Harefield Entertainment facts for kids
The Harefield Entertainment was a special party and show held for Elizabeth I of England in August 1602. It took place at Harefield Place, a large estate. People performed plays and gave gifts to the Queen and her ladies. We know about this event from old written records, including the script of the performances and lists of what was bought. Some of these old records might have been changed a long time ago to make them seem more exciting.
Getting Ready for the Queen
Sir Thomas Egerton, who was a very important official called the Lord Keeper, bought Harefield Place in 1601. Queen Elizabeth I visited his home in Harefield from July 29 to August 3, 1602. This visit was part of a short trip she made for about two weeks.
Sir Thomas Egerton kept detailed lists of everything he spent on the Queen's visit. Some of the speeches and plays performed during her stay were also written down and printed. A fun "lottery" was part of the entertainment. In this lottery, gifts were given to the ladies of the court, and funny poems were read out loud. Many people believe that Sir Thomas's wife, Alice, Countess of Derby, played a big part in planning all the events.
To feed the Queen and her many helpers, Sir Thomas bought a huge amount of food. This included wheat for bread, butter, eggs, and many kinds of meat like chickens, pigeons, geese, rabbits, and pigs. They also had fish like trout, lobster, and crayfish. There was plenty of wine, beer, and ale to drink. A special cook named Allin Wardis was hired, and Mr. Walther made sweet treats.
Building materials were also needed. Planks for tables were brought by boat up the River Thames. They even bought 18,000 bricks to build new ovens for all the cooking! Extra rooms were added to the house for the many guests. Some friends also brought gifts of food. For example, George More gave a stag, 24 pigeons, and 4 swans. The Lord Mayor of London brought a barrel of wine and 6 herons.
The Main Events
When the Queen arrived at Harefield, it was raining. She stood under a tree and listened to a short play between a Bailiff and a Dairy Maid. As she entered the house, another play was performed by characters named Place and Time. During this, the Queen was given a beautiful diamond heart.
Next, she received a special gown made of silver cloth, decorated with embroidered rainbows. This gown was given to her by Audrey Walsingham. A poem was read that mentioned the legend of St Swithun. Sir Thomas Egerton paid a lot for this gown, and his wife, the Countess, added fancy sleeves with ruby and pearl decorations. This rainbow gown might be the same one shown in a famous painting of Queen Elizabeth called the "Rainbow Portrait."
The Harefield Lottery
One of the most exciting parts of the entertainment was the Harefield lottery. The idea was that a sailor from a rich treasure ship, called a carrack, was giving out gifts. This was inspired by a real treasure ship that had recently arrived in England. The gifts were for the ladies of the court, who were called "ladies of Cynthia" (Cynthia was another name for Queen Elizabeth, who was seen as the Queen of the Seas).
Here are some of the ladies who took part and what they received:
- Mary Radcliffe got a pair of bracelets. The poem said they were like "Cupid's manacles."
- Frances, Lady Kildare received a girdle (a belt). The poem suggested she would be happy with it.
- Dorothy Hastings was given a bodkin, which was a jeweled hair-pin. The poem said her beauty and good qualities protected her.
- Susan Vere drew a blank, meaning she didn't get a gift. The poem joked that Fortune didn't see her because Fortune is blind.
- Anne Clifford received a lace. The poem said it was for someone who likes to be "straight-laced," meaning proper.
- Elizabeth Southwell was given gloves. The poem said Fortune sent them because she disliked fools and flatterers.
- Philadelphia Carey got a mask or vizard. The poem noted that nature gives roses and lilies their beauty without needing a mask.
- Audrey Walsingham won a cutwork stomacher (a decorative piece for the front of a dress). The poem said it had many "windows" but no one could see her thoughts through them.
- Elizabeth Brydges received a dozen points, which were clothing toggles. The poem said she was a "true lover" in every "point."
- Cordell Anslowe or Christian Annesley drew a pin cushion. The poem said Chance gave it to her to stick pins.
At the end of the lottery, a very valuable feather jewel, worth £600, was "found" and given to Queen Elizabeth herself.
As the Queen prepared to leave Harefield, the final scene was a speech by a character called the spirit of Place, dressed as a widow. She wished she could keep the Queen there forever, like an "enchanted Castle of Love." The widow then gave Elizabeth another jewel, shaped like an anchor.
Sir George Savile wrote to the Earl of Shrewsbury about the Queen's visit. He mentioned the expensive gifts she received, including the two jewels (worth £1000 and £600) and the "gown of rainbows."
Spreading the Story
Copies of the speeches and poems from the Harefield Entertainment were shared widely. People would write them out by hand and send them to friends. For example, John Chamberlain sent a copy to Dudley Carleton in November 1602. A version of the lottery poems was also printed in a book called A Poetical Rapsodie in 1608. The different copies that survive today show slight changes, meaning the story of the entertainment changed a little as it was passed around.
