Entrance to El Escorial

I was so pleased that Anne was here and I hoped she liked the rooms too. I had instructed the maid to show Anne both her chambers then her private chambers and I had also left the maid with instructions to show Anne her new gowns I had bought for her.

Anne of Austria thought what a dear and thoughful man, her husband was to make sure that she has gowns. and they were beautiful gowns to boot. Every thing was done in a grand and formal way as it should be.

That evening Anne of Austria was to have her first official dinner at El Escorial with Phillip of Spain and the maid came to inform her.

"Tonight is the traditional banquet held on eve of marriage Anne. she said.

"Of coarse, I will come." She got dressed special for the evening. She wore her best gown and her most expensive jewels. She was nervous. Then she went to her lord and king.

I was waiting in the Dining Hall for Anne of Austria to arrive and as she entered she look splendid in her gown.

"You look most beautiful tonight Anne.

Anne of Austria was somewhat nervous, although she did not show it. "Thank you, Your Majesty." She did look splendid indeed. She went all out to dress well for the evening.

I smiled towards Anne.

"You are welcome Anne. I said to her as I ordered the servants to bring in the food.

The servants were bringing in plate after plate after plate. it is a major feast. There was pork, beef, lampreys, duck, fish of all sorts( sardines, cod, squid, shrimp etc, etc.), lamb, veal, mutton, peas, olives, all kinds of vegetables, like corn which comes from the Americas, and beets which comes from Muscovy, far, far away Muscovy. Philip established relations there in his short reign with Queen Mary of England. It was a feast to delight the palate.

I looked towards Anne as she was looking over the table full of food.

"Well what do you think Anne of this feast that has been prepared for us?

"It is so much, dear Majesty. It is absolutely faboulous. I love it to death. I am hungry, dear Majesty. Did i tell you that I am recieveing correspondence from King Edward the Sixth of England. He is a sweet boy."

"He wishes to come to Spain. I told him he would be welcome but that is entirely up to the English and I do not think they wilt let him go. They doth be heretics there."

"You want me to go to England?"

Anne of Austria said surprised.

"Yes, our Ambassador can go to England. It shalt be done as Your Majesty wishes." Anne of Austria said, charmingly.

She was well pleased. "Thank you, dear husband. I look forward to the Coronation." Imagine, she is going to crowned Queen of all the Spains. She could not believe it. Her father is so, so proud of her.

"I do not know if father will be there. But wilt await the seamstress. Thank you, dear husband." Anne of Austria stated.