Explore the parties of James I and VI's court as told by the royal household's financial accounts.
At the end of October 1605, Edmund Tilney submitted his annual accounts to the Exchequer to be audited for the year 1604–1605. Tilney was James VI and I’s Master of the Revels, originally appointed to this role in 1578 for Elizabeth I. This meant he had been leading the Revels Office, which was part of the Royal Household, for over 25 years when producing these accounts. Revels were festive occasions and formed part of the generous extravagance expected from the Royal Household. This included hosting masques (choreographed dances performed by masked members of the court), banquets, music performances, plays, and other forms of lavish entertainment for the King’s court. From 1560, the Master of the Revels received his funding in advance (known as an imprest). The following year, he was required to submit for audit.