singly But the place appointed for all but the two senior Knights-Companions to enter into and come out of their Stalls is the middle entrance or that at the East end of the Stalls which of them fall out to be next below each Knight's respective Stall to avoid the trouble and inconvenience of passing before any of their senior Companions The Knights-Companions being all seated the Prelate and Chancellor of the Order pass into the middle of the Choire and having made double Reverences return to their Form and sit down After them doth the Register Garter and Black-Rod pass thither there make their Reverences and then sit down on their Form in the order as they proceeded As touching the Soveraign's other Attendants we have observed that the Nobleman who carries the Sword retires before the Soveraign's Stall a little on the right hand and the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold if not a Knight of the Order and the Vice-Chamberlain on his left until the Soveraign give them leave to sit down the Clerk of the Closet stands at the Soveraign's right hand but the young Noblemen that carry up the Soveraign's Train and the Gentleman of the Robes sometimes repose themselves upon the Steps going up to the Soveraign's Stall This great Ceremony of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions entry into the Choire and taking their Stalls being finished preparation for the Vespers begin in reference to which the Prelate ascends to the Altar it being appointed among other things relating to the duty of his Office That Whensoever the Soveraign should think fit to keep the Solemnity of St. George at Windesor he should be obliged to be present to celebrate divine service which if he purposely omitted it is there provided that for such omission he should be fined 20 Marks to the Colledge to be laid out upon the Reparations that are there to be made unless he alledge to the Soveraign and the Knights-Companions some reasonable and just cause of his being absent And therefore in case of Vacancy of the See of Winchester Sickness or other lawful occasion for absence the Soveraign hath dispnesed with this penally and appointed some other Bishop to officiate for him The Proceeding to the Altar on this occasion is in manner following First the Serjeant of the Vestry makes a double Reverence then comes before the Prelate and makes a single one to him who thereupon ariseth from his Seat and the Serjeant proceedeth before him into the middle of the Choire where standing a little on the one side the Prelate there makes a double Reverence and from thence passing forward after the Serjeant and having ascended the uppermost Haut-pas before the Altar he makes one single Reverence towards the same and so goes to the North side of it In his ascent to the Altar he hath sometimes made three double Reverences viz. one before his Seat a second in the middle of the Choire and the third on the first Haut-pas and after these the single one above the Haut-pas's all in a direct line before the Altar After the Prelate hath arrived at the Altar the two Provincial Kings Heralds and Pursuivants leaving their forementioned Station join together and pass along the Choire until the Kings come neer to the Form whereon the Register Garter and Black-Rod sit where all making their double Reverences together they divide themselves again on each side and there stand Lastly the Alms-Knights come down into the Choire in a Body and there make their joint double Reverences and then take their Chairs The like in every thing is performed in the Chappel at Whitehall and other places where the Solemnity of the Feast is observed where because the Alms-Knights are absent the Pursuivants at Arms ascend neerer the high Altar than when they are at Windesor that there may be room enough for the rest of the Officers of Arms to stand in rank yet so that the Provincial Kings stand not further from it than the lowermost Haut Pas to avoid pressing upon the Junior Knights All these Ceremonies being finished and the several Degrees in the Proceeding duly placed the Choire resembling the coelestial Spheres where the Soveraign of this most Illustrious Order sits as Sun among the Planets and Stars the Divine Office is begun by the Prelate in a most solemn manner which is now celebrated according to the Order of the Book of Common Prayer established by the Acts of Parliament made an 1. Eliz. 14. Car. 2. being the same appointed in the Rubrick for the Evening of the 22. day of April or for the Evening of such other day whereon the Feast by Prorogation hath been celebrated Where sometimes to shorten the Ceremony the Prelate hath omitted the Confession and Absolution and began with the Pater Noster and frequently instead of the Magnificat or Nunc dimittis or one of them some choice-composed Anthems are sung to the Organ and after proceeding on with the Creed and the rest of the Prayers in the accustomed order to that of St. Chrysostom before which in the Reign of King Iames was the following Prayer used throughout the Feast O Lord save our King And mercifully hear us c. Almighty and most merciful Father we humbly beseech thee in the Name of thy Son Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour to direct and endue King James our most worthy Governour with the continual aud plentiful grace of thine holy Spirit that as be is anciently and rightly descended from the valiant and prudent Princes of this Realme the first Founders and Creâ—ors of this most noble Order of the Garter So be may abound and excell in all things acceptable to thee namely in the maintenance of piety peace justice and unity to the support of good Learning relief of the poor and oppressed and grant most gracious Lord that all the Noble men of this Realm especially such as be Companions of this most honorable Order may be truly deboted to godliness balour and bertue in such sort that God may be thereby the better honored their Soberaigne serbed the Common-wealth secured and the memorial of their well-doing remain to their posterity And that we all may live and dye in thy faith and fear and walk in these good works which thou hast appointed us through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen O Lord long preserve James our King and all the Companions of this most noble Order of the Garter Amen Next follows the Prayer of St. Chrysostom and last of all the Blessing After the pronouncing of which at the Feast of St. George celebrated at Windsor in the 15. year of the present Soveraign there was an Anthem composed for the present Solemnity sung to the Organ and other Instrumental Musick placed in the Organ loft and this was the first time that Instrumental Musick was introduced into the said Chappel When the Vespers are ended the Prelate goes to the middle of the
or Stone-Gallery do twelve Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber attend with a rich Canopy of Cloth of Gold who when the Soveraign approacheth receive him under it and bear it over his head until he arrivâ— at the Choire Door of St. George's Chappel and this Canopy is carried over the Soveraign only in the Morning of the Feast Day not in the Afternoon nor on the Eve nor the Day after the Feast The Processional way to the Chappel is the same they traversed on the Eve if the Soveraign and Knights-Companions march to the Chapter-House first for anciently it was the Custom to hold a Chapter in the Morning of the Feast Day either before Mattins and sometimes when Mattins was finished before the Grand Procession set â—orward This course received interruption in Queen Elizabeths time during which no Chapter was held in the Morning but in the 26. 31. 38. years of her Reign and then only for admitting of some of the Officers of the Order But the time of holding this Chapter was restored by King Charls the First who several times held it before the first Service began as in the 5. 14. 15. Years of his Reign But if no Chapter be at this time held then as soon as the Proceeding comes near to the Chappel instead of entring the passage between the East end of the Chappel and King Henry the Eighth's Tomb-House as it doth on the Eve because the Soveraign goes first to the Chapter-House it proceedeth straight on to the South Door of the Chappel and thence into the Choire Yet the present Soveraign An. 15. of his Reign appointed the whole Proceeding to pass by the said South Door along the Southside of the Chappel and then to enter in at the West Door which was then and since so observed When the Alms-Knights are come to the West Door of the Choire they enter and pass up above the steps to the Altar in the very same manner and Order as is at large described and mentioned to be observed upon the entry of the Proceeding into the Choire on the Eve of the Feast Then do the Prebends take their Seats and The Officers of Arms pass to the Haut Pas's of the Altar After this the Knights-Companions proceed and stand before their Stalls The Officers of the Order before their Forms and The Soveraign ascends his Royal Seat as also The Knights-Companions their Stalls Then the Prelate conducted by the Serjeant of the Vestry goes up to the Altar The Officers of Arms descend into the Choire and lastly The Alms-Knights retire to their Seats All which being done the Prelate begins the Morning Service wherein he proceeds according to the order prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer save only that the first Lesson being made proper to the Festival is taken out of the 44 Chapter of Ecclesiasticus This solemn Proceeding to the Chappel in the Morning of the Feast day is and hath been most usually performed on Foot nevertheless sometimes heretofore the Soveraign and Knights-Companions have proceeded on Horseback to enlarge the state and gallantry of the show For it is remembred that an 16. E. 4. the Feast of St. George being then celebrated at Windesor the Soveraign and Knights-Companions rode to the Chappel on Horseback to hear Mass that morning and with them also rode the Queen the Lady Elizabeth the King's Daughter and the Dutchess of Suffolk the King's Sister the Lady Marchioness Mountague the Marchioness Dorset and divers other Ladies in Gowns embroidered with Garters concerning which Habit we have already spoken So also an 3. H. 7. on the Morning of the Feast-day did the Soveraign and Knights-Companions proceed on Horseback to Matins with equal splendor or rather more glorious than on the Eve to the first Vespers For the Knights-Companions were vested in Surcoats of White Cloth embroidered with Garters the Livery of the new year the Kings Courser was trapped with a Trapper of St. George of white Cloth of Gold and the Lord Berners bare the King's Sword his Courser being trapped with St. Edward's Arms. This Proceeding was augmented by the presence of the Queen and the Kings Mother attended with a splendid Train of Ladies and others that waited on them themselves being attired in the Livery of the Order and their Horses most richly accoutred with Foot-Cloths Trappings and all other Furniture correspondant in like State as on the Eve Again in the 20 year of the same Soveraign who then held the Feast of St. George at Baynards Castle in London he proceeded on Horseback to St. Paul's Church in like order as on the Evening before where he heard Matins And King Henry the Eighth at the Feast held at Windesor in the 11. year of his Reign rode with the Knights-Companions about eight a Clock in the morning down to the Colledge to hear Mattins in like manner as on the Eve and alighted at the South door of the Chappel The like did King Philip an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. And Queen Elizabeth in the sixth year of her Reign proceeded also on Horseback to the Morning Service in her whole Habit of the Order Lastly an 6. Eliz. the Soveraign in the whole Habit of the Order the French Ambassador riding neer her and all the Knights-Companions with the Officers of the Order and Officers of Arms proceeded on Horseback to the Chappel on the Morning of the Feast-day And in like manner did the Soveraign's Lieutenant at the same Feast ride to the first and second Vespers and to the Morning Service the day after the Feast It was a Custom begun by Queen Elizabeth and used when she celebrated the Feast of St. George either at Whitehall or Greenwich for the Soveraign's Lieutenant and the Knights-Companions in full Robes attended with the Officers of the Order and of Arms to meet in the Presence-Chamber about 9 a Clock in the Morning of the Feast day and thence to proceed as they did the Evening before through the Guard-Chamber down into the Great Hall and thence into the Chappel where they took their Stalls as on the Eve after which Morning Prayer according to the order established in the Church of England was begun and continued so far as the Letany and this was called the first Service which done they all descended from their Stalls in the accustomed order and proceeded back to the Presence in the same manner and by the same way as they went to the Chappel and there waited the coming of the Soveraign before whom they proceeded a second time to the Choire where the Letany and Grand Procession begun called the second Service at which the Soveraign was usually present but never at the first Service And the first memorial that we have met with of this double proceeding to the Chappel in the Morning of the Feast-day is recorded in
