Upper-Robes to be used on thâ—se solemn Days and Occasions that is to say to the old Trunk-hose or Round-Breeches whereof the Stuff or Material shall be some such Cloth of Silver as we shall chuse and appoint wherein as we shall be to them an example so we do expect they will follow us in using the same and no other Given under the Signet of our said Order this day of May 1661. NUM CLXXXI A Dispensation for a Knights attendance at the Grand Feast during life Ex ipso Autogr. in Bibl. Hatton Henry R. HEnry the Eighth by the grace of God King of England and of France Defender of the Faith and Lord of Ireland and Soveraign of the Noble Order of the Garter To the Lieutenant at the Feast of the glorious Martyr Saint George Patron of the Noble Order of the Garter and other Knights and Companions of the same Order for the time being to be assembled at any time hereafter at our Castle at Windesor and to other our Officers Ministers and Subjects these our Letters hearing or seeing Greeting We let you weet that We of our special grace and for certain urgent and great causes and special considerations concerning the old service done unto us by our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord Darcy one of the Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order of the Garter and of his great age and debility have pardoned and licensed him by these presents at all time from henceforth during his life to be absent from the said Feast of St. George and not to give attendance in any place Chapter or other Feast to be holden of the said Noble Order and that he to sustain no damage by any mean for his said absence any Act Decree Ordinance Oath or Statute of the said Noble Order of the Garter now being made or hereafter to be made to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Seal of the Gartier of the said Noble Order the eight and twentieth day of October the six and twentieth year of our Reign NUM CLXXXII Another Inter Praecident Tho. Rome Eq. Aur. nuper Cancell Charles R. CHarles by the grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Ferdinand Earl of Derby Knight and Companion of our said most Noble Order Greeting For asmuch as we are informed by our Chancellor of our Order upon signification to him made under your Seal of Arms of your indisposition of health and of your petition to have licence to forbear your attendance upon our person on the 22.23 24. of May next being the days appointed by Prorogation for the Celebration of the Feast of our most Noble Order of the Garter We give you to understand that we are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do pardon remit and dispense with any default you may thereby incur And we do further in respect of your age and weakness unable to travel signified unto us in your said Petition by these presents dispense with your attendance on our person upon the said Feast days during your natural life observing in your own house the Rites and Solemnities appointed by the Canons of the Order upon the usual days of Celebration being the 22.23 24. of April or at such times as shall be hereafter appointed by Prorogation any Statute or Article of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Court at Whitehall the 9. day of April in the 14. year of our Reign NUM CLXXXIII A Warrant to Garter to take down the Atchievements of Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland Collect. W. le N. Cl. By the Queen Trusty and well-beloved We greet you well letting you witte That where the Hatchments of the late Duke of Northumberland attâ—inted of High Treason and put to Execution for his offence do remain yet within our Chappel of Windesor untaken down Our pleasure is in respect of his said Offence through the which his Hatchments deserve not to be in so honorable a place among the rest of the Knights of our Order you shall repair to Windesor immediately upon the Receipt of these Our Letters and in your presence cause the said Hatchments of the said late Duke to be taken down in such sort as others in like cases have been whereof fail you not Given under our Signet of our Order c. NUM CLXXXIV A Publication of the Degrading of Edward Duke of Buckingham Ex Collect. A. V. W. BE it known unto all men That whereas Edward late Duke of Buckingham Knight and Companion of the Noble Order of Saint George named the Garter hath lately done and committed High Treason against the King Soveraign of the said Order of the Garter in compassing and imagining the destruction of the most Noble person of our said Soveraign Lord the King contrary to his Oath Duty and Allegiance for which High Treason the said Edward hath been indicted arraigned convicted and attainted and for the which detestable Offence and High Treason the said Edward hath deserved to be disgraded of the said Noble Order and expelled out of the said Company and not worthy that his Arms Ensigns and Atchievements should remain amongst other Noble Ensigns and Atchievements of other noble vertuous and approved Knights of the said Noble Order nor to have the benefits of the said Noble Order Wherefore our Soveraign Lord the King Soveraign of the said Noble Order of St. George named the Garter by the advice of other Knights of the said Noble Order for his said Offences and committing of the said High Treason willeth and commandeth that the said Edward late Duke of Buckingham be disgraded of the said Noble Order and his Arms and Ensigns and Atchievements clearly expelled and put from amongst the Arms Ensigns and Atchievements of the other Noble Knights of the said Order to the intent that all other Noble men thereby may take Example hereafter not to commit any such hainous and detestable Treason and Offence as God forbid they should God save the King NUM CLXXXV The Soveraign's Letters for celebrating Masses upon the Death of the Lord Fitz-Hugh an 3. H. 6. Lib. N. pag. 81. 82. Exteris aliis hujus Clarissimi Ordinis Sodalibus extra Regnum Commorantibus eorum cuilibet Supremus Salutem QUoniam Charissime mi Cognate N. Henricus Dominus Fitzhugh nuper unus è Commilitonibus nostris excessit ex hâ—c vitâ cujâ—s anime propitius esto Deus Nos id proprerea nunciamâ—s ut vestram commiserationem minimè lateat Missas ex praecepto Statuti pro defuncto celebrandas caeteraque complenda quâ—e vestrâ in hâ—c parte soleâ— imeresse Vestram verò nobilitatem beata Trinitas servet angeat Sub Sigillo nostri Ordinis Windesori c. Manentibus intra Regnum sed absentibus ab hâc
into their consideration the Affairs of the Order which tender when they declined he proposed that it might be examined by the Prelate but that not being liked by them on consideration that the Register was obliged under an Oath to deal faithfully in his Report it was Decreed That the said Annals should be recorded in the said Book without any further examination Besides the above-mentioned particulars there were materials of another nature ordered to be collected both from the Chancellor of the Order and Garter Principal King of Arms to be digested by the Register and entred also upon Record for whereas one part of the Chancellor's duty was to set forth and declare every year in Chapter at the Feast of St. George the renowned and praiseworthy Acts of the Knights of this Order as many as had so merited and as for those who had deserved the contrary to make relation also of their scandalous and disgraceful actions the Register was to take these in writing and record them for a memorial of their honor or shame never to end And it is part of the duty of Mr. Garter diligently and industriously to make enquiry after the valiant fortunate and renowned Acts both of the Soveraign and the rest of the Knights-Companions which having learnt he is to make a true and faithful relation of them to the Register to be by him entred upon Record for a perpetual memorial But we find very little of this hitherto done and how sparingly inserted the Annals themselves are but too evident Witnesses Nevertheless the present Garter Sir Ed. Walker hath drawn up a faithful account of the noble Actions and Characters of the Knights-Companions beginning with Thomas Earl of Strafford and continuing it down to his Son which he delivered to Dr. Ryves the now Register for the use afore directed Among the Articles established at the Feast of St. George anno Iac. Regis 21. the last is That the then Register of the Order should compose a Book wherein should be orderly transcribed the form and manner of all the Solemnities Ceremonies and Processions which were accustomably used at the Feast of St. George and celebration of the Order as also of taking down and offering the defunct Knights Atchievements to the end the Knights-Companions upon recourse to it might have full information thereof