The Somerset Masque

Anne of Denmark, queen consort of James VI and I, took part in the performance by offering a branch from a magic golden tree.

[7][8] The master of ceremonies, Lewes Lewknor, invited diplomats to the events, and the recently-arrived Spanish ambassador Diego Sarmiento de Acuña, 1st Count of Gondomar and his wife were seated close to Anne of Denmark at The Somerset Masque.

[11] While this tale is being told, two enchanters (Error and Rumour) and two enchantresses (Curiosity and Credulity, both in contrasting costumes painted with eyes and ears) appear on the stage, whispering together as if to celebrate their success.

[12] The rescue or disenchantment of the knights is achieved by Eternity, assisted by the Three Destinies and Harmony, using a branch from Bel-Anna's golden tree, as Anne of Denmark and "only she, can all knotted spells untie".

[13] The lyric Bring away this sacred Tree, sung by Nicholas Lanier, credits the queen with facilitating the marriage of the king's favourite, although she had previously opposed it.

[14] Anne passed a bough of the tree to William Herbert, 3rd Earl of Pembroke, a noted supporter of Somerset,[15] and here an actor and mediator in "a chain of accomodation".

[19] The queen's aquiescence to the marriage, her "late pacification", is thought to have been connected with the king's gift of Greenwich Palace, added to her jointure in November 1613.

[23][24] The lords-masquers descended in a stage cloud designed by Costantini de' Servi, the device was a disappointment as the rope and pulleys were visible and it was noisy in operation.

[28][29] John Chamberlain provided an unfavourable review of Campion's masque "I heare litle or no commendation of the maske made by the Lords that night, either for devise or dauncing, only yt was rich and costly".

[34] The queen's chamberlain, Robert Sidney, Viscount Lisle, had anticipated Jonson's The Irish Masque would include the "choicest dancers" at court,[35] among them Sergeant Boyd, Abercromby, and Auchmoutie.

He mentions a dance to the tune of violins of "twelve lords, principal gentlemen, clothed in a tunic just to the middle of the thigh, closely fitted to the body, with layers in the antique fashion of crimson satin all embroidered with gold and silver, crimson stockings all garnished with gold ribbons, socks of silk embroidered, the shoes and their roses loaded with diamonds".

[49] The object, which seems to have included a clock and also functioned as table fountain,[50] carried a Latin inscription composed by her Scottish secretary William Fowler.