upon lawful and sufficient grounds so hath the Soveraign for like reasons been pleased to license and dispence with their departure from the same Of this we have met with an Example an 6. Eliz. in the Lord Hastings of Longhborough who falling ill a little before the Offring on St. George's day obtained license from the Soveraign to depart out of the Choire and came no more abroad that day nor during that Feast As also another in the Duke of Lenox an 15. Car. 1. who being forced to go back to London by reason of the aforesaid Dutchess of Richmond's death had his excuse made in Chapter held the morning of the Feast day by the Deputy Chancellor whereupon he obtained the Soveraign's allowance for such his departure We are next to consider Excuses which though sent in due time yet upon debate and consultation in Chapter were suspended rather than allowed to this head may be referred that case of several of the Knights-Companions who were members of the Lords house in the Long Parliament For an 18. Car. 1. the Deputy Chancellor having by command of the Soveraign and in discharge of the duty of his Office sent unto each of them a several Summons for their attendance at the celebration of the Grand Feast to be held for the preceding year at York upon the 18.19 and 20. days of April and notice thereof being given to the House of Lords they immediately made the ensuing Order Die Martis 22. Maii 1641. WHereas the Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties houshold and some other Lords of Parliament Knights of the Garter have been summoned to give their attendance and repair unto the City of York for the celebration of St. George's Feast who acquainting this House with the Summons aforesaid it is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that they attend the weighty Affairs of the Kingdom discussed in Parliament whereunto they are obliged by his Majesties Writ and the Law of the Land Jo. Browne Cleric Parliament Whereupon every one of the said Knights-Companions before the days appointed by Prorogation for holding the Feast sent their Petitionary Letters of excuse to the Deputy Chancellor wherein they professed their desire and readiness to attend in obedience of the said Summons nevertheless pleaded the foresaid Order for the ground of their stay at London and therefore desired him to obtain for them the Soveraign's gracious Letters of Dispensation But when the said Letters were severally presented in Chapter held before Vespers on the Eve of the said Feast the Soveraign would not at present either admit or disallow of their Excuses but deferred the consideration thereupon until the next Chapter to be held by Prorogation Of excuses which have not been allowed the most remarkable is that of the Duke of Norfolk and the Lord Scales an 36. H. 6. who in regard the causes alledged to excuse their absence at the Feast were not approved in a Chapter held on the Eve were adjudged to the penalty of the Statute the latter being particularly fined by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions in a Iewel to the value of 20 Marks to be offered in the Colledge whereby the rigour of the Statute appears to have been more strictly executed upon him than on the Duke whose contempt might be of a less nature though it seems great enough to shut out his excuse probably because the Lord Scales having been absent the year before and no cause thereof being then shewed in Chapter was therefore to suffer penalty for his absence according to the Statute so that this it seems was the second fault But now to enter upon the second Branch of the third general head which relates to the proceedings upon the absent Knights-Companions neglect or default of sending their Excuses We shall therein observe that some of them have with difficulty been remitted some left in suspence and others sentenced and referred either to the Soveraign's pleasure or the punishment assigned by Law Of the first kind are those who having such a plea for their absence as might induce the Chapter to dispence therewith yet were with much ado excused because they neglected giving the due intimation thereof according to the Statutes Such was that of the Earl of Westmerland an 10. H. 5. who though not very well yet had much ado to be excused because he signified not the cause of his absence as the Statutes required So an 12. Car. 1. The Earls of Derby and Kelly having made no Excuse nor Petition for Dispensation were for that omission blameable but by the grace of the Soveraign for that time pardoned Of the second sort are such who through the indulgence of the Soveraign or his Lieutenant where probable cause hath induced it have not had sentence passed on them at that present but were deferred in expectation of some satisfactory cause to be shewed As in the cafe of the Prince the Duke of Tuckingham and five other of the Knights-Companions absent from the Feast held an 18. H. 7. concerning whom no cause of Excuse was shewed but there was an expectation of one to be alledged But as for those of the third sort upon whom sentence hath passed for default of sending their Excuses they have been left either to the pleasure of the Soveraign or to those penalties and penances which the Law of this Order doth inflict And first of such Offenders as are left by the Chapter to the mercy of the Soveraign we have several Examples Of the Earl of Essex an 18. H. 7. it is recorded That his absence was referred to the Soveraign's indulgence So an 21. of the same King upon occasion of the absence of the Earls of Northumberland Oxford Devonshire Kent together with the Lord Stafford and no cause thereof assigned they were left to the Soveraign's indulgence To the like effect is the entry made of the Earls of Essex and Kent absent the following year without cause shewn to the Chapter Lastly touching those on whom Iudgment hath passed divers instances may be given among which are these that follow An. 10. H. 5. the Lord Willoughby Sir Robert Vmsrevill Sir Iohn Cornewall and Sir William Harington were in no wise excused for their absence because being within the Kingdom they sent not the cause of their absence And an 2. H. 6. the said Sir Robert Vmsrevile was also found culpable in regard no cause of his absence had been shâ—wed Moreover seeing the reasons of the Duke of Norfolk's the Lord Scales and Fastolss absence an 33. H. 6. were not made known to the Chapter they were left to the Iudgment of the Statutes And of the same Lord Scales an 35. H. 6. it is recorded that he gave no reason of his absence therefore underwent the punishment thereof Lastly The Duke of York the Earl of Salisbury the foresaid Lord Scales and Lord Willoughby for presuming
entirely beloved Cousin the said Duke of Savoy Prince of Piemont c. and to install him in the lieu of the said Duke but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order as touching a Proctor it appertaineth And in semblable wise we will authorise and license you to admit accept and install our said right trusty and right well-beloved Counsellor the Lord William Howard of Essingham high Admiral of England and further to do for his installing as to the Statutes of the said Noble Order it belongeth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under the Seal of our Garter at our Palace of Westminster the 29. day of January in the first and second year of our Reign 1554. NUM CXXVII Another for the Installation of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex eod Collect. ELizabeth by the grace of God c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Leicester Master of our Horse our right trusty and well-beloved the Viscount Mountague with our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton our high Admiral of England Knights and Companions of our Noble Order of the Garter Greeting Forasmuch as We with other the Companions of the said Noble Order assembled did lately elect and chuse our dearest and most entirely beloved Brother the French King to be Knight and Companion of our said Noble Order and forasmuch as our said dear Brother cannot for divers causes conveniently repair to our collegiate Chappel within our Castle of Windesore and for that cause hath 〈◊〉 a right noble personage the Lord Rambouilliet one of his ordinary Chamberlains Knight of the Order of Saint Michaell and Captain of fifty ordinary men of Arms sufficiently authorised as his Deputy and Procurer to be installed in his name and to receive his Oath and to perform all other such things and Ceremonies for him as to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order be requisite and appertains We therefore in consideration of the premisses will and by these presents give unto you full power and authority not only to accept and admit the said Procurer but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order as touching a Procurer it doth appertain And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under the Seal of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the 14. day of January in the 8. year of our Reign NUM CXXVIII Letters of notice to the Commissioners appointed to Install the Duke of Holstein by his Proxie Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and well-beloved We greet you well and whereas we have appointed you together with our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Hastings of Loughborow to be in Commission for the Instalment in our Castle of Windesor of our dearest and most entirely beloved Cousin the Duke of Holstein by his Procurer the Viscount Hereford being lately chosen to be one of the Fellowship and Companions of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Saturday the 14. day of this moneth to the end that upon Sunday next the 15. day of this present Moneth of December he may proceed to the Installation of him by his Procurer accordingly Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the 12. day of December in the third Year of our Reign To our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Pagit of Beaudesert one of the Companious of our Order The like Letter was directed to the Lord Loughborow the other Commissioner appointed for this Installation NUM CXXIX Letters of notice to the Commissioners for Installation of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex eod Collect. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin we greet you well And whereas we have appointed you with others the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter to be in Commission for the Installation in our Castle of Windesor of our dearest and most entirely beloved Brother the French King by his Procurer the Lord Rambouillet being lately chosen to be one of the Fellowship and Companions of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Tuesday next the 15. day of this present Moneth of January to the end that on Wednesday he may proceed to his Installation accordingly Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the day of January in the eight year of our Reign To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex one of the Companions of our Order The like Letter to the Earl of Leicester Viscount Mountague and Lord Clinton NUM CXXX A Warrant for materials for the Banner of the French King Henry the Second Ex Collect. E. W. G. By the King Edward WE will and command you that unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight aliàs Garter King at Arms ye deliver or cause to be delivered upon sight hereof without delay three yards of Cloth of Gold two yards of Cloth of Gold Tissue and 16 yards of Blue Velvet which shall be for the Banner for the Mantles of the Helmet and the lyning of the same for the Installation of Henry the French King and that you content and pay for the Stuff workmanship and the embroidering of the said Banner And these our Letters c. Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the 10. of May in the fifth year of our Reign To our trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Sir Rauf Sadleyere Knight Master of our Great Wardrobe or to his Deputy there NUM CXXXI A Warrant to deliver Garter money to provide the Atchievements of the said King Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. THE King's Majesty's pleasure is that of such his Treasure as remains in your custody to his Majesty's use ye deliver unto Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter King at Arms for the provision of an Helm garnished with fine Gold a Crown of Copper gilt an arming Sword and Girdle to the same and a Plate of metal with the Arms of the French King engraven which are for the Installation of the King's Majesty's good Brother Henry the French King the sum of twenty pounds and these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant in that behalf From Greenwiche the 11. of May 1551. Your loving friends E. Somerset J. Bedford E. Clinton W. Herbert W. Cecil J. Warwick W. Northt W. Paget J. Gate NUM CXXXII A Warrant
our trusty and well-beloved Sir Henry Sidney Companions of our Noble Order of the Garter cannot for certain causes to be executed and done by our Commandment be at the Feast of the Glorious Martyr St. George to be holden and kept within our Castle of Windsore the xvii day of June next coming but be by Vs pardoned of their absence from the said Feast like as we have thought good to advertize you thereof so We will you to accept their reasonable excuse in this behalf accordingly any Statutes of the said Order made to the contrary notwithstanding Given under our Seal of our said Order at our Honor at Hampton-Court the day of June in the xii Year of our Reign NUM CLXXVI A Commission for holding the Grand Feast Regist. Chartac fol. 13. b. HEnry par la grace de Dieu Roy d' Angleterre de France Souvrain de la Compagnie de l' Ordre du Gartier A tous nos Compagnons du dit Ordre Salut Comme pour certeines causes que nous movent ne pourrons estre personnelement à la Feste de Saint George prouchein venant à nostre Chastell de Wyndesore par les Estatutz du dit Ordre nous est loisible pour commetter deputer autre personne pour nous pour tenir lez Chapitres corriger redresser faire les Eleccions de lez approuver de faire toutes autres choses comme il appertendra solone la forme teneure dez ditz Estatutz Pour ce est il que nous avons commis deputé commettons deputons par cez presentes nostre trescher tresame Oncle Jean Regent nostre Royaume de France Duc de Bedford pour faire les ditz choses avec leures circumstances dependences quelconques Mandons commandons à nous dis Compaignons que en ce faisant lui obeissent entendent diligentment comme à l'ordre appartent pour cest fois Donné à Leycestre la premier jour d' Avril l'an de nostre Regne quart NUM CLXXVII Another Ibid. fol. 62. b. Henry R. HEnry the viii by the grace of God King of England and of France Defensour of the Faith and Lord of Irland To our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin the Marquess Dorcet Greeting Forasmuch as we for divers gret and vrgent causes may not be present at the Fest of the glorious Martyr St. George Patrone of our noble Ordre of the Gartier to be holdyn solempnised and kept in our Castell of Windesore the viii day of May next commyng We therefore by these presents name constitute appoint and ordayne you to be our Lieutenant at the said Feast Giving unto you full power and auctorite to do and accomplische every thing at the same which to our Lieutenant there in such case belongith and hath been accustumed Willing and Commanding by the tenour hereof all and every the Companions and Officers of our said Ordre to be to you in the executing of this our auctorite obeying and attending as schall apperteyne Yeven under the Seal of our sayd Garter at our Manoir of Beaulieu the xxv day of Aprill the xvi yere of our Reigne NUM CLXXVIII Another Lib. N. pag. 249. Henry R. HEnricus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae Princeps Gualliae Dominus Hiberniae Fedei Defensor atque Illustrissimi bujus Ordinis ipse Supremus unice nobis dilecto fide probatissimo Officio erga nos suo jam undique notissimo Cognato nostro Duci Norf. salutem ac foelicitatem Nunc quoniam per multa charissime nos istinc negotia detinent ut quod optamus gloriossimi Martyris Patroni nostri festivitatem praesentia nostra non possumus honorare tuam propterea nobilitatem ad illud ipsum nomine nostro praestandum nominamus atque instituimus eam tibi dantes authoritatem quae supplenti vices nostras unquam alias assuevit jubentes itidem ut Sociorum quisquis atque Officialium tibi dum mandatum hoc nostrum facessis obediant quantum res ipsa postulabit ex nutu tuo jussuque pendeat Windesori sub Ordinis Sigillo undecimo Junii nostri Regui decimo septimo NUM CLXXIX A Letter of Notice to the Assistants of the Soveraign's Lieutenant to be at the Feast Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved We greet you well Where we by our Commission under the Seal of our most Noble Order of the Garter have assigned and appointed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Arundel Lord Steward of our Houshold and one of the Companions of the said Noble Order to be our Lieutenant at the Feast of the glorious Martyr St. George to be kept within our Castle of Windesor the 18. day of May next coming for the doing of all things there as to Our Lieutenant appertaineth And have appointed you with our right trusty right well-beloved the Lord Paget of Beaudesert to be Assistants at the said Feast We have thought good not only to give you knowledge thereof by these Our Letters but also require you to make your repair to Our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there at the said Feast accordingly Given under the Signet of Our said Order at Our Mannor of Greenwich the second day of May in the third year of Our Reign To Our right trusty and right well-beloved the Viscount Mountague one of the Companions of Our Order The like Letter and of the same Date was sent to the Lord Paget the other Assistant NUM CLXXX An Order for the fashion and materials of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Vnder Habit. Collect. E. W. G. Charles R. IT being most certain that nothing can be more conducing to the keeping up of that Lustre and Dignity of our most Noble Order of the Garter wherein it is at this present then those very means by which it hath attained unto it constancy and immtability For these reasons having at a Chapter held at our Castle of Windesor the 16. of April last past resolved upon a review and examination of its Statutes to see if possibly length of time and change of Customs might have introduced any thing in them which might make them swerve from the ancient Rules so far as they were not unconsistent with the present Vsance We have thought it not unworthy our care to descend unto the particulars of its Clothing And thereupon having found that in what concerns the Vnder-Habits used by the Companions at the solemnizing of Instalments or the Celebration of St. George's Feast they followed too much the modern fashion never constant and less comporting with the decency gravity and stateliness of the upper Robes of the Order It was resolved in that Chapter and accordingly we ordain and enjoyn That from this time forwards the Companions shall be obliged to a certain and immutable form and fashion as well for their Under-Habits as their
enjoin'd And besides the like complaint being made for the Dean's disposing of Donations and other Liberalities of the Knights-Companions so that the Alms-Knights had no part thereof towards their sustentation this Chancellor also appointed an equal distribution of them among the Alms-Knights and Canons until the King and his Council should otherwise determine These and other differences between the Dean and Canons and Alms-Knights grew at length so wide that they could not be reconciled insomuch as in the Act of Parliament anno 22. E. 4. for the Incorporation of the Custos and Canons by the name of Dean and Canons the Alms-Knights were not only omitted but this Clause inserted That the Dean and Canons and their Successors should for evermore be utterly quit and discharged from all manner of Exhibition or Charge of or for any of the said Knights And this was obtained upon pretence That the King had greatly increased the number of the Ministers of the Chappel so that the Revenue was not sufficient to maintain both them and the Alms-Knights as also that the King had otherwise provided for the Alms-Knights But we elsewhere find some other cause and this afterwards alledged by the Dean and Canons in their Answer to the Knights Petition for Repeal of the said Act to wit That William Omerey and Iohn Kendall Alms-Knights laboured much before this Act pass'd to be incorporate by themselves to get Lands setled on them to be exempt from the obedience and rule of the Dean and Canons and governed by Ordinances made among themselves In the second place this Act being thus obtained and the Alms-Knights divided from the Body of the Colledge as also struck off from the benefit of the Quotidians Portions and Fees assigned by the Foundation of King Edward the Third how they next subsisted doth not fully enough appear but so soon as King Henry the Seventh came to the Crown they petitioned the King and Parliament for repeal of the Act anno 22. E. 4. affirming it was gained without their knowledge or being called thereunto to which Petition the Dean and Canons answered and the Alms-Knights replied but it seems all they could alledge did not induce the Parliament to repeal the Act but on the contrary the Dean and Canons some years after obtained an Exemplification thereof under the Great Seal dated 4. Feb. anno 18. H. 7. And it is clear from King Henry the Eigth's Letter to the Colledge which takes notice of their discharge from any exhibition to the Alms-Knights by virtue of the said Act That what the Colledge did in that kind after this Act past was meerly upon courtesie and not obliged thereunto for He thanks them for granting a Pension of twenty Marks to Peter Narbone whom He had recommended to an Alms-Knights place and promiseth they should be no further burthened with Alms-Knights but that he would setle Lands upon them for their maintenance and free the Colledge from the said Pension Besides when Mr. Narbone had the Pension granted him it was by an Indenture made between Nicholas West then Dean of Windesor and the Canons on the one part and the said Peter on the other dated 18. Iuly anno 3. H. 8. wherein he covenanted that when the King should setle any Lands on the Colledge for sustentation of such Knights then the grant of the Pension should be void and of none effect In the interval between the disunion of the Colledge and Alms-Knights by the foresaid Act to their establishment by Queen Elizabeth their Habit and Badge continued the same and was so confirm'd by King Henry the Eighth's Statutes But it may be collected from his last Will that there was then an intention to draw the Garter about the Scutcheon of St. George's Arms but it took no effect We observe also that in this interval several persons who had been of considerable quality and worth became Alms-Knights some of them were nevertheless great objects of Charity among whom was Sir Robert Champlayne Knight a valiant Soldier and one whose martial services abroad rendred him an honor to our Nation It seems he had taken part in the Civil Wars here with King Henry the Sixth against King Edward the Fourth shortly after whose coming to the Crown he left England and travelled into Hungary having with him an Equipage of three Servants and four Horses where in the assistance of Matthias Corvinus King of Hungary against the Turk he behaved himself bravely and like a valiant Knight But prosperous Fortune not attending him at all times he received many wounds and at length was taken Prisoner lost all and forced to pay 1500 Ducates for his Ransom For the justification of all which he obtained several authentick Testimonies under the Great Seals of Matthias King of Hungary Ieronimus Archbishop of Crete Legate de Latere in Hungary Frederick the Third Emperor of Germany Renat King of Sicily Father to Queen Margaret Wife of our King Henry the Sixth Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne Charles Duke of Burgundy and lastly a Declaration thereof from our King Edward the Fourth under his Privy Seal dated the third of April in the nineteenth year of his Reign And being reduced to a low condition by his great losses and the charge of his Ransom he was through the favour of King Henry the Seventh admitted an Alms-Knight here But some others made their retreat hither and obtained admittance into this Fraternity probably out of devotion rather than cause of poverty and among these were Thomas Hulme sometime Clarenceux King of Arms Lodowick Carly the Kings Physician Iohn Mewtes Secretary of the French Tongue and Bartholomew Westby made second Baron of the Exchequer 2. Iune anno 1. H. 8. It is manifest by the Will of King Henry the Eighth as also by an Indenture Tripartite between King Edward the Sixth of the first part the Executors of his Father of the second part and the Dean and Canons of Windesor of the third part dated the fourth of August anno 1. E. 6. that he intended a re-establishment of half the ancient number of Alms-Knights viz. Thirteen to which end he appointed that as soon as might be after his death if not done in his life time there should be a Revenue of 600 l. per annum in Mannors Lands and Spiritual Promotions above all charges setled upon the Dean and Canons and their Successors for ever upon the Conditions following that is to say That the Dean and Canons should for ever find two Priests to say Mass at the Altar neer his Tomb to keep yearly four solemn Obits for him and at every Obit to distribute ten pounds in Alms as also to pay twelve pence a day to each of those thirteen Alms-Knights and they to have once in a year a long Gown of White Cloth and a Mantle of Red Cloth besides five Marks annually to such one among them as should be
who have most voices or whom he conceives likely to contribute most to the honor of the Order and prove most serviceable to himself or most useful to his Crown and Kingdom Touching the first of these Inducements the greater number of Voices we find the Law hath not been always observed as from the many Scrutenies entred in the Annals will appear if need were to refer thereunto Nevertheless it is sometimes noted to have taken place as at the Election of the Duke of Quinbere an 5. H. 6. where after a due and sufficient examination had of the Scruteny then taken the said Duke by the consent of most voices was then Elected into the Stall of Thomas Duke of Exiter This plurality of Voices is again taken notice of among other Inducements for the Election of Sir Nicholas Carew the 24. of April an 28. H. 8. It is remarkable that one time when the number of Voices on the behalf of two Knights were upon Examination found equal which hapned in the case between Sir Iohn Fastolf and Sir Iohn Radcliff an 4. H. 6. Sir Iohn Fastolf being by the Soveraign's Lieutenant esteemed the more worthy of the two obtained the Election The second Inducement relates to such as in probability may bring most reputation to this Order or advance the good and prosperity thereof and these have been chiefly Foreign Princes esteemed so in respect of that high pitch of Honor they attained and whose eminent Valour and Worthiness proclaimed them deserving both of Nomination and Election And therefore the late Soveraign of blessed memory upon consideration had of the Glorious Atchievements and high Renown of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden judg'd it a part of his respect not only to render him all offices of kindness and friendship as to a Prince neerly allyed and his most special friend but also to impart to him as far as in him lay the greatest and highest honors that might be and especially such wherewith the Military Virtue of a great Captain was wont to be adorned But the general consideration for which the Soveraigns thought fit to Elect Foreign Princes into this most Noble Society and to impart to them these Testimonies of Honor hath been exprest in the Commissions of Legation to be in respect of their Glorious Merits ennobled by the lustre and grace of their Heroick Virtues their eminent Nobleness Grandeur Prowess and Magnificence the renown of which Fame had divulg'd and spread abroad through the World Thirdly where the advantage of the Soveraign's service was cast into the Ballance it frequently out-weighed other pretentions insomuch that an 2. H. 6. the consideration of the Eminent services of Iohn Lord Talbot for his King and Country appears to be the strongest motive for his Election And the great zeal and affection which Iohn Gaspar Ferdinand de Marchin had to engage himself in the present Soveraign's service and Cause for the recovery of his just rights besides his eminent and famous actions performed in several military Commands wherein he had been for many years employed was the strongest inducement that swayed with the Soveraign to chuse him a Knight-Companion of this most Noble Order an 10. Car. 2. But the last of these Inducements is of greatest latitude for thereby the Soveraign has power to reject whosoever he pleases though exceed in number of Voices or other Qualifications and to Elect a Person but once named which appears full enough in the case of Casimire the Fourth King of Poland an 28. H. 6. who having but the single Vote of the Lord Scales yet upon consideration had by the Soveraign how advantageous he might become to his and his Kingdoms Interest pass'd in Election And of later times as appears in some of the Preambles to the Commissions for carrying the Ensigns c. to Foreign Princes the advantages which the Soveraign has conceived to possess himself of in the improving confirming and establishing of a most strict and inviolable Bond of Friendship and fair correspondency between him and Foreign Princes their Realms and Subjects hath been a main Inducement to Elect such into the Order SECT XIV That the Soveraign only doth Elect. UPon the vacancy of any of the Knights-Companions Stalls the Election of new Knights appertains to the Soveraign and in some case to his Lieutenant in declaration of which it is recorded in the Black Book of the Order That if any Stalls fall vacant it should belong to the Soveraign to Elect new Knights wheresoever he were resident provided he have with him the compleat number of six Knights-Companions but if he be beyond Seas wanting that Number and the Feast of St. George held by his Lieutenant at Windesor in such case the Election belongs to the Lieutenant who is first to be certified of the Soveraign's pleasure as also who they are that in His esteem appear fit persons to be chosen to the end such Information may guide his Election This power of Election is fully acknowledged by the Knights-Companions themselves to be in the Soveraign as appears out of their Letter sent to King Henry the Fifth then in France and dated at Windesor on the morrow after Saint George's day where it is said That the Soveraign in what place soever residing may as is most fitting elect into a vacant Stall there being a sufficient number of Knights called to the Election such as he shall judge serviceable to his Crown or do exceed others in deserts and nobleness of descent Observable herewith is this that at the publishing the Election of Emanuel Duke of Savoy King Philip and Queen Mary being at that time joint Soveraigns of the Order it is called the Election of the King and Queen This grand Prerogative of the Soveraign being not duly considered by Polydore Virgil occasioned his committing a great mistake and Claudius Coteraeus from him for speaking of this Order and the succession of new Knights into the rooms of those deceased he hath this passage One Knight is received into the room of another deceast by the Choice and Election of all the râ—st But Erhard Celly being as much ignorant of the Soveraign's Prerogative and rather more mistaken sticks not to affirm That no person may be received into this Order not so much as by the Soveraign unless with the common consent or suffrage of all the Knights-Companions But these passages are altogether erroneous the Knights-Companions part being only to Nominate the Persons nevertheless qualified as aforesaid but the right of Election remains wholly in the Soveraign of the Order For whosoever He designs appoints and chuseth is forthwith admitted His only pronouncing the Name of the Person in Chapter being sufficient For after the Scruteny hath been taken and presented to the Soveraign in the manner and order before laid down He peruseth it himself or otherwise the Chancellor or
like with the rest of the Viands The fourth Taster stood at the East side of the Table and his Office was to taste and administer the Soveraign's Wine reaching it over to the Southern Taster that stood by the Soveraign's Chair in like manner as the meat was served Likewise the Duke the Lord Ambassador Spencer and Garter had their seâ—eral Tables as hath been said before and sate under their several Canopies and at another Table sate the Dutchess and her ten Children After exceeding plenty state and variety of Dishes there were served all manner of Curiosities in Paste as the Figures and shapes of several kinds of Beasts and Birds as also the Statutes of Hercules Minerva Mercury and other famous persons All Dinner time and a pretty while after the English and the Wirtemberg Musick sitting opposite to one another these on the Dukes side the other at the Soveraign's and Lord Ambassadors side sung and plaid alternately to one another After Dinner certain Balls were danced in a long Gallery of the Castle towards the Paradise of Studtguardt This Festivity lasted that night and the next day and afterwards the English Guests were conducted to see some of the principal places of the Dukedom as Waltebuch the Vniversity of Tubing c. where they were entertained with Comedies Musick and other delights and at their return to Studtguardt were presented with very magnificent gifts and being to return for England were accompanied by the Duke as far as Asperg where with great demonstration and expressions of amity and affection on both sides solemn leave was taken A Relation of the order observed when Maurice Prince of Orange was Invested an II. Iac. R. On the 4. of February an 1613. the Citizens of the Hague met in Arms together with the Troops of Prince Maurice of Prince Henry his Brother and the Earl of Chastilion the Citizens kept Guard in the outermost Court where also several pieces of Ordinance were placed and the three aforementioned Troops in the innermost Court. From the Palace to the Shambles were Pitch Barels placed as also at the Soveraign's Ambassadors Lodgings At 3 a Clock in the Afternoon the States of the United Provinces assembled in the usual place where other person of great quality were admitted as Spectators The first that came thither was Refuge the French Kings Ambassador who took his Seat at the upper end of the Table not long after came Prince Maurice conducted by the Soveraign's Ambassador and those deputed by the States before them went 12 Trumpets sounding and after several Noblemen and Persons of Honor two and two the Guards attending on each side After these went Garter Principal King of Arms vested with his Coat of Arms embroidered with the Arms of England Scotland France and Ireland and carrying in his hand a Purse of Green Silk wherein were the Garter and George next him went Prince Maurice and after him his Brother Henry the Prince of Portugal and others of his kindred as the Earls of Nassau and Lippia then several of the Nobility and many others of great quality Then Prince Maurice taking his place where these Solemnities were performed sat at the upper end of the Table at the left hand of the French Kings Ambassador but Sir Ralph Winwood the Soveraign's Ambassador took his place in the middle over against the President of the States and began a short Oration in French to this effect My Lords from those things which I have in the Convention declared by the command of the King my Master you have sufficiently understood his purpose of conferring the Order of the Garter upon Prince Maurice as also the causes wherewith he thought himself moved to do it and whereas it hath been decreed by the common suffrages of the Knights-Campanions of the Order that he should be joined in Companionship with the Elector Palatine it seemed good to the Soveraign to command me to present him with the Ensigns of this Order and hath confirmed this his command by the testimony of his Commission under the Great Seal of England which Commission I here deliver unto you and pray it may be read Hereupon he delivered the Commission to the President from whose hand the Secretary then taking it read it aloud which having finished the Soveraign's Ambassador continued his discourse Both the honor of this Order and ancient Custom require that it be sent out of England to Stranger Princes by persons of honor peculiarly deputed to this Employment and who are themselves Knights-Companions of the Order or at least deserve to be so but because that the Ceremonies there used seem not so well to agree with the Discipline of your Church and that the conditions thereof are not altogether consistent with the state of your Common-wealth it hath pleased the Soveraign of the Order for the avoiding all scandal to confer this Order without any pomp or external magnificence We have therefore made choice of this place in compliance with your pleasure as the most commodious for the performance of our duty in that we might present it in the presence of your Lordships who as being the Supream Lords of this State will not think much to be Eye-witnesses of that honor which the King of Great Britain your best Friend and Allie offers to the chief General of your Armies and Governour of your Provinces as also to your whole State in general whereof each of you are a part Nor could his Majesty have given greater testimonies either of his affection towards the happy State of your Common-wealth or of the joy which he hath conceived for that he sees your Affairs after so many troubles and storms brought to a Haven of rest and quiet or likewise of his most entire good will wishing that that League of Friendship which is contracted between his Kingdoms and your Provinces may be perpetual and inviolable Now therefore desiring first your good leave we shall convert our Address to Prince Maurice At this instant Garter King of Arms opened the Silk Purse and took out the Garter set with rich Diamonds and laid it on the Table and then the Ambassador addrest himself to Prince Maurice in the following manner To you my Lord we offer in the name of the King my Master the Order of the Garter which we may say without boasting or flattery is the most ancient and most illustrious Order of all Europe which in all times hath been kept inviolable without any spot or blemish wherewith all the greatest Emperors and Monarchs suing to be graced and adorned have esteemed the greatest part of their felicity that they could obtain it his Majesty judgeth the greatness of your Family which he acknowledgeth to be most illustrious worthy of this Honor your piety also and zeal to promote the Reformed Religion likewise your warlike virtues which the God of Hosts hath blest with so many Victories but especially those high merits whereby you have obliged these
