at the Entrance of the Antichamber his Lordship was received by the Duke Joyeuse accompanied with the Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber Ordinary who made two ranks from that Chamber door to the door of the Chamber Royal into the said Chamber Royal. First entred all the Gentlemen the Queen's Majesty's Servants the Lords that had received and accompanied the said Earl and Lords and the said Duke de Joyeuse accompanied the said Earl of Derby unto the Bars that stood about the haultpâce or mounting floor in the said Chamber where the King stood at his Beds feât accompanied with the said Barriers on his right hand with the Cardinals of Bourbon Vandosme and Joyeuse and on the left hand with the Lords the Princes of Conty the Comte de Soissons and D. Montpensier Princes of the Blood the Dukes of Nevers Delboeufe de la Joinuille de Retz Monsieur le Chancellourâ Sier de Villequier du Bouchage de la Valette d'Antragues de la Chappelle aux Urfius Chavigny la Vivone Comte de Mauleurier Clermont Denitragues de l'Archant and other Knights of the Holy Ghost and Councellors of the âstates in great number The said Earl with the Lord Ambassador Ordinary of England only entred the said halt-space within the Barriers unto his Majesty of whom they were received with great curtesie and as amiable countenance as could be and the Earl delivered the Queen's Majesty's Letters unto the King with great reverenâe and then making rehearsal of that he had in charge to say the said Ambassador presented unto the King the Lord Sands and Windsore and other the English Knights and Gentlemen which all one after another mounted upon the halt-pace kissed their hands and did reverence unto the King Then the Earl took his leave and was conducted by all the Lords and Captains unto the place where they had first received him After he went to salute the Queen Mother and at the entrance into her Chamber he was received by Monsieur de Lansac Knight of the Holy Ghost and Knight of Honor unto the said Queen whom he found accompanied with her Neece the Princes of Loraine standing at her Beds head the Princes of Conde and the Dutchess of Nevers standing at the Beds feet the Dutchess of Duzez and of Retz and other Ladies and Gentlewomen in greât number from thence his Lordship was conveyed to the Queen Regents Chamber and at the entrance whereof he was received by the Comte de Fiesque Knight of the Holy Ghost and her Knight of Honor finding her accompanied with the Dutchess of Montpensier and Joyeuse who stood at her Beds feet the Lady of Royden her Lady of Honor and other Ladies and Gentlewomen in great number and then returned to the aâoresaid Hostell de Longueville On Monday the 15 of February the King by Mouâeur de Mothefelon told the Lord Ambassador his mind touching the receipt of the Order that he intended to receive it on Thursday following in the Afternoon at the Augustine Friars which was done accordingly the 18 day of February an 27. Eliz. About two of the Clock in the Afternoon the Earl and Leiger Ambassador and all the other Gentlemen of their Train in Coaches were conducted from the house of Longueville where the Earl of Derby was lodged unto the house of Monsieur de Mantuliet Provost of Paris where the Earl did put on his Robes of the Garter and Clarenceux then representing the place of Garter did put on his Mantle and made ready the Kings Robes The King also with a great number of his Nobility came from the Louvre to the same house of Mantuliet for whom there was provided two Chambers in the inner Chamber over the Chimney was set up a cloth of Estate and on the left hand thereof a board covered with a rich Carpet against the end of which board the King did stand in a short Gown of rich Taffata having on either hand of him some sixteen of the greatest of his Nobility the rest abode in the outward Chamber for so was the Kings pleasure that there might be the more room and freer access for the Earl and the English Noblemen and Gentlemen all things being put in good order the King sent the Earl word by Monsieur Lamothe Fluelon and Monsieur de Rhoades Master of the Ceremonies that he stayed for him Whereupon thirty of the English Gentlemen accompanied with as many French Gentlemen proceeded two and two together up the Stairs before the Earl towards the King then marched Somerset Herald in his rich Coat of Arms bearing on his Arms the Kings Kittle Mantle and Hood after him went Clarenceux in a Robe of Crimson Sattin having on his arms a fair large Cushen of Purple Velvet and thereon the Collar of the Order of the Garter and the little Chain with the George After Clarenceux went the Earl in his Robes and the Ambassador Resident And being thus come before the King Somerset after due reverence laid the Robe he bare upon the Table that the King leaned unto so also did Clarenceux the Cushen with the Iewels thereon The Earl also being entred and having made his due reverence Clarenceux delivered him his Commission who giving the same reverently to the King he forthwith gave it to his secretary Pinart to be read according to the form Though at that time it was not read at all That done Clarenceux delivered unto the Ambassador the Garter who gave it unto the King who also kissing the same kneeling did put it about the Kings left leg the Ambassador pronouncing these words following Ad laudem atque honorem Omnipotentis Dei c. That being done Clarenceux killing the Kirtle of Crimson Velvet gave it to the Ambassador who also delivered it to the Earl and he to the King putting the same on with a Crimson Velvet Girdle whereunto was put a gilt Rapier which Girdle and Rapier was formerly provided by a Gentleman of the Kings Chamber at the doing whereof the Ambassador pronounced these words following Capito Vestem hanc purpuream c. The Kirtle being put on Clarenceux delivered the Mantle of Purple Velvet and the Hood of Crimson Velvet which the Earl put upon the King also with the assistance of the Ambassador that pronounced these words following Accipe Clamidem hanc Coelici coloris c. Lastly Clarenceux kissing the Collar of Gold gave the same also to be put about the Kings neck which was done by the Earl the Ambassador using these words following Torquem hunc in Collo deferes c. After the King was thus invested with all the Habilements of the Order as aforesaid the Earl delivered unto him first the Book of Statutes of the said Order fairly bound in Crimson Velvet and Gold Lace which Book the King gave to the Duke of Joyeuse to carry after him to the Church and lastly the small Chain with the George which was by the Earl delivered to the King which also was delivered by
done him the most noble service in that Expedition did select of them the number twenty five and gave them Blue Garters embroidered and buckled under the Knee with this Motto Hony soit qui mal y pense as a caveat to avoid the emulation of other who might perhaps presume they had deserved as much honor as others Now the question may be asked said the Prince why a Garter rather than any other thing should be made an Order It is to be answered said I that at that time most men especially men of Arms wore their Boots close up gartered and buckled with thongs of Leather under their Knees a Custom yet used of some men for the strengthening of their Leg so with divers other trivial questions the Dinner was spent and ended and I with due thanks and humble salutations took my leave Tuesday morning I delivered the Robes of the Order to the Master of his Wardrobe and on Tuesday in the Afternoon I with my Sons and Mr. Lennard kissed his Excellencies hands and took our leave who most princely thanked us for the pains we had taken to do him honor Wednesday in the morning I was presented with four Chains one for my self of the value of 240 l. sterling two Chains for my Sons the third for Mr. Lennard being all lesser in value than those which I had received of Grave Maurice by 130 l. The Ambassador Lord Carleton had a standing Cup with a Cover of 500 l. being of pure Gold The same day in the Afternoon I gave Rewards to the Chastellain and his Wife with the Servants of the House and taking my leave that night of the Ambassador with whom I supped I took my Iourney on Thursday in the morning by Water to Delf where I hired two Waggons to transport me to Maisland Sluce where I took shipping for England in the same Merchants Ship that brought me thither Friday morning the first of June we set sail and on Saturday in the Afternoon we all safely arrived at Gravesend thanked be God Tuesday following I went by Coach to Oatlands and delivered my Letters to the King from the Prince of Orange and the Lord Ambassador Carleton making a brief relation of the performance of our Employments which it was his Majesties pleasure I should do A Relation of the Investiture of Charles the Eleventh King of Sweden with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order drawn up by Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald Charles the Eleventh King of Sweden c. being elected into the most Noble Order of the Garter at a Chapter held by the Soveraign and Companions of the said Order the 18. day of June 1668. The Right Honorable Charles Earl of Carlisle c. was by the Soveraign appointed his Ambassador extraordinary to the said King and Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald was commanded to attend the Ceremony of his said Majesty's Investiture in the place of Garter Principal King of Arms. Being furnished with all Necessaries for this service as the Robes Collar George Garter c. and having received his Majesty's Commission under the Seal of the said Order they set sail from Greenwich in the Anne a Yaght belonging to his Royal Highness the Duke of York on Friday the 5. of February 1668. and landed at Rotterdam on Sunday the 7. of the said Month from whence they proceeded on their journey to Stockholme first to Hamborough and then to Lubeck where my Lord Ambassador having received command from the King to go for Denmark they took shipping at Framond the Port of the said City on Saturday the 20. of March and landed at Copenhagen on Monday the 22. of the said Month. After same 10 days there in which time his Lordship dispatched his business in that Court they again imbarqued themselves in a Frigat of the King of Denmark's and arrived at Stockholme on Saturday the 10. of April being Easter Eve where his Excellency continued some weeks incognito till the arrival of his Train and Equipage Saturday June the 5. the Countess of Carlisle landed at Stockholme and about a week after arrived the Ship with my Lord Ambassador's Goods and Retinue Wednesday the 7. of July my Lord Ambassador made his Entry into Stockholme and on Saturday the 10. of the said Month had his publick Audience of the King Monday the 26 of July my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George at a private Audience delivered their Credentials concerning the Garter and his Majesty of Sweden received the lesser George Thursday the 29. of July was appointed for his Majesty's publick reception of the whole Habit of the Order which Ceremony was performed as followeth Abouth three of the Clock that Afternoon my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were by two principal Senators Count Neile Brahe and Count John Steenbook the Master of the Ceremonies with the King's Coaches Pages and Footmen all in new Liveries with many Officers and Cavalier conducted to the Castle being come into the great Court they were met at the Stairs foot where they alighted by several of the King's Servants and so conducted up to certain Rooms where the Robes c. were deposited having been sent thither that morning here my Lord Ambassador for a while reposed himself whilst Mr. St. George made ready the Robes c. and put on his Mantle and having now notice that his Majesty was come into the Great Hall they proceeded thither Mr. St. George bearing the Robes c. on a Velvet Cushen At the entrance into the Hall they were met by the Rix-Marshall Count Gabriel Oxenstiern having in his hand a long Staff of Silver gilt and conducted to the upper end of the Room which was inclosed within a Rail and Ballister Here stood the King in a Suit and Cloak of Cloth of Silver with a large Plume of White Feathers in his Haet under a State of Crimson Velvet fringed with Gold to the back of which said State was affixed an Escotcheon of his Majesty's Arms within the Garter and his Stile underneath on the King 's right hand was erected a like State for the Soveraign with an Escutcheon of his Arms and his Stile also underneath with a Chair and Footstool Opposite to the King of Sweden's Chair was placed a Chair like in all things to that of the King 's for my Lord Ambassador and on the left hand of my Lord Ambassador was a Chair set for Mr. St. George and near it close to the Rails was a little Table to lay the Robes on On the King of Sweden's left hand at a good distance near the other end of the Rails sate the Queen under a lesser State of Cloth of Silver the haut-pas was covered with Turkie Carpets as was also all the ground within the Rails where stood the Regents and the rest of the Senators all in Cloaks and Bands as is used at their Dyets and most solemn Assemblies with Chairs behind them The whole Room was hung with Tapestry having a great number
Scotland taking notice that the day of the Celebration of the Feast of St. George approched and his Affairs hindring him from the observation of the just day because he could not be so soon present at any of his Houses of Residence where the same was meet to be kept he therefore thought good to defer the Celebration thereof for a time until he could conveniently honor the same with his own presence To that purpose by Commission dated the 5. of April in the first year of his Reign he appointed Charles Earl of Nottingham his Lieutenant for the Proroguing thereof unto the 3. day of Iuly next ensuing Declaring also that on that day he intended to keep the said Feast and Ceremonies personally at Windesor This Commission being read upon the Knights-Companions assembling at Whitehall on St. George's Eve following they forthwith proceeded to Vespers which being finished all the Knights-Companions present went up to the Closet and there Decreed That the foresaid Festival should be celebrated upon the day which the Soveraign had appointed And the Soveraign arriving at Windesor the 25. day of Iune following shortly after constituted the said Earl of Nottingham his Lieutenant by Commission bearing date the second day of Iuly following thereby impowering him to perform the Ceremonies of the Feast which it seems himself could not personally observe as was intended though then in the Castle on the 2.3 and 4. days of the said Month upon which days it was with all pomp and state solemnized And thus after a long interval did the honor of the Feast then return which had this effect towards the end of the same Soveraign's Reign and in that of his Son and Successor King Charles the First that it begat a re-union of the Feast and Place whereby that ancient Fabrick famous for the Institution of this most Noble Order retrived the honor of having its Solemnities celebrated within its Walls SECT VIII Of Prorogation of the Grand Feast HAving thus noted that from the beginning of King Henry the Eight's Reign until of late years the Grand Feast was seldom observed upon the precise day of St. George and that the occasion how both day and Feast came to be celebrated apart took its rise from the indulgence of the Statutes in point of Prorogation we shall further observe that this Prorogation is of two sorts either absolute as being enjoined by the Statutes of the Order or else arbitrary at the Soveraign's pleasure when for some reason he saw just occasion therefore To the first of these it is said If the Feast day of St. George shall happen within 15 days next after Easter day it shall be prorogued to the Sunday fortnight or 15. day next after Easter day and the reason of this is there set down viz. That every of the Knights-Companions might have the opportunity of coming thereunto without being constrained to ride upon any of those three holy days immediately following Easter day The same rule for Prorogation where there is a concurrence of these two Feasts is likewise enjoined in the Statutes of King Henry the Fifth and King Henry the Eighth And we observe that when the Grand Feast in this case of Easter hath been kept before the expiration of the said 15 days the Knights-Companions then absent to avoid the penances incurr'd for their non-attendance have laid hold of this following excuse That the ancient Statutes of the Order were violated in keeping the Feast within fifteen days after Easter and this was so alledged when Sir Iohn Denham then also Lord Treasurer held as President the Feast of St. George at Windesor the 24. of April an 8. H. 7. Anciently where the Register mentions the Grand Feast to be held at Windesor beyond the day of St. George we find upon Calculation that Easter day in those years fell too near the 23. of April to celebrate the Festival on without breaking the Law which was the real cause of those Prorogations As for instance in the 13. 24. and 35. of King Henry the Sixth when Easter day fell upon the 17. of April and consequently St. George's day within the following week In like manner in the 29. and 32. of the said King's Reign Easter day hapned yet neerer to St. George's day in the one upon the 25. and in the other upon the 21. of April And in all of these cases care was taken to Prorogue the celebration of the Grand Feast until some further day in the Month of May immediately following as from the before cited places doth appear Again an 11. H. 8. Quia festa dies Divi Georgii Paschatis in vigilia contigit because the Feast day of St. George hapned upon Easter Eve therefore the Soveraign summoned a Chapter to be held upon the Thursday before Easter day at Richmond where it was then held and although there is nothing spoken as to the Prorogation of the Feast or when it was to be celebrated yet doubtless something there was to this purpose then enacted in pursuance of the foresaid Statute else why should it there be noted with the word quia if it were not out of respect to the Feast of Easter and that thereupon the said Chapter was then called To this place may be referred a Commission of Lieutenancy made to Thomas Earl of Arundel for holding the Grand Feast at Windesor upon the 24. of May an 21. H. 7. the Soveraign keeping the day of St. George that year at Cambridge the Prorogation being grounded upon the falling of St. George's day within the excepted 15 days of Easter as appears by the then Soveraign's Letters of notice to the said Lieutenant which for the antiquity thereof as that it is a testimony of the punctual observance of the Statutes we have inserted in the Appendix And as the Knights-Companions had prohibitions put upon the solemnization of their Feast in case of its interfering with Easter so had the Church of England in their observation of the day of St. George For by the Ordinall of the Church of Salisbury published an 1508. it appears to have been the usage of that Church that when the Feast day of St. George fell upon Easter day or Easter Eve the celebration thereof was then deferred to the 9. day or some other day of May as the case required in their Ecclesiastical Discipline And our learned Selden observes it noted in the end of an old Manuscript Ordinal of the Province of York That when St. George's day hapned to fall upon Easter Eve the celebration was anticipated and cast into the 8. or 9. day preceding or into the 16. or 17. days of April Hereunto may we subjoin that in the Solemnities of the Order there hath sometimes been an omission in part or in all of the Service and Office appointed by the Church to be used upon the day of St. George when it
hapned near to Easter as it was an 22. H. 8. St. George's day falling upon Saturday in Easter-week the Soveraign then at Windesor celebrating the day there though the Grand Feast was prorogued to the 8. of May following wherefore the Service of the Feast of Easter and not of St. George was celebrated on the Vigil in the Chappel above in the upper Quadrangle next St. George's Hall not in the Colledge but the low Evensongs said before the Soveraign were of St. George In like manner an 38. H. 8. Good Friday falling upon the 23. of April the day used to be kept sacred to St. George the Service together with the Ceremonies wont to be performed to the honor of God and in memory of St. George were prorogued to Sunday the 3. of May being Low-Sunday and the Service of the day took place So reverend a regard was anciently had for the Feasts appointed by the Church to be kept holy and the Vigils thereof as also to the Divine Service ordained to be celebrated thereon that this Feast of St. George was by King Henry the Fifth's Statutes expresly prohibited to be held if through the Prorogations aforesaid it should chance to fall out upon the 24. and 25. days of April But in all other Rolls and Copies of these Statutes that have come to our view we find the 26. day of April added to this place and so afterwards in King Henry the Eighth's Statutes which was very requisite because otherwise the second Vespers of St. Mark might from the first Vespers of St. George receive interruption With these the like Prohibition was enjoined if the Feast fell upon the last of April the first second third and fourth of May in honor of the double Feast of St. Philip and Iacob and of the Feast of the Invention of the Cross of our Lord Iesus Christ for which cause in the 9. and 10. years of King Henry the Eighth the celebration of the Grand Feast was prorogued to the 10. and 16. days of May at Windesor which were the Sundays next following the Feast of the Invention of the holy Cross in those two years So likewise if it fell on the Feasts of the Ascension and Penticost Thus far in reference to these enumerated Festivals did the Statutes of the Order provide as also where the case might fall within the compass of any other solemn Feast ordained by the Church when the first or second Vespers thereof might through such Prorogations be hindred or disturbed which were for ought we find until the time of our Reformation of Religion begun by King Edward the Sixth duly observed But since upon passing the Act of Parliament before mentioned for singling some few days out of those many that were before kept holy there hath been no due observation given to these Injunctions but that the Grand Feast of St. George hath by Prorogation been celebrated upon any of them indifferently the Feast of Easter only excepted And in this case of Easter after such time as the Statutes were new modelled by King Henry the Eighth the time for Prorogation of the Grand Feast was left more arbitrary so also when it fell out upon any Fish or Fasting-day even at the Soveraign's pleasure and therefore since then when the said two Feasts hapned to concur the adjournments have pass'd but for some few days As for instance St. George's day an 18. Eliz. fell upon Easter-Monday and thereupon the Soveraign appointed a Chapter to be held in the Privy Chamber at Whitehall on Easter Eve wherein it was Ordered That the Feast of St. George should be adjourned until Tuesday the 24. of April being Tuesday in Easter week and by this appointment the very day celebrated by the Church for that of St. George became the Eve to the Grand Feast and was so observed by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Of later times viz. an 12. Iac. R. when St. George's day fell upon Easter-Eve the celebration thereof was deferred until Thursday then next following Lastly his late Majesty of ever sacred memory being a great restorer of the ancient Solemnities and Discipline of this Order punctual even in circumstances of Honor and extraordinary tender of infringing any of the Statutes having prorogued the Feast of St. George from the 8.9 and 10. days of February in the 18. year of his Reign to the 18.19 and 20. days of April following at the City of York and the time falling out to be within 15 days of Easter although he might by the power of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes and those Precedents before recited have kept the same upon the days designed Nevertheless without a particular Dispensation drawn and made authentick by the Great Seal of the Order and his own Royal Signature would not proceed to the Ceremonies of that celebration We come now to the second sort of Prorogations which are meerly arbitrary and wholly dependent upon the Soveraign's pleasure yet warranted sufficiently from the words Causa postulante set down in the beginning of the Fourth Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes as also by the great latitude given unto the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order out of compliance with their urgent Affairs in the 8. Article following quo Supremus volet prorogabitur But we observe that long before the making this Statute something of like nature had been practised and the Grand Feast prorogued at the pleasure of the Soveraign the day of St. George being nevertheless observed albeit the Registers render not the cause To manifest which we shall instance in a few Examples The first thing memorable in this kind of which any Record is extant is that an 5. H. 5. when about the 18. of August neer 4 Months after St. George's day the Soveraign then ingaged in War with France having reduced to his obedience the not inconsiderable Town of Caen and made the Duke of Clarence Governour thereof took order as far as the present exigency of Affairs would permit to have the Feast of St. George there celebrated and with great solemnity created 15 Knights into the Order So an 22. E. 4. the Soveraign with the rest of the Knights-Companions kept all the Solemnities of the Order in St. Paul's Church London and dined in the Bishop of London's Palace at which time he received from the Pope a Sword and Cap of Maintenance and albeit the mention of St. George's day occur not expresly in the place whence we have this account nevertheless observing both out of the Black Book and the Registrum Chartaceum that the Grand Feast it self was by the Lord Matrevers held at Windesor within few days after St. George's day that very year viz. the 29. of April Therefore these Solemnities at St. Paul's may most probably be thought to have been observed upon the very day of St. George for they
was born at 40 minutes after five in the morning of the said day the 6. Degree of the Sign Scorpio Ascending and the 18. Degree of Leo Culminating The places of the Planets as there posited followeth gr â in 5 â â in 27 â â in 21 â â in 28 â â 18 â â¿ in 8 â â in 8 â â in 26 â The Thursday after his birth he was Christned in the Chappel then of St. Edward in Windesor Castle by A. Priest Cardinal by the Title of Sancta Prisca and his Godfathers were Richard Bishop of Poictiers Iohn Bishop of Bath and Wells William Bishop of Worcester Lewis Earl of Eureux the Queens Brother Iohn de Britannia Earl of Richmond Aymer de Valence Earl of Penbroke and Hugh le Despenser Within a few days after the King his Father granted him the County of Chester except the Mannors of Mekklesfield and Shotwyke to hold to him and his Heirs Kings of England for ever And likewise the County of Flint and Cantred of Englefield with the Castles of Flint and Rothelan to hold as before except the Mannor of Overton the Lands of Mailor Seysnoke and the Castle and Mannor of Holt after which he was thus stiled by the King Edwardus Comes Cestriae filius noster Charissimus So pleasing to his Father ãâã the birth of this Prince that the 16. of December following he gave to Iohn Launge Valet to the Queen and to Isabel his Wife and the longer liver of them for bringing to him so desirable News 24 l. per annum to be paid out of the Farm of London But leaving his Infancy we will now proceed to his youth and the occurrences that attended his riper years King Edward his Father having been often summoned to the Court of France to do homage for the Dukedom of Aquitaine and other his Lands held in that Kingdom and still delaying till the French King had seized thereon it was at length concluded that he should give to this Prince that Dukedom who then should do the Homage and enjoy the Lands Hereupon preparation was made for his passing into France and a little before at Langedon Abbey near Dover the King on the 2. of September in the 19. year of his Reign first gave to him his Heirs and Successors Kings of England jure haereditario imperpetuum the Counties of Ponthieu and Monstroile and on the 10. of the same month at Dover granted to him the Dukedom of Aquitaine and all the Lands he had or ought to hold in the Kingdom of France Habendum as before two days after this new Duke took shipping at Dover thence passed into France and made his Homage in which Journey it was likewise thought fit that the Queen should accompany him in regard her Lands in that Kingdom had also been seized on Shortly after his return into England he was unanimously chosen Custos of the Kingdom in his Fathers absence then fled into Wales with Hugh le Despencer the Son Robert-Baldock and others by divers of the Bishops Nobility Barons and Knights de assensu totius Comitatûs dicti Regni ibidem existentis and at Martley the Great Seal sent from the King was delivered to him Not long after his Father ressigned his Crown upon which great preparations were made for this young Prince's Coronation which was solemnly performed at Westminster by William Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday after the Conversion of St. Paul being the 1. of Feb. an 1327. His first Martial Attempt but unsuccessful for more then what appertains to his Wars we shall not here discourse off was the raising an Army to march against the Scots For Robert Bruce King of Scotland having sent him a defiance about Easter next following his Coronation shortly after invaded England notwithstanding the Truce between the said King Robert and King Edward the Second was yet on foot and an agreement for further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on Sunday next before Ascension day then next comming The Kings Army was appointed to Rendevouz at Newcastle upon Tyne on Munday next before the Ascension of our Lord though Sir Iohn Froissard saith it was at York upon Ascension day whence about three weeks after Trinity Sunday he marched towards the Enemy but the Scots having exceedingly wasted the Northern parts and declined to fight slipt from him at Stanhop Park in the Bishoprick of Durham and withdrew towards their own Country nor could the King engage them though he endeavoured it for 24. days together I confess the first Actions of Princes are looked upon by all Eyes and not seldom with many Observators taken as the Radix whence to calculate their future either Successes or Miscarriages If at these undertakings a full Age entitle them to the sole management of Affairs we are inclined to think a judicious Eye may partly discern the strength of their Fortune But while they reside within Tutorage and their designs are carried on under the conduct of others the Event of things will manifest a dependency upon the strength or weakness of the Genius of those persons who are the chief managers of their Concerns And this was fully made good in this Prince whose Martial undertakings were very unsuccessful specially while the Government of the Kingdom was committed to others and sometimes afterwards when he was tyed up and hampered by his Allies in Flanders but he no sooner arrived at full Age but his Affairs shewed themselves as if disposed by his own Genius and the first remarkable experiment was verified even upon the Scots themselves from whom before he had received some affronts and indignities For having sent Ambassadors to the Custos and chief Nobility of Scotland He demanded the Homage of David Brus their King and these were probably Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton and William de Denum for it appears they were employed thither the 14. of Decemb. an 6 E. 3. touching the Affairs of the King and Kingdom and the doing of Homage denyed He forthwith raised an Army in assistance of Iohn Balioll Son of Iohn Balioll sometime King of Scotland against David Brus the then King which being appointed to meet at Newcastle upon Tine on Trinity Sunday an 7 E. 3. King Edward entred Scotland and wasted the Country as far as Scone for six months together Insomuch that the Scots were forced to fly to their Fastnesses in the Forest of Gedworth where they abode for many years and as the King returned he encountred an Army of theirs at Hallidown Hill which he defeated and killed about 32000. common Souldiers 7. Earls 90. Knights and Bannerets and 400. Esquires In memory of this great Victory hapning on the Eve of St. Margaret the Virgin being the 13. of Iuly he repaired the Church and Convent of Nuns near the place where the Battel was fought upon that occasion destroyed and burnt and caused
Lord he hath at this day the Title of Prince of Maltae and Goza and had that of Illustrious first given him by Ferdinand the Second Emperor of Germany Among sundry great priviledges wherewith he is invested he hath power to Seal in Lead as doth the Pope and Duke of Venice He acknowledges the Pope for his Head and the King of Spain for his Patron Under this Great Master there are many of the Knights in several Kingdoms and Provinces called Priors some of whom have also the addition of Great With us in England he was stiled Prior Hospitalis Sancti Iohannis Ierusalem in Anglia and by that Title was he summoned to the Parliament as a Baron of this Kingdom At length he became ranked the first Baron and had place and precedency accordingly above all the Barons of Parliament There is a Memorandum of making his Oath of Fealty to the King which I find thus recorded Memorandum quod Frater Johannes de Radyngton Prior Hospitalis Sancti Iohannis Ierusalem in Anglia vicesimo tertio die Septembris anno praesenti apud Mansum Fratrum Praedicatorum London fecit fidelitatem suam Domino Regi debitam coram Consilio dicti Domini Regis ibidem tunc existente sub hac forma Jeo sera foial foie loialtie portera a nostre Seigneur le Roi Richard a ses heirs Rois D'engleterre de vie de membre de terrien honour a vivre morir contre toutz gentz diligiament seray entendant as busoignes nostre Seigneur le Roy solonc mon sen poair le conseil nostre Seigneur le Roy celera a lui a ses maundementz en quantque a moy attient sera obeisant si Dieu moi eide ses Seintz Protestando quod hoc non cederet in praejudicium Hospitalis praedicti temporibus futuris This Order grew in time to such greatness in Possessions and Lands that in the Reign of King Henry the Third they had in Christendom no fewer than nineteen thousand Mannors When Saladine had taken Ierusalem after it had been possest eighty nine years by the Christians these Knights retreated to the City of Acres called Ptolomais and that being also taken they seised upon the Island of Rhodes and gained the chief City there 18. Calend. Sept. in the year of our Lord 1308. which Pope n Clement the Fifth confirmed to them and thereupon they began to be called Knights of Rhodes At Rhodes they remained 214. years even until anno 1522. when Solyman the Great took the Island by force and made his publick entry thereinto on Christmas-day after which they betook themselves to the Island of Malta which with Tripoli and Goza were granted to them in Fee by the Emperor Charles the Fifth the 23. of March anno 1530. under the tender of one Falcon to the Viceroy of Sicily upon the 25. day of April yearly and on condition to acknowledge the King of Spain and Sicily for their Protectors This Donation was confirmed by Pope Clement the Seventh on the 9. of May in the same year In which Isle they yet continue the Bulwark and Fortress of Europe chiefly to shelter Sicily and guard the Coasts of Italy and from this settlement of theirs in this place they have been ever since called Knights of Malta The Order of Knights Templars 3. About the years 1117. 1118. 1119. or 1120. this Order took beginning Baldwin the Second then reigning in Ierusalem and Gelasius the Second possessing the Roman Chair when nine Gentlemen urged by zealous devotion passed the Seas to the Holy Land the chief of which though the rest are forgotten were Hugo de Paganes and Godfrey de Saint Omer two Knights of Noble Extraction The King because these Knights at first had no habitation assigned to them part of his own Palace neer the South-gate adjoining to the Temple of Solomon in Ierusalem and gave them leave to build a small House of residence within the inclosure thereof and hereupon they became called Brothers of the Militia of the Temple or more ordinarily in one word Knights Templars And as they began to increase in number which they did not till after nine years from their Institution so their first undertaking and profession to which they were enjoined by the Patriarch of Ierusalem was chiefly to guard the most dangerous High-ways about Ierusalem whereupon they became safe conductors to Pilgrims and Travellers who came to visit the holy places in that City both in coming thither and returning thence against the violence and robberies of the Saracens which charitable service made them acceptable to all and for which they obtained of the Patriarch and Bishops remission of their sins But they were yet so poor that for the first nine years they liv'd upon the Alms of others and wore such Clothes as good men for Charities sake bestowed on them They also rode two on one Horse in memory of which primitive poverty there was engraved on the Seal of their Order the Figure of two of their Knights riding upon one Horse which is exactly represented in Math. Paris At the Council held at Troyes in Champaigne anno 1127. they had certain Rules assigned to them drawn up by St. Bernard Abbot of Clairuaux a French Gentleman Lord of Fontaines a Village and Castle distant about half a mile from Dion by the appointment of Pope Honorius the Second and Stephen Patriarch of Ierusalem in the presence of which Patriarch they made their Vows of Obedience Poverty and Chastity and to live under the rule of Canons Regular of St. Augustine They were also enjoined to wear a White Habit to which but not till the time of Eugenius the Third they assumed the Red Cross and of the same form that the Knights Hospitallers of St. Iohn of Ierusalem wore though Favin saith it was a Patriarchal Cross and sewed it ân the left shoulder of their Mantles to distinguish them from the Knights of other Orders in the Holy Land And thus as by their âhite Habit their innocency was notified so by the Red Cross their resolution to spend their blood in defence of the Christian Faith These Knights with those other of the Holy Sepulâhre Hospitallers and Teuâonicks were the principal Columns which supported the Kingdom of Ierusalem for a long time and therefore their valiant encounters with the Infidels and forwardness to sacrifice their lives for the honor of God and defence of the Holy Land ought to be had in everlasting remembrance But when Riches increast and their Revenues were augmented they grew proud and withdrew themselves from the obedience of the Patriarch of Ierusalem to join with the Pope So that at last upon Friday after the Feast-day of St. Denys in the year of our Lord 1307. all the
