Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 August 1899 — She Let Him Wear a Nightcap. [ARTICLE]

She Let Him Wear a Nightcap.

To the Earl of Essex was granted the privilege of wearing a nightcap in the royal presence of Queen Mary, says the New York Telegram. The fact is mentioned in Miss Strickland's “Lives of the Queens of England” as being one of the odd rewards bestowed by Mary upon her friends after her accession. The Earl was a valetudinarian and had a great fear of uncovering his head. Considering, therefore, that the colds he dreaded respected no person, he petitioned Queen Mary for leave to wear his nightcap In her royal presence. The Queen not only gave him leave to wear one, but two nightcap* if he pleased. His patent for this prilvlege is unique in royal annals: “Know ye that we do grant to our well-beloved and trusty cousin and councillor, Henry, Earl of Sussex, license and pardon to wear his cap, coif or nightcap, or any two of them at his pleasure, as well in our presence as in the presence of any other person within this realm, or in any other place In our dominions whatsoever during his life; and theoe our letters shall be sufllcient warrant in his tebalf.”

Thfc Queen's seal, with the garter above it, was affixed to this singular grant. Three persons In Great Britain alone enjoy the privilege of remaining covered in the royal presence, namely: Lord Forester, Lord Kinsale, and the master of Trinity College, Cambridge.