Windesor according to which Constitutions there having lately been made divers pieces of rich Plate presented and consecrated in that Chappel to the neer value of 800 l. the Dean of Windesor and Register of the Order being by Statute Collector of such moneys received and disbursed did bring in his full account unto his Majesty the Soveraign and the Knights of the Order at the Solemnity of the Feast of Saint George for this year held by prorogation upon the 2.3 and 4. of October upon the view whereof your Lordship being found behind and not having paid the sums expressed in the inclosed paper with the Reasons how they did grow due taken out of his accompt in writing it was resolved in full Chapter and registred among the Acts of the Order that those several sums should be called for and collected before the next Feast In pursuance whereof I then received command from his Majesty with the approbation and consent of all the Knights then assembled to signifie to your Lordship under the Signet of the Order the Soveraign Will That you make present payment of your arrearages and to deliver it unto the bearer hereof who is appointed Collector for this service which if your Lordship shall delay or refuse to do being only the observance of the Statutes to which you are obliged both in honor and by your Oath I have also express order to return your answer and to signifie to you the displeasure of his Majesty of all which respects I am confident your Lordship will be most tender And so I humbly take my leave Your Lordships in all due observance Tho. Rowe St. Martyns-Lane 9. Nov. 1637. And yet notwithstanding all these Injunctions in the List of the Knights-Companions who ought to have paid the Earls of Somerset Sussex and Marr were at last returned insolvent All this Plate was treble gilt and thereon were the Scripture Histories rarely well designed and chased and especially the great Bason and the Covers of two Books hereafter mentioned for I find the said Van Vianan complaining that he was a great loser at the rate agreed upon so much and so good work had he bestowed on them above the rest Upon the 22. day of Iuly after the delivery of this Plate into the Chapter-house order was given by the Soveraign to the Chancellor to remove and carry the afore recited parcels to Croyden or Lambeth wither the Dean of Windesor or some of the Prebends should also go there to be consecrated by his Grace Doctor Land the then Archbishop of Canterbury and from thence they to see it returned and safely delivered into the Treasury of the Dean and Chapter of Windesor But they went not thither according to the appointment for this solemn and sacred action was deferred till the next Feast of St. George celebrated at Windesor wherein at a Chapter held the 2. of October in the year aforesaid the said Plate was ordered to be offered the next morning at the Altar and there to be consecrated to God and his Service for ever by the Prelate of the Order And because the whole Ceremony was performed with great veneration and all due reverence his late Majesty being a high promoter of Ecclesiastical decency and holy discipline we think fit to present it here at large On the 3. day of the said Month of October being the Feast day held by Prorogation at Windesor-Castle in the time of the Second Service at the Versicle Let your light so shine before men c. Walter Bishop of Winchester then Prelate standing before the middle of the Altar read certain select Verses out of the Old Testament concerning the dedication of Solomons Temple and the Riches thereof the first of which was taken from the 35. Chapter of Exodus ver 4. the second being the 21. versâ— of the same Chapter and the third taken out of the second Chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel verse 11. and afterwards fitted himself for the Offring At which time the Soveraign descended from his Throne as in the manner of Offring and thrice bowed down towards the Altar worshiping and adoring God in the middle of the Choire and so past to the Degrees of the Altar where humbly kneeling did present and offer to God the before mentioned great Bason devoutly saying Part of thy bounty to us O Lord Almighty I offer to thee and to thy Service The Offring was forthwith received by the Prelate and set upon the Altar which done every one of the Knights-Companions present after the example of this holy King in their due ranks and single did offer his piece of dedicated Plate with the same words and in like manner And that their ordinary Offring of Gold and Silver might not be interrupted or omitted all the Knights-Companions at the time of offring the Plate made the same in another Bason held by one of the Prebends Every of these holy Vessels being thus offred and decently placed upon the Altar the Prelate with his hand touched every piece severally as on God's part receiving them and after made the following Prayers of Consecration and Benediction O Lord God Heavenly Father we thy most humble servants do earnestly entreat thee that thou wilt graciously vouchsafe to accept these sacred Offrings by thâ— hands of our most gracious Soveraign Lord King Charles and the most honorable Companions which are here present dedicated to thee Grant me beseech thee and cause that whatsoever is this day offered unto thee may be preserved from all profane use and may for ever abide consecrated to thy service through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Let us bless thee our most glorious Lord God for that it hath pleased thee to put into the heart of our most gracious Lord Charles and of these Princes to dedicate these oblations to thy service Regard we beseech thee from the Highest Heavens and power out thy blessings upon the head of his most gracious Majesty Bless him in his Royal Person in hiâ— most gracious Queen Mary in the most illustrious Prince Charles and in all the rest of the Branches of the Royal Stock Bless we pray thee all those whose donations offered to thee we have here this day received Let thy blessing fall down as the dew of Heaven upon them and upon their posterities and upon all things which they have from thee and grant that by the holy and debout use of these things which are here offered the glory of thy name may ever he proclaimed and thy Majesty may by these our due observances be exalted through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen These sacred Ceremonies being compleated the Soveraign and Knights-Companions marched to the great Hall to Dinner But to make some further addition to the Glory of this Altar his Majesty that now is at the time of his Installation into this most Noble Order being the 22. of May 1638. offered two large gilt Water-pots chaced with Histories
to be absent from the Grand Feast an 30. H. 6. without shewing any allowable cause they were adjudged to the certain and deserved penalties of the Statutes against the next Feast And the said Duke being again absent the very next year and also the Lord Hastings They were both adjudged to certain Penalties as daring to be absent without sufficient cause shewn Besides these grounds for assigning Penances already mentioned there are upon a few other causes set down in the before recited ninth Article of the Statutes of Installation other Penances appointed that is to say if the Knights-Companions be absent at other times beside the hour of Tierce which if we were strictly tied to pursue the series and order of time would fall out to be spoke of a little hence Nevertheless having had occasion to discourse so much already of this subject it will become further beneficial to the concerned Reader to bring all the Injunctions which are included in the said Article and muster up the Penalties for breach thereof in view together nor will this anticipation at all interrupt our method or become improper for this place if well considered and therefore we shall proceed with them here The Knights-Companions are further punishable if they are absent at any of the times here spoken of viz. First at the beginning of the first Vespers Secondly at the beginning of the Morning Service on the Feast day Thirdly at the beginning of the Second Vespers Fourthly during the whole Feast And fifthly at the Grand Feast next following For the first admitting any Knight-Companion hath failed of meeting and attending on the Soveraign at the hour of Tierce and thereupon suffered the punishment of non-admittance into the Chapter-house and deprivation of Vote nevertheless if at the rising of the said Chapter he be not ready to proceed with the Soveraign and other the Knights-Companions into the Choire to the beginning of the first Vespers he ought not only to suffer the former but this additional penalty That he shall not presume to enter into his Stall at that time but tarry in that part of the Choire where the Taper-bearers are wont to stand nevertheless before his own Stall until the holy Offices be ended And the Law of the Order is the same in King Henry the Fifth's and King Henry the Eighth's Statutes only they render the place for the delinquent Knight to stand in to be before their Stalls in the Choristers places And now how the penalty hath been inflicted upon breach of the Law in this particular we shall see by the following instances At the Grand Feast celebrated at Windesor an 21. H. 7. when it seems the Lord Kildare Sir Gilbert Talbot and Sir Richard Goulford came late to the Chappel we find this Memorandum fixed to their names They stood without before their Stalls by the Soveraign's permission or rather command But yet this is not all the punishment which hath been inflicted upon the Knights-Companions for this offence though it be all that is set down in the foresaid Article for an 25. H. 6. upon the Eve of St. George the Marquess of Dorset not coming to the first Vespers and being convicted of his late coming was prohibited joining in the Nomination then made for thâ— Election of the King of Portugal into the room of the Duke of Gloucester Offendors in the second and third case being such as neglect to come before the beginning of the high Mass or the second Vespers called also the Vespers on St. George's day have the like punishment with the former assigned them throughout all the Bodies of the Statutes viz. Exclusion from their Stalls and station in the Choristers range An. 1. H. 6. we observe the Lord Willoughby noted to be absent upon the Eve of the Grand Feast but present on the day and consequently he incurred no further penance than what his absence on the Eve drew on him The Earl of Derby an 18. Eliz. coming too late to the first morning Service on the Feast day did for some short time undergo the aforesaid penance but soon after upon Dispensation from the Lieutenant went up to his Stall In like manner an II. Car. 1. the Earl of Exceter came not to the Chappel in the morning of the Feast day till after the Grand Procession and so the Penance for his tardiness should have been according to the Statutes stare Paviamento but upon consideration of his age and the soul weather whereby it was occasioned the Soveraign permitted him to enter into his Stall And though absence at these times also be occasioned by Sickness or some unexpected accident yet notice is to be given thereof to the Soveraign or his Lieutenant For instance the Lord Burghley falling ill was absent from the first Morning Service on the Feast day an 37. Eliz. but upon notice given thereof with the consent of the Lieutenant and Knights-Companions he obtained leave of absence The Earl of Dorset an 15. Car. 1. the Grand Feast being then celebrated at Windesor suddenly falling ill before Evening Prayer on the Feast day besought the Soveraign to excuse his attendance for the present but the next morning being recovered he attended the Soveraign with the rest of the Knights-Companions to the Chapter-house The Penances inflicted upon any Knight for the foresaid defaults he is in like manner to undergo if he happen to offend in the like kind when the Grand Feast is prorogued from St. George's day in what place soever it be celebrated But if he offend in all and have neither license nor reasonable or allowable excuse for his absence he is then prohibited entring his Stall at the next St. George's Feast where ever it be kept and moreover to pay as a pecuniary mulct 10 l. to be employed towards the Ornaments of the Colledge And we find the former kind of Penance to have been inflicted upon Late Comers to Divine Service as well upon the Morrow after the Feast day as on the Eve or Feast day it self For the Earl of Lindsey coming into the Chappel on the morrow after the Feast held at Whitehall an 8. Car. 1. after the Soveraign was entred he suffred the punishment of standing before his Stall a while until the Soveraign signified his license that he might ascend thereinto In like Manner the Earl of Northumberland coming somewhat late unto morning Service on the last day of the Feast held by prorogation at Whitehall the 17.18 and 19. days of April an 13. Car. 1. did undergo the assigned Penance of standing beneath his Stall in the middle of the Choire but upon the gracious permission of the Soveraign he was soon admitted thereunto But touching the fourth degree of offence as it is far greater than any yet named so are there variety of Penances appointed to expiate the fault and therefore if any Knight-Companion shall be
objected his infirmity of body and disability otherways and the Soveraign graciously admitting of his alledged excuse substituted in his stead the Marquess of Dorset So also when St. George's day was observed at the same place in the 20. year of the same King at which time Charles Duke of Suffolk was nominated to keep the Grand Feast at Windesor upon the 17. day of May ensuing the Black-Book saith That afterwards for certain causes moving the Soveraign thereunto that Office was transferr'd from the aforesaid Duke to the Marquess of Exceter who executed it consonantly to the dignity thereof Again an 32. H. 8. the Grand Feast being prorogued unto the 9. of May at a Chapter held on St. George's day preceding the Earl of Cumberland was appointed to celebrate the same But in regard the said Earl could not be present by reason of some urgent Affairs his excuse was accepted and the Earl of Southampton supplied his room But what hapned an 28. H. 8. was more remarkable for the Earl of Northumberland then the Soveraign's Deputy was in the time of the first Vespers suddenly taken with the Vertigo or diziness in his head and that accompanied with a distemper over his whole body From hence arose a great scruple what was hereupon to be done it being conceived that they could not conveniently proceed without the presence of the Deputy and that another could not rightly be substituted in his room without new authority from the Soveraign But whilst they were in the midst of this controversie he recovered and came again among them and performed all that was to be done both on the Vigil and on the day it self But this may clearly be inferred from this procedure of theirs that if the Deputy had not recovered the Ceremonies of the Feast had been adjourned till the Soveraign had nominated a new Officer And not unlike but upon reflection had on this accident and prevention of the like afterwards occasioned what was done An. 3. 4. Ph. Mar. to wit the nomination of two Knights-Companions to be Deputies namely the Earls of Derby and Huntingdon the second being designed to supply the place in case the former should be obstructed by indisposition or weighty affairs The Authority and Obligations annexed to this Office of Deputy or Lieutenant are deducible from the Statutes of the Order which give him power to hold a Chapter at the hour of Tierce on the Eve of the Feast as also on the day it self and punish Offenders against the Statutes And though he be thereby expresly prohibited the making of any new Decrees or Ordinances nevertheless he may correct and reform all points of the Chapter as shall seem necessary And now to shew that the powers granted by the Commissions are as derivative from so pursuant to the Statutes we shall insert in the Appendix first the most ancient Commission of Deputation that Record hath preserved being that which King Henry the Sixth gave to his Uncle Iohn Duke of Bedford in the fourth year of his Reign to supply his place when by reason of his abode at Leicester in expectation of the Parliaments sitting there he could not personally hold the Grand Feast at Windsor that year First then in the Preamble the reason and cause of making such a Commission is set down in general words Next the Soveraign takes notice of the allowance given him by the Statutes to constitute a Deputy and thereupon sets down the particulars wherewith he impowers him namely to hold Chapters to reform what is amiss to make Elections and by a general Clause to perform all other things which should be any way pertinent to the necessary observation of the Statutes to the end his Deputy in one and the same Instrument might both understand the duty of his place and be impowred to put the same in execution Such like particulars are also inserted in the Commission made to Iohn Earl of Shrewsbury an 35. H. 6. But in later Commissions they are omitted and supplied by a general Clause which gives this Officer the same authority as had been allowed him or such as he of right might claim Then follows the words of Constitution which in succeeding Commissions are exprest with some variety and lastly a Clause commanding obedience from the Knights-Companions present In the Commissions of Lieutenancy though not at all in the Deputational Commissions we find the Title of this great Officer inserted immediately after the words of Constitution in this following manner We therefore by these presents name constitute appoint and ordain you to be our Lieutenant at the said Feast Giving you full Power and Authority to do and accomplish every thing in the same which to our Lieutenant there in such cases belongeth and hath been accustomed as it is exprest in that Commission of Lieutenancy given to the Marquess of Exceter dated at Richmond the 24. of April an 20. H. 8. and that other to the Marquess of Winchester and dated at St. Iames's the 14. of May an 2. 3. Ph. Mar. for celebrating the Grand Feast at Windsor the 26. of the same month and not only in this but in all other since that have come to our view In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and King Iames when the Grand Feast was held either at Whitehall or Greenwich and the Soveraign present only at some part of the Solemnity as in the Chapters or at the Chappel in the morning of the Feast-day and sometimes proceeded publickly to the Closet not down into the Chappel to the first and second Vespers but by reason of some weighty affairs could not conveniently be present in person at all parts of Divine Service and other Ceremonies and things to be done and executed at the Feast neither on the Eve nor on the day of St. George nor the next day following in such case the Clause in the Commission which constituted the Lieutenant was put after this manner We do therefore name c. you in our absence to be our Lieutenant for that purpose c. Or as it is in that Commission made unto Prince Henry an 4. Iac. R. We have made choice of you to supply Our Peace whensoever we shall have cause to be absent at any time of the said Eve Day or Morrow And do give unto you full power and authority to do and accomplish all things in Our absence incident and meet to be performed for the honoring and celebration of this Feast as by the Statutes and laudable usage and Customs of Our said Order doth appertain Now how the Soveraign is to constitute such an Officer appears from the directions given in the Statutes of Institution to wit by his Letters and that these Letters since do carry the style of Commissions and ought to pass under the Seal of the Order and the Soveraigns sign manual is evident from divers passages in
Preachers with Hugh de Geneve Knight Seigneur d'Auton the Duke of Normandy dispatcht them to King Edward to propose a Treaty of Peace who required things so great they could not be yielded to Howbeit they still followed the King to Chartres where a meeting for Commissioners on both sides was consented to and they brought demands to such moderation that with the Duke of Lancasters effectual perswasion the King was content to accept of Peace But what inclined the King to hearken thereto as Froissard tells the story was this That while the Commissioners on both sides were upon Treaty and the King wholly untractable there fell in the Kings Army so great a Tempest of Thunder Lightning Rain Hail and Stones of such bigness that kill'd both Men and Horses at which time the King beholding the Church of our Lady of Chartres vowed devoutly to condescend to Peace This prodigious storm hapned on Easter Munday which falling that year on the 14. of April neer a Month before the conclusion of the Treaty was from its dismal effects called Black Munday which name it retains to this day The Treaty was managed between Edward Prince of Wales and Charles Regent of France their Proctors and Agents in the name of both Kings these two Princes and all the Subjects of France Those deputed on the English part were Sir Reginald de Cobham Sir Bartholomew Burghersh Sir Francis Hale Bannerets Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Richard la Vache and Sir Neel Loring Knights and others of the Council of the King of England Those other on the French side were the Ellect of Beauues his Chancellor Charles Lord Momorency Monsieur Iohn le Meingre Marshal of France Monsieur Aynart de la Tour Lord of Vivoy Monsieur Ralph de Ravenal Monsieur Simon de Bucy Knights Monsieur Stephen de Paris and Peter de la Charite his Councillors with many others of his Council deputed by King Iohn and Himself At first a Truce was agreed on the 7. of May An. Dom. 1360. in the 34. year of King Edward over England to continue till Michaelmas following and thence till Michaelmas an 35 E. 3. which upon the return of the King into England was by Writs bearing Teste the 24. of the same Month commanded to be published throughout all the Sea-Ports in England and by a like Writ notice was given to the Duke of Lancaster to proclaim it in Gascoigne And the next day viz. 8. of May were the Articles referring to a final Peace agreed to on the behalf of both Kings This was that Famous Treaty of Renunciation of both Kings so much spoken of by Writers to which their eldest Sons were parties in regard the King of France renounced the Soveraignty of several Territories to King Edward and he in like manner renounced his Title to France and some other Places all which we shall here briefly mention First it was agreed that King Edward with what he held in Aquitaine and Gascoigne should hold perpetually to him and his Heirs in the same manner as the King of France or his Son or any of his Ancestors held the same to wit that in Soveraignty in Soveraignty and that in Demain in Demain the City Castle and County of Poytiers with the Fees of Thoâ—ars and Land of Belleville the Cities and Castles of Xaintes Agen Pierregort Lymoges Caours Tarbe Angolesme and Rodeis and the Land and Countries of Poytou Xaintonge on this and the furthest side of the River of Charente with the Town and Fortress of Rochell Agenoys Pierreguis Lymosyn Caorsyn Tarbe Bigorre Gaure Angolesmoys Rovergue the Counties of Pierregort Bigorre Gaure and Angolesmoys And that such Earls or Lords as had Lands within the forementioned places should do their Homages and Services to him That King Edward should have in Demain all that any of his Predecessors anciently held in the Town of Monstrereul on the Sea As also all the County of Ponthieu with some few exceptions the Town and Castles of Calais the Towns Castles and Lordships of Merk Sangate Coloigne Hames Wale and Oye with their appurtenances as likewise all the places lying within the Jurisdictions and bounds following that is to say from Calais to the border of the River before Gravelinges and so by the same River round about Langle and by the River that runneth beyond the Poil and by the same River that falleth into the great Lake of Guynes to Freton and thence by the valley about Calculy Hill inclosing that Hill and so to the Sea with Sangate and all the appurtenances that the King should have the County of Guynes with all the Lands Towns Fortresses Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Forests and Rights thereunto belonging in as ample manner as the then late Earl of Guynes or his Predecessors held the same and likewise all the Isles adjoining to the Lands aforesaid and all other Isles he then held That the King of France and his eldest Son the Regent should before Michaelmas 1361. give and deliver to the King of England his Heirs and Successors all the Honors Obediences Homages Liegeances Subjections Fees Services Recognizances Rights and all manner of Jurisdictions high and low Resorts and Saveguards Advowsons and Patronages of Churches and all Lordships and Soveraignties with all the right they had and belonging to them by any Cause Right Title or Colour or to the Crown of France in the said Cities Counties Castles Towns Lands Countries Isles and Places and of their appurtenances and appendencies without holding any thing to them their Heirs or Successors or Crown of France And also to give notice to all Archbishops Bishops and Prelates and all Earls and other Noblemen and Citizens by Letters-Patent in all the said places to yield obedience to the King of England his Heirs and Successors in the same manner as they had obeyed the Kings and Crown of France and thereby also to quit and absolve them of all their Homages Fealties Oaths Obligations Subjections and Promises made to the Kings and Crown of France And that the King of England his Heirs and Successors should have and hold all the forementioned Cities Counties Castles Lands Places and Persons perpetually and freely in their Lordship Soveraignty Obedience and Subjection as the Kings of France had or did hold them in times past and all the Countries with their appurtenances in all Freedoms and Liberties perpetually as Lords and Soveraigns and as Neighbors to the King and Kingdom of France without any acknowledgment of Soveraign or making any Obedience Homage Resort or Subjection Service or Recognisance in time to come to the Kings or Crowns of France of the Places or Persons aforenamed or any of them The Renunciation on the King of England's part was as to the Name and Right to the Crown and Kingdom of France to the Homage Soveraignty and Demain of the Dutchies of Normandy and Thouraine of the Earldoms of Anjou and Maine to the Soveraignty and
Homage of the Dutchy of Britagne and Earldom and Country of Flanders and all other demands that King Edward made or might make to the King of France for what cause soever except such things as by the said Treaty ought to be delivered to him and his Heirs It was also agreed that the King of France should be brought to Calais within three weeks after Midsummer following and should pay for his Ransom three Millions of Escuts of Gold two of which should be worth one Noble English And that there should be paid to King Edward 600000 Escuts of Gold within four Months accounting from the time of the King of France's arrival at Calais and within one year ensuing 400000 Escuts more and from that year every year following 400000 Escuts till the said three Millions were paid And it after appears in the same Roll that King Edward had received 400000 Escuts part of the first 600000 the 24. of October 1360. and for payment of the other 200000 he gave time till Christmas and Lady-day following Furthermore that certain of the Nobility of France aswel of those who were made Prisoners at Poictiers as others should remain Hostages in England for the King of France namely Lewis Earl of Anjou Iohn Earl of Poictiers both Sons to King Iohn the Duke of Orliens his Brother the Duke of Burbon the Earl of Bloys or his Brother the Earl of Alanson or the Lord Peter of Alanson his Brother the Earls of St. Pol Harecourt Pontieu Valentynois Brene Vandemont and Forest the Viscount Beaumont the Lords of Cousy Fienles Preaux St. Venaunt and Garenciers the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lords of Hangest and Montmorency Sir William of Craon Sir Lewis of Harecourt and Sir Iohn Ligny And the Names of the Prisoners were these Lord Philip of France the Earls of Eu Longuevil Pontieu Tankarvile Ieigny Sanceurre Dampmartin Ventadour Salebruche D'auceurre and Vendosme the Lords of Craon and Deruale the Marshal Dodenham and the Lord Daubyny Besides these the King of France was obliged to deliver at Calais within three Months after he departed thence in further pledge for the accomplishment of this Treaty four Persons of Paris two of each of the Towns here named to wit St. Omer Aras Amyens Beauves Lisle Douay Tournay Reyms Chaalons Troies Chartres Thoulouse Lyons Orliens Compeigne Rouen Caen Tours and Bourges and these to be of the most sufficient and best Burgesses of these Towns It was moreover agreed That the King of France and his Heirs Kings of France should quit the Alliances they had with the Scots and never give to that King Kingdom or Subjects present or to come any aid or assistance against the King of England his Heirs or Successors his Realm or Subjects nor make any alliance with the Scots in time to come against the King and Realm of England And the like Article was agreed to by the King of England in reference to his Alliance with the Flemmings There were divers other particulars agreed to on the behalf of both Kings and set down in this Treaty of Peace which we designing brevity do omit but these are the main and principal to our present purpose All things thus finished King Edward immediately left France and landed at Rye the 18. of May following in the Evening and thence the next day came to Westminster And shortly a Writ issued to Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Constable of Dover forthwith to arrest and fit up a sufficient number of Ships to carry over King Iohn and his Family to Calais within the time agreed on and whither he was conducted the 8. of Iuly after The 9. of October King Edward followed where the foresaid Treaty with some few alterations was there ratified and confirmed by Oath of both Kings and several Instruments relating to the full accomplishment of the several Articles thereof were drawn up and sealed with the Great Seals of both Kings all bearing date at Calais the 24. day of October an Dom. 1360. Here also were the Renunciations on either side both absolute and conditional to all the Towns Castles Countries c. to the Resort and Soveraignty c. comprehended in the Articles of Peace drawn up sworn to and sealed at the same time but not exchanged because the King of France was as yet in Calais and Prisoner to King Edward and the Towns c. not as yet delivered But it was then nevertheless agreed and promised that they should be surrendred to the special Deputies on both sides by Midsummer following if it might be and the Renunciations sent at the Assumption of our Lady next ensuing to the Church of the Augustine Fryars at Bruges to be delivered to those Deputed to receive them Or if they were not surrendred till Alhollantide after then the Renunciations were to be delivered in the said Church on St. Andrews day following at which time and place both Kings engaged to send thither and cause to be delivered to the Deputies on both sides theirs and their eldest Sons Renunciations likewise but if they were not accordingly mutually delivered then not any thing agreed on was to take effect But it seems things were not made ready against Midsummer the first of the appointed times for compleating these matters for the 15. of November following King Edward constituted Sir Thomas Vnedale Knight and Thomas de Dunclent Licenciate in the Laws his Agents whom he sent to Bruges with power to make request to the King of France for the effectual accomplishment of all things concluded on as aforesaid and to require that He and his Son should make the Renunciations and Transports according to all the foresaid Agreements made at Calais and upon reception of which he was thereby enabled to give Acquittance in King Edwards name But there was another Instrument dated at Calais the said 24. of Oct. 1360. whereby King Edward was obliged to deliver up to the French King on this side Candlemas an 35. E. 3. the Castles and Fortresses which he held in other parts of France than in those surrendred to him by the French King viz. as they are written in the Record In Champaigne and in Brie Bursant and Ioinville upon the Marn Bourt in Champaigne Ochie Sye upon the Seine the Mote de Triesreine Brugelemens and all other Fortresses taken in these Countries In Nivernois Cornallour Gueillons Anlesy Villers and Mont Epny In Anceurrois and Burgoigne Regennes Legny Malecorne and the Mote de Chauloye In Aurelenoys and Gastinoys The New Castle upon Loire and Mereau au Boys and all other Fortresses in Orlenois in Gastinois in Messien in Beause and in Wenguesin le Francois Within a month following the County of Ponthieu was to be surrendred to King Edward or else Hostages King Edward was also to deliver up the New Castle in Tynerois Beaumont le Choistif Nogent le Rotron and the Ferte de Ville Nevill and all other Fortresses in France and in the Country of Perche and
aut ab ipso designati ceterorum Commilitonum in suscepto tentóque manifesto Concilio XXXVIII Deâ—iquè quò Discrimen Equitum hujus Ordinis à caeteris cui non sunt â—jusdem tantò clariùs eluceat Supremus ex consensâ—â— Commilitonum omnium vult Ordinâ—t instituit ut abbinc imperpetuum quicuâ—que fuerit Eques istius Ordinis circum cervicem utatur â—ureo Torque triginta unciarum Trojani Ponderis nihil suprà Conficietur autem ille Torques è laminis in formam Subligaris una laminarum duas intùs rosas habebit alteram rubram superiorem albâ—m altera inferiorem albam superiorem rubram In fine verò Torquis illius pendebit Imago Divi Georgii Quo Supremus omnes Ordinis hujus Equites uti tenebuntur praesertim in maximis praecipuis Anni solennitatibus Aliis autem diebus Cathenula utantur Aurea quae Divi Georgii gestabit imaginem in fine nisi gerâ—tur bellum aut gerendum ingruat aegritudo urgeat aut longum iter ineundum sit Tunc etenim sufficiat uti Fibulâ sericâ quae Divi Georgii duntaxat imaginem in fine pendulâ—m habebit Si vero Torques resarciendus sit tradi poterit â—â—rifici ut emendetur Nec debet ille Torques stipari gemmis aut ditari nisi forsan id Imagini fiat quae benè poterit ex arbitratu illius Equitis gemmis aut alitèr exornari Cavendum autem ne Torques hujusmodi vendatur mutuò tradatur aut alienetur ullo modo seu donetur ex ullâ causâ vel necessitudine sed ad cohonest amentum Ordinis Equitis Ordinati conservari debet Here follow the same Statutes as they were put into English shortly after their Establishment wherein some of the Articles are transposed and the 18. Article wholly changed But in all the Copies of them given forth since the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign King Henry's Title of Supream head of the Church of England in Earth under Christ is omitted and some few words noted with an Asterisk altered to those inserted at the foot of the Page whither the Asterisk directs The Statutes and Ordinances of the most Noble Ordre of Saint George named the Gartier Reformed explained declared and renewed by the moost High moste excellent and mooste puissant Prince Henry the viii by the Grace of God Kyng of England and of Fraunce Defensor of the Faith Lorde of Irland c. WHereas the moost famous moost happiest and victorious Prynce Edwarde the thirde of that name his Noble Progenitour somtyme Kyng of England and of Fraunce and Lorde of Irland c. To th' onnoâ—re of almighti God and of the blessed and immaculate Virgyn Marie and the blessid Martir Sainte George Patron of the right noble Roialme of England and of Saynt Edwarde Kyng and Confessauâ— To the exaltation of the holy Faith Catholique Drdeyned Established created and founded within the Castel of Wyndesore a company of xxvi Noble and Worthi Knyghtes for to be of the said moost Noble Drdre of Saynt George named the Gartier and for the honorable continuance augmentation and interteyning of the same The seid moost victorious Kyng did devyse and institute divers honorable Estatuts and laudable Ordinances for to be observed and kept by the cobrethern and confreres Knightes and Compaynons of the said moost Noble Order amonge the which Estatutis been certeyne doubtis and ambiguities which to be more playnly declared interpreted and extended it is thought right necessary and expedient And that certeyne other new Ordinances and Articles be to the said Statutes added and adjoyned Wherefore the said moost excellent and victorious Prynce Henry the viii Kynge of England and of France Defensor of the Faith and Lord of Irland and Soveragne of the said moost Noble Order and for the right singular love good zeal ardent and intier affection that his royall Majestie hath and bearith to the said moost Noble Order and to the estate of Chivalrie and Knyghthod And for the honorablâ— contynuance and encreasing of the same And also at the humble requeste and instante destre of the Knyghts and Companyons of the said Noble Order And by their advyse councell and assent the xxiii day of April in the year of grace M.D.XXII and of his moost noble reigh the viii yere made interpretacion and declaracion of the Obscurities doubtis and ambiguities of the said Estatutes Ordinances Interpretacions declaracions reformacions with their additions aforesaid after the â—rew intencion of them shall be from hensforth observed kept and ensued by the Soverayne and the Knyghtes Confreres and Companyons of the said Noble Order in manner and fourme followyng I. Firste It is Ordened and accorded that the Kyng and his Heires and Successors Kyngs of England shall be for evermore Soveraynes of the saide moost Noble Order and amiable Companye of Saynt George named the Gartier to the which Soverayn and to his Heires and Successours shall apperteine the declaracion solucion determinacion interpretacion Reformacion and disposition of all causes concernyng and towchyng any thyng of obscuritie or dowbte conteyned in the Statutes of the said moost Noble Order II. Item it is accorded that none shall be elected and chosen for to be Felow or Companion of the said moost Noble Order excepte that he be a Gentilman of blood and that he be a Knyghte and without roproche And that the Knyghtes of the said Noble Order from hensforth shall not name any person in their Election to be Felow or Companyon of the said Noble Order in whome thei shall thynke or extiem in their conscience to have spotte of Reprâ—che And as towchyng the declaration of a Gentilman of blode it is declared and determined that he shall be decended of three decentis of Noblesse that is to say of name and of armes bothe of his Father's side and also of his Mother's side and as towchyng or concernyng any maner of reproche forasmoche as there be divers and many sundri pâ—yntis of reproche there shall be here declared but three poyntis of them oonly as is declared in manner and fourme folowying The first poynt of Reproche ys that if any Knyght os God defende be convaynqued or attaynted of errour against the Cristen Faith Catholique or had for any suche Offence suffred any payne or punicion publique The second poynt of Reproche is that if any Knyght as God defende had bene ararayned convicted or attainted or High Treason The third poynt of Reproache is that if any Knyght departe or flee away from batayle or journei beyng with his Soverayne Lord his Lieutenant or Deputie or other Capetayne bavyng the Kyng's power Royal and auâ—toritie and whereas Banners Estandatz or Pennons have bene displaied and that thei preceded to fight he that then renioufly and cowardly flieth or departith away from thens ought to be estiemeâ— and judged to have reproche and never worthi to be electe Knyght or Felow of the said Company And if it fortune that any Knyght of the