Collar hung the Mus Ponticus or Ermine passing over a Turf of Grass diapred with Flowers at the edge whereof was imbossed this Epigraph in French A Ma Vie the devise of his Grandfather Iohn by which he made known the greatness of his courage and rather than fail of his word that he would undergo any misfortune This Order took ending when the Dukedom of Bretagne became annexed to the Crown of France by the marriage of Anne Dutchess of Bretagne with Charles the Eighth and he being dead with Lewis the Twelfth both French Kings The Order of the Ermyne in Naples 38. Ferdinand the First King of Naples after the end of the War which he had with Iohn of Lorain Duke of Calabria erected this Order in the year of our Lord 1463. being moved thereunto upon the Treason intended against him by Marinus Marcianus Duke of Sessa and Prince of Rosiona his Brother-in-law who raising a confederacy against him intended to kill him when they should be together that so he might transfer the Kingdom to the Duke of Calabria But this Plot being discovered and the Duke apprehended by the King his Subjects expecting that he should have executed Justice upon him he not only forbore it but having instituted this Order of Chevalry the first of many that were invested with the Collar thereof was this his Brother-in-law whom he not only pardoned but also honored and besides whom admitted all the Noblemen of Title in the Kingdom thereinto The Collar was of Gold intermixt with Mud or Dirt to which depended an Ermyne and this Motto Malo mori quam faedari The Order of St. Michael in Naples 39. Albertus Miraeus makes this King Ferdinand Founder of another Order of Knighthood in Naples in memory of St. Michael the Arch-Angel Patron of Apulia The Habit of the Knights was a long White Mantle embroidered with Ermyns and the Collar of Gold composed of the Letters O to which was added for Symbol this Epigraph Decorum This Order is likewise taken notice of by the Author of the Iurisprudentia Heroica but perhaps it may be the same with that of the Ermyn since we observe the Habit hereof is embroidered with Ermyns and might be otherwise called of St. Michael if so be it were dedicated to his honor The Order of Knights of St. Michael in France 40. Lewis the Eleventh of France considering how much the Factions of the Nobility of his Realm had disordered his Affairs to the end he might reunite their affections to himself and confirm the same by new obligations of Honor instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1469. to which he gave the Title of St. Michael this Arch-Angel being esteemed the titular Angel and Protector of the Realm of France in reverence of whom the ancient Kings of France were wont to observe the feast-Feast-day of this Saint with great solemnity and keep an open Court This King Lewis by the foundational Statutes of the Order which passed his Royal Assent at Amboise the first of August in the year aforesaid ordained That the number of Knights should be 36. whereof himself and his Successors were to be Chief but afterwards the number far exceeded even to 300. The Collar of this Order is composed of Scallop-shells of Gold joined one with another and double banded fastned on small Chains or Males of Gold to the midst thereof is annexed an Oval of Gold on which a rising hillock whereon standeth the Picture of St. Michael combating with and trampling upon the Dragon all curiously enamelled to which saith Mennenius was adjoined this Epigraph Immensi tremor Oceani The Habit appointed by the Founder was a Mantle of White Damask hanging down to the ground furr'd with Ermyn having its Cape embroidered with Gold and the border of the Robe interwoven with Scallops of Gold the Chaperon or Hood with its long Tippet was made of Crimson Velvet But afterwards King Henry the Second ordered That this Mantle should be made of Cloth of Silver embroidered with three Crescents of Silver interwoven with Trophies Quivers and Turkish Bows semed and cantoned with Tongues and Flames of fire and moreover that the Chaperons of Crimson Velvet should be covered with the same embroidery The grand Assembly was by the Soveraign and Knights directed according to the Statutes to be held as a solemn Festival on Michaelmas day and the place appointed for celebration of these pompous Ceremonies at the Church of Mount St. Michael in Normandy built by St. Autbert upon St. Michael's appearing to him in a Vision and liberally endowed by âollo Duke of Normandy and his Successors but afterwards removed to Bois de Vincennes not far from Paris There is an Herald of Arms appointed to this Order called Monsieur St. Michel whose duty is to attend the Solemnities thereof and who in most things is precedented by our Garter King of Arms. Such care and moderation was used by King Henry the Third of France when he instituted the Order of the Holy Ghost not only to preserve the honor of this Order in its full splendor notwithstanding the example of former times where the rising of a new Order hath commonly proved the setting of the old but to reform some miscarriages which had crept into it by bestowing it upon some meââ and undeserving persons that he not only continued the annual Solemnities thereof and Election of Knights thereinto but also declared that neither Strangers nor the Natives of France who before are Knights of any other Order should enter into that of the Holy Ghost except those only of St. Michael The Collar of which Order is thereby made lawful to be worn with that of the Holy Ghost and usually represented within it that being esteemed the more worthy place And we are told it is now customary for those that are design'd to be Knights of the Holy Ghost to be admitted into the Order of St. Michael the Evening before they receive that Order Knights of St. Hubert in Gullick 41. Gerard Duke of Gullick and Berg or as the French call them Iuliers and Mont Instituted a Military Order in the year of our Lord 1473. in veneration of St. Hubert Bishop of Liege who died anno 727. The Statutes thereof were written in the Dutch Tongue whereunto was added a Catalogue of the Knights and their Arms to the year of our Lord 1487. But further mention of this Order or what was the Badge thereof we do not find The Order of the Elephant in Denmark 42. Observing some difference among Writers touching the Institution Collar and Ensign of this Order I was in doubt what to say till at length I haply met with better satisfaction from a Letter wrote anno 1537. by Avo Bilde Bishop of Arhusen sometime Chancellor to Iohn King of Denmark and Norway unto Iohn Fris Chancellor to King Christian the Third
of Richard Duke of Gloucester confirm'd and deliver'd to the Dean and Chapter the Mannors of Bentfieldbury in the County of Essex Knapton in the County of Norfolk and Chellesworth in the County of Suffolk who thereupon granted among other things that they and their Successors should cause yearly for ever a Mass to be daily celebrated in this Chappel for the good estate of the said Duke and of Anne his Dutchess while they lived and their souls when dead as also for the souls of their Parents and Benefactors Sir Thomas St. Leger Knight sometime Husband to Anne Dutchess of Exeter Sister to King Edward the Fourth founded a Chantry of two Priests who in the middle Chappel situate on the North side of the Church were ordain'd to pray for the healthful estate of King Edward the Fourth and his Queen and Cicely Dutchess of York the Kings Mother while they lived and for their souls when dead as also for the Soul of Richard Duke of York the good estate of the said Sir Thomas and Richard Bishop of Salisbury then living and after their decease for their souls and the soul of Anne Dutchess of Exeter The Foundation of this Chantry and the Covenants between Sir Thomas St. Leger and the Dean and Colledge are dated the 20. of April anno 22. E. 4. By the last Will of King Edward the Fourth a Chantry was ordained to be founded of two Priests to serve at his Tomb to whom was appointed an exhibition of twenty Marks yearly apiece They were called King Edward's Chantry Priests The Chantry of Thomas Passche one of the Canons of this Chappel was founded for a Priest to pray daily for his Soul and the Soul of William Hermer another of the Canons there as also for the good estate of Master Iohn Arundel and Master Iohn Seymer Canons and of Master Thomas Brotherton and their Souls after they should depart this life There was another Chantry Priest assigned to pray for the Souls of the said Passche and Hermer and of Iohn Plumer Verger of the Chappel and Agatha his Wife which devotion was appointed to be perform'd at the Altar on the North side of the new Church and the setlement thereof bears date the 18. of March anno 9. Hen. 7. The first of March anno 12. H. 7. Margaret Countess of Richmond obtained license from the King that she or her Executors might found a Chantry of four Chaplains to pray for her Soul the Souls of her Parents and Ancestors and all faithful Souls departed This Celebration was to be performed in a place neer the East part of the new work of the Chappel And the 18. of Iuly anno 13. H. 7. the Dean and Canons granted that the Countess or her Executors should erect such a Chantry in the Chappel as is before mentioned The Chantry of William Lord Hastings founded of one Priest to pray for his Soul the Souls of the Lady Katherine his Widow and of Edward Lord Hastings his Son and Mary his Wife after their death The Chappel wherein this Service was celebrated is that on the North side of the Choire about the middle thereof where the Body of this Lord lies interred The Ordination is dated the 21. of February anno 18. H. 7. On the North side of St. Georges Chappel stands a little house built for the habitation of this Chantry Priest having over the Door cut in stone the Lord Hastings's Arms surrounded with a Garter Charles Somerset Lord Herbert created afterwards Earl of Worcester was buried in the South Chappel dedicated to the Virgin Mary at the West end of the Church where he ordain'd a secular Priest to say Mass every day and to pray for the Souls of him and his first Wife Elizabeth the Daughter and Heir of William Herbert Earl of Huntingdon Lord Herbert of Gower who also lies there interred Adjoining to the House built for the Lord Hastings's Chantry Priest is another like Building erected for this Chantry Priest and over the Door thereof now to be seen is the Founders Arms within a Garter cut also upon stone The Foundation of this Chantry is dated the 30. of Iuly anno 21. H. 7. To these we shall add the pious Foundation of the House called the New Commons erected over against the North Door of the Body of St. George's Chappel by Iames Denton one of the Canons of the Colledge sometimes Dean of Lichfield anno 11. H. 8. for the lodging and dieting such of the Chantry Priests Choristers and stipendary Priests who had no certain place within the Colledge where to hold Commons in but were constrained daily to eat their Meals in sundry houses of the Town this House he furnished with proper Utensils for such a use the whole charge amounting to 489 l. 7 s. 1 d. and for all which the Choristers were desired by him in the Statutes he ordained for their Rule and Government to say certain Prayers when they entred into the Chappel and after his death to pray for his and the Souls of all the faithful departed In this Chappel of St. George there were heretofore several Anniversaries or Obits held and celebrated some of them as they are entred down in an Account of Owen Oglethorp Treasurer of the Colledge for the year commencing the first of October anno 38. H. 8. and ending the last of September anno 1. E. 6. inclusive we will here remember October November 2. Sir Thomas Sentleger Knight 3. William Bewster Canon 6. Iohn Wygrym Canon 5. Iohn Plomer Verger 8. William Edyngton Bishop of Winchest 10. Iohn Brydbroke Canon 9. King Edward the Fourth 13. Thomas Pashe Canon 16. Rich. Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury 20. Robert Vere Earl of Oxford 22. William Cock Canon 27. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick  29. Iohn Chapman Vicar Prospect of the Cancellor Screen from the West PROSPECT OF THE CANCELL from the East PROSPECT OF THE CHOIRE from the West PROSPECT OF THE CHOIRE from the East December January 3. Ralph Wyndesor 3. Katherine Queen of England 14. Iohn Howden Canon 8. King Edward the Fourth 30. Richard Duke of York 10. Anne Devereux 31. Tho. Beauford Duke of Exeter 11. Iohn Chambre Canon  12. Anne Dutchess of Exeter  14. Geoffry Aston February March 4. Richard Raunds Canon 1. Richard Smith 21. William Mugge Custos 4. Knights of the Garter 28. Roger Lupton Canon 5. Walter Devereux  10. Richard Welles Canon  19. King Henry the Fourth  24. Henry Duke of Lancaster April May. 3. William Butler Canon 11. King Henry the Seventh 5. Geoffry Wren Canon 21. King Henry the Sixth 6. King Edward the Fourth  19. Robert Ravendale Canon  20. Anne Dutchess of Exeter  21. Iohn Bean and his Wife  June July 2. Iohn Stokes Canon 9. King Edward the Fourth 7. Anne Queen of England 12. Anne Dutchess of Exeter 8. Edward the Black Prince 13. William Harmer Canon 11. William
Garter and answerable to the just number of the Knights-Companions of that most noble Ordâr And for a further distinction between these Canons-Secular and the Priests the first twelve are in a Bull of Pope Innocent the Eighth called Majores Canonici the other elsewhere Canonici Minores or Petty Canons To these twelve Seculars were assigned so many Prebendships in the Chappel of St. George as also Stalls in the Choire and Places in the Chapter together with that held by the Custos whence of later times they are frequently called Prebends as well as Canons and their Dignities Canonships and Prebendships Every Prebend hath a Sacerdotal power given him by the Statutes of the Colledge and in regard of this those Statutes further ordained That each Canon of the Chappel being a Prebend if not at that time a Priest should within a year after he hath enjoyed his Prebendship be so ordained otherwise without further admonition to be deprived thereof By the fore-mentioned Bull of Pope Clement the Sixth there is reserved to the Founder his Heirs and Successors the right of presenting the Canons Priests Clerks Alms-Knights and Ministers belonging to the Colledge and thereupon we find it noted that he nominated and presented William Mugg and four other Presbyters to the Bishop of Winchester to institute them Canons and Prebends in the Canonships and Prebendships of the Chappel which the Bishop did accordingly and then gave the said William Mugg institution to the place of Custos upon the Founders nomination and presentation also Notwithstanding which it appears by the Institution of the Garter that the first Canons were presented to the Custos by the first Founders of the Order viz. the five and twenty first Knights-Companions every one of them being permitted by the Soveraign's favour to present a Canon yet was it therewithal provided That neither the Knights-Companions who thus first presented nor any one of their Successors from that time should present to the vacant Canonships but the Soveraign only To which end in another place the Custos was obliged when any of the Canons died the Soveraign being out of the Kingdom to signifie the same to him by Letter that so he might appoint whom he thought sit to succeed him But upon whomsoever these Dignities are conferr'd they ought to be Admitted Instituted and Installed by the Custos or Dean or his Lieutenant to whom at the time of their Installation they are to be obliged by Oath to yield Canonical Obedience and observe the Statutes of the Colledge so far as it concerns them The form of their Admittance is annexed to those Statutes The principal duty of these Canons so also of the Vicars Clerks Alms-Knights and Ministers of the Colledge is continually and personally to attend upon the Service of God in the Chappel of St. George and upon each days omission of a Canon-Resident it was Ordained that he should forfeit his quotidian distribution viz. twelve pence Nor do we find any license of non-residence or discontinuance given to any of the Canons by the Colledge Statutes but only to the Custos and that but for sixty days in the whole year as is before remembred howbeit there is mention of Canons-Resident and non-Resident in the said Statutes to the non-Residents there are great defalcations appointed to be made and good reason for it because the Resident-Canons bear not only the burthen of that duty belonging to the Chappel and Colledge but the expence of Hospitality and other works of Charity occasioned from their residing at Windesor Nevertheless the effect of a favourable indulgence towards the Canons was introduced by degrees and when Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury had obtained power by a Bull from Sixtus the Fourth to make new Statutes in the Colledge he in this particular dispensed with the old ones and the fifth of March 1478. gave to the Dean and every Canon and their Successors fourteen days of non-Residence in every Term to wit six and fifty days in the year By the visitation held anno 1552. these days are inlarged to fourscore and the Lord Chancellor Hatton yet further indulged them with two hundred and two days which liberty the late Lord Chancellor Hyde confirmed and consequently there remains one hundred sixty and three days in the year in which the Canons ought to be resident at Windesor For each Canons great Residence is 21 days the looser Residence in conjunction with the greater is 163 days that is 21 of these 163 are to be kept without interruption and with hospitality according to the Statute The Canons are particularly obliged humbly to pray for the prosperity of the Soveraign of the most noble Order of the Garter from time to time being as also for the happy estate of the Order And if any Knight-Companion or other person should out of Devotion bestow ten pounds per annum revenue or more in Lands or otherwise that so he might be made partaker of the Prayers appointed for the Benefactors of the Colledge his name was ordained to be inscribed among them and himself also prayed for which Article though King Henry the Fifth confirmed yet he provided that neither the Custos or Canons should thenceforth admit of any such charge upon the Colledge without the consent of the Soveraign his Deputy or the Knights-Companions of the Order To this let us adjoin the care taken by the Injunctions of the 8. of February an 4. E. 6. for commemorating the bounty of the Benefactors of this Colledge to Posterity for there it is enjoyn'd That from thenceforth upon the Tuesday next after the third Sunday in Lent and on the first Tuesdays in Iune September and December some one of the Colledge should in a brief Sermon commend the munificence not only of the Founder and of King Henry the Eighth but of all other Noblemen whose bountifulness had appeared in their pious acts and set forth how greatly God is to be glorified who by them had bestowed so many benefits on the Colledge As also exhort his Auditors to use their gifts to the glory of God increase of Virtue and Learning and the pious intent of Benefactors and lastly pray the Almighty so to stir up the hearts of the living to bestow some part of their substance likewise to the increase of Religion and setting forth of his glory Thus far of the Canons Ecclesiastical Duty but those things which relate to their Civil Obligations are to attend the Soveraign or his Deputy and the Knights Companions at the Grand Feast of St. George whensoever celebrated at Windesor as also at the Feasts of Installation or when the Soveraign upon any other solemn occasion shall come to the Chappel of St. George to offer or lastly when any of the Knights-Companions being on a Journey neer the Castle come thither to offer likewise As touching their part in the Ceremonies
decease of such Knight-Companion And yet besides these three Bodies most eminently known by the title of Statutes there was another drawn up and published anno 7. E. 6. the Reformation of Religion here in England giving the occasion but it being within few Months repealed by Queen Mary his Sister and Successor before it received the life of Execution and not since revived we suppose it not proper to rank it in the Appendix or make any use thereof in the following Discourse In the Month of December 1666. the Right Reverend Father in God Matthew Wren late Lord Bishop of Ely shewed me a Manuscript compiled by himself about the year 1631. being at that time Register of this most Noble Order wherein by way of Comment upon King Henry the Eighth's Statutes he briefly shews out of the Statutes and Annals of the Order what alteration there hath been in the Law of the Garter both before and since It is a work composed with a great deal of judgment and exceeding useful and had it been my good hap to have met therewith before I had so neer finished this Work the ready directions therein would have eased me of much toil whilst I was about the composing it SECT III. Several endeavours for Reforming the Statutes since the Reign of King Henry the Eighth AS the Kings of this Realm immediately at their attaining the Crown do become Soveraigns of this most Noble Order of the Garter and consequently the Supream Law and Interpreters thereof so is the regulation of the whole their undoubted Prerogative and this hath been evidenced in nothing more fully than from their constant course in exercising the power not only of making and establishing but changing and altering the Laws and Statutes thereof which upon interest of Religion pleasure of the Soveraign change of times or any other fit or necessary Occasion hath from time to time been done by them Upon this ground was it that King Edward the Sixth went about to alter and reform such things in preceding Statutes as seemed not consistent with the Religion he had established in England To which purpose at a Chapter holden at Greenwich the 23. of April in the 3. year of his Reign it was agreed That the Lord St. John the Earl of Arundel and Sir William Paget should peruse over the Statutes of the Garter and that the same should be reformed and made agreeable to the Kings Majesty's other proceedings by the advice of the Duke of Somerset Lord Protector and other Companions of this Noble Order This was seconded by another Order made also in Chapter at Greenwich on St. Georges day in the following year where it was agreed That the Book of Statutes should be reformed and thereupon the Soveraign delivered to the whole Company a Book wherein was contained certain Statutes by the same to be corrected and reformed as they thought best until the next Chapter But it seems nothing was as yet done in pursuance of either of these Orders for at the next Feast on the 24. of April anno 5. E. 6. another Order past impowering the Duke of Somerset the Marquess of Northampton the Earls of Warwick Arundel Bedford and Wiltshire to peruse over the Statutes and other Books of the Order and the same to be reformed as aforesaid This third Order it seems took more effect than the former for thereupon a new Body of Laws was collected together wherein some things were reformed others newly added but in effect the Laws of the Order very much altered and published March 17. anno 7. E. 6. But this King dying within four Months after the very first thing Queen Mary his Sister took care for in reference to the Affairs of this Order was to see these new statutes abrogated and made void To which purpose in a Chapter held at St. Iames's House the 27. of September next following her coming to the Crown it was among other things Decreed and Ordained That the said Laws and Ordinances which were in no sort convenient to be used and so impertinent and tending to novelty should be abrogated and disanulled and no account to be made of them for the future And for the speedy execution of this Decree command was then also given to Sir William Petre who that day was admitted Chancellor of the Order to see that they should be speedily expunged out of the Book of Statutes and forthwith defaced left any memory of them should remain to posterity and only those Decrees and Ordinances which her Father and his royal Predecessors had established should be retained and observed It may be also noted that in this particular of Reformation King Philip her Husband appeared no less zealous for on the 5. of August an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. which was the third day after he had been invested with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order himself being presânt at a Chapter in Windesor Castle it was then Ordained That all Acts and Decrees being recorded in divers places of the Great Book to wit the Black Book of the Order which were repugnant and disagreeable either with the ancient and received Statutes of the Order or else with the Laws of the Realm should clearly be abolished and taken away by the Marquess of Winchester the Earls of Arundel and Pembroke and the Lord Paget And we no sooner see Queen Elizabeth ascending the Throne but shortly after on St. George's day in the 2. year of her Reign a view of the Statutes is committed by Commission to four of the Knights-Companions namely the Marquess of Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Pembroke and the Lord Howard of Effingham Who were thereby impowered to read over and consider those Statutes and being so read over and viewed to consider with a watchful care and diligence if any of them were disagreeable to the Religion Laws and Statutes of this Realm and if any such were found the same to be faithfully represented to the Soveraign to the end that She with the Knights-Companions might establish such Decree concerning them as she should think fit Whether any thing was done pursuant hereunto or not doth not appear in the Annals of the Order or any where else that we have seen nor do we conceive there was or that this Soveraign saw much cause to alter the frame of those Statutes which King Henry the Eighth had established and Queen Mary confirmed since the Books of Statutes delivered to the Knights-Companions at their Installations throughout her Reign were no other than Transcripts of her Father's Body of Statutes and besides the practice of her time was generally pursuant to the direction therein except in some few things now and then added or altered at future Chapters when there arose new cause for so doing of which we shall give an account as the matter occurs After her Reign King Iames her Successor observing the obscurity and disagreement of some passages among the Statutes
House within two miles of Eccleshall in Staffordshire where one Mr. George Barlow then dwelt delivered his Wife this George to secure Within a week after Mr. Barlow himself carried to Robert Milward Esquire now second Justice of the great Sessions of the County Palatine of Chester one of the Commissioners of the Privy Seal and Son unto Sir Thomas Milward Knight late Chief Justice of the said great Sessions both persons of known loyalty and great sufferers for his late Majesty he being when a Prisoner to the Parliament in the Garrison of Stafford and by his means was it happily preserved and restored for not long after he delivered it to Mr. Isaac Walton a man well known and as well beloved of all good men and will be better known to posterity by his ingenious Pen in the lives of Doctor Donne Sir Henry Wotton Mr. Richard Hooker and Mr. George Herbert to be given to Colonel Blague then Prisoner in the Tower who considering it had already past so many dangers was perswaded it could yet secure one hazardous attempt of his own and thereupon leaving the Tower without leave taking hasted the presentation of it to the present Soveraign's hand The first is the Great Seal of Borice-Feodorwiche Emperor of Russia affixed to his Letters sent to Queen Elizabeth dated at his Imperial Palace of Mosko the 12. of Iune 1602. and 39. year of his Reign A Translation of which was most courteously afforded me by Mr. Ia. Frese Interpretor to the Russian Ambassadors sent over hither to his now Majesty an Dom. 1660. and is as followeth By Gods providence We the great Lord Emperor and great Duke Boreece Feodorwiche of all Russia Self-upholder of Wolodeemer Mosko Novograde Emperor of Kazan Emperor of Astracane and Emperor of Seebeeria Lord of Psokosske great Duke of Smolenskee Twerskee Ugarskee Permskee Vaticekee Bolgarskee and other Lord and great Duke of Novagradia the lower Countries Cheringoskee Rezanskee Rososkee Yaroslaveskee Beloozerskee Leeflandia Udorskee Obdorskee Kondinskee and Commander of all the Northern parts and Lord of all the Iverskee Countries and Granziskee Empires and of the Caberniskee Countries Cherkaskee Igorskee and of many other Kingdoms Lord and Conqueror We have likewise seen another of this Emperors great Seals fixed to his Letters bearing date the 31. day of May an Dom. 1594. which he also sent to Queen Elizabeth and was presented to her at Richmond the 14. of October following by his Ambassador Evanowich the Circumscription containing the same Stile and Titles above set down There is preserved in the Archives at Oxford an Instrument containing Letters testimonial of this Emperor given to Doctor Christopher Ritinger his chief Physician the Seal whereof is Silver gilt but differs in size and design from the former and contains on the reverse the Figure of St. George and the Dragon only A translation of the whole Instrument I have transcribed hither as it was communicated to me by my worthy friend Mr. Thomas Hyde the present Library-Keeper of that famous Vniversity a Gentleman of eminent Learning in all kinds and especially in the Oriental Tongues By the great mercy of God We great Lord Emperor and great Duke Borrys Feodorwich of all Russia sole Commander of Volodemersky Moscovesky Novogorodsky King of Cazansky King of Astracansky King of Sibersky Lord of Vobsky and great Duke of Smolensky Twersky Ugorsky Permesky Votsky Bulgarsky and many others Lord and great Duke of Novogorod Levelandsky Udorsky Obdorsky Kondnisky and all the Northern parts Commander Lord of Iverskyland King of Grusinsky Caberdinsky Country Chercasky and the Country of Iversky and of many other Kingdoms Lord and Commander together with our princely Son Pheodor Burrissiwich of all Russia do by these our princely Letters given unto Doctor Christopher Ritinger Physician Hungarian born acknowledge his true faithful and willing service unto our Highness in which his profession We Lord King and great Duke Burrys Feodorwich of all Russia have sufficiently tryed his skill on our princely person which he carefully performed for the better preservation of our health and through Gods great mercy by his diligent and faithful service hath cured our Highness of a dangerous sickness And therefore we Lord King and great Duke Borys Feodorwich of all Russia sole Commander with our princely Son Pheodor Burryssiwich in regard of his great learning and faithful service to us have admitted him to be our Princely Doctor to minister Physick and attend on our royal person to which end we have granted him our Letters and hereby we testifie his sufficient knowledge and practice in Physick who hath by our selves well deserved to publish and make known the same And if the said Doctor Christopher shall repair to any other Princes Countries Emperors Kings Curfists Arch-Dukes or Dukes to offer his service unto them We do by these our princely Letters wheresoever they shall come give true testimony on the said Doctor Christopher's behalf to be of great learning sufficient knowledge well practised in Physick matters as also in that profession careful diligent and trusty to be credited We having had sufficient tryal of his faithful carriage in all true and honest services towards us These our Princely Letters given in our great and chiefest Palace in the Kingdom of Mosco in the year of the creation of the World 7109. and in the moneth of August The Style about the Seal By the great mercy of God We great Lord Emperor and great Duke Borys Feodorwich of all Russia sole Commander Lord and Governor of many other Countries and Kingdoms The third is the great Seal of Alexeye Michailowiche the present Emperor of Russia wherewith was sealed the Letter sent to his now Majesty an Dom. 1660. by his Ambassadors Duke Peter Semoenowiche Prosoroskee Lord and Possessor of the Dukedom of Toole and Evan Offonosyewiche Zelabuskee Namestinck of Coormeskee Which having obtained by the favour of Sir William Morice Knight and Baronet late principal Secretary of State we also here exhibit to publick view with a translation of this Emperor's Style rendred into English by the said Mr. Ia. Frese By Gods mercy We the great Lord Emperor and great Duke Alexeye Michailowiche of all the great and lesser and white Russia Self-upholder of Moscovia Kneveskee Wolodeemerskee and Novagardskee Emperor of Kazan Emperor of Astracan Emperor of Siberia Lord of Pscosskee and great Duke of Lettow Smolenskee Twerskee Wolniskee Podolskee Ugarskee Permskee Waticekee Bolgarskee and others Lord and great Duke of Novogradia the lower Countries Cheringoskee Rezanskee Polotskee Rostosskee Yaroslasskee Belozerskee Udorskee Obdorskee Kandinskee Weetepskee Meestesloskee and of all the Northern parts Commander Lord of the Iverskee Countries Cartalinskee Groonsiskee and Igerskee Empires and of the Kabardinskee Countries Cheringosskee and Igorskee Dukedoms and of many other Dukedoms Eastern western and northern from Father and Grandfather heir apparent Lord and Conqueror This representation of St. George and the Dragon we find assigned for Arms to Anne de Russie Daughter to Iaroslaus
upon this occasion was as followeth My Lord IT hath pleased the Lords Knights-Commissioners for the Garter to meet upon Thursday last the first day of this Month where in the first place I presented your Lordships Petition to his Majesty and read the Order of Reference upon it made in Chapter and offered unto their consideration the authentick Vouchers to every part sent me by your Lordship and urged your Claim as far as if it had been my own both by succession of Bishops of Salisbury in the Office of Chancellor until Henry the Eighth and of the first Grant made under the Broad Seal and of continual renewing thereof in all the Charters of Bishops since to your Lordship and all other arguments which either my wit could present or to which by sincerity and your trust I was obliged But could not induce their Lordships to view them nor to make any report upon the cause all the answer I obtained was that it was not proper for me to be the Advocate nor for them to hear where I could not be furnished with a reply on your part if they found cause to except against any part of the title and so they would not judge you by any prejudice But commanded me to signifie to your Lordship that whensoever your occasions should bring you to London or the Court that they would hear you and from you only receive the information And that when your Lordship should call upon them they would give you such an answer as the justice of your cause should merit I am sorry to write your Lordship so weak effects but I desire you to believe that I have proceeded with all faith and integrity and that I could do no more Of this proceeding I acquainted his Grace my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury who did think it fit that I should signifie to you how the business stood that you might be the better prepared against your coming to London where I shall be ready to do you all service in my power and until then will keep your Papers safe for your use Vnless his Majesty to whom I purpose to render an account of the business make a new Order for more expedition which I believe will not be done before your coming or the next Chapter In hope and desire to be of more use to your Lordship when you shall make your own Claim or in any other of your commands I shall ever rest Your Lordships most humble servant Tho. Rowe St. Martins-Lane 6. Feb. 1637. After which we find not that the Knights-Commissioners met either upon this or any other Affair relating to the Order before the Feast of St. George begun to be held at Windesor the 20. of May an 14. Car. 1. and to that being added the Ceremonies of the present Soveraign's Installation the Bishop of Salisbury thought it not convenient to interrupt any part of that great Solemnity with the consideration of this Affair and the Scotch War shortly after breaking forth and troubles growing high at home the further prosecution was laid aside and not revived until the 19. of November an 21. Car. 2. when Seth Ward now Lord Bishop of Salisbury took encouragement upon the former grounds and the Soveraign's favour to set on foot this Claim by a Petition presented in Chapter then held at Whitehall where after a full debate and consideration had of the justness of his Claim he obtained the following Decree for re-establishment of this Office on the Bishop of that See upon the first vacancy At a Chapter of the most Noble Order of the Garter held by his Majesty Soveraign and the most noble Companions hereafter named in the Red Chamber next the Bed-Chamber in Whitehall the nineteenth of November 1669. Present His Majesty Soveraign His Royal Highness the Duke of York Duke of Ormond Earl of Oxford Earl of Manchester Prince Rupert Earl of Bristol Earl of Sandwich Duke of Monmouth Officers Prelate the Bishop of Winchester Officers Register Garter Usher The Soveraign then declared That the reason of calling this Chapter was to consider of the pretensions of Dr. Seth Ward Bishop of Salisbury exhibited in a Petition concerning the Title and Claim of himself and his Successors unto the Office of Chancellor of the most Noble Order of the Garter when the same should become void the Bishop grounding the equity of his Claim upon a Charter first granted by King Edward the Fourth in the 15. year of his Reign unto Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury and his Successors for ever which Charter hath been since confirmed under the Great Seal of England by other Kings and Queens and particularly by King Charles the First of ever blessed memory hereupon the Bishop being called in and commanded to produce his proofs to make good that his pretension accordingly the Bishop humbly offered an authentique Copy of the original Charter of the said King Edward the Fourth renewed and confirmed by the said King Charles the First in the fourth year of his Reign The which being read and duly considered together with the Objections to the contrary particularly that the possession and execution of the said Office of Chancellor had been for above an hundred years commited unto Laymen notwithstanding which the Soveraign and Companions being fully satisfied with the justness of the Claim of the said Bishop grounded upon the aforesaid Charters and likewise considering that the returning of the said Office to the first Institution would be for the honor and dignity of the said most Noble Order the Soveraign thereupon with the unanimous consent of the most Noble Companions then present did Declare and Ordain That the Bishop of Sarum and his Successors for ever shall have and execute the Office of Chancellor of the said most Noble Order and receive and enjoy all Rights Priviledges and Advantages thereunto belonging immediately upon the first vacancy of the said Office Proceed we next to the Oath the Chancellor takes at his admission which we find to be the same with the Prelate's and in the like humble posture that is upon the Knee and usually administred by the Register of the Order When Sir Iames Palmer was to be admitted Chancellor 17. Ian. an 20. Car. 1. the Register moved the Soveraign That in regard his Majesty had made choice of him for that Office in place of Sir Thomas Rowe deceased and though he had long executed the same in his absence and taken the Oath as Deputy Chancellor yet being now elected Chancellor ought to take the Oath in the quality he was in The Soveraign and Knights-Companions present thought it fit to be done and thereupon the Register gave him the Oath after which being saluted by the Knights-Companions and joy given him of his new Office he went on with the business of the Chapter It is clear from the Precedent of the Soveraign's Livery of the Garter that the Chancellor's Robe was at first the same with the Prelates both
or the like particulars referring to Election are commonly consider'd of on the Feast day in the Chapter held immediately before Vespers wherein it is most usually Ordered That the Scruteny shall be taken in the said Chappel that following Afternoon and so was it Decreed on St. George's day anno 5. E. 6. viz. That the Elections of Knights should be taken that Evensong and in the Chappel After this the Chancellor begins to collect the Knights-Companions Votes and this is frequently termed the taking of a Scruteny To the full understanding the nature of this Action and Ceremony we shall proceed to certain considerations preparatory thereunto beginning with what concerns the Nomination of the Persons to be proposed to Election SECT VI. That Knights only present in Chapter ought to Nominate THE Nomination of those persons proposed to the Soveraign's Election belongs only to such of the Knights-Companions as are present in Chapter when the Scruteny is taken for therein not only all the Bodies of the Statutes are positive but Entrances to that purpose are made in sundry places of the Annals insomuch that from the Institution of this most Noble Order it hath not been otherwise used that we can collect And it is observable that anno 26. Eliz. the Feast of St. George being celebrated at Greenwich the Earl of Warwick and Lord Burley Lord Treasurer of England fell both ill of the Gout upon the Feast day which occasioned their absence at Evening Prayer whilst the Scruteny was taken whereupon we find their indisposition of body and absence noted in that Scruteny instead of and in those peculiar places where their Nominations should else have been entred had they been present at the taking thereof And beside this we meet with an observation made upon the same occasion by Robert Cooke Esquire then Clârenceux King of Armsâ That as for those Knights-Companions who happen to be absent when the Scruteny is taken although this absence be occasioned by accident of sickness or with the Soveraign's license nevertheless in regard of this their absence at that very time their Votes may not be received Those Knights-Companions that come late to the Chapter lose also the priviledge of giving their Votes for that time which so hapned to Prince Rupert and the Earl of Strafford at the Chapter held for the Election of Iames Duke of Monmouth in the Privy-Chamber at Whitehall the 29. of March an Dom. 1663. Now though none of the absent Knights-Companions can give a Proxy to Vote or otherwise send their suffrages into the Chapter or Chappel there to pass in Nomination yet anciently about the Reigns of King Henry the Fifth and King Henry the Sixth when divers of the Knights-Companions were frequently employed in the Wars of France and consequently so strictly obliged to their several Commands that they could not personally attend the celebration of the Feast of St. George at Windesor it was usual for the Commander there in chief with consent of those Knights-Companions to make a formal Certificate or Presentment but not to pass it by way of Nomination or Vote for that the Law of the Order did not permit to the Soveraign of the Order or his Lieutenant and Knights-Companions assembled at the Feast of such persons famous for martial Valor and Virtue with an account of their notable services and atchievements attested by other persons of honor also as were at that time and in that Kingdom employed in the Soveraign's service and seemed worthy the honor of Election to the end that famous and deserving men might be preferr'd to so noble a Dignity Which manner of Recordation we having most happily lighted upon among the Collections made by the great industry of William Dugdale Esquire now Norroy King of Arms and esteeming it to carry the just reputation both of authority for informing us of this custom and of antiquity for the hand of that time cannot without injury to its due worth omit My Lord the Duc of Bedford remembrith as by the Statutes of the Diver of the Gartice the Election of the Stalls voyde be saith in the voyce of the Brethren and of the Fellowship beyng at the tyme at the Fest in the presence of the Soverain or hys Deputy Yt thinkyth to my said Lord that for hys acquital to Knighthood yt fytteth hym to give in knowledge to the Kyng Soverain of the Ordre and to his Fellowship of the same Ordre the great honours of the notable Knights that from tyme to tyme exercyseth and have exercysed in Knighthood and especially in the service of their Soveraign Lord and of such notable Knyghts as my Lord of Bedford for the tyme remembreth hym of he hath by the advyce of them of the Fellowshyp of the Order being now in France in the Kyngs service and givyng in charge to the said Garter Kyng of Arms of the Order to shew theyr âames to the Kyng and to expound part of theyr Deeds Acts and of theyr worthynesse First to expose the honour of Sir John Radeclyff that hath contynowed all the tyme of the victorious Kyng that last dyed whom Chryste absolve at the first landing of hym at Quies-de Caux where the sayd Radeclyff receyved the order of a Knyght and after continowed the Seige of Hareflew And after with my Lord of Excester at the Battaile of Vallemont and of Quies-de Caux And also sythen the deth of the sayd victorious Kyng Radeclyff being Seneschall of Guyen hath brought by hys labour in Knyghthood to hys Soveraign Lord's obeysance within the Duchie of Guyen many dyverse Cities Towns and Fortresses And in especial deserved great and notable merits at the Seige of the City of Bazates whych Seige was accorded appointed and set day of Battaile and of Rescous the whych day was kept and houlden with great power on both sydes and under Banners displayed the Enemyes doubtyng to fyght wyth Radeclyff required hym of apoyntment they to depart under saufe conduit from the said feild the whych saufe conduit he graunted them for the term of eight days like as they required The honour and the empruise rested in the sayd Radeclyff and to hys hygh meryte for incontynent followying was delyvered to hym the reddyssion and possession of the sayd Cytty of Bazates And also the sayd Radeclyff was at the Battaile of Assincourt and hath contynowed and exercysed the Armys the space of xxviij Wynter unreprothed And in the tyme of his Esquierhood was at the Battaile of Shrewsbury and at the Journey of Husks wyth the Lord Grey at the discomfiture and taking of Owenson Syr Thomas Ramston Syr William Oldegall Syr Rauff Butler Syr Ro. Harlyng Syr Gilbert Halsall Item my Lord the Duc of Bedford beseecheth the Kyng Soveraign of the Order to have also for recommendyd to his good grace and highnesse other of his Subjects and Servants now being in hys service in his Realme of France whych hath doon and yet doth take great
