Sir John Finett then led Nicholas forward, and the latter, dropping on one knee, said—­

“May it please your Majesty, I hold in my hand a petition, signed as, if you will deign to cast your eyes over it, you will perceive, by many hundreds of the lower orders of your loving subjects in this your county of Lancaster, representing that they are debarred from lawful recreations upon Sunday after afternoon service, and upon holidays, and praying that the restrictions imposed in 1579, by the Earls of Derby and Huntingdon, and by William, Bishop of Chester, commissioners to her late Highness, Elizabeth, of glorious memory, your Majesty’s predecessor, may be withdrawn.”

And with this he placed in the King’s hands the petition, which Was very graciously received.

“The complaint of our loving subjects in Lancashire shall not pass unnoticed, sir,” said James.  “Sorry are we to say it, but this county of ours is sair infested wi’ folk inclining to Puritanism and Papistry, baith of which sects are adverse to the cause of true religion.  Honest mirth is not only tolerable but praiseworthy, and the prohibition of it is likely to breed discontent, and this our enemies ken fu’ weel; for when,” he continued, loudly and emphatically—­“when shall the common people have leave to exercise if not upon Sundays and holidays, seeing they must labour and win their living on all other days?”

“Your Majesty speaks like King Solomon himself,” observed Nicholas, amid the loud cheering.

“Our will and pleasure then is,” pursued James, “that our good people be not deprived of any lawful recreation that shall not tend to a breach of the laws, or a violation of the Kirk; but that, after the end of divine service, they shall not be disturbed, letted, or discouraged from, any lawful recreation—­as dancing and sic like, either of men or women, archery, leaping, vaulting, or ony ither harmless recreation; nor frae the having of May-games, Whitsun ales, or morris dancing; nor frae setting up of May-poles, and ither sports, therewith used, provided the same be had in due and convenient time, without impediment or neglect of divine service.  And our will further is, that women shall have leave to carry rushes to the church, for the decoring of it, according to auld custom.  But we prohibit all unlawful games on Sundays, as bear-baiting and bull-baiting, interludes, and, by the common folk—­mark ye that, sir—­playing at bowls."[3]

The royal declaration was received with loud and reiterated cheers, amidst which James mounted his steed, a large black docile-looking charger, and rode out of the court, followed by the whole cavalcade.

Trumpets were sounded from the battlements as he passed through the gateway, and shouting crowds attended him all the way down the hill, until he entered the avenue leading to the park.