to be one of the Companions of the said Order One Mantle of Blue Velvet lined with white Taffata and one Kirtle lined with white Sarâ—â—net with one Robeâ— lace of Silk and Gold and Silk Riband for the said Robes and as much Crymson Velvet as will cover one Book of the Order of the said Garter with Silk Lace to the said Book one Case to be made covered with Crimson Velvet garnished with passamain Lace of Gold lined with Crimson Satten and quilts of the same Satten for the carriage of one rich Collar of Gold of the Order of the Garter one pair of trussing Sheets two great Coffers covered double with Hide Leather double lined and bound with Plates with great Girths of Leather to them one Pack-Saddle with all things necessary to the same for carriage of the said Robes And these our Letters c. Given at our Pallace at Westminster the 19. day of October in the first and second years of our Reign To our trusty Sir Edward Waldgrave Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM LXXVII A Warrant for the Delivery of the Habit of Frederick the Second King of Denmark Ex Codice MS. in Offic. Mag. Gardrob Regis vocat Lib. quart Warr. particular p. 446. Elizabeth R. WE will and command you to deliver to the Lord Willoughby for the Livery of the Garter for the King of Denmark 20 yards of Purple Velvet for his Robe and 18 yards of Crimson Velvet for his Kirtle and also 26 yards of White Sarcenet for lining of them Item a Scutcheon richly embroidered with Damask Gold and Purls one Lace for the same Robe of Silk and Gold with Buttons and Tassels of Silk and Gold NUM LXXVIII A Warrant for Delivery of the Habit and Hatchments of the French King Henry the Third Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. Elizabeth R. WE will and command you immediately upon the sight hereof to deliver or cause to be delivered for the several uses hereafter ensuing the parcels following that is to say first for a Livery of the honorable Order of the Garter for our dear Brother Henry the French King one Kirtle Hood and Tippet containing 18 yards of Velvet Crimson one Mantle containing 20 yards of Velvet Purple and twenty six yards of Taffata White to line them one Cushen of Velvet Purple with Fringes Buttons and Tassels of Gold and Purple Silk with a Pillow of Fustian stuffed with Down one double Banner containing 16 yards of Velvet Crimson and Blue embroidered on both sides with the Arms of France and Poland with Cloth of Gold Cloth of Silver Venice Gold Silver and Silk one Banner Staff painted in Oyle Colour one Helm of Steel all gilt and Mantles to the same Helm containing two yards and a half of Cloth of Gold lined with one yard and an half of Satten white two knopps of Wood gilt with burnished Gold for the same Mantle with silk Tassels to them a Crown of Wood with the Crâ—st carved and gilt with burnished gold A Sword having the Pomel and Hilts all gilt one Scabbard for the same with a gilt Chape and a Girdle both being covered with Cloth of Gâ—ld containing one yard one Book of the Statutes of the Order aforesaid illumined covered with Velvet Crimson and edged with gold Lace three great Escocheons whereof one of our Arms another of the French Kings Arms both within the Garter under Crowns Imperial painted and gilded with fine Gold in Oyl upon fine Holland Cloth set in Frames of Wanscot likewise painted and gilt and the third of the Arms of our right trusty and right well-belovâ—d Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Derby likewise painted and gilt in like Holland Cloth and set in a like Frame all placed in the Chappel wherein the said King was installed one Plate of the said Kings Arms ingraven in Copper gilt and enameled fixed within his Stall within our Chappel at Windsor And that ye content and pay as well for the making imbroidering and painting of the premises as also for the carrying of the Hâ—tchments of the said King to our Castel at Windsor and also that you deliver two Trunks for the Carriage of the Parcels aforesaid into France c. And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge for dâ—livery of all the premises Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the 22. day of April in the 27. year of our Reign Anno 1582. To our trusty and well-beloved Servant Iohn Fortescue Esquire Master of our great Wardrobe NUM LXXIX A Warrant for Delivery of the Habit of Christierne the Fourth King of Denmark Ex Collect. E.W.G. James R. WE will and command you to deliver or cause to be delivered to our most dear and well-beloved Brother the King of Denmark one Robe of Purple Velvet of our Noble Order of the Garter and one Kirtle Hood and Surcoat of Crimson Velvet of our said Order lined with White Taffata bordered with Fustian and sewed with Silk with a long String Button and Tassel to the same in such manner and form as to the said Robes belongeth and also one Garter to set upon the shoulder of the same Robe richly embroidered upon Blue Velvet with sundry sorts of Pearls Purls Plates Venice Twists and Silk And these our Letters signed with our own hand shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Signet at our Honor of Hampton-Court the xxviii day of September in the fourth year of our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the fortieth To our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Roger Aston Knight Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM LXXX A Warrant for Delivery of the Ensigns of the Order to be sent to the Emperor Maximilian the Second Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. Elizabeth R. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin we greet you well And whereas we have now resolved to send forthwith our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex unto our good Brother and Cousin the Emperor and have also appointed Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter Principal King at Arms to attend upon our said Cousin of Sussex in the presenting unto the said Emperor the Robes of our Order of the Garter and such other things as belong thereunto We will and command you to deliver or cause to be delivered unto the said Garter all such things as you have by our Order given heretofore unto you caused to be prepared for this purpose that is to say the great Collar of Gold with the little George the Garter the great George with the little Chain and all other things that you have made ready to be sent in this Iourney And these our Letters with a Bill of the said Garter's testifying the receipt of the same shall be your sufficient Warrant in this behalf Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the xx of May the ninth year of our Reign 1567. To our right trusty
and right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor the Marquess of Winchester our high Treasurer of England NUM LXXXI A Warrant for Delivery of the Collar and George to Edward Prince Palatine Ex lib. vocat The Book of Warrants in the Iewel-house Charles R. OVR will and pleasure is that you deliver to the use of our entirely beloved Cousin Edward Prince Palatine one of the Companions of our most Noble Order of the Garter one Collar of Gold containing 26 Garters with Red Roses enamelled in the midst of them and 26 Knots the Collar weighing 30 Ounces Troy weight As also one rich George on horseback with a Dragon to be fastned and pendant thereto And for so doing this shall be your Warrant Given under the Signet of our said Order at our Court at Whitehall Z this 17. of June in the 13. year of our Reign By his Majesties the Soveraign's special command De Vic. To our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Talbot Master of our Jewel-house NUM LXXXII A Warrant for the Delivery of the Collar George and Garter for Charles King of Sweden Ex eod Lib. Charles R. WHereas we have named and appointed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Charles Earl of Carlisle our Ambassador extraordinary to our good Brother the King of Sweden and our trusty and well-beloved Henry St. George Esq one of our Officers at Arms to invest our said good Brother lately Elected Knight of our most Noble Order of the Garter with the whole Habit Ensigns and Ornaments of the same These are to will and require you to deliver unto our said Cousin and our said Officer at Arms or to either of them the great Collar George and Garter and what other things you may have provided on our former Warrant for that occasion And this with a Note under their or either of their bands mentioning the particulars to be delivered by you and acknowledging the Receipt of them shall be your sufficient discharge Given under our Signet Manual the 29. of November 1668. By the Soveraign's special command De Vic. To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Gilbert Talbot Master of our Jewel-house and our other Officers of the same NUM LXXXIII A Warrant for Delivery of the Collar George and Garter for Iohn George Duke of Saxony Ex Libro praed Charles R. WHereas we have named and appointed our trusty and well-beloved Sir Thomas Higgons Knight our Envoye extraordinary into Germany and Tho. St. George Esquire one of our Officers at Arms to carry to and invest our dear Cousin the Elector of Saxony late Elected Knight of our most Noble Order of the Garter with the whole Habit Ensigns and Ornaments of the same These are to will and require you to deliver unto the said Sir Thomas Higgons and Tho. St. George or to eitehr of them the great Collar George and Garter and what ever other things you may have provided on our former Warrants for that occasion And this with a Note under their or either of their bands mentioning all the particulars so delivered by you and acknowledging the Receipt of them shall be your sufficient discharge Given under our Signet manual this 29. of November 1668. By the Soveraign's special command De Vic. To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Gilbert Talbot Master of our Jewel-house and our other Officers of the same NUM LXXXIV A Receipt given to the Iewel-house upon delivery of the Ensigns of the Order for Charles King of Sweden Ex Lib. vocat The Day-Book in the Iewel-house p. 321. DEcemb 31. 1668. Delivered unto Henry St. George Esq one of his Majesties Officers at Arms by virtue of his Majesties Sign Manual bearing date the 29. of November last past viz. Imprimis 1 Onix George of the Order set round with 38 large Rose Diamonds 4 smaller Rose Diamonds on a Loop to the said George Also one Garter of the Order set with 202 Rose Diamonds in the Letters 6 between the words and 24 about 4 Ilot boles Also on the Buckle of the said Garter 11 great Rose Diamonds and 10 small ones and on the Tabb 3 large Rose Diamonds and 23 smaller Also one Collar and George of the Order Gold enamelled weight 30 ounces 10 penny weight 6 grains with three Cases of Crimson Velvet fringed with Gold Lace All which is acknowledged to be received by me Hen. St. George NUM LXXXV Another Receipt given for the Ensigns of the Order sent to Iohn George Duke of Saxony Ex Lib. vocat The Day-Book in the Iewel-house p. 324. FEbr 26. 1668. Delivered to Sir Thomas Higgons according to his Majesties Warrant bearing date the 29. of Novemb. 1668. Imprimis One Collar of the Order of the Garter consisting of 21 Roses and 21 Knots poize 30 ounces 16 penny weight As also one rich Aggot George set about with 32 rich Diamonds and three Sparks in the Ring Also a rich Diamond Garter all the Letters of Diamonds and at the Buckles end 9 fair Faucet Diamonds and at the Loop end 9 very fair Faucet Diamonds and -8 smaller Diamonds Also one enamelled George poize one Ounce All these I have received out of his Majesties Iewel-house with Cases to them Tho. Higgons NUM LXXXVI A Warrant to provide Necessaries for Transportation of the King of Sweden's Robes Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. THese are to pray and require your Lordship that you cause to be provided with all speed these Necessaries following for the Transportation of the King of Swedens Râ—bes and other things belonging to the Order of the Garter namely one pair of fine Holland Sheets of two breadths and a half and three ells long Two Trunks for the packing up and transportation of the Robes Collar and Georges and two Sweet Bags of Taffaty to lay amongst the said Robes for the doing whereof this shall be your Lordships Warrant Whitehall this 27. of April 1627. To the Right Honorable the Earl of Denbeigb Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM LXXXVII A Warrant to provide several particulars for the Investiture of the Duke of Saxony Book of Warrants in the Grâ—at Wardrobe commencing at Michaelmas 1667. fol. 25. THese are to signifie unto your Lordship That it is his Majesties express pleasure That you do provide or cause to be provided in part of the Habit of the most Noble Order of the Garter which his Majesty is now sending unto the Elector of Saxony Knight Elect of the said Order and towards the furnishing of the Officer of Arms who is to go upon that Employment both with a Robe for himself and such other necessaries as are to be used for his Majesties honor and service on that occasion the following particulars One Black Velvet Cap and Feather such and of the same fashion as the Knights of the Order do wear on St. George's day when the Feast is kept and solemnized One Girdle and Hangers of Crimson Velvet One large Cushen of Blue and Purple Velvet with Buttons Fringe
and Tassels of the like coloured Silk and Gold Fine Holland Sheets to fold the Habit in Two Trunks to carry them One Mantle for Garter or the Officer of Arms that goes in his place to officiate upon that occasion The said Mantle to be made up of 18 yards of Scarlet Sattin and 10 yards of White Deux Caps Taffaty to line the same and to have an embroidered Scutcheon on the left shoulder and Laces and Tassels of Silk and Gold alike in every respect unto that Mantle which Garter wears upon St. George's day and at the Chapters of the Order One Scutcheon with the King's Arms in a quarter of the Order and a handsome gilded Border or Frame Two other Scutcheons without arms having only the Garter about them to put in them the Elector of Saxony's arms in a handsome gilded Frame And these shall be your sufficient Warrant dated at Whitehall this 17. of July 1668. E. Manchester To the Right Honorable Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of his Majesties Great Wardrobe and to the Officers of the same NUM LXXXVIII A Warrant for the Habit of the Order and other Necessaries to be used at the Investiture of Charles King of Sweden Ibidem fol. 29. b. Charles R. OVR will â—nd pleasure is That you prepare or cause to be prepared for the King of Sweden now Knight Elect of our Order of the Garter the whole Habit of our said Order together with a Mantle for the Officer of Arms whom we shall appoint to go therewith and all other Necessaries as you had them specified in a Warrant lately directed unto you for the Habit to be sent to the Elector of Saxony and besides one yard and half of skie colour Velvet wherewith to cover two Statute Books of the Order And for so doing this shall be your Warrant Given under our Sign manual this 30. of August 1668. By the Soveraign's special Command De Vic Chancellor of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen and Councellor Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of our Great Wardrobe or in his absence to his Deputy NUM LXXXIX A Warrant for allowance of Dyet and Reward to Garter in a Legation with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. By the King TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well willing and commanding you that of such our Treasure as remaineth in your custodie to our use ye deliver to our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alià s Garter Principal King at Arms attending by our commandment upon our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor the Lord Marquess of Northampton in his Embassage to our good Brother the French King ten shillings by the day for his Dyet and also by way of our Reward ten shillings by the day amounting in the whole to twenty shillings by the day and to allow him for the Posting and Transportation both outward and homeward as well of himself and his train as also of certain Robes of our Order and other things necessary for that Voyage such sums of Money as by his Bill subscribed with his own hand he shall signifie unto you to have employed in that behalf as also further to allow him for the Dyet of Chester Herald after the old rate that is to say five shillings by the day and five shillings in reward by the day and for the Dyet of Rougedragon Pursuivant two shillings and six pence by the day and two shillings six pence in reward also by the day and also for their posting Moneys according to the tenor aforesaid beginning the 28. of April last past until the return of our said right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor And these our Letters shall be your Warrant sufficient in that behalf Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the eleventh of May in the fifth year of our Reign E. Somerset W. North. J. Bedford J. Warwick E. Clinton Jo. Gate To our trusty and well-beloved Councellor Sir William Cavendishe Knight Treasurer of our Chamber NUM XC Another Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. Elizabeth R. ELizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England c. To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer greeting We will and command you of such Treasure as iâ— or shall come into the Receipt of our said Exchequer to deliver or cause to be delivered to our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter Principal King of Arms attending by our commandment upon our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex in his Embassy now to our good Brother the Emperor the sum of 10 s. by the day for his Dyet and also by way of our Reward other 10 s. by the day amounting in the whole to 20 s. by the day the said allowance of 20 s. by the day to begin 7 days before his arrival at the Sea side when he shall pass over the Seas in his Iourney and so to continue until his return unto our presence upon the end of his Voyage Willing you further for his better furniture in this Iourney to advance unto him beforehand his said Dyets and Rewards after the rate of 20 s. by the day for two Months And also to allow unto him upon his return for the posting and transportation both outward and homeward of himself and his men and for certain Robes of our Order and other things necessary for his Voyage such sums of Money as by his Bill subscribed with his own hand he shall signifie unto you to have been by him disbursed in that behalf And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in that behalf Yeven under our Privy Seal at our Mannor of Richmond the 14. day of June in the ninth year of our Reign To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer NUM XCI Another for like Allowances to Garter and Somerset Ex Collect. A. V. W. ORder is taken this present of Anno 1582. that of such the Queens Majesties Treasure as remaineth in your custody you shall make payment unto Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter Principal King of Arms and to Somerset Herald of Arms the sum of Clix l. in full payment of a Bill of CCiv l. signed by them for their Dyets Rewards Transportations and Posting Charges going with the Lord Willughby of Eresby to Frederick the Second King of Denmark and in their return again according to a Privy Seal granted unto them for the said Allowances Dated at Grenewich the 28. day of June Anno 24. of the the Queens Majesties Reign And these shall be your sufficient Warrant for the payment thereof Written the said day and year To our loving Friends Mr. Stoneley and the four Tellers of the Queens Majesties Receipt NUM XCII A Privy Seal for like Allowances to Clarenceux and Somerset Ex Collect. A. V. W. Elizabeth R. ELizabeth c. To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer greeting
Whereas we have appointed our well-beloved Servants Robert Cook alias Clarenceux one of the Kings at Arms and Robert Glover alias Somerset one of our Heralds at Arms to pass at this present into France with our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Derby by us sent in special Ambassade to our good Brother and Cousin the French King for certain our affairs of importance and have been contented to allow unto the said Clarenceux for his Dyets ten shillings by the day and ten shillings more by the day in Reward And to the said Somerset five shillings by the day for his Dyets and five shillings more by the day in Reward We will and command you of our Treasury at the Receipt of our said Exchequer not only to pay or cause to be paid unto the said Clarenceux and Somerset and to either of them or their assigns their said several Dyets and Rewards from the 17. day of January in this present 27. year of our Reign until they return to our presence but also to advance unto them presently imprest out of their said several Dyets and Rewards before-hand the sum of one hundred pounds viz. to Clarenceux one hundred Marks and to Somerset xxxiii l. vis viii d. And further to pay unto them hereafter all such sums of Money as they shall signifie unto you by their several Bills subscribed with their several hands to have been by them severally disbursed for the Charges of their posting and transportation in this their Iourney And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Mannor of Grenewiche the 28. day of January in the seven and twentieth year of our Reign NUM XCIII A Warrant for like Allowances to Garter Ex Collect. E. W. G. James R. JAmes by the Grace of God c. To our Commissioners for the Office of High Treasurer of England Greeting Whereas We do send over to Prince Maurice of Nassau our Servant William Segar Esq Garter King of Arms to carry the George and Garter to the said Prince We have assigned to him for his Charges an allowance of 30 s. by the day whereof we will and command you of our Treasure in the Receipt of our Exchequer to pay or cause to be paid to the said Garter oâ— his Assigns the said allowance of 30 s. by the day to begin from the 24. day of this Month of December and to continue to the day of his return to our presence And our further pleasure is that you advance unto him by way of imprest the sum of fifty pounds to be defalked upon his said entertainment And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Palace of Westminster the 26. day of December in the 10. year of our Reign of England France and Ireland and of Scotland the six and fortieth NUM XCIV Another Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. ORder is taken this 15. of May 1627. by virtue of his Majesty's Letters of Privy Seal dated the 8. of the same that you deliver and pay of such his Majesty's Treasure as remaineth in your charge unto Sir William Seagar Knight alias Garter Principal King of Arms employed by his Majesty's Commandment for the carrying over the Order of the Garter to his Majesty's entirely beloved Cousin Henry Prince of Orange the sum of threescore pounds by advance upon his allowance of xv s. per diem for his Dyet and xv s. per diem by way of Reward to be afterwards defalked upon his said Dyet and Reward And these together with his acquittance shall be your discharge herein Marlburgh Rich. Weston NUM XCV A Privy Seal for Allowances of Entertainment and extraordinary expences to Richmond Herald Ex ipso Autographo CHarles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Commissioners of our Treasury now being and to the Treasurer under Treasurer and Commissioners of our Treasury for the time being Greeting Whereas we have appointed our trusty and well-beloved Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald to attend our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor Charles Earl of Carlitle our Ambassador extraordinary into Sweden there to perform the Ceremonies at the delivering of the Garter unto our good Brother the King of Sweden And have also thought fit to allow unto him 30 s. by the day for his entertainment during the service to commence from the day of the said Earl of Carlitle's departure from and be continued till his return into our presence inclusive Our will and pleasure therefore â—s and we do hereby authorise and require you out of such our Treasury as now is on which hereafter shall be and remain in the Receipt of our Exchequer to pay or cause to be paid unto the said Henry St. George or his Assigns the said allowance of 30 s. by the day advancing unto him the sum of 250 l. to be accounted and adjusted at his return according to the rate of 30 s. by the day And you are also to pay unto him or his Assigns such extraordinary expences in that service as one of our Principal Secretaries of State shall approve of And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Palace of Westminster the 30. day of November iâ— the xx year of our Reign NUM XCVI A Privy Seal for Allowances of constant entertainment and extraordinary expences to Somerset Herald Ex ipso Autogr. CHarles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Commissioners of our Treasury Treasurer and under-Treasurer of our Exchequer now and for the time being Greeting Whereas we have employed our trusty and well-beloved Sir Thomas Higgons Knight to go in quality of our Envoy Extraordinary to the Elector of Saxony and to carry with him the Order of the Garter to that Prince Our will and pleasure therefore is and we do hereby require and authorise you out of such our Treasure as now is or hereafter shall be remaining in the Receipt of our Exchequer to pay or cause to be paid unto the said Sir Thomas Higgons or his Assigns the sum of three pounds by the day of lawful Money of England for his entertainment in the service aforesaid to commence from the day of his departure from our presence and that you advance and pay unto him the said Sir Thomas Higgons or his Assigns in part and upon account of the said Allowance the sum of 300 l. of like lawful English Money And our further will and pleasure is and we do hereby likewise authorise and require you out of such our Treasure as aforesaid to pay or cause to be paid unto Thomas St. George Esq Somerset Herald at Arms whom we have also employed
to attend the performance of the Ceremony to be used in this service the sum of 30 s. by the day for his constant entertainment in our said service to commence from the day of his departure from our presence And that you also advance and pay unto the said Thomas St. George or his Assigns in part of the said allowance of 30 s. by the day the sum of 150 l. of lawful Money of England which said several sums of 3 l. by the day and 30 s. by the day are to be continued unto them unto the day of their return unto our presence respectively and to be received without account impress or other charge to be set upon the said Sir Thomas Higgons and Thomas St. George or either of them their Executors Administrators or Assigns for the same And we also direct that such further allowance be made unto the said Sir Thomas Higgons for his extraordinary expence in this our service as you our Commissioners of our Treasury now being or our Treasurer under-Treasurer and Commissioners of our Treasury for the time being shall think fit and that such allowance be likewise made for the extraordinary expence of the said Thomas St. George in our service as shall be thought fit and approved by one of our Principal Secretaries of State And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Palace of Westminster the fifteenth day of August in the 20. year of our Reign NUM XCVII A Warrant for Post-horses c. for Garter's use Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. WHereas the Bearer hereof William Seagar Garter Principal King at Arms is upon some special occasions concerning his Majesties service to make his speedy repair into the Low Countries and in his Iourney to the Sea side shall have need of Post-horses for himself and others employed in that service and when they come to the Port of their embarquing shipping for transportation These are therefore in his Majesties name to will and command you and every of you to whom it may appertain to see the said William Seagar furnished from place to place with six able and sufficient Post-horses And likewise also to give your assistance for getting of convenient shipping for their transportation and to suffer them quietly to imbarque together with such Trunks and other necessaries as they shall have use of without lett hindrance or other molestation hereof you may not fail as you will answer the contrary From the Court at Whitehall this 30. of December 1612. J. Northampton J. Suffolk E. Worcester E. Wotten Juâ— Caesar. E. Zouch C. Edmonds To all Mayors Sheriffs Justices of Peace Vice-Admirals Customers Comptrollers Searchers Officers of the Ports Post-masters Bailiffs Constables Headboroughs and all other his Majesties Officers and loving Subjects to whom it may appertain NUM XCVIII A Warrant for Post-horses for Somerset Herald Ex Collect. A. V. W. WHereas there is appointed to attend on the Earl of Derby for her Majesties service into France Robert Glover alias Somerset one of the Heralds of Arms who is to repair with all diligence unto the Port of Dover there to embarque with the said Earl of Derby These are to will and require you and in her Majesties name strictly to charge and command you and every of you to whom it shall appertain to see him provided of four good and able Post-horses for himself his Servants and Câ—rriages with a Guid from place to place unto Dover aforesaid and at his return likewise from thence to the Court as also of all such other things necessary as he shall require at your hands for the better accomplishing of his Voyage at prices reasonable and accustomed in her Majesties like services Whereof fail you not as you will answer to the contrary at your perils From the Court at Grenewich the 20. of January 1584. To all Mayors Sheriffs Justices of Peace Bailiffs Constables Headboroughs and to all other her Majesties Officers and loving Subjects to whom it may appertain and to every of them NUM CI. Instructions given to the Soveraign's Ambassadors sent with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to Iulianus de Medicis Brother to Pope Leo the Tenth Ex Collect. Iac. Waraei Eq. Aur. FIrst the due recommendation and presentation of the Kings Letters with a brief Oration to be made touching the land of the said Order of the King Soveraign of the same and also of the virtues and notable deeds of N. that shall receive it And after the proposition so said to present their Commission and cause it openly to be read where they shall require him to make his Oath as followeth Ego Julianus Dei gratia c. honorificentissimi ac approbatissimi Ordinis Garterii Miles Confrater electus Iuro ad haec Sancta Dei Evangelia per me corporaliter tacta quod omnia singula Statuta Leges Ordinationes ipsius dignissimi Ordinis bene sincere inviâ—labiliter observabo ita me Deus adjuvet haec Sancta Dei Evangelia Which Oath given Sir E. P. shall deliver the Garter unto him and cause the same in good and honorable manner to be put about his Leg the said Doctor so saying audibly these words following Ad lauden honorem summi atque Omnipotentis Dei intemeratae Virginis Matris suae Mariae ac gloriosissimi Martyris Georgii hujus Ordinis Patroni circumcinge tibiam tuam hoc Garterio ut possis in isto bello firmiter stare fortiter vincere in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris Which thing so done the said Sir E. P. shall deliver unto the said I. the Gown of Purple Colour and cause him to apparel himself with the same the said Doctor so saying these words following at the doing over of the same Accipe vestem hanc purpuream quâ semper munitus non verearis pro fide Christianâ libertate Ecclesiae oppressorum tuitoine fortiter dimicare sanguinem effundere in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris And then following the said Sir E. P. shall cause the said I to do upon him the Mantle of Blue Velvet garnished with the Scute and Cross of Saint George and the Doctor so saying these words Accipe Clamidem coelestis coloris Clipeo Crucis Christi insignitam cujus virtute atque vigore semper protectus hostes super are praeclarissimis tuis meritis gaudia tandem coelestia promereri valeas in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris And when the said I shall be so apparelled with the Ornaments aforesaid the said Sir E. P. shall put the Image of Saint George about his neck the Doctor so saying these words Imaginem gloriossimi Martyris Georgii hujus Ordinis Patroni in collo tuo deferas cujus fultus praesidio hujus Mundi prospera adversa sic pertrauseas ut bostibus Corporis animae devictis non modo temporalis militae gloriam sed
we are pleased and content to accept your reasonable excuse in this behalf And by these presents do pardon you for your absence from the said Feast at this present any Statute of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Yeoven under our Signet of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the day of April 1575. in the 17. year of our Reign To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Henry Earl of Huntington President of our Council in the City of York Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM CLXVI Another Ex Lib. Collect. W. le N. Cl. f. 54. Charles R. RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well Forasmuch as you by reason of your indisposition of health cannot be present to attend our person on the days by prorogation for this year appointed for celebrating the Feast of our most Noble Order of the Garter that is to say the 26.27 and 28. days of this moneth of April We let you understand that We are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do pardon remit and dispence with any fault you may incur thereby And do give you license to be absent at those days from the said Feast for this year any Article or Statute of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 23. day of April in the second year of the Reign of Great Britain c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey Earl Marshal of England and Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM CLXVII Another Inter Praesident Tho. Rowe Eq. Aur. nuper hujus Ordinis Cancellar Charles R. RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well Whereas we have for divers causes prorogued the celebration of the Feast of St. George for this present year to the 17.18 and 19. days of April next following whereof according to the Customs and Rules of our most Noble Order of the Garter you have had notice and summons for your attendance upon those days from our Chancellor notwithstanding we are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do dispence therewith and pardon and remit any default you may thereby inincur and do give you license to be absent at those days from the said Feast for this prâ—sent year observing in your own House the Solemnities appointed by the Canons of the Order any Statute or Article thereof to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Signet of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the 24. day of February in the 12. year of our Reign NUM CLXVIII A Warrant for a Privy Seal to pay Garter for Scutcheons used on Saint George's day Ex Autogr. pen. Iohan. Vincent gen TRusty and well-beloved We greet you well and will and command you that under our Privy Seal being in your Custody ye cause our Letters to be made forth unto the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer in form following We will and command you that unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Garter Principal King of Arms ye pay or cause to be paid in ready money upon the sight hereof without delay the sum of 6 l. 1 s. 8 d. for 23 Scutcheons by him provided for the Knights of our Order on Saint George's day last in the first and second years of our Reign whereof 4. for Princes at 6 s. 8 d. the piece and the rest at 5 s. the piece and also that ye content and pay more unto the said Garter the sum of 6 l. 11 s. 8 d. for 25. Scutcheons by him provided and set up at our Mannor of St. James in the second and third years of our Reign for the furniture of the Stalls in our said Chappel at the rate aforesaid and these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge NUM CLXIX A Privy Seal to pay Garter 7 l. per annum for Scutcheons of Arms set up on St. George's Eve Collect. W. le N. Cl. ELizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer greeting We will and command you forthwith upon the sight hereof of such our Treasure as remaineth in your Custody you content and pay or cause to be contented and paid to our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter principal King of Arms the sum of 21 l. for Scutcheons of Arms of the Knights of our Order set up in our Chappel within our Palace of Westminster as wel on St. George's Even in the year of our Lord God 1579. as on St. George's Even in the year of our Lord God 1580. and also on St. George's Even last past and also henceforth during his life to allow him yearly 7 l. to be paid on St. George's day accordingly And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in that behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Mannor of Greenwich the 7. day of July in the 23. year of our Reign NUM CLXX Another Ex Autogr. penes Wil. Knight CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer and Under-Treasurer of our Exchequer for the time being and that hereafter shall be Greeting Whereas our late dear Father King James of happy memory deceased by Warrant under his Privy Seal bearing date the second day of July in the sixth year of his Reign of England c. did give order for the payment unto William Seagar alias Garter Knight now principal King of Arms and to any other principal King of Arms for the time being upon every Saint George Even of the sum of seven pounds for Escotcheons of Arms of the Knights of the Order of the Garter to be set up in the Chappel at Whitehall or any other place where the said Feast should happen to be solemnized on every St. George's Even and Day as by the said Warrant more at large appeareth We minding the continuance of the said yearly allowance do hereby will and command you to cause payment to be made out of such our Treasure as now is or hereafter shall be in the receipt of our said Exchequer of the said yearly allowance of seven pounds unto the said Sir William Seager alias Garter Knight now our principal King of Arms and to any other our principal King of Arms for the time being upon every St. George's Even for the Scutchions of Arms of the Knights of our Order of the Garter to be by him or them set up in our Chappel at Whitehall or any other place where the said Feast shall happen to be solemnized every St. George's Even and day And to continue the payment thereof yearly until you shall receive other directions from us to the contrary The first payment thereof to begin
such to those who were Vassals to another the bestowing thereof was accounted illegal and they that took upon them to give it were liable to censure because by this action they took anothers Villain or Bondman from him which was a manifest wrong and ought not to be done As in the case of the two Sons of Philip de Bourbon one whereof was Knighted by the Earl of Flanders the other by the Earl of Nevers Whereupon by an Order dated on All-Saints day Anno Domini 1279. and another at Whitsontide following both the said Earls were fined and the two Brethren condemned to pay one thousand pounds apiece though by the Kings grace and favour they kept their Knighthoods And to shew that this Law was elsewhere observed more strictly and the breach thereof liable to more severe sentences those among the Aragonians that descended from Knights in a direct line by the Fathers side which were called Infançones and accounted Gentlemen whether legitimate or illegitimate were capable of being Knights and no other So that if one not an Infançon were promoted to Knighthood by a Rico Hombre which seems to be a higher Degree of Nobility both the Rico Hombre was to lose the Honor he had and the person whom he pretended to promote remained still a Villain or Plebeian But it was otherwise where a Nobleman Knighted his own Vassal as in the case reported by Philip de Beau-manoir in his Customary of the Year 1283. where the Son of a Gentleman and a Woman-Servant was Knighted by him whose Servant the Woman was and his condition being afterwards discovered the Nobleman would have challenged him for his Slave but in regard his Knightly Dignity had vindicated him from servitude and vassallage though his Lord was deceived in conferring the Honor he was adjudged to remain free and a Knight which he could not have done if any other but his Lord had Knighted him for which this reason is there given because no other person had sufficient power to infranchise him The third and last of those Qualifications which we have thought fit to take notice of here is that of Estate or Wealth which serves to support the Dignity of Knighthood for we find that in all Times and Countries when men were grown wealthy they thereby as by Merit or Birth became capable of Honors Thus Wealth was so much regarded among the Chalcedonians as Herodotus tells us that those who were rich bore the name of Knights It was Estate that intitled a man to this Honor among the Romans for the Censor as hath been before observed out of Livy might compel any Citizen who had an Estate equal to the Equestrian Cense to enter into the Equestrian Order and this old Roman Cense consisted of 400000 Sesterces which according to our learned Seldens computation amounts to 3025. l. of our Money And as anciently in old Rome so not long after the Conquest here in England as Cambden observes were Knights dignified for their wealth and state of living For they who had a Knights Fee to wit saith he six hundred and fourscore Acres of Land might claim as their right the Ornaments and Badges of Knighthood But by the way it appears from Mr. Selden that not any certain number or extent of Acres made a Knights Fee and by several Writs directed to the Shâ—riffs of all Counties in England to make Proclamation for receiving the Honor of Knighthood in the Reigns of Hen. 3. Ed. 1. as also by the Act de Militibus anno 1. Ed. 2. it appears that the Census Militis or valuation of the Estate of a Knight was measured by Twenty Pounds Land by the year and sometimes more and this was counted the most reasonable way of Estimation because one Acre might be more or less in value thâ—n another And the Parallel yet held as to the matter of enforcement and compulsion to take this Honor for by an ancient Prerogative several of our Kings have at their pleasures compell'd such persons who held a whole Knights Fee or so much Land whose annual value as aforesaid answered thereto to take this Dignity upon them and to that purpose sent forth their Mandates in Writs directed to the Sheriffs of each County to make Proclamation That all those within their several Bailiwicks who were of full age and had one whole Knights Fee and were not Knighted should appear before the King on a certain day in the Writ set down ready fitted and prepared to receive the Honor of Knighthood Sometimes these Writs included both such as were possest of Lands worth Twenty pounds per annum and such as held a whole Knights Fee valued at that annual sum but the yearly value set by the King was not always certain for sometimes we find it to be fifteen pounds then twenty pounds at other times thirty pounds then forty pounds and sometimes fifty pounds Anno 40. Hen. 3. The Sheriffs in England were amerced because they had not distrained all those who had such Estates in Land as the Law limited to take the Order of Knighthood or otherwise to pay their Fines and we observe the Command in the Kings Writ to be now and then accompanied with much severity in case the Sheriff should be negligent in the discharge of his duty or connive with any for lucre of a Bribe as appears in that directed to the Sheriff of Northamptonshire the words whereof are Rex Vicecom Northt salutem Praecipimus tibi quod sicut teipsum omnia tua diligis omnes illos in Rallivatua qui habeant viginti libratas terrae distringas quod se Milites faciendos citra Nativitatem Sancti Iohannis Baptistae proximè futur Sciturus pro certo quod si pro munere vel aliqua occasione aliquam relaxationem eis feceris vel aliquem respectum dederis Nos ita graviter ad te capiemus quod omnibus diebus vitae tuae te senties esse gravatum T. R. apud Wyndesor decimo quarto die Aprilis Where upon appearance after such Proclamation a reasonable or lawful excuse hath been alledged as old age irrecoverable weakness loss of Limbs being in holy Orders or the like whereby the Body was wholly disabled to perform personal service there the allegations have been admitted by the King the persons acquitted and by Letters Patents exempted from taking this Military Order during life But there were many other causes and reasons which usually obtained a suspension for some certain time besides those set down in the Act of Parliament Anno 1. E. 2. as where a man was at present greatly indebted or bound to attend some necessary employment as a Serjeant at Law in the Common Pleas Court for which nevertheless the party suing for such favour paid a Fine and therefore in some Writs we have seen a clause added to give