But after much enquiry we have not heard that such a Book was drawn up by him or any of his Successors And that some course should be taken for the safe custody and preservation of the Annals of the Order such was the worthy care of the foresaid Knights-Commissioner that the said 22. of May anno Iac. Regis 20. it was Ordained That a secure and certain place within the Castle of Windesor should be provided and appointed in which all Acts concerning the Order should be kept and to which every Knight-Companion at all times might have access And further That upon the remove or after the death of the Register of the Order the Book containing an account of all such acts as had been Registered and there reserved should be delivered to one of the Knights of the Order The second of these Books is called the Blue Book and so called from the colour of the Cover being fairly bound in Blue Velvet It begins with the first year of Queen Mary and ends at the 18. year of King Iames. The third being bound up in Red Velvet goes therefore under the name of the Red Book it takes commencement where the Blue Book ends and contains like Acts and Entries with the former it ends in the 14. year of King Charles the First of ever blessed memory having first given a full account of the Ceremonies performed at the Installation of the present Soveraign And as to a great part of this Book may I justly and without flattery say and to the honor of that right Reverend Prelate Doctor Wren the late Lord Bishop of Ely let it be remembred that from the Institution of this most Noble Order until he was chosen into the Office of Register the Annals of the Order were at no time recorded by a Pen neer so judicious or eligant whose excellent Patern his worthy Brother and Successor into that Office Doctor Christopher Wren who most freely and readily communicated to me what materials he had to encourage my first design and entrance upon this Work hath exactly copied in its following leaves The fourth and last Book commenceth anno 1640. wherein the Annals are continued down to the beginning of the year 1670. according to the English Account by the learned pains of Dr. Brune Ryves the present Register of the Order And in a Chapter held at Windesor the 16. of April anno 13. Car. 2. it was Decreed That there should be two of these Books made the one penn'd in Latin to remain with the Register at Windesor and the other in English to be kept at Whitehall and called Registrum Aulicum THE Account drawn up of the Founder and first Knights-Companions of this Noble Order we designed for the next Chapter but for some considerable reasons cannot bring it in here nevertheless we intend it to usher in the Catalogue of their Successors and join them together in the last Chapter where our Reader is hence he cast his eye thither may read it in due Order Of what materials this principal Ensigâ— was at first made we have not yet found nor is it described by any before Pâ—lydore â—irgile and he but in general as to the ornamental part of it to wit That it was adorned with Gold and precious Stones and had a Buckle of Gold at the end wherewith to fasten it about the Leg. But doubtless it was also wrought with rich Embroâ—dery and thereon the Symbolical word or Motto was raised with Gold Pearl and sundry sorts of Silks as may be guessed from the Garters anciently placed on the left shoulder of the Knights-Companions Mantles and these other little embroidered Garters wherewith their Surcoats and Hoods were heretofore adornâ—d which we shall describe by and by But touching those made in the last Age we have received more particular satisfaction for we find that the Garter sent to Emâ—nuel Duke of Savoy ann 1 2. Phil. Mar. was set with Letters of Goldsmiths Work the Buckle and Pendant of the same and on the Pendant a Ruby and a Pearl hanging at the end The Garter made for Francis the Second anno 6. Eliâ— was richly wrought with Letters of Gold garnished with Stones the Buckle and Pendant weighing three Ounces and a half and half quarter was richly set with Rubies and Diamonds The French King Henry the Fourth had a Garter of Purple Velvet embroidered with Letters of Gold garnished with Diamonds and Rubies and the Garter of Christierâ— the Fourth King of Denmark was embroidered with Gold and Pearls But that Garter sent to Gustâ—vus
such to those who were Vassals to another the bestowing thereof was accounted illegal and they that took upon them to give it were liable to censure because by this action they took anothers Villain or Bondman from him which was a manifest wrong and ought not to be done As in the case of the two Sons of Philip de Bourbon one whereof was Knighted by the Earl of Flanders the other by the Earl of Nevers Whereupon by an Order dated on All-Saints day Anno Domini 1279. and another at Whitsontide following both the said Earls were fined and the two Brethren condemned to pay one thousand pounds apiece though by the Kings grace and favour they kept their Knighthoods And to shew that this Law was elsewhere observed more strictly and the breach thereof liable to more severe sentences those among the Aragonians that descended from Knights in a direct line by the Fathers side which were called Infançones and accounted Gentlemen whether legitimate or illegitimate were capable of being Knights and no other So that if one not an Infançon were promoted to Knighthood by a Rico Hombre which seems to be a higher Degree of Nobility both the Rico Hombre was to lose the Honor he had and the person whom he pretended to promote remained still a Villain or Plebeian But it was otherwise where a Nobleman Knighted his own Vassal as in the case reported by Philip de Beau-manoir in his Customary of the Year 1283. where the Son of a Gentleman and a Woman-Servant was Knighted by him whose Servant the Woman was and his condition being afterwards discovered the Nobleman would have challenged him for his Slave but in regard his Knightly Dignity had vindicated him from servitude and vassallage though his Lord was deceived in conferring the Honor he was adjudged to remain free and a Knight which he could not have done if any other but his Lord had Knighted him for which this reason is there given because no other person had sufficient power to infranchise him The third and last of those Qualifications which we have thought fit to take notice of here is that of Estate or Wealth which serves to support the Dignity of Knighthood for we find that in all Times and Countries when men were grown wealthy they thereby as by Merit or Birth became capable of Honors Thus Wealth was so much regarded among the Chalcedonians as Herodotus tells us that those who were rich bore the name of Knights It was Estate that intitled a man to this Honor among the Romans for the Censor as hath been before observed out of Livy might compel any Citizen who had an Estate equal to the Equestrian Cense to enter into the Equestrian Order and this old Roman Cense consisted of 400000 Sesterces which according to our learned Seldens computation amounts to 3025. l. of our Money And as anciently in old Rome so not long after the Conquest here in England as Cambden observes were Knights dignified for their wealth and state of living For they who had a Knights Fee to wit saith he six hundred and fourscore Acres of Land might claim as their right the Ornaments and Badges of Knighthood But by the way it appears from Mr. Selden that not any certain number or extent of Acres made a Knights Fee and by several Writs directed to the Shâ—riffs of all Counties in England to make Proclamation for receiving the Honor of Knighthood in the Reigns of Hen. 3. Ed. 1. as also by the Act de Militibus anno 1. Ed. 2. it appears that the Census Militis or valuation of the Estate of a Knight was measured by Twenty Pounds Land by the year and sometimes more and this was counted the most reasonable way of Estimation because one Acre might be more or less in value thâ—n another And the Parallel yet held as to the matter of enforcement and compulsion to take this Honor for by an ancient Prerogative several of our Kings have at their pleasures compell'd such persons who held a whole Knights Fee or so much Land whose annual value as aforesaid answered thereto to take this Dignity upon them and to that purpose sent forth their Mandates in Writs directed to the Sheriffs of each County to make Proclamation That all those within their several Bailiwicks who were of full age and had one whole Knights Fee and were not Knighted should appear before the King on a certain day in the Writ set down ready fitted and prepared to receive the Honor of Knighthood Sometimes these Writs included both such as were possest of Lands worth Twenty pounds per annum