payne by their Knyghtly labour dayly to serve the merite of worthyness and prowess as Sir Robert Hungerford Sir Thomas Beamont Sir John Popeham Sir Nicholas Burdett Sir Rauff Nevell Sir Edward Wyver Sir John Robesart Sir Tyre Robesart Sir William Bretton Sir Thomas Kyngston Sir Richard Hankford and dyverse other But lest peradventure it may seem to some that the Knights-Companions present in Chapter can at their pleasures Nominate or propose to Election such persons as they think fit so they be qualified according to the Statutes of the Order this priviledge is to be understood of Knights Subjects only for in all cases concerning Strangers the Soveraign doth but permit and may direct and confine the Knights-Companions to the Nomination of such as He at any time intends to Elect which Prerogative we find more particularly asserted in the 31. year of the Reign of Queen Elizabeth and third year of King Charles the First In the first of these instances the Blue Book of the Order recordeth That at a Chapter held immediately before Vespers on Saint George's day the Earl of Huntingdon then Lieutenant for the Soveraign acquainted the Knights-Companions That the Soveraign did permit them or leave it to their pleasure to chuse into the Order whatsoever Foreign Prince they should by their Votes approve of Hence there may be observed two things First that the Knights-Companions have not the priviledge and liberty to nominate what Foreign Prince they please but the same is derivative from the Soveraign and only by his particular license or leave at some times permitted to them Secondly if this Paragraph be well weighed as also that which succeeds it is most clear from the context that Nominare ought to be understood here by the word Eligere and that the power delegated to the Knights-Companions from the Soveraign was only to Nominate not Elect. For it immediately follows That the Knights-Companions went from the Chapter to the second Vespers and while the Divine Offices were celebrating the Prelate received their Nominations and that very Evening the Lieutenant presented them to the Soveraign for her to consider of which had been needless if the Knights-Companions had been impowered by her said License to have made the choice themselves But the contrary is yet more evident by that which follows for the next morning all the Knights-Companions attending the Soveraign in Chapter she her self made there the Election not of any Foreign Prince but of the Earl of Sussex and Lord âuckhurst In the other Instance anno 3. Car. 1. the Soveraign in a Chapter held before Vespers on St. George's day signified it to be his pleasure three Stalls being then vacant that out of Foreign Princes the Nomination of whom saith the Annals in that very place belongs only to the Soveraign that is the Soveraign has the prerogative to direct the Knights-Companions to Name or impose upon them the Nomination of such Foreign Princes as he pleaseth they the Knights-Companions should Chuse which must nevertheless be understood to Nominate or enter down into the Scrâteny not Elect Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden and Henry of Nassau Prince of Orange For there a little after it in like manner appears when the Scruteny was presented to the Soveraign that Himself not the Knights-Companions made Election of them And it is further manifest by the Scruteny there inserted that both these ârinces were named by every of the Knights-Companions then present according to the Soveraign's signification which has been usually done at all other times upon the like occasions as may be seen by the Scrutenies entred in the Annals But concerning the third person then to be Elected the Soveraign intending him to be a Knight-Subject left it wholly to their pleasure to Nominate whomsoever they esteemed worthy of their Votes Since this time the Nominations in like cases have been sufficiently owned by the Knights-Companions themselves to be a Prerogative belonging to the Soveraign For to the end they might more readily and fully comply with the observance of this particular it was moved in a Chapter held at Oxford the second day of March an 19. Car. 1. That it might become a custom for the Soveraign to deâlâre before hand whether He would Elect any Foreign Prince and whom that so the Knights-Companions might be sure to Name him in the Scruteny SECT VII Of the Number Qualifications and Degrees of the Persons to be Nominated ANother consideration in our progress towards the act of Election is touching the Number Qualifications and Dignities of the Persons Nominated which may be best known from another branch of the before mentioned Article of the Statutes and is to this effect That every one of the Knights-Companions present at the Election should Nominate for himself nine very sufficient Persons whom he should judge free from all reproach and scandal whether Subjects to the Soveraign or Forreigners Provided they are known not to favour or abet any party at enmity with him that is to say three Earls or others of higher degree three Barons and three Knights The things chiefly observable out of this Text we rank under five heads First The Number of Persons Nominated or to be given in by every Knight-Companion are to be exactly Nine Secondly They ought to be of unblamable Reputation Thirdly Either Subjects to the Soveraign or else Strangers Fourthly Such as are known not to be engaged in any party against the Soveraign Lastly to be Earls or of greater dignity or Barons or Knights 1. For the first of these their Number every one of the Knights-Companions assembled in Chapter are enjoined to name nine neither more nor less So also saith King Henry the Fifth's Statutes whereunto are consonant the Statutes of King Henry the Eighth And in this particular the Statutes have been hitherto observed except in one case as from the Entries of those many Scrutenies in the Annals of this most Noble Order is fully evident As to Numbers we are taught that great Mysteries lie wrapt up in them the excellency and dignity whereof and particularly of this number Nine which Scaliger calls the most perfect number are largely celebrated among the Learned both ancient and modern which are easie to be met with wherefore we shall not spend further time to insist upon them But why our Royal Founder made choice of this Number to be put in Nomination above all other unless he had some reflection on the Nine Worthies men reported famous for valour and martial exploits and therefore not unlikely to be at first proposed as Examples to the Knights-Nominators or otherwise considered it as a trebled threefold Cord and Symbol of perfect stability and solid amity for so also is the number Nine accounted to signifie can neither easily nor certainly be resolved 2. As to the second point the Injunction in the Statutes of Institution takes order that the Persons designed for Election
behalf of the Prelate For instance an 4. Eliz. the Register in the absence of the Chancellor who was sick upon the Feast day of St. George collected the Suffrages and an 8. âliz George Carew then Register of the Order took the Votes of the Knights-Compaions in absence of Sir William Petre Chancellor of the Order So also anno Iacobi 4. where the cause of the Chancellor's absence is noted to be sickness and an 6. Iac. to be death In the first of these Instances we find the Prelate expresly mentioned to be present in the two following his presence implyed for it is said that the four Officers of the Order did attend both Feasts whereof the Chancellor being wanting the Prelate must needs be one Now all these passages seem to relate to the Chancellor's rather than the Prelate's right by this Remarque That every of the Scrutenies were taken in the absence of the Chancellor which looks something like a cautionary note that intended the preservation of the right of performing this service to the Chancellor rather than the Prelate Furthermore when a Deputy Chancellor hath been admitted to officiate in the Chancellor's absence he and not the Prelate hath taken the Scruteny though present as at that made for the Election of his sacred Majesty the present Soveraign the 20 day of May an 14. Car. 1. and at another Scruteny taken the 22. of May following As also when the Suffrages were collected for the Election of his Highness the Duke of York and Prince Rupert at York anno 17. Car. 1. But there is one passage more upon taking a Scruteny an Iac. 22. which seems advantageous to the Chancellor in this point where it is said That when the Knights-Companions had given their Votes as in the Annals they are described the Chancellor who according to his Office was to receive them presented them to the Soveraign Howbeit in truth we find no sufficient ground for the Register to record this as done by the Chancellor by virtue of his Office or any one Act or Decree of Chapter that hath suspended or taken off the Prelate's right which is reserved to the Prelate even by the Patent for erecting the Office of Chancellor particularly in those things which touching the Order ought by the Statutes of the Institution to belong to him But forasmuch as at the usual time of performing this Ceremony in the Chappel the Prelate if present is presumed to be officiating at the Altar in discharge of another part of his Duty Upon this consideration hath the service been then imposed upon the Chancellor and others Lastly we have observed the Scruteny to be once taken by Garter an 16. Car. 1. at the Election of the renowned Thomas Earl of Strafford but this was at a time when not only the Prelate but all the other Officers of the Order excepting Sir Iohn Burrough Garter were absent and consequently this Service being so performed by him ought rather be judged from what hath been said to have been done in the Prelate's than Chancellor's right SECT IX The Time when BUT whosoever of the Officers of the Order they were that gathered the Knights-Companions Suffrages the time when they entred upon this duty in the intervals of Feasts where the occasion required a peculiar Chapter to be called for Election was usually after the Chapter had been opened and the matter of Election proposed by the Soveraign after which to the execution of this accustomed employment the Officer usually proceeded with great Reverence and all possible Respect Howbeit upon an extraordinary occasion in the interval of the Grand Feasts the Soveraign hath sometimes caused and assembly of the Knights-Companions to be had at the Castle of Windesor who in the Choire of St. George's Chappel not Chapter-house after the more solemn way have delivered in their Nominations and returning thence into the Chapter-house He there hath made his Election Thus did King Henry the Eighth upon the 7. of Iune in the 17. year of his Reign in reference to the Election of the Lord Henry Fitz Roy so is he styled in the Scruteny and there ranked among the Barons for as yet he was not created Duke of Somerset and Richmond nor until the 18. day of the same Month and Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmerland the Ceremony of whose Nominations having been performed in the Choire the Soveraign returned into the Chapter-house where the Election passed Again we observe that the 20. of May an 14. Car. 1. being Trinity Sunday the Soveraign caused a Chapter to be held that afternoon in the Chapter-house at Windesor in reference also to the Nomination and Election of his Sacred Majesty the present Soveraign at the breaking up whereof the Soveraign and Knights-Companions proceeded immediately to Saint George's Chappel where at Evening Prayer which was not within the compass of the Feâst for that began not until the next day the Scruteny was taken And besides those Examples which shew the Nominations have been collected upon peculiar occasions in the Choire at Windesor there are also one or two Instances where it appears they have been also taken in the Chappel at Whitâhall as on the 15. of May an 1. Car. 1. at the Election of Edward Earl of Dorsât Henry Earl of Holland and Thomas Viscount Andever afterwards Earl of Berkshire as also on the 4. of Iuly the same year whereat the Duke of Chevereux was chosen one of the Companions of this most Noble Order Otherwise and that most usually the Suffrages have been collected at the second Vespers or in the time of Evening Prayer on St. George's day or that day whereon the Feast of St. George hath been celebrated by Prârâgation And with this note of time do we find the taking of divers Scrutenies marked Howbeit we once have met with a scruteny made in the Chapter-house at Windesor on the Eve of the Grand Feast at which the Person immediately Elected was sent for in and had the Ensigns of the Order placed upon him when forthwith the Soveraign proceeded to the Chappel and after some space the Elect Knight followed to his Installation And this was the case of Iames Marquess Hamilton an 6. Car. 1. who being necessitated to begin his Voyage the next morning towards Germany whither he went General of 6000 Foot in assistance of the King of Sweden occasioned the Soveraign to dispatch these Ceremonies on the Eve of the Feast Formerly the time wherein the Scruteny was begun to be taken in the Chappel may be noted to have been spoken of somewhat general and indefinite as in the 2. 3 4 5. 8. and 9. years of Queen Elizabeth during the time of Evening Prayer And so in like manner an 4. Iac. and an 13. Car. 1. And when the Feast of St. George was held at Whitehall upon the 18. of April an 13.
of Shrewsbury but this Error peradventure arose for want of due information either of the Law in the Statutes or his Degree the later of which is more probably true for being a Stranger his Title of Earl might not be so generally known nor is it taken notice of in the Scruteny it self though in the Annals immediately after And which is more apparent the Earl of Oxford Devonshire and Arundel whose degrees were sufficiently known at a Scruteny taken an 24. H. 6. are once ranked in the second division among the Barons and an 1. H. 8. the Earl of Derby is three times so placed and again an 13. H. 6. the Earl of Devonshire twice But this hapned not through any oversight or neglect in observation of the Statutes in this particular but because at these Nominations wherein they are so placed the first division to which they belonged hapned to be fill'd up with those other higher degrees appertaining to the same Classis that is to say Kings or Dukes as when the before mentioned Earls of Oxford Devonshire and Arundel were named in the place of Barons the King of Portugal the Dukes of Warwick and Norfolk were set down in the place of Princes and so it fell out in like manner in the other instances On the contrary an 15. and 16. E. 4. the Lord Richard Grey one of the Queens Sons by her former Husband Sir Iohn Grey of Groby Knight in respect of his alliance to the Royal Family is ranked in the first Division among the Princes under this Title Dominus Richardus filius Reginae and afterwards an 19. of the same King set only among the Barons as well with the former Title as this Ricardus Dominus Grey But in the 22. of the same King he is thrice registred among the Princes and as often with the Barons whence we see that sometimes the place among Princes may be afforded of courtesie to Persons of most eminent Relation but then again as it is not their due so such of the Knights-Companions as rank them lower pass no diminution on their honor Within the second Division are placed Barons and Viscounts for Viscounts were in all Scrutenies after the first Erection of that Dignity ranked with Barons until the 3. of King Iames saving only Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle an 35. H. 8. who by every Knight the Duke of Norfolk excepted is ranked in the first Division with the Princes and in a Scruteny then taken Robert Cecil Viscount Cranborne is the second Viscount that we observe to have been ranked with Princes from whence it became usual so to do in succeeding Scrutenies until an 14. Car. 1. and then upon a question put in Chapter held at Westminster the 23. Maii anno praedicto whether Earls Sons and Viscounts were elegible with Barons it was resolved they were and that by all practice except in the two cases now mentioned it was usually done and it seems so again observed neer that time for in two Scrutenies taken the 19. and 21. of that instant May the Viscounts are therein reduced to the second Division and ranked with Barons Finally in the third Division the Knights-Batchellors receive their place so also did Banerets until King Henry the Eighth in his Body of Statutes gave them equal rank in Scrutenies with Barons Only in that one Scruteny taken an 14. H. 7. Sir Reignald Bray Sir Richard Gouldford and Sir Rice ap Thomas all three created Banerets at the Battel of Black-heath are registred among the Barons and yet two of them are oftner ranked with the Knights-Batchellors in the very same Scruteny But though the word in King Henry the Eighth's Latin Statutes is Baronettus instead of Banerettus yet is this a mistake met with anciently in some both Records and Books as well as in those places of the Annals all written long before the Title of Baronet was conceived or the Dignity in use with us for the first Creation of that hapned but in this last Age. And hereof more satisfaction may be received elsewhere In the last place he who demands these Suffrages given according to the judgment of each Knight-Companion present is by the Statutes of Institution appointed to take them in writing In pursuance of which we find it so observed at a Scruteny taken an 2. H. 6. for the Election of Iohn Lord Talbot and Furnivall afterwards created Earl of Shrewsbury where the Dean of Windesor and the Register of the Order wrote down the Votes and Nominations of every one of the Knights present at the day of Election Again at a Scruteny made an 4. H. 6. so also at sundry other times to supply the Stall of Ralph Earl of Westmerland then lately deceased for whom mistakingly the Black Book of the Order sets down Sir Henry Fitz. Hugh in whose room a little before in the same Book an 3. H. 6. it appears the Lord Scales was Elected and elsewhere that Sir Iohn Fastolse was chosen a Companion of this most Noble Order upon the death not of Sir Henry Fitz. Hugh but of the said Earl of Westmerland we find it noted that the Dean and Register wrote down in order according to their seniority the Votes of the Knights-Companions And after the Scrutenies began to be entred on the Pages of the Annals it is evident the general practice hath gone along with the Injunction of the Statutes only there are two Instances of an Election made without taking a Scruteny in writing one in the case of Prince Henry and Christierne the Fourth King of Denmark where the Knights-Companions in a Chapter held at Whitehall the 14. of Iuly an Iacobi Regis primo gave their Votes Viva Voce and forthwith the Soveraign Elected them both into the Fellowship of the Order The other was the case of Iames Marquess Hamilton Elected the 2. of February in the 20. year of the same King with the vocal consent of all the Knights-Companions present But it is to be considered that this course and the omission of taking the Scruteny in writing is not only contrary to the Law of the Order so enjoined for a more certain memorial of the action and more faithful transmission of it to Posterity but exceeding prejudicial to persons of Honor and Merit whose Names would otherwise live with great reputation among the Candidates of this Illustrious Order and of which honor many deserving persons will be hereafter deprived if the Injunction of the Statutes be not observed in this particular SECT XI The Presentation of it to the Soveraign THE Suffrages being recieved from the Knights-Companions the Officer by whom they are collected is to present the whole form of the Nominations to the Soveraign with all due Reverence for so is it recorded an 9. H. 5. when the Prelate of the Order had taken the Scruteny If these Votes were taken
time remembred and provided against to secure such from passing through the Soveraign's Election For this cause also were the words ut minimum That he be at least a Knight before he be elected added as a special Item to give a more than ordinary caution when the Soveraign comes to make his Choice And to make it clear that the second Article in the Statutes hath long since received this construction we shall insert an eminent case which fell out an 17. H. 8. where the Soveraign keeping the Feast of St. George at Greenwich having Elected the Lord Roos created Earl of Rutland the 18. of Iune following into the Society of this most Noble Order and being advertised on the morrow after St. Georges day while the Mass of Requiem was celebrating that he had not before received the dignity of Knighthood according to the Statutes which positively enjoin That whosoever is elected into this Society should be in degree at least a Knight that is actually Knighted beforehand for so the words ut minimum here in this place also of the Annals vouched ought justly to be understood in regard the Lord Roos was at the time of his Election a Baron of this Realm and consequently stated in a higher degree of honor than a Knight The Soveraign therefore immediately after Mass recalled the Knights-Companions to a new consultation whereat he declared the Election void for the reason before alledged and commanded the Ensigns of the Order the Garter and George so lately received to be withdrawn which being accordingly done He in the same place drew his Sword and therewith dubbed him Knight and then proceeded with the Knights-Companions present to a new Election wherein the said Lord Roos was with their unanimous consent again Elected a Companion and so declared by the Soveraign's own mouth by whose command also the aforesaid Ensigns and Ornaments were restored unto and placed upon him by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk And declaratory to this is it since recorded in the Red Book of the Order That none of the English Scotch or Welch Nation how considerable soever otherwise in the prerogative of Blood or Virtue can be Elected into this most honorable Society but that he ought to be first ennobled and rendred capable by this first Degree of Knightly honor But in reference to Foreign Princes being in their own Country this Law hath now no force for by a Decree made at Whitehall in a Chapter there held the 18. day of April an 13. Car. 1. it being the day whereon the Feast of St. George was also celebrated these words ut minimum are explained to relate to all Subjects of what Degree soever within the Soveraign's Dominions not Foreign Princes who before their Election at least if not Nomination ought to be Knighted as the Basis and first Degree of Chivalry And as they ought to be Knights so as well Knights free from Infamy or Reproach for so the Statutes of Institution enjoin In Henry the Fifth's Statutes it is thus rendred Chivalier sans reproche which is the same with Eques irreprehensus And we find it one of the Arguments used by Iohn Duke of Bedford on the behalf of Sir Iohn Radcliff to promote his Election That he had continued and exercised the Armies the space of eight and twenty Winters unreproached But for as much as the points of Reproach may be accounted many and diverse and through their incertainty and number rather become Traps to enshare than Rules for caution and direction King Henry the Eighth determined and limited them to Three only The first species or point of Reproach is where a Knight hath been convicted of Heresie against the Catholique faith or suffered any publique punishment for such offence Here we may see Heresie is reckoned among those defects that deprive men of Honor in as much as bending its force against the Catholique Church it not only renders a man in the ballance of Honor of no weight but more than all other sins makes him infamous And therefore when either by Tongue Pen or Actions a man endeavours to trample under foot the sacred Law scandalizeth Government seduceth others or in like execrable wickednesses discovers himself he is judged void of Conscience and âquity and a most notorious destroyer of that divine part of man the Soul and consequently deserving not of external infamy alone which the guilt of this Offence justly coâtracts but other punishments extending to life The second Point of Reproach is where any Knight hath been arraigned convicted and attainted of Treason Nevertheless Queen Elizabeth qualifies this point by a Decree in Chapter held at the Tower the 12. of Ianuary in the first year of her Reign which we conceive was made upon occasion of restoring in Blood William Marquess of Northampton and the Lord Robert Dudley after created Earl of Leicester who with others had been attainted of high Treason in the first of Queen Mary and the attainder confirmed by Parliament the same year viz. That in case any Person so convicted were pardoned by the Soveraign and restored in Blood every such Gentleman in Name Arms and Blood and descended as aforesaid being otherwise qualified according to the ancient Statutes of the Order should be thenceforth accounted Eligible and might be chosen a Companion And we find that the very next St. George's Feast held the 22.23 and 24. of April following the said Marquess of Northampton and the Lord Robert Dudley who during the remaining part of Queen Maries Reign lay under the burden of a heavy fate had now recovered the Priviledges of Honor and were preferr'd in Nomination and on the last day of the said Feast Elected into this most Illustrious Society And here may further notice be taken of the said Marquess of Northampton's case who having been restored in Blood and his restauration to the honor of this most Noble Order also designed for he had been formerly an 35. H. 8. Elected and Installed it was thought necessary to descend to a new Nomination and Election which as may be collected from the aforesaid Decree ought now to be done and was in him accordingly performed the 3. of Iune anno primo Eliz. The third and last Point of Reproach is where a Knight-Companion hath fled from Battel in which the Soveraign or his Lieutenant or other Captain having the Kings authority were present when Banners were displayed and both sides proceeded to fight Now for a man to carry himself cowardly in the Field abandon his Colours leave his Prince Friends and Companions in hazard of life are undoubtedly things highly reproachful and draw dishonor upon the Order the Soveraign and Knights-Companions and a sufficient testimony that he valueth more his life than his honor and prefers an infamous safety before an honorable death If we look back into ancient History we shall meet with a
Knight Subject either with Letters to signifie his Election or the Garter and George wherewith to invest him and this is commonly proportioned according to the length or shortness of the Journey The allowance for that Journey which Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter made into the Counties of Lincolne and Cumberland by the Soveraign's command given in Chapter first to the Earl of Rutland and next to the Lord Scroop an 26. Eliz. appears to have been 20 l. Besides the Soveraign's allowance to Garter he hath been accustomed to receive honorable gratuities and rewards from the Elect-Knight himself after the Investiture performed and these have usually been proportioned according to the esteem of the honor he receives and his particular inclinations to Garter and the service done by him Among whom we find the Earl of Arundel an 17. H. 8. gave to Thomas Wriothesley Garter 10 l. in Angelotts being then at his Mannor of Dawnley and Ralph Earl of Westmerland elected at the same time with the said Earl of Arundel then at Myle-end 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. But the Earl of Northumberland an 23. H. 8. gave Garter for the verbal certifying him of his Election 4. l. though he went no farther than the Chapter-house door Lastly an 26. Eliz. the Earl of Rutland honorably rewarded Garter at Newark and the Lord Scroop gave unto him 30 l. in Gold a Velvet Cloak and a Gallaway Nag and to William Dethick York Herald who then went along with Garter to Carlisle 10 l. But since these times the Knights-Elect have greatly enlarged their Gratuities to Garter for his service upon this occasion CHAP. XI OF Preparations FOR THE Personal Installation OF A KNIGHT SECT I. That Installation gives the Title of Founder THE Installation or Inauguration of a Knight of this most Noble Order consists in a conjunction of many Ceremonies and contains the most solemn part of those whereby so great an honor is conferr'd indeed that which compleateth all the rest And till this great Ceremony be duly and solemnly performed the person Elected hath not the honor of being reckoned among the number of Founders but barely passes for an Elect Knight and no other For the express Text is That in case a Knight Elect dye before his Installation he shall not be named one of the Founders And the reason is there given forasmuch as he hath not had the full possession of his state and in this point do the other Bodies of the Statutes agree Howbeit assoon as the Ceremonies of Installation are compleatly finished the Knight is unquestionably vested in full possession of all the Honors and Priviledges belonging to a Founder of this most Noble Order But to quicken each Elect Knight who is either a Subject to the Soveraign or resides within his Realm and consequently in a more ready capacity of receiving Installation then one remaining in Foreign parts to the full attainment of his honor or otherwise to wave what hath been conferr'd on him by the Act of Election the compass of one year after such his Election is allowed him by the Statutes for Installation albeit for sooner speeding thereof the Statutes do as well appoint him to use all convenient diligence otherwise his Election is ordained to be absolutely nul and void Nor can any thing hinder but that the Soveraign may then freely proceed to a new Election unless the Elect-Knight send or produce an excuse for such delay sufficient and fit to be accepted by the Soveraign or his Deputy and the whole Society or that the Soveraign himself think fit to defer the Ceremony of Installation for some longer time For which cause when certain Articles concerning the honor of the Order had been prepared by the Soveraign's Lieutenant and ten Knights-Companions approved by the Soveraign and in a Chapter held 24. April an 21. Iac. R. ordered to be observed one of them was for hastning the Installation after a Knight had been Elected nevertheless with this Exception unless for some special cause the Soveraign should think fit to defer the same until the Eve or day of Saint George next following the time of Election SECT II. Of the Time and Place appointed for Installation THE Feast of Installation hath not been hitherto fixed to any certain time but always rested in the pleasure of the Soveraign to assign a convenient day which hath been obtained either upon the sute of the Knight-Elect or some other of the Knights-Companions whose favour and esteem with the Soveraign was best able to prevail Such a one do we find the Lord Burghley an 35. Eliz. partly in regard he had been Lieutenant at St. Georges Feast immediately preceding and partly by reason of his being Lord Treasurer of England who on the behalf of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland obtained the 19. of Iune in the foresaid year to be appointed for the day of their Installation It sometimes fell out that though the day for Installation was set down nevertheless upon some extraordinary occasion intervening it hath been protogued to a further and more convenient time for the Soveraign's Affairs and the most remarkable instance is that an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. when the Earl of Sussex the Lord Grey and Sir Robert Rochester Knights Elect had their Installation together with St. George's Feast prorogued to the 10. of May in the year aforesaid But many and urgent affairs relating both to the King and Queen hapning about that time not only the Grand Feast but the Solemnity of their Installations were in a Chapter held the 3. of the same Month prorogued to the 5. of December following and on the last day of October preceding were they again prorogued to the first Sunday after Twelf-day in case the King should not return into England before the said 5. of December After all this on the 5. of Ianuary following the Grand Feast was prorogued a fourth time to the 20. of February next coming Nevertheless it was then Ordered that the Earl of Sussex one of the three Elect Knights should be forthwith Installed which was performed on the 8. of the same Ianuary And the 6. of February following the Lord Grey also obtained an appointment for his Installation and that was celebrated the 20. of April ensuing but we do not find that Sir Robert Rochester ever received that honor But though the time of Installation be arbitrary and uncertain yet hath the place been from the Institution of the Order fixt as an essential Priviledge only to the Soveraign's free Chappel of St. George in the Castle of Windesor within whose Choire stand erected the Soveraign's and Knights-Companions Stalls and under its sacred Roof their Banners and Atchievements are set up as Monuments of their high deservings and so great honor For albeit the celebration of the Grand Feast of St. George hapned to be withdrawn from Windesor by a Decree past an
21. Oct. an 18. H. 8. and to make room for his Instalment in the second Stall on the Soveraign's side which hitherto had been possessed by the Duke of Richmond both the said Duke and Marquess of Dorset were removed lower the Duke into the said Marques's Stall and the Marquess into the Earl of Northumberlaâds then lately void by death And this was now so done that the Soveraign might express what honor he could to a King between whom and him there had lately past so great endearments All the rest of the Stalls may be observed to stand ranked as they did the year before and the void Stall on the Soveraign's side to be here supplied by the Installation of the Earl of Oxford Elected in the same Chapter with the French King In the 20.21 and 22. years of King Henry the Eighth the Stalls received no alteration and but little an 23. of the same King when the death of the Marquess Dorset occasioned advancing the Duke of Suffolk into his void Stall and placing the Earl of Arundel in the Dukes Whereupon the Earl of Northumberland Elected in the room of the Marquess Dorset was Installed in that which the Earl of Arundel relinquished and in this order they continued the 24. and 25. years of this King Nor was there any removal made an 26. H. 8. for albeit the Earls of Beaumont and Newblânke French Noblemen were elected in a Chapter held at Callire the 27. of Oct. an 24. H. 8. yet at their Installation they were placed in the two Stalls then void by the death of two of the Knights-Companions viz. the first in the Stall of the Lord Dudley and the other in that of Sir Henry Guilford But the alterations became yet more considerable and extended almost to a general Translation which were made in the Stalls an 27. H. 8. upon the admission of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland one Stall being then void by the death of the Lord Montjoy for there remained unchanged only these five viz. the Earl of Rutland and Earl of Beaumont but called only Lord Beaumont in the Warrant for Translation on the Soveraign's side and the Emperor the King of Bohemia and Duke of Suffolk on the Princess side Nevertheless this so great an alteration was not made but upon consultation in Chapter held at Greenwich on St. George's day in the aforesaid year where the Soveraign with the assent of the rest of the Knights-Companions present thought it expedient that forasmuch as the said King of Scots was newly admitted into the Society of the Order and that there ought to be assigned a Stall answerable to his greatness that the Stalls of the Knights-Companions should be translated so as the said King should be placed next to the King of the Romans and the rest to be ranked according to the Soveraign's pleasure and thereupon it was given in charge to Garter to see the same accordingly performed The setlement of the Stalls at this time as it was sub-signed by the Soveraign coming to our hands we have exactly transcribed hither The Kings Highness appointment for the Stall of the King of Scots An. R. sui 27.23 April 1535. 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor 2. The French King 2. The King of the Romans 3. The King of Scotland 3. The Duke of Richmond 4. The Duke of Norfolk 4. The Duke of Suffolk 5. The Marquess of Exceter 5. The Earl of Shrewsbury 6. The Earl of Arundel 6. The Earl of Essex 7. The Earl of Northumberland 7. The Earl of Westmerland 8. The Earl of Wiltshire 8. The Earl of Sussex 9. The Earl of Rutland 9. The Earl of Oxenford 10. The Lord Beaumond 10. The Viscount Lysle 11. The Lord Burgaveny 11. The Earl of Newblanke 12. The Lord Ferrars 12. The Lord Darcy 13. The Lord Sandys 13. Sir William Fitz William  Henry R. In this Scheme we find the King of Scots placed in the Duke of Richmond's Stall who with the Duke of Norfolk the Earls of Shrewsbury Arundel Essex Northumberland Westmerland and Sussex were all removed into the next Stall below that which each of them sat in before whether it were on the Soveraign's or Princes side The Marquess of Exeter to the next below his own on the Soveraign's side Viscount Lisle from the seventh to the tenth Stall on the Prince's side the Lord Abergaveny from the eighth on the Prince's side to the eleventh on the Soveraign's side the Lord Ferrars from the ninth on the Prince's side to the twelfth on the Soveraign's side the Lord Darcy from the tenth on the Prince's side to the twelfth on the same and the Lord Sandys from the twelfth on the Prince's side to the thirteenth on the Soveraign's And as these before mentioned Knights Companions were removed lower so the Earls of Oxford Wilts and Newblanke were honored with higher Stalls than they before possest for the first of them was advanced from the eleventh Stall on the Soveraign's side to the ninth on the Prince's the second from the eleventh on the Prince's side to the eighth on the Soveraign's and the third from the thirteenth of the Prince's to the eleventh on the same side So that in this last example though many of the Knights-Companions were removed lower yet it may be observed that the English Nobility were now ranked according to their Degrees first Dukes next a Marquess then Earls next Viscounts afterwards Barons and last of all Knights Some few removals were made in the following years of this King but none of so great note as this last mentioned and therefore we need not enlarge our Instances Nor were there any considerable translations in the Reigns of King Edward the Sixth or Queen Mary But immediately after Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown by consent of the Knights-Companions in Chapter held the 12. of Ianuary an 1. Eliz. the Atchievments of Philip King of Spain late Soveraign of the Order were removed to the Stall of the Emperor Ferdinand void by his being advanced into the Princes Stall for which Garter had then command given him And when the French King Charles the Ninth was Elected into this Order to wit on the morrow after St. George's day an 6. Eliz. it occasioned the Soveraign then to alter some Stalls to leave one vacant for him and the better to observe this alteration which was considerable we shall first shew how they stood ranked on the Eve of the said Feast Elizabeth R.  1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor Ferdinand 2. The King of Spain 2. The Duke of Savoy 3. The Constable of France 3. The Duke of Holstein 4. The Earl of Arundel 4. The Marquess of Winchester 5. The Earl of Derby 5. The Earl of Penbroke 6. The Duke of Norfolk 6. The Lord Clynton 7. Void 7. The Marquess of Northampton 8. Void 8. Void 9. The Lord Effingham 9. The Earl of Sussex 10. The Earl of Shrewsbury 10. The Lord Hastings 11. The Viscount