command of King Edward the Fourth signified by Letters sent to his Deputy and the Knights-Companions were by Garter taken down and carried out of the Choire into the Vestry and in their place were set up the new Atchievements of King Edward the Fourth and this was done at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor an 1. E. 4. and long before the Death of King Henry the Sixth which when it hapned he was first buried at Chertsey Abbey in Surrey and by King Richard the Thirds Command Reinterred on the Southside of the High Altar in St. Georges Chappel at Windesor and therefore this cannot sute with King Henry the Eighths Case whose Atchievements were not taken down at all But when the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order are not interred at Windesor then are their Atchievements offered up at the next ensuing Feast according to the usual manner as were those of Queen Elizabeth which the Blew Book notes to be done at Morning Prayer the 11. of Iuly an 1. Iac. R. The Banner being offered by the Earl of Nottingham Lord Admiral then the Soveraign's Lieutenant and the Lord Buckhurst Lord Treasurer the Sword by the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland and the Helm and Crest by the Earls of Northumberland and Worcester and also of King Iames her Successor an 1 Car. 1. both these Soveraigns being buried at Westminster As to the time for performing this Ceremony it was ordained to be on the Morrow after the Feast when the Mass was sung for the soul of the Knights-Companions and of all the Faithful deceased and before the Offering of Money Thus was it ordered even in the first precedent we have of this solemn Ceremony and so was it duly and constantly performed in succeeding times till that of the Reformation at which the Mass of Requiem being abolished this Solemnity was nevertheless performed in the Morning Service on the Morrow immediately after the Offertory But after Queen Elizabeth had removed the Feasts of St. George from Windesor and left those of Installation only to be held there that Solemnity was commonly dispatcht in one day and the Atchievements of the defunct Knights offered before they went out of the Choire as in the 16. year of her Reign at the Installation of the Earls of Derby and Penbroke when assoon as the Morning Service was ended in which the Ceremony of Installation was performed the Commissioners appointed for that Solemnity came down from their Stalls and offered the Atchievments of the Earl of Derby Lord William Howard of Effingham and Lord Chandos And this was the first time we observe this Ceremony to have been translated from the Morrow after the Feast of St. George to any other time and the ancient rule as to the time being thus broken was never after restored but generally thence forward the Offring of the defunct Knights Atchievments was performed the very same Morning wherein the Elect-Knights were Installed For the Installation being fully compleated towards the end of the second Service viz. at the time of the Offertory the Atchievments were offered after which succeeded the Offring of Money And yet once when the Solemnity of Installation was celebrated at Evening Prayer being that of Frederick the Second King of Denmark and Iohn Casimire Prince Palatine of the Rhyne the 13. of Ianuary an 25. Eliz. immediately after their Proctors had taken possession of their Stalls and an Anthem been sung the Atchievments of Maximilian the Emperor Emanuel Duke of Savoy Francis Duke of Montmorency Henry Earl of Arundel and Walter Earl of Essex were with wonted honor as the Statutes of the Order required severally Offered but not without the sad and sorrowful view of all the standers by Sometime before the day was thus changed an intermixture of both the Offerings together viz. of Money and Atchievments began to be introduced when after the Offertory was read the Soveraign's Lieutenant descended from his Stall and proceeded to the Altar and there Offered both Gold and Silver for the Soveraign and so returned to his Seat after which the Offering of the defunct Knights Atchievements began and that Ceremony being ended the Soveraign's Lieutenant proceeded again to the Altar and there offered Money for himself and lastly all the rest of the Knights-Companions present offered Money in order Thus we find these Ceremonies managed an 5. Eliz. at the Offering of the Atchievements of the Lord Grey and an 6. Eliz. when the Atchievements of the Earls of Westmerland and Rutland and the Lord Paget were offered the Earl of Arundel being the Soveraign's Lieutenant at both these Feasts But not long after this course was altered in part and the Lieutenant Offered not for the Soveraign till after such time as the Atchievements of the defunct had been compleatly offered And albeit the day was thus changed for performance of this Ceremony yet was not the Ceremony it self begun till after the Installation was finished that Solemnity having at all times the precedency until an 9. Iac. R. when he observing a kind of incongruity in the order of the Ceremony namely to Install a new Knight and who being thus installed frequently became one of those Knights that offered part of the defunct Knights Atchievments as may be seen in divers and sundry Examples before his Predecessor had been fully discharged of his Stall gave order for Offering the Atchievments of Sir Henry Lea the Lord Scroop Viscount Bindon and the Earl of Dunbar first and before the Instalment of the Elect Knights Charles Duke of York Tho. Earl of Arundel and Robert Viscount Rochester which was accordingly performed as also at the Installation of Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne and Henry Prince of Orange an 10. Iac. R. And two years after at the Installation of the Earl of Rutland Sir George Villars afterwards created Duke of â—uckingham and Viscount Lisle the Lord Admiral going out of the Choire to fetch in the said Earl of Rutland to his Installation according to the old manner before the Offering of the Atchievments and as had been done the year before the Soveraign remanded him and again ordered That the Atchievments of the Earl of Shrewsbury should be first Offered before any of the Elect Knights should be Installed Not long after it was thought convenient to perform this Ceremony on the Eve of the Feast presently after the first Vespers begun and next to proceed on with the Installation of the Elect Knight whereby as much as possible the Stalls of the Knights-Companions might be supplyed and consequently the places among them filled up in all the rest of the Solemnities of the Feast Thus was it ordered at the Installation of Marquess Hamilton an 21. Iac. R. when the Atchievments of the Earl of Exceter were Offered In like manner the following year were the Atchievments of the Duke of Lenox first
Mass-Money and the whole profit of the Bedrolls of Ikelington Nevertheless to pay the King and his Successors in the Court of Augmentation for the Rectories of Aberguille Talgarthe and Mara the Chappels of Llanbadock and Llanpenysaunt 4 l. 2 s. 8 d. in the name of Tenths and for all Rents Services c. of the other Rectories c. 48 l. 7 s. 4 d. annually at Michaelmas Furthermore within all these premisses the King by the said Letters Patent granted to the Dean and Canons Court Leets or Views of Frankepledge and to have Fines and Amerciaments Free-Warrens Waifs and Felons Goods and all other Profits Commodities Liberties Emoluments and Hereditaments whatsoever All which Rectories Tithes Pensions Rents c. before mentioned and all other Gifts and Grants in the possession of the Dean and Canons anno Iac. Reg. 2. were confirmed and made good and effectual in Law to them and their Successors by Act of Parliament that year The 2. of August preceding the Grant made by King Edward the Sixth a Rental pass'd under the hand of Sir Edward North Chancellor of the Court of Augmentation containing the particular charges issuing out of the aforesaid Rectories c. whereunto certain Articles were annexed and according to which the said Deed of Conveyance from the King was drawn The ancient rate of these New Lands in the Kings Books was 661 l. 6 s. 8 d. per annum but according to the improved Rents to wit as they were then turn'd over to the Colledge was 812 l. 12 s. 9 d. out of which improved value as appears by the Articles now mentioned 160 l. 2 s. 4 d. was yearly allowed them in satisfaction of the Lands past over to King Henry the Eighth and 600 l. per annum for accomplishment of his Will but the remaining sum viz. 52 l. 10 s. 5 d. was reserved in lieu of Tenths to be yearly paid into the Court of Augmentation howbeit this last reserved sum was not agreed unto by the Dean and Canons to be so paid because the Charges issuing out of the Lands were greater than were expressed in the Rental And we find that shortly after the Rents of the Parsonage of St. Germans the Rectories of Northam Ilsington Icklington Ambrosbury Stapleford and Vrchefount the Prebends of Alcanings and Vrchefount being part of the New Lands were received and accounted for according to the old rate in the Kings Books to wit 162 l. 13 s. 4 d. per annum by the Steward of the Old Lands in recompence for the Lands conveyed to King Henry the Eighth and out of which they paid a yearly surplusage of 2 l. 2 s. 1 d. this sum together with the Rents of the rest of the New Lands being upon the said improvement accounted to be 597 l. 17 s. 11 d. made in all 600 l. per annum and this was paid by the Dean and Canons for some time towards building the Alms-Knights Houses as is before remembred Thus stood the Lands accounted for till the setlement made by Queen Elizabeth for the disposition of the whole Revenue which then was accounted to the Colledge but at the value entred in the Kings Books upon which setlement the Queen appointed the Dean and Canons to convert the Rents of these New Lands from time to time to such uses and intents and in such manner and form as she had set down in a Book signed with her Sign Manual and annexed to an Indenture bearing date the 30. of August in the first year of her Reign made between Her on the one part and the Dean and Canons on the other part By which Indenture the Dean and Canons Covenant for themselves and Successors to distribute and employ at all times for ever the Rents and Profits of these Lands in such manner as in the Book is declared and appointed and to observe and keep all the Ordinances Rules and things whatsoever contained therein which on their part and behalf is limited and appointed to be performed and executed according to the true meaning of the same And if the Dean and Canons or their Successors should omit any thing to them appointed to be performed by the said Ordinances Rules and Statutes then for every such default they are to abide such Order as shall be made by the Queen her Heirs or Successors or by any of the Knights-Companions of the Order as by her or her Successors should be thereunto appointed  l. s. d. In this Book the Total of the Revenue reckoned at the ancient value amounts to 661 06 08 The Annual charge and disbursements to the Colledge therein set down is 430 19 06 And so Remains 230 07 02 Which Remainder hath been and is assigned and employed for payment of Tenths to the Crown Vicars and Curates annual stipends Officers-Fees Reparation of the premisses and for the relief of the Dean and Canons and their Successors in maintenance and defence of the said Lands And to the end the Queen might know how the Revenue of these New Lands was disposed of she also Ordered That her Lieutenant and the Knights-Companions should annually at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor see the just account thereof how the Income was expended and the payments made and that one of the Officers of the Order should from time to time yearly put her Lieutenant in mind thereof Which Order was renewed in a Chapter of the Garter held April 24. ann Iac. Reg. 21. and the Chancellor of the Order appointed to be the Remembrancer and in obedience thereunto the Account of these New Lands which begins annually at Lady-day as that of the Old Lands doth at Michaelmas was afterwards exhibited in Chapter and in particular that Account presented by the Dean of Windesor and submitted to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions consideration the 6. of November anno 9. Car. 1. was referr'd to the perusal and inspection of the Knights-Commissioners appointed at the same Chapter to consult the Affairs of the Order SECT VIII Of the Priviledges of the Chappel and Colledge IN the last place the Priviledges of both are to be considered which we shall divide into Ecclesiastical and Temporal Touching the first it appears by a Bull of Pope Clement the Sixth dated at Avignion the 12. of February in the 9. year of his Papacy That at the desire of the Founder this Pope exempted the Chappel Colledge Canons Priests Clerks Alms-Knights and Officers of the Colledge from all ordinary Jurisdiction Dominion and Superiority of Archbishops Bishops Archdeacons and all other Iudges and Officials and received them within the protection of the Papal See And further granted That the Custos for the time being should have Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over the Canons Priests Clerks Alms-Knights and Officers and their Successors as also the Cure of their Souls notwithstanding any Papal Constitution Statutes Customs whether Provincial or Synodical or other whatsoever to the contrary Willing nevertheless
