The Virginia Gazette

Madrid, Aug 24. Immediately upon the Death of his Catholick Majesty, the Queen Dowager gave Orders for preparing the Funeral, the Direction of which was committed to the Duke of Alva, High Steward. Her Majesty likewise directed the Duke of Bejar, first Lord of the Bed-Chamber; to regulate every Thing in the Chamber until he delivered up the Royal Body to the High Steward's Care.

On the 10th Instant, as soon as his Catholick Majesty expired, the Duke of Bejar ordered the Lords of the Bed-Chamber, two and two alternately; assisted by two Pages, to guard the Body; two Priests and two Physicians always watching it. Three Altars were placed in the Chamber, where Mass was constantly said both on that and the next Morning.

The Body being then dressed by the Lords and Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber, was placed in a leaden Coffin, inclosed in another of Wood, which was covered with Tissue or Gold-Lace, and locked with three Keys.

On the 11th at Noon, it was conveyed by the Nobility and Officers of the Household from the Royal Bed-chamber to the Great-Hall, where it lay in State upon a rich Bed under a magnificent Canopy. It was there delivered, in Form, by the Duke of Bejar to the Duke of Alva, who immediately committed it to the Care of the Guard called Monteros de Espinosa; two of them standing at the Head with the Crown and Scepter, and two at the Feet. The Vigil was sung in the Hall; and the Bishop of Palencia celebrated Mass: at which a Number of Grandees and all the Officers of the Court attended.

At Half an Hour past Six in the Evening, the Conde del Montijo, the Duke of Alva, the Prince of Mascareno, The Duke of Bournonville, the Duke of Medina Sidonia, and the Conde de Aranda, all Knights of the Golden Fleece, formed a Chapter of that Order in the High Steward's Chamber, from whence they proceeded to divest the Royal Body of that Collar, which Ceremony was performed by the Conde del Montijo, as the oldest Knight.

On Sunday the 12th, the Body, being carried down to the Foot of the Palace Stairs by the Lords of the Bed-Chamber, was there delivered to the Officers of the Household, who placed it in the Hearse, which was prepared to convey it to the Convent of the Visitation in this City. At certain Intervals the Bishop of Palencia, who attended with the Priests of the Royal Chapel, repeated the Responses.
The Procession set out from Villaviciosa at Half an Hour past Four in the Morning, and arrived at Madrid before Ten, in the following Order.

The Drums and Trumpets of the Body-Guards in Mourning.
Two Troops of Guards.
The Company of the Royal Halberdiers on Foot.
The Alguazils of the Household and Palace on Horseback.
Forty-eight Priests of the different Orders of St. Dominick, St. Francis, St. Austin, and the Shod Carmelites, 12 of each Order on Horseback with lighted Torches.
Two Alcaydes of the Palace, with eight Alguazils on Horseback.
Twelve Gentlemen of the Household on Horseback.
Twelve Gentlemen belonging to the King's Table on Horseback.
The Drums and Trumpets of the Horse-Guards in Mourning on Horseback.
The Royal Standard, carried by his Majesty's eldest Page on Horseback.
The Cross, attended by two Pages on Horseback.
All the Officers belonging to the Royal-Chapel on Horseback.
Twenty-four Footmen on Foot with lighted Torches.
The Marquis de Villagarcia, the Marquis de la Roa, Don Francisco Escoti, and the Marquis de Gracia-Real, Stewards of the Household in waiting, on Horseback.
The Conde de Castroponce, the Prince Pio, the Marquis de los Balbases, and the Duke de San Tiberan, Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber, with many other Grandees, who attended voluntarily, all on Horseback.
Four Cadets of the Light-Body-Guard.
A Supervisor of the Coaches.
The Hearse.
On each Side of it, eight Pages on Horseback.
Two of the Guard called Monteros de Espinosa on each Side also.
Don Luis de Rozas, Commanding-Officer of the Guards on the right Side of the Hearse, and Don Joseph Norona at the Left.
Five Equerries rode on the Outside of the Pages.
Behind the Hearse, the Duke of Alva, the Prince Mazerano, and the Bishop of Palencia.
A chief Groom attending the Duke of Alva, and two Pages of the Guards attending the Prince Mazerano.
Four Officers of the Body Guards, and a Company of 50 Men headed by a Brigadier.
A State-Hearse empty.
Two empty Coaches for the Duke of Alva and the Bishop of Palencia.
The third Troop of Horse-Guards.
Five Coaches with 20 Gentlemen of the Bed-Chamber.
Another empty for the four who rode on Horseback.
Two Berlins for the Stewards in waiting.
Two other for the Equerries.
Two more for the Pages.
At each Side of the Procession, though separated from it, rode 30 Grooms, two Adjutants, and a Marshal with his Officers, and the Master of the Coaches, in Case of Accidents.

The Procession entered Madrid through the Gate de los Recolletos, where it was received by the Body of Invalids, with their Colonel at their Head; it then proceeded to the Convent of the Visitation, the Streets through which it passed being lined with the Spanish and Walloon Guards, as far as the Portico, within which a Part of the Guards were ready to receive the Body, and a Company of Halberdiers at the Church-Gate.
The Equerries took it down from the Hearse, and the Gentlemen of the Household carried it to the Church-Door, from whence the Grandees and Steward of the Household conveyed it to the Tomb. When all the great Officers, Grandees, and other Persons present, had taken their Places, pontifical Mass was said by the Bishop of Santander, at which the Musicians of the Royal-Chapel assisted. Divine Service being over, the Body was delivered to the Prioress of the Visitation, who received it in Form from the Duke of Alva, after opening the Coffin to examine it in Presence of the whole Company.

When the Royal Body entered the Church, the Company of Guards, the Spanish and Walloon Infantry, and the Invalids, made a general Discharge; another at the Elevation of the Host; and a Third about Noon, when the Body entered the Choir, in order to be delivered to the Nuns.