them the substance of those of the Garter and being of later Institution cannot but be acknowledged Copies from this Original so we here think it requisite to exhibit the manner of Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order of St. Michael of our King Edward the Sixth Thomas Duke of Norfolk and Robert Earl of Leicester to the end the Reader may also observe that the order of our Ceremonies used at the Investiture of a Knight-Companion of the Garter is also the Precedent to theirs of St. Michael The manner of receiving the Order of Saint Mychaell by King Edward the Sixth FIrst the King's Majesty to be in his Privy Chamber accompanied with his Noble-men and all them of the Order of the Garter to have their Collars about their necks and the French King's Ambassador to enter with the Order and so after his obeysance the proposition to be given and after the proposition done the King's Majesty must put off his uppermost garment the Ambassador shall invest him with the Robes of that and afterwards when the King is full invested then all the Noblemen to proceed afore the King and the Ambassadors which be in Commission to go afore the King with the Noble-men in order to the Chappel and after them the two French Lords then the King of Arms then the Sword then the King's Majesty himself then the Lord Chamberlain and the Vice-Chamberlain to bear the train of the Robes and in this order to proceed to the Chappel and the King to go into his Stall and the other into their Stalls and at the Offering time the King's Majesty to Offer and the greatest man about the King to give the King his Offring and then the two other to offer according to their Estates when the King is in his Stall and when all the Service is done they to proceed in like order as they came to the Chappel to the place appointed for Dinner and none to sit at the King's Board but only the two Knights which be of the same Order of France and after Dinner the King's Majesty to put off his Robes and to near such Apparel as shall please his Majesty Note the King's Majesty when he passeth by the French King's Stall is to make but only a beck with his head Add hereunto That King Edward the Sixth observed the Anniversary of St. Michael after the same manner and order as Strangers were long before obliged to do that of St. George and caused his Arms surrounded with the Order of St. Michael to be set up in his Chappel at Hampton Court each michaelmas-Michaelmas-day after his acceptation of that Order during his life The order and manner of furnishing the Chappel at the Queen's Palace of Westminster against Thursday the 24. of January 1565. Anno. 8. Eliz. Reginae that the Duke of Norfolk and Earl of Leicester received the Order of Saint Michael there ITem the said Chappel both before and behind the Stalls to the ground was hanged with rich Arras and the upper part from the Table of Administration to the Stalls hanged with like Stuff which said Table was richly garnished with Plate and Iewels as followeth First to the wall was set in a row five gilt Bâsins and afore them another row and in the middle a gilt Cross between two greât gilt Cups covered garnished with Stone a Ship or Ark likewise garnished a Fountain of Mother of Pearl and a pair of gilt Candlesticks afore that another row in the middle whereof was set a rich Bason and Ewer gilt railed over with Gold between two great Mawdlyn Cups with Covers two great Leywres two Cruâts and a Pax all gilt and over the said Table on the wall upon the Arras was fastned a fronte of Cloth of silver embroidered with Angels of Gold and before the said Table to the ground a front of the same suit The Dean's Stall was garnished with Cushens and a rich Cloth of Estate whereon was set within a black Table the Arms of the French King within his own Order under a Crown Imperial the ground palee of 6. Blue White and Orange Tawney without any style Then on the same side over the 6. Stall on the Arras hanged a like Table with the Arms within the Order Crest and Supporters of the Deputy Mounsâeur Remboilliet with a Cushen before him the Table palee of six Ar. and Sa. the Arms Sab. a Saulter Ar. the Crest a Lyon couchant Ar. collored Or his supporters two Woodmen with Clubs in their hands the great end downward and under his Style written viz. Messier Iaques D'angennes Seigneur de Remboilliet Chivaler de L'ordre du Roy Capitaine des Cinquantes hommes des Armes de ses Ordonnances On the other side on the Arras over the eight Stall hanged a little Table palee of six Ar. and Gu. with the Arms within that Order of the Duke of Norfolk under a Dukes Crown with no Crest nor Supporters but his Style De treshault puissant tresnoble Prince Thomas Dac de Norfolk Conte Marishall D'angleterre Seigneur de Mowbrey Segrave de Brews Chivaler de tresnoble Ordre de la Jarritier aussi du tresnoble Ordre de St. Michell On the third Stall beneath on the same side hanged a like Table Palee of six Or Az. with the Arms in that Order of the Earle of Leicester under an Earls Crown without Crest or Supporters but his Style Du tresnoble puissant Seigneur Robert Conte de Leicester Baron de Denbeigh Chivaler du tres-noble c. Grand Escuyer de la Royne nostre Souveraigne On the ground before the Duke and Earls Stall stood two Chairs with Cushens for them to sit on if they pleased till they took their Stalls And about the Stalls on the South side was set a Chair Carpet and Cushen where the Embassador Leger sate all the Ceremony time And below afore the Deputy's Stall was set a Form covered with a Carpet for Monsieur Doze alias St. Michell to sit on And above that on either side were Tables and Forms for the Gentlemen and Children of the Chappel The receiving of the said Order of St. Michaell Thursday the 24. of January Anno 8. Reg. Elizab. ITem about 10. of the Clock the said day the Embassador Leger with Mounsieur Remboilliet the French King's Deputy together with the other Lords and Gentlemen accompanied with certain English Gentlemen came to the Court at the Queen's Palace of Westminster where at the Gate they were met by the Earl of Warwick and others and conveyed up to the Queen 's great Closset whither after a while came the Duke of Norfolk and Earl of Leicester And for that the said Duke and Deputy had not till then seen either other they then embraced each other and then communed a while And then the said Deputy left the same Lords there and he with Mounsieur Doze alias St. Michaell Mr. Garter and others went down through the Chappel into
with the former yet more clear and full than the Black-Book for it tells us that Mr. Newport was at the same time sent in the Legation with the Garter and Mantle to the King of Poland But to return we have not found that King Henry the Eighth or any of his Successors Soveraign's of the Order have made much use of that liberty granted by the foresaid Article of his Statutes for deferring the Significatory Letters of Election beyond the time appointed by the Statutes of Institution And that it may be the better observed how soon notice of Election hath been given to Strangers we will insert all the instances in this kind that have come to our knowledge It is recorded that the French King Francis the First was Elected Oct. 21. an 19. H. 8. and albeit we find not the exact time when the Soveraign's Letter for giving notice of his Election was sent him yet must that complement be most certainly dispatcht within the time limited by the ancient Statutes since we observe he was Installed within three months after viz. the 25. of Ianuary following When Iames the Fifth King of Scotland was Elected Ian. 20. an 26. â 8. the Lord William Howard was forthwith sent to inform him of his âlection Henry the Second of France before mentioned having been Elected the 24. of April an 5. E. 6. had Letters of signification sent him in May following Emanuel Duke of Savoy was chosen a Knight-Companion 6. Aug. an 1 2. Ph. M. and the same day it was Decreed That Letters should be sent unto him with the illustrious Garter and other Ensigns of the Order But hereby is to be understood the Soveraign's Credential Letters sent to accompany the Habit of the Order the Commission for delivery whereof bears teste the 17. of October following not the Letters signifying his Election for it appears clearly from the said Credentials that the Soveraign had not only before that time given him notice of his Election but that the Duke had returned a cheerful and ready acceptance of the honor The Election of Charles the Ninth of France passed the 24. of April an 6. Eliz and in May ensuing the Lord Hunsdon carried him the Habit of the Order which he received at Lyons the 24. of Iune following and the French King Henry the Fourth and Iames the Sixth King of Scotland afterwards Soveraign of this most Noble Order were both Elected together the 24. of April an 32. Eliz. to the former of these the Certificate of Election was sent by Sir Edward Stafford Knight and to the later by the Earl of Worcester Lastly Christian the Fourth King of Denmark Elected the 14. of Iune an 1. Iac. R. Maurice Prince of Orange chosen the 19. of December an 10. Iac. R. Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden and Henry Prince of Orange both Elected the 24. of April an 3. Car. 1. as also Charles Prince Palatine of the Rhyne chosen a Knight-Companion the 18. of April an 9. Car. 1. had Letters sent to signifie their Election within a few days after they were Elected And at such times as the present Soveraign made Election of any Stranger whilst he remained abroad care was also taken to send his Letters to acquaint them with their Election immediately after the Ceremony of Election had past SECT II. Of Notice given of an Election before sending the Habit. HEre it is to be observed with how much more caution than the former the Statutes made by King Henry the Eighth do Ordain to send Letters that signifie Election and the Book of Statutes only at the first but not the Garter and Mantle till a return be made whether the Stranger-Elect after consultation had with the Statutes will receive the Order or not And after the Certificate of Acceptance returned to the Soveraign then but not before is it there also Decreed to send a solemn Embassy with the whole Habit George and Collar And consonant to these directions in the Statutes hath the Practice sometimes been As for instance in the cases of the French King Henry the Second an 5. E. 6. and Emanuel Duke of Savoy an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. both remembred a little before as also in that of Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg to whom Queen Elizabeth sent Letters signifying his Election shortly after she had chosen him into the Society of the Order to which the Duke returned thanks and acceptation by two Ambassadors Benjamin a Buwinkhausen of Walmeroet one of his privy Councel and Cristopher ab Haugwitz Master of his Horse who received a promise from the Soveraign that the sending him the whole Habit of the Order should not be long deferr'd howbeit the same was not sent during her life SECT III. Notice of Election sent with the Habit. WHen the Soveraign hath been well assured beforehand that the Elect-Stranger would not refuse the Honor upon such confidence the same Embassy as anciently before the adding this Clause dispatcht both Ceremonies The Soveraign's Letter certifying Election being first presented together with the Book of Statutes to peruse and consider of and if upon consideration thereof the Stranger declared his acceptance then within few days after the whole Habit of the Order was with due Solemnity delivered And thus do we find it directed shortly after the Election of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland the Lord William Howard sent on that Embassy his Instructions as to this point being as followeth That he should within five or six days next after he had been with the said King of Scots for his first Embassade and resort to Court there and in most reverend fashion deliver unto the King of Scots the Letter Missive of Certification of his Election into the noble Order of the Garter from the Soveraign of the Order with due commendation from his Highness The Letter read and the said King consenting to the Reception of the said Order then incontinent the Book of Statutes to be delivered unto him and a day appointed to have his consentment on the Articles of the said Statutes In like manner were the Letters certifying Election and the Commission for presenting the Habit and Ensigns of the Order dispatcht together to Christian the Fourth King of Denmark an 1. Iac. R. and sent by the Earl of Rutland who went hence within a fortnight after the said King had been Elected As also to Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden and Henry Prince of Orange within two months their Election falling on the 24. of April an 3. Car. 1. and the date of the Commission for delivering the Order being on the 24. of Iune following The manner and order of the delivery of these Letters signifying Election when the Habit is sent therewith is thus First the Ambassador and Officer of Arms having notice given them of the first Audience do present
him to the Duke of Joyeuse These Duties thus performed the King standing invested with his Robes and the âarl likewise by him the Ambassador for and in the name of the Earl for want of the Language used a Speech to this effect Sir we rejoice greatly to see your Majesty now invested into this honorable Society and Order of the Garter desiring of God that long and most happily you may wear and use the same to his Glory and the advancement of your own greatness equal with all your Predecessors being right well assured for so hath her Majesty commanded my Lord to say unto you that if her Highness and the residue of the Knights of this Order certainly had understood of the day and time of this your Majesties reception of the same both she and all they would not have failed in their Robes to celebrate this day in token of the honor and prosperous success they wish unto your Royal Person When the King had thus received the Order and was invested as aforesaid he proceeded to the Church of the Augustines some 15 or 20 score off to Evensong being about 4 of the Clock the way being all railed in with Timber and gravelled with fine Sand and guarded on each side with the Kings several Guards that the Train might not be troubled in proceeding The body of the Church was hanged with rich Arras and all the Choire of the same Church and Stalls with Cloth of Gold At the entry of the Choire was erected two Cloths of State one for the Queens Majesty and that was over the Stall on the right hand of the same Choire and the other for the French King and that was over the Stall next unto the Queens Majesty on the left hand within these two States royal were affixed the Arms of these two Princes viz. over the Queens Stall the Arms of England and France quarterly and over the Kings Stall the Arms of France both within the Garter and set in Frames of Wood richly gilt The Earls Stall was about eleven Stalls beneath her Majesties and on the same side whereon was also affixed the Earls Arms within the Garter and his Stile fairly written under them directly before the Queens Cloth of State was placed a Form covered all with Cloth of Gold for Mr. Clarenceux to sit upon during the time of Evensong At the right side of the Altar within the same Choice was made a place of bords Sâaffoldwise two yards high from the Ground covered with rich Carpets and hanged with Cloth of Gold whereon was placed the Queen Mother and Queen Regnant with other Ladies and great Princes and directly on the other side against them was another place made and erected whereon stood the Popes Nuntio with the Cardinals and all the Ambassadors that then were in Paris All things being thus put in Order at the Church and all persons placed therein according to their Degrees the King proceeded thither in this sort following First Trumpets and Drums Then thirty English Gentlemen accompanied by the Kings especial order and care with thirty French Gentlemen of equal or better degree Then the Lord Windesor with a French Lord. Then the Lord Sands so also accompanied Then Serjeants at Arms with their Maces Then Somerset Herald at Arms. Then Clarenceux Then the Ambassador Leiger Sir Edward Stafford And then the Earl of Darby Chief Commissioner After him followed the King his Train being born by a Brother of the Duke of Joyeuse being a Gentleman of the Kings Privy Chamber And after the King came the Princes of the Blood Royal. Then Dukes Marquessâs Earls and other Noblemen Note That the King had especially ordered that for her Majesties special Honor none should that day proceed before him but English and such French as were ordered to go with them and his own Nobility to wait behind him Note also that all personages of the Order of the Holy Spirit went next to the King in their Cloaks of the Order and Collars of Gold about their necks of the same Order the person of the King was guarded all the way by a number of Gentlemen Pensioners with their Pool-axes in their hands In this order the King with his Train entred the Church and in the entring in of the Choire Somerset Herald in his rich Coat of Arms made his three Reverences the first towards the Altar as it was formerly agreed upon before by the Lord Ambassadors Secondly towards the Queens Stall Thirdly towards the Kings Stall And after him Clarenceux entring the same Choire did the like Then the Ambassador Leiger then the Earl which done the said Earl went before his own Stall and there stayed till the King had taken his Stall Royal and then the Earl making his Reverence as before went up into his Stall After him the Ambassador Leiger did the like and went into the Stall next beneath the Earl towards the High Altar Then Clarenceux having made the like Reverence sat him down on his Form placed as aforesaid directly against the Queen's Stall where he remained till the Choire began to sing Magnificat At which time he stepped forward into the midst of the Choire and there making his three Reverences as aforesaid turned himself to the Earl and Leiger Ambassador then the Ambassador came forth of his Stall and making his three Reverences followed Clarenceux over the Choire towards the King and there stayed afore the Kings Stall until Clarenceux returned and fetched the Earl unto him who making his three Reverences came also with Clarenceux before the King to the right side of his Stall where standing Clarenceux delivered the Oath fairly written in Parchment and Letters of Gold which by the Earl was laid before the King to be Signed the Ambassador Leiger being ready to have read it but that the King said it needed not because he was privy to it before who taking it in his hands received of his Secretary Pinart a Pen with Ink and therewith did subscribe his Name only by the Name of Henry which done he gave the same unto the said Secretary to have the Privy Seal put thereto which was done accordingly and the next day delivered to Clarenceux After the King had thus taken his Oath as aforesaid the Earl and the Ambassador with Clarenceux before them returned back to their Stalls not omitting three Reverences and there remained till the end of Evensong at which time the King standing up in his Stall being ready to depart all the other Strangers Ambassadors presented themselves before him with words of special Congratulation to whom he gave several thanks and answers and so departing out of the Church in the same order as he came thither he returned again to the House of Mantuliet where in the same Chamber as he had put the Robes on he put them off and after some speeches with the Earl and Ambassador some Quarter of an Hour or thereabouts he departed with his Nobility over the Water to the Louvre
leaving the Earl and Ambassador and all their Trains to return in their Coaches through Paris to the House of Longueville The same night the Earl with the Lord Ambassador and all the English Gentlemen that were the Queens Servants did sup at the Court the Earl and the Ambassador at the lower end of the Kings Table at which Board did also sit with the King the two Queens and six or seven other great Ladies among whom the Lady Sheffield was one and at another Table in the same Chamber did sit divers great Ladies all along one side and over against them the Lord Sands the Lord Windesor and the other English Gentlemen Supper being ended and the place ordained for dancing the King took his Wife by the hand and danced with her the like did divers other great Lords and Ladies of France and lastly three English Gentlemen I omit the description of the Masque and other âângular Musick both costly and curious whereby the Evening was spent till three of the Clock the next morning On the 28. of February the Ambassador with his Train took their leave at whose return from the Court to his Lodging he was presented that night with a rich Cupboard of Plate worth 1200 l. at the least and unto Mr. Clarenceux was given a Chain of Gold worth 120 l. and better of 236 links to Master Somerset a Chain of 150 links worth 100 Marks and to Thomas Milles a Chain of the same value On Thursday next the Earl with his Train set forward homeward from Paris unto St. Dennis and so were lodged all the way in the same Lodgings that before they had been received in and arrived prosperously in England from Boloigne to Dover the 12. of March and on the Tuesday following were brought to the Queen'â Majesty's presence at Greenwich who graciously welcomed them home A Relation of that pompous Solemnity celebrated at the Duke of Wirtemberg's Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the most Noble Order of the Garter an I. Iac. R. extracted out of Erhardus Cellius his Eques Auratus Anglo-Wirtembergicus RObert Lord Spencer of Wormleiton and Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight Garter Principal King of Arms were joined in Commission bearing Teste at Woodstock the 18 day of September an I. Jac. R. to present and invest Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg and Teck with the Habit and Ensigns of the most Noble Order of the Garter They began their Iourney in the beginning of October an 1603 and came to the City of Studtgard the second of November following Vpon their arrival they presented their Credential Letters which being reâd the said Duke began to treat the Ambassadors with the highest respect imaginable and to put all things into a readiness for his solemn reception of the Ornaments of thâ Order To which end he sent for his three Sons with their Tutors from the Caââââ of Tubing where they followed their Studies to be present at this Solemnity likewise he ordered the Vice-President and twelve Assistants of his Ducal Conâistory anâ all the principal and most noble Persons of his Court to be present Moreover he appointed an English Lord and the Lord Benjamin Buwingkshausin one of his Privy Council to be the principal Contrivers Directors and Managers of all things that should belong to the setting forth of this Solemnity for the performance of which two places were especially allotted prepared and adorned namely the great Church of Studtguard where the Investiture was to be conferr'd and the great Hall of the Castle called from hence Hypocaustrum Equestre whence the Proceeding was to begin and pâss toward the Church At the entrance of the Choire were four stately Stalls erected with their Canopieâ Footstools and ascents on each side and covered with Velvet the first Stall was assigned to the Soveraign of the Order on the back side whereof his Majesties Arms and Stile were engraven besides his Stile written underneath in French thus Du tres-hault tres-puissant tres-excellent Prince Iaques par la grace de Dieu Roy d' Angleterre d' Escosse France d' Irelande Defenseur de la Foy c. Souveraigne du tres-noble Ordre de la Iartier The second Stall was placed on the right hand next to the Soveraign's in like manner adorned and assigned to the Principal Ambassador the Lord Spencer who in conferring the Order was to represent the Soveraign's person The third Stall was on the left hand next to the second assigned to Sir William Dethick Garter Principal King of Arms. The fourth Stall was also on the left hand over against the Soveraign's Throne after the same manner made and adorned assigned to the Elect Duke and on the back side thereof his own Arms and Stile also engraven besides his Stile likewise underwritten in French thus Du tres-hault puissant tres-noble Prince Frederick par la grace de Dieu Duke de Wirtemberg Teck Comte de Montbeliardt Seigneur de Haydenhemb c. Chevalier du tres noble Ordre de la Iartier There were also on the right and left hand of the Stall Benches or Seats continued on either side as far as the Altar these Seats were all covered with red Cloth and also the stone Pavement from the steps of the Vestry unto the Stall of the Elect-Duke and so from the middle of the Vestry unto the Altar in the form of a Cross. The Altar was covered with red Silk hanging down to the ground in the middle of which three gilt Basons were set upright the first for the Soveraign the second for his Ambassador and the third for the Elect-Duke The Hall of the Castle was magnificently set out with rich Hangings and other costly Furniture Towards the East and South were placed five stately long Tables covered with Velvet as also the Seats and Benches about them the middlemost of these Tables was called the Soveraign's Table in honor of the King of England though absent over the Soveraign's Chair was set a stately Canopy of Silk and on the back side of the Seat towards the middle thereof were fixt his Majesty's Arms with his Stile underwritten after the same manner as on his Stall in the Church At the right hand of the Soveraign's Table were two other Tables the one for the Lord Ambassador Spencer the other for Sir William Dethick Garter both covered in like manner with Silk and adorned with Canopies and their Arms. On the left hand of the Soveraign's Table were likewise two other Tables one for the new invested Duke covered and adorned with his Arms and a Canopy in the same manner as in the Church the other for the Duke's Wife and Children who were ten in number of either Sex Besides those that were particularly warned to be present at this Feast which was cheerfully performed by them there came divers of their own accord from all parts of the Dukedom drawn by the fame of a Feast and Solemnity the like whereof had not been in
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 seâeral 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
United Provinces and by consequence his Realms and so thereby the whole Christian World his Majesty being altogether of opinion that the quiet of Christendom consisteth much in the happy state of these Provinces and that the condition of these Provinces what ever it be and that of those Realms have a mutual dependence one upon the other This is the motive and sole cause that hath induced his Majesty to confer upon you an Honor the greatest his Kingdoms can bestow of which behold these the Marks and Ensigns and with these words produced the Garter which your Excellency is to receive from us according to the commands of our King and those altogether free from any Ceremonies except such wherein you shall voluntarily and willingly consent to be engaged This Speech being ended Prince Maurice in brief gave thanks for the Honor offer'd him and then forthwith the Ambassador and Garter having made due obeysance tyed on the Garter about his Leg next Garter took out of the forementioned Purse the Golden Medal whereon was the Effigies of St. George with the subdued Dragon under his feet this Medal hanging upon a Blue Ribband Garter put about the Princes Neck after which he unfolded a Parchment wherein were contained the Titles of Prince Maurice in French which he read aloud The high mighty and excellent Prince Maurice Prince of Orange Earl of Nassau Catzenelleboge Viand Dietz Meurs Linge Marquess of Vere and Flushing Baron of Grave the Territory of Kuyke Lece and Nyervaert Governour and Captain General of Gelderland Holland Zealand Vtrecht West-Friesland Zutphen and Overyssell Admiral General of the United Provinces and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Assoon as he had made an end of reading these Titles presently all the Trumpets sounded and the Troops in order shot off their Pistols which Volly was seconded by the Trained-Bands after which the great Guns were discharged These things being thus performed and silence made Sir John Oldenbarnevelt Lord of Tempel making an Oration in the name of the States General reckoned up in brief the Leagues contracted heretofore at several times between the Provinces and the Kingdom of Great Britain and thereupon rendred humble thanks to the King for the continuance of them specially for that by this action he went about to manifest the same to all men for as much as that so remarkable Honor which his Majesty was conferring on those Provinces in the person of Prince Maurice their Governour and Commander both in War and Peace was an honor used to be shewn but only to the very choicest of his Friends but most principally of all for that he was pleased to confer this honor on Prince Maurice without enjoining any strict obligation upon the receipt of the Order Next he gave thanks to the Ambassadors for the diligence they had employed in this affair and lastly directing his speech to Prince Maurice he in the name of the States General congratulated his new honor assuring him on their behalf that they conceived very great joy and satisfaction and wisht him a very long and a happy enjoyment thereof to the glory of God and the enlargement of his Family and the conservation of the publick liberty of the United Provinces in which thing as hitherto they had done so for the time to come they would for ever afford him their best and most faithful assistance As soon as he had finished his Speech John Utenbogard Minister of the Hague as he had been ordered standing at the end of the Table made a very admirable and learned Sermon wherein he most devoutly praised God for what had hapned imploring him to bless Prince Maurice in his new obtained honor and to endue him with his Grace The Sermon ended the Trumpets sounded the Muskets also and great Guns were again discharged Then Prince Maurice accompanied by the Ambassadors and other Noble Persons returned in the same order as he came and then again the third time Vollies of great and small shot were discharged after which the Soldiers and Trained-Bands went every one to their own homes and quarters At Evening the pitcht Barels were set on fire and Bonfires kindled a magnificent entertainment also was given by Prince Maurice to the Ambassadors Princes and great Persons above mentioned at which while Healths were drunk to the King of France and Great Britain all the Guns were again discharged A Remonstrance made by Sir William Segar Knight Garter Principal King of Arms joined in Commission with the right honorable the Lord Carleton Ambassador to the high and mighty Prince Henry Prince of Orange for presenting him with the Noble Order of the Garter 1627. WE took our journey from Whitehall on a Thursday to Gravesend being the of April Anno Domini 1627. and lodged there that night On Friday morning we embarqued in two Merchants ships of London in the one went the Lord Ambassador Carleton Secretary of State of the Kings Majesty King Charles accompanied with the young Lord Dormer and divers other Gentlemen his Followers and Servants my self embarqued in the other Merchants Ship with my two Sons Mr. Henry Lennard my three Servants Trunks and other Provisions We set sail about 9 of the Clock and sailed all that day and night following and arrived on Saturday at Delf Haven in Holland about 6 of the Clock in the Evening where being landed we could have no lodging in the Town all was taken up for the Lodging of the Lord Ambassador and his Train and I forced to hire two Waggons for the transport of me and mine our Trunks and baggage to the Town of Delf whither we came about eleven of the Clock that night and lodged at the Sign of the Golden Fleece The next day being Monday the Ambassador coming by water to Delf was entertained and feasted at the English House by the English Merchants and that Afternoon was conveyed by Water in the Princes Barge to the Hague and by the way was met with by his Excellency and divers of the States who complemented his welcome My self followed his Lordship by Waggon and had my Lodging and Diet provided in the Chastelins House in the Hague where I was well entertained and accommodated The day following being Tuesday my self with my two Sons an Mr. Lennard went to kiss his Excellencies hands who very kindly entertained me and remembred he had seen me there before upon the like occassion with his Brother Maurice Prince of Orange so after our humble salutations we departed It was about nine or ten days before we could be resolved whether the Order should be accepted of or not for the French Ambassador there resident opposed it by all means possible that he could alledging it stood not with the French King his Masters honor considering the League between him the Prince and States that his Enemy the King of Great Britain should be so much favored and honored by the Prince as to have the Order of the Garter by him received
the King of Great Britain having entered his Dominions in hostile manner surprised the Isle of Ree slain his People and endeavoured to relieve Rochell which he held Rebels to him all which by the wisdom of the Lord Ambassador Carleton was so discreetly answered and so far prevailed that a day was appointed for the reception of the Order which was to be done on the Sunday following in the Afternoon and was performed as followeth The Prince of Orange his Regiment of Shot and Pikes the English Regiment and some Dutch Companies having placed themselves in two Battalions on either side of the great Court of the Princes Palace we proceeded between them First went a number of Collonels and Captains English Scots and Dutch after whom followed the chief Officers of his Excellency's Household then my self bearing on a Purple Velvet Cushen the Robes of the Order the great Collar and the Garter and a lesser Iewel of the George fastned to a Blue Ribband with King Charles his Commission under the Great Seal of England The Prince went between the Lord Ambassador and the Palsgrave who that day wore the whole Habit of the Order of the Garter We were conducted up the great Stairs through the old Hall of the Palace and so brought to the Council Chamber of the States General who were all placed on either side of a long Table the whole length of the Room The Estate of the Table was bolden in the midst thereof where four Chairs were placed the Prince of Orange and the Ambassador took the two middlemost Chairs the Palsgrave on the right hand and my self on the left The French Ambassador and the Venetian sate at the upper end of the board The Earl of Coningburg President of the Council of the States the Treasurer and Admiral of Holland sate opposite to the Prince and all other of the States on either side in their degrees Silence being made the Ambassador Carleton stood up and began his Harangue or Oration signifying that by the Example of the great love and amity long time continued between the Queen's Majesty of England Elizabeth of famous memory and Prince Maurice with the States General of the United Provinces King James her successor intending no less good welfare and prosperity to his Excellency and the States then and still being had presented him with the Noble Order of the Garter as to his intimate Friend Confederate and Ally which he princely accepted acknowledged and used during his life And that now the high and mighty Prince King Charles his son understanding of the right noble and valorous disposition of his Excellency Henry Prince of Orange and having a like desire as his Father had to continue the same amity and friendship inviolably between them had made especial choice of him the said Prince to be a Companion and Consrere of the said most Noble Order which he was there by Commission to present his Excellency withall The Oration ended the Ambassador presented his Majesty's Commission under the Great Seal of England during the reading whereof by one of the Secretaries of the States The whole Table of the States stood up their heads uncovered only the French Ambassador excepted who sate covered Then Garter after Reverence made with an audible voice pronounced in French the Stile of the King of Great Britain as is accustomed and after it the Stile of Henry Prince of Orange which done by a signal made at one of the Windows the Trumpets sounded the Drums strook up and a thousand Musket shot were discharged in Volley Then stood up at the Table a French Orator who began his Harangue in the praise of the Noble Order of the Garter relating as he said he was informed how many Emperors Kings and Princes had been thereof applauding the worthy Election and choice of both the famous Princes of Orange Prince Maurice lately deceased and Prince Henry then Governing only be excepted against the patronage of Saint George who was he said but a Legendary Saint and not Canonical nor approved by general Councils and in effect but a moral Allegory For every Christian man that for his Faith would fight and defend the Church yea and for the same suffer Martyrdom he should conquer the Dragon that is the Devil and be as much holy reputed as St. George But the Order to be stiled of the Garter was more significant because it carried with it a bond or tie of Fellowship as a Symbol of Amity and Friendship between Princes being Companions of the said Order So concluding his Harangue with a Prayer for the Soveraign's prosperity King Charles and the whole Fellowship of the said most Noble Order of the Garter he ended Then the Lord Ambassador Carleton with his Excellency the Prince of Orange the Prince Palatine and my self standing up the Ambassador took the great Collar with the George and assisted by the Palatine put it over the head of his Excellency and fastned it on his shoulder for at that time he refused to wear the Robes of the Order because he said his Brother Grave Maurice had not done it but laying up his leg on my Chair the Ambassador and I put on the Garter Which done by another signal six and thirty Canons reported and so way being made we returned that way as we came the Trumpets sounding and the Drums beating until his Excellency was entred into his Court. That day or night we had no Feast for avoiding Precedency and Place between the Ambassador drinking of Healths and other complements which might have occassioned question or difference on either party That night Bonfires of pitched Barels were made through the Town as is accustomed to be done in all their Triumphs The next day following being Monday I was invited by a Messenger to dine with his Excellency where in his great Chamber the Table ready furnished with meat without Ceremony of other service or attendants but his own Pages being half a dozen in number his Excellency sate down not at the end of the Board but at the right hand thereof and Count Lodowick of Nassaw his Vncle on the left hand side I was placed on the Princes side at a convenient distance from him by his Marshal Collonel Boage a Scottish man sate right against me next to Count Lodowick and these were all the Guests at the Table during Dinner his Excellency asked me sundry questions namely whether Queen Elizabeth did wear the Garter of the Order about her leg as the Knights did I answered I thought not for it was not proper for her Sex so apparently to shew her leg Then he demanded whether the Institution of the Order was from the fall of a Blue Garter from the Ladies leg with whom the King danced I told him it was so holden by tradition but the truth was otherwise as it is recorded in the old Register Book of the Order that King Edward the Third returning home after his conquest of France to remunerate those Knights that had