and such as held a whole Knights Fee valued at that annual sum but the yearly value set by the King was not always certain for sometimes we find it to be fifteen pounds then twenty pounds at other times thirty pounds then forty pounds and sometimes fifty pounds Anno 40. Hen. 3. The Sheriffs in England were amerced because they had not distrained all those who had such Estates in Land as the Law limited to take the Order of Knighthood or otherwise to pay their Fines and we observe the Command in the Kings Writ to be now and then accompanied with much severity in case the Sheriff should be negligent in the discharge of his duty or connive with any for lucre of a Bribe as appears in that directed to the Sheriff of Northamptonshire the words whereof are Rex Vicecom Northt salutem Praecipimus tibi quod sicut teipsum omnia tua diligis omnes illos in Rallivatua qui habeant viginti libratas terrae distringas quod se Milites faciendos citra Nativitatem Sancti Iohannis Baptistae proximè futur Sciturus pro certo quod si pro munere vel aliqua occasione aliquam relaxationem eis feceris vel aliquem respectum dederis Nos ita graviter ad te capiemus quod omnibus diebus vitae tuae te senties esse gravatum T. R. apud Wyndesor decimo quarto die Aprilis Where upon appearance after such Proclamation a reasonable or lawful excuse hath been alledged as old age irrecoverable weakness loss of Limbs being in holy Orders or the like whereby the Body was wholly disabled to perform personal service there the allegations have been admitted by the King the persons acquitted and by Letters Patents exempted from taking this Military Order during life But there were many other causes and reasons which usually obtained a suspension for some certain time besides those set down in the Act of Parliament Anno 1. E. 2. as where a man was at present greatly indebted or bound to attend some necessary employment as a Serjeant at Law in the Common Pleas Court for which nevertheless the party suing for such favour paid a Fine and therefore in some Writs we have seen a clause added to give
more than one Order at a time if it be of a religious Constitution and whensoever he obtains leave to change that Order he cannot be received into another without relinquishing the former Ordo Disciplinarum in Austria 32. Bohemia saith Micheli finding it self very much endangered by Turks and Hereticks the Kings thereof instituted this Order to suppress or at least to keep them under and to secure the Confines of that Kingdom But I suppose this Author means Austria in regard it appears immediately before to have been conferr'd by the Dukes of that Country The Collar of the Order had a White Eagle hanging thereat This and the former Order together with that of the Dragon in Hungary are said to have flourished in Germany in the Reigns of the Emperors Sigismund and Albert. Ordo de la Scama in Castile 33. This Order received Institution from Iohn the Second King of Castile about the year of our Lord 1420. to perswade and stir up his Nobility to fight against the Moors For he being overcharged with War designed this Order chiefly to awaken their courage for the defence of his and their own Estates which afterwards upon all occasions they performed so well and gave so great demonstrations of their Valour that in a short time the Moors were vanquished What their symbol or Ensign was or the reason of the Title de la Scama hapned to be so far worn out that Hieronymus Romanus who wrote the life of this King Iohn professeth he knew not what was meant or intended by it though he had been very diligent in the search thereof Yet Ios. Micheli informs us that their Ensign was a Cross composed of Scales of Fishes which does plainly enough demonstrate it to be derived from the Latin word Squama from whence comes the Spanish word Scama that signifies the Scale of a Fish Some that speak of this Order say nothing as to its beginning being ignorant of the Founder but it is generally believed to be Instituted by the foresaid King Iohn in whose time it flourished insomuch as there were few of his Nobility but were also Knights thereof The duty to which they were obliged was to defend the Kingdom of Castile against the Moors and to dye in defence of the Christian Faith besides which upon every occasion when the King went out to War they march'd before him Their Priviledges were given them by King Iohn as also Statutes and Rules to be governed by Upon whose death the splendor of this Order was eclipsed as many times it hath fared with other Foundations in the like case the Successors wanting the zeal and love for their continuance equal to that of the Founders for their Institution The Order of Knights of the Golden Fleece in Flanders 34. Philip the Second Duke of Burgundy of the second and last Line issuing out of the House of France surnamed the Good instituted this Order under the Title of the Golden Fleece in memory of the great Revenues he raised by the traffick of Woolls with the Low Countries Some will have it erected in commemoration of valiant Gideon who with 300 men vanquished a numerous Army of Midianites Or else according to others the Founder followed the example of Iason and his Argonautes whose Expedition to Colchus against Actes he perhaps might intend to imitate by a Voyage into Syria against the Turk Whatsoever the occasion was 't is certain from the preamble of the Statutes of Institution that this Duke out of the perfect love he bore to the noble estate of Knighthood founded this Order to the glory of the Almighty Creator and Redeemer in reverence of the Virgin Mary and honor of St. Andrew the Apostle and Martyr whom he made Patron thereunto to the advancement of the holy Faith the service of the Catholick Church and promoting of Virtue For the maintaining and upholding of which and for the increase of honor and fair renown no less than the correction of Vice several good orders set down in the Institution are appointed to be observed at the Chapter held on the last day of every Annual Feast of the Order The day of Institution was the 10. of Ianuary anno Dom. 1429. on which very day the Founder solemnized his Marriage with Elizabeth Daughter to Iohn King of Portugal in the City of Bruges in Flanders The number of Knights first chosen were 24. beside the Duke Chief and Supream who reserved to himself the nomination of six more at the next Chapter But Charles the Fifth anno 1516. encreased them to fifty And though the Founder at first resolved upon the Feast of St. Andrew annually for holding the solemnities of the Order nevertheless in consideration of the shortness of the days at that time of the year and how troublesome it would prove especially to aged Knights who lived at great distance to take a Journey in so cold a season it was afterwards ordained that the Grand Feast and General Assembly should be kept from three years to three years on the first of May in such place as the Sovereign of the Order should beforehand give competent notice of As to the Habit it was at first ordained that at the Grand Solemnity the Knights should wear three different Mantles to wit the first day of the Feast of Scarlet Cloth richly embroidered about the lower end with Flints struck into sparks of Fire and Fleeces with Chaperons of the same and the same day after Dinner to proceed to Vespers in Mantles of Black and black Chaperons The day following the Knights were to hear the grand Mass of our Lady clad as should seem good to themselves But Duke Charles Son to the Founder appointed them Mantles of White Damask for that days Ceremony and changed their Cloth Mantles into Velvet The great Collar is composed of double Fusils interwoven of equal bigness in form of the Letter B. with Flint-stones seeming to strike fire and sparkles of fire between them at the end whereof doth hang the resemblance of a Fleece of Gold enamelled in its proper Colours These Fusils are placed back to back two and two together thereby representing the Letter B both ways intending to signifie Bourgoigne they are also intermingled with Flint-stones in reference to the Arms of the ancient Kings of Bourgoigne but it was the devise of the Founder to ingirt them with sparkles and flames of fire To the Flint Paradine in his Heroical Devises ascribes this Motto Ante Ferit quam Flamma micet and to the Fleece this Pretium non vile laboris The Iewel is ordinarily worn in a double Chainet or Males of Gold linked together at convenient distances between which runs a small Red Ribbon and so is Philip the Fourth King of Spain representeâ— wearing his Jewel in a Picture at full length hanging in his Majesty's Gallery at Whitehall or otherwise it is worn
