He always took his Chapel Royal with him, to conduct religious services and provide musical entertainment, and his hunting dogs, which were transported by cart. As he travelled, Henry distributed alms and largesse to religious houses and individuals. The Queen usually, but not always, accompanied him. At that time of year, many courtiers had returned to their estates to oversee the harvest, so the King was usually accompanied by a smaller retinue and sometimes just by his riding household. His purpose was not only to see his realm and be seen by his subjects, but also to enjoy the hunting that was to be had in other parts. Henry went on progress almost every summer of his reign. We know very little about this first progress, save that it was fairly extensive and included sojourns at Reading Abbey and the Old Hall at Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, seat of Edward de Burgh, Lord Borough, who later married Katherine Parr. In the summer of 1509, Henry informed King Ferdinand that he was about to visit different parts of his kingdom.
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