began my Iourney and arrived at Hamborough the Monday following being the 23. I stayed there from Monday till Thursday in the Evening and then I departed with the Messenger of Berlin On Monday morning I came to Spanda a good Town where there is the strongest Fort I ever saw of four Bulwarks environed by the River Sprey and a Morass towards Berlin from which place the Elector hath caused the Wood to be felled that he might see this Fort from his Castle at Berlin At 11 of the Clock that day I arrived at Berlin here I lodged my self in the Burgomasters house a good Inn and that Afternoon sent for one Mr. Roe an English-man but an old Servant of the Electors Family to him in general I made my self known and desired his advice for my addresses he presently went and acquainted the Electors Marshal with my Arrival who presently informed the Elector and so I had answer if I sent to the Marshal the next day at 10 of the Clock I should understand his Highness pleasure accordingly I sent and the Marshall returned me answer that at 11 his Highness would send a Gentleman to conduct me to the Court and accordingly there came his Carver in one of his Highness Coaches to conducâ me thither where when I was arrived I was brought through two or three Rooms the Guards standing in order in the first and Gentlemen in the rest by the Gentleman to the Electors Anti-Chamber there his Chamberlain received me and brought me into his Highness âed-chamber to whom I presented my self in the best posture I could and briefly gave him an Accompt of my Employment and delivered him his Majesty's Letter which he presently opened and read and in few words of great respect acknowledged his Majesty's favour After that I delivered him her Majesty the Queen of Bohemia's Letter which he received with great demonstration of affection and then returned to discourse with me about the time and manner of receiving the Order Hereupon I having prepared a Paper of all things necessary that so I might do my best for his Majesty's honor and service I presented it unto his Highness which he presently gave to Monsieur Scurein one of the chief of his Council and the only person besides his Chamberlain then present to read which he did and it gave the Elector so full satisfaction as he proposed to receive the Order the next day being Wednesday but I being weary and besides other particulars being to be advised I put it off till Thursday so I took my leave of his Highness for that instant and the Surintendant being Hofmaster to the Electrix brought me to her Apartment to wait upon her to whom I likewise delivered her Majesty's Letter she received me with great favour and told me her Mother had given her notice of my coming so after some questions of the young Prince of Orange the Princes Royal c. I took my leave and was conducted into his Highness Dining-Room where the Dinner being on the Table he presently appeared leading his Mother who with her Brother the Palatine of Zimerne his Lady with a Son and Daughter came to this Court few days before The old Electress seeing me present with high civility seemed as if I should apply my self unto her hereupon I briefly told her that I was assured had her Majesty the Queen of Bohemia known I should have found her there I should have had the honor to have brought her Letters from her Majesty which she took in good part so she placed her self with her Sister-in-Law her Daughter-in-Law the young Electress her Sister the Princess Katherine and the young Princess of Zimerne on the outside of the Table in the interim the Elector the Duke of Zimerne and his Son washed the Chamberlain giving the Towel then the Gentleman gave water to the Ladies so they took their places at a long Table at the end sat the Dutchess of Zimerne and the old Electress on the inside of the Table the Electress the Princess Katherine and the young Princess of Zimerne on the outside sate the Duke of Zimerne then the Elector then stood the Carver and below sat the young Prince of Zimerne and below him the Chamberlain opposite to the young Prince and next to his Sister I was placed beneath me the Master of the House to the Old Electress and then at the end sate the Electors Master of his Horse and another The Table was excellently served having at the first course 20 Dishes of gilt Plate covered with Silver and the Plates the same so was the second course and at the third the Banquet was served in in as many standing scalloped Cups gilt At the second course the Elector began to me his Majesty's Health and a while after the Duke of Zimerne the Queen of Bohemia's and these were all the Healths past at the Table so as to my great joy instead of drinking after the German mode I rose from Table thirsty Dinner being done his Highness and the Ladies returned into her Highness Chamber in the interim I stayed in the Dining-Room where the Marshal came and told me his Highness had given order I should be lodged neer the Court at his Stables and should have a Coach to wait upon me to come to Court that Evening and so constantly while I stayed I excused the first at least till the next day and the last for that time and so returned to my Lodging The next day after Dinner I went into the Electress Room with the Elector and presently the old Electress applied her self to entertain me and did so neer an hour Then I took my leave of her and the Elector for that time and was brought by one of his Gentlemen to my new Lodging at the Stables where after a large half pace at the top of a Stair I was brought into my Stove hung with good Arras at the upper end were two large round Tables the one covered with a Carpet of Crimson Velvet fringed with Gold the other of Cloth of Gold on which stood a great Silver Bason and Ewer out of that Room I went into my Bed-Chamber hung with silk Hangings the Bed was of Cloth of Gold Damask and the Counterpart of riâh Cloth of Gold and Chaârs of Crimson Velvet towards Evening I was sent to to know whether I would sup at the Court or there I desired the last at my Lodging in regard I was to deliver the Garter the next day So in the Evening Wax Candles were brought me in great Silver Candlesticks and Wine and Beer in two great standing gilt Cups and then eight or ten Dishes of meat in Silver Dishes and the Table being covered with rich Damask Linen the meat was brought by six or eight Footmen and a Page of the Electors to wait upon me towards the end of Supper five or six Plates of Sweet-meats were set on the Table and so the Supper ended The next morning being Thursday the 3. of April
Stilo Novo I made my self ready to deliver the Garter and about 10 of the Clock went to Court conducted by a Gentleman sent of purpose when I came there I found all things ready as I had designed and presently the Elector came and set himself under the Cloth of State a Table standing by him whereon to lay the Garter c. Then I presently retired into another Chamber and put on my Coat of Arms having laid on a Velvet Cushen his Cloak the Garter George and his Majesty's Letter which was again delivered me as I had proposed to be then publickly read so having made my three Reverences I approached near his Electoral Highness and then laid down the Cushen and applied my self by way of introduction in the French Tongue to give an account of my Employment and therein again delivered to his Highness his Majesty's Letter which he re-delivered me Then having finished my introduction I read openly his Majesty's Letter which done I again delivered it to him and kneeled down and put on the Garter then the George and lastly the Cloak and so proceeded with the rest of my Harrangue which done the Elector in few words returned humble thanks to his Majesty for the great honor he had done him in making him Companion of so Noble and worthy an Order and was likewise pleased to give me thanks for the pains I had taken in bringing it unto him so I made my Reverences and departed to put off my Coat During the time of exercising my Function I saw him very well pleased with it and after all the Company present being his Council and Servants congratulated his admission Presently after his Highness came forth to Dinner with the accustomed company and as formerly he drank to me his Majesty's Health afterwards the Duke of Zimerne began his Highness Health to me and her Majesty of Bohemia's Health and the Electresses passing Dinner was ended so being weary I went not into the Elector's Chamber but returned to my Lodging where I had not been long but the Elector accompanied with the Duke of Zimerne and most of his Court came to the Escure to see his Horses so I presently went down to wait upon his Highness who used me with high civility causing me to put on my Hat for by the way at home I never saw him covered at first I saw his Stables full of excellent Horses at least 30 of several breeds for the Great Saddle thence he went up Stairs the Stable being a quadrangle well built and the Rooms above divided into six or eight Rooms all full of Carbines Pistols Swords rich Armour c. of divers fashions and richness and the two last of very rich Saddles of all fashions and Furniture for Horses many of them set with Turquoises Rubies Emeralds c. and one set with Diamonds which done his Highness took his Coach and departed That Evening I had a Supper at my Lodging as formerly and the Mr. de la Lane grand Esquire came to me from his Highness telling me he had order if I pleased to wait upon me to shew me the Fort at Spanda and likewise that at Castrein 10 Miles off I excused the last as being far off and would take the opportunity of seeing the other at my return Fryday I went to Court again and then I delivered his Highness the Copy of my Speech and told him I had no more to do now but to attend his Commands resolving to depart about the middle of the week following The next day being Saturday I dined at Court as formerly The following day being Easter-day I went early to the Court and waited on the Elector to the Church which by a Gallery is joined to the Court I had the honor immediately to precede his Highness leading his Mother and to have a stool set me in his Cloââ whiââââ at the lower end opposite to the Altar above his Chamberlain next the young Prince of Zimerne there I heard the Service and Sermon which ended the Elector anâ all the Company went down to receive the Sacrament leaving me in the Closât wâtâ tâo Lutheran Gentlemen to bear me company all being done we returned in tââ sâââ order we came to Church and went immediately to Dinner which was serveâ up as formerly but the number of Dishes of all sorts surpassing other days yet there pâst only his Majesty's health and the Elector's at that time That Evening I suppeâât Court where the entertainment was agreeable to the former Monday after Dinner I represented to his Highness that having obeyed his Majesty in delivering the Order I had no more to do but to beseech his Highness ãâã to depart on Thursday and therefore prayed him to honor me with his Commââââ on Wednesday which he granted though at Dinner he proposed to me to go and see his strong Fort at Castrin 10 Dutch Miles thence but I excused it saying I would satisfie my self seeing that at Spanda two Miles in my way back which is of great strength both by art and situation The next day being Wednesday I sent to have audience to take my leave of his Highness in the Morning but I was put off till after Supper Yet I waited on his Highness to Dinner and after Dinner I waited upon the old Electress the Duke of Zimerne and his Lady and Children and the Princess Katherine and had Letters from most of them to the Queen of Bohemia and Princess Louisa with as great testimonies from them of their affection and good wishes to his Majesty and resâect and thanks to my self as was imaginable After Supper that Evening I took my ãâã of his Electoral Highness who with all respect delivered me his Letter to his Majesty and then with extraordinary civility he dismissed me After that although the âlectress had taken Phisick that day I had audience of her who gave me her Letter to the Queen of Bohemia and when I desired one to her Mother she told me she had written by the Post and so I returned to my Lodging The next morning being Thursday Monââeur le Cane Captain of his Highness Guard and Master of his Horse brought me a Present of 100 pieces of Gold weighing each 5 Daiats which were coined of purpose for me uâing much Complement from the Elector his Master in the delivery and then presently by his Highness Order he brought me out of Town in one of his Highness Coaches there being two other Gentlemen with him and first he shewed me the place of casting Ordinance where there were newly cast two great whole Cannons and a very large Mortar-piece then through a very large Park we came to Spanda where at the entry of the Fort I was saluted with three pieces of Cannon and met by theâ Governor who shewed me all the strength and provisions thereof which are in all kinds very great both of Brâss Ordinanâe and Arms. After that I was very well entertained at Dinner by the Governor and
Duke Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria George de Halwyn Baron of Gomyns An. 16. H. 8. Dukes Peter Duke of Conimbero Iohn Lord Typtost An. 6. H. 6. Dukes Guido Vbaldus Duke of Vrbin Sir Balthasar de Castilian Knight An. 22. H. 7. Dukes Emanuel Duke of Savoy Iohan Thomas Langusts des Contes de Stropiane An. 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Dukes Adolph Duke of Holstein Walter Devereux Viscount Hereford An. 3. Eliz. Dukes Henry Prince of Orange Dudley Carleton Viscount Dorchester An. 4. Car. 1. Dukes Iohn George Duke of Saxony Heneage Finch Earl of Winchelsey An. 23. Car. 2. Earls Anne Montmorency Earl of Beaumont Sir Amye de Courteney Knight Sier de Villert An. 25. H. 8. Earls Philip Chabot Earl of Newblank Sir Iames Deschateners Knight Sier de Beaulion An. 25. H. 8. Thirdly it is provided that he be a Knight and without any manner of Reproach and if it so happen that he have not received the degree of Knighthood the Soveraign is to bestow that honor before he be allowed to take upon him the execution of his deputative power for none but Knights are capable of this Honor or permitted to bear the Ensigns of so great an Order Hereupon the Lord Willoughby of Ersbie Proctor for Frederick the Second King of Denmark and Sir Philip Sidney for Iohn Count Palatine of the Rhyne were both Knighted by the Soveraign at Windesor Castle the morning before they proceeded to take possession of their Principals Stalls Notwithstanding there was a reason why this particular was not strictly stood upon though moved in the case and it is the single case of Henry Ramell Deputy for Christian the Fourth King of Denmark an 3. Iac. R. for it being taken notice of that he was not a Knight certain persons were sent from the Soveraign to signifie his pleasure that he should be advanced to the honor of Knighthood before he took upon him the Ensigns of the Order in his Kings behalf to which he made answer that he appeared here not in his own but in the name of the King of Denmark and that such a Degree of honor was unusual in his own Country being born in Pomerania and therefore humbly desired that he might be excused for receiving the honor Upon which answer the Soveraign was pleased to dispence with him and forthwith the said Deputy but no Knight received the Ornaments of the Order and was admitted to take the Stall assigned to the said King his Principal SECT III. His Letters of Procuration THE authority wherewith an Elect-Stranger invests his Proxie is chiefly deduceable from the words in his Letters of Procuration or Deputation which ought to pass under the Hand and Seal of his Principal and do generally contain these particulars First he premiseth the Soveraign's Election of him into the Order of the Garter and his Receipt of the Habit and Ensigns thereof then takes notice of the obligation which the Statutes of the Order put upon him for sending a Proxie to take possession of his Stall in regard the dignity whereunto he is advanced in his own Country will not permit him to repair personally to Windesor and being not only desirous that the Election and Investiture should obtain its due effect but to fulfil as far as in him lies the Injunctions of the Statutes in what concerns the assuming of his Stall and taking the Oath appointed He therefore ordains authorises and deputes a person fitly qualified named in the Deputation his sufficient Proctor and special Deputy to appear at the Castle of Windesor on his behalf and in his Name at the next Solemnity that should be held there to supply his room and receive possession of the Stall assigned him according to the usual form and to perform in all respects those Ceremonies and things in his behalf due and accustomed or should appear to belong any way to the splendor or ornament of the Order As also to take the accustomed Oath with those qualifications and in that form as had been or should be agreed upon and further to fulfill all other things which he should think necessary to be performed on this occasion or whatsoever thing might require a more special command than was contained in the Letters of Procuration and as fully as the Stranger should be obliged unto and would do if he were there present in his own person Lastly there is usually added a Clause of Ratification and Confirmation of all such things as the Proctor should say or do in reference to the Solemnity of Installation SECT IV. Of the Proctor's Reception SOon after the arrival of the Proxie and that the Soveraign is acquainted with the occasion of his coming he at some convenient time giveth him Audience after which a day for Installation is assigned where the Soveraign or his Lieutenant are present the Soveraign nominates some of the Knights-Companions his Commissioners to perform the Ceremonies Heretofore the Soveraign hath caused the Proctor to be received with very great state for so was Sir Balthasar Castilian sent hither from the Duke of Vrbin an 22. H. 7. whom Sir Thomas Brandon with a goodly company of his own Servants well horst met at the Sea side and thence continually kept company with him till they came neer Deptsord in Kent where by the Soveraign's command he was met by Sir Thomas Dokara Lord of St. Iohns and Sir Thomas Wriothesley Garter The said Sir Thomas Dokara had attending him 30 of his Servants all in new Liveries well horsed every Gentleman bearing a Javelin in his hand and every Yeoman a Bow and a Sheaf of Arrows and so they conveyed him to his Lodging The next day they conducted him to London and by the way there met him divers Italians and Paulus de Gygeles the Popes Vice-Collector to whose house he was conveyed and there lodged The Reception also of Iames Lord Rambouillet Proctor for the French King Charles the Ninth was very noble to whom as soon as the Soveraign heard of his arrival at Gravesend being Tuesday the â8 of Ianuary an 8. Eliz. she sent thither Arthur Lord Grey of Wilton Mr. Midlemore and other Gentlemen who the next day landed him at the Tower-Wharf where all taking Horse they conducted him to his Lodgings neer St. Maries Spittle without Bishops-Gate within which place lay the Ambassador Leiger of France SECT V. The Preparations for Installation THE Preparations for the Installation of a Stranger by Proxie are the same as for the Proxie of a Knight-Subject and mentioned as before namely the 1. Commission for Installation 2. Letters of notice to the Commissioners 3. Warrants for removal of Stalls 4. for the Strangers Atchievements and 5. some other particulars of less note All which are to be obtained by the Chancellor of the Order under the Soveraign's Sign Manual to which the Signet of the Order is to be affixt The form of the Commission is
Church phrase the Nativity of his Patron so as to the place wherein to perform its Solemnities he made choice of that of his own Nativity the Castle of Windesor and appointed the observation of this Grand Festival in a solemn manner and with due Ceremonies to be celebrated there which for a long time after was inviolably observed either upon the very day by the Church made sacred to St. George or else upon some other appointed by Prorogation not long after for which way of Prorogation allowance was given by the Statutes of the Order and of which the Registers are full of instances SECT V. St. George's day kept apart from the Grand Feast and how then observed HOW this Noble Order spread its roots and flourished from its first plantation to the time of King Henry the Fifth we can give no account since the Annals thereof are wanting unto his Reign certain it is that then it was of a considerable growth but afterwards the Civil Wars towards the end of King Henry the Sixth's Reign caused it to stand at a stay Under the benevolent aspect of King Edward the Fourth it seemed to recover and whilst King Henry the Eighth reigned to have attained a greater height than at any time before But though the several Branches of the Order received some augmentation from the favourable influence of this last mentioned Soveraign yet the principal to wit the Grand Festival began to flag by a removal of the observation of St. George's day from Windesor the place particularly appointed for it and a prorogatory celebration of the Grand Feast to other times By which means the honor of that princely Seat and the advantages accrewing by the performance of the Solemnities there were diverted to those other places whereto the observation of St. George's day was translated The Article of the Statutes causing this great alteration and which clashed so much with the design of the first Institutor may be seen in the Appendix where it is manifest that when the Soveraign saw occasion to prorogue the celebration of the Grand Feast he might legally do it but when he did so 't is there also evident that the day of St. George was nevertheless ordained to be duly observed singly by it self in what place soever the Soveraign if within this Realm should then reside Windesor hereby being not excluded It further implies the sacred Rites and Offices to be performed with sundry other concerns of the Order for besides the particulars therein innumerated we may observe thence this general clause that what other urgent Affair soever relating to the Order should offer it self to be performed the same might be treated of and receive dispatches in the Chapter held where the Soveraign then should be as fully as if he were at Windesor Castle So that hence forward all things began to be ordered both on the Eve the Day of St. George and the Morrow after with full as great state all Affairs as legally dispatched and all Ceremonies as magnificently performed except that of Offring up of Atchievements which is peculiar and local to the Chappel of St. George in Windesor Castle as could be observed at the Grand Festival it self And how by virtue of this Article and with that Ceremonies St. George's day was held when the Grand Feast was prorogued to some further time is evident from a full and ample Precedent an 22. H. 8. now remaining in the Office of Arms. For albeit the Soveraign with thirteen Knights-Companions were at Windesor upon the 22.23 and 24. of April that year yet did they at that time observe only the Feast day of St. George with the Eve and Morrow after but deferred by Order in Chapter the celebration of the Grand Feast unto the 8. day of May ensuing the Memorial whereof follows The King went not to the Chapter before the first Evensong but immediately to his Stall viz. in the Chappel of the Soveraign's Lodgings in the Upper Ward of the Castle of Windesor not in the Chappel Royal of St. George The Bishop of London Lord Cutberde Tunstall elect of Duresme did the Divine Service and at Magnificat he and the Dean first censed the Altar and after the King both the high Altar and the Altar which was made before the King were richly garnished with Images and over garnishments of Gold and Silver and Gilt c. The Evensong the King returned to his and his Grace and the Knights of the Order were served of the void c. And on the Morn at 9. of the Clock to be at Matyns which was done above the Ordinary the King ordained in the honor of St. George a right noble Procession whereat was 35 Copes of rich Cloth of Gold after the Procession the King went immediately to his Stall and High Mass and offered as accustomed That done Dinner and 4 of the greatest Estates sat at the kings boards end And the residue sat all along at the two Tables all on the one side as accustomed and before Evensong the King went to his Closet to the Chapter and appointed the Duke of Suffolk to be his Lieutenant at the Feast which was appointed to be kept the eight day of May then ensuing accompanied with the Earl of Rutland the Lord Sandys Lord Chamberlain Sir William Fitz Williams Memoramdum That the low Evensongs that were said before the King were of St. George Also the first low Mass in the morning song by the Lord George Grey of Dorset two oder Masses of the day of the which Lord John Longland Bishop of Lincolne sang the third Mass the fourth low Mass was of Recordare and was appointed that the high Mass done the Mass of Requiem should begin Thus here we have 1. The attendance of the Knights-Companions upon the Soveraign 2. the Chapter which accustomably was held on the Eve of the Feast implied by observing that the Soveraign went not unto it 3. The Ceremonies at the first Vespers 4. The Morning Service on St. George's day 5. The Grand Procession 6. The Solemn Offring 7. The Grand Dinner 8. The Chapter held before the second Vespers 9. The day for celebrating the Grand Festival appointed And 10. The Mass of Requiem on the morrow after St. George's day celebrated SECT VI. The Grand Feast neglected by King Edward the Sixth BUT King Edward the Sixth assuming the Soveraignty of this Noble Order the days became more gloomy in as much as during his Reign there was no Anniversary of St. George kept at Windesor by a Grand Festival Under what churliâh Fate this noble place then suffered we cannot guess other than the common calamity of that Age wherein most Ceremonies solemn or splendid either chiefly such as related to Divine Services came under the suspicion of being superstitious if not idolatrous Insomuch as at a Chapter held at Greenewich upon the 22. day of April in the second year of his Reign an abolition being intended of all
such Ceremonies as were not consonant to the King's Injuctions then lately prescribed it was Ordained and Decreed that then and for ever from thenceforth at the Feast of this most Noble Order no other Ceremonies should be observed than such as were appointed in the following Letter Which was at that Chapter agreed upon and a little before the next years Feast day of St. George sent from the Lords of the Council to the Knights-Companions attributing the whole procedure to the great piety of the then Soveraign and the care he took that certain abuses and preposterous Ceremonies of the Church should be reformed Whereby the Solemnity State and magnificence of this Grand Festival was very much eclipsed AFter our most hearty commendations For as much as the Kings Highness hath appointed a most godly Reformation of divers abuses and rites in the Church to a more convenient and decent Order of the which some hath been used heretofore in the most honorable and amicable Order of the Garter and being not reformed there should make a disagreeing from his Majesty's most godly proceedings Therefore it is his Majesty's will and pleasure by the advice of us the Lord Protector and other his Highness Council that all such things as be not conformable and agreeing to his Majesty's Injunctions Orders or Reformations now of late prescribed should be also in that most Noble Order and the Ceremonies thereof lest undone and reformed as hereafter followeth First that no Procession be made with going about the Church or Church-yard but the Kings Majesty's Procession lately set forth in English to be used His Majesty and other Knights of that honorable Order sitting in their Stalls at the entry such Reverence to be made to the King's Majesty only as was heretofore The Offring to be in the Box for the Poor without any other Reverence or kissing of any Paten or other thing but only at the return due Reverence to the King's Majesty as was used before The Mass of Requiem to be left undone but yet both upon St. George's day and the next day a Mass to be sung with great Reverence in the which immediately after the words of Consecration is said the Priest shall say the Pater Noster and so turn and communicate all or so many of the Order or other after they have done as shall be disposed godly at the same time to receive the Communion according to such order as is prescribed in his Highness Book of Communion and without any other Rite or Ceremony after the said Communion to be used except it be some godly Psalm or Hymn to be sung in English and so to end the said Service All Chapters and other Rites concerning the said Order not being contrary to these to remain as they have been prescribed and used the which we have thought good to signifie unto you that you may follow the same accordingly From Greenwich the 20. of April 1548. This Decree we observe signified not less than a Prohibition to the holding the Grand Feâst at Windesor although it spoke not so plain at least the neglect of its celebration there whilst King Edward the Sixth lived makes it to seem so And albeit towards the end of this Soveraign's Reign some care was or seemed taken for a permissive holding of the said Feast either upon the day of St. George or some other day appointed by Prorogation yet was it without any regard had to the ancient and usual place the Castle of Windesor For when the Act of Parliament passed commanding the days therein mentioned to be kept holy and none other whereby the celebration of many days besides which in former time by the Canons of our Church appointed to be kept holy were prohibited and among the rest the Feast day of St. George it being not found among those Feast days at that time established It was considered That a Proviso and allowance should be entred in the aforesaid Act for the celebration of this Feast particularly by the Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order in these words Provided always and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid that it shall be lawfull to the Knights of the right honorable Order of the Garter and to every of them to keep and celebrate solemnly the Feast of their Order commonly called St. George's Feast yearly from henceforth the 22.23 and 24. days of April and at such other time and times as yearly shall be thought convenient by the Kings Highness his Heirs and Successors and the said Knights of the said honorable Order or any of them now being or hereafter to be any thing in this Act heretofore mentioned to the contrary notwithstanding Which Act although it suffred a Repeal by Queen Mary yet strands it at this day in force being revived by King Iames his repealing of that Statute of the first of Queen Mary Cap. 2. SECT VII Removed from Windesor by Queen Elizabeth BUT that which gave the greatest and almost fatal blow to the growing Honor of this no less famous than ancient Castle of Windesor and severed the Patrons Festival from the Place was a Decree made at a Chapter held at Whitehall upon St. George's day an 9. Eliz. with the consent of the Knights-Companions then present being 12 in number namely the Earls of Arundel and Penbroke the Lord Clinton Marquess of Northampton Lord Howard of Effingham Earl of Sussex Lord Loughborow Viscount Mountague Earls of Leicester Northumberland Warwick and Lord Hunsdon to the effect following That if on the Vigil and day of St. George the Feast were not held at Windesor according to the usual Custom it should nevertheless be sufficient if the observation thereof were kept in the same place where the Soveraign should then happen to be where also all the rest of the Knights-Companions were obliged to be present no less than if the Feast had been to be celebrated at Windesor And henceforward the glory which Windesor Castle had alone possest for some Ages began to be distributed to other places nay so severe was the later part of this Decree to the interest of so flourishing a place that it welnigh extended to a prohibition of all other Celebrations there since it also commanded That no other Solemnity under the notion of St. George's Feast should thenceforth be celebrated at Windesor except upon occasion of the Installation of some illustrious personage and then also not without the leave and appointment of the Soveraign And to say truth this Statutes was but too strictly observed all the remainder of her Reign for we meet not with one Feast of St. George held simply and peculiarly as a Feast in honor of the Order's Patron at Windesor unless you mistakingly account any of the Feasts of Installation for those of St. George which for the most part were held at the charge and expence of the Knights Installed until the first year of King Iames But then the Soveraign as yet in
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
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
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 shâwed 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
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
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 sundrâ 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
the Registers and from the Commissions themselves For instance The before recited Deputations made to Iohn Duke of Bedford an 4. H. 6. is said to be done by a sufficient Commission delivered unto him under the Common Seal of the Order So an 8. H. 6. Humfry Duke of Gloucester c. was deputed by a certain Commission signed by the Soveraign under the Common Seal And for holding the Feast an 1. E. 4. Viscount Bourghier was also Deputed by the Soveraign By a fit and suââicient Commission So also the Earl of Essex an 14. E. 4. by the authority of the Soveraigns Commission In like manner an 18. E. 4. The Lord Dudley was assigned by vertue of the Soveraigns Commission to observe the yearly Feast of St. George and to perform all things according to custom It may be further observed that the Commissions of Lieutenancy as ancient as the Reign of King Henry the Eighth are said in the close to issue forth under the Seal of this most Noble Order So was that to the Duke of Norfolk an 17. H. 8. And also that other to the Marquess of Exceter an 20. H. 8. which runneth thus Yeoven under the Seal of Our Garter c. and according to the Modern expression Given under the Seal c. These Commissions of Lieutenancy an 14. Eliz. and the six following years run under the title of Letters Patent and are so called in the Blue Book but how justly is to be questioned For in one of these Commissions made to the Earl of Lincoln an 15. of the said Queen the conclusion is the same with those other Commissions of like nature of former years viz. Yeoven under the Seal of Our Order at c. and wanteth that Clause or conclusive period from which such instruments as we are informed derive the name of Letters Patent to wit In cujus rei testimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Again an 12. Eliz. and for seven years after we observe from the said Blue Book that this Officer was made with the consent of all the Knights-Companions a Phrase much like that used elswhere touching the Election of Knights as hath been before taken notice of But if duely examined we shall find this expression of no more strength to entitle the Knights-Companions to a joynt power with the Soveraign for the constituting of a Lieutenant than the other is to make them Coelectors where though something requisite to the obtaining of their consent may seem to be implied in the aforesaid words yet we conceive those expressions were used by the Register as of his own choice rather than such as the Law of the Order will allow of The Dignity of this Officer as he represents the Soveraign's person and supplies his place is very great Which that we may the better set forth we shall distinguish the Honors annexed to this eminent Place as they are essential and necessarily consequent thereto or personal that is such as may additionally be conferred upon him at the pleasure of the Soveraign That this Officer as an essential Honor to his Place hath from ancient time had some of the Knights-Companions assigned him for his Assistants during the whole Feast is evident enough throughout the Registers yet the first mention of Assistants as to the Title particularly given unto such persons we find in the Registrum Chartaceum in the Decree made at a Chapter called at Eltham on St. George's day an 8. H. 8. wherein after the Anniversary of the Grand Feast had been appointed to be observed at Windsor upon the 25. of May then next ensuing and the Marquess of Dorset nominated the Soveraign's Lieutenant the Earl of Essex the Lord de la Ware the Lord Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell were appointed Assistants to the said Marquess Another instance in the same Register concerning the celebration of the Grand Feast at Windesor the following year upon the 10. day of May the Earl of Arundel being appointed Lieutenant affirms that the Lords de la Ware and Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell and Sir Henry Marney were also appointed Assistants to the said Earl The number of Assistants were in those times uncertain here above we see they were four Anno 21. H. 8. we find but three and afterwards an 32. H. 8. they were reduced unto two which number following times exceeded not except once and that was the last year of the aforesaid King when there were three appointed These Assistants were always appointed in Chapter when the Lieutenant himself was Nominated and afterwards had Letters of notice sent to each of them from the Soveraign requiring their repair to Windesor a Transcript whereof see in the Appendix of which form have we seen several other Letters sent upon the same occasion to each of the Assistants after they had been appointed to the said Service And as before we have noted in the case of Lieutenants themselves it hath sometimes chanced that others were afterwards upon occasion put in the places of those first named so here amongst the Assistants it hath in like manner hapned for the Lord Poynings an 8. H. 8. by the Soveraign's Commission was appointed Assistant to the Lieutenant in the room of the Earl of Essex who had been before nominated And the Earl of Rutland being named one of the Assistants an 22. H. 8. was afterwards excused by the Kings Letters whose place the Lord Montjoy executed So an 29. H. 8. the aforesaid Earl of Rutland falling sick after the time of his nomination and before the approach of the Feast day the Earl of Sussex was substituted Assistant in his place And sometimes a Quorum of Assistants have been nominated as an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. in case some of them should be absent for the Lord Pagit the Lord Clynton the Lord Howard of Effingham and Sir Edward Hastings having been appointed Assistants to attend the Lieutenant at the following Feast it is added that at least any two of them who at that time were neerest to the Kings Court should be there present to assist the Soveraign's Deputy according to his Majesties pleasure as the Custom and their duty obliged Another Honor essential to the Dignity of the Lieutenant is that the Soveraign layes an Injunction upon the rest of the Knights-Companions then present to yield Assistance and Obedience to him in all things as if himself were personally present For so is it enjoyned by the Commission to the aforesaid Iohn Duke of Bedford And generally all Forms of Commissions since close with such like Injunctions of Obedience in the execution of the Soveraign's Authority To these Honors before spoken of we might add some other of the like nature viz. that this great Officer possesseth the Soveraigns Place in all Proceedings and at the Table that he hath his Train carried up that a Reverence is given
