Somerset House, Novemb. 23.
This being the day appointed for the solemn funerals of the most serene and renowned Oliver Lord Protector, and all things being ready prepared, the effigies of his Highness standing under a rich cloth of state, having been beheld by those persons of honour and quality which came to attend it, was afterwards removed, and placed on a hearse, richly adorned and set forth with escutcheons and other ornaments, the effigies itself being vested with royal robes, a sceptre in one hand, a globe in the other, and a crown on the head. After it had been a whole thus placed in the middle of the room, when the time came that it was to be removed to the carriage, it was carried on the hearse by ten of the gentlemen of his Highness forth into the Court, where a canopy of state very rich, was borne over it, by six other gentlemen of his Highness, till it was brought and placed on the carriage, at each end whereof was a seat wherein sat two of the gentlemen of his Highness’ bedchamber, the one at the head, the other at the feet of the effigies. The pall, being made of velvet and fine linen, was very large, extending on each side of the carriage, to be borne by persons of honour appointed for that purpose. The carriage itself was adorned with plumes and escutcheons, and was drawn by six horses covered with black velvet, each of them likewise adorned with plumes of feathers.