a Chapter of this Order in Madrid the 16. of April anno 1600. which ended the 30. of November following In which it was ordained that the Book Intituled La Regla y Establecimientos de la Cavalleriae de Santiago del Espadae c. should be printed This Book contains the Institutions whereby the Knights of the Order are to be governed together with all the Statutes Laws Rules and Ceremonies appertaining thereunto and now in use and at this Chapter many of the former Laws were abolished others amended and some new added The Order of Knights of St. Saviour in Aragon 15. About the year of our Lord 1118. was this Order erected by Don Alphonso called Emperor of Spain King of Navarr Aragon Leon Castile and Toledo who chose out of those Spanish and French Nobility that assisted him in his Wars against the Moors a certain number whereof he formed this Society and to the end he might be the better enabled to drive the Moors out of Saragosa and the whole Territory of Aragon he engaged them by this Honor to pursue the War against them to the utmost of their power Favin seems to place the Institution of this Order to the year 1120. but that was the year of King Alphonso's great Expedition against the Moors whom he vanquished and destroyed and for which Victory he had the Title of Conqueror given to him besides these Knights were Instituted upon design to engage with this King in that War of whose assistance he had not so great need as to give Institution to them if he had before overcome the Moors Some may possibly take this Order to be rather Military than Religious but if it be considered that these Knights succeeded the Templars in Montreall being by King Alphonso established in that place and had a Rule of living somewhat conformable to the Knights Templars save only the priviledge to marry which Rule Io. Mariana a Spanish Author of very great credit saith expresly was the Cistertian and for that Ios. Mich. Marquez another Spanish Writer informs 〈◊〉 that they profest conjugal Chastity and Obedience and were obliged to support the holy Church and Christian Faith against the Moors we need not scruple to place them in the ranks of Religious Knights Their Habit was a White Mantle on the breast whereof they wore a Red Cross Ancree but A. Mendo saith it was the Figure of our Saviour At length the like Fate attended this Order as did the Knights of St. Iames Alcantara and Calatrava for the Moors being driven out of Spain and the chief end for which they were instituted ceasing their rich Commanderies were at length united to the Crown The Order of Knights d'Avis in Portugal 16. Don Alphonso Henriquez first King of Portugal took from the Moors in the year of our Lord 1147. the City of Evora and to strengthen this Garrison he sent thither several gallant Commanders who assumed the Title of Knights of St. Mary of Evora as well from putting themselves under the protection of our blessed Lady as from the place where they were first seated Their first Great Master was Don Fernando de Monteiro Not long after they came to be called Knights d' Avis from a Castle of that name situate on the Frontires of Portugal which being conquered from the Moors by the said King Don Alphonso he gave it to Fernando de Yannes Master of Evora in the year 1161. but Fr. de Rades saith it was 1181. to which Castle he and his Brethren forthwith transplanted themselves from Evora This Order was confirmed by Pope Innocent the Third anno 1204. in the Reign of Sancho the First Son to King Don Alphonso under the Rule of St. Benedict and therefore in some Papal Bulls the Order is called of St. Benedict d' Avis but others say this Order had confirmation anno Dom. 1162. by a power which the Bishop of Hostia Legat in Spain for Pope Alexander the Third gave to Io. Zerita Abbot of St. Io. Tarroca The Knights profess Conjugal Chastity and Obedience In the year of Christ 1213. Don Rodrigo Garcez de Assa then seventh Master of Calatrava gave to the Great Master and Brethren Knights d' Avis their two Fortresses in Evora and some other lands possessed by them in the Kingdom of Portugal upon which Donation they submitted themselves to the Rule Statutes Visitation and Correction of the Order of Calatrava and their Successors but in the time of Don Iohn of Portugal natural Son of Pedro the Eighth King of Portugal seventh Great Master d' Avis after he had gained the Victory of Aljubarrato against Don Iohn the First of Castile he commanded this Order to cast off their acknowledgments to that of Calatrava which they thereupon did and afterwards refused to receive Don Gonsalo Nunez de Guzman Master of Calatrava who went to visit them Hereupon the Order of Calatrava complained to the Council of Basil who decreed that this Order d' Avis should continue subject to that of Calatrava and receive their Visits and Reformation to which purpose a Bull issued which yet remains preserved in the Archives of Calatrava but the Portugueses never submitted to it albeit those of Calatrava to preserve their preheminence have still nominated Visitors Nay afterwards when that Crown fell into the hands of Philip the Second King of Spain this Order d' Avis did nevertheless remain governed according to the Statutes of Portugal nor did the Council of the other three Orders of Castile take upon them to proceed in any Cause where this Order was concern'd The Badge of this Order is a Green Cross Flory such as the Knights of Alcantara wear and said to be given them by Don Pedro but before they used the like Cross with those of the Order of Calatrava two Birds being added at the foot thereof in allusion to the later name given to this Order as appears from the ancient Seal The Royal Council of Portugal make examination of the Extraction of such as are to be admitted into this Order that is of the Fathers and Grand-fathers Gentility both of the Fathers and Mothers side The manner of giving the Habit and making profession is agreeable to that of the Knights of Calatrava The Order of Knights of the Wing of St. Michael in Portugal 17. Don Alphonso Henriquez King of Portugal in whose Reign the Order d' Avi◠was instituted being very much opprest by Albara the Moor King of Sevil raised an Army to free his Country and being ready to give Battel he commanded all his Soldiers in a devout manner to address themselves to their particular Saints for the obtaining of good success himself imploring St. Michael the Archangel to whom he was greatly devoted When the Battels were joined St. Michael the Archangel appeared on the Kings right side and fought against the Moors
to Pope Iohn the 22. to give him his reasons why he did not These the Pope considering of as also that the Moors were very neer to Aragon gave way that these Revenues of the exauterated Templars should be applied to the Convent of Montesa where had been placed both Knights and Friars of the Order of Calatrava Hereupon this King in the year of our Lord 1317. Instituted this Order in the City of Valentia nevertheless subject to that of Calatrava as a member thereof and made choice of the Town of Montesa to give the Knights both name and habitation whom he obliged to defend his Kingdoms against the incursions of the Moors Their Colledge dedicated to the honor of St. George was built in the following year by the Pope at Montesa at the instance of King Iames Culielmus de Eril a valiant Soldier being constituted the first Master in the Convent of St Mary and St. George The Statutes of the Order almost the same with those of Calatrava were confirmed by the said Pope Iohn who gave to these Knights thâ— Cistertian Rule They vowed conjugal Chastity and the manner of their Investiture is as in the Order of Calatrava Their Habit is White and the Badge of the Order a plain Red Cross that is the Cross of St. George Patron of the Kingdoms of Navarr and Aragon This Cross was worn upon the breast by a priviledge granted to the Knights from Pope Benedict the Thirteenth To this Order of Montesa was incorporated that of St. George d' Alfama anno Dom. 1399. which union received confirmation from the Council of Constance A Catalogue of the Masters are recorded by Io. Micheli which great Office continues to this time in the King of Spain so doth the Revenue of thirteen Commanderies belonging thereunto amounting to 23000 Duckets per annum The Order of Knights of Christ in Portugal 31. As the Knights of Montesa sprung from the ruine of the Knights Templars in Valentia so did this Order of Christ or of the Warfare of Christ succeed them in the Kingdom of Portugal For the Knights Templars having been very serviceable to the Kings of Portugal in their Wars against the Moors the Kings gave unto them divers Lands and Revenues which when their Order came to be dissolved and their Estates confiscate King Don Denys surnamed Perioca sent to Pope Iohn the 22. then at Avignion to desire that the Knights Templars Lands might not be disposed of out of his Kingdom which though he did not readily grant yet he gave way for the King to render him â—he reasons of his request Hereupon King Denys sent his Embassadors to the Pope in the year 1316. not only to back his desire but withal to declare to his Holiness the great vexations and evils the neighbouring Moors in Algarves did to his Kingdom And forasmuch as the Town of Castro Marin was a Frontler of the Enemy and the site thereof very commodious for the building of a Fort to resist them he farther moved the Pope for Licence that an Order of Knights might be Instituted in that Town and withal offered to him the Rents and Jurisdiction thereof and all Dominion over it This request being thought just and the remedy so necessary the Pope did afterwards namely in the year of our Lord 1319. give Foundation to this new Order dedicating it to the honor of God and the exaltation of the Catholick Faith under the Title of the Military Order of our Lord Iesus Christ because of the miraculous apparition which this King had seen of Christ crucified when he went out to fight against the Moors He further commanded that the Knights of this Order should observe the same Rule with those of the Order of Calatrava which was Cistertian and enjoy the same Pâ—iviledges and Indulgences formerly granted to their Great Master and Knights In which respect he nominated Don Gil. Martinez for their first Master because he was a Knight profest and Master of the Order of St. Benedict d' Avis and appointed for their Visitor the Abbot of Alcobaza of the Cistertian Order This Abbot or his Lieutenant in succession was impowred to receive of the Master of this Order in the name of the Pope and Church of Rome the Oath of fidelity it being directed to be taken in the presence of the Kings of Portugal before he should enter upon the administration of his Mastership and the King was obliged to receive this Oath within ten days after the Master should tender it to him and in case the King did not in that time receive it from the Master then he might take on him the administration of his Office without it and further that each Knight before his admittance should take the same Oath of Fidelity before the Master of this Order All the Goods and Possessions formerly belonging to the Knights Templars within the Kingdom of Portugal were hereupon granted unto this Order and the Knights thereof particularly obliged to make War against the Moors in Baetica next neighbour to Portugal They had appointed to them for their chief Seat Castro Marin where their first Convent was erected but afterwards it was removed into the City of Tomar They went clothed in Black wearing upon their breasts a Cross Patâ—e of Red Silk and upon that another of White This Order as that d'Avis became at length annexed to the Crown of Portugal whose Kings have ever since taken upon them the title of perpetual Administrators of both The Order of Knights of the Passion of Jesus Christ. 32. Some years after the Institution of the precedent Order and towards the latter end of the thirteenth Century there was erected a religious Order of Knighthood by Charles King of France and our King Richard the Second which bore the Title of the Order of the Passion of Iesus Christ. And though we do not find any further progress thereof after it had received its Foundation yet considering the grounds whereon it was instituted and the nobleness and largeness of the design exceeding all other Religious Orders of Knighthood except those of the Knights of St. Iohn of Ierusalem and Knights Templars as also because one of our English Kings was a Co-founder thereof we conceived it worthy our pains to make an extract particularly relating to the causes why it was erected the frame of its Constitution its principal Structures and the Habit and Ensigns thereof out of an old French Manuscript written by Philip de Maisiere Chancellor of Cyprus wherein it is thus prefaced Forasmuch as by reason of the three deadly sins which began to reign among the Christians namely Pride Covetousness and Luxury God permitted the Saracens Enemies of the Faith to overcome Ierusalem and the Holy Land to the shame and disgrace of Christendom therefore to renew the memory of the Passion of Christ thereby to extirpate those deadly sins and to make
appointed for their Governor And lastly to cause a Sermon to be made at Windesor every Sunday throughout the year King Edward the Sixth in performance of this Will the 7. of October in the first year of his Reign did setle several Lands upon the Colledge which we shall mention by and by immediately after which the Dean and Canons were put in possession thereof and received the Rents but 600 l. per annum of these Rents were by them paid back at the appointment of the then Lord Treasurer to be imployed in building of Houses for the Alms-Knights intended to be setled as King Henry the Eighth designed But it seems this work was not begun till the last of February anno 3. 4. Ph. Mar. and finished the 25. of Sept. anno 5. 6. of the same King and Queen the charge whereof came to 2747 l. 7 s. 6 d. These Houses are situate in the South side of the lower Ward of the Castle and contain thirteen Rooms besides a Hall a Kitchin and Pastry The Stone for building was brought from Redding the Timber from several places in the Forest and the Lead and Apparels for Chimnies from Suffolk-place in Southwark At a Chapter of the Order of the Garter held the first of Iune anno 4. 5. Ph. Mar. these Houses being then neer finished debate was had about placing some Alms-Knights therein if possible by Michaelmas following whereupon it was Ordered That the Marquess of Winchester Lord Treasurer should assign Lands for their maintenance that not any thing might be wanting to finish so pious a work And towards the completing of all the Queen had nominated nine of the thirteen designed Alms-Knights namely Iames Crane Michael Whiting Silvester Clessop Hugh Iohans Robert Case Iohn Brigby George Fothergill George Thackwell and William Berd but she fell sick of a Fever in August following and so a stop was put to this business But now in the third place to come to the Establishment which these Alms-Knights obtained and under which to this present they continue Queen Elizabeth immediately after her coming to the Crown confirmed her Sisters Grants to the said nine Alms-Knights and associated unto them Thomas Kemp William Barret William Cowper and Iohn Acton to make up the full number of thirteen ordained by King Henry the Eighth Afterwards viz. 30. Aug. anno primo Eliz. the Queen minding the continuance of the Foundation erected by King Edward the Third and as neer as might be the performance of the intent of her Progenitors and advancement of the most noble Order of the Garter and especially of the knowledge given her of the last mind and Will of her Father King Henry the Eighth to make a special Foundation and continuance of thirteen poor men decayed in Wars and such like service of the Realm to be called Thirteen Knights of Windesor and kept there in succession And having also set forth and expressed certain Orders and Rules for their better Government and declared how and in what manner the profits of certain Lands of the yearly value of 600 l. given and assigned by her Father to the Dean and Canons and their Successors should be imployed for the maintenance of these Poor-Knights and otherwise according to his mind and will she lastly declared her pleasure That the Dean and Canons and their Successors should for ever cause the said Orders and Rules to be observed and kept which are these that follow 1. First We do establish 13 Poor-Knights whereof one to be Governor of all the residue by such Order as followeth The same 13 to be taken of Gentlemen brought to necessity such as have spent their times in the service of the Wars Garrisons or other service of the Prince having but little or nothing whereupon to live to be continually chosen by Vs and our Heirs and Successors 2. Item We Ordain that the Governor and Knights shall be chosen of men unmarried and shall continue except in special case where it shall please Vs the Soveraign and the Heirs and Successors of Vs the Soveraign Kings of this Realm to dispense with any person to the contrary Provided nevertheless if any of them will marry he may so do losing his place at the day of his Marriage 3. Item We Ordain that no man desamed and convicted of Heresie Treason Fellony or any notable Crime shall be admitted to any Room of the said 13 Knights and if any so admitted be afterwards convicted of any such Crime he shall be expelled out of that company and lose his Room 4. Item The same 13 Knights to have yearly for their Liveries each of them one Gown of 4 yards of the colour of Red and a Mantle of Blue or Purple Cloth of five yards at six shillings eight pence the yard 5. Item The Cross of St. George in a Scutcheon embroidered without the Garter to be set upon the left shoulder of their Mantles 6. Item The charges of the Cloth and of the Lyning making and embroidering to be paid by the Dean and Chapter out of the Revenue of that foundation and endowment given for that and other causes 7. Item The said 13 Knights to come together before Noon and afternoon daily at all the Divine Service said within the Colledge in their ordinary Apparel and to continue to the end of the same service without a reasonable lett to be allowed by the Governor 8. Item The said 13 Knights shall keep their Lodgings appointed unto them and their Table together in their common Hall appointed and to have their provisions made by their common Purse except for any reasonable cause any of them be licensed to the contrary by the Dean or his Deputy and that License to endure not above 20 days in no year except it be for sickness only 9. Item The said 13 Knights shall not haunt the Town the Ale-houses the Taverns nor call any Woman into their Lodgings without it be upon a reasonable cause and that with the License of the Dean or his Deputy 10. And further We will that 12 of the said Knights shall be obedient to the thirteenth appointed for the Governor and all 13 shall be obedient to the Dean and Chapter in the observation of these Statutes for the good Order of themselves 11. Item The said 13 Knights shall be placed within the Church where the Dean and Canons shall think best to hear the Divine Service together where they shall least trouble the Ministers of the Church 12. Item They shall be present at the Service to be done quarterly for the memory of the Patrons and Founders of the said Colledge and specially of our said deaer Father and Us and have for every of them at each time 20 d. and the Governor 2 s. The said Service shall be used at the four quarters of the Year every Sunday next before the Quarter-day That is to say the Sunday next before the Feast
nor give credit to any thing they receive from it And yet hath it so fallen out that many learned men for want of reflection have incautelously swallowed and run away with this vulgar error whereupon it hath come by degrees to the vogue it is now in Of the same spinning with the former is another Tradition and no less uncertain That the Queen being departed from King Edward's presence to her own Lodgings he following her soon after hapned to espy a Blue Garter lying on the ground thought to have slipt from her Leg as she went along whilst some of his Attendants passed by it as disdaining to stoop at such a trifle but he knowing the Owner commanded it to be taken up and given to him at the receipt whereof he said You make but small account of this Garter but within few Months I will cause the best of you all to reverence the like And some think that the Motto of the Garter was the Queens answer when the King asked her what men would conjecture of her upon losing her Garter in such a manner But both these Relations are remote from truth and of little credit nevertheless they give us opportunity to note here That it hath thus fared with other Orders of Soveraign Foundation and an Amorous instead of Honorable Account of their Institution hath by some been untruly rendred For instance that of the Annunciade Instituted some few years after this of the ennobled Garter concerning which though Andrew Favin hath given it an amorous original yet have we in the third Chapter from better authorities cleared his mistaken account thereof Nor hath it hapned otherwise with the Order of the Golden Fleece even that also hath met with the same fate and the Institution reported to have risen from an effeminate ground for it is said that its Founder entring one morning into the Chamber of a most beautiful Lady of Bruges generally esteemed his Mistress found upon her Toilet a Fleece of low Country Wooll whence some of his Followers taking occasion of sport as at a thing unusually seen in a Ladies Chamber he as is reported of King Edward the Third upon such another occasion vowed that such as made it the subject of their derision should never be honored with a Collar of the Order thereof which he intended to establish to express the love he bore that Lady There is a third opinion grounded on a Relation having an aspect to time before King Edward the Third's Institution which is reported of King Richard the First and is this that while his Forces were employed against Cyprus and Acon and extreamly tired out with the tediousness of the Siege He by the assistance and mediation of St. George as imagined was inspired with fresh courage and bethought himself of a new device which was to tye about the legs of a chosen number of Knights a Leathern Thong or Garter for such had he then at hand whereby being put in mind of the future glory that should accrue to them with assurance of worthy rewards if they overcame they might be ronzed up to the behaving themselves gallantly and stoutly in the Wars much after the manner of the ancient Romans among whom were various Crowns with which for several causes Soldiers were adorned to the end that by those encouragements all sluggishness being shaken off the virtue and fortitude of their minds might spring up and appear more resolute and vigorous It further continues in the same Preface That after a long interval of time and divers Victories obtained by him the said King returning into his Country determined with himself to institute and setle this most noble Order of St. George on whose patronage the English so much relied But admit this though we are to note it is only a Relation put down in the Preface of the Black Book but not any part of the Annals of the Order nor can it plead higher antiquity than the Reign of King Henry the Eighth because written a little after the time he reformed and explained the Statutes of the Garter all this we say admitted and that King Richard the First did make use of this devise in the Holy Land as a signal or distinction of a party going out upon some warlike exploit yet that he thence took occasion to frame a distinct Order of Knighthood afterwards there is not the least mention nor any ground to imagine So that all the advantage can be made of it is that as Doctor Heylin affirms we may warrantably be perswaded this occasion much heightned the reputation of that Saint among the English by which means in process of time the most heroick Order of the Garter came to be dedicated to him and not that it any way contributed to the Institution of it SECT II. The true Cause asserted THus far of the conjectures of others concerning the Institution of this most noble Order now come we to unfold the true occasion thereof We affirm then that King Edward the Third had no reflection either upon a Ladies Garter or King Richard's Leathern Thong when he first designed the Institution but that it did proceed from a much more noble cause to wit that this King being a person of a most absolute and accomplisht virtue gave himself up to a prudent management of Military Affairs and being ingaged in War for the recovery of his right to the Kingdom of France in the prosecution of which enterprise he had great use of the stoutest and most famous Martialists of that Age did thereupon first design as being invited thereto by its ancient same the restauration of King Arthur's Round Table which he exhibited with magnificent Hastiludes and general Justs to invite hither the gallant and active spirits from abroad and upon discovery of their courage and ability in the exercise of Arms to draw them to his party and oblige them to himself And conceiving no place more fit than Windesor upon Newyears-day anno 1344. he issued out his Royal Letters of Protection for the safe coming and return of Forreign Knights their Servants and what belonged to them that were desirous to try their valour at the solemn Justs by him appointed to be held there on Munday after the Feast of St. Hillary next following which that year happened on the 19. of Ianuary and these Letters of safe conduct continued in force until the Octaves of the Purification of our blessed Lady ensuing being in the 18. year of his Reign At the time appointed he provided a great Supper to begin the Solemnity and then Ordained that this Festival should be annually held there at Whitsontide and immediately after these first Martial Exercises were over to the end better accommodation might be provided for the Knights that should afterwards come thither he caused to be impress Carpenters Masons and Carriages for erecting a particular building in the Castle and therein placed a Table
of two hundred foot diameter where the Knights should have their entertainment of diet at his expence of 100 l. a week to which building he gave the name of the Round Table By this means he associated to himself from most parts beyond Seas the prime spirits for martial valour and gain'd the opportunity of ingaging them on his side in the ensuing War And as at these solemn conventions and great assemblies the days were spent in exercising all kind of noble feats of Arms Justs and Turnaments so were a great part of the nights consumed in publick Balls and dancing with the Ladies which attended the Queen thither and perhaps it was hence conjectur'd that at some of these Balls the Queen's Gartër or the Garter of Katherine Countess of Salisbury might slip off and that King Edward's stooping to take it up might beget smiles in the by-standers and afterwards when the King had modelled his intended Order a Garter appearing for its chief Ensign might add something to the conjecture But that any such accident became the principal cause of erecting the Order and that the Founder's particular design therein was to advance the honor of that Garter so accidentally taken up is only a groundless imagination and hath been already disproved And though King Edward so far advanced the honor of a Garter as that the Order did derive its title and denomination from it yet is it most evident that he founded this most famous Order not to give reputation to or perpetuate an esseminate occasion but to adorn Martial Virtue with Honors Rewards and Splendor to increase Virtue and Valour in the hearts of his Nobility or as Andrew du Chesne saith to honor military Virtue with some glorious favours and rewards that so true Nobility as is noted in the Preface to the Black Book of the Order after long and hazardous adventures should not enviously be deprived of that honor which it hath really deserved and that active and hardy Youth might not want a spur in the profession of Virtue which is to be esteemed glorious and eternal Upon these grounds no doubt does our learned Selden affirm that this Order was raised chiefly out of the Round Table of that time the Knights thereof being the flower of that Age as out of a Seminary It is further observable from the current of the Histories of those times that the French King Philip de Valoys in emulation of these martial associations at Windesor practised the like at his Court in France for he set up a Round Table and invited the Knights and valiant men of Arms out of Italy and Almaine thither lest they should repair to our King Edward the Third Which meeting with success proved a Countermine to King Edward's main design who thereby finding that his entertainment of Stranger Knights upon the account of reviving King Arthur's Round Table was too general nor did sufficiently oblige them to him but being free and at liberty did after their departure take what side they pleased in the following Wars he at length resolved upon a design more particular and select and such as might oblige and tie those whom he thought fit to make his Associates in a firm Bond of Friendship and Honor. And having given forth his own Garter for the signal of a Battel that sped fortunately which with du Chesne we conceive to be that of Crescy fought almost three years after his seting up the Round Table at Windesor rather than with the Author of the Nouveau Theatre de Monde that of Poicters which hapned above seven years after the Foundation of the Order and whereat King Edward was not present the Victory we say being happily gained he thence took occasion to Institute this Order and gave the Garter assumed by him for the Symbol of Vnity and Society preheminence among the Ensigns of it whence that select number whom he incorporated into a Fraternity are frequently stiled Equites Aureae Periscelidis and vulgarly Knights of the Garter By this Symbol he design'd to bind the Knights or Fellows of it severally unto one another and all of them joyntly to Himself as Soveraign of the Order And accordingly saith an industrious Historian this did not only serve as a vehement incentive to Honor and martial Virtue but also a golden Bond of unity and internal society it being most just that those whom equal virtue and fortitude of mind had joined together no Fortune should separate or estrange by occasion of any accident or difference Whereunto may be added this further consideration how neerly the Princely Garter which ennobleth the Order as it is framed with a Buckle to fasten it close to the Leg doth resemble the Bond of most inward Society and can be called nothing more aptly than a Badge of Vnity and Concord By this Garter the Knights-Companions are admonished religiously sincerely friendly faithfully and dextrously to go through whatsoever they undertake but not to undertake or attempt any thing contrary to the Oath and Statutes of the Order neither to frustrate the rights of peace and friendship vilisie the Law of Arms or to proceed in any thing further than Faith or Compact or the Bond of Friendship will admit And much to this purpose they who will take the pains to read the Catechismus Ordinis Equitum Pericelidis Anglicanae will find the Author F. Mondonus Symbolically to descant upon the chief Ensigns of the Order Moreover Salmuthus out of Stephanus Frocatulus notes that in the binding of the Leg with this enobled Ensign there was given this honorable Caveat and Exhortation That the Knights should not cowardly by running away from Battel betray the valour and renown which is ingrafted in Constancy and Magnanimity Nay so exactly did the Founder sute the whole Habit unto the signification of this Princely Ensign that he Ordained His and the Knight-Companions Robes and Ornaments to be all alike both for materials and fashion thereby intimating That they ought to conserve brotherly love among themselves And lest at any time there should fall out the least breach of Amity the great Collar of the Order ordained to be of equal weight and composed of a like number of small Links and Knots was so made in witness of the like Bond of Faith Peace and Amity strictly to be observed among them In fine all things relating to the Order were so designed and appointed That every one might plainly perceive how much these things tended to the maintaining of Amity and Concord In further reference to the Institution and perpetual establishment of this Order the foresaid King calling together the Earls Barons and principal Knights of his Kingdom freely and obligingly declared his mind to them concerning this Affair To which all of them being well inclined entertained the motion with equal joy and applause considering it would prove a
very great advancement to Piety Nobility and Virtue and likewise an excellent expedient for the uniting not only his Natives one with another but all Forreigners with them in the Bonds of Amity and Peace And 't is very improbable that this prudent Founder should summon his Nobles solemnly to consult about so high and noble an advancement of an Order had it taken its first rise from so slight an occasion as the accidental dropping of a Garter from a Ladies Leg. On the contrary it is manifest from Froissart that the declaration which the King made to them of his intention and design when they were assembled appeared a matter very honorable and as hath been alledged such as contributed to the improvement of Love and Amity among themselves which we see this Historian assigns to be the only cause why they joyfully consented to his proposal Now to make the Bond and Tye of Love and Friendship yet more close and obliging the King caused those who were or should be of the Order to be called Fellows Associates Colleagues Brethren and Knights-Companions and the Order it self a Society Fellowship Colledge of Knights and Knight-Companionship and their Habit and Ornaments to be all alike as to Fashion and Materials and to no other end but to represent how they ought to be united in all chances of Fortune Copartners both in Peace and War assistant to one another in all serious and dangerous transactions and through the whole course of their lives faithful and friendly one towards another But besides these Authorities we have met with some other testimonies much to the same effect namely that this most noble Order of the Garter was first instituted to fortifie the confidence of the King the Kingdom and Martial Virtue that is to say to strengthen the faith of the subjects towards them and for their greater security The French Orator who made the Harangue at the investiture of Henry Prince of Orange seems to account the denomination of this Order by the stile of the Garter to be very significant and only for this reason because it carries with it a Bond or Tye of Fellowship and a Symbol of Amity and Friendship between Princes being Companions of the same Order In the last place if we look back upon the Statutes of Institution as also those that have succeeded we shall find the Injunctions wholly Military and so are the words of Admonition appointed to be pronounced at the putting on the Ensigns of the Order and the ground of the Institution in the Preamble to King Henry the Eighth's Exemplar is said to be For the honor of God and exaltation of the Catholick Faith joined both with Piety and Charity in establishing a Colledge of religious men to pray for the prosperity of the Soveraign of the Order and the Knights-Companions and to perform other holy duties as also Ordaining sustentation for a company of Alms-Knights who have not otherwise wherewith to live But not one word relating to any obligation or ingagement on behalf of the Feminine Sex And whereas King Edward the Third had set on foot a Title to the Kingdom of France and in right thereof assumed its Arms he from the Colour of them caused the Garter of the Order to be made Blue and the circumscription Gold And it may without any straining be inferr'd from the Motto honi soit qui mal y pense that he retorted shame and defiance upon him that should dare to think ill of so just an enterprise as he had undertaken for the recovery of his lawful right to that Crown and that the magnanimity of those Knights whom he had chosen into this Order was such as would inable them to maintain that Quarrel against all who durst think ill of it Consonant to this is the conjecture of Harpsfield that this Apothegme was designed to put the Knights-Companions in mind not to admit any thing in the actions of their lives or among their thoughts unbeseeming themselves and their honor And here we have a sitting opportunity to inform our Reader that the Age we speak of did exceedingly abound with Impreses Motto's and Devises of which the Rolls of the great Wardrobe will afford variety and particularly that King Edward the Third upon almost every occasion was much inclined thereto so far as that his Apparel Plate Beds Houshold-furniture shields even the very Harness of his Horses and the like were not without them many of which for any man now to descant upon would be an endless and fruitless attempt seeing the occasion of their invention and the circumstances thereupon depending are irrecoverably lost Add to which that others by reason of their brevity seem insignificant in regard it is to be imagined that something was purposely omitted and left to be understood which cannot now be rightly supplied so as to arrive at the mind of the Inventor Of this number may well be this Motto It is as it is being embroidered upon a Dublet made for the King of white Linen Cloth having about the sleeves and skirt a border of green Cloth wrought over with golden Clouds and Vines But there are others which seem more easie to be understood as is that daring and inviting Motto of this King wrought upon his Surcoat and Shield provided to be used at a Turnament Hay bay the wythe Swan By Gods Soul I am thy man We further observe that although David Brus King of Scotland was a Prisoner in the Tower of London yet such was the nobleness of this King that he sometimes permitted him the use and exercise of Arms for against a Hastilude kept at Windesor he had a Harness made of Blue Velvet at King Edward's charge whereon was embroidered a Pale of Red Velvet and beneath a White Rose And that it was the custom then to have the Arms of a Knight set upon his Horse-Harness to distinguish him from others appears by those eight Harnesses which the King gave and were among the preparations made for the Hastilude appointed at Canterbury anno 22. Ed. 3. of Indian Silk beaten with the Arms of Sir Stephen Cosyngton Knight of the Prince of the Earls of Lancaster and Suffolk of Sir Iohn Grey Sir Iohn de Beauchamp Sir Robert Maule Sir Iohn Chandos and Sir Roger de Beauchamp four of these Martialists being shortly after chosen among the first Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order of the Garter SECT III. The Time when the Order was Instituted IN what year of the Reign of King Edward the Third the Order of the Garter received Institution cannot certainly be deduced from our Historians for the difference among them in this point is very wide Our most learned Selden would have it to be in the 18. year of the Founder's Reign and relies chiefly upon the authority of Sir Iohn Froissart who lived neer that time for he wrote his History in
