished like a cardi|nall: his gentlemen being verie manie in num|ber, were clothed in liuerie coats of crimsin veluet of the best, with chaines of gold about their necks, and his yeomen and meane officers in coats of fine scar|let, garded with blacke veluet an hand broad. Thus furnished, he was twise sent into Flanders to the emperour then lieng in Bruges, whome he did most highlie interteine, discharging all his charges and his mens. There was no house within the towne of Bruges, wherein anie gentleman of the cardinals was lodged, or had recourse, but that the owners were commanded by the emperours officers, that they,The empe|rors munifi|cence notable and worthie his imperiall person. vpon paine of their liues, should take no monie for anie thing that the cardinals seruants did take of anie kind of vittels, no although they were dispo|sed to make anie costlie bankets.

Commanding furthermore their said hostes, to sée that they lacked no such things as they honestlie required for their honestie and pleasure. Also the em|perours officers euerie night went through the towne from house to house, whereas anie English gentlemen did repast or lodge, and serued their li|ueries for all night, which was doone in this maner. First, the officers brought into the house a cast of fine manchet, and of siluer two great pots with white wine, and sugar to the weight of a pound: white lights and yellow lights of wax: a boll of siluer with a goblet to drinke in, and euerie night a staffe torch: this was the order of the liueries euerie night. And in the morning, when the same officers came to fetch awaie their stuffe, then would they account with the hostes for the gentlemens costs spent in the daie be|fore. Thus the emperour interteined the cardinall and all his traine for the time of his ambassage there. And that doone, he returned into England with great triumph.