him by the Knights-Companions an essay taken for him of the Offering and offereth with Carpet and Cusheon but these we reserve to speak of at large by and by In reference to personal Honors though generally all Lieutenants sit in their own Seats in the Chappel we find the Marquess of Northampton had assigned to him a higher Stall than his own during the whole Festivity of St. George For in the Chapter held on the Eve an 3. Eliz. the Celebration of the day of St. George being that year observed at Whitehall the Soveraign decreed that the foresaid Marquess during only the time of his Deputation should take the Stall of the Earl of Shrewsbury then lately deceased Now the Marquesses own Stall was at that time the eight Stall on the Princes side but that which the Earl of Shrewsbury then lately possest was the fourth on the same side and next below the Duke of Holstein whose Seat was the lowest among the Stranger Princes then alive To conclude it seems in time the Duty incumbent on both the Lieutenant and his Assistants grew so burthensom that the Soveraign took their attendance and charge into consideration and therefore in their favour decreed at a Chapter held on St. Georges day at Greenwich an 19. H. 8. That the Knights-Companions Appointed or Deputed Lieutenants or Assistants to be present or to keep the Feast of St. George in the Colledge of Windsor one year should not be Appointed or Deputed to be present or to keep it the year next following unless the Soveraign should please to be present at the day or Feast And to the same effect though briefly is this Decree recorded in the Black Book But more large and particular is it thus entred in one of the MS. now remaining in the Office of Arms. Memorandum That the Soveraign of the Order King Henry the Eighth our Soveraign Lord by the advice of the Knights of the said Order the 19. pear of his most noble Reign by vertue of a Chapitre holden at his Manor of Greenwich the 23. day of April Ordained and enacted by Acte of Chapitre that all such Knights of the Order from thenceforth which should be appointed by his Highness to be his Lieutenant or Deputy at the Feast of St. George kept at his Castle of Windesor and all such other Knights as was to the said Lieutenant Attendant and Assistant at that time should for the next year ensuing be clearly discharged and excused for their attendance at the said Castle unless any Knight of the Order upon his own devotion would be at the said Feast of St. George at Wyndesor then be to be there at pleasure Nor was that yet thought a sufficient indulgence to the Lieutenant and Assistants to be absent from the next Grand Feast and therefore the said Ordinance was afterwards an 23. 24. H. 8. extended to the space of three years from and after the said Feast And herewith we are to note That this Officer always held the Feast at his peculiar charge and cost and gave liberal Rewards to Garter and for his Scatcheons as also to the Officers of Arms the Gentlemen-Vshers the Alms-Knights the Vshers and Grooms of the Chamber the Clerks of the Kitchin the Harbinger and Groom-Porters with the rest of the Soveraign's Servants Waiters of several Offices in the House to the Choristers the Vergers c. that kept the Robes and the Sexton even to those who made clean the Seats and laid the Cusheons And because all things relating to the Feast were set forth with exceeding State and Nobleness which was commonly every year augmented each Lieutenant striving to outvie his Predecessor in magnificence and liberality his Expences became very great In consideration whereof the aforesaid Priviledge was granted that so by a Licence of Non-attendance for the three following years the Persons who had undergone the charge and trouble of these Offices might be in some measure eased Nevertheless the generous Lord Fitz Williams was so far from taking advantage of this indulgence that he was one of the Assistants to the Soveraigns Lieutenant for the six years next ensuing the Decree past an 19. H. 8. SECT VI. The Ceremonies relating to the first Vespers WE have now finished our Discourse upon the Particulars managed in the first Chapter held on the Eve of St. George which being broke up the Soveraign and Knights-Companions do immediately proceed from the Chapter-house into the Choire to hear Vespers In handling and describing the Ceremonies relating thereunto we shall consider first those performed before the Vespers begin secondly the Course of Divine Service and lastly those used after it is ended Wherein we shall be particular and exact not only in regard the State thereof is both solemn and sacred but because the same Order of Ceremony is to be repeated so often as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions enter the Chappel or depart thence or go up into or come down from their Stalls First then we are to presuppose that the Officers of Arms Prebends of the Colledge and Alms-Knights having attended in the North Isle of the Chappel during the sitting of the Chapter do now upon the rising and coming forth of the Soveraign Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order put themselves into Rank and continue the Proceeding through the passage and Guard made by the Knights-Companions Attendants and the Soveraigns Band of Pensioners from the Chapter-house door along the said North Isle and so to the West door of the Choire in like manner and order as they did proceed from the Chamber of Presence to the Chapter-house The Organs then beginning to play and continuing on till Vespers begin When the Alms-Knights be arrived at the West Door they first enter in a whole Body while the rest of the Proceeding makes a short stand and pass forwards near to the middle of the Choire where they make a joynt and low obeisance first towards the Altar next all turning about by the left hand to the Soveraign's Royal Seat then still turning from the right to the left hand they ascend the Pas's even to the Rails set before the Altar and forthwith divide themselves flanking on each side the Juniors standing nearest to the Rails and at such a spacious distance that the Altar may be discerned by all that follow in the Proceeding when they draw near to make their Reverences Assoon as the Alms-Knights have made their obeisance the Prebends of the Colledge enter in a whole body also and having turned on the left hand and made the like double obeisances in the middle of the Choire they divide themselves and take their Seats every one in their Order The Seats appointed for them at this Solemnity and at other times when any of the Knights-Companions are present in the Chappel is in the lower range of Seats and so ordered by King Henry the Eighth's Statutes albeit
was Ordered as of old time accustomed Now the Proceeding he speaks of was marshalled in this manner First went the Alms-Knights two and two on either side the Choire then the Officers of Armes next after whom came the Knights-Companions after them the Officers of the Order and then went the Prelate of the Order bearing the Heart of St. George under a Canopy honorably assisted four Noblemen at the Corners bearing each a Torch and last of all the Soveraign And though here is no mention made of any Ecclesiasticks that joined in this Proceeding yet if we consider that throughout this Grand Ceremony some part of the Divine Office of the Church was Sung which until of late was Gither the Letany or Te Deum it cannot be supposed that the Chaplains and Priests were left out And to cleer this doubt we have happily met with another Old Observator who informs us That the Priests not only went in the Grand Procession but had a place assigned in it where the Gentlemen of the Soveraigns Chappel and Choire of Windesor now go But it must be confest that the Records of the Order are defective in this particular relating to the Grand Procession and speak not otherwise of it then in general or at most take notice but of some of those Degrees that attended in it and this but of late time neither amongst which an 23 Eliz. it is said that they all Proceeded in order as the Custom was the Soveraign following in the Rear of the Procession As to Place and Precedency not only among them who Proceed here in Bodies but also those that walk singly by themselves it is the same in all points with the Soveraign Proceeding to the Chappel on the Eve of the Grand Feast Concerning which we have already spoken largely enough only here are some Persons added which go not in that namely the Gentlemen and Choristers of the Soveraigns Chappel at Whitehall and the Petty Canons Vicars and Choristers of Windesor the whole Order is as followeth The Morning Service having proceeded to the end of the second Lesson and the Prelate conducted by the Serjeant of the Vestry from the Altar to his Seat with usual Reverences The Alms-Knights rise from their Seats and pass to the middle of the Choire and after their accustomed Reverences go up to the sides of the Altar Next in like manner do the Officers of Arms pass up Hereupon Garter riseth from his Seat and makes his Reverences then waving his Rod summons the junior Knights-Companions to descend Whilst they and the rest of the Knights are leaving their Stalls with usual Reverences the Gentlemen of the Chappel Petty Canons and Vicars of Windesor put on Copes and make themselves ready to proceed Then the Knights-Companions being all come down and having made their accustomed Reverences stand each under his proper Stall Then the Black-Rod Garter and Register rise and after Reverences made stand before their Forms So do the Chancellor and Prelate This done the Alms-Knights came down from the Altar and passing into the middle of the Choire make again their double Reverences and proceed out of the Choire After them all the Choristers pass in a body to the middle of the Choire and having made their double Reverences so do all that follow proceed forth two and two So do the Vicars of Windesor Next four of the Petty Canons come from their Seats into the middle of the Choire and there begin to sing the Hymn Then followeth the Serjeant of the Vestry bearing his gilt Rod. After whom the Gentlemen of the Chappel at Whitehall Next the Verger of Windesor Chappel bearing his Silver Rod. Then the Prebends of Windesor After whom the Officers of Arms come down from the Altar and pass on Then the Knights-Companions the juniors first Then the Black-Rod Garter and Register The Chancellor and Prelate The Nobleman that bears the Sword of State Then the Soveraign above in his Stall makes a Reverence towards the Altar and being descended another below then passeth out and enters under the Canopy which waits him at the Choire door having his Train carried up the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold if he be not a Knight of the Order attending somewhat behind the side of the Canopy on the Soveraign's right hand and the Vice-Chamberlain at the like distance on his left for so they waited in the Grand Procession an 23. Car. 2. And lastly the Band of Pensioners who attend in Guard on each side the Soveraign and Knights-Companions with their Captain in the head of them In this order at this day they proceed with great devotion the whole Choire singing the Office appointed which heretofore was the Letany but that Supplicational Procession is now converted into a Hymn of Thanksgiving composed by the Reverend Doctor Brune Ryves the present Dean of Windesor and Register of the Garter at the command of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions in Chapter held the 17. of April an 13. Car. 2. which follows here An Hymn to be sung in the Procession at St. George's Feast instead of the Letany HEar O ye Kings give ear O ye Princes I even I will sing unto the Lord I will sing praises unto the God of Israel The Lord is my Rock and my Fortress and my Deliverer my God my Strength in whom I trust my Buckler the Horn of my Salvation and my high Tower The Lord is my Strength and my Song and he is become my Salvation The Right hand of the Lord is become Glorious in Power The Right hand of the Lord hath dashed in pieces the Enemy In the greatness of thy Excellency thou hast overthrown them that rose up against thee who is like unto thee O Lord amongst the Gods who is like unto thee glorious in Holiness fearful in praises doing Wonders Sing aloud therefore unto God our Strength make a Ioyful Noise to the God of Jacob. CHORVS I will sing unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously Exod. 15.1 To day will we sing this Song We have a strong City Salvation will God appoint for Walls and Bulwarks Isay 26.1 The Princes of the People are gathered together even the People of the God of Abraham for the Shields of the Earth belong unto God he is greatly exalted We will therefore rehearse the righteous Acts of the Lord even his righteous Acts towards the Inhabitants of the Villages of Israel We will not hide them from our Children shewing to the generations to come the praises of the Lord and his Strength and his wonderful Works that he hath done That the generation to come might know them even the Children which should be born who shall arise and declare them to their Children That they may set their Hope in God and not forget the works of God but keep his Commandments Sing unto the Lord therefore O ye Saints of his and let us give thanks for a remembrance of his
Holiness Sing aloud unto God our Strength make a Ioyful Noise unto the God of Israel CHORVS The Lord is my Strength and my Song and he is become my Salvation Exod. 15.2 We will be glad and rejoyce in thy mercy O Lord for thou hast considered our trouble and hast known our Soul in Adversities For our Sins thou didst cast our Crown to the Ground thou powredst contempt upon our Princes and causedst them to wander in the Wilderness where there is no way Thou gavest us like Sheep appointed for slaughter and didst scatter us among the Nations Thou madest us a reproach to our Neighbours ae Scorn and a Derision to them that are round about us Thou madest us a By-word among the Heathen a shaking of the Head among the People Thou didst deliver thy Strength into Captivity and thy Glory into the Enemies hand Thou gavest thy People over also unto the Sword and wâst wroth with thine Inheritance Nevertheless thou didst regard our Afflictions and heardest our Cry and didst repent according to the Multitude of thy Mercies But as the Lord was our hiding-place and did preserve us in the midst of our trouble so at last he hath compassed us about with Songs of Deliverance For the Lord did awake as a man out of sleep and like a Mighty man that shouteth by reason of Wine His anger endureth but a Moment in his favour is life Weeping may endure for a Night but Ioy cometh in the Morning God hath turned our Mourning into Dancing he hath put off our Sack-cloth and girded us with Gladness To the end that our Tongues may sing praises unto thee O Lord and not be silent O Lord our God we will give thanks unto thee for Ever CHORVS The Salvation of Israel is come out of Sion the Lord hath brought back the Captivity of his People Therefore shall Iacob rejoyce and Israel shall be glad Psal. 14.7 O! that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodness and for his wondrous Works to the Children of Men Psal. 107.8 Thou O God hast maintained my Right and my Cause thou satest in the Throne judging right Thou hast rebuked the Rebellious thou hast destroyed the Wicked and hast put out their Name for Ever and Ever I have seen the Wicked in great power and spreading himself like a green Bay-tree Yet he passed away and lo he was not I sought him but he could not be found Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the End of that Man is Peace Lord thou hast been favourable unto thy Land Thou hast brought back the Captivity of thy People Thou hast forgiven the Iniquity of thy People Thou hast covered all their Sin Thou hast taken away all thy Wrath Thou hast turned thy self from the fierceness of thine Anger Therefore will we give thanks unto thee O Lord among the People and sing Praises unto thy Name in the great Congregation Sing aloud unto God our Strength make a Ioyful Noise unto the God of Israel CHORVS O give thanks unto the Lord for he is good for his Mercy endureth for Ever Let the Redeemed of the Lord say so whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the Enemy Psal. 106.1 2. O come hither and behold the Works of the Lord what Desolations he hath made in the Earth He maketh Wars to cease unto the ends of the Earth He breaketh the Bow and cutteth the Spear in sunder and burneth the Charriots in the fire He hath stilled the noise of the Seas the noise of their Waves and the Tumult of the People He rebuked the Company of the Spear-men the Multitude of the Bulls with the Calves of the People till every one submitteth himself with pieces of Silver He hath scattered the People that delight in War He hath broken the Arrows of the Bow the Shield the Sword and the Battel O! come therefore let us sing unto the Lord a new Song for he hath done marvailous things His right Hand and his holy Arm hath gotten him the Victory For he hath given a Banner to them that fear him that it may be displayed because of the Truth CHORVS The Lord is a Man of War the Lord is his Name Exod. 15.3 The Lord of Hosts is with us the God of Iacob is our refuge Psal. 46.11 O! clap your Hands therefore all ye People shout unto God with the voice of Triumph Ps. 47.1 Great deliverance giveth he to the King and shewed mercy to his Anointed and to his Seed for evermore Then he made him that remained to have Dominion over the Nobles among the People the Lord made him have Dominion over the Mighty And he shall be as the Light of the Morning when the Sun riseth even a Morning without Clouds as the tender Grass springing out of the Earth by clear shining after Rain Thou O Lord that hast delivered him from the strivings of his People Thou that hast made him head of those that rose up against him Let his Glory be still great in thy Salvation increase daily that Honour and Majesty which thou hast laid upon him Fasten him as a Nail in a Sure place and let him be for a Glorious Throne to his Father's house And hang upon him all the Glory of his Father's house the Off-spring and the Issue And let all the People say Amen CHORVS The Lord hear him in the day of his trouble the Name of the God of Iacob defend him Psal. 20.1 Send him help from the Sanctuary and strengthen him out of Sion 2. Grant him according to his own Heart's desire and fulfill all his Counsel 3. We will rejoyce in thy Salvation O Lord and in the name of our God will we set up our Banners The Lord fulfill all his Petitions 4. The King shall joy in thy Strength O Lord and in thy Salvation how greatly shall he rejoyce Thou hast given him his heart's desire and hast not withheld the request of his Lips For thou preventest him with the Blessings of Goodness Thou hast set a Crown of pure Gold upon his head Thou hast made him most Blessed for ever Thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy Countenance For the King trusteth in the Lord and through the mercy of the most high he shall not miscarry Thou wilt prolong the King's life and his Years as many Generations CHORVS O satisfie him with a long life and shew him thy Salvation Psal. 91.16 Keep thy mercy with him for evermore and let thy Covenant stand fast with him Psal. 89.28 Make his Seed also to endure for Ever and his Throne as the days of Heaven 29. Cloath his Enemies with shame but upon himself let his Crown flourish Psal. 132.18 How excellent is thy loving kindness O Lord therefore the Children of men put their trust in the Shadow of thy Wings Whom have we in Heaven
for Ioyous mayess thou bee To see thy Kyng so florethe in Dignetye This Realme a Seaforte stoode in greate Iupardie When that Noble Prince deceased King Edward Which in his Dayes gate honore full nobly After his decesse nighe hand all was marr'd Eich Regione this Land dispised mischefe when they hard Wherefore Rejoyse for joyous mayst thou be To see thy Kynge so floreth in high dignetye Fraunce Spayne Scoteland and Britanny Flanders also Three of them present keepinge thy Noble Feaste Of St. George in Windsor Ambassadors comying more Eich of them in honore bothe the more and the lesse Seeking thie grace to have thie Noble begesse Wherefore now Rejoise and joyous maisse thou be To see thy Kynge so florishing in dignetye O Knightly Ordere clothed in Robes with Gartere The Queen's grace and thy Mother clothed in the same The Nobles of thie Realme Riche in araye Aftere Lords Knights and Ladyes unto thy greate same Now shall all Embassadors know thie Noble Name By thy Feaste Royal nowe joyeous mayest thou be To see thie King so florishinge in dignety Here this day St. George Patron of this Place Honored with the Gartere these of Chevalrye Chaplenes synging processyon keeping the same With Archbushopes and Bushopes beseene nobly Much people presente to see the King Henrye Wherefore now St. George all we pray to thee To keepe our Soberaine in his dignetye At the Grand Feast held at Windesor an 4. Car. 1. the Queen her Ladies attending was conducted into St. George's Hall a little before the Soveraign's Stiles were proclaimed to see the Soveraign and Knights-Companions sit at Dinner At the Feast there celebrated by the present Soveraign in the 15. year of his Reign the Soveraign's Stiles were not proclaimed as many times heretofore until the second Course was set upon the Table but it was by the Soveraign's special direction because he expected the Queens coming into the Hall to see the state and glory of the Feast who staying something long and the second Course being already brought to the lower end of the Hall and the Soveraign seeing it stand there gave command it should be set upon the Table but that the proclaiming of his Stiles should be yet forborn Immediately after the Queen attended with her Ladies entred St. George's Hall and passing up the middle came to the Soveraign's Table where she was seated on his right hand Hereupon Garter accompanied by his Fellow Officers of Arms proceeded up the Hall and with usual Ceremonies proclaimed the Soveraign's Stiles in Latine French and English In like manner when the Duke of York was Installed at the Grand Feast an 13. Car. 2. his Dutchess desirous to see the order and grandeur of it was brought into the Hall assoon as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions were set and passing to the upper end of the Table where the Duke sat she stood on his left hand all Dinner while And it appears to be no new thing that the Queens of England have been desirous to behold the magnificence of this solemn Feast since we also find it recorded an 11. H. 8. that a little while before the second Course was carried in Queen Katherine and her Ladies came to the Gallery at the end of the Hall which was nobly prepared for her to see the honorable Services and Ceremonies there performed But besides the Queens of England the Ambassadors of Foreign Kings and States have counted it an honor to have view of this Grand Feast and amongst others we find the French Ambassador was an 15. Iac. R. conducted into the Banquetting-house at Whitehall by Sir Iohn Fenet then Assistant Master of the Ceremonies about the middle of Dinner where he placed himself at the left hand of the Soveraign and having staid there about an hour he descended to the Knights-Companions Table and there saluted the Prince and the rest of the Knights of the Order as he passed along before them and so departed At the Grand Feast kept at Whitehall an 19. Iac. R. to the sight of which the Polonian Ambassador Osalinskie Count Palatine of Sindomerskie having received an invitation he went about the middle of Dinner to see and salute the Soveraign the Prince and Knights-Companions as they sat at the Table and thence retired into the Council Chamber where he and the Arch Dukes Agent Van Mab had been before treated The next following year on the 22. of May which was the day assigned for holding the Grand Feast at Whitehall the Prince being the Soveraign's Lieutenant supplied his place in the Banquetting house at the Table whither Don Carlos de Coloma the Spanish Ambassador and Philip a second Son to the Lantgrave of Hesse sent hither on a negotiation of his Father were conducted the Spanish Ambassador standing at his Highness right hand and the young Lant-grave at his left most part of the Dinner An. 3. Car. 1. the Ambassador of Denmark Paul Rosenkrantz and Ioachimi and Monsieur Catz the Ambassadors and Deputies of the States were conducted altogether in the time of the second Course to the Soveraign's Table and there presented themselves at that side next the Soveraign's left hand and after passed down along before the Knights-Companions with their respects bestowed personally on each Knight as they deemed fitting and then returned by the way they entred But in this last instance where there were more Ambassadors than one and from several Princes a Question arose whether they were to perform this Ceremony of seeing the Feast and presenting themselves at the Dinner singly and alone or jointly and together insomuch that the Danish Ambassador was of the mind to perform it by himself which course was approved by the Lord Chamberlain But the States Ambassador Ioachimi telling him that he and the French Ambassador had been joint spectators at a Feast two or three years before at which time he was employed a Commissioner hither the Ambassador of Denmark came in along with the others Lastly for we would not be over tedious with Instances when the Grand Feast was held at Whitehall an 19. Car. 2. the Swedish Ambassador had not only a place assigned him in the Choire at the North side of the Altar to behold the Solemnities on the Feast day in the Chappel and when the Grand Procession passed into the Court he also went out at the little door on the North side of the Chappel up to the Greencloth Chamber whence he had a fair prospect of it and thence returned to behold the Ceremonies of the Offring But when the Soveraign was at Dinner he entred the Banquetting-house from the Privy Gallery and passing to the Soveraign's Table stood there on the left hand of the Queen thence he went to salute the Knights-Companions at their Table beginning with his Highness the Duke of York and at all these places was attended by Sir Charles Cotterell Master of the Ceremonies In
Pye  Tarts sorts Ielley  Tongue Pye Carpes large iij. Rabets xij  Anchovies Caveare and pickled Oysters Blamang  Chicks fat xij Lobsters vi Pullets great vi The Soveraign's Diet on the Feast day when the Table being made less the Diet was reduced as followeth  First Course  1. Wild Boar Pye  2. Salmon 3. Chine of Beef 15. Sallet 4. Haggest Puddings 5. Beatilia Pie with Patties 16. Sweet-breads 6. Gamon Bacon with xij tame Pigeons 7. Ducklings boiled xij 17. Almond Pudding 8. Chickens boiled xij 9. Chine Multon and Veal iv 18. Petty Patties 10. Pikes rosted ij 11. Buck baked q. 19. Hasht Sallet with 4 Capons 12. Green Geese vi 13. Carpes great iij. 20. Chicks marrionated 14. Chicken Pye frosted  Second Course  1. Pullets soust vi  2. Tongue Pye 3. Rabbets rosted xij 15. Sallets of Pickles 4. Cream Tarts 5. Pheasants with Egs vi 16. Eggs of Portugal 6. Crabs buttered vi 7. Quails xxiv 17. Ielly 8. Pigeons tame xij 9. Lobsters vi 18. Luke Olives 10. Chicks fat xij 11. Gamon Bacon with ij Tongues 19. Pease 12. Ruffs xij 13. Tarts sorts 20. Prawnes 14. Ducklings xij Seven Mess or several Services of Fare served to the Knights-Companions and one Mess to the Prelate c.  First Course  Ducklings boiled xii   Chicks boiled xii  Rabbets fry'd viij Carpes great iij.  Chine of Beef Gamon of Bacon with iiij Pullets great Buck baked q.  Stump Pye Sallets of Pickle  Wild Bore Pye Shoulder of Multon in blood with Steaks Capons fat iiij  Second Course  Phesants iiij   Quails xviii  Artichokes Anchovis Caviare and pickled Oysters  Chicks fat xii Tarts sorts Ducklings vi and Green Geese vi  Lamprey Pye Ielly  Gamon Bacon with ii Tongues Pigeons tame xii Red Dear Pye A Diet served to the Lords that attended the Soveraign at Supper on the Eve of the said Feast First Course Second Course Capons boiled ij Quails xviij Chicks boiled xij Turkey Chicks x. Crabs buttered vi Tarts sorts Sallets of Pickle Ielly Pikes Great ij Tongue Pye Iegget Multon ferst Carpes large iv Chicken Pye Rabbets xij Rabbets fryed viij Anchovies Caviare and pickled Oysters Pullets Hasht iv Blamang Buck baked q. Chickens fry'd xij Capons fat iv Lobsters vi Salmon Pullets greese vi Veal Ducklings xij Soals large ij pair Pigeons tame xij For the same Lords Dinner on the Feast day First Course Second Course Ducklings boiled xij Pheasants iv Chicks boiled xij Quails xviij Rabbets fryed viij Artichokes Carpes great ij Anchovies Caveare and Pickled Oysters Chine Beef Chickins fat xij Gamon Bacon with iv Pullets Tarts sorts Buck baked q. Ducklings vi and Green Geese vi Stump Pye Lamprey Pye Salletts of Pickles Ielly Wild Boare Pye Gamon Bacon Shoulder of Multon in blood with Veal Tongues ii Capons fat iv Pigeons tame xii Veal Red Deer Pye Pullets of Greese iv Crabs buttered vi  Blamang The Banquet served at the said Feast The Soveraign's Table on the Eve One Charger of China Oranges containing 50. Seven Chargers of Confections in each Charger 20 Boxes in each Box one pound of dried Confections Two Plates of Duke Cherries 4 pound in each Plate One Plate of Red Strawberries containing one Gallon One Plate of White Strawberries containing two Gallons One Plate of Ice Cream Three Plates of liquid Sweetmeats in each Plate 3 pound The same for the Feast day at Dinner To each of the 7 Tables for the Knights-Companions on the Eve Two Chargers of Confections in each Charger 14 Boxes One pound of dried Confections in each Box. One Plate of Duke Cherries containing 2 pound One Plate of Red Strawberries containing 1 Gallon One Plate of liquid Sweetmeats containing 3 pound The same for the Feast day For the Prelate of the Garter c. on the Eve Two Chargers 14 Boxes in each Charger One Plate of Duke Cherries containing 2 pound One Plate of Red Strawberries containing 1 Gallon One Plate of liquid Sweetmeats containing 3 pound The same Service to the Lords who attended the Soveraign And so the same to the Prelate and Lords the next day One Charger of Confections for the Heralds containing 10 Boxes each Meal The Dyets provided for the Officers of Arms at Supper and Dinner were at each Meal 20 Dishes The same Diet served in the same manner To the Prebends xx Dishes To the Alms-Knights xx Dishes To the Petty Canons xx Dishes To the Choristers xx Dishes The Diet served to the Officers of his Majesty's Board of Greencloth was xiv Dishes To the Chief Cleark of the Kitchin vii Dishes To the Gentlemen of the Chappel xiv Dishes To the second Cleark of the Kitchin vii Dishes To the Vestry iij Dishes To the Officers of the Iewel-house iij Dishes To the Yeomen Vshers x Dishes To the Children of the Chappel vi Dishes To the Officers of the Confectionary iii Dishes The Total of the Proportions of Provisions for the foresaid Feast Beef xx Mess. Chines Beef ix Multon xvij Cases Veal x. Cases Tongues and Vdders xxxij Piggs xlv Lambs xx Capons fat lxxx Capons good ix doz Pullets fat xx doz Hens and Pullets course vj. doz Chickens fat xx doz Chickens fine Lviij doz Pidgeons tame xxiiij doz Green Geese xv doz Ducklings xxxv doz Turkey Chickens ix doz Gaudwits ij doz Quails xxx doz Ruffs xxiiij Pheasants iiij doz Leverets vj. Rabbets xxxv doz Kids xvij cases Cocks-Combs and Stones ij doz Peas xx Bushel Sparagrass vj. M. Artichoaks CC. Beef for Gravy CCxlix l. Multon ij Cases Veals iiij Pork j. case Bacon Lxxiiij l. Lard Cxxiiij l. Sweet Breads xviij doz Lambstones xx doz Pallats x. doz Marrow-bones vij doz Sheeps Tongues ix doz Veal Cauls xiiij Haggest bags xij Galves Caldrons xviij Ox Suet Lxviij l. Sheeps-feet vj. Gang. The small Guts of an Ox. Neats-feet vj. Gang. Caules and blood vj. Salmons xiiij Soals large xxiiij pair Lobsters large Cxxxvj. Crabs large Cxviij Mullets Lx. Prawnes xij M. Cockles viij Quarts Scollops iiij C. Lampry Pies xij Sturgeon xxij Mess. Whelks vj. Quarts Pikes great xiiij Carpes great Lxxx. Trouts large xxiiij Crawfish MD. Oysters xij Quarts Westphalia Gammons Lxx. Dried Tongues C. Pickled Oysters xvj Barrels Anchovis xij l. Caveare viij l. Butter CCCLxx l. Eggs MM. Barberies ij Gallons Onions xij Ropes Cream ij Gallons Milk vj. Gallons Bake-meats for the said Feasts both hot and cold Hot. Steak Pyes xiij Hot. Stump Pyes xxj Hot. Vmble Pye j. Hot. Beatillia Pyes with Patties vj. Hot. Venison Pyes xviij Hot. Petty Patties ij Dishes Hot. Tarts sorts xxxviij Hot. Single Tarts xx Hot. Egg Pies ix Hot. Chicken Pies frosted ix Hot. Cream Tarts j. Cold. Tongue Pyes xxvij Cold. Capon Pyes xxvij Cold. Lamprey Pyes xij Cold. Wild Boar Pyes xij Cold. Red-Deer Pyes xij  l. s. d. The whole charge of this Grand Feast amounted to 2394 17 08â CHAP. XXIII THE OBSERVATION OF THE Grand Feast BY Absent
England landing at Orewell the 21. of Febr. at 9. a Clock in the Morning and the first of March delivered it to Sir Iohn de St. Paul in a Chamber called the Cage Chamber at Westminster The old Great Seal was then delivered up to him by the said Sir Iohn which he gave to William de Kildesby to be kept in his Wardrobe But that the New Seal might be made more publick he caused Impressions thereof and of his Privy Seal to be made and sent to all the Sheriffs in England to be published in the several Counties in regard he intended at the meeting of the Parliament on the Wednesday next after Midlent Sunday to acquaint them with the cause wherefore he had added to his Stile the title of King of France That day being come he under his New Great Seal as King of France vacated all Papal Processes made at the instance of the French King against the Inhabitants of Flanders and granted to the Earl of Flanders his Heirs and Successors for ever the Towns of Lysle Doway Bethune and Orchies with the County of Artois and City of Tournay and to their Inhabitants divers Priviledges And by another Instrument of the same date under the said Seal with the consent of the Parliament he granted that the staple of Wools should be setled at Bruges A little before his return into England he wrote a Letter from Gaunt which bore Teste the 8. of Febr. in the first year of his Reign over France and 14. over England to the Prelates Peers and Commons of France thereby signifying that Charles late King of France his Mothers Brother being dead that Kingdom was fallen to him by manifest Law and that Philip de Valois Son to the Uncle of the said King had by force intruded into it in his Minority and yet detained it Lest therefore he should seem to neglect his own right he thought good to own the Title of France and take on him the defence and Government thereof and having offered the said Philip divers friendly conditions of Peace to which he refused all condiscention he was therefore necessitated to defend himself and recover his right by force of Arms and therefore all such Subjects as would submit to him as true King of France by Easter then next ensuing should be received into his grace and protection Having dispatcht his Affairs with the Parliament which had given him a great Supply to go on with this War and wherein an Act passed that he might with the assent of his Allies condescend to any reasonable terms of Peace And having created the Marquess of Iuliers Earl of Cambridge and given him 1000 l. per annum until he were provided for of so much Land of Inheritance He got in readiness an Army to go beyond Sea and prepared his Navy to transport it and on the 22. of Iune horâ diei quasi primâ set sail from Orewell The French King had laid 120. great Ships beside Genoeses Normans and Picards Manned with 40000. Men to intercept his passage But after a fierce and bloody fight on Midsummer Eve the King got the Victory before Sluce destroying most of the Enemy and taking the greatest part of their Fleet and on Midsummer day landed at Sluce and went forthwith to Gaunt Of this Signal Victory an account by Letter was sent from the King to the Bishops and Prelates by the Earl of Arundel and Sir William Trussell Not long after the King held a Council with his Allies at Villenort where it was resolved that the King should besiege Tournay before which he brought 120000. Men. Thence he sent a Letter sealed with his Great Seal to Philip de Valois signifying that he had fairly requested him to render him his lawful right to the Crown of France but perceiving he meant to persist in detaining it without returning him any answer He was therefore entred Flanders as Soveraign Lord thereof to pass through that Country for recovery of his Inheritance so detained yet to avoid the effusion of Christian blood and determine the right he challenged him to fight body to body or else 100. chosen Souldiers on each side or if both were refused then to pitch upon a day for both Armies to fight neer Tournay But the French King returned no answer to this Letter The Siege continued eleven weeks wanting three days in which time by the mediation and effectual endeavour of Iane de Valois the French Kings Sister a Treaty was set on foot Iohn King of Bohemia Adolph Bishop of Leige Reynel Duke of Loraine Am Earl of Savoy and Iohn Earl of Arminiack being Commissioners for the French King the Dukes of Brabant and Gueldres the Marquess of Iuliers and Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont for King Edward who on the 25. of September agreed upon a Truce between both Kings to endure till Midsummer following of which publication was made in England the 6. of October and thus both Armies retired But this was much against the Kings Will though not against those of his Allies who were very desirous to return home The Siege being raised the King went to Gaunt and thence returned into England where he arrived at the Tower Wharf on the Feast of St. Andrew about Midnight At this Treaty before Tournay it was among other things agreed that another Treaty should be held at Arras within that year whither both Kings and the Pope should send Commissioners but that meeting produced only another year to be added to the Truce The Kings Commissioners were the Bishops of Lincolne and Durham the Earl of Warwick Sir Robert d' Artois Sir Iohn Henault and Sir Henry of Flanders This year produced some other Overtures for the amicable composure of all Controversies and concluding a Peace between the two Kings to which purpose a Commission issued to R. Bishop of Durham Hugh Earl of Gloucester William Fitz Warren Nicholas de Flisco and William Trussell Another Commission issued to Iohn Duke of Brabant Reignold Duke of Gueldres and Zuthphen William Marquess of Iuliers and Earl of Cambridge and William Earl of Hanaw and Iohn de Hanaw Lord Beaumont to treat and agree with Philip de Valois upon a Truce to the Feast of the decollation of St. Iohn Baptist then coming on which it seems became so far hopeful as to produce a prorogation till the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and thence till Midsummer in the following year Another Commission was made forth to William Earl of Huntingdon Bernard Dominus de le Brett Bartolomew de Burglersh Iohn de Offord Archdeacon of Ely and Michael de Flisco to treat with the ãâã Philip de Valois aswell touching the Kingdom and Crown of France as divers other questions and controversies between them and to compose the differences by a full Peace or otherwise a Truce and one of these Commissions was
through France to Bourdeux and there he arrived about Christmas in which Voyage though the French durst not fight him and all the way avoided the hazard of a Battel yet through the scarcity of Victuals many dyed not to mention the loss of 30000 Horse About the beginning of the following Summer at the Pope's instance a Truce was made by this Duke and the Duke of Anjou to continue till the last of August wherein it was agreed that in the beginning of September there should meet in Picardy on the English part the Duke of Lancaster and other Commissioners to treat of Peace with the Duke of Anjou and others on the French part where also the Popes Legate should appear as Mediatour and in pursuance thereof the Duke of Lancaster took Shipping the 8. of Iuly an 48 E. 3. after whose departure all Poictou and Aquitaine fell from their Allegiance except Bourdeux and Bajon In this year the Earl of Cambridge and the Duke of Bretagne were constituted the Kings Lieutenants in France after which Commands were sent forth to arrest Ships for their passage thither to be at Dertmouth and Plimouth with all speed But notwithstanding these preparations yet they went not till the following Spring having then in their retinue many of the English Nobility and for whose good success publick Prayers were appointed to be made In this Expedition the Duke recovered many of his Towns but being included in the Truce made by the Duke of Lancaster he was thereby obliged to lay down his Arms. For upon the mediation of the Bishops of Roan and Carpentras the Pope's Nuncios there had been a Treaty set on Foot at Bruges in Flanders this Year managed chiefly by Iohn Duke of Lancaster who with Simon Bishop of London William Earl of Salisbury Sir Iohn Cobham Sir Franke de Hale Sir Arnold Savage Mr. Iohn de Shepeye and Mr. Simon de Molton were commissionated to carry on that Affair on King Edwards part and by Philip Duke of Burgundy on the behalf of his Brother Charles the French King which though it brought not forth a compleat Peace yet in effect it put an end to the present War for it produced a Truce to hold for a year viz. to the last of Iune an 50 E. 3. to give notice of which to the English Subjects a Proclamation was set forth And a quarter of a year before its expiration at another meeting at the same place this Truce was inlarged to the first of April an 51 E. 3. and thereupon another Proclamation issued to make it known But it appears that the French were gotten to Sea sometime before the expiration of this latter Truce and had done much hurt upon the Sea-Coasts Of this design of theirs the King had timely intelligence and therefore he endeavoured to enlarge the Truce to which end he empowred Iohn Bishop of Hereford Sir Iohn de Cobham of Kent Iohn Monteacute Bannerets and Iohn Shepeye Doctor of the Laws to Treat with the Earl of Salebruch Monsieur Chatillon and Philebert le Spoit where the Pope's Legats were also present as Mediators But nothing was done thereupon only the Legate proposed a Marriage between Richard Prince of Wales and the Lady Mary Daughter to the French King which begot a private meeting shortly after at Montrevile by the Sea and there Sir Richard Dangle Sir Richard Stan and Sir Geoffry Chaucer Commissioners for King Edward with the Lord Coucy and other Commissioners for the French King spent the time chiefly to found one anothers intentions and so departed without any other effect saving that of Proroguing the Truce to May day following The 26 of April another Commission was made for the same purpose to Adam Bishop of St. Davids Iohn Bishop of Hereford William Earl of Salisbury Robert de Ashton the Kings Chamberlain Guichard Dangle Banneret Aubrey de Vere Hugh de Segrave Knights Walter Skirlow Dean of St. Martins le Grand and the foresaid Iohn Shepeye which gave them power to treat and compose all differences Wars and contentions They thereupon came to Calais and the Lord Coucy and Sir William Dormer Chancellor of France came to Montrevile but by reason of the suspicion the Commissioners had of each other they could not agree of an indifferent place to meet at and so the time limitted by the Truce spinning on absolutely expired And in this posture the Affairs relating to France stood to wit in open hostility till the Death of King Edward Thus we see that from the breach of the Treaty and Entry upon King Edwards Territories to the time of his Death he all along steered against the Tide of adverse Fortune and what with Invasions Revolts and disastrous accidents though no pitch'd Battel was fought nothing of his great Conquests remained to him but only Calais and the small Territory adjoining But of the strange unsuccessfulness of these subsequent years there might be three main causes First the loss of so many stout and well disciplin'd Souldiers as upon their disbanding after the Peace made near Chartres joyned themselves to the Companions and marcht into Spain Italy and Germany to which number may be added those who perished in the Princes expedition into Spain of whom scarce the fifth man returned a sort of people so inur'd to War and such as had gained so great experience therein that the very Common Souldiers among them were men of good conduct The French King knew well enough how much King Edwards power was weakned through the want of those men and that as to such as might be raised a-new few of them having been trained up in the former Wars he thought he might the better deal with them in regard that many of his own disbanded Souldiers were still within his Kingdom and lay ready at his service A second cause might be that the King declining in years and the Prince of Wales growing daily worse and worse of a lingering sickness without hope of Recovery the French King took the more heart and began now not to fear either them or their Fortunes which before had proved so terrible to France And therefore he supposed if he could make a shift but to keep his Forces on Foot against their declining power he might deal well enough with those who should succeed them none of King Edwards other Sons having given such proof of their success in martial affairs as to be feared by him and much less was any such thing to be expected when an Infant King was likely to succeed Lastly His supplies of Money from his Subjects who before had freely enough opened their Purses to carry on the War began to fail him For being tyred out with the prosecution of it they complained of Poverty and thence it came that the Forces raised to recover what was lost were inconsiderable in comparison of the former Royal Armies levied
