WINCHESTER CATHEDRAL.
Saint James’s day had been appointed for the marriage, that saint being the patron of Spain. Brighter or more beautiful morning never rose on Winchester than on this auspicious3 day. Magnificent preparations had been made for the event. Two triumphal arches spanned the High-street, and all the houses were hung with cloths of gold and silver, velvet4 and arras, while minstrels were everywhere engaged. The pinnacles6 of the graceful7 Cross, which belongs to the time of Henry VI., and still adorns8 the city, were hung with garlands of flowers, and the statue of Saint Lawrence, placed under its exquisite9 canopied10 niche11, was garnished12 with beads13, chains, and other articles of goldsmith’s work. The conduits ran with white and red wines. All the poor were publicly feasted; and at night great bon-fires were lighted on the adjacent hills.
The city was fuller of strangers than it had ever been known. Not only were the hostels14 crowded to overflowing15, but the religious houses and colleges were thronged16 with guests. At an early hour of the day thousands of persons, who had travelled all night, began to arrive from various quarters—from Southampton, from Bishop17’s Waltham, from Alresford, from Stockbridge, from Romsey, and even from Salisbury—in short, from every place within a circuit of 137twenty miles. These new comers found scant18 accommodation, but booths were erected19 on Saint Giles’s Hill, and on Saint Mary Magdalene’s Hill, as during fair-time, to which they resorted.
Loud reports of ordnance20 were continually heard from the batteries of the castle, and the bells of all the churches pealed22 joyfully23. As the hour appointed for the ceremony approached, a grand procession began to enter the cathedral. First came the mayor and aldermen of Winchester, in scarlet24 gowns, followed by the officers of the city, apparelled in velvet and silk, carrying long staves. Then, after a short pause, came thirty gentlemen belonging to the Spanish ambassadors, clad in doublets of yellow velvet striped with red. These were followed by Simon Renard and Don Juan de Figueroa, both sumptuously26 apparelled. Then came a numerous body of sergeants27 and officers of arms, and after them gentlemen, esquires, and knights28, all richly attired30, and ranged according to their degrees. On reaching the steps leading to the choir31, all these passed into the north transept, which, ere long, was completely filled. Then came another long train of gentlemen and esquires belonging to various noblemen, all in rich liveries of divers32 colours, and making a splendid show. Then came the Duke of Norfolk, the Earls of Arundel, Sussex, Huntingdon, Shrewsbury, Pembroke, and Derby, in their robes of estate of crimson33 velvet furred with ermine, and powdered according to their degrees. All such as were Knights of the Garter wore the collar and the lesser34 badge of the order. These were followed by the lords of the council in robes of scarlet. After them came the choir of the cathedral, solemnly singing as they passed along; then the clergy35, in their copes and gowns; then came the incense-bearers, with great silver thuribles, censing the way. Then followed the Bishops36 of London, Durham, Ely, Lincoln, Chichester, and other prelates, in copes and mitres. After them came two priests, each bearing a large silver cross, followed by another priest with a crosier. Next came Gardiner himself, in his full pontificals.
Before proceeding37, let us cast an eye around the interior of the cathedral, and note the extraordinary splendour of its decorations. The mighty38 pillars lining39 each side of the 138broad nave40 were covered to the height of twelve feet with crimson velvet, entwined with golden wreaths, while the intercolumniations were filled up with arras and rich hangings. Every pillar was further decked with flags and pennons. The aisles41 and transepts were likewise adorned42 with hangings, and the Lady Chapel43, wherein the marriage ceremony was about to be solemnised, was hung with cloth of gold. Along the nave, as far as the choir, was stretched a cloth of ray, with rails on either side. Over the high altar was reared an immense silver cross, and the altar itself glittered with silver and gems44. From an early hour in the morning, all portions of the cathedral allotted45 to the public were thronged to excess. Some thousands were present on the occasion. The precincts of the sacred pile were equally crowded, and the wide area in front of the grand western portal presented a dense46 mass of human beings.
At ten o’clock the royal bridegroom left the deanery, attended by the whole of his grandees47, whose gorgeous habiliments glittered with priceless jewels. Cloth of ray had been laid down from the deanery to the great western entrance of the cathedral, and on this Philip and his nobles walked. Their path was further protected by rails, outside of which archers48 and halberdiers were stationed.
Philip’s bridal attire29 was magnificent, and attracted universal admiration49. His doublet and hose were of white satin, richly embroidered50 with gold, and over all he wore a gorgeous mantle51 of cloth of gold, presented to him by the Queen, and thickly covered with pearls and precious stones. His white velvet cap was studded with diamonds, rubies52, and emeralds. Over his shoulders he wore the collar of the Garter, while the lesser badge of the order encircled his knee. Splendid, however, as was his attire, it hardly outshone the habiliments of his grandees, all of whom wore the collar of the Golden Fleece, or the insignia of some other order.
As Philip entered the cathedral with his train, trumpets54 were loudly sounded, and the martial55 bruit56 continued as he advanced along the nave. Midway he was met by the Earl of Arundel and other nobles, and ceremoniously conducted to a traverse, prepared for him in the south transept, where he awaited the Queen’s arrival.