obtaining a Ring one of the Symbols of the Equestrian Order with them Whence have been wisely found out those three Degrees of Gentility Beginning Encrease and full Ripeness for Gentility hath its beginning in the Grandfather its encrease in the Father and full ripeness in the Son and therefore in the constitution of Gentility the Father and Grandfather bringing renown and reputation to the Son by same and estimation of life and actions are at least required to make it perfect and compleat because it cannot naturally and congruously grow to ripeness in the Son unless it hath formerly encreased in the Father and long before begun from the Grandfather As to this particular there is a memorable instance in that of the Lord William Pagit devested of the Garter about five years after his â—lection upon pretence of his not being a Gentleman of Blood by either Father or Mother But it is also observable in the Blue Book that this severity towards him proceeded not altogether from defect in point of Extraction but most from the prevalence and practice of Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland by whose means he was most unjustly and undeservedly put out of the Order haply grudging the great honor he had formerly done the said Lord when being Earl Marshal of England his good advice and character of him procured from King Edward the Sixth a new Grant of those Arms under the Great Seal of England which he had sometime before received from Garter Principal King of Arms. But admit the defect of Blood and Arms for three descents were the true cause of his deprivation of the Garter yet what follows is mis-related by Sir Io. Howard as also by Iohn Stow to wit that the George and Garter were forthwith bestowed upon the Earl of Warwick eldest Son to the Duke of Northumberland who out of curtesie was so called as a commonly Dukes Sons in the life time of their Fathers are entituled of some Earldom whereof their Fathers have the honor but more truly had he said they were bestowed upon Sir Andrew Dudley Brother to the said Duke For although we find the said Earl of Warwick put in the Scruteny entred among the Annals of the Order of Edward the Sixth's Reign and taken at a Chapter held on St. George's day an 6. Ed. 6. the Lord Pagit being degraded in a Chapter held on the Eve of the said Feast yet was not the Earl Elected at that or any other time nor was any other person then chosen who had the honor to be inserted into that Scruteny except the Earl of Westmerland and the said Sir Andrew Dudley But to return the Ensigns of this most Noble Order were not with more disgrace taken from than with honor restored to the Lord Pagit assoon as Queen Mary came to the Crown and that by as great and absolute authority as did deprive him of them namely by Decree in Chapter holden at St. Iames's the 27. of September an 1. Mar. so that this Honor might be said to have been rather wrongfully suspended than justly lost For in confirmation of this Lords restauration he had the Garter forthwith buckled on his Leg again by two of the Knights-Companions present and the Collar of the Order put about his shoulders with the George depending thereat And a command then also given Garter to take care that his Atchievements should be again publickly set up over his Stall at Windesor being the same he before possest viz. the 9. on the Soveraign's side In this case of the Lord Pagit we observe that the very Records of the Order brand his degradation of injustice upon the foresaid pretence as if it were inferable thence that when Honor is conferr'd upon the score of Virtue and great Endownments the consideration of these supplies the defect and obscurity of Extraction Whence it came that the then Soveraign whose prerogative it was to declare and interpret the Statutes being at that time present in Chapter thought fit to qualifie the Law and gave him this honorable commendation That he had highly deserved of the Nation by his Prudence and Counsel And though the Exemplar entred in the Black Book hath the qualification of Virtue and good Report inserted only into it yet we observe the same in effect and practice considered in foregoing times with great circumspection by the Soveraigns and their Lieutenants before Election and that the Magnanimity Fortitude Prudence Generosity Fame Reputation and other Virtues and Merits whether innate or acquired of the Person proposed to Election have been by their prudent Inquisition looked into deliberately weighed and brought to the Rule for tryal as to their fitness and capacity of the honor of this most Noble Order These and such like Qualities we see King Henry the Fifth took into his consideration at an Election in the 9. year of his Reign and for which he preferr'd before others then Nominated and presented unto him Iohn Earl Marshal William Earl of Suffolk Iohn Lord Clifford Sir Lewis Robertsack and Sir Heer tanke Clux In like manner did Humfrey Duke of Gloucester Deputy to King Henry the Sixth in the second year of his Reign weigh and examine diligently with himself the Fortitude and Prudence with other the illustrious Actions and deserts of Iohn Lord Talbot before his Election and thereunto gave an approbation worthy his own judgment and not less than that noble Candidates virtue merited It is further remembred in the Annals of this Order that for these and such like noble and heroick Qualifications persons in after times were likewise preferr'd in Election before others And particularly we observe it taken notice of an 28. H. 8. upon the Election of Sir Nicholas Carew That he was a very fit person upon the eminency of his Extraction and Fame and the many worthy and noble Actions he had performed so as that all present did without any delay unanimously approve of his Election Of like nature those Commendations given to Henry Earl of Cumberland upon his Election wherein also particular services are taken notice of viz. the many famous and loyal Atchievements performed by him both at several other times and then more especially when the tumult of Rebellion began to break forth in those Borders where he had his habitation The second Point is That unless he be a Knight he is not qualified for Election or as one of the Exemplers express it unless girded with the unstained Girdle of Knighthood and the same in terms do the other Bodies of Statutes declare Whence we may again mind the Reader of the singular regard and jealousie the Law of the Order hath of this particular Qualification above the rest And lest chance or inadvertency might let slip a Person not Knighted into the Scruteny besides the two former cautions given touching Nomination yet is it also here in another Article a third
thereof adjudged the point against them And since this occasion we have observed it elsewhere noted That no Knight-Companion ought to see whom the other hath named SECT XVII Of Scrutenies taken yet no Election made IT hath often hapned that though the Nominations for Election have been formally taken presented and perused yet hath not the Soveraign thought fit at present to make any Election being moved thereunto from several considerations principally where an intent was to keep open a Stall But this must be understood of such Scrutenies as are taken of course at the Vespers on the Feast day The most notable Example in this kind is that of Sigismond the Emperor who died in the 16. year of King Henry the Sixth and whose Stall was not disposed of till 21. years after viz. the 37. year of the said King and then determined to be reserved for Prince Edward the Soveraign's only Son he being at that time about six years of age This is that Emperor whose Election being about the 7. of May an 4. H. 5. is the first Election we find Registred in the Annals where he is styled Sigismundus Imperator Almanicus He was then lately come into England and so was the Duke of Holland cum praeclaro Duce de Brigâ una ex comitatu Imperatoris as he is there styled who hitherto had the ill fortune not to be remembred in any of the Catalogues of Knights-Companions that we have yet met with nevertheless at the Feast of St. George celebrated at Windesor the day abovesaid was Elected Knight of this most Noble Order And the reserving a Stall was sometimes given by the Soveraign as a reason for deferring his Election as upon the 4. of October being the morrow after the Feast of Saint George held by prorogation at Windesor an 13. Car. 1. when the Scruteny taken the day before was read over in the Chapter-house where the Soveraign declared That he would receive no man into the Order before his Son Charles whereupon all the Knights-Companions gave their sence That this resolution was rather an effect of Iustice than fatherly indulgence since they all acknowledged him to be more a Prince by merit and towardliness of his youth than by the fortune of his Birth at which the Soveraign exprest his satisfaction no otherwise than by silence For such like cause an 15. Car. 1. when the Scruteny was presented to the Soveraign by the Chancellor of the Order the 10. of October being the last day of the Feast celebrated at Windesor by prorogation the Soveraign declared That he had a purpose to have chosen Prince Rupert his Nephew a Knight of the Order but being then a Prisoner with the Emperor he would not Elect any at that time Whereupon the vacancy of a Stall was reserved At other times we note the pleasure of the Soveraign in deferring Elections to be frequently entred down only in the general and without expressing the cause as an 13. Eliz. on the morrow after St. George's day upon perusal of the Scruteny by the Soveraign in Chapter held in the Privy Chamber where the Blue Book tells us That the said Soveraign made no Election though there were two Stalls vacant Nay although there were found to be three Stalls void on the Feast days in the 23.24 and 25. years of the said Queens Reign nevertheless upon receipt of the Scruteny no Election was made by the Soveraign until the following year viz. an 26. Eliz. Thus was it in the 2.8.11 and 12. of King Iames where no other mention is made than this None were admitted into the Order this year And in such case the Soveraign only views the Scruteny approves of every Knight-Companion's Nomination and gives them thanks Sometimes we meet with this Prorogation of Elections recorded as done at the pleasure of the Soveraign only and at other times by the Soveraign with the approbation of the Knights-Companions To the first of these pertains a memorial entred an 22. Eliz. on the 24. of April at a Chapter held before Morning Prayers where the Knights-Companions received notice that it was the pleasure of the Soveraign to prorogue the Election for that time And an 38. Eliz. though there was an earnest expectation on the morrow after Saint George's day of the Election of a new Knight yet it seemed good to the Soveraign to prorogue the Election to the following year Again an 10. Car. 1. on the morrow after the Feast day then celebrated at Windesor when the Scedule of Nominations taken the Evening before was presented to the Soveraign in Chapter by the Chancellor and one place void The Soveraign did not think fit to make any Election at all As touching the second we meet with this instance an 27. Eliz. That with the concurrent approbation and assent of the Knights-Companions then assisting the Soveraign thought fit to put off the Election to another time But as to the reason of this seeming difference in the Soveraign's absolute power yet taking in the Knights-Companions approbation it may be said as is already spoken in the act of Election That though it be the unquestionable prerogative of the Soveraign to prorogue Elections at pleasure yet ought of respect and honor to the Knights-Companions their approbation hath been sometimes exprest SECT XVIII The Penalties inflicted on Knights-Companions who appear not at an Election LAstly to close up this Chapter where any Knight-Companion hath received Summons to appear at a Chapter of Election and doth refuse to come or wilfully withdraw himself unless he be hindred for some just cause and the reason of that impediment signified to the Soveraign under his Seal of Arms beforehand which if found to be just and reasonable is forthwith allowed and accepted if otherwise rejected and disallowed his disobedience was Ordained to be punished with the payment of one Mark which King Henry the Eighth's Statutes inlarged to twenty shillings to the Dean and Colledge of Windesor and heretofore disposed towards praying for the Souls of the desunct Knight At his next coming to Chapter he is to tarry kneeling upon the ground in the midst of the Chapter before the Soveraign or his Deputy and the whole company there present which penalty he must still undergo until such time as finding favour with them he be restored And for greater caution this Clause was herefore inserted in the Letters of Summons as appears among others in that which issued out after the death of Sir Robert D'umfrevile where after the time and place for Election was certified and command given to observe both the Letter closeth thus Et se estre ny pouer nous signifies soubz c. And if it cannot be accomplished that is if the Knight-Companion could not meet at the appointed time to perform his part in what the Statutes oblige he should then signifie to
of the Election or not It seems the Duke of Burgundy returned no answer to this Letter and therefore at the next years Feast it came again to be considered of by the Duke of Gloucester the Soveraign's Deputy for that Feast also and the Knights-Companions present and upon further debate it was thought fit that there should be those persons sent over to him with the Nomination who should desire to receive his final answer And then it appears that the Duke of Burgundy well considering the Statutes of the Order and reflecting on the Quarrels between the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Brabant his Uncle made a most plaucible excuse refusing the Election least he should be forced either dishonorably to violate the pious Constitutions of the Order or the obligations of Alliance The substance of this Excuse was afterwards represented to the Soveraign's said Deputy and Knights-Companions in a Chapter held at Windesor an 2. H. 6. who considering the reason and manner thereof the long voidance of the Stall and the strictness of the Statutes in this case vacated the former Election and proceeded to a new one which brought Iohn Lord Talbot into the room and Stall of the said Lord Clifford This is the only instance of any Stranger who after Election refused his acceptance of the Order On the contrary how desirous and earnestly solicitous some others even of the highest rank have been of admittance into this illustrious Society may appear by these few Examples Alphonsus King of Naples and Duke of Calabria did with great importunity solicit his Election into this Order and was accordingly chosen an 7. H. 7. The Black-Book of the Order mentioning the Election and Installation of Philip King of Castile saith that he not only assented to what was offered namely the honor of admittance into the Order but with much gladness and infinite thanks accepted thereof A little before we are informed how gratefully the King of Denmark an 20. H. 7. accepted of his Election And in the memorial of the Soveraign's sending his Ambassadors with the Ensigns of the Order to the French King Francis the First it is noted that he received them with such a cheerfulness of mind as the Affair required Some few years before this King was Elected Ferdinand Brother to the Emperor Charles the Fifth was chosen into the Order of whom it is said That he took it for a very high honor to be made a Collegue of this most Noble Society and that he received the Order at Norimberg in Germany to his great contentment Maximilian his Son was presented with the Habit of the Order by Thomas Earl of Sussex who giving the Soveraign an account by Letter of his reception thereof affirms that he received the Honor gladly and with manifest satisfaction Such is also the expression of Frederick the Second King of Denmark in his Letters of Procuration to the Lord Willoughby That he received the Order with as much gratitude as if it had been presented to him by the Soveraign her self But that which Erhardus Celius reporteth of Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg is beyond all who being in England and seeing the magnificence of the Castle and Chappel of Windesor was induced by the sight of the illustrious Arms and Ensigns of Honor of so many great Princes and famous Personages of this most Noble Order to wish himself one of the renowned Society Being afterwards Elected he exprest his acknowledgments of the Honor done him not only by a solemn Embassy to Queen Elizabeth but also by the great Preparations he made the vast Expences he was at and his extraordinary munificence in Rewards at his Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order which indeed were such grand testimonies of his glad acceptation of this additional flower of Honor as nothing could more fully evidence it to the World To these we may add the re-iterated sollicitations made to the present Soveraign on the behalf of Frederick Guillaume Marquess of Brandenburgh and his great impatience till his Election was past though not easily nor suddenly obtained In fine how acceptable this Honor hath been to several other Kings and Princes and what esteem and value they have set upon it may be further seen in their several Certificates sent back to the Soveraign of this most Noble Order after their Investitures with the Habit and Ensigns thereof CHAP. XV. THE Investiture of Strangers WITH THE HABIT and ENSIGNS Of the ORDER SECT I. The Time for sending the Habit and Ensigns unlimited ALbeit the Statutes of the Order do appoint and prefix a time within which the Soveraign's Letters giving notice to a Stranger of his Election ought to be sent unto him as before is shewed yet as to the sending a solemn Embassy with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order they do not limit a certain time but leave that wholly to the Soveraign's pleasure wherein his conveniency and other Interests as also those of the Elect Stranger are to be consulted and considered But nevertheless the Statutes of Institution appoint and direct that this Legation shall be dispatcht with convenient speed which must needs be interpreted with such latitude as may refer both to the Soveraign's conveniency of sending and the Stranger 's capacity of receiving And therefore we find it six years after the Election of the Kings of Aragon and Poland and the Duke of Brunswick e're we meet with the first notice of the Soveraign's determination of sending over the Habit of the Order to them For they having been Elected the 4. of August an 28. H. 6. the preparations for the intended Legation were not made until the 34. year of the same King And doubtless some cause within the limits of that conveniency allowed to the Soveraign by the foresaid Article of the Statutes or the accident of miscarriage might fall out particularly in reference to the King of Poland if not of the other because three years after the former Order for Legation had past we find new directions issued for sending the Ensigns of the Order to him But in King Henry the Eighth's body of Statutes this Clause of sending the Legation with convenient expedition is wholly omitted and the Soveraign is now unlimitted as to the time by which liberty it hath come to pass that the Habit and Ensigns have been sent over sometimes soon after the Stranger 's Election at other times not till some years after and at all times when the Soveraign hath thought fit and convenient Thus was it four years after Frederick the Second King of Denmark had been Elected before Peregrine Lord Willoughby of Ersby together with Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter and Robert Glover Somerset Herald by Order of Chapter 24. Apr. an 24. Eliz. were sent over into Denmark to present him with the Habit of the Order Maximilian the Emperor was
he had received the Habit and Ensigns dispatchâ— his Proctor hither to perform what the Statutes required in this particular And for the general we observe so little slackness in Stranger-Princes nay so great a forwardâ—ess to obtain the accomplishment of this Honor that their Deputieâ— have been installed for them within the limited time But King Henry the Eighth's Statutes have further provided That in case a Stranger do not send his Deputy or Proctor within seven Months without having a reasonable excuse and such as should be allowed by the Soveraign or his Deputy the Election notwithstanding his former acceptation should be also void except so it be that the Stranger be hindred or disturbed by great Affairs and then might he send his Excuse to the Soveraign or his Deputy within one month after and according as the Soveraign or his Deputy should allow or disallow of â—is Excuse that then the Soveraign or his Deputy might give unto him four months of respite more within which time if he neither come nor send his Deputy to be installed for him then the said Election should be void for that time And sometimes it hath fallen out that through the multiplicity of Affairs Strangers could not punctually observe the ancient Law of the Statutes in this point nevertheless by virtue of the limitation in those Statutes of King Henry the Eighth upon a sufficient cause the Soveraign hath been pleased to excuse the delay but the instances are very few as that of the French King Charles the Ninth who was invested at Lyons an 6. Eliz. but not installed till the 22. of Ianuary in the eighth year of the same Queen And when of late the Garter and George only were sent to a Stranger the Ceremonies of Installation have also been dispensed with till a more convenient time as appears from the Instructions of the 4. of March an 19. Car. 1. given at the sending these two Principal Ensigns of the Order to William Prince of Orange and Bernard de Foix Duke d' Espernon in regard of the interruptions then given by the Rebellion here nevertheless then to be performed with all usual Rites and Honors due to persons so neerly allied unto and so much esteemed by the then Soveraign of the Order Such Dispensations and for the same reason was the present Soveraign necessitated to give those Strangers whom he honored with Election into this most Noble Order while he remained in Foreign parts And upon his Majesties happy Restauration among many other things relating to the Order this particular was at several Chapters taken into serious consideration in reference not only to the Duke d' Espernon and Prince Maurice that were dead but those Strangers also then living both wanting the full complement of their Honor by a formal Installations for at a Chapter held at Whitehall the 10. of April an 13. Car. 2. directions were given to Garter to place the Banners and other Atchievements of the surviving Strangers over their respective Stalls The Soveraign then also did by his Supream power induced by divers considerable reasons dispence wholly and absolutely with their Installations nevertheless declared them and every of them to be esteemed Companions and to enjoy all priviledges of the Order as if they had been installed Personally or by Proxie with this further declaration notwithstanding That as the like necessity and conjuncture could never happen again so he would not upon any motion or pretence whatsoever give the like Dispensation Finally at another Chapter held at Whitehall the 20. of February following it was concluded and the Soveraign again declared his pleasure to dispence with the said Strangers Installations by a formal Act thereupon commanded to be drawn up by the Chancellor which he having performed read it in a subsequent Chapter where it received approbation A Copy whereof here follows WHereas it is expresly provided by the Statutes of the most Noble Order of the Garter That no Companion Elect of the same shall enjoy the priviledges of a compleat Knight thereof before he be actually installed either in his Person oâ— by his sufficient Proxie within the accustomed time and according to the usual Rites and Formalities which some of those noble Persons who though Elected could not possibly perform and receive during the late troubles nor legally since our return into our Dominions by reason of the space of time elapsed since their Election beyond that which is allowed and prescribed by the Statutes as also for the many difficulties and incumbrances through which the performance of their Installations must pass in some of them who are Strangers and have their aboad in Foreign and remote parts which we taking into our consideration and that if not all most part of the foresaid Knights were admitted into our said Order without those Formalities which at other times to have omitted had been an unexcusable breach of Statute We conceiving it no more irregular to pass by the Statutes in matter of their Installation than it was in point of their Election the observation of the usual forms in either of them having proved equally difficult or rather impossible for these and other reasons particularly for the avoiding that prejudice which some of the said Companions who are now dead and have a like interest therein with those that survive them would have undergone who for want of being installed would have been left out of the Catalogue of the Founders in the Register-Books of our Order as we heretofore declared our pleasure to be That such of them as are dead should not for want of being installed be deprived of the honor of being called Founders and for those that are yet alive that they should not suffer likewise in that respect or in point of their Ranks and Precedency And accordingly with the advice and consent of our other Companions in the Chapter held the 10. of April last we did regulate the Stalls and command their Hatchments to be set up in the Chappel of St. George in our Castle of Windesor according to their Elections in point of time We continuing in our former purpose for the putting an end to the irregularities which the late troubles occasioned in our foresaid Order and the many questions and difficulties which have ensued thereupon and especially in this particular We have thought good to dispence with the Installation of all the said Knights whether they be Subjects or Strangers dead or living and whatsoever omission of or contravention to the Statutes may have hapned upon that account And that the same notwithstanding they all shall be held and reputed for compleat Knights of our foresaid Order and enjoy all the priviledges and advantages of it with the rest of the Companions in as full and ample manner as if they had installed and performed all the Rites and Ceremonies usual upon such occasions But it seems to rest in the pleasure of the Stranger whether he will chuse
could not be celebrated in any part of the year following the aforesaid 29. of April because the Grand Feast it self was then already past In like manner King Henry the Seventh in the 20. year of his Reign went on St. George's day in solemn Procession and very great State to the forementioned Cathedral yet notwithstanding on the 4. of May following the Grand Feast was observed at Windesor by the Earl of Arundel deputed by the Soveraign and four other of the Knights-Companions appointed for his Assistants Again an 8. H. 8. the Soveraign being at Eltham on St. George's day it was in a Chapter there held Decreed That the accustomed celebration of the Feast of St. George should be observed at Windesor upon Sunday next after Trinity Sunday being the 25. of May ensuing and the Marquess Dorset was then also appointed Lieutenant to the Soveraign for holding thereof and the Earl of Essex in whose room the Lord Poynings was afterwards substituted with the Lords La Ware Mountegle and Lovell his Assistants And from this time it became annually customary especially all the subsequent years of King Henry the Eighth's Reign Queen Mary's and unto the 9. of Queen Elizabeth to keep the day of St. George wheresoever the Soveraign at that time abode which for the most part was at Greenewich or Whitehall on which day as also on the Eve and morning after the day the usual Solemnities were observed and a noble Feast provided as hath been said But as to the celebration of the Grand Festival it self that was in one of the Chapters held during the foresaid celebrations and most commonly on St. George's day adjourned unto some further time and then solemnized at Windesor by Prorogation not by the Soveraigns themselves but by their Lieutenants and their Assistants especially deputed and appointed for that purpose But to proceed with the causes of Prorogation which were either for some considerable reasons or upon emergent occasions An. 1. Mariae the Soveraign celebrating the day of St. George at her Mannor of St. Iames's Philip then Prince of Spain and Henry Earl of Sussex were on the morrow after elected into the Order whereupon it was also decreed That the inauguration of these two Knights-Elect should be prorogued until the Prince came over into England which hapning upon the 21. day of Iuly following the Grand Feast together with that of the Elect-Knights Installations were appointed to be celebrated together to which purpose a Letter was afterwards sent unto the Knights-Companions for their repair thither against the 5. of August then next following Again an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. at a Chapter held at Westminster upon the 22. of April the Feast of St. George together with the Installation of three Knights at that time Elected was appointed to be held at Windesor on the 9. day of May following and by a Chapter summoned at the same place the 3. of May before the appointed day for keeping the Feast the same was prorogued unto the 5. of December following because of the manifold and urgent affairs of the King and Queen But before that designed time another Chapter was held at Saint Iames's upon the last day of October in the 4. and 5. years of their Reigns wherein it was again prorogued unto the first Sunday after Twelfth-day viz. the 9. of Ianuary then following if by that time the King who it seems was gone out of Flanders should return into England but there appearing afterwards no hopes of his coming over against that prefixed time another Chapter was summoned and held at Greenewich the 5. of Ianuary wherein it was Decreed urgent Affairs requiring that the said Feast should be further prorogued unto the 20. of February next coming and then the Lieutenant and Assistants appointed to the first Prorogation should celebrate this solemn Feast at Windesor in manner as it was Decreed the 22. of April preceding Nevertheless the sixth day of February after in another Chapter the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Decreed to prorogue the last mentioned Prorogation unto St. George's day then next following Because both in respect of the meeting of the Parliament and other Affairs of great importance as also by reason of the War that was begun the said Feast could not conveniently be before observed In like manner an 2. Eliz. upon the 24. of April it was Decreed that on Sunday the 5. of May the Feast of St. George should be observed with the accustomed celebrations but that morning in a Chapter held at Whitehall for very high and important causes was it prorogued until Sunday the 12. day of May immediately following on which day it was solemnized at Windesor Again King Iames having designed his Journey into Scotland to begin the 20 of March an 14. regni sui he assembles a Chapter at Whitehall the second day of that Month and therein by reason that for the cause aforesaid Saint George's Feast for the year ensuing could not conveniently be kept on the accustomed day and place decreed to celebrate the same at Windesor the 13. day of September next following where it was accordingly observed So also for causes of another but sadder nature an 17. Iac. R. viz. Queen Anne's death and the Soveraign's dangerous sickness which had brought him also neer to the gates of death was the Grand Feast prorogued from St. George's day to the 26. of May in the same year and then celebrated at Greenewich And an 1. Car. 1. the Soveraign not thinking sit for several causes at that time to keep the Grand Feast prorogued it from the 22.23 and 24. days of April unto the 16.17 and 18. of August following thence again until the 4.5 and 6. of October and lastly to the 23. 24. and 25. of November in the same year and then observed it at Windesor Sometimes this Feast hath been put off out of a respect unto the day whereon it fell as an 22. Iac. R. St. George's day then hapning upon a Friday the Soveraign therefore prorogued it until the 26. 27. and 28. days of April at which time it was celebrated at Windesor And the authority unto which regard was had in this place was that Clause in the 8. Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes wherein the keeping of St. George's Feast was prohibited if it fell upon any Fish or Fasting days So also an 22. Car. 2. it falling upon a Saturday was prorogued to the 27. 28. and 29. days of April following And albeit in times past this Feast hath been for the most part upon Prorogations observed upon a Sunday yet of late in veneration to this day it hath been likewise prohibited as an 2. Car. 1. St. George's day falling upon a Sunday thereupon the Solemnity was put off until Wednesday
13. Car. 1. for Prorogation of the Grand Feast from the 25. of September then neer at hand unto the 2.3 and 4. of October following And as all the preceding Adjournments of the Grand Feast have been either Decreed in Chapter or directed immediately from the Soveraign So have we also seen a Precedent that hath impowered a Lieutenant to prorogue the same nevertheless to the time and place before appointed by the Soveraign and mentioned in the Commission of Lieutenancy And this was a Commission directed to Charles Earl of Nottingham an 1. Iac. R. wherein after the Soveraign had premised the impediments which hindred him from his personal observation of the said Feast upon the prefixed day then neer approaching he thereby made choice of the said Earl to be his Lieutenant and impowered him to assemble in Chapter upon the Vigil of St. George such of the Knights-Companions as might be conveniently gotten together and then and there to intimate unto them the great causes that withheld him from keeping the Feast at the set time and by virtue of the said Commission to defer the same until the 3. of Iuly following Furthermore charging and requiring all the Knights-Companions not to fail to be present at that day wheresoever the same should happen to be to perform and celebrate with him the said Feast according to the laudable Orders and Institutions of the Order And lastly he required the said Lieutenant to give warning of his pleasure to all other Knights-Companions who should not be present at the Chapter by him assembled SECT X. That the Grand Feast ought to be celebrated once every Year AND though Prorogations of the Grand Feast have been occasionally made use of upon the several and important reasons above discoursed of and sometimes a necessity hath fallen out to appoint two three or four of them in a year by proroguing the Prorogations yet is no such Adjournment legally to be enlarged beyond the next St. George's day ensuing because that every year that is once before the revolution of the year determine the year in this case entring upon St. George's day the Grand Feast ought to be solemnized For so we see it was not only ordained at the Institution of the Order but confirmed by the succeeding Statutes And where our Historians take notice of the Grand Feast they speak the same thing to wit That it ought annually to be observed Hence it is frequently called in the Registers Annua Festivitas Solennitas annua Celebritas annua Epulum quotannis Convivium quotannis and the like Of late times an occasion hapned which brâ—â—ght this Clause of the Statutes into a solemn debate in Chapter which for the result thereof became very remarkable And the Order thereupon drawn up being full and positive not only as to the occasion but also as to the circumstances and determination may not unfitly come in here At a Chapter held in Whitehall the 26. day of February 1640. Present The Soveraign The Earl of Penbroke and Montgomery The Earl of Salisbury The Earl of Holland The Earl of Lindesey The Prince The Earl of Arundel and Surrey The Earl of Dorset The Earl of Berkshire The Lord Marquess Hamilton The Duke of Lenox The Chancellor Garter The Soveraign proposed unto the Knights of the Order that having prorogued the Celebration of the Feast of St. George from time to time unto the first second and third of March so near unto Lent that if the Feast were not held on those days it could not be held within the year because the 23. of April for the next year did fall upon Good-Friday and so consequently must have been kept in Lent for this Year or not at all And considering the great and important Affairs of the Parliament he moved this Question Whether if there were no Feast kept this year it would be any blemish unto the Honor of the Order or not And whether he might not dispence with the Statute and defer it until the next Year requiring the Knights and Companions to consult and to give their opinions therein The result whereof was that though they did all confess an absolute power to dispence in the Soveraign yet some of the Knights proposed unto him that seeing from the Institution until this day there was not found any year wherein the Feast was wholly omitted but that some of his Ancestors though engaged in War beyond the Seas either solemnized the Feast in their own presence or by Commission in England which was averr'd by the Chancellor to be both the fundamental Statute and constant practice They humbly besought the Soveraign not to begin to make a breach in that constant order which hath been so long and uninterruptedly continued whereupon it was resolved by general Vote that the Feast should be celebrated upon those afore appointed days in the last Prorogation By which determination it sufficiently appears of what concernment the then Soveraign and Knights-Companions conceived it to the Honor of the Order and observation of the Statutes for the Grand Feast to be celebrated once within the year Besides we may observe that it was not thought expedient to be dispensed with albeit the weight of important Affairs were justly alledged to ballance the Law and ground a further Prorogation Nay rather than the Statutes should suffer violation the said Feast was accordingly solemnized on the said first second and third days of March although so straitned in time that there was not above two days space to make preparation and provision for the doing of it But within a few years after the unhappy distractions had prevailed so far that the Soveraign was necessitated to assume his power of dispensation in this particular and by continued annual Prorogations from the 22.23 and 24. days of April an 18. of his Reign being then at York to defer the Solemnity from year to year so that during the remainder of his Reign this Grand Celebration had never the fortune to be again observed And here the glory of this solemn Feast began first to set with us unto which succeeded a long night But blessed be God we have lived to behold it rise again and seen the Royal Soveraign and most Illustrious Knights-Companions fill those too long vacant Stalls and late languishing Fabrick with wonted lustre CHAP. XIX OF Preparations FOR THE Grand Feast OF THE ORDER SECT I. Of Letters giving notice of the Time and Place TOwards the setting forth and celebration of this Grand Festival there are several things to be prepared beforehand chiefly such as are usual and of course nevertheless among these we shall have opportunity now and then to touch upon some things extraordinary where the occasion hath invited the Soveraign to give any additional lustre to the state and glory of the Feast The things therefore to be prepared of course are 1. Letters directed to all the Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order resident within the Kingdom to