brought to King Iohn he resolved to fight him for now the Prince with about 8000. Men had entred the Country of Berry as far as Issoudun Bourges Vierzon and Remorentin which two last Towns and their Castles the Prince took by Assault and passing into Anjou and Touraine having wasted all the Country where he past intended to return for Bourdeaux But after this long and wearisom Voyage drawing near to Poicters he was informed that the French Army was not far from him and here the Cardinal of Poicters used means to have brought both sides to some composition but the French being high in their demands his endeavours took no effect The Prince thereupon fitted himself for fight and the Battels joining in the Fields of Beaumont and Malperteus after some space they broke the Van of the French Army when the main Body led by the Duke of Normandy coming on and finding the other routed fell into disorder also This incouraged the Prince to fall in upon the Rear led by the King at whose approach the main Body of the French Army left the Field as their Leader himself did with Charles Lewis and Iohn the Kings Sons the Earls of Poicters and Tourayne King Iohn behaved himself very valiantly and maintained the fight for some time but was at length taken Prisoner by Sir Denys Morbeck a Knight of Arthois to whom the Prince gave afterwards 2000. Nobles to support his Estate whilst the chace continued to the Gates of Poictiers and a compleat Victory obtained the particulars whereof are related by Froissard The French Kings Army consisted of 60000. fighting men whereof there were above 3000. Knights The Prince had but 8000. whereof 3000. were Archers though Froissard in one place saith 6000. in another 4000. The names of some of the Prisoners of Note and those that were slain are mentioned by Knighton in a word the Flower of France fell here and so many Noblemen were there slain or made Prisoners that there were but few left to manage the Affairs of France the Souldiers had twice as many Prisoners as themselves were in number nay divers of them 4. or 5. Prisoners a piece all which they put to ransom in the Field upon promise to return before Christmas with their Ransoms to Bourdeaux The spoil was exceeding rich so were also the Arms they took and whatsoever the Booty was it remained to him that took it The Prince bought of the Gascoigners for ready money those of the French Nobility whom they had taken And of these namely Philip Son to King Iohn the Earl of Sanceir and the Lord Craon he sold to the King afterwards for 20000 l. This Battel was sought the 19. day of September an Dom. 1356. it beginning in the Morning and ending at Noon but it was night e're they returned from the Chase. When it was ended the Prince who saith Froissard was therein couragious and cruel as a Lyon and took great delight in the Fight and Chase commanded his Standard to be pitched on a high Bush as a signal to the dispersed Forces to retire to him thither and then sent out the Earl of Warwick and Sir Reynold Cobham to make enquiry after the French King who in a short time brought him Prisoner to the Prince The Prince entertained this Noble Prisoner at a Supper at which himself with all respect served him nor could be prevailed upon to sit down at the Table The next day the Prince dislodged his Army and marched through Poicton Santonge and at Blaye passed the River Garronne and so to Bordeaux where in one part of the Abby of St. Andrew he lodged his Royal Prisoner and in the other himself and upon the News of this great Victory and Success the King appointed publick thanks to be given to God throughout England In April following the Prince took shipping for England and brought along with him the French King and divers other Prisoners of quality the 5. of May he arrived at Plymouth for whose reception there Iohn Dabernoun Sheriff of Devonshire was commanded to make provision of Victuals and Carriages and Horses and attend him in all parts through that County The 24. of May the Prince in a stately Cavalcade rode through London his Royal Prisoner by his side on a White Courser and himself on a Black Hobby and so proceeded to Westminster Hall where he presented King Iohn to his Father and from whence King Iohn was conducted to his Lodging but within a short time the Savoy was furnished for his entertainment After some few years the King an 33. E. 3. preparing for another Expedition into France this Prince went along with him so also his three Brethren and commanded the Rear of that Army which making its way through the Bowels of France at Bretigny neer Chartres a Peace was concluded in which this Prince and some other of the Kings Council on the Kings part having treated with the French Lords on the part of the Dauphin of Viennois Governor of France brought all controversies touching that Realm to a happy composure The King desirous to proceed to the effect and accomplishment of that Treaty gave him another Commission with authority to treat further upon any thing that concerned or was comprised therein either in general or special to demand and receive the Hostages Money Castles Cities and Fortresses and what ever else was to be delivered to the King by virtue thereof with a general Clause to add and supply the power granted if any solemn or substantial thing should be omitted through much business or otherwise or were expedient or advantagious as to the premises After the confirmation of this Peace and King Edward in possession of a considerable part of the Territories both of his own inheritance or invested in him by the said Peace which he was to enjoy without resort or Soveraignty to the Crown of France The Nobility of these Provinces desiring to be governed by a Prince of their own rather than by the Kings Lieutenants as before they addressed themselves to the King to confer the Government thereof on this Prince and send him thither where he had so great Possessions and Revenues to maintain his State and Dignity Hereupon the King Created him Prince of Guyenne and gave him Guyenne and Gascoigne by the name of a Principality during his life and also granted to him those other Countries Towns and Castles near adjoyning delivered into the Kings possession by vertue of the foresaid Treaty together with the Government of them also retaining nevertheless the Resort and Soveraignty over all thereby given and granted to himself This done he forthwith prepared for his Voyage thither taking along with him his Lady the Princess with whom being arrived at Rochel they were both joyfully received Thence he went to Poicters whither the Barons and Knights of Poictou and
speed Immediately after his arrival in Gascoigne he took the Field and laid Siege to Bosyll which surrendred to him The Castle of Rochemyllone being well fortified he took by assault and slew all but those that fled into the Church the next day he laid Siege to the Town of Mountsegur and battered it with great Engines for 15 days together and at length it was yielded to him upon Composition After this the strong Castle of Aguillon was yielded up to him and then he laid Siege to Reole which surrendred on mercy but the Castle stood out 11 weeks and then also surrendred After his taking of Reole he marched to Mountpesance Castle which he took by Storm and then he sat down before Mauleon and took it by the stratagem of an Ambush He took also the Ville Franche in Agenois with its Castle by assault after which he marched through the Country and took many other Towns and Castles with little difficulty At the end of three days Siege Myremont yielded to him and some of his Forces took Thomynes on the River Garonne and the strong Castle Damasan Last of all Augoulesme yielded to him after a Months Siege and thence he retired to his Winter Quarter at Bordeaux This Winter the Duke of Normandy entred Gascoigne with 100000 men and shortly after Christmas took the Field in this Expedition he regained several places from the English and sat down before Aiguillon but after the Battel at Cressy being sent for back by the French King he was constrained to raise his Siege Shortly after the retreat of the Duke of Normandy this Earl the King having sent to the Prior of the Order of the Friers Preachers in London to offer up Prayers that God would please to protect and defend him and give his Forces Victory over his Enemies with 1200 men at Arms 2000 Archers and 3000 Foot passed the River Garonne towards Xantonge and took Myrabel by Storm as also the Town and Castle of Alaay and Sargeres and Benon He likewise took Mortagne on the Sea side in Poictou by assault and burnt Lusignen and took the Town and Castle of Taillebourge at length he lay Siege to St. Iean d' Angely which surrendred to him upon Conditions after which he took Maxinent by assault and won the Town of Monstrevil Bonnin he thence marched to Poicters and that he took by Assault where 700 of the Inhabitants were slain and some Churches spoiled and more had been but that this pious Earl commanded the contrary on pain of death Nevertheless they plundred the Town and left it desolate and here the Soldiers got so great Wealth that nothing was of value but Gold Silver and Feathers for the Troops From hence he returned to St. Iean d' Angely and thence to Bordeaux and in this Expedition he gained so great esteem that he was reported to be the Noblest Prince that ever rode on Horseback Having behaved himself so gallantly and faithfully in prosecuting and recovering of the King 's right in these parts the first of Febr. an 21. E. 3. the King sent for him back to be near unto himself for the future upon all occasions and to direct and assist in his Martial and other Affairs whereupon he returned into England and because King Edward understood that the French King was making great preparations to draw down to Calais about Whitsontide he enjoyned him speedily to repair to his assistance in reference to whose passage Command was sent to Io. de Montgomery Admiral of the Fleet Westward to provide Ships in readiness at Sandwich and Dover for the Transportation of the Army he had raised with all speed and immediately upon his coming thither and consideration had of his victorious Successes and good Services done the King in the Dukedom of Aquitain and parts adjoining the King granted to him and his Heir Males by Charter the Castle Town and Place of Brageriac in Diocess Petragoriensis with the whole Castellany and all Iurisdiction high and low Royal Authority absolute and mixt as also the Coinage of Money there To which he afterward added a grant of the Examination of the Assay with both the Criminal and Civil punishment of all Offenders for coyning Money And because this Town and Castle stood upon the Frontiers of the Enemy the King granted that during the War there should remain in that Garrison 100 men of Arms and 200 Foot at the King's pay subject nevertheless to the Command of the Steward of Gascoigne to be drawn out upon occasion by him leaving sufficient strength to defend the same This Earl having taken divers Prisoners at the Town of St. Iohn d' Angely and reduced it to the obedience of the King he therefore granted to him all the Lands Tenements Vines and other Goods of those Prisoners until their Ransoms were fully paid And a little after granted unto him and his Heirs for ever the Houses Lands c. of Bernard Barram Burgess of that Town to hold by the Service of rendring to the King and his Heirs one Rose annually at Midsummer Moreover on the 10. of November following he had further granted the Castle of Horston with the appurtenances in the County of Derby and 40 l. per an out of the Farm of the Town of Derby to him and his Heirs Males then the same to revert to the King and his Heirs All these Grants were made to him upon the account of his good and grateful services formerly performed Upon the French King 's coming towards Calais in Iuly before with design to relieve it the King appointed him to keep Newland bridge for by securing that passage the French could not pass on that side unless through the Marches which were not to be attempted without danger His order in keeping this place was much commended by the four French Commissioners who passed by it when they came from their King to King Edward to demand a place to fight in At this time the Pope having sent two Cardinals to the King they obtained his condescention to treat with King Philip whose Commissioners were the Dukes of Burgoigne and Burbone the Lord Lewis de Savoy and the Lord Iohn of Henalt otherwise called Lord Beaumont and on King Edwards part were the Noble Earls of Derby and Northampton the Lords Cobham and Mannie but three days being spent without coming to any conclusion the Treaty broke up and the Cardinal Mediators departed He was after made choice of by the King and Ralph Earl of Eu and Guynes Constable of France by the French King to agree upon a Truce in hopes of a Peace to hold for 6. Weeks throughout Picardy Normandy Artois Boulogne and Flanders to commence the 13. of the same September The 25. day of September following he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant as well in the parts of Flanders and Calais as
At that time Tho. Douvedale was the Dukes Lieutenant in that Dukedom to whom command was given dated the 5. of August preceding to deliver up all things in his custody there and belonging to the King to such as the King had appointed to receive them in like manner as they were formerly delivered up to the Earl by Sir Thomas Holland late Captain there In the Expedition made by the King into France in the 33. year of his Reign this Duke was sent before to Calais with 400 Spears and 2000 Archers where being arrived he took with him those Lords of the Empire and other Commanders who there waited the Kings coming to Calais and marched to St. Omars Cambray and other places wasting all the Country as he passed until he heard of the arrival of the King and then returned to Calais This Voyage with the King into France was the last Martial Employment this Great Duke undertook and as he had manifested to the World the wisdom and valour of a great Commander and succeeded happily in Martial Affairs so was he no Enemy to Peace but as ready to lay hold of it on fair and honorable terms as he was forward to draw his Sword in defence of the Kings honor and right And this was most evident at the Treaty of Bretagne neer Chartres where though the King was very unwilling to accept of a Peace upon terms offered by the French yet moved by the perswasive Arguments of this worthy Duke he condescended thereunto It was also upon his motion both to the King and King Iohn of France that the Truce made at Rennes between Charles de Bloys and the Earl of Montfort which was to expire the first of May was enlarged to Midsummer following in hopes of a final Peace to be by that time made between them He married Isabel Daughter of Henry Lord Beaumont Cousin-german to Queen Isabel Wife to King Edward the Second and by her had two Daughters and Heirs Mand his eldest Daughter was Wife first to Ralph Son of Ralph Earl of Stafford and next to William Duke of Bavaria Earl of Henault Holand and Zeland Lord of Frisland stiled also Earl of Leicester and Blanch the youngest to Iohn of Gaunt created Duke of Lancaster an 36. E. 3. His Will was made in his Castle at Leicester the 15. of March 1360. in which he is stiled Duke of Lancaster Earl of Derby Lincolne and Leicester Steward of England Lord of Bergerac and Beaufort and by which he appoints his Body to be interred in the Collegiate Church of our Lady at Leicester where his Father was buried He dyed within few days after viz. on Tuesday next before Easter an 35. E. 3. and was buried at Leicester according to the appointment of his Will 4. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick THis noble Earl was eldest Son to Guy Earl of Warwick and Alice Sister and Heir of Robert Toney He was born in Warwick Castle and had to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster Henry his Brother and Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth On New-years day in the second year of King Edward the Third he was made Knight though then within age and the 20. of February following having made his Homage had Livery of his Fathers Lands In the fifth year of the same King the Government of the Isles of Gernsey Sark and Aureney was conferred on him About two years after he attended King Edward the Third in that famous and successful Expedition against the Scots and in Christmas Holy-days an 8. E. 3. he and the Earl of Oxford were sent with Edward King of Scots to secure Carlisle and defend the West Marches of England who with some Forces raised in Lancashire Westmerland and Cumberland entred Scotland about Twelvetide wasted Gallaway and returned to Carlisle He attended the King again into Scotland an 9. E. 3. when King Edward by Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick entred again that Kingdom after which he was one of those Noblemen to whose trust the King committed the Guardianship of the Marches The following year he and other of the Nobility of England entred Scotland about Whitsontide and passed as far as St. Iohns Town which they fortified and in this Kingdom he remained all the year About the beginning of Sept. an 11. E. 3. he again entred Scotland with an Army by Berwick whilst the Lords Wake and Clifford entred by Carlisle and within two days both their Forces united whereupon they wasted Tividale Moseteidale and Nidesdale whilst Anthony Lord Lucy wasted Gallaway but not being able to prosecute their Voyage by reason of the great Rains they returned within twelve days to Carlisle and so much to the satisfaction of the King did he behave himself in this Expedition that the 19. of March following he made Letters obligatory to him for 500 Marks as a gift to be paid him at Michaelmas following When the King undertook his first Expedition into France an 13. E. 3. by the way of Flanders he likewise attended him thither and had Command of a Wing in the field pitch'd between Vyronsos and Flamengery in which among others were the Earl of Penbroke the Lords Berkley and Moulton He went over with the King into Flanders when by the way that memorable Naval fight hapned before Sluce where the King obtained a signal Victory against the French and was one of the Commissioners nominated at the Treaty agreed on at the Siege of Tournay to be sent to Arras in order to a further Treaty where after 15 days debate nothing was agreed on but the Surrender of the County of Poictou seized on by the French King the preceding year and a prolongation of the Truce for two years An. 16. E. 3. he was one of the Commissioners nominated to treat with the Kings Allies in Brabant and Flanders about his designed Expedition into France in which he after attended the King with 80 men at Arms 1 Banneret 18 Knights 60 Esquires and 100 Archers on Horse-back for whose passage a Writ issued to Iohn de Montgomery Admiral of the Fleet Westward to provide Ships At Nantes in Bretagne to which the King had laid Siege he behaved himself so gallantly upon a Sally made by the Town that they were forced to retreat with great loss Not long after his return into England he marcht into Scotland with Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby to raise the Siege laid against Louhmaban Castle whereof the Earl of Northampton was Governor and when he came back was imployed with the said Earl of Derby and some others to the Pope to treat about King Edwards right to the Crown of France which produced nothing but an enlargement of the Truce The following year he was constituted Marshall of England during pleasure In that great Expedition
Viscount Benanges mentioned in the following Pedigree be the same person is some question For first in all those Records where he is remembred the Title of Capitow de la Bouch is not given him Secondly we cannot trace him beyond the 22. year of the Reign of King Edward the Third and the Order of the Garter was not Instituted till the following year Thirdly Iohn his Son is called Capitan de Bouâh an 5. E. 3. and so till he died And if he should prove the persoâ as some do take him to be it is a strange mistake committed in the Engravement of the Plate which seems to be as ancient as any of the rest set up in the Chappel at Windesor Of this Iohn Capitan de Buch there are many things noted by Sir Iohn Froissard relating to both his taking King Edward's side against the French and his valiant actions in those Wars But in regard we doubt of his being one of the first Knights-Companions of the Garter we have thought fit for the present to wave the Historical account of him and intreat the Reader in lieu of it to content himself with that of some part of the descent whereby he may guess at the greatness yet unsuccessfulness of our pains in endeavouring to ascertain the person Iohannes de Greilly dominus Benanges Senescallus totius Aquitaniae Rot. Vasc. 6. 7. E. 1. m. 9. Claramonda filia haeres Galliardi de Mota domini de Laudirons Rot. Vasc. 6. 7. E. 1. m. 9. Petrus de Greilly miles Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. Katherina de Greilly Domina Locorum St Blasii de Laudiron Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. Petrus de Greilly Vicecom Benangiarum Castellionis Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. 16. E. 3. m. 13. 22. E. 3. m. 25. Assalita soror haeres Petri de Burdegal Rot. Vasc. 5. E. 3. m. 24. Petrus de Burdegal dominus de Puypaulini Iohannes de Greilly ac Capitaneus de Buch. Rot. Vasc. 5. E. 3. m. 24.14 E. 3. m. 2.16 E. 3. m. 13. 29. E. 3. m. 6. Blanch de Loup Archambaud de Greilly Capitalis de Bogio ac Vicecomes Benangiarum Castillionis ac dominus de Podiopaulini Castri novi in Medulco Rot. Vasc. 7. R. 2. m. 10. 6. Ralph Earl of Stafford THis Noble Earl was Son unto Edmund Lord Stafford first summoned to Parliament an 27. E. 1. and Margaret Daughter to Ralph Lord Basset of Draiton His Father dyed an 2. E. 2. and and an 17. E. 2. being of full age he did his Homage and had Livery of his Fathers Lands The first military imployment that he undertook was an 1. E. 3. being summoned to be at Newcastle upon Tine on Monday next before Ascension day to go against the Scots The 12. of February an 10. E. 3. the King sent his Writ directed to him Philip Chetwynde and Philip Somervill to raise in Staffordshire Lichfield excepted 60 Hobelars and 200 Archers and to bring them to Berwick upon Tweed before the following Octaves of Easter In his absence it seems there was some attempts made to seize upon his Lady and carry her away but making his complaint to the King he received her under his protection and directed his Writ to the Sheriff to protect her so long as her Lord remained in his service I find this noble Lord was an 15. E. 3. Steward of the Kings House and one of those who went over into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. with Robert d' Artous to the assistance of the Countess of Montfort He behaved himself bravely in the Sea-fight near the Isle of Gernsey with the French and Genoeses who endeavoured to interrupt their passage thither but after they had been a while engaged a violent storm parted the two Navies and the English landed safely the first Town taken by them being Vannes and that by assault Soon after this Town was re-taken by Sir Henry de Leon and the Lord Clisson but the latter end of the Summer King Edward landed with an Army and laid a new Siege to it and perceiving the Country was much wasted he left the Earl of Arundel with this Lord before it and went to Rennes It hapned that one day upon an assault this Lord ventured so far that he was got between the City Gate and the Bars and there taken Prisoner but at another side of the Town Sir Henry de Leon and the Lord Clisson were both taken Prisoners by the English and so he was afterwards exchanged for the Lord Clisson In this Expedition he had Wages allowed him for 50 men at Arms viz. himself two Bannerets 16 Knights 31 Esquires and 50 Archers on Horseback An. 17. E. 3. was a year of much action for first this Earl with the Earl of Lancaster and other Noblemen went into Scotland to raise the Siege laid by the Scots to the Castle of Louhmaban and being returned was joined in Commission with Hugh le Despenser Lord of Glamorgan William de Norwich Dean of Lincolne Sir William Trussell and Andrew de Offord to treat in the Pope's presence with the Agents of Philip de Valois concerning the Kings right to the Crown of France but we suppose he went not on that Embassy for the 19. of August there was another Commission for that Affair made out to Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby and others wherein he and Sir William Trussell were omitted and they the first of Iuly preceding with Philip de Weston Canon of York and Iohn Wawayn were sent to treat with the Noblemen Burgomasters c. in Flanders about the setlement of the Staple of Wool there and touching the Coyning of Gold and Silver such as might be current both in England and Flanders and whatsoever by any 3 or 2 of them should be agreed on this Ralph Earl of Stafford being one the King promised to ratifie They had another Commission wherein power was granted them to treat with the Princes Nobles and People of Almaine upon Alliances between the King and them and to gain their assistance for him The following year he went in the Expedition intâ Gascoigne with the Earl of Derby and commanded the Party that assaulted Bergerac by Water who behaved themselves so valiantly that through their Valour the Town was forced to surrender to the Earl He was very active in this Gascoigne War and almost in continual Service and in sealing the Walls of Mountpesat Castle Richard Pennenort an English Gentleman that bare his Banner was slain For his Great Services in this War after his return into England he was made Seneschal of Gascoigne and had the Kings Letter sent to the Prelates and Nobility of that Country to obey and submit to his Authority while he continued in that Office Within a few days after the King directed his Writ
to Richard Earl of Arundel Admiral of the West-parts to arrest 13. stout Ships each of 80. Tun Burthen at least to bring them to Bristol before the Octaves of Easter for the passage of this Lord his men at Arms and Archers into that Country After a years enjoyment of this great Office he became desirous to resign it and to that purpose made an address to the King who sent directions to the Earl of Derby to confer with him about his continuance in it to which if he could not be perswaded to consent then he gave the Earl power to take his resignation and substitute some other fit person in his room to hold it during the Kings pleasure This Spring Iohn de Valois Duke of Normandy laid Siege to Aiguillon of which Town this Lord was Governor and then within it and though the Earl of Derby relieved him yet had the Duke so strongly intrenched himself that he could not raise the Siege so that it was continued by the Duke to the Decollation of St. Iohn Baptist in August at which time being called away to assist King Philip his Father against King Edward who had entred France with a puissant Army he raised his Siege Upon which the Lord Stafford sallying out of the Town fell upon his Rear cut off a great part of it and having joined his to the Kings Forces he had given him a Command in the Van of the Army under the Prince at the Battel of Cressy And after the Victory was sent with Sir Reignold Cobham and 3. Heralds to view the slain who made report of 11. great Princes 80. Bannerets 1200. Knights and above 30000. Common Souldiers When Calais was surrender'd he was one of those appointed to take possession of it for the King and had many fair Houses given him in that Town to place Inhabitants in Shortly after the rendition the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont mediated a Peace between both Kings whereupon this Lord with Reignold de Cobham Io. Darcy and Robert de Bourghcher were nominated by the King to treat of a Peace or Truce between them their Subjects Allies and Adherents And for his good Services done to the King in France He gave him a Pension of 600. Marks for life out of the Customs of London and St. Butolphs The King also bestowed on him as a gift 573 l. towards his expences in his service beyond Sea He was with the King in the Encounter with Sir Geoffry Charney at Calais And went into Goscoigne with the Earl of Lancaster and other Lords to stop the Progress of the Duke of Normandy made there with his Army And growing more and more in the Kings favour by his meritorious Services he advanced him to the Dignity of an Earl and for the better support of that Honor and towards the defraying of his charge in attending the King with certain men at Arms both in Peace and War he granted him a Pension of 1000. Marks per Annum during life out of his Customs in London till he could settle on him the said annual sum in Lands or Rents The next day he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and parts adjacent and the 3 d. of April following the King gave him power to appoint a Seneschal of Gascoigne and a Constable of Bordeaux and these to be such persons as he should think fit to enjoy those Offices during the Kings pleasure The next year the King empower'd him by a Commission to treat and agree with all persons of what Kingdom Nation or Degree soever upon a firm friendship and mutual assistance between the King and them and to retain them against all men to agree with them upon Fees Wages and rewards to receive security from them and give the like to them and what he did herein the King obliged himself and his Heirs to observe and perform Being ready to take another Journey into Gascoigne a Writ issued to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Admiral towards the West to arrest all Ships of 50. Tuns and upwards for this Earls passage thither and to bring them to Sandwich by Quindena Trinitatis following and upon his Entry into that Country he defeated the French that sallied out of the Fortress of Gagent and among them was taken seven Knights of the Star An. 29. E. 3. he went over with the King to Calais at the latter end of Summer and marched along with him in pursuit of King Iohn as far as Heyden And an 33. E. 3. he attended him in his Voyage into France which terminated with the Peace agreed on at Bretigny near Chartres Two years after he was designed for Ireland in the Company of several other persons of Quality upon the Kings Service But after this Voyage being much broken with Age and wasted with Sickness he became uncapable of publick Employments This Noble Lord Married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Hugh de Audeley Earl of Gloucester and Margaret his Wife who died the 7. of September an 21. E. 3. and by whom he had Issue Ralph his eldest Son who married Maud Daughter of Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby but died about 21. E. 3. Hugh who succeeded him in his Earldom and Sir Richard Stafford Knight Beatrix the Wife of Maurice fitz Maurice Earl of Desmond Ioan of Iohn Charleton Lord Powes and Margaret of Iohn Stafford Patron of the Church of Bromhall in Staffordshire He died the last of August an 46. E. 3. and lies buried at Turnbridge in Kent 7. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury THis Earl was Son unto William Montacute first Earl of Salisbury of that Family and Katherine one of the Coheirs of William Lord Grantson He was born the Morrow after Midsummer day an 2. E. 3. for at the Death of his Father found to be the 30. of Ianuary an 18. E. 3. he was 15. years old the Midsummer before The 24. of May an 20. E. 3. the Wardship of his body was committed to Iohn de Somerton and Thomas Waryn until Christmass following and then renued till Whitsontide and thence till Michaelmas ensuing and being within Age he attended the King in that memorable expedition into France an 20. E. 3. So also did his younger Brother Iohn He was in the Sea Fight against the Spaniards near Winchelsey an 24. E. 3. and going into Gascoigne in the retinue of the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. he obtained Letters directed to the Seneschal there with Command that he should not be sued or molested for any of his own or Ancestors debts during the space of two years An. 33. E. 3. he attended the King in his Royal expedition into France and from that time to the 43. of Edward the Third we find little mention of his Martial employments
William Mountacute first Earl of Salisbury and Sister to William Earl of Salisbury one of the first Founders of the Garter whose Will bears date the first day of November an Dom. 1378. in which she appoints her body to be buried in the Conventual Church of the Holy Trinity in the Priory of Bistleham vulgarly called Bysham Mountagu in Berkshire where an 1381. she was accordingly interred He dyed at Rovery in Burgundy the 26. of February an 34. E. 3. as the King was upon his march in those Countries and his body afterwards brought into England was buried at Wigmore with his Ancestors 9 Sir Iohn Lisle SIR Iohn Lisle was the Son of Robert Lord Lisle first summond to Parliament an 5. E. 2. by the Title of Robert de Lisle de Rubemont and of Margaret the Daughter of Peverell His Father Robert being disposed to give to him 400 Marks per annum of Land to serve the King with 6 men at Arms in his War the King to gratifie the said Robert and the better to support his Son granted that the said Robert might give him his Mannor of Harwood with its appurtenances in Yorkshire with other Lands to the annual value of 400 Marks during his life but afterwards to return to the said Robert and his Heirs and some years after his Brother Robert released to him and his Heirs all his right in the said Mannor and in the Advowson of the Church there Being thus provided for he attended the King in his first Voyage into France by the way of Flanders an 13. E. 3. and as Sir Iohn Froissard observes was in the Battel designed to be fought near Vironfosse Two years after he went into Aquitaine in the King's Service And the year ensuing he attended the King in Bretagne where he was one of the Commanders left at the Siege of Nants in Bretagne while the King foraged the Country and laid Siege to Dinant For his good services done the King he granted him a Pension of 200 l. per annum for his life to support his Degree of Banneret This Pension was first appointed to be paid him out of the Exchequer until a Provision of Lands or Rents to that yearly value were made for him but after there was assigned to him out of the Priory of St. Neats then of Stoke nigh Clare and of Fye to wit 120 l. per annum out of the Priory of Stoke and 80 l. per annum out of that of Eye Then 100 Marks was taken out of the Rent charge upon the Priory of Eye and laid upon the Issues of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon And lastly it came to be thus setled viz. That he should receive out of the Issues of these two Counties 200 Marks per annum and out of the issues of the Counties of Bedford and Bucks the remaining sum of 100 Marks per annum And having given him besides for like services another Pension for life of 40 l. a year out of his Exchequer also he appointed the payment of it out of the Farm of the Priory of St. Neats during the War An. 25. E. 3. the King made him Sheriff of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon and granted him the Custody of the Castle of Cambridge for life He had by Maud his Wife two Sons Sir Robert Lisle Lord of Rougemont and Wilbraham whose Heir male hath now his dwelling as I am informed at Wilbraham in Cambridgshire and Sir William Lisle Lord of Cameldon and Shefford who died without Issue In the Prince's Expedition into Gascoigne an 29. E. 3. he attended him and had Command given him in the main Body of the Army But in the three days march into the Enemies Country he was unfortunately hurt with a Quarrel or Bolt shot out of a Cross-bow of which he dyed the 14. of October in the same year his Son Robert being then about 22 years of age 10. Sir Bartholomew Burghersh SIR Bartholomew Burghersh was Son to Bartholomew Lord Burghersh frequently distinguished by the Title of Senior and Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of Theobald de Verdon His Father was first summoned to Parliament an 1. E. 3. a person of great Council and Valour which laid a strong foundation for his Sons Honor having been several times constituted Constable of Dover and the Cinque-Ports he was also made Seneschal and Custos of Ponthieu and Monstriell Admiral towards the West Chamberlain to the King Lieutenant of the Tower of London one of the Custos's of England and frequently emploid in Embassies and by some through mistake made one of the first Founders of the Garter But among these enumerated in the preamble to the Statutes both of Institution with their Exemplars and those of King Henry the Fifth he is called Bartholomeus de Burghersh filius and Bartholomew de Burghersh le filz and so in divers places of our publick Records though we have seen some transcripts of these Statutes wherein the point hath been at the end of the Surname and filius so also le filz joined to Dom. Iohannes de Beauchamp But this was a plain mistake of the Transcriber since this Iohn was never married His first martial Service was when the King went into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. Next he went with the Prince in the Kings Expedition into France an 20. E. 3. where he staid with him at the Siege of Calais And for recompence of his Expences in this Voyage the King granted him the Custody of all the Lands and Tenements which had belonged to Iohn de Loueyne deceased till his Heir should come of Age without rendring any thing therefore The 23. year of King Edward he went along with him into Gascoigne And again thither with the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. and had command in the main body of the Princes Army The following year as the Prince retired from forraging the Country of Berry and was got near Romerentyne this Knight whom Froissard in several places calls the Lord Bartholomew Breches Sir Bartholomew de Bounes de Brennes and de Brunes but such mistakes are too frequent in that Author in this and other mens names as also in the names of Places was set upon by a French Ambushment but he and his Troops so gallantly behaved themselves that they kept the French in play till the Prince drew near upon the sight of whom they fled to Romerentyne pursued by the English and got into the Castle which the Prince commanded Sir Iohn Chandos to Summon but they refusing to yield after two desperate but fruitless assaults the English set it on fire which caused them speedily to surrender He attended the King in his expedition into France an 33. E. 3. and towards the end of the year an 37. E. 3.