King Henry the Fifth that happy restorer of the honor of the Order having at his entrance to the Royal Throne found its glory upon abatement not only raised it to its former lustre but very much increast the honor thereof For He renewed the Grand Festival and other Solemnities He commanded a strict observation of all the Founders Statutes and brought many more to a like perfection which He subjoined to such of them where they properly might be inserted and are these that follow Article 3. That the Knights should make their obeysance in the Choire first to the Altar and next to the Soveraign 8. That the Deputy should elect if the Soveraign when abroad had not six Knights with him 9. That the Feast of St. George should not be kept on St. Marks day May-day c. 12. That when a Knight should ride he might wear a Blue Ribband instead of his Garter 14. That the order and manner of offering up the Atchievements of deceased Knights should be such as is there prescribed 20. That Knights absent in the Soveraigns service might be Installed by Deputy 31. That the Soveraign should take a Signet of the Order abroad with him 34. That no Charge should be admitted upon the Colledge by the Custos or Canons without the Soveraigns consent The Statutes of Institution with these Additions this King caused to be translated into French and transcribed into a Roll the Transcript whereof was lent me by the right honorable Basill Earl of Denbigh a person who through an industrious search into his own ancient Evidences is become fortunately happy by adding thence great light to his high and noble Descent and a no less encourager of than really affected with the Studies of venerable Antiquity This Roll as before the Statutes of Institution was Ordained to issue out thenceforth to the Knights-Companions under the Common Seal of the Order In after times it was transcribed into Books and by a Decree pass'd an 3. H. 7. an Original Book of these Statutes and Institutions fair written was to be laid up in the Colledge of St. George and the Scribe or Register to have Transcripts of it in readiness to present the Elected Knights withall The last and largest Body was undertaken and compleated by that munificent increaser of the splendor of this most Noble Order King Henry the Eighth chiefly in regard some of the former Statutes were obscure doubtful and needed further explication others wanted reducing and contraction where the necessity of the case required And to set this worthy work on foot this Soveraign gave Order in a Chapter held at Greenwich on St. George's day anno regni sui 9. That all the Knights-Companions should be carefully summoned to assemble together in the year then next following whilst the solemnity of the Feast lasted to consult and conclude upon the abrogation of such things as tended to the dishonor of the Order if any such were and for the advancement of other things that might augment and promote the honor thereof but it seems there was not any thing done thereupon Afterwards to give greater reputation to this his Royal design this Soveraign on the 28. of May in the 11. year of his Reign entred upon this great and noble work with all magnificent Ceremony being accompanied with 19 Knights-Companions of the Order all proceeding on Horseback to the Chapter-house at Windesor where being entred and consideration had of the old Statutes the Knights-Companions with all due reverence intreated the Soveraign to reform and explain them as he should think convenient who thereupon determining so to do the whole Company gave their advice and consent That done all present besought the Soveraign kneeling that where any of them had offended in breaking any Ordinance concerning the Order he would please to remit it and give them a general pardon which most benignly he granted and the next day in Chapter ratified it to them But it seems this undertaking held yet three years before it came to perfection nevertheless then viz. the 23. of April anno 14. H. 8. the Soveraign out of right singular love good zeal and entire affection to this most Noble Order to the estate of Chivalry and the continuance and increase thereof as also at the humble request and instant desire of the then Knights-Companions and by their advice counsel and consent did make Interpretation and Declaration of the obscurities doubts and ambiguities of the former Statutes and Ordinances And having reformed divers things in them he thereunto made several additions no less necessary than expedient The Original whereof being signed and sealed was commanded to be carefully laid up in the Treasury of the Colledge at Windesor there to remain to succeeding times notwithstanding which it hath not been seen there these many years past The Articles and Clauses added to the former Statutes in this last Body are these Article 1. That the interpretation of the Statutes c. belongeth to the Soveraign 2. The three points of Reproach declared and what is meant by a Gentleman of Blood 4. Of the Prorogation of the Feast 5. How the Feast is to be observed by absent Knights 6. Attendance on the Soveraign if he be not at the Feast 7. That the Soveraign's Deputy may correct things in Chapter 12. The Offering up of Atchievements and a Taper armed with a Scutcheon 13. Canons to sit in the lower Stalls when any Knights are present 14. That six Knights make a Chapter 20. The manner of Installation set down 21. Clause for a forreign Knight ' s Deputy to be conducted from the Chapter-house to his Stall and for making an Election void if the Knight send not his Proxy within seven months 23. For Advancing and Translating of Stalls 25. Plates not to be larger than the first Founders except Strangers 38. Concerning the Collar of the Order This Body of Statutes was compiled in Latin and is recorded in the Black Book of the Order it was translated into French and English by Sir Thomas Wriothesley Knight then Garter King of Arms The English Version is that which hath been since delivered instead of the former Statutes to all succeeding Knights-Companions according to the Injunction but of late times appointed to be sent to Forreign Princes and other Elect Knights abroad sealed with the Great Seal of the Order affixed to a Label of Blue Silk and Gold Where this Book hath been delivered to a Knight-Companion at the Soveraign's charge the Knight's Executors are obliged to send it back to the Colledge of Windesor and there to deliver it to the Custos or Register of the Order And because this Law was defective in point of time therefore King Henry the Eighth's Statutes appoint the same to be sent to either of them or to one of the principal Officers of the Order for the time being within three Months next after the
should be free from all reproach and of untainted reputation and according to those of King Henry the Fifth are to be the best and most sufficient Knights and freest from reproach that the Nominators know To the same purpose speaks the Exemplar entred in the Black Book Such as are fittest and whom they who Nominate believe to be free from ignominy and dishonour And to this Act of Nomination belongs part of the second Article in Henry the Eighth's Statutes That no Knight-Companion should name any Person whom he thinks or esteems in his Conscience to have upon him any spot of Reproach But on the contrary in another place of the same Statutes it is provided that they be nominated and proposed out of the number of the most worthy and select Knights How tender the Knights-Companions were in ancient time of infringing the Statutes in this particular is manifest from a notable passage which fell out an 39. H. 6. at a Scruteny taken the 8. of February in the Bishop of London's Palace where Iohn de Foix Earl of Kendall a Gascoigner by birth which makes the Example more eminent where a Stranger became so tender of the honor of the Order not being acquainted with the quality and merit of Knights and honorable Persons among us so well and sufficiently as to name such whom he was confident were irréprehensible and without blemish forbore to nominate any person at all And certainly seeing the Statutes put very considerable qualifications upon the Deputies and Proxies made choice of for the Installation of Strangers as shall be discourst of in its proper place much more caution and regard ought to be used and had both in the Nomination and Election of Knights into this so Illustrious Society 3. Touching the third point the Statutes make indifferently capable of being Nominated or Elected either Knights-Subjects or Strangers Free Princes or their Subjects and it was so even at the Institution upon the first choice where among the 25 Elected Knights 23 of them were Subjectâ— among whom we reckon Piers Capdall de la Buche but Sir Sâ—ncâ—io dabricâ—â—â—â—rt and Sir Henry Eme were both born Strangers and Subjects to other Princes And thus was it practised not only in the remaining part of the Founder's Reign and during the Reigns of three of his Successors as appears in the Catalogue of Knights elected in their times but also ever since as is more particularly and fully evident from the Scrutenies taken and entred throughout the Annals of the Order Of those who were admitted into this Noble Order by Election we shall in the last Chapter give an account in a compleat Catalogue of them Here we think it sufficient to insert the Names of such as having not been Elected are not to be forgotten out of this very respect that by their standing Candidates in Elections into this Order have the fame of being mentioned in the principal Register of Honor now in the Christian world Giving a List not of all for that were too numerous but only those of eminent quality in Foreign parts with the time when the Scrutenies were taken that transmitted them to our hands A Catalogue of some Strangers who have been Nominated yet not Elected Franciscus Sforza dux Mediolâ—ni 28. H. 6. Franciscus secundus dux Britanniae 13.14.15.22 E. 4. Henricus quartus Rex Legionis Castillae 14. E. 4. Matthias Corvinus Rex Hungariae 19.22 E. 4. Fredericus sâ—cundus Dux Austriae 22. E. 4. 1. R. 3. Philippus quartus Dux Burgundiae 14. H. 7. Franciscus Maria Dux Vrbini 1.2 H. 8. Vladislaus Secundus Rex Hungariae 1.2.6.8 H. 8. Christianus secundus Rex Dâ—niae 6.8 H. 8. Dux Barrye 8. H. 8. Comes Galaciae 8. H. 8. Alphonsus Dux Ferrariae 13.15 H. 8. Lodovicus secundus Rex Hungariae 13.14.15 H. 8. Maximilianus Sforza Dux Mediolani 14.15.16 H. 8. Marchio Piscarae 17. H. 8. Iohannes tertius Rex Portugalliae 17.18.26.28 H. 8. Marchio Mantuae 18. H. 8. Carolus Burbonus Dux Vandosme 24. H. 8. Guilielmus Dux Clivensis 32. H. 8. Dux Bavariae 32. H. 8. Dux Alvae 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Dux Medinae Coeli 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Comes Fereae 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Franciscus secundus Rex Galliae 1. Elizab. Franciscus tertius Comes Palatinus 10.11.12.13.16.17 Eliz. Augustus Dux Saxoniae 11. Eliz. Alphonsus secundus Dux Ferrariae 13. Eliz. Dux Andegavensis 13.22.23.24 Eliz. Rambrith de Walsey 25. H. 6. Iohannes de Voynada 25. H. 6. Dominus Grabazenby 24. H. 8. Dominus Humers 24. H. 8. Dominus Iohannes Mounte 24. H. 8. Dominus Harmibolt 24. H. 8. Dominus Boysy 24. H. 8. 4. In the fourth place they are not in a capacity of Nomination who are known to have taken contrary part against the Soveraign or as the Exemplar entred in the Black Book more largely than any of the Statutes express such as are not his Adversaries or Abettors or willing defenders of his Adversaries But concerning such we no where observe they had room in the Scrutenies all Knights-Companions having been more wary and discreet than by Nominating a known or publick Enemy to put either disrespect upon the Soveraign or offer violation to the Statutes 5. In the fifth and last place concerning the Degree Rank and Dignity of the Nine Knights propounded to Election the Statutes of Institution appoint That they be first three Earls or persons of greater dignity secondly three Barons and thirdly three Knights or as it is in Henry the Fifth's Statutes trois Contes ou de greigneur estat trois Banerets trois Batchelers These Degrees are to be ranked in three Classes and they distinguished by three Divisions all comprehending the three Degrees aforesaid As touching the first of these Divisions whereas all other Bodies and Exemplars of the Statutes make positive mention of Earls only taking in nevertheless the higher Degrees though not named the Statutes of Henry the Eighth express themselves in this point somewhat more amply than the rest by mentioning in the first Class Dukes Marquesses and Earls or persons superiour to these in Degree wherein the highest Dignities are included In this place we may properly observe the different Title viz. Baneret that Henry the Fifth's Statutes but now mentioned hath given us instead of Baron and not only in this Article but in all other where there is occasion to speak of Barons nevertheless the Record intends by it to signifie no other than the very same Degree namely a Baron For albeit a Baneret who had his name a Vexillo from the Banner was usually taken to signifie a Degree of Honor next beneath that of Baron both heretofore and in later times as may be collected from that famous establishment made on the behalf of the younger sons of Viscounts and Barons yet formerly among our Records it is found to be a Synonimy to Baron and so clearly made out by our most
the Embassy to Maurice Prince of Orange one Herald sufficed because the Garter and George only not the whole Habit of the Order were sent unto him and consequently there was then but little service to be done at such an Investiture Concerning other Companions and Attendants in these Legations they are both for Quality and Number such and so many as the Chief in the Legation thinks sufficient for the honor of the Soveraign and the reputation of the Embassy and in what Equipage some of these Ambassadors have been attended heretofore may be seen from the following Lists The Names of the Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen that accompanied the Marquess of Northampton in his Legation with the Habit of the Order to the French King Henry the Second 15. May an 5. E. 6. The Earls of Worcester Rutland Ormond Viscounts Fitzwalter Lysle Lords Bourgoune Bray Evers Mr. Throgmorton Mr. Sidney both of the Soveraign's Privy Chamber Sir William Cobham Sir Iohn Cutts Sir Iohn Perrott Sir Anthony Guydot Sir Gilbert Dethick Mr. Fitz Williams Mr. Carre Mr. Knolles Mr. Edw. Warney Mr. Fr. Warney Mr. Young Mr. William Thomas Secretary to the Lords Commissioners Mr. Nicholas Alexander Mr. Lucas Frugard Chester Herald at Arms. Rougdragon Pursuivant at Arms The whole number of Noblemen and Gentlemen with all their Trains was 260. The Names of the Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen who accompanied the Earl of Sussex in his Legation with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to Maximilian the Emperor an 9. Eliz. The Lord North Baron of Kyrtling Sir Egremond Radcliff the Ambassadors Brother Sir Thomas Mildmay Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter Sir Henry Cobham Two of the Soveraign's band of Pensioners Sir Edmund Powell Two of the Soveraign's band of Pensioners William Dethick Rouge Cross Pursuivant at Arms. William Weston one of the Queens Servants Gentlemen attending on the Ambassador Iohn Valpe Doctor of Physick Anthony Overton Prothonotary William Chancellor Chaplain George Frevill Robert Butler William Mesten Henry Mildmay Thomas Higham Peter Gough Arthur Hevingham Albert Philipps Servants to the Ambassador Henry Eritage Iames Bradshaw William Hamlett Thomas Gest. Simon Smith Thomas Barber Servants to the Lord North. Arnold Segrell Leonard Dickes Servants to Sir Tho. Mildmay Iohn Strange Iames Servants to Sir Gilbert Dethick Charles Poirett