seven o'clock
The Archbishop of Canterbury tied the nuptial knot . The bride and groom , arrayed in white satin and German purple , respectively , looked magnificent as they knelt at the palace altar to receive the final blessing of the Episcopal Church amid the glorious greetings of wealth and power . Fourteen salutes from the royal artillery in honor of Frederick and Elizabeth and St. Valentine 's Day , echoed from the heights of Whitehall , and carrier pigeons with love notes were sent flying over the temples , churches and towers of London to notify all loyal subjects that the throne of old Albion had been strengthened by an infusion of Germanic blood . Promptly at seven o'clock St. Valentine 's evening , Richard Burbage , Ben Jonson , Shakspere and myself drove up in our festooned carriage to the palace portals of Whitehall , and were ushered into the presence of the great assembly doing honor to the royal bride and groom , Frederick and Elizabeth . The King sat on a throne chair at the head of the banquet board , with his daughter and son-in-law on his left , while the Queen sat on his right . The other royal guests were seated according to their ancestral rank , while our dramatic quartette occupied a special table , William at the head on the right of the King and Queen , elevated as an improvised stage , with Shakspere , the most intellectual man of the world , `` the observed of all observers ! '' The play of knife and fork , laugh and jest , toast and talk lasted for two hours , and then as the foam on the brim of the beakers began to sparkle , the King , in his royal robes arose , and said : `` My loyal subjects , health and prosperity to Great Britain and Germany , and love and truth for Frederick and Elizabeth . ''