is called Turris de London both which are so termed in a Charter of Peace between King Stephen and Duke Henry afterwards King of England by the Title of Henry the Second and this word Mota is here used for what the French call Mote or Motte being the same with Collis or Colliculus and Meta in Latin viz. a little Hill Within this Castle was King Edward the Third born whence commonly called Edward of Windesor and received his Baptism in the old Chappel The native affection he bore to this place was exceeding great insomuch as he constituted it the Head and Seat of that most noble Order of the Garter whereof himself became the most renowned Founder in honor to which he there also founded the Colledge of the Chappel of St. George and much enlarged and beautified the Castle To this work he appointed several Surveyors whom he assigned to press Hewers of Stone Carpenters and such other Artificers as were thought useful and necessary so also to provide Stone Timber and other materials and Carriages for them among these Surveyors we find remembred Iohn Peyntour Richard de Rochell William de Hurle William de Herland Robert de Bernham and some others And to the end this great undertaking might be honestly and substantially performed the King assigned Iohn Brocas Oliver de Burdeux and Thomas de Foxle jointly and severally with all care and diligence at least together once a Month to survey the Workmen and their works and to encourage such as did their duty competently well but to compel others that were idle and slothful He afterwards commissionated Iohn de Alkeshull and Walter Palmer to provide Stone Timber Lead Iron and all other necessaries for the work and to imprest Carriages for their conveyance to Windesor William de Wyckham who attained to the Dignity of Bishop of Winchester and was the second Prelate of the Garter had a Supervisor's or Surveyor's place granted to him by Letters Patents bearing Teste at Westminster the thirtieth of October anno 30. E. 3. He had like powers given him with those Surveyors first above-named and a grant of the same Fee as had been formerly allowed to Robert de Bernham viz. One shilling a day while he stayed at Windesor in his employment two shillings a day when he went elsewhere about that affair and three shillings a week for his Clerk which like allowances had been first of all made to Richard de Rochell Afterwards he had bestowed upon him the chief custody and surveyorship of this Castle of the Mannors of Old and New Windesor and of several other Castles Mannors and Houses enumerated in his Letters Patents with power to appoint and dispose of all Workmen buy necessaries for Reparation provide Carpenters Masons and other Artificers Stone Timber c. and in those Mannors to hold Leets and other Courts Pleas of Trespass and Misdemeanors to enquire of the Kings liberties rights and all things appertaining thereunto It may be presumed that about the thirty fourth year of this Kings Reign the most considerable enlargement of the Castle was made seeing there were then great store of the best Diggers and Hewers of Stone imprest in London and out of divers Counties in England by virtue of Writs directed to several Sheriffs dated the 14. of April in that year with command to send them to Windesor by the Sunday next after the Feast of St. George at the furthest there to be employed at the Kings Wages so long as was necessary viz. London 40 Essex and Hertford 40 Wilts 40 Leycest and Worcest 40 Cambridge and Huntingd. 40 Kent 40 Gloucester 40 Somerset and Devon 40 Northampton 40 Herewith the Sheriffs were commanded to take sufficient security of these Workmen not to depart from Windesor without the License of William de Wyckham who was appointed to return the same Securities into the Court of Chancery and all this under the penalty of one hundred pounds to each respective Sheriff And because divers of these Workmen for gain and advantage had afterwards clandestinely lest Windesor and were entertained by other persons upon greater Wages to the Kings great damage and manifest retarding of his Work Writs were therefore directed to the Sheriffs of London with command to make Proclamation to inhibit any person whether Clerk or Layman under forfeiture of all they had forfeitable for employing or retaining any of them as also to arrest such as had so run away and commit them to Newgate and from time to time to return their names into the Chancery But a great number of them dying of the great Pestilence other Writs issued 30. of March anno 36. E. 3. to the Sheriffs of several Counties not of the former number That under the penalty of two hundred pounds apiece they should send to Windesor able and skilful Masons and Diggers of Stone to be there on Sunday the Utas of Easter at furthest to be employed in the Works namely to the Sheriffs of York 60 Derby 24 Salop. 60 Hereford 50 Nottingham 24 Lancaster 24 Devon 60 It was the thirty seventh year of this King or e're the Buildings were ready for Glasing and then Henry de Stamerne and Iohn Brampton were employed to buy Glass in all places of the Kingdom where it was to be sold to press four and twenty Glasiers and convey them to London to work there at the Kings Wages and twelve Glasiers for Windesor to be employed in like manner within the Castle In this year also the work went effectually on as may be guess'd from the great store of Workmen prest for this service as also Carriages for Stone and Timber much of the Stone being digg'd out of the Quarries of Wellesford Helwell and Careby and the next year not only in these but in the Quarries of Heseleberg and Demelby and the following year out of the Quarry of Melton From hence to the forty third year of this Kings Reign we find Artificers were yearly prest and the buildings of the Castle seriously pursued but after we meet with nothing in that kind mentioned to be done until the eight and fortieth year and thence not any thing during his Reign So that it s to be presumed this famous piece for magnificence and strength was for the greatest part finished in his said forty third year that is to say the Kings Palace the great Hall of St. George the Lodgings on the East and South side of the upper Baily or Ward the Keep or Tower in the middle Ward the Chappel of St. George the Houses for the Custos and Canons in the lower Ward together with the whole circumference of the Walls and their several Towers and Gates as now they stand In succeeding times some other additions were made to the buildings within the Castle in particular King Henry the Seventh added that stately Fabrick adjoining to the Kings Lodgings in the
designed for the Duke wither he conducted as aforesaid followed after that he and the two Knights-Companions had also made their usual Reverences in the middle of the Choire for the Croud was so great through the concourse of People to this grand Festival that the Knights-Companions could not pass into the lower row of Stalls with the Duke being the usual place for the Elect-Knight to be brought unto but were necessitated to invest him below in the Choire After the Duke was Invested and Installed the Proceeding ordered in all points as before went again to the Chapter-house and brought the Duke of Buckingham into the Choire where he received his Installation in the manner aforesaid But the day being far spent and these Proceedings to and from the Chapter-house taking up much time the Soveraign to shorten the Ceremony commanded that with the next Proceeding all the rest of the Elect-Knights being eight beside two Proxies should be introduced at once which command being obeyed and each Elect-Knight placed before his Stall they took the Oath received their Investiture were led up to their Stalls and took possession of them by a solemn Installation And in regard so many Elect-Knights were introduced together it was thought fit because necessary that their Mantles and Collars should be also brought in the Proceeding and to effect this each Knight-Elect appointed one of the Gentlemen that attended on him to bear the Cushen whereon his Mantle and Collar were laid before him to the Choire door which was accordingly done and where they stood holding them in their arms until Garter had in due order as they were to be made use of fetched them into the Choire And here we may insert this general Rule That at all Installations where some of the Elect-Knights are not sent for in to the Chapter-house to receive investiture with the Surcoat before the senior Elect-Knight hath been conducted to his Stall but left to repose themselves in the East Isle of the Chappel during his Installation as hath many times happened the Knights-Commissioners or Assistants upon their return to the Chapter-house send Garter for the next senior Elect-Knight whom they receive at the door thereof and