Iohn Rudde Iohn Child Iohn Fletcher Servant to Sir Henry Cobham Hans Servant to Sir Edmund Powell Charles The Names of the Emperor's Gentlemen that waited upon the Lord Ambassador the Earl of Sussex in Vienna 1567. Casper van Mynkonitz Sewer Seymfred van Alderston Carver Marquess Spiller Cupbearer William van Pellustrans Heralds of Arms. Hans Poyntsott Heralds of Arms. Nicholas Radode Comptroller of the House George Swikle Clerk of the Kitchin Item 10. Archers Item 10. Holbardiers George Weaver Master Cook In the Kitchin 10 persons In the Cellar 5. In the Larder 5. In the Confectionary 5. In the Chaundry 2. In the Wardrobe 3. In the Scullery 3. And one Porter In all 62 persons The Names of the Noblemen Knights Esquires and Gentlemen who gave their attendance on the Earl of Derby sent Ambassador with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to the French King Henry the Third 20 Ian. an 27. Eliz. The Lord Sands The Lord Windsor Mr. Scroop Son and Heir to the Lord Scroop Mr. Windsore Son and Heir apparent to the Lord Windsore Sir Richard Shirborne Knight Treasurer Sir Randolph Brereton Knight Mr. Clarencieux King of Arms. Mr. Anthony Cook Heir to Sir Anthony Cook Mr. Gerard Son and Heir to Sir Thomas Gerard. Mr. Fleetwood Mr. Newdygate Mr. Stallange Mr. Somerset Herald of Arms. Mr. Crompton Mr. Smith Mr. Denton Mr. Milles Secretary Mr. Thomas Arderne Steward Mr. Fox Comptroller Mr. Newton Gentleman Huisher Mr. Philipps Chaplain Mr. Alexander Gentleman of the Horse Mr. Moorcrost Physitian The Earls waiting Gentlemen Mr. Dawney Son and Heir to Sir Iohn Dawney Mr. Iames Legh Son and Heir to Sir Pierce a Legh Mr. Warenne Mr. Thomas Shirborne Mr. Stanley Mr. Charles Doyley Mr. Chevalier Matchett Mr. Richard Starkey Mr. Brereton Mr. Thomas Hamner Mr. Richard Lloyd Mr. Salisbury Mr. Richard Bussy Mr. Iohn Downes Mr. Francis Starkey Mr. Baptist. Mr. Thomas Randolph Mr. Tusser Mr. Anthony Chambers Mr. Nicholas Forton Mr. Gervase Rosell Thomas Burscogh Clerks of the Kitchin Roger Iollibrand Clerks of the Kitchin In the third place there is to be prepared for this Legation Warrants for the Habit and Ensigns of the Order and these are also to be drawn up by the Chancellor of the Order who is to attend the Soveraign for his Sign manual thereunto One Warrant is to be the Master of the Soveraign's Great Waâ—drobe to deliver to Garter King of Arms the Mantle with a Scutcheon of St. George within a Garter embroidered on the left shoulder and Tassels thereunto belonging as also the Surcoat and Hood There is also another Warrant drawn up for the delivery of the Ensigns of the Order to Garter namely the rich Garter the Great Collar of the Order with a George appendant and another smaller George hanging in a Blue Ribband together with Cases for them lined with Purple Velvet and gilt on the outside And sometimes these Ensigns have been delivered out of the Iewel-house to the Herald at Arms joined in the Legation in Garters's stead as where those sent to Charles King of Sweden an 20. Car. 2. But those provided for Iohn George Duke of Saxony to Sir Thomas Higgons the principal in the Legation to him for which they gave their several Receipts The Soveraign's Warrant for the delivery of those Ensigns sent to Maximilian the Emperor was directed to the Lord Treasurer of England for which Garter gave his Receipt But for those sent to the French King Henry the Fourth the Warrant was directed to the Master of the Iewel-house and out of this Office have all the Ensigns of the Order before mentioned been since delivered There are several other Necessaries to be provided which may pass as appurtenances to the former and are sometimes inserted into the Soveraign's Warrants for the Habit of the Order and at other times issue forth by particular Warrants namely A Black Velvet Cap with white Feathers and a Heron Sprig A Girdle and Hangers of the same coloured Velvet with the Surcoat A yard of Purple Velvet hath been usually allowed out of the Great Wardrobe for covering the Book of Statutes which the Soveraign sends to the Elect-Stranger and for the Velom Writing and Binding the said Book there is a Fee paid by the Soveraign to the Register of the Order which generally hath been proportioned according to the Degree of the Stranger for this Officer had allowed him for the Book sent  l. s. d. To the French King Henry the Fourth 5 0 0 To Iohn Casimire Count Palatine 4 0 0 To the Duke of Holstein an 3. Iac. 3 6 8 To the King of Sweden an 3.
the Duke of York and Prince Rupert sent out to introduce Sir George Câ—rterett Proctor to the Prince of Denmark an 15. Car. 2. and the Earl of Carlisle Proctor to the King of Sweden an 23. Car. 2. And where there are more than one Stranger at the same time to be installed by Proxie there the two next senior Knights pass out as did the Earls of Kelly and Salisbury who brought in Sir Dudley Carleton Proctor to the Prince of Orange an 4. Car. 1. and the Dukes of Ormond and Buckingham the Earl of Winchelsey Proctor to the Duke of Saxony an 23. Car. 2. In this Proceeding the Proxie goes bare-headed for so did the before mentioned Earl of Dover Sir George Carterett the Earl of Carlisle and the Earl of Winchelsey SECT XI The Ceremonies of Installation WHen the Proceeding hath entred the Choire and paid the accustomed Reverences both towards the Altar and the Soveraign's Stall and the Alms-Knights Officers of Arms and of the Order taken their usual Stations the two Commissioners Knights-Assistants or Knights-Companions and Proctor make their Reverences together and then is he conducted by them into the lower Stalls directly before the Stall appointed for his Principal the foresaid Officers of the Order standing below in the Choire If the Installation pass by more than two Commissioners then the two senior Knights-Commissioners bring him to the foresaid lower Stalls and perform the Ceremonies belonging to his Installation while the rest of the Commissioners at their entrance take their Station below in the Choire before their proper Stalls and there Stand until the Installation be finished And the like do the Lieutenants Assistants except the two senior that are employed in the Ceremonies of Installation The Proxie thus introduced into the lower Stalls stands there while the Register pronounceth the Oath of the Order to him after whom he repeateth the words distinctly during all which time he layeth his hand upon the New Testament and lastly kisseth the Book The ancient Oath appointed by the Statutes of Institution to be taken by a Stranger 's Proxie is short absolute and without limitation or exception and in all points the same with that which a Knight-Companion himself took at his Personal Installation viz. Faithfully to observe to the utmost of his power the Statutes of the Order But afterwards the Soveraigns and Fellows of those other Orders of Knight-hood whereof Kings of Free-Princes are Soveraigns as the Golden-Fleece Monsieur St. Michael and the Annuciade before their admition into the Order of the Garter sued for and obtained the allowance of some relative exceptions or provisoes to be added to the foresaid Oath which commonly were such as stood with the interest of their Religion their great state or dignity or precedent obligation to the Orders they had before accepted There is a Precedent entred in the Black-Book of the Oath to be taken by an Emperor whereby he is obliged to promise upon his Royal word and give his Faith upon his honor and the holy Evangelists That he will faithfully and truly to the utmost of his power observe the Statutes of this most Noble Order and that particularly in every branch and Article thereof at least so far as they can or ought to be observed by him and so far as they shall not be contrary or derogatory to those whereunto he hath before given his name and sworn and saving all other conditions agreed on Besides this there are also two other Precedents lodged in the Annals the one of the form of the Oath as it is fitted for the Proctor of an Emperor or a King the other for the Proctor of a Prince Arch-Duke and every other inferiour degree to a Knight including him also By the first of these the Proctor is to oblige himself in the name and behalf of his Lord and with a sincere heart and true faith shall promise and swear that his said Lord shall well and faithfully fulfil and observe all and every the Statutes Ordinances and Decrees of this Order according to the force form and effect any way thereunto belonging saving the conditions before agreed on between him and the Soveraign By the second he is also in the name and behalf of his Lord with a real heart and sincere faith to promise and swear That his said Lord shall faithfully observe and fulfil the Statutes and every several Branch and Article thereof according to the force form and effect of the same at least so far as the Soveraign's Dispensation shall limit and appoint But we have not found any of these Precedents made use of because being rather too general they have otherwise and more particularly fitted the Oath to the present interest and occasion at least so far as they could obtain the Soveraign to condescend unto And hereupon Philip King of Castile and Leon Soveraign of the Order of the Golden Fleece when he received a Personal Installation at Windesor an 22. H. 7. though the Oath he took was absolute and without limitation viz. To observe all the Statutes of the Order of the Garter according as they were contained in the Book then lately sent unto and accepted by him as faithfully as if every one of the Articles were then rehearsed unto him and to fulfil them from Article to Article at faithfully and readily as he looked for help from God and all his Saints Yet nevertheless soon after he obtained the Soveraign's free and full Dispensation in these two things only first that the use of the Collar and the other Ensigns of the Order might be left to his pleasure and secondly that he might not be obliged to be present at future Chapters Not long after some other Exceptions were admitted but such were obtained with very great difficulty and much debate had between the Soveraign's Council and the Stranger-Princes Ambassadors lest otherwise the dignity and reputation of the Order should instead of being kept up be lessened because where the forbearance or omission of any circumstance either in the Investiture or Ceremony of Installation hath been yielded unto it hath sometimes or other been taken notice of and brought into Precedent to the prejudice of the Order Therefore great circumspection ought to be taken in yielding to the omission of any part of so grand a Ceremony And the standing upon terms hath not been without good success since known that though other Interests different or contrary to the Soveraign's have sometimes assaulted Strangers desirous of this Honor yet their present necessities of obtaining his Friendship by receiving this Order have caused them though with some unwillingness to accept of this obliging Tye from him The Exceptions that were allowed to Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria when he took the Oath at his Investiture at Noremberg the 8. of December an 15. H. 8. were these that follow Not to
THat at his first entry into this Office the Black-Book wherein the chiefest Record's of the Order are being in the custody of Sir William Segar then Garter he was forced to receive from him the Instructions which concerned his place And whereas at the Installation of any Knight the said Sir William Segar did use to make a Bill of such Fees as were to be paid wherein of later years he would set down for the Register but half as much as for himself upon whose athority the Register for a while rested and knowing no other had no more Copies of which Bills are privately transmitted from one Lords Officer to another But since the Black-Book was by the honorable Chapter remanded to the Registers custody upon survey of the Records and view of the Statutes in the Book by him latey exhibited to your Soveraign Majesty the rule for the Registers Fee in more express Text than for any Officer else appears That as oft as any Knight chosen into the Order is installed the Register shall have of him thirteen shillings and four pence and a Robe Statut. de Officialibus Ordinis cap. 6. He therefore most humbly beseecheth on the behalf of his place that according to every Lords Oath not wittingly to break the content of any Statute this Statute may be without question observed and the Robe be allowed him and that Sir John Burrowes noâ— Garter may have order to reform this Error with such of the Companions or their Officers as have not yet paid the Register an Installation Fee But in case that any Lord shall rather chuse to compound with the Register for the said Robe That it may now please your sacred Majesty for the avoiding of all exception to the said Register to set down a proportion meet to be demanded for the same by him who both in the order of his place is before Mr. Garter and in the proportion of his Annual Fee from your Soveraign Majesty above him At the Court at Greenewich the 6. of May 1634. It is his Majesty's pleasure that all Fees due to the Officers of the Order by the Institution shall be precisely paid and that this particular of the Register shall be satisfied according to the words of the Institution and not according to the custom lately used of which Mr. Garter is to give notice as there shall be occasion Fr. Crane Cane But it seems that nothing was done in his time upon the Soveraign's Answer to this Petition besides its entry into the red-Red-Book and thereupon afterwards when his Brother Doctor Christopher Wren had succeeded him in the Register's place and the Robe assigned him out of the Soveraign's Wardrobe at his entrance into his Office being of the value of 28 l. 1 s. 0 d. according to this valuation of his Robe a like value was proposed by way of Composition upon the Knights-Companions Batchellors the lowest Degree among the Knights of the Order to be paid him in lieu of the said Robe supposing they could not give him less and from hence was raised the proportions for each several Degree of honor upon those who should be admitted into this most Noble Order thus  s. d.  l. s. d. Imprimis for a Knight-Batchellor 