455. Frederick William Prince Elector of the Empire Marquess of Brandenburg 456. Iohn Gaspar Ferdinand de Marchin Count de Gravil 457. Sir George Monck Knight after Duke of Albemarle 458. Sir Edward Mountague Knight after Earl of Sandwich 459. William Seymour Marquess of Hertford after Duke of Somerset 460. Aubrie de Vere Earl of Oxford 461. Charles Stewart Duke of Richmond and Lenox 362. Mountague Barty Earl of Lindsey 363. Edward Mountague Earl of Manchester 464. William Wentworth Earl of Strafford 465. Christierne Prince of Denmark since King of Denmark 466. Iames Scot Duke of Monmouth and Bucclugh 467. Iames Stewart Duke of Cambridge 468. Charles the Eleventh King of Sweden Goths and Vandales 469. Iohn George the Second Duke of Saxony Iuliers Cleves and Monts and Prince Elector of the Empire 470. Christopher Monck Duke of Albemarle 471. Iohn Maitland Duke of Lauderdale To close up all here follows a Catalogue of the Officers of this most Noble Order Prelates of the Order William de Edyngton Bishop of Winchester Lord Treasurer and after Lord Chancellor of England William de Wykham Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellor of England Henry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester Priest Cardinal of St. Eusebius and Lord Chancellor of England William de Waynfleet Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England Peter Courtney Bishop of Winchester Thomas Langton Bishop of Winchester Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester and Lord Privy Seal Thomas Wolsey Bishop of Winchester Priest Cardinal of St. Cecily and Lord Chancellor of England Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Iohn Poynet Bishop of Winchester Stephen Gardiner restored and made Lord Chancellor of Englanâ Iohn White Bishop of Winchester Robert Honne Bishop of Winchester Iohn Watson Bishop of Winchester Thomas Cooper Bishop of Winchester William Wyâham Bishop of Winchester William Day Bishop of Winchester Thomas Bilson Bishop of Winchester Iames Mountague Bishop of Winchester Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Winchester Richard Neyle Bishop of Winchester Walter Curle Bishop of Winchester Brian Duppa Bishop of Winchester âeorge Morley Bishop of Winchester Chancellors of the Order Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury and Dean of Windesor Lionel Woodeville Bishop of Salisbury Thomas Langton Bishop of Salisbury Iohn Blyth Bishop of Salisbury Henry Dean Bishop of Salisbury Edmund Audeley Bishop of Salisbury Sir William Cecil Principal Secretary of State Sir William Peters Principal Secretary of State Sir Thomas Smith Principal Secretary of State Sir Francis Walsingham Principal Secretary of State Sir Amyas Paulet Privy Counsellor Sir Iohn Woollee Secretary for the Latine Tongue Sir Edward Dyer Sir Iohn Herbert Principal Secretary of State Sir George More Sir Francis Crane Sir Thomas Rowe Sir Iames Palmer Sir Henry de Vic Baronet Seth Ward Bishop of Salisbury Registers of the Order ââ Iohn Coringham Canon of Windesor Iohn Deepden Canon of Windesor Iames Goldwell Canon of Windesor and Secretary of State Oliver King Canon of Windesor Secretary to Prince Henry Son of King Henry the Sixth to King Edward the Fourth to King Edward the Fifth and King Henry the Seventh Richard Nix Canon of Windesor Christopher Vrswick Dean of Windesor Thomas Wolsey the Kings Almoner William Atwater Canon of Windesor after Bishop of Lincolne Nicholas West Dean of Windesor Iohn Vesây Dean of Windesor Richard Sydnor Canon of Windesor Robert Aldridge Canon of Windesor Owen Oglethorp Dean of Windesor Iohn Boxall Dean of Windesor and Principal Secretary of State George Carew Dean of Windesor William Dây Dean of Windesor Robert Benet Dean of Windesor Giles Tomson Dean of Windesor and Bishop of Gloucester Anthony Maxey Dean of Windesor Marc Antonio de Dominis Archbishop of Spalato Dean of Windesor Henry Beaumont Dean of Windesor Matthew Wren Dean of Windesor Christopher Wren Dean of Windesor Brune Ryves Dean of Windesor Garters Kings of Arms. Sir William Brugges Knight Iohn Smert Sir Iohn Writh Knight Sir Thomas Wriothesley Knight Sir Thomas Wall Knight Sir Christopher Barker Knight Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight Sir William Dethick Knight Sir William Segar Knight Sir Iohn Borough Knight Sir Henry St. George Knight Sir Edward Walker Knight Ushers of the Black-Rod William Whitehorse Iohn Cray Thomas Sye William Evington and Edward Hardgyll Robert Marleton Ralph Ashton and Hugh Dennys Sir William Compton Knight Henry Norresse Esquire Anthony Knyvet Esquire Sir Philip Hobby Knight Iohn Norres and William Norres Esquires Anthony Wingfeild Esquire Richard Coningsbye and George Pollard Esquires Iames Maxwell Esquire Peter Newton Esquire Sir Iohn Ayton Knight Sir Edward Carteret Knight APPENDIX The Statutes of Institution of the most Noble Order of the Garter AD honorem omnipotentis Dei Sanctae Mariae Virginis gloriosae Sancti Georgii Martyris Dominus noster Supremus Edwardus tertius Rex Angliae anno regni sui post conquestum xxiii Ordinavit stabilivit fundavit quandum Societatem five Ordinem militarem infra Castrum suum de Wyndesore in hunc modum Primo scipsum statuit dictae Societatis sive Ordinis Superiorem filium suum seniorem Principem Walliae Ducem Lancastriae Comitem Warwici Capitaneum de Buche Comitem Staffordiae Comitem Sarum Dominum de Mortimer Dominum Johannem Lisle Dominum Bartholomeum Burghersh filium Dominum Johannem de Beauchamp Dominum de Bohun Dominum Hugonem de Courtenay Dominum Thomam de Hollande Dominum Johannem de Grey Dominum Richardum de fitz Symond Dominum Milonem de Stapulton Dominum Thomam Wale Dominum Hugonem de Wirteslay Dominum Nelelatum Loryng Dominum Johannem Chandos Dominum Jacobum Daudele Dominum Otonem de Hollande Dominum Henricum de Em Dominum Sauchetum Dabrichecourt Dominum Walterum Pavelay I. Concordatum est quod Rex Angliae qui pro tempore fuerit inperpetuum erit Superior hujus Ordinis Sancti Georgii sive Societatis Garterii II. Item concordatum est quod nullus eligatâr in socium dicti Ordinis nisi generosae propaginis existat miles careus opprobrio quoniam ignobiles aut reprobos Ordinis institutio non admittit III. Et xxvi Commilitones Consocii hujus Ordinis praenominati deferent mantella garteria apud dictum castrum ordinata quociens ibidem praesentes fuerint videlicet quâlibât vice quâ capellam intrant Sancti Georgii aut domum Capitularem pro capitulo celebrando aut aliquid statuendo quod ad Ordinem pertinebit Et simili modo incedent in vigiliâ Sancti Georgii per modum processionis proficiscentes cum Superiori Ordinis aut suo Deputato de magnâ camerâ regiâ usque ad Capellam vel domum capitularem eâdem serie revertentur Sedebunt itaque cum Montellis Garteriis in dictâ vigiliâ tempore coenae tam illi qui coenare volunt quam etiam alii non coenantes quousque de magnâ camerâ praedictâ consuctum tempus fuerit separandi Sic eciam induti inââdere debent in crastino versus dictam Capellam abinde revertentes ac etiam tempore prandii postea quosque
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 tâe 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 âealm without having any excusation alowable to the Soverayne or to his Deputie as is abovesaid he shall not entre in his Stall from theââforth until the tyme that he have gyven and offered a âewell 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 âe 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 âiâande 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 âe 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 aâter their astate and at their voiding and ââing 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 Casâell of Windesore on the morow after the Feast of Saynte George before the departyng of the Company thât 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
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 heâre 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 ânâyng 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 âis 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 aforesâid whereby the same may apere to the Souverayn and Companyons of the Order then preâent 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
Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers into the said Ordre and receive his Othe and install him but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order it appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf Yeven undre our Seale of our said Gartier at our Castell of Windesore the xxi day of August the xv year of our Reign NUM XXVII Another Ex Collect. I. V. Elizabeth R. ELIZABETH by the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trustly and right well-beloved Câzen and Counsellor Francis Earl of Bâdford and to our right trusty and right well-beloved Anthony Viscount Mountague Companions âf our Noble Order of the Garter Forasâuâh as we for divers reasonable causes cannot be present at our Castell of Windesor on the 19. of June next ensuing where we have determined to have installed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cozens William Earl of Worcester and Henry Earl of Huntingdon as Knights of ouâ said Order of the Garter We therefâre by these presents name constitute appoint and ordain you to be our Deputies giving you full power and authority to admit and install our said Cozens of Worcester and Huntingdon and to do and accomplish every thing which thereunto belongeth and hath been accustomed for the due admittance and installing of the said Earls of Worcester and Huntingdon willing and commanding by the tenor hereof all and every the Companions and Officers of the said Order to be to you in the executing of this our authority obeying and attending as shall appertain Given under the Seal of our saâd Order at our honor of Hampton-Court the 12. of June 1570. in the 12. year of our Reign NUM XXVIII Another Ex ipso Autogr. Aerar Coll. Wind. 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 well-beloved Cosens and Councellors William Earl of Salisbury and Henry Earl of Holland Knights and Companions of our said Order Greeting Whereas we with you and others the Knights and Companions of our said Order assembled in a Chapter holden at our Palace of Westminster the 24. day of April being the morrow after the day of St. George last past did elect and chuse our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen Algernon Earle of Northumberland to be a Knight and Companion of our said Order And whereas we have appointed the 13. day of this present Month of May for the time of his Installation at Windesor We do therefore let you know that we have named and assigned you the said Earls of Salisbury and Holland and by these presents do name assign and appoint you two to be Commissioners for the Inâtallation of our said Cousin the Earl of Northumberland as aforesaid And accordingly we do hereby give unto you full power and authority not only to accept and admit him into our said Order and to take his Oath but also to do and accomplish whatsoever else is needful to be done for his full Installation according to the Statutes Rules and Customs of our said Order For which purpose it is our pleasure that you make your repair to our Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Wednesday at night being the 13. of this present May to the end that you may then proceed to the said Installation according to this our Commission Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 11. day of May 1635. and in the 11. year of our Raign NUM XXIX Another Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. PHilip and Mary c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen the Earl of Huntington and to our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton Companions and Knights of the Noble Order of the Garter Greeting Forasmuch as we with other Companions of the said Noble Order assembled at a Chapter holden at our Honour of Hampton Court the 24. of April last past have elected and chosen our right trusty and right well-beloved the Viscount Mountague to be Knight and Companion of the said Noble Order We therefore will and by the presents authorise and license you not only to accept and admit the said Viscount Mountague into the said Order and to receive his Oath and install him accordingly but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable Customs of the said Noble Order appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Yeoven under the Seal of our said Order the 12. of October the 2. and 3. year of our Raigns NUM XXX A Letter of Summons to the Commissioners appointed for Installation Ex Collect. I. V. By the Queen RIght trusty and well-beloved we greet you well and whereas we have appointed you together with our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen and Councellor the Earl of Lincoln to be in Commission for the Installation in our Castle of Windesor of our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosens Henry Earl of Derby and Henry Earl of Penbroke being lately chosen Knights 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 Wednesday the 19. day of this Moneth to the end that upon Thursday the 20. day of this present Moneth of May they may proceed to their Installations accordingly Yeven under our Signet at our Palais of Westminster the 17. day of May in the 16. year of our Reign To our right trusty and well-beloved the Viscount Mountague one of the Companions of our Order The like Letter mutatis mutandis was under the same date directed to the Earl of Lincoln joined in Commission with him NUM XXXI A Letter of Summons to an Elect-Knight for his repair to Windesor to be Installed Ex ipso Autogr. Charles R. RIght trusty and well-beloved Cousen We greet you well Whereas in consideration of your approved fidelity and extraordinary services performed by you for us We lately elected and chose you to be one of the Companions of our most Noble Order of the Garter and in token thereof did send unto you the George and Ribband part of the Ensigns of our said Order and having at a Chapter held at White-hall the 14. day of January last past appointed to celebrate the Feast of St. George at our Castle of Windesor upon the 15.16 and 17. days of April next ensuing We do hereby require you to make your repair to our Castle of Windesor so as you be there on Monday the 15. of April next by Noon that in the Afternoon of the said day you may proceed to your Installation according
durant strenuos quosdam Equites ex hiis qui vobiscum modo militant in socios Clarissimi vestri Ordinis assumere dâcrevit ex consensu Commilitonum aliorum qui nunc isthic assunt idque nobis significare non refugit nos isthâc ipsâ voluntate vestrâ Commilitonum assensu subnixi quia nolumus ut quisquam per nos aut in Curiâ nostrâ privetur co fructu qui percipi possit saltem dum spectet ad salutem Animae si subitò contingeret obire quod fere fit hiis qui variis belli âasibus agitantur Dominum Joannem Gray Dominum Johannem Robertsak Dominum Boucer virtute Literarum in quibus procuratores sibi nominârunt in sedes suas Windesori permisimus introduci ne si per bellorum infortunia quibus eos isthic quotidiè videmus objectos ante plenam possessionem interirent Missarum suffragiis destituerentur sicut quosdam nuper id quod dolemus nimiâ morâ praeventos intelleximus Rursum quia de tali procuratorio minus cantum in Statutis esse perpendimus in eo facto non parùm haesitavimus verùm nimio favore potiùs quam arciè severéque Statutorum observationi condonatum iri sperantes libenter in partem pientiorem uti est visa concessimus In quo tamen vestrae nos gratiae correctionique submittimus si quid in hâc ipsâ re delinquimus modo quo possumus humilimo supplicantes ut prudentissima Majestas vestra omnem abhinc scrupulum è Statutis auferatâ absolutè pronunciet quid hîc posthà c fieri oporteat Vt Equities videlicet vestri cum celsitudine vestrâ vel in bellis vel alibi missu vestro commorati meritis exigentibus codem privilegio quod exteris in electione receptionéque sui per Procuratores est concessum congaudere possent vestro tamen in omnibus Iudicio semper salvo serenitatem autem vestram cum insigni victoriâ celebrÃque triumpho plená conservatae multitudinis Commilitii gloriâ reducat in Regnum ibi diuturnae pacis bono perfrui concedat ille Rex Regum Christus Jhesus qui Capitales hostes nostros sub vexillo Crucis edomuit moriendo devicit Windesori ab Arce vestrâ Kalendis Maii. NUM XLV A larger Letter to the same purpose Registrum Chartac fol. 6. b. VIctoriosissime Princeps metuendissime Domine Humilimâ Recommendatione praemissâ de magnificis vestris Regalibus guerrarum victoriosis eventibus gratiosis corundem auctori qui suo sub munimine vobis totiens contulit feliciùs triumphare obsequiosâ mente gratiarum referimus actiones vestrae Regiaae celsitudini insuper omnimodas reddentes odas debitas eò magis quò valemus quòd nostro minimo bumilimoque motivo de Militibus per vestram Regiam pietatem durantibus vestris bellicis exercitiis creandis interim in Milites Societatis Ordinis Garterii per Procuratores more exterorum installandis Aures vestrae magnificentiae Regalis dirigere voluistis ad tantam exauditionis gratiam ut Regiam vestram benevolentiam ad hoc unanimum assensum Commilitonum Ordinis vestro lateri Regio quà m strenuè assistentium nobis licèt indignis significare decrevistis Ad effectum quòd concors assensus ille nostro motivo mediante vim futuris temporibus statuti contineret super cujus significationis gratiâ virtute assensûs Dominum Willielmum Philipp per procuratorem suum sufficientèr constitutum installavimus Dominos verò Johannem Grey Johannem Robofarde virtute Literarum suarum missivarum in quibus suos solummodo nominarunt Procuratores Dominum de Boucer virtute Literae cujusdam deprecatoriae per Dominam Comitissam de Stafforde Deputato transmisso promisimus installari eò potiùs quod de sufficientiâ procuratorii hujusmodi in Statutis expressè non cavetur ac praecavere volentes ne per dubiosa infortunia guerrarum quibus ipsos in vestrâ Regali praesentiâ indies exponi perpendimus de tam meritoriis suffragiis huic annexis prae defectu plenitudinis sui juris relicti prae nostrâ vacillatione sub dubio privari possent seu veriùs eisdem carere quod absit prout jam tardè contigit quod dolentèr referimus prae nimiâ morâ praepotentis viri ante plenitudinem morte praeventi Piè sperantes nobis potiùs de vestro favore nimio pardonari quà m de severâ strictâ observatione Statutorum in hâc parte laudari ex condigno pensatis circumstantiis ac animis praesumentium super quo tamen humiliùs inclinati quo minùs peritè egimus veniam petimus omnimodè vestrae Regiae correctioni nos penitùs submittentes supplicantes devotiùs quò valemus quatenus omnimodum incertitudinis scrupulum in praemissis Regia celsitudo dignetur de cetero cautiùs abolere ac nostri praetextu motivi statuere ut finguli subditi vestri Milites activis suis meritis exigentibus in hanc eligendi commitivam qui vel in vestrâ praesentiâ Regali seu alibi extra Regnum dummodo ex mandato inibi militaverint Regali pro perpetuo gaudere valeant privilegio nobili exterorum Regali vestro judicio meliori in omnibus semper salvo Et serenitatem Regiae celsitudinis cum Coronâ victoriae servatâ strenuâ procerum multitudine cum bono pacis faelicitèr reducat ad Regnum invictissimus Rex ille qui in suo sanguine nostros dignatus est inimicos mortales sub vexillo Crucis moriendo devincere NUM XLVI Sir Grey's Letter Missive to Sir Iohn Lisle his Proctor Registrum Chartac fol. 6. A mon trescher bien ame Monsieur Jehan Lisle WOrchipful Sir I grete you wele desiryng to here c. And wete ye that the Kyng of his gracious Lordshippe God yelde him hase chosen me to be onne of his Brethrene of the Knyghtes of the Gartier And I hase chosen you to be myne Attourney to take my Stalle in my name what tyme that my Lorde of Bedforde c. And I pray you that ye wille do so moshe for me at this tyme as I may do thyng to your plesaunz in tyme comyng c. Writen before Roone the xi day of November John Grey NUM XLVII The Countess of Bristol's Deprecatory Letter Ex ipso Autogr. SIR PResuming from what I have been told of former times that my Husband the Earl of Bristol with many others being by his Majesties appointment to be installed Knights of the Garter at Windsor the next moneth he may receive that honor by Proxie at my request and nomination on his behalf because himself is at present beyond the Seas my desire to you hereby is that acquainting his Majesty herewith you would be pleased with his Soveraign permission and approbation to appear and act at that Solemnity in quality of my Lord's Proxie according to the accustomed forms in such cases wherein I assure my self you will perform a very acceptable service to my Lord and
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 ând 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
peremis victoriae palmam recipere valeas in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris NUM CII Instructions to the Soveraign's Amabassadors sent upon a like Embassy to Iames the Fifth King of Scots Ex. Autogr. in Bibl. Hatton THE said Lord William shall within five or six days next after he hath been with the said King of Scots for his first Ambassade and resort to Court there and in most reverend fashion deliver unto the King of Scots the Letter missive of Certification of his Election into the Noble Order of the Garter from the King our Soveraign Lord his Highness with due commendations from his Highness The Letter read and be consenting to the reception of the said Order then incontinent the Book of Statutes to be delivered unto him and a day appointed as well for to have his consentment on the Articles of the said Statutes and in the mean time his Oath to be prepared by his consent and advice On which day being at the least Sunday and he agreeing to receive the same honorable Order he must be in a place convenient First they shall present their Commission unto the said King and cause the said audibly and distinctly to be read and so followingly shall in good and reverent manner require him to make his corporal Oath for the inviolable observing of the same like as by the tenure of the Statutes every Knight of that Order is bound to do in form following The Oath We James by the grace of God King of Scots promise and swear by our Faith and Honor and holy Evengelist by us presently touched that we shall accomplish and keep truly unto our powwer all the Statutes Points and Ordinances of the right Noble Order of Saint George named the Garter from point to point and from Article to Article as is contained and declared in the Book thereof to us delivered the which we have accepted and do accept as if that we read them now presently Note if he will make any exceptions they must be here rehearsed the which Articles we promised now again to keep hold and entertain without breaking So God help us and all the Saints Yeoven c. Which Oath given the Lord William shall put the Garter in due and reverent manner about his left Leg and in this doing Garter shall say Sir the Soveraign and honorable Company of the Order of the Garter have received you as their Brother and Companion and in knowledge and token thereof they give and present you this Garter the which God give you grace to wear to his land and praise to the honor of the blessed Virgin Mary and the glorious Martyr Saint George Patron of that Noble Order and to the augmentation of your honor Which thing so done the said Lord William shall deliver unto him the Gown of Crimson and cause him to apparel himself with the same the said Garter saying these words following at the doing on the same Ye take this Garment wherein God give you grace strongly to stand in the true Faith of Christ and depressing the Enemies of Saints in token of the said Order and to the augmenting of this Order and your honor And then lovingly the said Lord William shall cause the said King to put on the Mantle of Blue Velvet garnished with the Arms of St. George invironed with a Garter the said Garter saying as followeth Note the Hood to be put on the right shoulder Take ye this Mantle of heavenly colour with the shield of the Cross of Christ garnished by whose strength and virtue ye always be defended and by virtue of it you may overcome all your Enemies and so through your most noble desert may worthily come to the joys everlasting in token of the said Order and increase of your honor And when the said King shall be so apparelled with the adornments aforesaid the said Lord William shall put the Coller of the Order with the Image of Saint George about his neck the said Garter saying Take ye and bear this Coller with the Image of the most glorious Martyr Saint George Patron of this Order about your neck by the help whereof you may the better pass through both the prosperity and adversity of this world so that your Enemies both of body and soul may be overcome ye then may receive not only glory of temporal Chivalry but also the rejoycing of everlasting victory in sign and token of this Order and increase of your honor Which things thus fully ended the King to go to some solemn Church and there to bear a solemn Mass and so to return an so to his Lodging where if he dine abroad to wear the said whole Habit during the dinner time and after to do this pleasure Then Garter to remember to purchase and sollicite a Certification of the Reception of the said Order by him and also his Oath both under the said Kings Seal Also to advertise him the manner of the coming of his Procurator for his Installation within seven Months he to bring with him a Procuration under the Kings Seal for his Installation with all other things necessary as the said Garter knoweth by his old Presidents in such case accustomed All these things thus duly and in reverent order done with other the Kings Affairs there the said Lord William and the said Garter to return to the Kings Highness NUM CIII A Letter signifying Election to Edward Count Palantine of the Rhine Ex Collect. E. W. G. Charles R. CHarles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right dear and entirely beloved Cousin Edward Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria c. Greeting Whereas our Royal Progenitors the Kings of England have in all times since the Institution of the most Noble Order of Saint George called the Garter by our most Noble and Victorious Ancestor King Edward the Third elected and chosen into the Fellowship thereof such Princes and other eminent persons as well Strangers as their own Subjects as have for the greatness of their Births and other Heroick virtues especially in martial actions been thought worthy of the same We therefore considering that since the late horrid Rebellion in that our Kingdom that many of the Companions thereof are dead and that others contrary to their Honor and Oaths have deserted their Allâgiance and are no more worthy to be esteemmed Companions of so Noble an Order anâ finding how necessary it is for our honor and sââvice to elect others in the places vacant wâo for their birth courage fidelity and affectionââ us may be worthy to be admitted thereuntâ have therefore thought fit by our power as Soveraign of the said Order dispensing with the usual Ceremonies to elect and chuse you our said right dear and entirely beloved Cousin Edward Count Palatiâe of the Rhyne and Duââ of Bavaria to be Fellow and
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 Casâle 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
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 prâsent 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
and commence from the time of the last payment thereof unto the said Sir William Seager alias Garter our principal King of Arms 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 seventh day of February in the second year of our Reign NUM CLXXI. Commissional Letters for collecting the Contributions towards furnishing the Altar in the Chappel at Windesor Ex lib. vocat Frith's Regist. p. 139. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To all and singular whom these may concern greeting Whereas We with the Knights and Companions of our said Order in contemplation of the great want of such sacred Furniture for our Royal Chappel of St. George within our Castle of Windesor as may be suitable to the honour and devotion of the said Order have at sundry Chapters there holden advised and decreed that a joynt contribution should be made for provision of the same And particularly at a Chapter together with the Solemnity of the Feast of St. George holden upon the 6. of this present October We did again declare and constitute that We our selves would begin and that every Lord which is now of our Realm a Companion of the said Order or was at the making of our first Decree viz. Nov. 24. 1625. should give and confer towards the same as to him should be thought meet Provided that it be not under xxl. Now know ye that We have and do by these presents give Authority and Command to our Dean and Canons of our said free Chappel that they forthwith by any one of themselves or by their lawful Deputy under their Common Seal do ask and receive as well of our own Officers for our Self as of every Lord and Companions of the Order that now is of our Realm and of the Heirs Executors and Administrator of any that are deceased since the time last above mentioned the said gift and contribution And that thereof they be accountable unto Vs at our next Chapter to be holden for the said Order or at the next Session of the Lords Commissioners for the said Order which of the two shall first happen Given under the Seal of our said Order the seventh day of October in the sixth Year of our Reign of England Scotland France and Ireland c. 1630. NUM CLXXII The Soveraign's Letter to the Dean and Canons of Windesor for making use of their Lodgings at Saint George's Feast an 7. H. 5. Ex Lib. vocat Denton fol. 69. TReschers bien aymés Nous vous solvons souuent Et pour ce que grant multitude de gens tant estrongers que aultres qui seront à nostre Chasteau de Windesore à ceste prochaine solempnité la feste de Sainct George à cause de la Venue de l' Empereur du Due de Holand Nous desirons voulons que leurs gens aultres estans de nostre Compengnie ayent la plus grand favour aise que faire se pourra en aucune maniere touchant leur Logemens dedens mesme nostre dit Chasteau Pour laquelle cause vous envoyons presentement nostre bien aymé Escuier Huisser de Chambre le porteur de cestes vers nostre dit Chasteau pour yenor donner contre nostre venue Si vous prions que vous veâilliés bonnement souffrir nostre dit Huissier survoyer lez Logemens de vous maisons dedens nostre College de y logier autant de personnes come faire se pourra bonestement à ceste foys tout seullement pour la cause dessus dit Et ce faisons vous nous faites âng singulier plesir Et n'est pas nostre intention ne vouloir que par coulour de ce Vous en soyés ainsi chargiés plus avant Et nostre Signeur soit garde de vous Donné soubz nostre Signet à Lambeth le 18. jour de May l'an de nostre Reigne septieme NUM CLXXIII A Letter from the Soveraign to excuse the absence of some of the Knights-Companions from the Grand Feast Lib. Nâag 174. SVpremus honorando ac pervenerando Patri suo Thomae Comiti Derb. salvere ac benè valere Quoniam ob multa variaque negotia quae nostri oneris sunt perdelectus Cognatus noster Comes Salopiae fideles ac benè meriti nobis à Consiliis Dominus Reginaldus Bray Dom. Tho. Lovell Dom. Carolus Somerset Dom. Richardus Goulford Dominus Gilbertus Talbot Socii clarissimi nostri Ordinis non possunt ipsi in Festo Divi Georgii septimo Maii celebrando interesse sed venia nostra donandi siât arduis illisce rebus impediti Nos igitur biis nostris scriptis certiorem tuam nobilitatem facimus Vt has excusationes rationi consonaâ acceptes de nulla Statutorum vi dubitaturus si contra denotare videatur cum penes nos sit ut ipsaemet leges jure regantur Richmondiae 29. Aprilis NUM CLXXIV Another Ex Collect. A. V. W. Elizabeth RIght trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Forasmuch as our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors the Earls of Arundel and Derby c. Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter cannot for certain employments by our Commandment attend at the Feast of the glorious Martyr St. George to be holden and kept within our Castle of Windsor the 22. day of May next coming and they being by Vs dispensed with and pardoned for their absence at that time like as we have thought good to advertize you thereof so We will you to accept their reasonable excuses in this behalf accordingly any Statute of the said Order made to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Signet of our said Order at our Palace at Westminster the 20. of May in the fifth year of our Reign NUM CLXXV Another Ms. penes Arthur Com. Anglesey fol. 122. b. Elizabeth RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well And forasmuch as our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and counsellor the Marquess of Winchester and the Earl of Derby and our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Duke of Norfolk our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord Clynton our high Admiral of England our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Marquess of Northampton our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord Howard of Effingham Lord Chamberlain of our Houshold our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Shrewsbury our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Hastinges of Loughborough our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Leicester our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Warwick our trusty and well-beloved the Lord Hunsdone
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
Thursday and Friday following being the 26.27 and 28. of April upon which days it was observed at Whitehall But where the Eve hapned upon a Sunday as it did the next year after there the Feast received no Prorogation In the year of our Lord 1636. the Soveraign was moved by reason of the Contagion and Sickness dispersed into several places of the Kingdom and to avoid the danger of the concourse of much People during the Infection aswell for other great and important Affairs to give several Prorogations to this Feast from the 22.23 and 24. dâys of April being the usual days of this Solemnity first to the 8.9 and 10. days of Iuly following then again to the 26.27 and 28. of September and from that time unto the 13.14 and 15. of December and lastly to the 17.18 and 19. of April in the 13. year of his Reign upon which last appointed days it was solemnized at Whitehall Where on the morrow after the Feast it being considered in a Chapter that the day of St. George was neer at hand and for other special reasons the Soveraign was there pleased to defer the Celebration of the approaching Feast unto the 25.26 and 27. days of September ensuing And on the 13. day of the said September prorogued the Prorogation unto the 2.3 and 4. of October next following to Windesor where it was accordingly observed Within few Months after the Soveraign having determined to create the then Prince now most happily the present Soveraign a Knight and to propose him in Election as a Companion of this most Noble Society did for the more conveniency of his Installation the 25. of February an 13. Car. 1. defer the celebration of the Grand Feast from the 22.23 and 24. days of April then coming on to the 21.22 and 23. days of May when the same was observed with high Solemnity This being the third Grand Festival which had been celebrated personally by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions within the Revolution of one year and something more and to keep up the honor of Windesor Castle two of them were solemnized within its Walls And before the return of the next Anniversary of St. George the Soveraign upon consultation had in February an 14. Car. 1. with divers of the Knights-Companions about the Prorogation of the Feast which was supposed could not by reason of his important occasions to repair into the North be celebrated at the usual time in the next ensuing April thereupon he thought fit to adjourn the same which was done the 26. of February aforesaid unto the 2.3 and 4. of Iuly next coming York being the place the Soveraign thought most convenient to hold the Feast at but afterwards being in his Camp neer Barwick and taking into consideration the impossibility of keeping the Feast at York upon the before designed days and conferring with some of the Knights-Companions that then attended on his person he the 22. of Iune an 15. Car. 1. adjourned the same until the 8.9 and 10. of October following to Windesor at which time it was there celebrated After this the troubles and tempest of War approaching the Prorogations became more frequent and such places appointed to hold the Feast in as the Soveraign thought most convenient or had occasion to reside at Nevertheless the adjournments passed always regularly under the Great Seal of the Order and the Soveraign's Sign Manual SECT IX Of Commissions for Prorogation WE have not met with any Precedent of Commissions for Prorogation of the Grand Feast of St. George more ancient than that of the 11. of December an 12. Car. 1. left us by Sir Thomas Rowe wherein is notice taken of all the former adjournments of the Grand Feast from St. George's day preceding until that time with the reasons thereof and chiefly upon consideration had of the then spreading Sickness together with a command to the Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order to attend upon the Soveraign on the new assigned days viz. the 17.18 and 19 of April following for the celebration of the said Feast As to the substance hereof the succeeding Commissions do very neer agree yet with some small difference as first the Preambles are general and run thus Whereas upon special Reasons and other important Affairs c. except only that Commission issued the 25. of February 1637. whose Preamble being fitted to the particular occasion was this Whereas we have determined to create the Prince our eldest Son a Knight and to propose him in Election as a Companion of our most Noble Order for the more conveniency of his Installation we have thought fit to defer the celebration of the Feast of St. George c. But in the Commissions of Prorogation of the Grand Feasts dated the 19. of April and the 25. of February an 19. Car. 1. the place appointed for Celebration is omitted which defect we find in the above mentioned Precedent also Nevertheless afterwards that material part came to be inserted and first of all in that Commission of the 26. of February an 14. Car. 1. where the place being the City of York is put into the body of the Commission And when the late War drew on and consequently the Soveraign could not so well ascertain the place beforehand because of his continual and uncertain motion according as occasion and advantages offered themselves Then we observe that the Grand Feast was appointed to be kept at any such place as when the time appointed by Prorogation was neer expired should seem to the Soveraign most convenient But from the body of the Commissions the nomination of Place afterwards slided downwards into the close and shewed it self in that part where the Injunction was given for the Knights-Companions and Officers to attend upon the days before appointed being expressed either thus Wheresoever we shall then be c. or else thus at such Places as we shall timely appoint c. which later way of signification was first used in Commissions issued forth after the Soveraign came to setle at Oxford Now the most ordinary course preparatory to the issuing forth such Commissions of Prorogation hath been by the Soveraign's Declaration in Chapter or otherwise the signification of his pleasure to the Chancellor of the Order at any other time who thereupon drew up the Commission and presented it to the Soveraign for his Sign Manual and then affixed thereunto the Great Seal of the Order Nevertheless where the Chancellor was not at hand to receive the commands for adjournment immediately from the Soveraign we find his pleasure in this particular was then signified to him by some other hand with command to summon the Knights-Companions and Officers accordingly For so was it done by Sir Francis Windebanke Knight one of the Principal Secretaries of State by his Letters from Oatlands directed to Sir Thomas Row dated the 11. of September an