give them notice of the time and place when and where the Feast is to be celebrated 2. Letters of Dispensation to such Knights-Companions as the Soveraign shall please to excuse from their attendance at the Feast 3. Commissions of Lieutenancy and sometimes of Assistance when the Soveraign cannot personally solemnize the same 4. Warrants for the Removal of Atchievments if at this time there be any such occasion 5. Scutcheons and Stiles to be set upon the back of each Knight-Companion's Stall if the Feast be held elsewhere than at Wâ—â—desor 6. The Chappel to be decently adorned 7. the Great Hall or 〈◊〉 place where the Grand Dinner is to be prepared to be likewise very noâ—â—â—â—â—â—nished And 8. lastly Officers to be appointed besides those of the Orâ—â—â— and of Arms who are to give peculiar attendance upon the Soveraign at 〈◊〉 Grand Solemnity As touching the first of these particulars the Chancellor of the Order is to atâ—â—nd the Soveraign in convenient time before the approach of St. George's day to know his pleasure whether he will hold the Grand Feast on that day or otherwise prorogue the Solemnities to some further time and whether it shall be celebrated at Windesor Whitehall or what other place If the Soveraign shall be induced to Prorogue the Feast from St. George's day to some further time then is the Chancellor to draw up a Commission to that purpose of which we have discourst in the preceding Chapter After this Letters issued out anciently under the Soveraign's Sign Manual both to his Lieutenant when he held not the Feast in Person as also to each of the Knights-Companions giving them notice of the time and place some of which are placed to the Appendix but of late the Chancellor hath been appointed to dispatch these Letters of notice in his own name But whether the Feast be held upon the day of St. George or on any other day by Prorogation the Soveraign's pleasure was usually known so long before the appointed time that these circular Letters sent from the Chancellor issued out sometimes six five four three two or one Month at least before the assigned day And in cases where Prorogations have been yet further adjourned care hath been taken to issue out new Commissions in like convenient time before the old were expired as may be observed in the cases of adjournments mentioned in the last Chapter that so those Knights-Companions who are most remote from Court may have sufficient time to prepare either for attendance at the day assigned or upon just occasion procure the favour of Letters of Dispensation for absence And further that the absent Knights may thereby take notice of the day set because such are obliged to hold the Feast in their own Houses at the same time Besides the Letters directed to the Knights-Companions the Chancellor is likewise to write his Letters to each of the Officers of the Order to give them the like notice SECT II. of Dispensations for not attending at the Grand Feast IT having been complained of by the Chancellor of the Order and taken notice of by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions in a Chapter held at the Celebration of the Grand Feast at Whitehall the 18. of April an 13. Car. 1. That of late years divers Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order had neglected both their attendance upon the Soveraign at the Feast of St. George or to send under their Seals of Arms their probable Excuses and Petitions for License and Dispensation contrary to the most ancient Statutes and their duty It was therefore then among many other things Ordered and Decreed That from thenceforth every Knight of the Order should be bound to attend upon the usual days or such as should be assigned by Prorogation But in case of Sickness or other important business by reason whereof they might have cause to be excused they should send under their Seals of Arms to the Chancellor the reasons of their desire for leave of absence twenty days at least before the usual or assigned time to be presented by him to the Soveraign and whosoever should neglect so to do except in sudden accidents should not be dispensed with but incur the penalty of the Statutes And it is evident that this way of enjoining the Knights-Companions to send the cause of that impediment which should hinder their said attendance under their Seals of Arms hath been very ancient for the Black Book records an Order in Chapter held at the Grand Feast an 1. H. 6. to this very purpose it further enjoining that when such absent Knights were present at the next Feast they should be obliged then to render the reason why they should not undergo the penalty of their former absence since the Statutes enjoin it In pursuance of the before mentioned Decree of the 18. of April Sir Thomas Rowe then Chancellor added to those his Letters dated the 18. day of May 1637. and directed to the Knights-Companions under the Seal of the Order which signified that for special reasons and other important Affairs in a Chapter held at Whitehall on the 19. of April in the foresaid year the Soveraign had prorogued the Grand Feast from the 22.23 and 24. days of April an 14. Car. 1. to the 25.26 and 27. of September then next ensuing this following Postcript According to two Acts made in Chapter in the presence of the Soveraign the 18. of April 1637. concerning the neglect of the Knights and Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter in their attendance upon his Majesty at the Feast of St. George and a command expresly received to signifie so much to your Lordship I have sent to your Lordship the true Copy of the Acts themselves it being resolved in case of omission of your lawful and timely excuse under your Seal of Arms and in occasion of absence of keeping the Solemnity in your own house that no dispensation shall be given but your Lordship shall incur the penalties of the ancient Statutes which are You shall not be admitted to the Chapter nor to your Seat the next year but shall stand before it as do the Choristers In Procession you shall march before and not in your place among the Knights and shall Offer last and that this Penance being done you shall come before the Seat of the Soveraign and ask absolution but if two years successively your Lordship shall omit your attendance and timely suit for Dispensation you shall pay Twenty Marks and that sum be doubled for every year of such omission until you be reconciled and pardoned by the Soveraign whereof I beseech your Lordship to take knowledge It afterwards appears by an Order past in Chapter of the 9. of October an 15. Car. 1. that this early notice to be given from such of the Knights-Companions as upon the causes before mentioned should be absent was appointed in favour chiefly of the
same suit Item The Cloth of State of rich Baudekin over the Kings Seat and at the back Item Another of Crimson and Gold Velvet checquered Item A great Brass pendant Candlestick with 12 Branches Item One lesser with 6 Branches Item 6 Great Brass spouts to quench Fires Item 12 Leather-Buckets Item The great Brass Bason given by the Founder with a foot to it for Christnings Item 2 Fair standing Brass Candlesticks double gilt Item One Brass Lamp to hang in the body of the Church Item The great Brass Desk in the middle of the Chappel with the Bible in two Volumes on each side fairly bound and embossed Item 13 Seats of the Poor-Knights lined with Scarlet c. Besides all the long Wainscot Pews moveable serving at the Sermons and Divinity Lectures thrice in the week Item 19 Wainscot Seats with Ballisters c. But no less pious than his Predecessors hath the present Soveraign manifested himself who finding shortly after his happy Restauration that through the licentious barbarism of the late times the sacred Vtensils formerly dedicated to the use of the Altar had been sacrilegiously plundred and being religiously earnest to set again on foot so laudable a way of provision for supply of all things necessary to its service and ornament upon the Petition of the Dean and Canons of Windesor exhibited in Chapter held at Whitehall the 20. of Iune did with the cheerful and ready consent of the Knights-Companions revive the foresaid Decrees for raising the like sums of money both from Himself and the present and future Knights-Companions which by virtue of the foresaid Decrees had been formerly collected Hereupon his Highness Iames Duke of York bestowed a fair piece of Plate of 100 l. value and the Earl of Southampton gave not only what the Statutes required but half as much more towards the Plate designed to be bought with the rest of the Knights-Companions Money And to enable Dr. Brune Ryves the now Dean of Windesor to collect and receive not only from the rest of the present Knights-Companions but all other witâ—in one year after their Election the sum of 20 l. a piece and thereof to give an account at the following Chapter and so successively of slackness or failer if any should be the Soveraign in November following issued out his Warrant unto him under the Sign Manual and the Signet of the Order How the money hereby collected was bestowed as also what other Plate was added to the Furniture of the said Altar by some other piously disposed persons will appear by the following Inventory taken by Dr. Browne Chanter and Dr. Evans Steward of the Colledge the 20 of Iuly 1667. and from them transmitted to my hand A pair of plain gift Flaggons bought with the money collected from the Knights-Companions weighing 150 Ounces A pair of wrought Flaggons with great Bellies having the Figure of St. George on Horseback on their Covers the rest all Feather-work bought with the Knights money weighing 414 Ounces One plain small Bason wrought and gilt only in the middle of it weighing 25 Ounces and one half A pair of plain gift Chalices and Covers bought also with the Knights money both weighing 163 Ounces and one quarter A large embost Bason with the Figure of Mary Magdalen washing our Saviours Feet weighing 198 Ounces A pair of large Taper Candlesticks embost with Nozles to them weighing 264 Ounces These Chandlesticks and Bason were obtained of her Highness Princess Mary about November 1660. by Dr. Brown but she dying before the following Christmas the charge being 233 l. odd money lay upon the Colledge A pair of large Basons gilt and embossed with the History of Christ at his last Supper upon one and on the other of Christ blessing the young Children coming to him being obtained by Dr. Brown of her Highness the Dutchess of York 1661. both weighing 305 Ounces A plain gilt Corporas the gift of Sir Richard Fanshaw weighing 24 Ounces A double gilt Chalice and Cover with a broad Foot having a Cross on the Cover and another on the foot the gift of the Lady Mary Heveningham weighing 33 Ounces We see in the foregoing Inventory taken 1643. that formerly there was belonging to the Altar a large Carpet of Wyre-Gold this we find mentioned in the Inventories taken the 4. of February an 43. Eliz. the 9. of November an 17. Iac. R. and the 12. of December 1638 an 14. Car. 1. and being seized on by Collonel Ven as aforesaid is now supplied in a Covering given by the present Soveraign consisting of seven panes of Cloth of Gold and purple Velvet with a fair broad Gold Fringe towards the Front and a narrow Gold Fringe on the two sides There is now also two Diaper Table-Cloths Diamond work made to lye upon the Altar and two fine Holland Cloths with great Buttons and red Crosses in the middle to cover the consecrated Elements in the time of the Communion If we should pass hence to the ancient Ornaments of the Chappel we shall find them many and rich even so early as an 8. R. 2. but because their particular mention will better suit with the larger Discourse we intend upon the Chappel it self we shall refer it to that work and here remember only these two namely the Image of our Lady and Equestrian Statue of St. George There is notice taken of an Image of the blessed Virgâ—â— Mary given to this Chappel by King Henry the Fifth in the first year of his Reign which weighed 117 pound Troy weight He liking the workmanship caused Iohn Cause a skilful Dutch Goldsmith to give some additional ornament thereto after which it then weighed Troy weight 165 pound and one quarter and this Image in the 9. year of his Reign he commanded to be set up in St. George's Chappel there to remain for ever As to the other there is an Order of Chapter an 36. H. 8. entred in the Black-Book by which it appears that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions to increase the honor of their Patron agreed to raise money and employ it towards making his Statue sitting on Horseback the Soveraign's proportion of this contribution was 5 l. every Duke gave 2 l. an Earl 1 l. 6 s. 8 d. a Baron 1 l. and a Batchellor Knight 13 s. 4 d. These two being thus mentioned we need insert no more here seeing that Inventory taken an 8. R. 2. and the others since will afford plenty of such like rich and excellent pieces of work which heretofore belonged to this sacred place The East wall of the Chappel is now adorned with 22 panes of Cloth of Gold and Purple Damask the gift of the present Soveraign But those in the late Soveraign's Reign were of Crimson Velvet and Gold In the middle of these Hangings over the Altar have been heretofore placed very rich Altar-Cloths concerning some of which we have met with a Memorial which informs us that it pleased the late
mentioned in the Black-Book of the Order is an 36. H. 8. where the Soveraign constituted the Earl of Essex Locum tenentem during St. George's Feast albeit it is before in the same Book many times used in a way somewhat different as for Example such a one of the Knights-Companions naming him who is appointed to this Office Regiae Majestatis locum impleret or adimpleret occuparet suppleret obtineret and the like Lastly this Office hath been for the most part conferred under the Title of Lieutenant in all succeeding times and the other Titles of Deputy President and Vicegerent laid aside as is manifest from the Blue and Red Books and sundr◠original Commissions which we have seen under the Seal of the Order But besides the usage of these Titles of Deputy and Lieutenant severally we have met with them sometimes joined together in one person as in the Stile of Henry Earl of Essex proclaimed at the holding of the Grand Feast an 25. H. 8. as followeth Du noble puissant Seigneur le Conte d' Essex de Eu Seigneur de Bourgchir de Loveyn Lieutenant Depute de la Feste de Sancte George Chevalier Frere Compaignon de le tresnoble Ordre de la Jarretier As also in another of like nature when Henry Courtney Marquess of Exceter and Earl of Devonshire held the Feast an H. 8. wherein he amongst his other Titles is also stiled Lieutenant Depute de la Feste de Saint George And in the Blue Book also there is taken notice of the like conjunction of these two Titles for an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. the Grand Feast having been prorogued unto the 25. day of May it is there recorded that then the Soveraign appointed the Earl of Shrewsbury Deputy and Lieutenant To conclude the Titles of this great Officer are sometimes exprest not so much positively as by way of Periphrasis and that in several manners as Deputatus à Rege praesuit Assignatus ore Regio praesedit Virtute Regiae Commissionis Assignatus Cui Supremus eam potestatem commiserit Regiae sublimitatis commissione ac authoritate communitus Regias vices subiret gerebat praestabat suscepit cui vices ejus demandatae sunt Also Supremae absentis vice sufficitur Suprema absentis potestatem reserebat Supremus surrogatur Ejus viz. Supremi absentis Officio fungeretur with several other variations much of the same nature As to the third particular the Ceremonies used at the constituting the Soveraign's Lieutenant they were these three 1. The reading of the Commission 2. Delivery of it to the Lieutenant And 3. his taking an Oath For the Commission being ingrossed in Parchment and prepared ready by the Chancellor it is brought into the Chapter by him and there read in the presence of the Lieutenant and Knights-Companions before it be delivered for thus we find it recorded an 19. H. 7. The illustrious Lord Thomas Marquess Dorset was impowered to hold the Feast by the Soveraign's Letters of Commission which were read in Chapter And at the meeting in Chapter on the day prefixt for celebrating of the Grand Feast an 17. H. 8. by the Duke of Norfolk it is said that in the presence of the said Duke the rest of the Knights-Companions attending him on either side the Kings Letter was read wherein the power committed to the Duke was declared So also when the Earl of Penbroke Lieutenant for the Grand Feast held the 3. day of Iune an 1. Eliz. was arrived at Windesor with his Assistants and a Chapter being held the Soveraign's Letters were read wherein she conferred the Lieutenancy on the said Earl So an 3. of the same Queen the Earl of Arundel being Lieutenant and the Grand Feast kept at Windesor The Letters of Legation for so the Commission of Lieutenancy and Letters of Notice to the Lieutenants Assistants are here called were openly read in Chapter And sometimes we find the Officer taken notice of who reads these Commissions as when the Earl of Shrewsbury was constituted Lieutenant at a Chapter held in the Privy-Chamber at Greenwich on the Eve of the Feast an 27. Eliz. his Commission was read by the Dean of Windesor But an 37. Eliz. the Lord Cobham's Commission of Lieutenancy and the Prince's an 19. Iac. R. were both read in Chapter by the Chancellor of the Order which being finished in the next place the Soveraign if present in Chapter delivereth it propriâ manu to the Lieutenant who receives it upon his Knees as did the said Lord Cobham in the great Closet at Whitehall an 37. Eliz. Thirdly the Lieutenant is to take an Oath for the due Execution of his Office but the form thereof we have not hitherto met with before the Ceremonies of his Constitution are fully dispatcht This Oath the Lieutenant takes in Chapter upon his Knees when sometimes the Prelate and sometimes the Register have read the words whilst the Black-Rod held the Book in attestation of which the Lieutenant kisseth the same and then ariseth And we find that in the aforesaid 27. year of Queen Elizabeth the Lieutenant when he proceeded to Chappel after the Ceremonies of his Constitution were over gave his Commission to Clarenceux who then waited in the place of Garter to bear it before him thither And albeit it hath been the most usual way for the Soveraign to constitute his Deputy or Lieutenant for holding of the Grand Feast or any part thereof by Commission and to add thereunto the foresaid Ceremonies of Creation yet sometimes in great exigencies and sudden occasions he hath appointed this great Officer by word of mouth whereunto no other Ceremony hath been adjoined than that of taking the usual Oath as for instance an 32. H. 6. the Soveraign being then at Windesor and falling sick a little before the Feast the Duke of Buckingham was assigned his Deputy Ore Regio by word of mouth But before we take leave of this head we shall observe that in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth though in some one of the Chapters held during the observation of the day of St. George both the Grand Feast hath been prorogued to a further time and the Lieutenant nominated for holding the same yet upon just cause or for some reasons urged or excuse made which the Soveraign hath approved of some other of the Knights-Companions hath been appointed to the execution of this Office instead of him who had been first nominated Thus it chanced an 9. H. 8. when at the Celebrations of the day of St. George at Greenwich the Earl of Arundel was chosen the Soveraign's Lieutenant for holding the Anniversary of the Grand Feast at Windesor upon the 10. of May following but he not thinking himself able to perform the Duty humbly
Train Among these Proceedings the order and pomp of that magnificent and numerous Cavalcade of the present Soveraign from the Tower to Whitehall the day before his most happy Inauguration is worthy observing in that his Majesties Entertainments described by Mr. Ogilby together with the sumptuous Arches which then adorned the Streets and how well that ingenious Artist Mr. Weneslaus Hollar hath merited both in designing and etching the same is obvious to every ingenious Eye Besides these relating to the Inauguration of Princes many other solemn and particular occasions have been honored with sumptuous Cavalcades such was that of our King Henry the Eighth when he entred Boulogne and is to be seen in the Soveraign's Gallery in Whitehall being painted by a Disciple of Hans Holben Such was that brave Cavalcade of the late Duke of Florence celebrated at his Nuptials which together with the Scenes and other Representations were etched by the most excellent Iames Callot an Artist of incomparable skill and fancy in things of that kind So also that of Lewis the Fourteenth the French King with his Queen Maria Theresa of Austria into Paris the 26. of August 1660. shortly after their marriage which was as full of splendor and magnificence as could be devised But among these and indeed above all none ought more deservedly to be celebrated than that which passed through London upon the 29. of May 1660. a day since made venerable amongst us to posterity upon the safe and most happy return of the present Soveraign to his Crown and Kingdom to the unconceivable joy of all his loyal Subjects In the last place touching those Cavalcades made at the reception of Ambassadors we have met with two and those very solemn ones described at large in the foresaid Acta publica of I. A. Pastorius namely the entrance of the French and Spanish Ambassadors into Francfort that upon the 19. of August 1657. this upon the 24. of March 1658. when the Election was to be made of the present Emperor both which are likewise cut in Copper Plates by the before mentioned Gasper Merian Adam Olearius in his Voyages and Travels of the Ambassadors from the Duke of Holstein to the great Duke of Muscovy as also to the King of Persia makes mention of such Cavalcades they being ordered according to the manner of those Countries with very great Ceremony Namely that of the Turkish Ambassadors entrance into Musco 17. Sept. an 1634. he being met with 16000 Horse besides the persons who made up the Cavalcade Likewise that of the Duke of Holstein's Ambassadors entry into the same City 14. Aug. immediately before-going As also the entrance of the same Duke's Ambassador into Ispahan in Persia the 2. of Aug. 1637. To conclude the Cavalcade of the Polish Ambassador upon his Reception into Rome an 1633. was a most magnificent Ceremony it being made publick in Aqua Fortis by the incomparable hand of Stephen della Bella a Florentine And now to come within the Verge of the Order of the Garter we shall here present to the Readers view some few yet stately Cavalcades made upon the Soveraigns entrances not only into Windesor Castle but other places upon account of its Grand Solemnities and of which we have happily met with these following Memorials The 20. Year of King Henry the Seventh the Feast of St. George was celebrated at Baynards Castle in London and the Soveraign being at the Tower on the Eve Proceeded thence on Horseback to St. Paul's Church to Vespers in the following Order First all the Noblemen aftir their Estates and Degrees then the Officers of Armes next before the Knyghts of the Ordre then the Knyghts of the Ordre ryding in theyr Gownes of the Garter only with their Collers without Mantells whych Lyvery is of crymosin velvet lyned with whyte next following them the Byshopp of Winchestre Prelate of the Ordre then the Ambassadors then the Secretary and Aulmoner then Gartier Kyng of Armes of the Ordre the Maior of London beryng the Mace rode on the left hand of the Kyngs Cote then the Sword borne by then the Kyng Soverain of the Ordre then followed the Prince and after certaine Nobles and then the Garde all on foote the Aldermen and all the Craftys of London standying in theyr Lyveries in places accustomed And when the Kyng came to the West Dore of Powles he did on his Mantell and all the Knyghts did on theyrs and so entryd the Church where somewhat within the Church there was ready the Byshopp which dyd the Divine Service with the Deane and Chanons c. where they sensed and receyved the Kyng as accustomed and from thens proceeded to the Queere and entred their Stalls and there herd Evensonge and aftir Evensonge the Kyng with the odyr Knyghts rode to Baynards Castle his Logging wher hys Hyghness remayned that nyght The 16. of April in the following Year the Soveraign began his Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Blessed Lady of Walsingham and took Cambridge in his way thither where he arrived the 22 of the same Month and was in this manner received First the Maior with hys Brederen rode to meet the Kyng two or three mylle owt of the Towne Also Mr. Molory then Shereff of the Shire bore his rodd and gave hys attendance and as he approached nere the Unyversyte within a quarter of a mylle ther stode first all the four Ordres of Freres and aftir odir Religious and the King on Horsbacke kyssed the Crosse of everyche of the Religious and then ther stode all along all the Graduatts aftir their Degrees in all their Habitts and at the end of them was the Unyversyte Cross wher was a Forme and a Cushin c. as accustomed where the Kyng dyd alight and there the Byshopp of Rochestre Doctor then beyng Chaunceller of the Unyversyte accompanied with odir Doctors sensyd c. the Kyng and aftir made a litle Proposition and welcomed hym and then the Kyng took hys Horse ageyn and rood by the Blackfriers thoroughe the Towne to the Queens Colledge wher hys Grace was at that tyme lodgged and ther rested the space of a Houre and then did on hys Gowne and Mantell of the Gartier and all odir Knyghts of the Ordre there beyng present gave their attendance in the Habit of the Ordre as apperteyneth and roode from the Kyngs Logginge to the Chappell of the Kyngs Colledge whych was for the same cause ready appointed with Scochins c. as ys yerely accustomed The Byshopp of Rochestre beyng there Chaunceller did the Divine Service both the Even the Day both at Mattens c. and sang the Mass of Requiem on the Morrow With these we shall remember the same Soveraigns noble reception of Phillip King of Castile at Windesor on Saturday the 31. of Ianuary next ensuing the foresaid Feast where he was Installed Knight of this most noble Order the 5. of February following which we find thus
West door of the Chappel in remarkable pomp and order proceeded about the bounds of the Church-yard that is as is elsewhere of the same Procession more particularly exprest from the Choire through the middle Ile or Nave of the Chappel out at the West door down to the Castle Gate so through the passage into the Cloyster and by the Chapter-house door again into the Choire To which purpose doth the Red Book briefly describe the passage of the Grand Procession an 4. Car. 1. and yet more particularly the Grand Procession celebrated at Windesor in the 15. year of the present Soveraign's Reign passed down the Middle I le of the Chappel through the West door and so along the lower Ward of the Castle neer unto the Castle Gate from whence ascending towards the Alms-Knights old Lodgings unto and through the passage between the East end of the Chappel and the Tomb-house into the Cloyster it entred into the Chappel by the door neer the Chapter-house and from thence proceeding down the North Isle unto the West door and up through the aforesaid Middle I le it re-entred the Choire But when the Soveraign hath pleased to shorten this great Ceremony which either through his indisposition of health as an 22. Iac. R. when being so extreamly taken with the Gout that he was carried during the Grand Procession in a Chair or upon other like occasion he has sometimes done then the Grand Proceeding hath passed out at the East door of the Chappel and going through part of the Church-yard hath entred the Chappel again at the South door and so into the Choire or else through the South door and returning by the Cloyster at the East end of the Chappel hath passed thence to the West door then up the Nave and so ascended again into the Choire as an 6. of the same King Moreover upon foulness of Weather the Grand Procession hath been celebrated within the coverture of the Chappel as an 1. Car. 1. But more fully for the same cause abundance of Rain doth the Register observe that an 9. Car. 1. it pass'd from the Choire to the West door of the Chappel whence turning to the left it proceeded through the South I le and coming about by the East door descended at length by the North I le again to the West door and thence through the Nave of the Chappel it returned into the Choire And this Processional way was in like necessity made use of both by the Duke of Norfolk the Soveraign's Lieutenant for the Feast holden an 5. Eliz. as also by the present Soveraign an 13. Car. 2. And because it is necessary to know which is the way where the Grand Procession hath usually passed in other places honored with the celebration of the Feast of St. George aswell as the Castle of Windesor it will be requisite here to describe the same and set them down and first we shall shew how it lies at Whitehall the whole passage having been both formerly and of late strewed with Rushes upon this occasion Here the Grand Procession sets forth from the middle of the Choire as in all other places and so on to the outward Chappel door thence through the Hall and the left entrance of the Skreen towards the Thames then to the Hall Porch and so along on the right hand of the great Court sometimes called the Vtter or outwardmost Court of the Palace as an 2.3.5.7 and 26. Eliz. and 10. 11. Car. 1. towards and beyond the Signet Office then turning on the left hand towards the Court Gate and yet on the left hand on that side of the Court which formerly lay towards the Terrace but now neer the covered Walk it passeth in at the Hall Porch and enters the Hall at the right entrance of the Skreen and thence into the old Chappel and so into the New Where note that in all solemn Processions where the return is to the same place the regular turning is on the left not right hand and this the present Soveraign well understood when at the Grand Feast held at Whitehall an 19. Car 2. the Foot Guards having made a Lane on the left hand of the great Court along by the covered walk for the Proceeding to pass through and a great part of the Proceeding had gone that way so soon as the Soveraign came to the steps descending into the Court for by reason the Hall was shut up being imployed for Masks and Scenes the Proceeding passed from the Chappel up Stairs into the Guard-Chamber and so into the Court He discovering the Error caused all to come back and proceed on the right hand of the Court towards the Hall Porch and Signet Office and make their return upon the left hand according to the right rule of turnings in solemn Proceedings At Greenwich we find the Grand Processional way an 20. Eliz. led out of the Chappel through the Hall beneath the Skreen and thence going round about the 2 d. Court came in at the South Door in the upper end of the Hall and so along the Hall again into the Chappel And when the Feast was celebrated at the City of York an 17 Car. 1. The Grand Proceeding passed out of the Choire and marched round the inside of the Church only and then returned back into the Choire as it is usually observed at Windesor in rainy weather Once viz. an 20 H. 7. the Grand Procession was solemnized in St. Pauls Church London of which the Black Book of the Order gives but this short account The most Illustrious Soveraign of the â—arter solemnly made his Procession in St. Pauls Church London But an old memorial calls this the Grand Procession and notes it to pass about the Church as the Custom was to which solemnity there flockt as great a multitude of People as had been seen in that Church at any time before Lastly The way through which the Grand Procession passeth wheresoever Celebrated is fenced in by the Yeomen of the Guard and the Knights-Companions Attendants and Servants who standing on both sides make a spatious Lane for it to pass through and keep off the Crowd from pressing upon it The third consideration relating to the Grand Procession is the Order and Manner thereof and herein as to particulars the more ancient times afford us very little light Nevertheless that the same hath been Celebrated even from the Institution of the Order as part of those Ceremonies used to set forth the solemnity of St. Georges Feast we have collective Evidence enough and that not only at Windesor but other places where the Anniversary of St. George hath been kept and observed To proceed then What the Order of this Ceremony anciently was may be collected from that which an Old Relator saith where he sets down the order of the solemn Procession made the 29. of May an 5 H. 8. namely that it
Stile But intending to provide yet better for him the next day he gave him all the Corn as well in Granges as growing on the Ground as also the Arms Victuals Cattel Goods and Chattels in all the said Castles Lands and other places to him before granted together with the Debts Arrerages of Accounts and other Services due to himself In the Parliament held at Westminster an 11 E. 3. he was created Duke of Cornwall as appears by his Charter of Creation bearing date the 17. of March the same year and invested by the Sword only and this is the first Precedent for the Creation of the Title of Duke with us in England Herewith also the King setled on him divers Manors and Franchises expresly set down in the said Charter for the better support of the State and Honor of Duke all which though some lay in other Counties were thereby made part of the Dutchy of Cornwall And further by Letters Patent dated the same day he granted to him the Stannaries in Cornwall together with the Coinage of Tin and all the issues and profits thence arising as also the profits and perquisites of the Courts of the Stannaries except only 1000 Marks formerly granted to William Mountague Earl of Salisbury and his Heirs out of the Issues thereof till Lands were provided for the said Earl of that yearly value and afterwards granted That all the Castles Honors Mannors Lands and Tenements belonging to the Dukedom or Earldom of Cornwall which were held in Dower or for term of life or years whose Reversions belonged to the King should remain to this Prince as Duke still as they fell and to the eldest Sons of him and his Heirs as Dukes of the foresaid Dukedom In the Parliament held an 17. E. 3. the King created him Prince of Wales and invested him with a Coronet a Gold Ring and a Silver Rod and the better to support his State as Prince of Wales gave him several Lands which are all particularly enumerated in a Writ directed to William de Emeldon to deliver them unto this Prince or his Attorney with this Dignity The King also gave him all Debts and Arrears of Foreign Rents due to himself for what cause soever in North Wales and South Wales to the time of his being created Prince of Wales as also all Victuals Arms Horses Oxen Cows and other things in all the Castles and Lands which he held by the King's Grant He was constituted Custos Angliae divers times when the King had occasion to be absent out of the Kingdom to which the Title of Locum tenens Regis was sometimes added and in his younger years the King appointed the Archbishop of Canterbury to be the chief of his Council to direct him in all Affairs the powers belonging to this Great Officer being recorded in Rot. Pat. de an 14. E. 3. pars 2. m. 28. The first time this Prince entred upon the Stage of War was at the beginning of his 16. year of age at which time he accompanied his Father into France where at his landing at Hoges in Normandy he received the honor of Knighthood from that martial Kings hands Thence he marched in the body of the Army with the King toward Cressy at which Battel fought an 20. E. 3. he led the Van and after a fierce encounter with the French was somewhat distrest from the Enemies breaking in among his Archers but the rest of his men timely advanced to their Assistance nevertheless notice of his condition being sent to the King who commanded the Reer he asked if the Prince were dead or wounded the Messenger said no but stood in need of his Assistance well said the King return and bid them send no more to me so long as my Son lives for I will have him this day win his Spurs since I design him the honor of this Expedition and it cannot be denyed but the compleatness of the Victory then gained fully conferred it on him so also did his Fathers acknowledgment for after the Battel was ended he embraced the Prince and kist him and said fair Son God give you resolution to pursue Honor you are my dear Son and have acquitted your self nobly you are worthy to govern a Kingdom The following year a Truce being agreed on at Calais was spun on by several Prorogations but without effecting any thing of Peace till an 29. E. 3. in which year both Kings provided for War Hereupon the King constituted this Prince his Lieutenant in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and other places in France whither he should happen to march both for Reformation of the State of that Dukedom and other places in France and the recovery of his Lands and Right possest by the Rebels And by another Commission of the same date he gave him power to make Alliances with all persons of what Nation Dignity or Condition soever to retain men and pay them Wages and Rewards A third Commission gave him Power in the King's stead and name to receive Homage and Fidelity from the Nobility and others within this Dukedom and the Kingdom of France Armed with their Powers and accompanied by the Earls of Warwick Oxford Salisbury and Suffolk and a good Army attending him he took Shiping and safely arrived in Gascoigne for whose passage thither the King had before assigned Richard de Corteâ—hale and Robert de Baildon Serjeants at Arms to arrest array and equip all the Ships of 20. Tun and Upwards in all Ports and Places from the River of Thames unto Lynn as well within Liberties as without to furnish them with men and other necessaries and to bring them to Southampton by St. Barniby's Day at the furthesâ— as also to Press Mariners for the Voyage at the Kings Wages and had given Commission to Thomas de Hoggeshaw Lieutenant to Iohn de Beauchamp Admiral of the Sea Westward to carry him over with power to hear and determine all Crimes and Transgressions committed on Shipboard and to punish them according to Maritine Law and to do all other things appertaining to the Office of Admiral Having entred the River Garronne he marcht into the South-part of Languedock and burnt the Great Town of Carcassone scituate near the Mediterranean Sea thence passed to Narbon burning and wasting the Country after which he returned to encounter the French Forces which marcht out of Tolouse under the Command of the Marshall Cleremont and Earl of Armaignac but upon his approach they retyred and so in November after 8. Weeks he returned to Bourdeaux with great store of Pillage and Prisoners A more particular account of which Voyage with the Towns and Castles taken and destroyed and several other actions done after the Prince's Return to Bourdeaux to the 21. of Ianuary following are reported in Sir Wingfield's Letters Printed in Hollinshead's Chronicle Intelligence of the Prince's taking the Field the following Summer being