having invested him with his Surcoat and girt his Sword about him proceed with him to his Installation in the usual order and the same method is observed if there be more Elect-Knights that wait their calling into the Chapter-house And thus we find it practised to Sir Thomas Cheney and Sir William Kingston an 30. H. 8. after the Knights-Assistants had returned from the Installation of the Lord Russell and to the Earl of Penbroke as soon as the Knights-Commissioners had installed the Earl of Derby an 16. Eliz. as also to the Earl of Cumberland when the Commissioners returned from the Installation of the Earl of Shrewsbury an 34. Eliz. and lastly to the Earl of Morton after the Earl of Danby had received his Stall an 10. Car. 1. The Knight or Knights having now received a compleat Installation the Knights-Commissioners Knights-Assistants or Knights-Companions with all civil respect take their leaves of the last installed Knight and descend into the Choire and with usual Reverences take their own Stalls but the senior Knight-Companion ascends first Where note if the Stalls of the Commissioners or Assistants or Knights-Companions be on the same side with the last installed Knight they then descend not into the Choire but after their Reverences made above pass directly to them along the Stalls and this we find done by the Lord Howard of Essingham and the Earl of Ormond an 34. Eliz. when they had finished the Installation of the Earl of Cumberland The Ceremonies and Circumstances of Installation being finished the Officers of Arms first next the Alms-Knights descend from the Steps of the Altar and take their several stations in the Choire Then one of the Prebends of the Colledge but if the Soveraign be present the Prelate with the Serjcant of the Vestry before him is conducted to the Altar by the Verger of the Chappel and there begins the Service appointed by the Church which being finished the Proceeding passeth out of the Choire in the usual order the new installed Knight being ranked according to his Stall either to the Presence Chamber or the Lieutenants or Commissioners Lodgings as the occasion is SECT IX The Offring of Gold and Silver BUT if the Installation be solemnized in the morning the Service of the Church having proceeded as far as the Offertory two of the Prebends appointed to receive the Offring are conducted to the Altar by their Verger and forthwith first the Alms-Knights and then the Officers of Arms ascend again to the steps of the Altar and flank on each side as before After this Garter summons down the Knights-Companions to the Offering who descend with usual Reverences and stand in the Choire under their proper Stalls whilst the Soveraign's Lieutenant descends from his Stall and offers first for the Soveraign he receiving the Bezant from the senior Knight and then returns to his Stall And at this instant was the usual time heretofore for offring the defunct Knights Atchievements which by King Iames his appointment was altered and ordained to be performed before the Elect-Knights were installed of which we shall speak anon The Lieutenant after a short stay in his Stall descends again and proceeds up to the Altar to make his own Offring both of Gold and Silver and then returns and after him do the rest of the Knights-Companions including those newly installed offer in their due order the circumstances we shall largely set down in our discourse upon the offring on the Grand Feast-day But when the Installation passeth by Commissioners there is then no Offring made for the Soveraign but the commissioners offer first beginning with the two Seniors and after them the other Knights-Companions in their due order The Ceremony of Offring at the Installation of Philip King of Castile an 22. H. 7. is remarkable and therefore we shall note it here For he descending from his Stall into the Choire and standing before it as the other Knights-Companions did the Soveraign left his royal Stall and hastned down to proced to the Offring to which the King would have followed this the Soveraign would not permit but obliged the King to proceed along with him on his left hand though he desired to perform his duty as a Brother of the Order and Knight-Companion so that at last they both made their Offrings so neer together that though the Soveraign had the precedence yet was it hardly observable SECT X. Of the Grand Dinner at the Installation ON the day of Installation there hath from ancient time been accustomably prepared a very sumptuous and noble Feast and though it was agreed on in Chapter an 3. E. 6. That the Knights-Elect from thenceforth might be installed by Commission without a Feast yet
one of the Earl of Winâ—helsey's Gentlemen SECT XIII The Dinner WHen the Installation hath past in the morning there hath usually been prepared a great Dinner at the Soveraign's charge we shall need here only to mention such particulars as are peculiar to the Proxie of a Stranger or different from the Instances set down in our discourse of this particular in the Personal Installation of a Knight-Companion And first before Dinner if the Installation pass by Commissioners the Proxie representing the State of his Principal shall wash alone he shall sit at the chief place of the Table and alone and shall be served alone but the other Knights-Commissioners shall sit at the end of the Table Thus was it observed at the Installation of Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria an 14. H. 8. and of Francis the French King an 19. H. 8. for when the later of these was Installed the Dinner was held at the Deans-house and his Proctor washed alone and sat down to Dinner in a Chair nor did any of the Knights-Commissioners sit at his Mess. The services were all performed to him in every particular as though his Principal had been present saving his Cloth of State The Lord Marquess of Exceter and all the other Knights-Companions having first washed sat on both sides the same Table yet beneath the Proctor and in their whole Habits of the Order The Dinner was likewise prepared in the Dean's great Chamber at the Installation of Charles the Ninth the French King whose Proctor was served with Water and a Towel by the Earl of Southampton and Lord Herbert Sir Iohn Radcliff performed the Office of Sewer Henry Brooks alias Cobham Esq was Carver and Mr. Francis Hervy Cupbearer This Proctor had a Cloth of State allowed him under which he sat at Dinner the Mantle lying by him all the while on a Stool and Cushen at the Tables end on the right hand sat the four Commissioners in their Robes being served apart from the Proctor But if the Soveraign's Lieutenant be present the Proctor dines at the same Table with him and then a little before the second course is brought in is the Soveraign's Stile proclaimed in Latin French and English with usual Ceremony but otherwise only the Stile of the new Installed Prince and but once The Stile and Titles of Christian the Fourth King of Denmark were proclaimed in Latin and of Maurice of Orange in French Dinner being ended all rise in order and wash first the Proxie alone and after him the Knights-Commissioners and thence they accompany the Proctor to his Chamber where having left him they retire to their own Lodgings and there put off their Habits The Proctor to Charles the Ninth took the Mantle of his Principal on his arm into his Chamber when he rose from Dinner and there delivered it to Garter So soon as the Solemnity of Installation is over the Proctor is to take care that Garter forthwith set up the Atchievements of his Principal over his Stall and fix the Plate of his Arms upon the back thereof in memorial of the Honor done him by this Ceremony of Inauguration into the most Noble and most Honorable Order of the Garter And sometimes we find the Proxie hath upon his request obtained an Instrument under the Sign manual of the Soveraign and Seal of the Order attesting his being conducted to St. George's Chappel at Windesor and placed in and taken possession of the Seat assigned to his Principal in whose name he hath also taken the Oath attested by his subscription and performed all the Ceremonies in due form as the Statutes direct for so did the Sieur de Chastes Proctor to the French King Henry the Fourth an 42. Eliz. In close of all let us here remember that the present King of Sweden against his late Installation caused both Gold and Silver Medals to be made in memory of that Solemnity and to perpetuate the honor so received Those of Gold were bestowed upon the Knights-Companions present and other persons of quality and those of Silver distributed among some of the Officers attending at the Installation and others The Devise was sutable to the occasion and present interest of both Kings as