139This was not long delayed. A peal21 of artillery57, accompanied by reiterated58 shouts, announced that her Majesty59 had reached the precincts of the cathedral. Already, indeed, the foremost of her immediate60 attendants were passing through the grand portal. First came Garter King at Arms in his gorgeous tabard, followed by the other heralds61, and attended by a band of trumpeters, with their silver clarions at their lips. Then came the Grand Chamberlain, Sir John Gage5, his lofty figure seen to great advantage in a scarlet robe open before, and edged with ermine. Sir John Gage had the collar of the Garter round his neck, and carried his wand of office in his hand. He was accompanied by the Vice-Chamberlain, Sir Henry Jerningham, likewise in his robes of office, and bearing a white wand. Then followed a long train of pages attired in liveries of white and blue satin, which had a charming effect. Then followed the three gigantic yeomen of the guard, in scarlet, with the royal badge embroidered at the front and back of their doublets.
Fresh acclamations from without, continued by the crowd within the cathedral, proclaimed the entrance of the Queen. Mary walked beneath a canopy62 of cloth of gold, the gilt63 staves of which were borne by four knights, chosen for the purpose from their goodly presence, attired in crimson satin, with points of blue and red on their sleeves.
The Queen was arrayed in a gown of white cloth of tissue, the stomacher of which was encrusted with diamonds and precious stones, and her mantle of crimson velvet, bordered with ermine, and embroidered with gold, was borne by six noble dames64, all magnificently attired. Her hair was unbound, as was then the custom of brides—and a beautiful custom it was—and on her head she wore a coif, encircled with gold, and studded with orient pearls and gems. Mary marched with a firm step along the nave, and really presented a very majestic65 appearance. She was followed by a long train of ladies, whose sweeping66 velvet mantles67, furred and embroidered, were borne by pages in rich liveries.
As the Queen advanced along the body of the cathedral, Philip, who had been apprised68 of her coming, and, indeed, could not be unaware69 of it from the braying70 of trumpets and shouting, came from the traverse with his retinue71, and met her just as she reached the steps of the choir. Saluting72 her 140with a warm demonstration73 of affection that savoured little of ceremony, he took her hand, and they ascended74 the steps together, Sir John Gage and the Vice-Chamberlain preceding them.
At this moment Gardiner and the other prelates came forth75 from the choir, and while the royal pair were standing76 there with the Bishop of Winchester, in full view of the immense assemblage, Don Juan de Figueroa, attended by Simon Renard, came towards them, and, bending the knee to Philip, presented a scroll77 to him.
“What means this, your excellency?” demanded the Prince, with a well-feigned look of astonishment78.
“It means, your Highness,” replied Figueroa, as he arose, “that your august sire, the Emperor, deeming it beneath the dignity of so high and mighty a sovereign as the Queen of England to wed25 with one of rank inferior to her own, has by this act resigned to your Highness the crown of Naples and Sicily, with the Duchy of Milan, and divers other seats and signories. From this moment, Sire, you are King of Naples, and as such her Majesty’s equal.”
“A right noble and gracious act, and worthy79 of my great father!” exclaimed Philip. “Does not your Majesty think so?”
“Nobly done, indeed, Sire!” cried Mary. “I joy that you are King of Naples, but you could not be dearer to me than as Prince of Spain.”
“The Emperor’s great and generous act must be made known to the entire assemblage,” said Gardiner.
“Be that task mine,” rejoined Simon Renard.
Whereupon silence being called by sound of trumpet53, the Spanish ambassador advanced towards the edge of the steps, and in a loud voice, distinctly heard by the thousands congregated80 within the nave, announced what the Emperor had done for his son.
Tremendous acclamations followed, and the roof resounded81 with cries of “Long live the Emperor! Long live the King of Naples!”
No sooner had Simon Renard retired82 than Garter King at Arms advanced with a couple of trumpeters, and proclaimed the styles and titles of the two sovereigns in the following formula:—
141“Philip and Mary, by the grace of God, King and Queen of England, France, Naples, Jerusalem, and Ireland; Defenders83 of the Faith; Princes of Spain and Sicily; Archdukes of Austria; Dukes of Milan, Burgundy, and Brabant; Counts of Hagsburg, Flanders, and Tyrol.”
This proclamation being made, the trumpets were sounded, and the acclamations of the assemblage were renewed.
Preceded by Gardiner and the other prelates, ceremoniously marshalled by the Grand Chamberlain and Vice-Chamberlain, and attended by the principal nobles, English and Spanish, forming an assemblage of unrivalled splendour, the royal pair—now equals in dignity—marched hand in hand to the beautiful Lady Chapel built by Bishop Godfrey de Lucy, where the marriage was solemnised by Gardiner, assisted by the other prelates, the royal bride being given away in the name of the realm by the Marquis of Winchester and the Earls of Pembroke and Derby.
In all respects the ceremony was admirably performed. The prelates gathered round the richly-decked altar, the royal couple kneeling before it on velvet faldstools, the grand assemblage of English and Spanish nobles grouped around, the proud dames of both nations filling the galleries on either side of the chapel—all constituted a superb picture.