Santonge repaired doing him Fealty and Homage then he departed for Bordeaux thither the Nobility and Knights of Gascoigne came to wait on him after which he setled English Officers in all places of his Principality and there kept his Court with great state and magnificence Immediately after the Election of Pope Vrban the Fifth Peter of Lusignan King of Cyprus and Ierusalem came to Avignon and there engaged Iohn King of France in a Crusade he thence went to the Emperor at Prague and afterwards into Flanders and England whence after he had been nobly entertained he returned to King Iohn then at Amiens and thinking he had not yet seen any thing till he had seen the Prince of Wales took a Journey to Poicters and so to Augoulesme where the Prince held a Royal Justs of 40 Knights and as many Esquires in honor of the birth of his Son Edward and here the King of Cyprus was received with great honor and nobly feasted while he stayed Not long after this Noble Prince was induced to re-establish Don Peter King of Castile who had made a personal application to him in so great distress being driven out of his Kingdom by his Bastard Brother Henry with the assistance of some part of the late disbanded Army called the late Comers or Companions under the command of Sir Bertrand de Guesclin and some English and Bretagn Forces that went along with them commanded by Sir Eustace Dabrichecourt and other Knights Hereupon the Prince first sent his Letters to remand them back and after which strengthened his undertaking he received aid from the King his Father commanded by Iohn of Gaunt his Brother Iames Son of Ferdinand King of Mojorca whom the King of Aragon had imprisoned at Barcelona and there put to death made also address to the Prince for assistance in the recovery of his Realm which the Prince promised after his return out of Spain whither he was then engaged and towards which he began his Voyage the Sunday after Epiphany an Dom. 1366. Upon his entry into Castile with 30000 Horse and Foot Don Henry prepared to give him Battel with 86000 the Armies joined between Navarr and Naveret on Saturday the 3. of April an 40. E. 3. and here the Prince got a Victory which re-established Don Pedro in his Kingdom thereupon Don Pedro went to Sevill and promised to return the Prince money to pay his Army but after four Months stay and expectation the Prince was constrained to return into Aquitane without any so forgetful was Don Pedro of the courtesies he had received from him This Victory got the Prince great renown throughout the Empire and the repute of being the valiantest Prince in that Age even worthy to govern all the World but in this Voyage he contracted a sickness he never recovered which his Physicians and Surgeons judged to be an incurable Dropsie others that he was poysoned In an Instrument dated about this time to wit 8. October 1366. whereby he granted to his Brother Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster the Village and Castellaine of Roche sur Ion to him and his Heirs males I find him thus stiled Edward ainsne filz du Roy de France d' Engleterre Prince d' Aquitaine de Gales Duke de Cornwall Conte de Cestre Seigneur de Biscaie de Castre de Dordiales but after he had resigned the Principality of Aquitaine his Titles were these only Edwardus Regis Angliae Franciae primogenitus Princeps Walliae Dux Cornubiae Comes Cestriae 6. Feb. 49. E. 3. so an 47. E. 3. vide Lib. Miscell R. Glover Somerset p. 111. Some time after his return into Aquitaine the discontented Gascoigners and French taking occasion to rebel upon raising a Subsidy called Fouage for 5 years consented to by most of his Subjects viz. the Poictouins and they of Xanctonge Limosin Rouergue and Rochell but other parts of Guine refused entred in a hostile manner the Princes Territories whereupon Sir Hugh Caurel coming out of Aragon to the Prince was made Captain of the Companions whom he had sent for out of Normandy and ordered to march with them into the Country of the Earl of Armaignac and the Lord d' Albret two of the great Ring-Leaders of the Rebellion new begun to wast those parts He also had sent before a body Commanded by Sir Iohn Chandos to Montauban and a third under the Command of the Earl of Cambridge and Penbroke into Perigort and which took Bourdeilles after 11. Weeks Siege After this the Prince receiving Intelligence that two Armies under the conduct of the Dukes of Anjou and Berry were design'd to enter Aquitaine and besiege him in Angoulesme resolved his Enemies should not find him there and therefore summond in the Nobility and appointed a Rendevouz at Cognac leaving his Princess at Angoulesme but taking his young Son Richard with him The King of England having upon this great rupture of the Peace concluded at Bretigny resumed his Name and Title to the Crown of France sent forthwith to the Prince to give him notice that the Parliament at Westminster had Ordained that all his Subjects of what Nation or condition soever should maintain his Interest against his Enemies in the Realm of France to recover and conquer the same And likewise directed his Letters to the Nobility of Gascoigne desiring their assistance herein The year following he sent over Iohn Duke of Lancaster his third Son to the assistance of this Prince and gave him Commission to receive into favour and wholly pardon such of his Cities Castles Towns and Inhabitants aswell in Aquitaine as other parts of France as should return to his Obedience and to do and exercise all powers given in his said Commission with the consent of the Prince if present and in his absence what the King could do in his assistance if personally there And that care might be taken in Civil Affairs the King having reserved to himself the Soveraignty and resort in those Territories sent a blank Commission for the Prince to insert the names of such as he should think fit to appoint for Judges or Delegate to hear all Causes as well Criminal as Civil upon Appeals from the Princes Courts The Duke of Lancaster shortly after arrived at Bordeaux and came to the Prince at Cognac but the Duke of Anjou thought better to withdraw his Forces into Garrisons than to fall into action The Duke of Berry took Limoges which the Prince retaking put the Inhabitants to the Sword and burnt the Town But the Prince's disease growing daily upon him he was advised by his Physicians and Chirurgeons to return into England for the recovery of his health which caused him to assemble the Nobility of Aquitaine Gascoigne Poictou and Santonge at Bordeux to whom he communicated his intentions and withal that he would leave the Duke of
said Company as God forbidde do commytte any suche reproche that then he shall be departed and disgraded of the said Order at the nexte Chapiter ensuyng if it soo shall please the Soverayne and the Company III. Item that every yere upon the vigilâ— of Saynt George that is to say the xxii day of the moneth of April on what day soever it fall on and though no service of Saint George be celebrate or done all the Knyghtis of the said Company beyng in any place or places of their liverties in what places soever it be shall ve bounde for to were the bole habit of the said Order That is to wit Robe Mantell Hudde and Coller from the owre of the fyrst Evensonge at the owre of tierce that is at three of the Clocke at afternone untill the said Evensonge and other devyne service â—ouper and voydance be done and accomplished And lykeâ—yse on the morrow on Saynt George's day at mattens procession masâ— and the seconde Evensonge and all the said day untyll that souper and voydance be done as ys aâ—oresaid IV. Item that if for any causes it shoulde please the said Soverayn to prorâ—ge the said Feast and solemnytie of Saynt George or that the said Feast shuld be prolonged and proroged to another day that all the Knightis of the said Order that shall be within the Realme of Englande shall gyve their attendance the even and the day of Saynt George on the parson of of the said Soverayne and shall fynde themselffes in his company in what place soever he be within the said Realme of England and they so gyveyng their attendance upon his said parsone the saide even and day shall observe and kepe the servyce of Saynte George is the Ordenance and commaundement of holye Church doth suffre and permit it And if th'ordenaunce of the Church doth not permitt it in this behalffe they be bounde to tary with the Soverayne and heare such servyce as shall be than limited and ordened bi the holy Churche to be done and celebrated the said even and day of Saynt George in observyng and kepyng duryng the said daies of all other ceremonies aswell in goyng to the Chapter upon theâ— said even before Evensong at afternone and the said day of Saynt George at afternone before the laste Evensong As also in weryng their hole habit and every Knyght beyng in his owne Stall in kepyng the Devine Servyce from the tyme of the fyrst Evensonge of the said even matenâ— and Masse unto the last Evensong of the said day and the morow after ensuyng before thé Masse of Requiem thei shall take their Mantells upon suche Gownes as shall please them and shall enter into the Chapter if there be eny election or other great affaires before the said Mass of Requiem in usyng such Ceremonyes to this accustomed as though they were present in the said Castell of Wyndesore And in case that the said Soverayne be come and entred into the said Chapiter and that some of the seid Felows of the said Order be not entred or come with hym and sâ—ulde tary behynde in case they that have not gyven and done dew attendancce upon hym shall abide withoute the dores of the said Chapiter withoute entryng in to it duryng all the tyme that the said Soverayne and other Knyghtes shall be in the said Chapiter for that tyme. And if so be that eny of the abovenamed Knyghtes come to late to the first Evensong of the said even or Mattens Masse or laste Evensong the saide day of Saynt George he shall have for penance that duryng the tyme and space of suche devyne serâ—yce he shall knele or stande before his Stall in the Place of the Oueresters and if he come not to gyve attendance upon the parson of the said Soverayne the sayd Even and day of Saynt George as is aforesaid And that he have no â—ycence or other Reasonable excuse and that it be acceptable to the said Soverayne for his absence in this case the said Knyght that soo shall have done for his penance shall not come in his Stall at the next Feast ensuyng in the presence of the Soverayne nor in his said Stall in the said College of Wyndesore And farthermore shall pay xl. for to be converted and bestowed to the use of the Ornamentes of the said Collage V. Item if it chaunsed that any of the Knyghtes of the said Order by leave or licens or otherwise were in his howse or in any orber place at his libertie and fraunchise the said even and day of Saynt George be shall be bound to cause to be prepared a Capitall Stall in the Church or Chappel in the which he shall heare devine Service In the Capitall Stall shall be sett and elevated the Order of Saint George named the Gartier beyng within a Garter and his propre arms within the Garter also shall be set at a Stall that shall be asmoche in distance after the proportion and quantite of the said Church or Chapell from the Stall of the said Soverayn as is his Stall in the Castell of Wyndesore and shall were his said habit hole and shall heare the devyne service suche as by the holy Church is ordened and limited for the said day aswell the first evensong Mattens Mass as the latter evensonge In doyng by hym first Reverence to the Aulter in the honor of God and after to the Stall where is fired or sett up the Armes of the said Order as well and as often at his comyng in as at his goyng owte of the said Church or Chapell And also as often as he shall passe before the said Armes allwey excepte the Emperours Kynges Princes Electors The which may in this case so ordeyne their Seates and Stalles as yt sâ—all seme them beast and at their pleasure VI. Item if yt were so that withoute any prorogacion the said Feast and Solempnyte of Saynt George were kept and celebrated the said Castell or Wyndesore and if it were not tâ—e pleasure of the seid Soverayne for to be present or that conveniently he may not be there in parson the said day and Feast at his said Castell of Wyndesore That in this case in what place that his pleasure shall be teyng within this his Realme of England his Majestie may appoynte and commaunde suche Knyghtes of the seid Order as best shall seme hym there for to kepe Company and geve attendance upon the parson and to kepe all and lyke Ceremonyes as though they were at the said Castell of Wyndesore And they doyng the thynges abovesaid shall be excused for their absence of the Feast of Saynt George holden at the said Castell of Wyndesore for that yere VII Item it is agreed that if the Soveraine cannot be at Seynt George's Feasâ— that he shall make his Deputy by his Letterâ— for to kepe the Câ—apter upon Saynt Georgâ—'s Even at the owre of tierce the which is at three of the Clocke at
after none and on Saynt George's day for to kepe the said Feast at the costes of the said Soverayne for the space abovesaid withoute any new Ordenance to be made havyng power to correcte and redresse all poyntes of the said Chapter as for then shall seme necessary VIII Item that every one on Saynt Georges Even that is to wit the xxii day of April a gatheryng together shall be made of all the Knightes of Saynt George within the Castell of Wyndesore That is to wit of all them that shall be within this Realme of Englande or withoute that conveniently may come And there they shall have the service of Saynt George and also shall were their hole habit of the said Order duryng the seid servyce beyng ordinarily in they re Stalls And every of them shall have his Banner Sworde with his Helme and Creste above his Stall the whiche duryng his lyff shall abyde in the said Chappel for his honor and in signe and knowledge that he beres them in defence of holy Churche as the Order of Knyghthod requireth But in case that the seid Feast of Saynt George happen to fall within xv dayes after the Feast of Easter or upon any Fyshe-daye or Fastyng day then it shall be proroged and prolonged at the Soverayne's pleasure as above is seid if so be that the day of the seid Feast be not assigned ne ordenyd to be kepte the xxiv xxv xxvi nor the last day of April nor upon the fowre firste dayes of May for by cause of the impediment or let of devyne servyce ordened by holy Churche for the double Feastes of Saynte Marke Philipp and Jacob and the Invention of the Holy Crosse of our Lord Jesu Chryste nor at suche dayes as shall fall the Assencion or the Feast of Penthecoste or any other Feaste of Solempnite as is ordened in holy Churche whereby the fyrst or seconde Evensonge by suche Prorogacions myght be letted and distorbed IX Item that all the Knyghtis of the said Order shall come yerely in the said place of the said Castell of Wyndesore on Saynte George's Even at th'owre of tierce the whiche is at three of the Clocke at afternoone as it is aboveseid And if thei come not at the tyme assigned without havyng a juste and reasonable excuse that may be acceptable to the said Soverayne or to his Deputie or otherwyse pardoned by the seid Soverayne of their absence by special Letters of excuse in the whiche Letters theyr names and causes shall be wryten or otherwyse shall have their pennance after th'ordenance and agreement of the said Chaptre And the said Ordenaunce is suche that they shall not entre into the Chaptre for that tyme but shall byde withoute the dore And shall have no voyce in any thynge that is done in the said Chaptre at that tyme alonly And if they come not to Evensonge before the begynnyng of the said Evensonge they shall not enter into their Stalles but shall byde belowe affore the said Stallis in the Queristers places duryng the said Evensonge And like pennance is ordened for them that come not to the high masse betyme and at Evensonge on Saynt George's daye And if there be any that come not to the Feaste and have not a reasonable excuse towarde the Soverayne or his Deputye as it is above declared his pennance shall bee that he shall not enter within his Stall tâ—e next Feast after but shall byde below as it is said at the first Evensong and shall goo in the procession before all the three Crosseâ— And shall sit below as affore is said all the mass tyme untyl the Offryng And he shall offre laste And after his penance so done incontinent he shall come before the Soverayneâ— Stall or his Deputie and there he shall aske pardon And after that the Soverayne or his Deputie shall commaunde hym to goe unto his Stall in his fyrst estate and if he come not at the seconde Feaste and be dwellyng within the â—ealm without having any excusation alowable to the Soverayne or to his Deputie as is abovesaid he shall not entre in his Stall from theâ—â—forth until the tyme that he have gyven and offered a â—ewell unto Saynte George's Aultar within the said Chappell of the valew of xx markes of Sylver of Troye and fro thens forwarde he shall double every yere the Penaltie unto the tyme â—e be reconsciled X. Item it is agreed that if any Knyght of the sayd Companye be founde in apperte withoute his Garter That he pay anon after that the chalenge hee made to hym by any of the five Officers of th' Order or of the Warden of the Seid College a marke of Mony Excepte he be voted for to ryde that then it shall suffice to were under his vote a blew â—iâ—ande of Sylke in signyfying of the Carter and also provided that no Knyght of the sayd Order from hensforthe do entre into the Chaptre without his Garter upon the payne abovesaid And whosoever of the said Officers or Warden shall make the first chalenge shall have the penaltye for his labor XI Item it is agreed that the Knyghts of the Order of St. George alwey and as often as they shall were theyr mantels they shall goo before there Soverayne every of them with his Felow that is for aneynst him ordinarily as they â—e sett in their Stalles And if it shoulde happen that eny of them were not there present his felow for aneynst hym shall goo alone The whiche Order shall be kepte and observed as well in goyng in procession as ellis where in other places But at the Offryng the Souerayn or his Deputie shall goo before all the Company and the ordinarie Officers of the said Ordre shall goo as thei have bene accustomed when any procession shall be done in the Chapter Chappel or ellis where And for the ordre of the said Knightis for to sitt at the Table for to take their reseccion by it at Diner at or Souper they shall sit all along on one side after ther Stalls and not after their state except Children and Bretherne of Kinges Princes and Dukes that be Strangers the which shall kepe their places and romes aâ—ter their astate and at their voiding and â—â—ing out shall abide and goo in order so as thei sat at the Table XII Item it is agreed that every one of them at the Casâ—ell of Windesore on the morow after the Feast of Saynte George before the departyng of the Company thâ—t the said Knyghtes upon suche Gownes as shall please them at the Chapter dore shall take their Mantels and shall goo into the said Chaptre and after that shall goo and here a mass of Requiem the which shall be solempnely songe for the souls of all the Felowes of the said Order which be departed and deceassed and for all Christen sowiles and that all the Company be there present without eny of them be lett bi a reasonable cause or have
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
agreed that the pour Knyghtes shall have their Mantells of Scarlett and a scuchion of th' armes of Saynt George withoute a Garter XVII Item it is agreed that every Knyght of the sayd Company shall leave his Mantyll within the said College for any sodayne chaunses that myght happen for to kepe holde and observe all suche Ordinances Preceptes and commaundements whiche may be advysed in Chaptre by the sayd Soverayne The whiche Soverayne by the consent and agrement of vi Knightes of the said Order may at all tymes and places at his pleasure sommon and make to be kepte Chaptre for all suche causes as it shall please to the said Soverayne to name towching the said Order XVIII Item it is agreed that if it fortune that any of the said Company shulde come within ii myle of the Castell that he shall goo in if he may for the honor oâ— the place if he be nott busyed or lett by some juste cause and that he take his Mantell before he entre within the said Chappell And alsoo that he entre not in but he have his Mantyll upon tym And the Canons there beyng present for that tyme shall come to receyve hym and devotly shall bring hym into the said Chappell and if it be in tyme of Masse he shall tary and heâ—re Masse in the honor of God and of St. George and if it be at afternone he shall come in in manner abovesaid And there shall be said by the Canons De profundiâ— for all Cristen sowles and there shall offer and retourne unto his stall And yf any of the said Company ride thorowgh the Lowne and wyll not offre as it is agreed that upon his obedience for every tyme that he faileth he shall goo one myle on fote from the said Chappel unto the said place in honor of Saynt George And also for every tyme that he shall so fayle he shall gyve a grote for his Offrynge The whiche distaunce for to com nygh unto the seid Castell is two myles allonly and no more XIX Item it is accorded the xxxii yere of our Soveraign Lorde Kyng Henry the Eight by the grace of God Kyng of England and of Fraunce Defensor of the Faith Lord of Irland c. upon Seynt George's day the xxiii day of Aprill at a Chapter holden at the Paleys of Westminster by the Soveraign and the Companyons of the said Noble Order then there assembled That as sone as the deth of any of the Company of the saide Order shall be certeynly knowen every of the rest beyng no strangiers shall accordyng to the rates of their Degrees hereafter specified immediately upon a demaunde to be made for the same by the Register and the Dean or one of them to be by one of them employed in Aulmes deeds as in mendyng of High wayes or suche other works of charite as the Kyngs Majestie from tyme to tyme shall lymite and appoynte the severall somes of Money â—nâ—yng Furst the Souveraign viii l. vi â— viii d. A Kyng of another Realme vi l. xiii â— iv d. The Prince v l. xvi s. viii d. A Duke v l. A Marquess iii l. xv s. An Erie l s. A Visconte xli s. viii d. A Baron xxxiii s. iv d. A Bacheler Knyght xvi s. viii d. Of all which somes thus to be receyvyd the said Dean and Regester or eyther of them shall yerely at the Chapiter present his accompte to the Kyngs Majestie with â—is true and just declaration of the dysbursyng agayne and defraying of the same In that cause the partie whose Porcyen shall apere to be unpayde shall in the name of a Payne adde unto his former dutye another thirde parte of the same and so for every yere that he shall be behynde to pay a thredde parte more than he shuld paye if he shuld satisfye his ordinary accordyng to the rate before expressed And if the Dean or Register or any of them shall not at every suche Chapiter present the Certificate of the Receipts and Payments in fourme aforesâ—id whereby the same may apere to the Souverayn and Companyons of the Order then preâ—ent or at the leest he in whome the defawlt shall rest shall in the name of a payne contente and paye immemediatlâ— to bee employed abowte like purpose as afore the some of xâ— for every suche defaulte XX. Item it is agreed that if eny of the said Companye die that the Soverayne or his Deputie after that they shall have certification of his deth shall be bounde for to send and gyve knowledge by ther Letters to all the Felowship of the said Ordre beyng within England for to come and be with the said Soverayne or his Deputie in what place soever it be where it shall please hym to assigne convenyently within vi wekys after the certification of the death or decease of the said Knyght The which allsoo assembled or at the lest vi with the Soverayne or his Deputie abovesaid every of them that there shall be present come to the election shall name ix of the worthiest and sufficient Knyghtes withoute Reprosse that he shall knowe subjectes to the said Soverayne or others so be that they holde no contrary partie or be agaynst hym That is to witt three Dukes iii. Marquess Erles or of greater astate iii. Barons or banerettis and iii. Bachelers The whiche denominations the chief prelate of the said Order shall wryte Chat is to witt the Byshop of Wynchester for the tyme beyng or in his absence the Chaunceler or the Dean or Register or the mooste auncient Recidencer of the said College in their absence and the denomination soo done by all or vi at the leest by hym that have written shall bee shewed to the seid Soverayne or to his Deputie that then shall chose of them that be named be that shall have the moost voyces and also he that the Soverayne shall exteme to be moost honorable to the sayde Order and moost profitable to his Crowne and to his Realme And if there be any Knyght of the said Order that doth fayle for to come to the said Election if he be not lett by a juste cause and that the said cause of his excuse shewed under his seal of armes be founde by the Soverayne or his Deputie to be juste and reasonable then his excuse to be accepted and allowed and that if his cause be not juste and that he come not to the seremonies above-named it is agreed that he shall pay to the Warden of the College for to synge for hym that is departed xx s. sterling and at his nexte comyng to the Chaptre he shall be before the Soverayne or his Deputie and the company and shall knele upon the grounde in the myddes of the Chaptre untyll the tyme that he be reconsiled by the Soverayne or his Deputie and the said Companye XXI Item it is agreed that if any Knyght of the said Company shulde departe and another is chosen and electe he shall have
said Ordre and of all this shall make a generall othe all and so as though it were redde unto hym fro poynt to poynt and article to article and shall make the said othe to the Soverayne of the said Order or his Deputie in sweryng and promisyng upon the holy Gospellis for to kepe them and entertayne them withowte any fraude or delacion And upon this he shall towche the Boke and kysse the Crosse. Item this done the said Knyght soo chosen with dew reverence shall receyve the Garter the whiche the Soverayne or his Deputie shall put it aboute his lyfte leg in saying these words Sir the lovyng Company of th' order of the Garter hathe receyved you theyr Brother lover and Felow and in token and knowledge of this they gyve you and present you this present Garter The whiche God wyll that you receyve and were from hensforth to his praise and pleasure and to th'exaltacion and honour of the said Noble Order and of your self XXVIII Item it is agreed that in case that the Soverayne be out of the Contre to the whiche he can not in propre parson do that shall appertayne to the stallation he may gyve power and auctorite by his Letters of Commission to two of the Felows or to dyverse for to exercise it in his name XXIX Item it is agreed that a common Seal a signet of the armes of the Order be made the which shall rest in the custodi and kepyng of the Chanceler of th' order or of suche a Knyght and Felow of the said Order as shall please the Soverayne to name and assigne and if he that shall have the Seales in kepyng or custodi shulde departe or goo forth for any cause xx miles farre from the Soverayne then he shall deliver the said Seals to the Soverayne or to suche Knyght of th' Ordre or to any other parsone that it shall please the said Soverayne for to ordeyne and appoynte To th' entent that at no tyme the said Seals be oute of the presence of the seid Soverayne he beyng within his Realme And if he be owte of his Realme The signet shall suffice for to seal all suche actes and wrytynges touchyng the said Order that there may be concluded and made XXX Item it is agreed that every Felow of the said Order from hensforth shall have the Statutes of the said Order first collected and oversene by the Register and after that sealed with the common Seal afforesaid And if the Knyght will have any armes devysed or cognysance made within the Boke of the said Statuts then the said Boke shall be delyvered to the Kyng at Armes of th' Ordre for trewly to ordayne of it as it shall appertayne And the originall to be lykewyse signed and sealed the whiche shall shall abyde in the Treasory of the said College for evermore XXXI Item it is agreed that after the death of eny of the Knyghtes of the said Company his Executours shall be bounde for to sende agayne and to delyver the Statutes of the said Order within three monethes after if so be that the Statutes hath bâ—en delivered unto hym by the Soverayne or to his charge The which Statutes shall be delivered agayn to the Warden or Register of the said College or to one of the principall Officers for the tyme beyng XXXII Item it is agreed that none of the Knyghtes of Saynt George of the said Companye of the Garter shall not goo oute of the Contrey nor Dominion of the Soverayne without havyng leave and lisence of the Soverayne And therefore it is agreed that if eny viage be made or any other noble acte appertaynyng to the honor of Knyghthod The said Soverayne of his grace for the great love favor and confidence that he heares towarde the Knyghtes of the said Order will prefarre advance and present the said Felowes and Knyghtes of th' Order of Saynt George before all other XXXIII Item that none of the Knyghtes of the said Order shall not arme themselves the one against the other but in the Warres of his Soverayne Lorde in his right and juste quarell and if it shulde happen that any of the said Order were retayned with any Lorde and holdyng his partie and quarell and th' adversari partie destreth alsoo to have another Felowe of the said Order with hym In this case suche a Knyght and Felow shall not be retayned but may excuse hym from all suche thynges bycause his Felowe is armed agaynst hym on the other syde and was retayned before hym and every Knyght of the said Order shall be bounde to excepte when he shall be retained that he may be holely dyschargyd from his servyce of Warre yf any of the Felowshipp before hym retayned or holdyng the contrary and adversari partye And if he that is the second retayned know that any of his Felowes he retayned before hym and armed with his adversari partye Then be that is seconde retayned at the fyrste knowledge that be shall have thereof shall be bounde to excuse hym toward his Maister and leave that quarell XXXIV Item that all the lycencis gyven to the Knyghtes of the said Ordre that goo oute of the Realme for to seke and obtayne honor and all certifications or sendynge letters and writynges concernyng the said Order â—rom hensforth shall be sealled with one of the Seales of the said Ordre XXXV Item it is agreed that if eny Knyght of the said Order for his devocion wyll dwell within the said Castell contynually There shall be ordenâ—d for hym a dwellyng place convenient by th' assignment of the Soverayne and he of his propre goods and at his costes and chargies shall provyde for hys lyveyng XXXVI Item if any other Knyght not beyng of the said Order hathe any wyll to dwelle there for his devocion there shall be ordened for hym a dwellyng place after the wyll and pleasure of the said Soverayne and with the consentement of the said Company XXXVII Item it is ordened that yf any Knyght or other parson wylle gyve any Landes heritage or rentes for to be participant of all the good oraysons and prayers that shall be said in the sayde place also his name shall be Registred and the Canons and pore Knyghts shall pray perpetually unto God for hym and also the said Deane Warden and Canons of the said College from hensforth shall not take any maner of charge upon the said College withoute the advyse and consentment of the sayd Soverayne or his Deputie and the Felowship of the sayd Order in presence and by them concented and agreed in playne Chapter XXXVIII Item for to have better knowledge of the Knyghts that shall be of the said Order the Soverayne of it willyth and ordeneth by the Willes and consentment of all the hole Company that from hensforth that every Knyght of the said Order shall have and were apertly and openly a Coller of golde about his necke wayng thyrty ounces of Troy weyght and not above the
to the Statutes of the said Order Given under our Signet of our Order at Whitehall the 19. of February 1660. and in the thirteenth year of our Reign To our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin and Councellor the Marquess of Ormond Steward of our Houshold NUM XXXII A Warrant for the Livery of the Order Ex Lib. N. p. 317. sub finem Henry R. HEnricus Dei gratià Rex Angliae ac Franciae Dominus Hiberniae Defensor Fidei Supremus Ordinis Diui Georgii fideli benedilecto nobis à Conciliis Domino N. magni vestiarii nostri Custodi salutem Vbi nos cum aliis ejusdem Ordinis elegimus benefidelem ac praedilectum Consiliarium nostrum N. in Societatem hanc nostram praeclarissimam Nos ideo volumus praecipimus ut huic Tabellioni virgas octodecim subrubri ostri de more tradas cum tanto albo serico quanto vestimentum inde conficiendum infulciri poterit pro liveratâ quam vocant suâ quando in sedem suam introducendus Windesorum adveniet mense ac die constitutis quemadmodum Equites antè solebant habere Et hae nostrae Literae tibi tutelares erunt semper imposterum N. sub Sigillo nostro mense ac die c. NUM XXXIII Another Ex MS. in Bibl. Cotton sub effigie Iulii F. 11. By the King WE will and command you to deliver or cause to be delivered to our trusty and well-beloved Councellor Sir John Wallop Knight which is now elect one of the Companions of the Noble Order of the Garter for the Livery of the same Order 18 yards of Crimson Velvet for one Gown Hood and Tippet and 10 yards of white Sarcenet for lining the same And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Yeoven c. To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Ralph Sadler Knight Master of our great Wardrobe NUM XXXIV A Warrant for providing and delivering of Mantles Ex ipso Autographo Charles R. WHereas we have appointed the 15.16 and 17. days of April next ensuing hereof for the solemnization of the noble Feast of St. George and Instalment of Knights-Companions already elected at our Castle of Windesor Our will and pleasure is that you provide to be delivered for that Solemnity xvii upper Robes and xvii under Robes of special good Velvets That is to say every upper Robe to contain the number of xviii yards of blew Velvet and every under Robe the number of x yards of Crimson Velvet and special good white Taffety to the value of CCLXXII yards for lining of the same allowing to every upper and under Robe xvi yards as also xvii Garters of Velvet wrought with Letters and Purles of Venice Gold and Pearls to place on the left shoulder of every one of the said upper Robes with xvii paire of large string Buttons and Tassels of blew Silk and Venice Gold And for so doing this shall be your Warrant requiring you further to certifie us as sâ—on as you may what number of the premisses we may depend upon to be ready by the time prefixt Given c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen and Councellor Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of our Great Wardrobe or in his absence to his Deputy NUM XXXV A Warrant for providing and delivering of Collars Ex ipso Autographo Charles R. WHereas we have appointed the 15.16 and 17. days of April next ensuing the date hereof for the solemnization of the Noble Feast of St. George and Instalment of Knights at our Castle of Windesor Our will and pleasure is that you provide to be delivered for that Solemnity as we shall hereafter direct Collars of Gold to the number of xvii every of them containing xxvi Garters with white and red Roses enamelled in the midst of every one of them and xxvi Knots each Collar weighing xxx Ounces Troy weight as also for each a rich George on horseback with a Dragon to be fastned and pendâ—nt thereto and the same number of Garters of the Order to a proportionable value And for so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant requiring you further to certifie us as soon as you may what number of the premisses we may depend upon to be ready by the time prefixt Given under our Signet of the Order at our Court at Whitehall the 19. of February in the 13. year of our Reign To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Gilbert Talbot Knight Master of our Jewel-house NUM XXXVI The ancient Forms of Admonition used at the Investiture of Knights Subjects with the Garter Surcoat Mantle and Collar MS. penes G.O.Y. p. 44. LA Soveraigne L'amyable Compaignie dez Chivaliers de L'ordre de la Jarretiere vous out receu choysi pour leur Amy frere Compaignion Et en signe cognoissance de ce vous presentent donnent ceste Jarretiere la quelle Dieu le veille que vous recevez portez d'oresenavant a louange plaisir a l'exaltation honneur du dit Noble Ordre de vous Prenez cest habillement a l'accroissement de vostre honneur Ensigne que vouz avez receu cest Ordre Et par ce considerez que non seulement de vous valliantement hardiment Combatre mais aussi sanz poeur despandre vostre sang a la defence de la foy Chrestienne la Liberte de la Sainte Eglise de Iustice de ceulx qui sont oppresses en necessité Prenez ce Manteau de ceste tres-noble Ordre en augmentation de vostre honneur lequel Manteau estant garni d'ung Escu avec une Croix rouge vous admoneste que estant armé de beaux vertuz vous povez passer parmy voz Enemies les Confoundre Si que apres avoir valiantment guerroyé en ce monde au regard de voz dignez Nobles actes vous povez parvenire a les Eternelles Triumphantz joyes Coelestes Vous Porteres ce Collier avec L'image de St. George a l'accroissement de vostre honneur de ce tres-noble Ordre Ensigne de passer toutes choses prosperes ou adverses si que les ayant valliantment vaincuz vous povez en ceste vie obtenir l'honneur renom de Noble preux Chivalier Et apres recevoir l'eternel guerdon de voz victorieulx travaulx NUM XXXVII The forms of Admonition used at the Investiture of Strangers Lib. N. p. 310. AD laudem atque honorem Omnipotentis Dei intemeratae Matris ejus Sancti Georgii Martyris cinge tibiam tuam hoc insigni Subligaculo id circumferens in augmentum honoris tui in signum memoriam illustrissimi Ordinis nusquam oblivioni daturus aut omissurus quod eo moneris ut valeas inquam velis in justo bello quod solum inibis stare firmitèr agere fortitèr feliciter omnino vincere Capito vestem hanc purpuream ad incrementum
and brotherly amity between us and our said good Sister to chuse and associate us into the Company of Knights of the same Order and for that effect hath deputed towards us our dear and well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Derby Knight and Companion of the same Order to whom and Sir Edward Stafford Knight her Ambassador resident with us she hath given power by her Letters Patents of the 20. day of January last past to present and give unto us on her behalf the Garter the Mantel and other Ensigns of the same Order which she hath sent us which they have done with the Ceremonies and Solemnities in such case requisite and accustomed For these causes liking the said Election and Association We have accepted and do accept the said Order of the Garter with honor and do promise to keep the Statutes thereof which also have been given us in writing upon the same assurance that the said Lady the Queen our good Sister hath them given Vs and the Declaration and Protestation which we have made that we be not constrained and bound unto things contrary and derogatory to our Religion Catholick Greatness and Majesty Royal and to the Statutes and Ordinances of our two Orders of the blessed Holy Spirit and of St. Michael as it is contained in the Act of our Oath which thereof we have made and given In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our hand and thereunto caused to be put our Seal Given at Paris the 12. day of March in the year of our Lord 1585. and of our Reign the 11. Henry NUM CXIX Another from Gustaâ—us Adolphus King of Sweden Sir Tho. Rowe's Iournal p. 208. GUstavus Adolphus Dei gratiâ Suecorum Gothorum Vandalorum Rex Magnus Princeps Finlandiae Dux Esthoniae Careliae Ingraeque Dominus c. Omnibus hasce literas lecturis vel audituris Salutem Quandoquidem complacuit seremissimo ac potentissimo Principi Domino Carolo Dei gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Regi Fidei Defensori fratri consanguineo amico nostro charissimo nobilissimi Ordinis Aureae Periscelidis Magistro reliquóque inclyto caetui Equitum ac Commilitonum illustrissmi bujus Ordinis in expressissimam amoris tesseram ac mutuam inter nos initam amicitiam arctioribus necessitudinis vinculis devinciendaem confirmandam Nos etiam eligere associare in Collegium Equitum bujus Ordinis atque in hunc finem Oratores Procuratores indubitatos Legatos suos constituere atque ablegare ad nos Nobilissimum virum de conclavi suo Dominum Jacohum Spens de Wormeston Equitem auraetum spectabiles viros Petrum Young Armigerum ex Nobilibus in Cubiculo presentiae suae ministrantibus unum Henricum Saintgeorgium Armigerum ex Heraldis suis ad Arma unum plenariá ipsis potestate concessâ— ac diplomate suo abunde ipsis fide adstructa munitá publico Sigillo Ordinis dato vigesimâ quartâ— Junii jam elapsi deferendi donandi atque tradendi nobis ipsum auream Periscelidem Torquem rosatum Sancti Georgii Imagunculas reliquasque vestes trabeatas in solenni harum Ceremoniarum celebratione debite requisitas a suá serenitate ad nos transmissas Idcircò haec omnia ab ipsis ritè administrata peracta agnoscimus fatemur ac praesentium Literarum tenore omnibus testatum volumus nostri electionem assumptionem in â—ujus Collegit sodalitium nobis gratissima fuisse ac fore Nosâ— Insignia Ordinis decenti cum honore suscepisse ac sancte in lâ—ges ac Statuta ejus per procuratores nostros loco ac tempore praeâ—â—itulis juraturos ea ipsâ cautione quae à suae serenitatis deputatis nobis scripto exhibita fuit videlicet Nos religioâ—è observaturos Articulos hujus Ordinis in omnibus quae Religioni à nobis professae dignitati ac Majestati nostrae Regiae nullatenus derogarent aut aliis Articulis ordinibus quos antebac suscepimus adversarentur atque hanc ipsissimam juramenti nostri sormulam esse cupimus quando solennis contestatio per procuratores nostros nostro nomine futura est quando ejus exemplar in acta referri contigerit In cujus rei testimonium praesentes propria nostrâ manu subscriptas Sigilli Regii appositione communiri jussimus Actum in Castris nostris ad Wormdit die sextá Mensis Octobris Anno supra Millesimum sexcentisimo vigesimo septimo Gustavus Adolphus NUM CXX Another from Charles King of Sweden Ex ipso Autographo CArolus Dei Gratiá Succorum Gothorum Vandalorumque Rex Princeps haereditarius Magnus Princeps Finlandiae Dux Scaviae Esthoniae Livoniae Careliae Bremae Verdae Stetini Pomeraniae Cassubiae Vandaliae Princeps Rugiae Dominus Ingriae Vismariae nèc nòn Comes Palatinus Rheâ—i Bavariae Juliaci Cliviae Montium Dux Omnibus hasce lecturis vel audituris salutem Quandoquidem complacuit serenissimo ac potentissimo Principi Consanguineo Amico Faederato nostro charissimo Domino Carolo ejus nominis secundo câdem gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Regi Fidei Defensori Nobilissimi Ordinis Aureae Periscelidis Magistro reliquoque inclyto caetui Equitum ac Commilitonum illustrissimi hujus Ordinis in expressissimam Amoris Tesseram mutuam inter nos initam amicitiam arctioribus necessitudinis vinculis devinciendam confirmandam Nos etiam eligere associare in collegium Equitum hujus Ordinis atque in hunc finem Oratores indubitatos Procuratores suos constituere oblegare Legatum suum extraordinarium Conciliarumque suum Illustrem nobis sincerè dilectum Dominum Carolum Comitem Carliolensem Vice-Comitem Howard de Morpeth Baronem Dacre de Gilisland loeum tenentem generalem in Comitatibus Westmorlandiae Cumbriae spectabilem virum Dominum Henricum St. George è primariis officialibus suis ad Arma unum vulgò Richmond Herald plenariâ ipsis potestate concessâ ac fide ipsis abunde astructâ Diplomate publico Sigillo Ordinis datoque in Palatio Alb-aulae apud Westmonasterium vicesimo nono die Mensis Novembris Anno Domini nuper praeterito Millesimo sexcentesimo sexagesimo octavo deferendi donandi atque tradendi Nobis ipsam auream Periscelidem torquem rosatum Sancti Georgii imagunculas reliquasque vestes trabeatas in solenni harum ceremoniarum celebratione debite requisitas à Majestate suâ ad nos transmissas ldcircò haec omnia ab ipsis ritè administrata peracta agnoscimus fatemur ac praesentium literarum tenore omnibus testatum volumus nosti Electionem Assumptionem in hujus Collegii sodalitium Nobis gratissimum fuisse ac fore Nosque insignia Ordinis decenti cum honore suscepisse ac sancte in Leges Statuta ejus per procuratores nostros loco ac tempore praestitutis juraturos eâ videlicet cautione Nos religiosè observaturos articulos hujus Ordinis in omnibus quae Religioni