may be observed from the Representation here exhibited CHAP. XVII THE Duties and Fees PAYABLE BY THE KNIGHTS COMPANIONS AT THEIR Installations SECT I. Touching the Fees due to the Colledge of Windesor SUch was the piety and bounty of our Ancestors that they thought no work well performed without being attended with some charitable donation especially if it had relation to the Church whereunto they generally bore a venerable esteem Hence was it at the Installation of this Order ordained That every Knight-Companion should at his entrance bestow a certain sum of money according to his quality and degree That is to say  l. s. d. The Soveraign of the Order 26 13 4 A Stranger-King 20 0 0 The Prince of Wales 13 6 8 Every Duke 10 0 0 Every Earl 6 13 4 Every Baron 5 0 0 Every Knight-Batchelor 3 6 8 What use these sums were employed in and how distributed appears by the appointment there set down viz. Towards the relief of the Canons of Windesor the Alms-Knights and augmentation of the Alms deeds there appointed perpetually to be done To the end That every one entring â—nto this Military Order might thereby more worthily obtain the Name Title and Priviledge of one of the Founders of the order It being supposed a worthy and just thing that whosoever obtained this Priviledge should add some small increment to this Founâ—ation Not long after establishing the Statutes of Institution the Titles of Marquess and Viscount came to be special dignities for Robert Vere Earl of Oxford was the first among us who as a distinct dignity received the title of Marquess the first of December an 9. R. 2. and Iohn Lord Beaumont the first here also that had the Title of Viscount conferred on him as a distinct Title of Honor the 12. of February an 18. H. 6. And whereas both these Degrees of Honor at their Creations were setled as intermediate the first between a Duke and an Earl for so saith the Roll where it speaks of the Marquess his precedency the Marquess was commanded to sit among the Peers in Parliament in a higher place than his Degree as Earl of Oxford could justly challenge viz. between Dukes and Earls and the Viscount between Earls and Barons as the said Viscount Beaumont is by his first Patent ranked to wit above all Barons and afterwards in another Patent to render his place more certain and apparent above all Viscounts afterwards made and created and before and above the Heirs and Sons of Earls and immediately and next to Eâ—rls both in all Parliaments Councils and other Places Upon these grounds and sutable to
the Registers and from the Commissions themselves For instance The before recited Deputations made to Iohn Duke of Bedford an 4. H. 6. is said to be done by a sufficient Commission delivered unto him under the Common Seal of the Order So an 8. H. 6. Humfry Duke of Gloucester c. was deputed by a certain Commission signed by the Soveraign under the Common Seal And for holding the Feast an 1. E. 4. Viscount Bourghier was also Deputed by the Soveraign By a fit and suâ—â—icient Commission So also the Earl of Essex an 14. E. 4. by the authority of the Soveraigns Commission In like manner an 18. E. 4. The Lord Dudley was assigned by vertue of the Soveraigns Commission to observe the yearly Feast of St. George and to perform all things according to custom It may be further observed that the Commissions of Lieutenancy as ancient as the Reign of King Henry the Eighth are said in the close to issue forth under the Seal of this most Noble Order So was that to the Duke of Norfolk an 17. H. 8. And also that other to the Marquess of Exceter an 20. H. 8. which runneth thus Yeoven under the Seal of Our Garter c. and according to the Modern expression Given under the Seal c. These Commissions of Lieutenancy an 14. Eliz. and the six following years run under the title of Letters Patent and are so called in the Blue Book but how justly is to be questioned For in one of these Commissions made to the Earl of Lincoln an 15. of the said Queen the conclusion is the same with those other Commissions of like nature of former years viz. Yeoven under the Seal of Our Order at c. and wanteth that Clause or conclusive period from which such instruments as we are informed derive the name of Letters Patent to wit In cujus rei testimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Again an 12. Eliz. and for seven years after we observe from the said Blue Book that this Officer was made with the consent of all the Knights-Companions a Phrase much like that used elswhere touching the Election of Knights as hath been before taken notice of But if duely examined we shall find this expression of no more strength to entitle the Knights-Companions to a joynt power with the Soveraign for the constituting of a Lieutenant than the other is to make them Coelectors where though something requisite to the obtaining of their consent may seem to be implied in the aforesaid words yet we conceive those expressions were used by the Register as of his own choice rather than such as the Law of the Order will allow of The Dignity of this Officer as he represents the Soveraign's person and supplies his place is very great Which that we may the better set forth we shall distinguish the Honors annexed to this eminent Place as they are essential and necessarily consequent thereto or personal that is such as may additionally be conferred upon him at the pleasure of the Soveraign That this Officer as an essential Honor to his Place hath from ancient time had some of the Knights-Companions assigned him for his Assistants during the whole Feast is evident enough throughout the Registers yet the first mention of Assistants as to the Title particularly given unto such persons we find in the Registrum Chartaceum in the Decree made at a Chapter called at Eltham on St. George's day an 8. H. 8. wherein after the Anniversary of the Grand Feast had been appointed to be observed at Windsor upon the 25. of May then next ensuing and the Marquess of Dorset nominated the Soveraign's Lieutenant the Earl of Essex the Lord de la Ware the Lord Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell were appointed Assistants to the said Marquess Another instance in the same Register concerning the celebration of the Grand Feast at Windesor the following year upon the 10. day of May the Earl of Arundel being appointed Lieutenant affirms that the Lords de la Ware and Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell and Sir Henry Marney were also appointed Assistants to the said Earl The number of Assistants were in those times uncertain here above we see they were four Anno 21. H. 8. we find but three and afterwards an 32. H. 8. they were reduced unto two which number following times exceeded not except once and that was the last year of the aforesaid King when there were three appointed These Assistants were always appointed in Chapter when the Lieutenant himself was Nominated and afterwards had Letters of notice sent to each of them from the Soveraign requiring their repair to Windesor a Transcript whereof see in the Appendix of which form have we seen several other Letters sent upon the same occasion to each of the Assistants after they had been appointed to the said Service And as before we have noted in the case of Lieutenants themselves it hath sometimes chanced that others were afterwards upon occasion put in the places of those first named so here amongst the Assistants it hath in like manner hapned for the Lord Poynings an 8. H. 8. by the Soveraign's Commission was appointed Assistant to the Lieutenant in the room of the Earl of Essex who had been before nominated And the Earl of Rutland being named one of the Assistants an 22. H. 8. was afterwards excused by the Kings Letters whose place the Lord Montjoy executed So an 29. H. 8. the aforesaid Earl of Rutland falling sick after the time of his nomination and before the approach of the Feast day the Earl of Sussex was substituted Assistant in his place And sometimes a Quorum of Assistants have been nominated as an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. in case some of them should be absent for the Lord Pagit the Lord Clynton the Lord Howard of Effingham and Sir Edward Hastings having been appointed Assistants to attend the Lieutenant at the following Feast it is added that at least any two of them who at that time were neerest to the Kings Court should be there present to assist the Soveraign's Deputy according to his Majesties pleasure as the Custom and their duty obliged Another Honor essential to the Dignity of the Lieutenant is that the Soveraign layes an Injunction upon the rest of the Knights-Companions then present to yield Assistance and Obedience to him in all things as if himself were personally present For so is it enjoyned by the Commission to the aforesaid Iohn Duke of Bedford And generally all Forms of Commissions since close with such like Injunctions of Obedience in the execution of the Soveraign's Authority To these Honors before spoken of we might add some other of the like nature viz. that this great Officer possesseth the Soveraigns Place in all Proceedings and at the Table that he hath his Train carried up that a Reverence is given
