Rensselaer Journal, Volume 10, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 May 1901 — When Don Pedro Lost His Hat [ARTICLE]

When Don Pedro Lost His Hat

Great efforts were made in the seventeenth century to protect the honor and dignity of foreign Ambassadors in England. A proclamation was issued in 1621 by the King and Lord Mayor to prevent any one offering affronts by gesture or word to any foreign representative. The London mob were not disposed to deal gently with foreigners, and an unpopular Ambassador ran some risk of personal violence. There was a certain Don Pedro de Zuniga whose presence was particularly unwelcome. He was driving in his coach drawn by six mules through Holborn one day, when his bat, which had a valuable jewel in it, was snatched from his head by a man on horseback. The crowd laughed and cheered and allowed the thief to ride away.— The Gentleman’s Magazine.