Diary of Anne Clifford 1603. Mar 1603. About five miles from London there met them my Mother (age 42), my Lord of Bedford (age 30)¹ and his Lady (age 23), my uncle Russell (age 45), and much other company, so that we were in number about three hundred, which did all accompany them to Bath House where they continued most of that summer, whither I went daily and visited them, and grew daily more inward with my cousin Frances (age 16) and Mrs Carey. About this time my Aunt Warwick went to meet the Queen (age 28), having Mrs Bridges (age 25) with her and my Aunt Vavisor (age 43). My Mother and I should have gone with them, but that her horse (which she borrowed of Mrs Elmes,) and old Mr Hickley were not ready, yet I went the same night and overtook my aunt at Tittinhanger, Lady Blount’s house, where my Mother came to me the next day about noon, my aunt being gone before. Then my Mother and I went on our journey to overtake her, and killed three horses that day with extremity of heat, and came to Wrest, my Lord of Kent’s, where we found the doors shut and none in the house but one servant, who only had the keys of the hall, so that we were forced to lie in the hall all night, till towards morning, at which time came a man and let us into the higher rooms where we slept three or four hours. This morning we hasted away betimes and came that night to Rockingham Castle [Map], where we overtook my Aunt Warwick, and her company, where we continued a day or two with old Sir Edward Watson (age 54) and his Lady (age 57), then we went to Lady Needham’s (age 43) who once served my Aunt of Warwick, and from thence to a sister of hers whose name I have forgotten.

Note 1. Edward, 3rd Earl (age 30), and his Lady, Lucy (age 23), daughter of Lord Harrington (age 63).

Diary of Anne Clifford 1603. 26 Jun 1603. The next day we went along with the Queen (age 28) to Althorpe [Map]¹ Lord Spencer’s (age 33) house, where my Mother saw my cousin Henry Clifford (age 12)², my uncle’s (age 44) son, which was the first time we ever saw him.

Note 1. Here Ben Jonson’s Masque of the Fairies was performed. ED.

The Queen (age 28) and Prince came to Althorpe the 25th of June, on Saturday; my mother, Aunt Warwick and I not till the next day, which Sunday was kept with great solemnity, there being an infinite number of lords and ladies. There we saw the Queen’s (age 28) favour to Lady Hatton (age 22) and Lady Cecil, for she shewed no favour to the elderly ladies, but to Lady Rich and such like company.

Note 2. Afterwards 5th and last Earl of Cumberland.

Diary of Anne Clifford 1619. 27 Jul 1619. The 27th about this time my Lady Bedford (age 39) had the smallpox and had them in that extremity that she lost one of her eyes. About this time my Coz. Cilifford’s wife was brought to bed at Lanesboro of a son, which lived not seven hours and was christened Francis and was buried there. The same day Lord Rutland and Lady Kath. Manners came and dined here from the Wells and in the evening went to London.

Note. This Sunday my Coz. Oldworth was true and shewed those remembrances me which are to be set up at Cheyneys for my Great Grand Father of Bedford and my Grand Father of Bedford and my Aunt Warwick. About this time my Lady Law was married to Secretary Maunton.

All this Summer Lady Penniston (age 19) was at the Wells near Tunbridge drinking the waters. This coming hither of Lady Penniston's (age 19) was much talked of abroad and my Lord (age 30) was condemned for it.