13 04 and 28 00 00 Item for a Baron 13 04 and 30 00 00 Item for a Viscount 13 04 and 32 00 00 Item for a Earl 13 04 and 34 00 00 Item for a Marquess 13 04 and 36 00 00 Item for a Duke 13 04 and â—8 00 00 Item for a Prince 13 04 and 40 00 00 Afterwards taking occasion from the Instalment of the present Soveraign then Prince an 14. Car. 1. the Dean desired the Deputy-Chancellor to know the Soveraign's pleasure once again and to represent that the Registers Fees were anciently 13 s. 4 d. in money and the Robe in kind and seeing that the Soveraign was pleased to allow encrease of Fees to the other Officers of the Order particularly to Garter King of Arms 40 l. at the Installation of the said Prince and every other Officer in proportion and that it stood both with the honor of the Prince to give as honorable a Fee as any Prince Stranger at his Installation and also with the Dignity of the Registers place to expect no less than others that were not above him in rank that it would therefore please the Soveraign to think the Register worthy to make the like Plea Thus much the Deputy-Chancellor represented to the Soveraign at Greenewich sometime after the Prince's Installation and thereupon the Soveraign was graciously pleased to think it most reasonable on the Register's behalf and Ordered that at every Installation of a Prince the Register should receive for his Fee 13 s. 4 d. and 40 l. in lieu of his Robe and that Prince Charles then newly installed should pay him the said sums which was accordingly done and the same were since setled on this Officer by the Establishment of Installation Fees made an 22. Car. 2. to be thenceforth paid not only by the Prince of Wales but for the Installation of a a Stranger-King whereto is added for a Stranger-Prince 38 l. 13 s. 4 d. But those thereby made due from Knights-Subjects of other Degrees are the same as were proposed by Doctor Christopher Wren mentioned a little above Next to the Register doth Garter claim both Droits and Fees for his service and attendance at this Solemnity who in reference to its preparations and employment at the time hath a greater share of business than any other Officer of the Order As to the first of these it was Ordained by the Constitutions of his Office That as often as any Knight should happen to be Installed he might challenge for himself the Garments worn by him immediately before his Investiture with the Surcoat of the Order And the constant practice hath interpreted this to be the Knight's upper Garment anciently a short Gown of later times a Cloak but now a Coat which he puts off in the Chapter-house when the Investiture begins When Garter had received the Gown of Philip King of Castile immediately before his Investiture with the Robes of the Order an 22. H. 7. he came before the Soveraign and humbly besought him to give thanks to the King who for his sake had bestowed it on him which the Soveraign accordingly did Heretofore when Garter had received the Knight's Gown he immediately put it on and wore it during the whole Ceremony of Installation and therefore the Gown of Henry Duke of York second Son to King Henry the Seventh though he was very young when installed was made large enough for Garter's use But because this short Gown hath been so long out of fashion as to be well nigh forgotten we shall therefore mention several of the kind wherein their description will appear remarkable enough both for their materials and the then fashionable Trimmings King
such Ceremonies as were not consonant to the King's Injuctions then lately prescribed it was Ordained and Decreed that then and for ever from thenceforth at the Feast of this most Noble Order no other Ceremonies should be observed than such as were appointed in the following Letter Which was at that Chapter agreed upon and a little before the next years Feast day of St. George sent from the Lords of the Council to the Knights-Companions attributing the whole procedure to the great piety of the then Soveraign and the care he took that certain abuses and preposterous Ceremonies of the Church should be reformed Whereby the Solemnity State and magnificence of this Grand Festival was very much eclipsed AFter our most hearty commendations For as much as the Kings Highness hath appointed a most godly Reformation of divers abuses and rites in the Church to a more convenient and decent Order of the which some hath been used heretofore in the most honorable and amicable Order of the Garter and being not reformed there should make a disagreeing from his Majesty's most godly proceedings Therefore it is his Majesty's will and pleasure by the advice of us the Lord Protector and other his Highness Council that all such things as be not conformable and agreeing to his Majesty's Injunctions Orders or Reformations now of late prescribed should be also in that most Noble Order and the Ceremonies thereof lest undone and reformed as hereafter followeth First that no Procession be made with going about the Church or Church-yard but the Kings Majesty's Procession lately set forth in English to be used His Majesty and other Knights of that honorable Order sitting in their Stalls at the entry such Reverence to be made to the King's Majesty only as was heretofore The Offring to be in the Box for the Poor without any other Reverence or kissing of any Paten or other thing but only at the return due Reverence to the King's Majesty as was used before The Mass of Requiem to be left undone but yet both upon St. George's day and the next day a Mass to be sung with great Reverence in the which immediately after the words of Consecration is said the Priest shall say the Pater Noster and so turn and communicate all or so many of the Order or other after they have done as shall be disposed godly at the same time to receive the Communion according to such order as is prescribed in his Highness Book of Communion and without any other Rite or Ceremony after the said Communion to be used except it be some godly Psalm or Hymn to be sung in English and so to end the said Service All Chapters and other Rites concerning the said Order not being contrary to these to remain as they have been prescribed and used the which we have thought good to signifie unto you that you may follow the same accordingly From Greenwich the 20. of April 1548. This Decree we observe signified not less than a Prohibition to the holding the Grand Feâ—st at Windesor although it spoke not so plain at least the neglect of its celebration there whilst King Edward the Sixth lived makes it to seem so And albeit towards the end of this Soveraign's Reign some care was or seemed taken for a permissive holding of the said Feast either upon the day of St. George or some other day appointed by Prorogation yet was it without any regard had to the ancient and usual place the Castle of Windesor For when the Act of Parliament passed commanding the days therein mentioned to be kept holy and none other whereby the celebration of many days besides which in former time by the Canons of our Church appointed to be kept holy were prohibited and among the rest the Feast day of St. George it being not found among those Feast days at that time established It was considered That a Proviso and allowance should be entred in the aforesaid Act for the celebration of this Feast particularly by the Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order in these words Provided always and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid that it shall be lawfull to the Knights of the right honorable Order of the Garter and to every of them to keep and celebrate solemnly the Feast of their Order commonly called St. George's Feast yearly from henceforth the 22.23 and 24. days of April and at such other time and times as yearly shall be thought convenient by the Kings Highness his Heirs and Successors and the said Knights of the said honorable Order or any of them now being or hereafter to be any thing in this Act heretofore mentioned to the contrary notwithstanding Which Act although it suffred a Repeal by Queen Mary yet strands it at this day in force being revived by King Iames his repealing of that Statute of the first of Queen Mary Cap. 2. SECT VII Removed from Windesor by Queen Elizabeth BUT that which gave the greatest and almost fatal blow to the growing Honor of this no less famous than ancient Castle of Windesor and severed the Patrons Festival from the Place was a Decree made at a Chapter held at Whitehall upon St. George's day an 9. Eliz. with the consent of the Knights-Companions then present being 12 in number namely the Earls of Arundel and Penbroke the Lord Clinton Marquess of Northampton Lord Howard of Effingham Earl of Sussex Lord Loughborow Viscount Mountague Earls of Leicester Northumberland Warwick and Lord Hunsdon to the effect following That if on the Vigil and day of St. George the Feast were not held at Windesor according to the usual Custom it should nevertheless be sufficient if the observation thereof were kept in the same place where the Soveraign should then happen to be where also all the rest of the Knights-Companions were obliged to be present no less than if the Feast had been to be celebrated at Windesor And henceforward the glory which Windesor Castle had alone possest for some Ages began to be distributed to other places nay so severe was the later part of this Decree to the interest of so flourishing a place that it welnigh extended to a prohibition of all other Celebrations there since it also commanded That no other Solemnity under the notion of St. George's Feast should thenceforth be celebrated at Windesor except upon occasion of the Installation of some illustrious personage and then also not without the leave and appointment of the Soveraign And to say truth this Statutes was but too strictly observed all the remainder of her Reign for we meet not with one Feast of St. George held simply and peculiarly as a Feast in honor of the Order's Patron at Windesor unless you mistakingly account any of the Feasts of Installation for those of St. George which for the most part were held at the charge and expence of the Knights Installed until the first year of King Iames But then the Soveraign as yet in
Proceedings thither and the place he goes in is a little behind the Soveraign towards his left hand Next the Dean goes the Clerk of the Closet and then the Master of the Robes so also of late one of the Masters of Requests and then the Gentleman of the Robes SECT III. Of Proceeding to the Chapter-house HAving treated at large under the precedent head concerning the due rank and place of all those persons that ordinarily or occasionally have gone in the Proceeding wherein all saving the Soveraign and Knights-Companions pass bareheaded we now pass to the Place whither the Proceeding is directed The first solemn action that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions are obliged to perform at the entrance upon the Grand Feast is to celebrate a Chapter and therefore it hath been most usual for them to proceed from the Presence-Chamber Every one in their due place and order first to the Chapter-house to consult of things of course and next into the Choire to hear Divine Service And though it be not positively set down in the Statutes which of these two shall precede yet that the Chapter ought to be held before the first Vespers is naturally enough to be deduced out of that branch of the Statutes where the penances and penalties to be inflicted on such Knights-Companions as come late to the Feast are laid down For there we find it provided of the Knights-Companions appear not on the Eve precisely at the hour of Tierce they shall not be permitted for that time either to enter into the Chapter or to have voice in any thing done therein and then the Article proceeding with other penalties upon other defaults it immediately follows That if any of them come not before the beginning of Vespers they shall not be allowed to enter into their Stalls So that hence it is evident that the course and order intended was that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions should first celebrate a Chapter therein to dispatch the business of the time and after that broke up then next proceed into the Choire to Vespers Moreover the general practice in all succeeding times beginning with King Henry the Fifth's Reign doth most fully demonstrate that a Chapter was of custom held before the first Vespers whereof we shall urge these following Examples in the point as being recorded in the Registers of the Order When Iohn Duke of Bedford Deputy to the Soveraign celebrated the Solemnities of St. George at Windesor an 7. H. 5. he and the Knights-Companions present at the designed hour on the Eve entred together into the Chapter-house and Choire Again an 5. E. 4. the Lord Berners the Soveraign's Lieutenant and other Knights-Companions met at Windesor in an honorable equipage for the accustomed holding of Chapters and the solemn celebration of Divine Service An 7. Car. 1. Oct. 4. after the celebrations of the Grand Feast began to be restored to Windesor we find it recorded more fully to our purpose viz. that before Vespers the Soveraign and Knights-Companions went first to the Chapter-house but business being put off till the morrow they all proceeded to the Choire So an 9. Car. 1. the Soveraign and Knights-Companions are said first to go to the Chapter-house and by and by it follows as soon as they came to the Choire c. Lastly we find there are recorded by Sir Thomas Wriothesley sometime Garter King of Arms in an old Velom Manuscript of his the Chapters accustomably held during the celebration of the Grand Feast in the following order 1. Upon the Even of St. George before Evensong 2. The next day either before Matins or before the Grand Proâ—ession 3. The same day also before Evensong 4. And lastly on the next morning before the Mass of Requiem At all which times Chapters have for the most part since been held by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions and herein the Chancellor of the Order is not only to know the Soveraign's pleasure but also whether he will hold any of them publickly in the Chapter-house or privately in any Room of his Privy-Lodgings or in the Closet before the Proceeding