Hermit's Welcome at Theobalds facts for kids

The Hermit's Welcome at Theobalds was a special show put on for Elizabeth I, the Queen of England, in May 1591. It was all about a character called a Hermit.

This show took place at Theobalds House, a large country home. The verses, or lines, of the Hermit's Welcome were probably spoken by Sir Robert Cecil. He was the son of the house's owner. The Hermit greeted the Queen right in front of the house. He said, "My sovereign lady and most gracious queen: Be not displeased that one so meanly clad: Presumes to stand thus boldly in the way: That leads into this house accounted yours." This meant he hoped she wasn't upset that someone dressed so simply dared to stand in her path.

What Was the Hermit's Welcome?

The Hermit's Welcome was a type of outdoor play or performance. These shows were popular ways to entertain important guests like the Queen. They often included speeches, music, and sometimes even gifts.

The Hermit's Message

The Hermit's speech talked about William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley. He was a very important advisor to the Queen. The speech hinted that he might be thinking about leaving his public duties. A handwritten copy of the Hermit's verses is kept at the British Library. Some people think that Robert Cecil himself might have made changes to the text.

A Special Charter

The show also included a fake official document, called a "mock charter." It was dated May 10, 1591. This charter was supposedly signed by Christopher Hatton, another important person in the Queen's court. The charter said it was from the "disconsolate and retired spirit, the Heremite of Tyboll." This meant the Hermit was sad and leaving. The charter explained that the Hermit was leaving Theobalds after two years and two months to go back to his old cave. This time period might have been a way to remember the death of Burghley's wife, Mildred Cooke, who passed away in 1589.

The Garden and a Hidden Jewel

Other people also gave speeches during the entertainment. These included the gardener and the molecatcher from Theobalds. They might have spoken on a different day.

The Beautiful Garden

The gardener described a special garden. It was divided into four parts. One part was a maze made of flowers. These flowers were meant to show different good qualities, like honesty or kindness. There was also a special archway built from eglantine flowers. This archway was designed to represent the Queen's purity.

The Molecatcher's Discovery

The garden was created after the molecatcher had cleared the ground. While he was working, he found a box. Inside the box was a beautiful jewel! This jewel was given to the Queen as treasure trove. This means it was a valuable item found by chance, and by law, it belonged to the finder or the owner of the land, but in this case, it was presented to the Queen.

The Prophecy of the Jewel

The story was that the jewel had been buried a very long time ago. It was hidden by the daughter of a giant. This giant's daughter had been turned into a mole. The jewel was meant to be found when England had been ruled by a Virgin Queen for 33 years. This was a clear reference to Queen Elizabeth I, who was known as the "Virgin Queen."

The box had a prophecy written on it:

I was a giant's daughter of this isle,
Turned to a mole by the Queen of Corn:
My jewel I did bury by a wile,
Again never from the earth to be torn,
Till a virgin had reigned thirty-three years,
Which shall be but the fourth part of her years.

Who Wrote It?

For a long time, people thought that George Peele wrote this entertainment. However, records of the money spent on the Queen's visit can still be found. These records are in the Cecil family's papers and in the National Archives.

More Hermit Welcomes

The Hermit of Theobalds appeared again in 1594 to welcome Queen Elizabeth. This time, the speech mentioned how old William Cecil (who lived from 1520 to 1598) was. It also spoke about his son, Robert Cecil, who was likely the author of this later show. The speech said that even though Robert Cecil wasn't as experienced as his father, he still had some of his father's good qualities. The Hermit offered the Queen special gifts: a gold bell, a prayer book decorated with gold, and a wax candle made of new, pure wax. This candle was described as "meet for a Virgin Queen," meaning it was perfect for her.

In July 1606, another important event happened at Theobalds. James VI and I, who was then King of England, and his brother-in-law, Christian IV of Denmark, visited. They were welcomed with a different play by a famous writer named Ben Jonson. This play was called The Entertainment of the Kings of Great Britain and Denmark.