The solemnity ended, the royal couple returned to the choir, where a cloth of estate had been prepared for them, beneath which they sat while Te Deum was solemnly sung. Here the picture was even grander than that exhibited in the Lady Chapel, because it comprehended so much more of the cathedral. Fortunately, it could be seen by the vast crowd in the nave.
All being concluded, the royal couple quitted the sacred edifice84, walking hand in hand beneath the canopy. Before them marched the Earls of Pembroke and Derby, each bearing a sword of state.
In this manner, amid the thunder of artillery, the sounding of trumpets, and the shouts of the crowd, they returned to Wolvesey Castle, where a grand banquet was given, followed by a state ball.
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1
nuptials
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| n.婚礼；婚礼( nuptial的名词复数 ) | |
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celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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auspicious
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| adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的 | |
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velvet
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| n.丝绒，天鹅绒；adj.丝绒制的，柔软的 | |
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gage
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| n.标准尺寸，规格；量规，量表 [=gauge] | |
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pinnacles
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| 顶峰( pinnacle的名词复数 )； 顶点； 尖顶； 小尖塔 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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adorns
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| 装饰，佩带( adorn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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canopied
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| adj. 遮有天篷的 | |
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niche
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| n.壁龛；合适的职务(环境、位置等) | |
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garnished
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| v.给（上餐桌的食物）加装饰( garnish的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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beads
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| n.（空心）小珠子( bead的名词复数 )；水珠；珠子项链 | |
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hostels
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| n.旅舍，招待所( hostel的名词复数 )；青年宿舍 | |
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overflowing
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| n. 溢出物,溢流 adj. 充沛的，充满的 动词overflow的现在分词形式 | |
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16
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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scant
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| adj.不充分的，不足的；v.减缩，限制，忽略 | |
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19
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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ordnance
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| n.大炮，军械 | |
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peal
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| n.钟声；v.鸣响 | |
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pealed
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| v.（使）（钟等）鸣响，（雷等）发出隆隆声( peal的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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joyfully
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| adv. 喜悦地, 高兴地 | |
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scarlet
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| n.深红色，绯红色，红衣；adj.绯红色的 | |
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wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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sumptuously
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| 奢侈地，豪华地 | |
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sergeants
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| 警官( sergeant的名词复数 )； （美国警察）警佐； （英国警察）巡佐； 陆军（或空军）中士 | |
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knights
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| 骑士； （中古时代的）武士( knight的名词复数 )； 骑士； 爵士； （国际象棋中）马 | |
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attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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attired
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| adj.穿着整齐的v.使穿上衣服，使穿上盛装( attire的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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choir
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| n.唱诗班，唱诗班的席位，合唱团，舞蹈团；v.合唱 | |
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divers
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| adj.不同的；种种的 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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lesser
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| adj.次要的，较小的；adv.较小地，较少地 | |
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clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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lining
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| n.衬里，衬料 | |
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nave
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| n.教堂的中部；本堂 | |
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aisles
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| n. (席位间的)通道, 侧廊 | |
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adorned
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| [计]被修饰的 | |
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chapel
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| n.小教堂，殡仪馆 | |
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44
gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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allotted
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| 分配，拨给，摊派( allot的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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grandees
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| n.贵族，大公，显贵者( grandee的名词复数 ) | |
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archers
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| n.弓箭手，射箭运动员( archer的名词复数 ) | |
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admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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50
embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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51
mantle
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| n.斗篷，覆罩之物，罩子；v.罩住，覆盖，脸红 | |
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52
rubies
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| 红宝石( ruby的名词复数 )； 红宝石色，深红色 | |
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53
trumpet
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| n.喇叭，喇叭声；v.吹喇叭，吹嘘 | |
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trumpets
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| 喇叭( trumpet的名词复数 )； 小号； 喇叭形物； （尤指）绽开的水仙花 | |
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55
martial
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| adj.战争的，军事的，尚武的，威武的 | |
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bruit
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| v.散布；n.（听诊时所听到的）杂音；吵闹 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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reiterated
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| 反复地说，重申( reiterate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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heralds
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| n.使者( herald的名词复数 )；预报者；预兆；传令官v.预示( herald的第三人称单数 )；宣布（好或重要） | |
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canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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gilt
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| adj.镀金的；n.金边证券 | |
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dames
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| n.（在英国）夫人（一种封号），夫人（爵士妻子的称号）( dame的名词复数 )；女人 | |
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majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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mantles
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| vt.&vi.覆盖（mantle的第三人称单数形式） | |
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apprised
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| v.告知，通知( apprise的过去式和过去分词 )；评价 | |
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unaware
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| a.不知道的，未意识到的 | |
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braying
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| v.发出驴叫似的声音( bray的现在分词 )；发嘟嘟声；粗声粗气地讲话（或大笑）；猛击 | |
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retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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saluting
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的现在分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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scroll
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| n.卷轴，纸卷；(石刻上的)漩涡 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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congregated
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| （使）集合，聚集( congregate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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