the Ordre at the Church dore took their Mantles and entred the Quere and stood before their Stalls till the Soveraign had Offred and retorned to his Stall then every Knight offered according to his as by the Statute is ordained and entred their Stallys which was a long Ceremony or ever they had all offered because of the great number of Knights that then was present which were 19 in number besides the Soveraign The Offring Doon the Soveraign and all the foresaid Knights of the Ordre putting of their Mantles at the Church Dore with the Prelate and odre Officers of the Ordre as the Register King of Armes and Huishier of the Ordre called the Black Rodd borne by Sir William Compton according to his Office of Hueshier all thes rode before the King from the Colledge unto the Quadrate of the Castle and so conveyed his highness to his Lodging The King had attendant on him all his Officers of Armes wearing their Coats of Armes and all his Trumpetts which blew the Entry of the King all the tyme of the said Entry The Lord Mountague Henry Poole hare the Sword before the King and Garter King of Armes rode next before the Sword and Sir William Compton rode on his left hand bearing the Black Rodd Another Cavalcade offers it selfe here namely that of King Philip and Queene Mary who after the Marriage solemnized betweene them at Winchester the 15. of July 1554. arived at Windesor the 3. of Aug. following where at the nether end of Pescod-street they were met by the Major of Windesor and his Brethren and thence the Trumpets sounding they Proceeded with the Officers of Arms before them into thâ— Castle till they arrived at the West door of the Chapell where was prepared a Form with Carpets and Cushons and at their entry the Byshop of Winchester sensed them The Queene having received the Mantle of the Order with a reverential kiss from the Earl of Derby and Penbroke to whom it had been presented by the Register of the Order put it upon the King assisted by the said Earles the Earls of Arundell and Penbroke receiving the Collar of the Order from Garter presented it to the Queene with the like Ceremony as was the Mantle who put it about the Kings Neck Then all the Knights Companions put on their Mantles within the Chapell Dore and Proceeded into the Choire and stood before their Stalls according to ancient Order Then the Queene went into her Stall taking the King by the Hand and setting him in the same Stall with her and after a little space they both descended and Proceeded up to the High Altar the Queene keeping the right hand and there Offred after which they retorned to their Stall where they reposed themselves while all the Knights Companions present did Offer according to their Degree and had taken their Stalls according to their ancient Custome Then was Te Deum and de Profundis sung which being finished they came all downe from their Stalls and Proceeded to the Chapter House Dore where the King and all the Knights Companions put off their Mantles and imediately going out of the Chapell they tooke their Horses at the Chapell Dore and Proceeded in Order up to the Castle where they reposed themselves that night In the last place we may properly add the duty of the Colledge of the royal Chappel of St. George touching their Reception of the Soveraign upon special occasions to wit the manner to be observed by them in their Proceeding to meet the Soveraign of the Order at his first coming thither in his royal State or in his return after some great Victory or extraordinary Action performed or some Foreign or unwonted Atchievement according to the most decent manner there observed by the most invincible Prince King Henry the Fifth in the 9. year of his Reign at which time he ordained that this his Ceremonial should be firmly observed for ever in the like cases The same in effect is also appointed by King Henry the Eighth only the direction is put into other words and where the title of Custos is in the former Precedent used in the latter that of the Dean is inserted instead thereof and is as followeth In the first place a Form or Bench decently adorned being placed after the usual manner in the midst between the Chappel of the Colledge and the uttermost gate of the Castle the Custos and Canons are there to meet with all the Officers of the Colledge each in their proper order and Habits having a handsom Cross carried before them with two Torch-bearers and two Censers The Register of the Order bearing the Kings Mantle is to present it to his Majesty who being therewith invested by the Custos assisted by the senior Canon the King is to be Censed five times and then taking the Cross to kiss from the hand of the Custos or some one of the more eminent Prelates then present he is to be conducted in way of Procession to the Chappel the Knights-Companions present vested with their Mantles going orderly immediately before the King until he hath arrived at the Faldstool before the high Altar for that purpose adorned and there kneeling till the end of the Responsory to be sung by the Choire at his arrival by appointment of the Praecentor to wit Honor Virtus or some such like answerable to the Affair in hand with a Prayer also correspondant And then kissing the venerable part of the Cross of our Lord and the Heart of St. George he is to offer and then to betake himself to his Stall and there to sit till the Knights of the Order have also offered each in their turns and placed themselves again in their Stalls and until the Anthem De Profundis hath been sung by the Canons with the accustomed Prayers then the Knights-Companions are to descend from their Stalls into the Choire each of them bowing himself towards the Altar every time they so come down and thence proceed through the middle of the Choire unto the place where the Chapter is to be celebrated at the hour of Tierce the Soveraign of the Order following in the last place as in all other Processions and consequently in his absence his Deputy doing the same These things thus performed they are to get up on Horseback and conduct the Soveraign into the place appointed by the Statutes and the Proceeding being finished the Bells are to ring at convenient seasons As touching Ecclesiastical Processions they are of great antiquity in the Christian Church some are ordinary and stative other extraordinary or indictive The Ordinary are those celebrated on Ascension-day mentioned by St. Chrisostom and on the Purification by St. Austin Rabanus St. Bernard and divers others The Extraordinary are commanded and appointed by authority on several occasions such was that which Sozimus makes mention of at the translation of the Reliques of St. Miletus So also that of the
up the long Carpet spread for the Knights to kneel on close to the foreside of the Altar which done the Provincial Kings Heralds and â—ursuivants next and last of all the Alms-Knights make their Reverences and pass down into the Choire and take their stands before the Stalls where they remain until the Prelate hath finished the Second Service and then the Prelate conducted by the Serjeant of the Vestry comes down from the Altar with his accustomed Reverences to his Seat After whom the two Prebends are brought down by the Verger of the Châ—ppel who make a Reverence towards the Altar before they descend next a double Reverence below the first Haut Pas and lastly another towards the lower end of the Choire and so take their Seats SECT VI. The Return to the Presence IMmediately after all prepare to pass out of the Choire and to proceed back to the Presence-Chamber which is done in every point and circumstance as is set down to have been observed in the Soveraigns return from the first Vespers That is to say The Alms-Knights ascend to the Rails before the Altar and divide themselves on either side The Pursuivants Heralds and Provincial Kings pass up to their usual station on the Haut Pas's before the Altar and there divide themselves likewise Then Garter summons down the Knights-Companions who orderly descend into the Choire Next the Officers of the Order stand up before their Forms All this being done The Alms-Knights descend and pass out of the Choire The Prebends follow Next the Officers of Arms. Then the Knights-Companions After them the Black Rod Garter and Register Next the Chancellor and