pass to the Chappel As this ancient Custom of holding a Chapter on the Eve of the Grand Feast was constantly observed when celebrated without prorogation so also hath a Chapter been in like manner held before Vespers on the Eve at such time as the Feast-day of St. George only hath been observed when for any cause the Anniversary of the Grand Feast received Prorogation as for instance an 1. Mar. a Chapter was held at the Mannor of St. Iames's on the Vigil of St. George before the first Vespers whereunto is fixed this note Vt moris est and the Grand Feast for that year received adjournment until the coming of Philip then Prince after King of Spain So an 8. Eliz. the day of St. George being celebrated at Greenewich it appears that a Chapter was holden there on the Eve before Evening-Prayer and the Grand Feast for that year prorogued to the first Sunday after Trinity Sunday to be kept at Windesor In like manner though the celebrations of the Grand Feast were by Queen Elizabeth removed from Windesor and observed at other places as hath been before discoursed yet this usual Custom of holding a Chapter on the Eve was in such cases constantly practised after which the Proceeding to Evening Prayer succeeded as is manifest by these following Testimonies An. 29. Eliz. After a relation entred in the blew-Blew-Book of the Order of what had past in Chapter held on the Eve of the Feast at Greenwich it there follows that the Soveraign's Lieutenant and Knights-Companions proceeded to Evening Prayer So also an 39. Eliz. on the Eve of the Feast the Lord Charles Howard was by the Soveraign in Chapter constituted Lieutenant which done they in a solemn manner streight way went to Prayers And the next year when in a Chapter called on the Eve of the Feast at Whitehall after the Earl of Shrewsbury had been made Lieutenant for the holding of that Feast and other customary things dispatched therein the Register notes that Vespers were solemnly celebrated And because the Processional-way to the Chapter-house as also to the Chappel both publick and private as well at Windesor as elsewhere are fit to be known and remembred we shall in the next place trace them out The publick Processional-way to the Chapter-house at Windesor used time out of mind led from the Presence-Chamber down through the Cloister and the great Gate of the Kings Lodging into the upper Ward of the Castle thence through the middle Ward and part of the lower to and through the passage between the East-end of the Chappel and Tomb-house and thence into the Chapter-house situate at the North-East Corner of St. George's Chappel But sometimes the Soveraign hath thought sit to wave this publick Processional way and pass along the private way which
the Registers and from the Commissions themselves For instance The before recited Deputations made to Iohn Duke of Bedford an 4. H. 6. is said to be done by a sufficient Commission delivered unto him under the Common Seal of the Order So an 8. H. 6. Humfry Duke of Gloucester c. was deputed by a certain Commission signed by the Soveraign under the Common Seal And for holding the Feast an 1. E. 4. Viscount Bourghier was also Deputed by the Soveraign By a fit and suâ—â—icient Commission So also the Earl of Essex an 14. E. 4. by the authority of the Soveraigns Commission In like manner an 18. E. 4. The Lord Dudley was assigned by vertue of the Soveraigns Commission to observe the yearly Feast of St. George and to perform all things according to custom It may be further observed that the Commissions of Lieutenancy as ancient as the Reign of King Henry the Eighth are said in the close to issue forth under the Seal of this most Noble Order So was that to the Duke of Norfolk an 17. H. 8. And also that other to the Marquess of Exceter an 20. H. 8. which runneth thus Yeoven under the Seal of Our Garter c. and according to the Modern expression Given under the Seal c. These Commissions of Lieutenancy an 14. Eliz. and the six following years run under the title of Letters Patent and are so called in the Blue Book but how justly is to be questioned For in one of these Commissions made to the Earl of Lincoln an 15. of the said Queen the conclusion is the same with those other Commissions of like nature of former years viz. Yeoven under the Seal of Our Order at c. and wanteth that Clause or conclusive period from which such instruments as we are informed derive the name of Letters Patent to wit In cujus rei testimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Again an 12. Eliz. and for seven years after we observe from the said Blue Book that this Officer was made with the consent of all the Knights-Companions a Phrase much like that used elswhere touching the Election of Knights as hath been before taken notice of But if duely examined we shall find this expression of no more strength to entitle the Knights-Companions to a joynt power with the Soveraign for the constituting of a Lieutenant than the other is to make them Coelectors where though something requisite to the obtaining of their consent may seem to be implied in the aforesaid words yet we conceive those expressions were used by the Register as of his own choice rather than such as the Law of the Order will allow of The Dignity of this Officer as he represents the Soveraign's person and supplies his place is very great Which that we may the better set forth we shall distinguish the Honors annexed to this eminent Place as they are essential and necessarily consequent thereto or personal that is such as may additionally be conferred upon him at the pleasure of the Soveraign That this Officer as an essential Honor to his Place hath from ancient time had some of the Knights-Companions assigned him for his Assistants during the whole Feast is evident enough throughout the Registers yet the first mention of Assistants as to the Title particularly given unto such persons we find in the Registrum Chartaceum in the Decree made at a Chapter called at Eltham on St. George's day an 8. H. 8. wherein after the Anniversary of the Grand Feast had been appointed to be observed at Windsor upon the 25. of May then next ensuing and the Marquess of Dorset nominated the Soveraign's Lieutenant the Earl of Essex the Lord de la Ware the Lord Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell were appointed Assistants to the said Marquess Another instance in the same Register concerning the celebration of the Grand Feast at Windesor the following year upon the 10. day of May the Earl of Arundel being appointed Lieutenant affirms that the Lords de la Ware and Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell and Sir Henry Marney were also appointed Assistants to the said Earl The number of Assistants were in those times uncertain here above we see they were four Anno 21. H. 8. we find but three and afterwards an 32. H. 8. they were reduced unto two which number following times exceeded not except once and that was the last year of the aforesaid King when there were three appointed These Assistants were always appointed in Chapter when the Lieutenant himself was Nominated and afterwards had Letters of notice sent to each of them from the Soveraign requiring their repair to Windesor a Transcript whereof see in the Appendix of which form have we seen several other Letters sent upon the same occasion to each of the Assistants after they had been appointed to the said Service And as before we have noted in the case of Lieutenants themselves it hath sometimes chanced that others were afterwards upon occasion put in the places of those first named so here amongst the Assistants it hath in like manner hapned for the Lord Poynings an 8. H. 8. by the Soveraign's Commission was appointed Assistant to the Lieutenant in the room of the Earl of Essex who had been before nominated And the Earl of Rutland being named one of the Assistants an 22. H. 8. was afterwards excused by the Kings Letters whose place the Lord Montjoy executed So an 29. H. 8. the aforesaid Earl of Rutland falling sick after the time of his nomination and before the approach of the Feast day the Earl of Sussex was substituted Assistant in his place And sometimes a Quorum of Assistants have been nominated as an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. in case some of them should be absent for the Lord Pagit the Lord Clynton the Lord Howard of Effingham and Sir Edward Hastings having been appointed Assistants to attend the Lieutenant at the following Feast it is added that at least any two of them who at that time were neerest to the Kings Court should be there present to assist the Soveraign's Deputy according to his Majesties pleasure as the Custom and their duty obliged Another Honor essential to the Dignity of the Lieutenant is that the Soveraign layes an Injunction upon the rest of the Knights-Companions then present to yield Assistance and Obedience to him in all things as if himself were personally present For so is it enjoyned by the Commission to the aforesaid Iohn Duke of Bedford And generally all Forms of Commissions since close with such like Injunctions of Obedience in the execution of the Soveraign's Authority To these Honors before spoken of we might add some other of the like nature viz. that this great Officer possesseth the Soveraigns Place in all Proceedings and at the Table that he hath his Train carried up that a Reverence is given
Christians of Antioch when Iulian the Apostate commanded the Coffin of St. Babilas to be removed who went a Procession with their Women and Children rejoicing and singing Davids Psalms and removed the Reliques of St. Babylas from Daphney to Antioch A like Procession do we find celebrated within the most Noble Order of the Garter on Wednesday in Easter week being the 27. of March 1504. at Greenwich upon reception of that noble Relique the right Leg of St. George sent to King Henry the Seventh then Soveraign from the Cardinal of Rowen being Legaâ— by a Chaplain of his own an Augustine and Abbot of by Meaux which was most solemnly ordered in the following manner First as the Oratour of the Legat was landed which landed before the Fryers yat of Greenwiche he did on a surplis and a cope holding St. George's Leg in his hand which was goodly garnished in Silver like a Knights Leg armed with a gilt Spor c. and immediately upon his arrival there went to meet the said Relique first the Kings Chappel all in Copis with Cross c. and on every side of the Chappel were divers Yoemen of the Garde in their beten Cotys of Goldsmith work beryng certain Torches brenning then the Bishop of Chestre in Pontificalibus the Dean on his left hand and on every side of them certain of the Officers of Arms then followed the Kings of Arms and next them the Knights of the Order beryng their Mantle and Collers of the Ordre that is to say the Marquiss of Dorset the Erll of Surrey the Erll of Shrewysbyry the Erll of Essex the Lord Dawbeny the Kings Chamberlaine the Lord Herbert Sir Thomas Lovell Treasurer and Sir Rich. Gilford Controller of the Household and next the Knights of the Order followed the odir Lords and Noblemen after their Estates and Degrees in gret nombre and when the Bishop approched neer the Legats Oratour which was assisted by two Doctours beyng Chappellyns to the King The Bishop censed the Relique and then the Legats Oratour beryng the Said saint George's Leg went between the Bishop and the Dean and returned in licke ordre till they came to the Kings Chappel where the Leg was set on the high Aultre and then the Quire sange O George c. that doon the Knights and Officers went up into the Galery and there did off their Mantles and the Officers of Arms their Cotys of Arms and from thence all the Noblemen went into the Kings grete Chambre to attend upon his Grace which immediately went to Mass and at Offering time his Highness kissed and offered the Leg and so the second Relique remained in the Kings Chappel and after Mass the King returned to his gret Chambre where he dyned c. with Gods blessing and Saint George Again of Processions some are called Lugubres i. e. mournful which seems to us to be properly termed Supplications being to implore some help or to avert some evil impending wherein Letanies were also used as that of The doâ—us the younger who instituted a Letany to supplicate for fair weather and a mild temper of the Air wherein as Nicephorus saith the Supplicants went in Procession with Hymns and Adorations Theodosius himself going before them in a mean Habit singing of Psalms and thereupon the face of the Heavens changed the troubled Air grew calm and serene and plenty of all things ensued and whilst the Letany in our Book of common-Common-Prayer was used the Grand Procession of the Order might well be cast among the Lugubres and in some places of the Blue Book we see it is so called being only upon this occasion sung walking a gesture more anciently used than the posture of kneeling or standing Others are called Letae i. e. joyful which are to give thanks for blessings received And such is the nature of the Hymn appointed by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions command to be sung in the Grand Procession of the Order an 15. Car. 2. instead of the Letany and since continued Having immediately before delivered somewhat of Proceedings Military Civil and Ecclesiastical we shall now pass on to the Grand Procession of this most Noble Order it self which consists of persons Military Civil and Ecclesiastical The Military are the Soveraign the Knights-Companions and Alms-Knights the Civil are the Officers of the Order Officers of Arms and other Attendantâ— and lastly the Ecclesiastical are the Prebends of the Colledge the Choire-men and Choristers And in reference to this magnificent Solemnity whether it fell out to be celebrated at Windesor or at any other place where the Soveraign kept his Court we are to consider the 1. Time when this great Ceremony took its beginning next the proper 2. Place or Processional way then the 3. Order and Manner of the Solemnity and lastly the 4. Pomp and State thereof The Grand Procession hath been always celebrated in the morning of the Feast day of St. George or upon such other day as the Soveraign hath appointed to hold the same by Prorogation but as to the instant of time when it began we find it divers and uncertain but those variations make no very great difference having been ordered and appointed with considerations had to conveniency and at such a part of the Church Service as was conceived most proper and generally after the end of the last Collect appointed for the morning in our Book of common-Common-Prayer immediately before the Letany Nevertheless an 6. Eliz. the Feast being then held at Windesor we find it began presently after the Te Deum was sung and an 20. of the said Queens Reign at Greenwich after the reading of the second Lesson Again an 22. Iac. R. it is said to begin when the second Morning Service was celebrating and almost half done And to come neerer our times the Grand Procession set forward an 8. Car. 1. when the first Service was finished and an 17. Car. 1. after the Sermon But at the Grand Feast solemnized at Windesor in the 13. year of the present Soveraign and since it took beginning at the most usual and accustomed time viz. when the Prelate then officiating at the Altar came to that part of the Common Prayer where the Letany was next to begin Who there making a pause was conducted from the Altar by the Serjeant of the Vestry down to his Seat We come next to the second consideration which is the compass of the Proceeding or the Processional way and that we observe not to have been always one and the same at Windesor for sometimes we find it confin'd within the walls of St. George's Chappel but at other times enlarged through the lower Court of the Castle in divers places of the Registers called also the Church-yard a few memorials in both cases are left unto us though none of very ancient date as An. 15. Iac. R. The Soveraign and whole assembly of the Knights-Companions going out at the
