Amongst others came, one day, my Lord Cleveland at the head of a
hundred gentlemen, many of them being officers who had formerly
served under him, and other gentlemen who had ridden to meet the
king when coming unto his own; and having arrived at Whitehall,
they knelt down in the matted gallery, when his majesty "was
pleased to walk along," says MERCURIUS PUBLICUS, "and give
everyone of them the honour to kiss his hand, which favour was so
highly received by them, that they could no longer stifle their
joy, but as his majesty was walking out (a thing thought unusual
at court) they brake out into a loud shouting."

Then the nobility entertained the king and his royal brothers
with much magnificence, his Excellency Lord General Monk first
giving at his residence in the Cockpit, a great supper, after
which "he entertained his majesty with several sorts of musick;"
Next Earl Pembroke gave a rare banquet; also the Duke of
Buckingham, my Lord Lumley, and many others. Nor was my lord
mayor, Sir Thomas Allen, behindhand in extending hospitality to
the king, whom he invited to sup with him. This feast, having no
connection with the civic entertainments, was held at good Sir
Thomas's house. The royal brothers of York and Gloucester were
likewise bidden, together with several of the nobility and gentry
of high degree. Previous to supper being served, the lord mayor
brought his majesty a napkin dipped in rose-water, and offered it
kneeling; when his majesty had wiped his hands, he sat down at a
table raised by an ascent, the Duke of York on his right hand,
and the Duke of Gloucester on his left. They were served with
three several courses, at each of which the tablecloth was
shifted, and at every dish which his majesty or the dukes tasted,