Epigram. Upon the Queen’s last remove,
being dead

The Queen’s removed in solemn sort,

Yet this was strange, and seldom seen,

The Queen used to remove the Court,

But now the Court removed the Queen.

 

Lines by Thomas Dekker on Elizabeth’s death and James’s succession

Never did the English Nation behold so much black worn as there was at her Funeral. … Her hearse (as it was borne) seemed to be an island swimming in water, for round about it there rained showers of tears.

Oh what an Earth-Quake is the alteration of a State!

Upon Thursday it was treason to cry “God save King James, King of England,” and upon Friday high treason not to cry so. In the morning no voice heard but murmurs and lamentation, at noon nothing but shouts of gladness and triumph. Saint George and Saint Andrew that many hundred years had defied one another, were now sworn brothers: England and Scotland … are now made sure together, and King James’s coronation is the solemn wedding day.

—Thomas Dekker in his pamphlet
“The Wonderful Year 1603”

 

Captions on 1605 hunting trophies at Sir Henry’s estate in Ditchley

August 24th, Saturday

From Foxehole Coppice rouz’d, Great Britain’s King I fled,

But what, In Kiddington Pond he overtoke me dead.

August 26th, Monday

King James made me run for life from Dead man’s Riding;

I ran to Goreil Gate, where Death for me was biding.

 

From a letter about Queen Anne Denmark’s gift to Anne Vavasour in 1608

The Queen, before her going out of the County, dined with Sir Henry Lee at his Little Rest, and gave great countenance and had long and large discourse with Mrs Vavasour; and within a day or two after, sent a very fair jewel valued above £100; which favour hath put such new life into the old man, to see his sweet-heart so graced, that he says he will have one fling more at the Court before he die; though he thought he had taken his leave this summer, when he went to present the Prince with an armour that stood him in £200.

—Letter of John Chamberlain
to Dudley Carleton

Inscription engraved on Anne’s tomb in the “lost” chapel at Quarrendon

Under this Stone intombed lies a faire & worthy Dame

daughter to Henry Vavasour, Anne Vavasour her name

Shee living with Sir Henry Lee for love long time did dwell

Death Could not part them but that here they rest within one cell

 

Naughty epitaph about Anne and Sir Henry, as reported by Aubrey

Here lies good old knight Sir Harry

Who loved well, but would not marry,

While he lived, and had his feeling,

She did lie, and he was kneeling,

Now he’s dead and cannot feel

He doth lie, and she doth kneel.