as on the Eve of the Feast But if the Soveraign do not proceed to the second Vespers then is this Chapter held in some convenient Room of the Soveraigns Privy Lodgings before the Proceeding begin for so it was an 6 Eliz. and an 13 Car. 1. when at the hour of Tierce many things were Decreed in a Chapter there celebrated As soon as the Chapter riseth the Soveraign and Knights-Companions proceed to the West Door of the Choire where the Alms-Knights being arrived first they after them the whole Proceeding enters in the usual order and with the accustomed Reverences and Ceremonies all placing themselves as they arrive at the Stations and Seats formerly mentioned and in that manner and Order as they did at their Entry into the Choire to the first Vespers Which Ceremony of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions entrance and Session in their Stalls being finished the Prelate ascends to the Altar as before and begins the Divine Service during which the Scruteny for Election of Knights is most commonly taken of which we have spoken at large in the Chapter of Elections When the second Vespers are finished the Proceeding passeth out of the Choire the Knights-Companions and the Soveraign following and returns to the Presence Chamber whence He and the Knights-Companions retire till Supper be ready all things being done as when they past out of the Choire and Proceeded to the Presence at the finishing of the first Vespers But an 15 Car. 1. it hapning to be late ere the second Vespers were ended the Soveraign went not to the Presence Chamber from the Chappel but marched directly to the great Hall to Supper by Torch light When the Feast hath been kept at Whitehall or Greenwich if the Soveraign went into the Chappel to the second Vespers the return of the Proceeding was immediately thence through the great Hall and up into the Presence But if the Soveraign proceeded no farther then the Closet and there staid both holding the Chapter and during Divine Service then the Soveraigns Lieutenant as he came from the Chappel past also through the Great Hall and up into the Guard Chamber and thence to the Closet where receiving the Soveraign they all proceeded thence before him into the Presence in the usual order where the Proceeding ending all retired till Supper was ready Nevertheless if the Supper on the Feast Day at night was prepared in the Banquetting-House then the Soveraigns return from the Chappel or Closet was over the Terrace into the said Room and up to the State there SECT IX Of the Supper on the Evening of the Feast Day IT hath been very seldom seen that the Soveraign hath supped publickly in St. Georges Hall on the Feast Day but when he doth as an 14 Car. 1. the Proceeding thither the Ceremonies and attendance there and return thence are in all respects performed as at the Supper on the Eve But if the Soveraign's Lieutenant hath on this night supped publickly as formerly it often hapned at Whitehall then this Meal was made in the Presence Chamber where the Lieutenant sat alone at the Soveraign's Table on the left hand of the Cloth of State as was usual at other times and the Knights-Companions at a Table set along the side of the Room all being served after the accustomed manner Sometimes at Greenwich the Soveraign's Lieutenant and Knights-Companions have supped in the Council Chamber as an 8. Eliz. and also in the Great Chamber at the end of the Guard-Chamber on the Eve as an 27. of the same Queen And when Supper was ended they all proceeded back to the Presence-Chamber and there having appointed the Hour of meeting the next morning took leave one of another and departed to their several Lodgings to put off their Robes CHAP. XXII THE Ceremonies OBSERVED ON THE Last Day OF THE FEAST SECT I. Of Proceeding to the Chapter-house in the Morning IT is observed by the Author of the Rationale upon our Book of common-Common-Prayer That great Solemnities have some days after them to continue their memory in Prorogationem Festi which are added as Attendants in honor of the Feast And it may be well enough presumed that upon this ground the Founder lengthened out the Feast of St. George with part of the following day one being too little to contain all the Ceremonies designed by him to set forth the State of this high Festival Among the Iews the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles was taken for the greatest day but though it be not so to be understood here yet doth this last day share in a very great part of the Solemnity of the Feast for in the distribution of the Ceremonies there are appointed to it particulars both Civil and Solemn As first the Affairs transacted in Chapter chiefly concerning the Election of Knights with their Proceeding to the Chappel and secondly the Services used in the Chappel viz. the Offring of Gold and Silver and Hatchments of deceased Knights-Companions The bringing of the Sword into the Presence the setting the Proceeding in order and the manner of the Soveraign and Knights Proceeding to the Chapter-house is performed in the same sort as it was on the Eve of the Feast the Solemnity differing only in this that then the Soveraign and Knights-Companions are obliged by the Statutes to proceed in full Robes here by the indulgence of King Henry the Eighths Statutes all are dispensed with saving the upper Robe or Mantle and where then the Image of St. George was worn pendent at the Collar of the Order now a blew Ribband sufficeth and in lieu of their Caps and Feathers they now wear only their ordinary Hats First therefore the Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order repair to the Soveraigns Privy Lodgings and there attend his going into the Presence Chamber The Officers of Arms Prebends and Alms-Knights as also the Knights-Companions Servants habited as the Day before meet in the several places they then did and there wait the Soveraigns coming forth The Soveraign attended with his Train-bearers enters the Presence and takes his Stand before the State The Proceeding advanceth towards the Chapter-House in the accustomed Order Generally and for the most part the Proceeding passeth on foot and sometimes on Horseback the publick way yet the late Soveraign King Charles the First used now and then to pass the private way over the Terrace But an 15 Iac. Reg. there was no solemn proceeding at all for the publick way was so pestered with Carts that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions were constrained to pass to the Chapter-House in their ordinary Apparel and put on their Mantles there It was the ancient Custom to celebrate a Chapter in the Morning of the last Day of the Feast before the Soveraign proceeded to the Chappel whereinto the Soveraign and Knights-Companions entring and opening the same have given dispatch to such affairs relating to the Order as were either not
Mantlets which Garter assisted by the Officers of Arms spurned out of the West-Door of the Chappel into the Castle Ditch But in the case of Robert Earl of Essex 25 of May an 43 Eliz. his Atchievements were only thrown down and those of Henry Lord Cobham 12 Febr. an 1 Iac. Reg. only spurned out of the Church Door but by the Kings Clemency not into the Ditch But Degradation was not alone thought sufficient and therefore an 32 H. 8. it was considered in Chapter what course should â—e taken with the Names of such of the Order as were convicted of High Treason and whether they should remain in the Registers or be razed out for it seemed just that Traitors who had deserved to have their Atchievements disgracefully thrown down should also have their Actions and Names extinguished and the Books wherein they were entred to be esteemed as polluted This being debated before the Soveraign He keeping a mean between both extreams determined That wheresoever the Actions and Names of such Offenders should be found these words vah Proditor should be written in the Margent by which means the Registers would be preserved fair and not defaced with razures and blots SECT III. Of Restauration into the Order after Degradation SOme of the Knights-Companions who have injuriously suffred Deprivation of the Ensigns and Degradation from the Order have lived to enjoy the Honor of Restauration and both re-elected and re-invested and their Atchievements again set up as were the Lord Pagits an 1 Mar. and the Marquess of Northampton's an 1 Eliz. whose Cases we have before Reported Another Instance there is of Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk who being Degraded by King Edward the Sixth was upon Queen Maries's coming to the Crown restored into this Noble Fellowship as will fully appear by the Order for his Restauration which was this By the Queen Trusty and wellbeloved we greet you well And whereas our Right Trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin and Councellour the Duke of Norfolk for the good and valiant service by him of long time done to the King our Father of most famous memory King Henry the Eight as well here within the Realm as abroad with Foreign Princes both in Peace and in War and in respect of other his good qualities and vertues was by our said Father elected into the Company of the most Honourable Order of the Garter and duly invested in the same from which nevertheless afterward in the time of our late Brother King Edward the Sixth whom God assoil the said Duke was by our said late Brother and other the Companions of our said Order of the Garter through wrong information and accusation cleerly expelled and removed and his Hatchments to his no small slaunder and dishonour openly cast down and taken from the Stall appointed for him in our Chappel at Windesor We let you wet that we minding to do Iustice to all men have sythence our coming to the Government of the Realm called a Chapter for the redress of the Injuries aforesaid and such like and at the same holden at our Mannor of St. James the 27. day of Sept. last by the advice and consent of the Companions of our said Order have restored the said Duke of Norfolk to his former room and place among other the Companions of our said Order as one that was injuriously put from the same wherefore like as we have willed him to use and wear the Garter Collar George Robes and other the Apparel of our said Order in such sort as he was wont to do before his said wrongful deprivation So have we also thought good to will and require both you the Register of our said Order to cancel and utterly to put out of your Register all Writings Records or other mynyments making mention of the said deviation And you also Garter King of Arms for our said Order to see his Hatchments honourably set up in the place appointed for them and his Banner to be of such Arms as his Father bare and had set up aforetime being late Knight of the said Order there to remain and continue among the Hatchments of other our Companions of our said Order according to the ancient Ordinances and landable usages heretofore accustomed at the seting up whereof our Pleasure is these our Letters shall be openly read for a more plain Declaration of our pleasure in the premises And these our Letters shall be to you and either of you for the doing of the premises and every part thereof a sufficient Warrant and discharge Given under our Signet of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 7. of March the first year of our Reign To our Trusty and Well-beloved the Dean of our Chappel at Windesor Register of our Order of the Garter and Sir Gilbert Dethick alias Garter Knight King at Arms for our said Order and to either of them CHAP. XXV Honors PAID TO DECEASED Knights-Companions SECT I. Of the celebration heretofore of Masses for the defunct Knights-Companions WE observe it to have been the Custom in all Religious and most Military Orders that when any of the Knights departed this life the several Members of them should contribute their devotions for the benefit of their departed Souls according to their different qualifications some in celebrating Mâ—sses or causing them to be celebrated and others in the recitation of Divine Offices and Alms-giving as it were to satisfie the World of the honor they had from their being enrolled in their several Fraternities and Societies But the Order of the Garter hath outvy'd all others in this particular for as the reputation which the Knights-Companions while living derived from their admission into so renowned and illustrious a Body specially Knights-Subjects who were thereby advanced to a Fellowship with their King and Supreme Lord and made Companions to Emperors Kings and Princes was very great so were the several Honors paid to their memory after their decease particularly in the Royal Chappel of St. George at Windesor very remarkable not including the Solemnities at their publick Funerals many times hapning elsewhere and these we find reducible to five heads 1. The number of Masses celebrated for their Souls departed 2. The fastning Plates of their Arms at the back of their Stalls 3. Offering up their Atchievements at the Altar and 4. Depositing Mantles in the Chapter-house at Windesor As to the celebrating of Masses for the deceased Knights-Companions though it might suffice to say that it was done consonantly to the perswasion of those times yet we shall not think it much to give the reasons thereof as we find them laid down in the Preface to the black-Black-Book of the Order in direct relation to this solemn Ceremony performed for them It was the general opinion then That Monasteries Convents and Colledges were founded out of this motive that among devout charitable and well disposed Christians there should be a continual harmony of Prayer as well for the
