ABSTRACT
On 31 May 1625 King Charles set out from London to meet his wife, a girl of fifteen. 1 John Chamberlain reported that her entourage was ‘a little armie of 4000 at least’. 2 The King’s party was less numerous, but included a large group of musicians. Payment was later made ‘To Henry Martin Serjaunt Trumpettor: and xvjeen others of his fellowes upon the Councelles warraunte dated xxj° Junii 1625 being Comaunded to wayte uppon his Matie: at Canterbury, and Dover, and alsoe in fetching of the Queenes Matie: out of ffraunce by the space of xxviijt dayes ended xvjtto Junii 1625’. 3 There were also Jerome Lanier, Anthony Bassano and other musicians who played wind instruments. 4 It is likely that a band of string players accompanied them, since Adam Vallet received payment for himself ‘and xjen other of his fellowe Musicõns’ who travelled from Whitehall to Canterbury and back again. 5 Nathaniel Giles, who held a post at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, in addition to his post as Master of the Children of the Chapel Royal, was given twenty days’ leave by the Windsor Chapter to go to Canterbury. It is evident from the Chapter’s resolution that the whole of the Chapel Royal accompanied the King. 6 This naturally included the Chapel’s senior organist, Orlando Gibbons.