for the delivery of the Duke of Chevereux his Atchievements to Garter Ex eod Collect. Charles R. WE will and command you forthwith to deliver or cause to be delivered unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir William Seagar Knight Garter Principal King of Arms for the installation of our well-beloved Cousin the Duke of Chevereux these particulars hereafter mentioned that is to say one Helmet of Steel gilt with fine Gold his Highness Crest carved and gilt a pair of Mantles of Cloth of Gold lined with White Sattin and spotted with Ermines two Knobs and Tassels of Silk and Gold a Sword the Hilts Pomell and Chape gilt the Scabbard and Girdle Cloth of Gold a great Banner of his Highness Arms wâ—â—â—ght in Metal and in Oyl a Cushen of Crimson Velvet fringed and Tassels of Silk one Dozen of Scutcheons on Paper in Mettal of his Highness Arms within a Garter a Staff for the great Banner painted in Oyl a Plate of Copper gilt graven and enamelled with his Highness Arms to be set upon his Highness Stall at Windesore and this our Letter shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Signet c. NUM CXXXIII Another for the Atchievements of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden Ex eod Collect. Charles R. THese are to will and command you to provide and deliver or cause to be provided and delivered to the use of the high and mighty Prince Gustavus King of Sweden against his Installation these parcels following viz. A great embroidered Banner of his Arms of coloured Velvet enriched with Cloth of Gold and Cloth of Silver and Twist of Venice Gold Plates and Purle two yards and half of rich Cloth of Tissiue for Mantles for his Helm Scabbard and Girdle two yards of Cloth of Silver to line those Mantles two yards and half of Purple Velvet for a Cushen with Fringe and Tassels of Purple Silk and Gold to bear his Robes upon two Tassels also with Knobs gilt to hang at the ends of the Mantles an arming Sword gilt an open Helmet with a royal Crown and an Orb and Cross on the top thereof gilt with his Crest a Book of Statutes of the Order and a Plate of his Arms and Stile to be set up in his Stall at Windesore And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf NUM CXXXIV A Warrant for delivery of materials for the Atchievements of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex lib. Warr. Dorm in magno Gardrob Regis tempore Eliz. Reg. p. 364. Elizabeth R. WE will and command you to deliver to our well-beloved Servant David Smith our Embroiderer as much Blue Velvet Cloth of Gold yellow with works and Purple Cloth of Gold tissued with Silver as shall suffice for the making and furnishing of one great double Banner to be richly embroidered on both sides with the Arms of France together with the Mantle Helmet Crest Sword and Scabbard sutable to the same Banner for the installing of our right well-beloved Brother Charles the Ninth French King and that ye pay unto the said David Smith as well for his workmanship in the embroidering of the premisses as also for all such Fringe of Silk and Gold with Buttons and Tassels of like Silk and Gold and for Venice Gold and Silk for the embroidering of the premisses Given at Westminster the last day of November in the eighth year of our Reign To our well-beloved I. Fortescue Esq Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM CXXXV Another for the Atchievements of the French King Henry the Third Ex lib. Warr. particul in praed Gardrob tempore Eliz. Reg. p. 179. Elizabeth R. DEliver to our well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick alias Garter King at Arms as much Blue Velvet Cloth of Gold yellow with works and Purple Cloth of Gold tissued with Silver as shall serve to make one large Banner richly embroidered on both sides with the Arms of France to make Mantlets and cover the Scabbard also the Helmet Crest Sword and other Furniture of the same and that ye pay for the embroidering of the same Banner for Purls of Damask Gold and for Venice Gold Fringe and Passamain Lace of Gold with Silk and all other necessaries for the installing of the French King Item one Standard of Crimson and Blue Taffaty painted and gilded with our Arms and Cognisance with Gold and Silver laid in Oyl and for Silk Fringe for the same Given at Westminster the 12. of June in the 14. year of our Reign To our trusty I. Fortescue Esq Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM CXXXVI A Warrant for the delivery of the Atchievements for the Prince of Denmark Ex Collect. E.W.G. Charles R. OVR will and pleasure is that you forthwith deliver or cause to be delivered unto our trusty and well-beloved servant Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms or by his order the several particulars herewith sent and signed by him to be used and made up into Hatchments for the Installation of the Prince of Denmark lately elected a Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter and after that you cause payment to be made for the painting and making thereof according to former precedents and for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge Given c. the 12. of February 1662. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of our Great Wardrobe or to his Deputy there NUM CXXXVII A Warrant for delivery of Materials to Garter for the Atchievements of Charles King of Sweden and the Prince Elector of Saxony Book of Warrants in the Great Wardrobe commencing at Michaelmas 1667. fol. 95. Charles R. OVR will and pleasure is and we do hereby require you forthwith to cause to be provided and delivered unto our trusty and well-beloved servant Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms or to such person as he shall appoint to receive the same the several parcels of Cloth of Gold Sattin Damask and Taffaty and other Necessaries mentioned in the Bills herewith sent and signed by the said Garter to be made up into Banners and Atchievements to be hung up in our Chappel at Windesor against our next Feast of the Order which we intend to hold there in April next over the Stalls of Charles King of Sweden and the Prince Elector of Saxony who are by their Proxies to be installed there and that you cause payment to be made for the same accordingly and for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant Given at our Court at Whitehall the 28. day of February 1669. By the Soveraign's special command De Vic. Canc. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of our Great Wardrobe or in his absence to his Deputy Ibid. fol. 95. b. Necessaries to be provided and delivered out of his Majesty's Great Wardrobe in pursuance of his
yere within xv days after Ester by reason whereof We have according to the Statutes of the noble Order of the Garter differred the solennenifacion of the same unto the xxiiii day of May next coming on wyche day we have appointed the said Fest to be kept and also deputed you to be our Lieutenant at the same We therefore woll and desire you to prepare and dispose your self soo to bée accordingly Yeven under our Signet at our Vniversitie of Cambridge the xxv day of April NUM CLX A Letter of Notice to a Knight-Companion to be present at the Grand Feast held by Prorogation Ex Collect. praef W. le N. Cl. Mary R. RIght trusty c. And having deferred the keeping of the Feast of the Glorious Martyr St. George Patron of our most Noble Order of the Garter until the coming of our most dear Cousin the Prince of Spain To the intent the said Feast might be also honoured with the Installation of our said dearest Cousin We let you wit that we have now resolved to hold and celebrate the same Feast within our Casâ—le of Windsor upon Sunday the 5. of August next ensuing Requiring you therefore to put your self in order to make your repair thither for that purpose before the same day so as you may be present at the Celebration of that Feast and all the accustomed Ceremonies thereof Wherefore we pray you not to fail Yeven under the Seal of our Order c. NUM CLXI A Letter from the Chancellor giving a Knight-Companion notice of the Prorogation of the Grand Feast Ex Lib. Collect. W. le N. Cl. fol. 46. Right Honorable WHereas his Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter for sundry causes but especially for the late Death of the high and mighty King his most dear and most entirely beloved Father which bringeth unto him cause of grief infinitely more then of triumph hath not thought meet to keep the Feast of St. George for this year on the days accustomed for the same that is to say on the 22.23 24. days of this month of April His Majesty therefore under the Seal of the said Order remaining in my Custody hath prorogued the keeping of the said Feast for this year unto the 16.17 18. days of August next Commanding all the Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order and Officers of the same then to attend his person wherein his Majesties Pleasure it is my due to make known to your Lordship which being by these performed I most humbly rest Your Lordships most ready to do you service George More 7. April 1625. To the right Honorable the Earl of Arundel and Surry Earl Marshal of England Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and of his Majesties most Honorable Privy Council NUM CLXII Another Rowes Iournal pag. 5. May it please your Lordship THe King's Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter having formerly prorogued the Celebration of the Feast of Saint George for this year from the usual days upon which it should have been solemnized unto the 8.9 10. of July following and by reason of the Contagion spread in many parts of his Kingdom from those days to the 26.27 28. of September and then also upon special consideration unto the 13.14 15. of December by Several Commissions under the Seal of his Order now remaining in my Custody His Majesty for divers and important Causes and to avoid the danger of the concourse of much people during the Infection finding it not convenient to celebrate the Feast at that designed time hath adjourned the Prorogation thereof by a new Commission to me delivered unto the 17.18 19. days of April next And thereby given Commandment to all the Knights and Companions and Officers of his Order that they should attend his Royal person upon these last appointed days Wherefore in discharge of my duty I do signifie unto your Lordship his Majesties pleasure praying your Lordship that you will be pleased to take knowledge herein of the Soveraign's Order humbly resting Your Lordships In all due Observance and Obedience Tho. Rowe Cranford 12. Dec. 1636. To the Right Honorable Iames Marquess Hamilton Knight and Companion of the most Noble Order of the Garter and my most Honored Lord. NUM CLXIII Another to the Register of the Order Ibidem pag. 3. Reverend Sir THE King's Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter having formerly prorogued the Celebration of the Feast of St. George for this presents Year from the usual days upon which it should have been solemnized by several Commissions under the Seal of his Order now remaining in my Custody and finding it inconvenient for divers important causes specially by reason of the Contagion spread in divers places of his Kingdom to hold the Feast at any of those designed times His Majesty hath pleased by a new Commission to me delivered to prorogue the last Prorogation unto the 17.18 19. of April next And thereby given Commandment to all the Knights and Companions and to the Officers of his Order that they should attend his Royal person upon those last appointed days Wherefore in discharge of the duty of my place I do signifie unto you his Majesties pleasure desiring that you will take knowledge herein of his Royal Order Your affectionate Friend to do you service Tho. Rowe Cranford 12. Dec. 1636. To the Reverend and my Worthy Friend Doctor Wrenn Dean of Windsor and Register of the most Honorable Order of the Garter One Duplicate of this was sent to Sir Iohn Boroughs Knight Garter another to Iames Maxwell Esq Black-Rod NUM CLXIV Letters of Dispensation for attending at the Grand Feast Ex Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well and forasmuch as you are as well Governor of our Town of Barwick as also Warden of our East Marshes for and anyenst Scotland and may not conveniently be spared from thence for certain Affairs there by you to be done whereby you cannot make your repair hither to celebrate with us the Feast of St. George and have thought good upon that respect to excuse your absence from the said Feast and do by these presents dispence with you for the same And therefore these our Letters shall be your sufficient discharge in that behalf Yeven under the Signet of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the day of April in the seventh year of our Reign 1565. NUM CLXV Another Ex eod Collect. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well and forasmuch as you are President of our Council established in the City of York and by reason of your charge and attendance there for our service you cannot conveniently be present with us to solemnize the Feast of our most Noble Order of the Garter the Even of Vigil of St. George next ensuing We let you understand that
Upper-Robes to be used on thâ—se solemn Days and Occasions that is to say to the old Trunk-hose or Round-Breeches whereof the Stuff or Material shall be some such Cloth of Silver as we shall chuse and appoint wherein as we shall be to them an example so we do expect they will follow us in using the same and no other Given under the Signet of our said Order this day of May 1661. NUM CLXXXI A Dispensation for a Knights attendance at the Grand Feast during life Ex ipso Autogr. in Bibl. Hatton Henry R. HEnry the Eighth by the grace of God King of England and of France Defender of the Faith and Lord of Ireland and Soveraign of the Noble Order of the Garter To the Lieutenant at the Feast of the glorious Martyr Saint George Patron of the Noble Order of the Garter and other Knights and Companions of the same Order for the time being to be assembled at any time hereafter at our Castle at Windesor and to other our Officers Ministers and Subjects these our Letters hearing or seeing Greeting We let you weet that We of our special grace and for certain urgent and great causes and special considerations concerning the old service done unto us by our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord Darcy one of the Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order of the Garter and of his great age and debility have pardoned and licensed him by these presents at all time from henceforth during his life to be absent from the said Feast of St. George and not to give attendance in any place Chapter or other Feast to be holden of the said Noble Order and that he to sustain no damage by any mean for his said absence any Act Decree Ordinance Oath or Statute of the said Noble Order of the Garter now being made or hereafter to be made to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Seal of the Gartier of the said Noble Order the eight and twentieth day of October the six and twentieth year of our Reign NUM CLXXXII Another Inter Praecident Tho. Rome Eq. Aur. nuper Cancell Charles R. CHarles by the grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Ferdinand Earl of Derby Knight and Companion of our said most Noble Order Greeting For asmuch as we are informed by our Chancellor of our Order upon signification to him made under your Seal of Arms of your indisposition of health and of your petition to have licence to forbear your attendance upon our person on the 22.23 24. of May next being the days appointed by Prorogation for the Celebration of the Feast of our most Noble Order of the Garter We give you to understand that we are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do pardon remit and dispense with any default you may thereby incur And we do further in respect of your age and weakness unable to travel signified unto us in your said Petition by these presents dispense with your attendance on our person upon the said Feast days during your natural life observing in your own house the Rites and Solemnities appointed by the Canons of the Order upon the usual days of Celebration being the 22.23 24. of April or at such times as shall be hereafter appointed by Prorogation any Statute or Article of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Court at Whitehall the 9. day of April in the 14. year of our Reign NUM CLXXXIII A Warrant to Garter to take down the Atchievements of Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland Collect. W. le N. Cl. By the Queen Trusty and well-beloved We greet you well letting you witte That where the Hatchments of the late Duke of Northumberland attâ—inted of High Treason and put to Execution for his offence do remain yet within our Chappel of Windesor untaken down Our pleasure is in respect of his said Offence through the which his Hatchments deserve not to be in so honorable a place among the rest of the Knights of our Order you shall repair to Windesor immediately upon the Receipt of these Our Letters and in your presence cause the said Hatchments of the said late Duke to be taken down in such sort as others in like cases have been whereof fail you not Given under our Signet of our Order c. NUM CLXXXIV A Publication of the Degrading of Edward Duke of Buckingham Ex Collect. A. V. W. BE it known unto all men That whereas Edward late Duke of Buckingham Knight and Companion of the Noble Order of Saint George named the Garter hath lately done and committed High Treason against the King Soveraign of the said Order of the Garter in compassing and imagining the destruction of the most Noble person of our said Soveraign Lord the King contrary to his Oath Duty and Allegiance for which High Treason the said Edward hath been indicted arraigned convicted and attainted and for the which detestable Offence and High Treason the said Edward hath deserved to be disgraded of the said Noble Order and expelled out of the said Company and not worthy that his Arms Ensigns and Atchievements should remain amongst other Noble Ensigns and Atchievements of other noble vertuous and approved Knights of the said Noble Order nor to have the benefits of the said Noble Order Wherefore our Soveraign Lord the King Soveraign of the said Noble Order of St. George named the Garter by the advice of other Knights of the said Noble Order for his said Offences and committing of the said High Treason willeth and commandeth that the said Edward late Duke of Buckingham be disgraded of the said Noble Order and his Arms and Ensigns and Atchievements clearly expelled and put from amongst the Arms Ensigns and Atchievements of the other Noble Knights of the said Order to the intent that all other Noble men thereby may take Example hereafter not to commit any such hainous and detestable Treason and Offence as God forbid they should God save the King NUM CLXXXV The Soveraign's Letters for celebrating Masses upon the Death of the Lord Fitz-Hugh an 3. H. 6. Lib. N. pag. 81. 82. Exteris aliis hujus Clarissimi Ordinis Sodalibus extra Regnum Commorantibus eorum cuilibet Supremus Salutem QUoniam Charissime mi Cognate N. Henricus Dominus Fitzhugh nuper unus è Commilitonibus nostris excessit ex hâ—c vitâ cujâ—s anime propitius esto Deus Nos id proprerea nunciamâ—s ut vestram commiserationem minimè lateat Missas ex praecepto Statuti pro defuncto celebrandas caeteraque complenda quâ—e vestrâ in hâ—c parte soleâ— imeresse Vestram verò nobilitatem beata Trinitas servet angeat Sub Sigillo nostri Ordinis Windesori c. Manentibus intra Regnum sed absentibus ab hâc
Officers of the Soveraign's Houshold who by knowing in due time who should be absent and who not might make timely and certain provision for the said Feast Upon notice sent by the Chancellor to the Knights-Companions as aforesaid if any of them should happen to be sick weak infirm or have any other lawful impediment or occasion which might justly hinder or excuse their repair to the Court and attendance at the Feast they may acquaint the Chancellor therewith whose duty it is to represent the same to the Soveraign and thereupon to procure his Letters of Dispensation for their absence if the Soveraign be so pleased Which Letters are to be conveyed by Garter or carried by whomsoever he shall appoint for which there was a Fee by the Mile allowed him by the following Order past at a meeting held by the Knights-Commissioners for regulating things relating to the Order the first of October an 13. Car. 1. Whereas it having anciently been the Office of Garter King of Arms to disperse and send Letters for Prorogation Dispensation and other Commands of the Soveraign unto the Knights absent from the Court which in many cases must be chargeable it was this day Ordered That if he should send any Act of favour or Dispensation to any Knight absent from his Majesty's Court or four Miles from the City of London he to whom such Dispensation should be sent should pay to his Servant or Messenger for every days Travel as much as is allowed and paid to any other Messenger of his Majesty's House or Chamber Variety of occasions and accidents as grounds to move the Soveraign and inducements to obtain his Dispensation we have seen in several Letters sent to Sir Tho. Row when Chancellor upon the before mentioned Injunction Decreed an 13. Car. 1. and always the causes have been inserted in the Preambles of the Dispensations some of which are to be seen in the Appendix SECT III. Of Commissions of Lieutenancy and Assistance TOuching the third particular namely the preparing Commissions of Lieutenancy in such cases where the Soveraign cannot personally celebrate the Feast as also Commissions for those whom he thinks fit to appoint for his Assistants we shall transfer the Discourse thereof from hence to that head in the next Chapter under which we shall speak of the constituting a Lieutenant and only note here that the Chancellor is to draw up these Commissions and attend the Soveraign for his hand and afterwards to pass them under the Great Seal of the Order SECT IV. Warrant for the removal of Atchievements IF there be occasion for the removal of any of the Knights-Companions Atchievements at the Grand Feast which hath seldom hapned unless an Installation were at the same time celebrated then doth the Chancellor obtain the Soveraign's Warrant directed to Garter for the doing thereof Concerning which as also the cause and reason of such removal we have already and at large discoursed among the Preparations to be made for the Personal Installation of a Knight-Companion that place being most proper in regard the removal of them doth chiefly concern that Ceremony SECT V. Scutcheons of Arms and Stiles HEretofore when the Celebrations of St. George's day were kept at any other place besides Windesor-Castle it was thought most necessary to provide large Paper Scutcheons wherein were marshalled the Arms and Quarterings of the Soveraign and each Knight-Companion in Metal and Colour encompassed with a Garter and thereon Crowns Caps or Coronets peculiar to each Dignity with their Stiles and Titles fairly printed underneath but without Crests or Supporters to be set on the back side of their Stalls on the Eve of the Feast But the Soveraign's Arms were impaled with those of St. George over which an Imperial Crown was placed and these in defect of the Plates and Banners set over their Stalls in the Choire of St. George's Chappel at Windesor did serve for directions to the Knights-Companions that by the view of them they might the more readily and certainly know their proper Stalls We have not met with any memorial of this usage that reacheth higher than an 21. H. 7. when the Soveraign holding the day of St. George at Cambridge Kings Colledge Chappel was furnished with Scutcheons of the Knights-Companions Arms but to shew the use was ancient there is this note put into the memorial as was yearly accustomed An. 22. H. 8. the Soveraign being at Windesor on the Eve of St. George appointed the Service of the Church to be celebrated in his Chappel in the upper Quadrangle of Windesor Castle and there being present with him 13 Knights-Companions each of them had set over their heads a Scutcheon of their Arms. This manner of adorning the Stalls was afterwards solemnly established and enlarged to absent Knights by an Order of Chapter held at Greenewich an 3. E. 6. wherein by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions it was agreed That from thenceforth every Stall upon St. George's Eve should have an Escotcheon of the Arms of them which were absent as well as those that were present at their several costs and charges But this cannot be understood of the Stalls situate in the Chappel of St. George at Windesor for besides that we have met with no ancient account of any such custom in that place we find a memorial rather implying the contrary when Queen Elizabeth in the 6. year of her Reign held the Feast of St. George upon its proper day at Windesor Castle namely That there was no Scutcheons of the Knights-Companions Arms set up there but only the Plates And without all doubt had it been the usage to fix Scutcheons in the Choire of that Chappel as at other places they would not at that time especially have been omitted because then the Soveraign appeared upon an extraordinary occasion and where many things were added to heighten the glory of that Grand Feast by reason the Peace between England and France was to be proclaimed at this Festival in the presence of the French Ambassador and was accordingly done with great Solemnity on St. George's day in the morning at the East entrance into the lower Ward of the Castle at the top of the Hill towards St. George's Chappel and to which place the Soveraign in her whole Habit of the Order the French Ambassador being neer her with the five Officers of the Order and Knights-Companions before her and before them the Officers of Arms and Trumpets proceeded in a stately and well ordered Cavalcade and after Clarenceux King of Arms had ended the Proclamation they continued the Proceeding thence to the Chappel in the same state and order As to the practice and constant usage of setting up Scutcheons of Arms since an 3. E. 6. and at such time as St. George's day was held elsewhere than at Windesor we have seen variety of Testimonies The care of ordering and providing of which belonged to Garter but the
procurando aut obtinendo Et bae Literae nostrae Patentes vel Irrotulamentum earundem erunt amuâ—atim de tempore in tempus tam prefatis Firmariis Collectoribus quam omnibus aliis Officiariis Ministris nostris haeredum vel successorum nostrorum quibus pertinebit sufficiens Warrantum exoneratio in hâc parte Et ulterius volumus ac per praesentes pro nobis haeredibus successaribus nostris firmiter injungendo praecipimus mandamus tà Thesaurario Cancellario Sub-Thesaurario Baronibus Sâ—accarii nostri baeredum successorum nostrorum quà m omnibus aliis Officiariis Ministris nostris haeredum successorum nostrorum ejusdem Scaccarii pro tempore existente Quod ipsi corum quilibet super solam demonstratiâ—â—â— harum literarum nostrarum patentium vel Irrotulamenti earundem plenam Integram debitámque allocationem exonerationem manifestam de omnibus singulis denariorum summis quae praedicti Firmarii vel Collectores nostri haeredum vel successorum nostrorum praedictorum Custumorum Subsidiorum ac caeterorum praemissorum praefato Thomae Rowe modo Cancellario dicti Ordinis Garterii nâ—â— non Cancellario ejusdem Ordinis qui pro tempore fuerit sâ—cundum veram intentionem praesentium aliquo tempore imposterum solvent eisdem Firmariis Collectoribus eorum cuilibet respective pro tempore existente super Compotâ— sua in Scaccario nostro haeredum vel successorum â—ostrorum vel alibi reddenda facient de tempore in tempus fieri causabunt Et hae literae nâ—strae patentes vel irrotulamentum carundem erunt tà m praesato Thesaurario Cancellario Sub-thesaurario Baronibus Scaccarii nostri praedicti quà m omnibus aliis Officiariis Ministris nostris haeredum successorum nostrorum ejusdem Scaccarii pro tempore existente sufficiens Warrantum exoneratio in hâc parte Ac insuper volumus ac per praesentes intentiouem beneplacitum nostrum pro nobis haeredibus successoribus nostris declaramus Quod praefatus Thomas Rowe modò Cancellarius praedicti Ordinis Garterii nostri nec nâ—n Cancellarius dicti Ordinis qui imposterum pro tempore fuerit praedictam annuitatem sive annualem pensionem vel summam Mille ducentarum librarum per annum impendet de tempore in tempus impendi faciet causabit aed annualia Ordinaria fâ—odâ— pensiones solutiones quibusdam personis solubilia solvenda juxta Constitutiones per Supremum dicti Ordinis Milites ejusdem in eorum pleno Capituio ordinandas Magnoque Sigillo ejusdem Ordinis firmandas Ac in casibus extraordinariis per Warrantum speciale Supremi Ordinis manu sâ—gnandum Sigillo dicti Ordinis sigillandum Eaedemque solutiones per praedictum Cancellarium Ordinis praedicti pro tempore existente faciendae sine sâ—odâ— aut vadiis in ea parte capiendis Quâ—dqueâ—raefatus Thomas Rowe mâ—do Cancellarius dicti Ordinis Cancellariusâ—â—â—sâ—â—m â—â—â—sâ—â—m Ordinis qui pro tempore fuerit de praedictà â—â—â—uitâ—te annuali pensione vel summa Mâ—â—le ducemarum libâ—arum de tempore in tempus sic ut pâ—aeâ—â—â—tur â—â—â—ipiendâ expendâ—ndâ—â—â— festo Sancti Georgii vicesimo tertio die Apidis 〈◊〉 existente aut in die per prorogatiâ—em pro câ—dem Fâ—sto appunctuando verum aâ— debitum Câ—mpâ—â—um per dictum Cancellarium subscribendum annuatim faciet reddet Qui quidem Compotus annuatim sic reddendus infâ—a quatuor dierum spacium postea pâ—r totum Capitulum aut per tres vel plures Milites dicti Ordinis examinatus fuerit ac post hujusmodi examinationem approbationem ejusdem per subsâ—riptionem nominum corum â—idem Compoto allocabituâ— quarum praediâ—â—o Cancellario dicti Ordinis pro tempore existente haeredibus Execuâ—oribus Administratoribus suis plenariâ— suâ—rit exoneratio in hae parte Cum tamâ—n acciderit quod praesati Fiâ—maâ—ii praedictorum Custuâ—â—â—um Subsidiâ—rum ac caeterorum praemissâ—rum pro tempore existente ad occasiâ—nâ—s nostrâ—s necessarias accommodandas Redditus lâ—â—e firmarias suas pro praemissis aut parte 〈◊〉 solubiles pro quodâ—m 〈…〉 â—enturo prae manibus solveren◠〈◊〉 quod praedicta annualis pensiâ— Mille ducentarum librarum totaliter per ipsos secundum veram intentionem praesentium solvi non poterit Tune volumus ac per praesentes pro nobis haeredibus successoribus nostris beneplacitum nostrum dâ—clâ—ramus per praesentes Quod imerim ac in hujusmodi casibus Thesaurarius Angliae summes nostri haeredum vel successorum nostrorum pro tempore existente dictam pensionem de aliquibus aliis Custumis Subsidiis Impositionibus nobis haeredibus successoribus nostris pro bâ—nis Merchandizis in Regnum Angliae importandis de eodem exportanâ—is solubiliâ—us praeâ—â—to Cancellario dicti Ordinis pro tempore existente secundum tenorem veram intentionem praesâ—ntium solvi ordinabit faciet causabit Et hae Literae nostrae Patentes vel Irrotulamentum aerundem praesato Thâ—saurario nostro haeredum vel successorum nostrorum pro tempore existente plena exoncratio warrantum sucrit in ea parte Eo quod expressa mentio de verâ— valore annio aut de certitudine praemissorum vel corum alicujus aut de aliis donis siue Concessionibus per nos seu per aliquem Progenitorum sive Praedecessorum nostrorum praefato Thomae Rowe ante haec tempora factis in praesentibus minime facta existit aut aliquo Statuto Acâ—u Ordinatione Provisione Proclamatione sive Restrictione in constrarium inde antehà c habito facto edita ordinata sive provisa aut aliquâ alia re causâ vel materiâ quâcunque in aliquo nòn obstante In cujus rei testimonium has Literas nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Teste meiâ—so apud Westmonasterium vicesimo tertio die Januarii Anno regni nostri tertio dâ—cimo N. XII A Commission for payment of Fees Pensions Salaries c. relating to the Order Sir Tho. Rowe's Iournal p. 40. Charles by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Thomas Rowe Knight and Chancellor of our said most Noble Order Whereas in augmentation of the honor of our Order and for the expences thereunto belonging we have of our own Royal bounty setled given and granted by our Letters Patents bearing date at Westminster on the 23. day of January in the 13. year of our Raign one yearly Pension and Revenue of 1200 l. unto and upon our Order to be received and disbursed by you our present Chancellour and your Successors in the same Office according to such rules and limitations as in our said Letters Patents more at large do and may appear We do by this our Commission signifie our Will and Pleasure and declare and give unto you our Chancellor full power and authority to pay or cause
to be paid out of the said Revenue of 1200 l. in your receipt all and every the annual and ordinary Fees Pensions Salaries and other Payments usually paid to any of our Officers Alms-Knights or others who do their yearly duty and service any way unto our said Noble Order appertaining either by Charter Grant or Assignation under our Privy Seal or Signet or by any other lawful way whatsoever taking and receiving from them and every one of them an acquittance and receipt under their hands for your discharge which shall be good and available in Law to be pleaded against us our Heirs and Successors for the same And in particular we do by this our Commission give you full power and order to pay or cause to be paid unto your self as our Chancellor for the time being the sum of 100 l. yearly and to the Register of our Order for the time being 50 l. yearly and to Garter our Principal King at Arms for the time being 50 l. yearly and to our Usher called the Black Rod for the time being 30 l. yearly and to every one of our Poor or Alms-Knights being 13. at our Castle of Windefore for the time being yearly 18 l. 5 s. in manner and form following That is to say every of the said Pensions quarterly upon the Feasts of St. John Baptist St. Michael the Archangel the Nativity of our Lord and the Annuntiation of our blessed Lady the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions and payments The first payment whererof to begin at and upon the Feast of St. John Baptist next and immediately ensuing after the date hereof in full discharge of any and all the said Fees or Pensions to them formerly by us given or paid As also to pay or cause to be paid any other annual and usual charge to any other inferior Officer or Servant for their service or attendance And this our Commission shall be to you a sufficient Warrant to pay any and all the said annual and ordinary Fees Pensions Payments and other Charges whether named or not named having been usually due and paid whatsoever upon account thereof to be made and given and Acquittances produced as aforesaid for the Receipts to be presented and shewn to us or to so many of the Knights of our most Noble Order as we have or shall depute in Chapiter to take liquid and allow your said Disbursments according to the tenor hereof under their hands in writing and according to the directions and limitations in our said Letters Patents and order and provision therein made and had for your discharge which said allowances shall also be a sufficient discharge against us our Heirs and Successorss to be pleaded in any of our Courts of Record within our Highness Dominions Given under the Seal of our said most Noble Order the 3. of May at our Court at Whitehall in the 14. Year of our Reign 1638. N. XIII A Letter of Summons for Electing a Knight upon the death of the Lord Fitz-Hugh Registrum Chartaceum f. 12. b. De par le Roy Souverain de l'ordre du Iarretier TRescher foiall c. Pour ce que le Sire Fitz-Hugh Henry n'agairs un de nos Compaignons de lordre de Jarter est la xi jour de Januere darreine passé a Dieu commaunde que Dieux assoile nous vous certifions clerement selonc la tenure de lez estatuz pour faire vostre devoir dex messez par la morte du quele en ycell est un place vacante a le quel il coviente par lez ditz estatuz eslier un autre compaignon en son lieu deius sys semaines appres la certification de la morte suisdite que nous au presente ne purrons bonement parformer au cause resonable que nous destourba Et pour taunte nous volons vous chargeons que sur lez peines de les estatuz suisditz saunz excusacion soies ou nous a Wyndefore en vostre propre persone la veille de Seint George procheine venante a le Chapitre a le oure de tierce pur accomplere ceo q'appartindra a lez estatuz suisditz en cez casez si non que vous nous signifiez le jour lieu suisdit clerement de soubz vostre seal de vous armez cause jouste de vostre destourbier digne destre allouè c. Don c. NUM XIV Another upon the death of Sir Robert Dumphreville Ex eodem Registro De par le Roy Souverain de l'ordre de Iarretier TReschier bien ame Pour ce que feu Sire Robert Dumphreville que Dieux absoille en son vivant un de noz compaignons de l'ordre Jarretier a la de vie a trespas le darrain jour de Januer darrain passe que selon lez estatuz du dit Ordre sommes tenuz en advertir ung chescun dez Compaignons vous certifions son dit trespas ad fin que facies vostre devoir des messes prieres les quelles estes tenuz faire dire celebrer pour le salut de son ame Par le mort du quel est un place vacant convient selon les ditz estatuz aultre eslier en son lieu dedans sys sepmaines apres la certification du dit trespas si bonnement faire se peut vel que bonnement au present faire ne pourrons Si voulons vous mandons sur lez peines contenues es diz estatuz qe soies ovec nous la vaigle Seint George à l'eure de tierce prochein venant pour faire accomplir en ce que dit est come per les ditz estatuz appertendra Et si estre ny poves nous signifies soubz vostre seell la cause de vostre empechement par quoy vostre excusation puissions congnoistre l'avoir agreable s'ainsi est quelle soit digne destre accepté ny faites faulte Treschier bien ame c. NUM XV. A Dispensation for Installation of the Duke of York and Prince Rupert till Windesor Castle should return to the Soveraign's possession Ex ipso Autogr. penes praef Ia◠Palmer Charles R. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland Fancee and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. and Soveraign of the most Noble Ordre of the Garter To all and singular unto whom these our Letters Patent shall come greeting Whereas by the Statutes of our said most Noble Order all Knights elected to be Companions of the same are according to usual form and Ceremony to be installed at the Stalls of the Order in the Chappel of our Royal Castle of Windesor before they can be admitted to have their Stalls Places and Votes amongst the rest of the Companions there And whereas our dearly beloved Son James Duke of York and our intirely beloved Nephew Prince Rupert Count Palatine of the Rheyne Duke of Bavaria and Cumberland and Earl of Holderness were in a