Note 37 — April 23.] ST. GEORGE’S DAY.
Reading edition
The following description of this show, written as it appears by Mr. Amorye himself, is copied from some Cheshire collections, among the Harleian MSS. No. 2150, f. 356. It appears that instead of three cups, as stated by Mr. Rogers, the prizes that year were two bells and one cup:
“The manner of the showe, that is, if God spare life and health, shall be seene by all the behoulders upon St. George’s Day next, being the 23rd April, 1610, and the same with more addytions to continue, being for the kyng’s crowne and dignitie, and the homage to the Kyng and Prynce, with that noble victor St. George, to be continued for ever.—God save the Kyng.
“Item.—Two men in greene liveries set with worke upon their other habit, with blacke heare, and blacke beards, very ougly to behoulde, and garlands upon their heads, with firworks to scatter abroad, to maintaine way for the rest of the showe.
“It. One on horseback, with the buckler and head-peece of St. George, and three men to guide him, with a drum before him, for the honor of Englande.
“It. One on horsebacke, called Fame, with a trumpet in his hand, and three men to guide him, and he to make an oration, with his habit in pompe.
“It. One called Mercury to descend from above in a cloude, his wings and all other matters, in pompe, and heavenly musicke with him; and after his oration spoken, to ryde on horsebacke, with his musicke before hym.
“It. One on horsebacke, with the Kynge’s arms upon a shield, in pompe.
“It. One called Chester, with an oration, and drums before him, his habit in pompe.
“It. One on horsebacke, conteening the Kynge’s crowne and dignity, with an oration in pompe.
“It. One on horsebacke with a bell, dedicated to the kynge, being double-gilt with the kynge’s armes upon it, carried upon a septer in pompe, and before him a noise of trumpets, in pompe.
“It. One on horsebacke, with an oration for the Prynce, in pompe.
“It. One on horsebacke, with a bell, dedicated to the Prynce, his armes upon it, in pompe, and to be carried on a septer, and before the bell, a noyse of trumpets.
“It. One on horsebacke, with a cup for St. George, carried upon a septer, in pompe.
“It. One on horsebacke, with an oration for St. George, in pompe.
“It. St. George himself on horseback, in complete armor, with his stag and buckler, in pompe, and before him a noyse of drums.
“It. One on horsebacke, called Peace, with an oration, in pompe.
“It. One on horsebacke, called Plentye, with an oration, in pompe.
“It. One on horsebacke, called Envy, with an oration, whom Love will comfort, in pompe.
“It. One on horseback, called Love, with an oration to maintaine all, in pompe.
“It. The Maior and his bretheren, at the pentes of this citye, with ther best apparell, and in scarlet; and all the orations to be made before him, and seene at the high crosse, as they passe to the Roodye, wher by Gent shall be runne for by thirr horses, for the two bells on a double staffe and the cup to be runne for at the rynge in some place by Gent and with a greater mater of the showe by armes, and shott, and with more than I can recyte, with a banket after in the Pentis to make welcome the Gent; and when all is done, then judge what you have seen, and so speak on your mynd, as you fynd the—
“Actor for the presente “Robert Amorye.”
“Amor is love, and Amorye is his name, That did begin this pomp and princelye game; The charge is great to him that all begun, Who now is satisfied to see all so well done.”
Notwithstanding Mr. Amorye had entertained the citizens so well in 1610, it was ordered in 1612 “that the sports and recreations used on St. George’s Day should in future be done by the direction of the Mayor and citizens, and not of any private person.”—Corporation Records.