Sir Christopher Hatton sometime before his Death commanded that his Mantle should be delivered to the Dean and Canons and accordingly it was sent to Windesor after his decease But the Mantle of Sir Henry Lea being left to the disposal of others and not sent to the Colledge hapned at length to come into the hands of Brokers and openly exposed to sale in Long-lane to the great dishonor of the Order This Decree was in after-times but slackly observed and therefore in a Chapter held at Windesor the 24. of September an 4. Car. 1. the Knights were admonished That where the Soveraign should vouchsafe to bestow upon a Knight the Mantle of the Order the said Knight should take care at his death to have it sent to the Chappel at Windesor according as the Statutes do provide But this taking little effect the same Soveraign thought fit to restore to life and vigour the Law in this particular by a Decree made in Chapter held also at Windesor the 18. of April in the 13. year of his Reign which obliged all the Knights-Companions receiving the Ensigns of the Order from the Soveraign to take care according to the obligation of their Oath that these together with the Book of Statutes should be restored into the hands of the Soveraign after their Death And a command was therewithal given That certain Books Mantles and Surcoats then lying at Whitehall should be delivered to the Register of the Order to be laid up at Windesor in honorable memory of them to whom they belonged In observation of these Decrees where the Habit or Ensigns of the Order were either wholly or in part bestowed by the Soveraign order was taken in either case to send for them in after such Knights decease Accordingly at a Chapter held the 10. day of October an 15 Car. 1. the Garter and George of the Lord Treasurer Weston being sent back was then presented to the Soveraign by whom it had been accustomed and affirmed to be all that the Soveraign had given the said Earl whereupon the same was accepted and delivered to the Dean and Chapter of Windesor to be preserved And at the same Chapter it was ordered that the Earl of Kelley's Robes and Ornaments of the Order should be sent for by the Chancellor as having been given him by the Soveraign to wit the Garter and George immediately after his Election and the Mantle and Surcoat against the Installation of the present Soveraign These former Decrees were yet thought needfull to be confirmed by the present Soveraign and therefore in a Chapter held in the Yellow-Chamber at Whitehall the 4. of Febr. 1669. it was decreed That the Mantle of each Knight-Companion so also the Book of Statutes should be sent to Windesor immediately after their Death and that the Chancellor of the Order should be obliged by Letters to their Heirs and Executors to put them in mind of sending them thither Nevertheless it is to be understood that where the Mantle hath been provided at the Knights own charge there lyes no obligation for sending it to Windesor after his decease And it appears upon the Death of Philip Earl of Penbroke and Montgomery that the Trustees for sail of the late Kings Goods having sent and made demand of his Mantle and Surcoat his Executors making it appear that they were bought with his own money of Sir Peter Richaâ—t by the then Soveraign's command signified not only to him but the rest of the Knights-Companions an 14 Car. 1. they desisted from further prosecution There is a memorable Instance in the return of the Habit and Ensigns of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden being sent back in a solemn Embassy from Christina Queen of Sweden his Daughter and Successor to that Crown The Reception of which having been ordered with considerable State and Ceremony will most fitly be here remembred Saturday the 18. of April an 11 Car. 1. was the day appointed for the resigning them up into the Soveraigns hands on the Afternoon of which day Iohn Baron Skiite Ambassador from the said Queen came to Whitehall and was conducted to the Council Chamber to retire himself till he was sent for into the Chapter The Chapter was upon this occasion held in the Presence-Chamber where as soon as they were set the Soveraign assigned the Earls of Penbroke and Arnudel attended by Garter and Black Rod to go for the said Ambassador who was conducted to the Chapter in the order following First the Ambassadors Followers two and two The Officers of Arms in their Coats two and two Garter carrying on a Velvet Cushion the deceased Kings Mantle Surcoat Hood Garter Collar and great George and the wearing George Earl of Arundel The Ambassador Earl of Penbroke The Ambassadors Followers and the Officers of Arms having proceeded in this order as far as the Presence-Chamber door there divided themselves on each side and made a stand Garter going before and the Ambassador between the said two Knights-Companions entred the Chapter making the usual Congies in coming up to the Soveraign Then Garter kneeling down held the Ornaments and Iewells of the Order on the Cushion whilst the Ambassador made the following Oration in Latin Serenissime Potentissimeque Rex Domine clementissime NEmini potest esse obscurum quod ab omni aevo omnibus omninò Populis Nationibus in more usu positum fuerit homines ob praeclara facta variis premiis atque honoribus afficere tum ut fortitudinem acuerent virtutem câ—nservarent tum ut robur disciplinam tuerentur Quâ quidem re procuratum videmus ut Equestris etiam dignitas inde ex hâc occasione originem ceperit postmodum per omnes ferè aetates validissimo roboris incremento aucta amplificata fuerit rit ac licèt in tantâ ejusdem copiâ varietate difficile videatur judicare quae species alteri praevalere debeat quasi palmam praeripere Siquis tamen paulò altiùs hoc ipsum ponderaverit deprehendet veterum illorum honores dignitates ac privilegia cum Garterio Ordine non esse comparanda Permitte mihi Serenissime Rex ut in Augustâ Nobili hâc coronâ Ordinis Periscelidis decora accuratiùs contempler quid mihi insuper in mandatis sit datum humilimè referam Edwardi tertii incredibilem virtutem atque fortitudinem omnis posteritas in hunc usque diem est admirata semper qui cum à vetustissimis Angliae Regibus Originem traexerit nulli veterum tum rerum gestarum gloria tum invictissimi animi magnitudine tum summae faelicitatis admiraâ—tione videtur esse postponendus ab hoc inquam Heroë laudatissimo fortissimo cum Ordo hic Garterius excogitatus sit inventus quid tanto Instituto potest esse Nobilius quid praeclarius Summa quoque dïgnitas huic Ordini ex eo aboritur quod non modò praecipuae Nobilitatis viri Potentissimi
lysence of the Soberayne or his Deputie before the departyng And when it happens that for any cause of the voydyng of eny of the said Felowship there shall bee certayne Banners Swordis Helmets and Crestes the whiche ought to be offered up before the offeryng of eny Sylver the sayd Hachements ought to be offered fyrst the Banner by two of the said Felowship suche as the Soverayne or his Deputie shall appoynte or name and after that the Sworde shall be offered by two other and likewise his Helmet and Crest by two other Knyghtes of the said Order assigned by the Soverayne or his Deputie and if any Knyght of the seid Order shuld decease the yere afore then every Knyght beyng in the said Castell of Wyndesore at the said mass of Requiem shall offer a Taper armed with a little Scuchion of the arms of the Knyght departed And if there were more then one deceassed that then be made for every of them a Scuchion of Arms and a grote sett nye to the light of the tapre the which Scuchions and tapers wall be made at the coste and charge of the Knyghts of the said Ordre XIII Item it is agreed that all strangers that shall be electe Felows of the seid Order shall be certifyed by Letters of the Soverayne of their election The which letters of Certification with the Statutes of the said Order under the common Seal shall be sente unto them at the coste and charges of the said Soverayne in all diligence and at the fardest thei shall bee certifyed of this within foure moneths after the sayd Election to th' ende that the seid Electe may advyse them by the said Statutis if they will receyve the sayd Order or no. But if the said Soverayne haâ—e greate and high lettes and busynes that then he may deferre the certification of the said Election at his good pleasure unto tyme of opportunite and convenient After that the Certification have byn delivered and that the Soverayn shall be certefied that the said Electe will receyve the said Order Then the Soverayne shall sende unto the said Electe by his Ambassadours his hole habit with the Garter and Coller And that all suche straungers of what estate dignytie or condicion that thei be of shall sende within vii monethes after the reception of the said Gartier Coller and Habit and that he have certified the Soverayn to have reâ—â—yved those thyngs a sufficient Deputie or attorney after th'astate of his Lorde and Maister so be that he be a Knyght without Reproche to be stalled in his place the whiche shall bryng with hym a Mantell of blew Welbett of the order of that which he shall send hym and also his Banner Sworde Helme and Crest for to be and abide within the seid College duryng his lyff And that the Mantell in the tyme that tâ—e seid Deputie or Attorney shall be stalled by the said Soverayn or his Deputie put upon his right arme for to holde the said mantyll upon his arme and shall bee accompanyed and ledde by two of the Knyghtes of the said Order from the dore of the Chaptre unto the stall and there boyeng shall make hiâ— othe and shall bee stalled for and in the name of his said Lorde and Maister and the said Mantell abovesaid the sayd Attorney or Deputie shall bere it uppon his right arme duryng the devyne service beyng sett in the stall of his seid Maister and Lorde without beryng of it at any tyme after And to have no manner of voyce in the Chaptre or to come in it in th' absence of hym that hath sent hym And if he send not his said Attorney within vii monethes abovesaid without â—avying a reasonable excuse which shall bee acceptable to the Soverayne or his Deputie the election shall be voyde of hym Except so be that the seid Knyght be lett and destorbed bi great affaireâ— Then he may send his excuse to the said Soverayne or to his Deputie within a moneth after and after his excuse is as the Soverayne or his Deputie will allowe it or accepte it that then the sayd Soverayn or his Deputie may geve on to hym foure moneths more of respite and if he came not or sent not his Attorney before that the tyme of the foure monethes he fynished that then in this case the election shall be hâ—le voyde from hym for that tyme. And it is to be knowen that this favoure is done and shewed to the strangyers the which may not well come in their proper parsons that they myght be stalled by Attourneys To th' ende that they may be parte takers of the masses and all the prayers of the seid Ordre for they shulde fayle of the half yf they were not stalled before their deathe And likewise it is ordened for them that be new chosen and electe of the said Order beyng in the Kyngs Warres by his commaundement for to enjoye of the benefytes of the said statutes to that that shall appertayne allonly to their stallacion XIV Item there is also ordened a Dean and Warden with xii Canons seculers the which shall be pristz at their entryng in or ells within a yere nexte foloshyng and also viil Peticanons and xiii Vicars also prestes at their entryng in or ells at the gâ—vyng of the next Orders or at the â—urdest within a yere after their presentacion Also xiii Clerkes and xiii Queristes for to 〈◊〉 and pray unto God for the prosperity of the Soverayne and all the Knyghtes of the said Order lyhyng and also for the sowles of all the Knyghts of the said Order departed and for all Crysten sowles and the presentacion of the sayd Cannons that belonge allâ—ey to the Soverayne of the said Order And the sayd Canons when any Knyght of the said Order is there present within the quyer of the seid Chappell shall sitt in the lowermost seates where they be wonte to sitt at the Feastes of St. George And in th' absence of the said Knyghtes the said Canons may sitt in the high seates nexte unto the stalles of the said Knyghtes XV. Item there bee ordenyd v. Officers appertaynyng to the said Order That is to witt Prelate Chaunceler Register and Kyng of Armes named Gartier and an huyssher at Armes named the Blacke Rod. The which shall hee receyved and sworne to be of the Councell of the said Order the secretes with alsoo their chargies and privileges shall expressely be declared in the Booke of the Ordenaunces of the sayd Officers XVI Item it is also ordened that xiii pore Knightes that have not wher withall to lyhe for to have in that place their lyvyng and sustentation conveniently for their good prayers in the honor of God and Saynt George of the whiche the charges and privileges hereafter shall be declared folowyng the Ordynances of the Officers and of their election is ordened as of the presentacion of the Canons so that alwey the Election shall abyde to the said Soverayne And it is