Prelate Then the Sword and lastly The Soveraign himself being attended as when he entred the Choire at the Choire door he is received under the Canopy by the Gentlemen that bear it and from whence the Band of Pensioners follow his person The Proceeding passeth on through the South door of the Chappel and here the Trumpets are taken in and placed before the Alms-Knights who found all the way up till they arrive at the stairs foot going up to the Guard-Chamber and assoon as they cease the Drums and Fises begin to beat and play Thence the Proceeding passeth into the Presence-Chamber whither it first ought to go before the Soveraign pass into the Great Hall to Dinner and being there arrived the Knights-Companions take their stands as usually and after the Soveraign's salutation and their Reverences the Soveraign retires into the Privy-Chamber for a little while and the Knights likewise retire themselves till notice be given that Dinner is ready When the Feast was heretofore held at Whitehall the return of the Soveraign or his Lieutenant and Knights-Companions from the second Morning Service on the Feast day was through the great Hall and Guard-Chamber into the Presence and thence they retired into the Privy Lodgings till Dinner was ready But since the Grand Dinner hath been prepared in the Banquetting house there the Proceeding hath passed from the Chappel through the said great Hall over the Terrace while it stood and since from the Chappel up the Stairs into the Guard-Chamber down into the Great Court and so through the covered Walk into the said Room where being entred and the Soveraign arrived neer the State after Salutation and Reverences made as usually done in the Presence-Chamber the Soveraign and Knights-Companions retired till Dinner was ready and hereupon in this Room now as formerly in the Presence doth the Proceeding from the Chappel take its termination SECT VII Of the Dinner on the Feast Day THE Soveraign and Knights-Companions having for a while retired after their return from Morning Service on the Feast day they make ready to go into St. George's Hall to Dinner where all things are prepared against their coming But more particularly the Soveraign's Proceeding to the Hall is when he hath notice given him that the first Mess is set upon his Table the Dishes being brought up in the following order Wind Instruments from the Gallery at the lower end of the Hall where the rest of the Soveraign's Musick is placed sounding all the while 4 Serjeants at Arms two and two Controller Treasurer Sewer The Messes carried up by the Pensioners Master of the Houshold A Clerk Controller Second Clerk of the Kitchin Cofserer A Clerk Controller Chief Clerk of the Kitchin But in the Plate representing the Soveraign's sitting at Dinner the Serjeants at Arms and Clerks that usually follow the Messes are omitted for want of room This Dinner hath several Names given to it in the Registers of the Order all describing and setting forth its magnificence as Mensa splendida Regium Eputum Epulum solenne and the like and for the Provisions made for it they are said to be most costly and delicate compleatly royal and set forth with all befitting state and grandeur Upon the foresaid notice the Soveraign and Knights-Companions come forth of the Privy-Lodgings into the Presence-Chamber with the Officers of the Order before him and passeth to the middle of the State where turning about he makes a stand while the Knights place themselves on either side in their usual order the Officers of the Order retiring a little on the one side and on the other And assoon as the Knights-Companions have put themselves into rank and ordâ—r they make their Reverences to the Soveraign according to the usual manner who thereupon re-salutes them as is accustomed It seems the Prebends of the Colledge had in King Henry the Eighth's Reign discontinued the duty of their attendance on the Soveraign aswell at the Grand Dinner as at other the Services of the day which caused an Order to pass for the performance of their accustomed services particularly at such times for at a Chapter holden at Windesor the 12. day of May the 24 year of the said King it was Ordained by the Earl of Arundel then being the Kings Lieutenant with the assent and advice of the Knights of the Order there present That the Canons of the Colledge of Saint George being present at the Feast should have their Mantles according to the Statutes of the Order and give their attendance the day of the Feast as well at Dinner and Grace as at other the Divine Service and as of old time hath been accustomed in avoiding the displeasures of c. Immediately after the Knights-Companions have made their Reverences the Alms-Knights Prebends and Officers of Arms pass on before the Knights-Companions through the Guard-Chamber into St. George's Hall the Officers of the Order following after whom comes the Soveraign having his Train carried up as at other times And being entred a little way therein the Alms-Knights first next the Prebends and then the Officers of Arms fall off one after another on the side opposite to the Knights-Companions Table Clarenceux neerest to the State Then the two junior Knights pass a little above Clarenceux and
course two and two perform the rest in manner before described but the Pursuivants at Arms do no part of this duty only the Provincial Kings and Heralds each in their turns and by couples When there are the Atchievements of several Knights to be offered and that the junior Heralds have done their duty the Provincial Kings begin again and so continue the course till all the Atchievements be offered the Organs playing while the Offering lasteth In the before mentioned order were the Atchievements of the Duke of Espernon and Prince Edward offered at the Grand Feast of St. George celebrated at Windesor an 15. Car. 2. and the Provincial Kings and Heralds as their turns came to officiate took each of the Atchievements and presented them to the Knights-Companions The Duke of Espernon's Banner was offered by the Duke of York and Prince Rupert being conducted to the Altar by Clarenceux and Norroy His Sword by the Dukes of Buckingham and Albemarle attended by York and Lancaster And his Healm and Crest by the Earl of Oxford and Duke of Richmond brought up by Windesor and Richmond Prince Edwâ—rd's Banner Sword and Helm were likewise severally offered by the very same Knights who offered the Duke of Espernons Atchievements each pair being conducted to the Altar by the foresaid Officers of Arms. Heretofore we find that Garter hath not only begun this Solemnity and presented the Banner to the first pair of Knights-Companions but also conducted them up to the Offering for so was the Banner of the Lord Grey delivered by Garter to the Lord Loughborow and Viscount Mountague an 5. Eliz. and by him were they brought up to the Altar He also performed the like service to the Earl of Penbroke and Lord Clinton when they offered the Banner of the Earl of Westmerland the following year and to the Lord Admirâ—l and Earl of Ormond an 34. Eliz. at the Offering of the Banner of Iohn Count Palatine of the Rhyne And at the Solemnity celebrated for the Earl of Derby to the Lord Howard of Effingham and Lord Chandos an 16. Eliz. Garter himself and no other Officer of Arms conducted the Knights-Companions to the Altar the like did he an 30. Eliz. at the Offering of the Hatchments of the Duke of Holstien Earl of Bedford Sir Henry Sidney and the Earl of Rutland It was also the usage heretofore for the Prelate to deliver the offered Atchievements to some of the Heralds before appointed to receive them which they immediately deposited upon and sometimes near the Altar In this manner Clarenceux and Norroy an 5 Eliz. who stood on either side the Prebend received the Lord Greys Atchievements and placed them near the Altar Clarenceux and Somerset received likewise the Atchievements of the Earls of Westmerland Rutland and the Lord Pagit from the hands of the Prelate and laid them on a Form set beside the Altar for that purpose And an 34 Eliz. Norroy and Windesor assisted to receive all the Atchievements of Iohn Count Palatine of the Rhine the Earls of Shrewsbury and Warwick and Sir Christopher Hatton which they deposited upon the Altar But the present Soveraign an 15 Car. 2. gave command that the Atchievements should then and after be laid below before the Altar judging it indecent to place them where the sacred Mysteries of the Body and Blood of our Saviour are with great reverence Consecrated He also commanded at the Feast held an 23 Car. 2. that when the Ceremonies of Offring were ended the Atchievements should be disposed part on the South and other part on the North-side of the Altar till Service was finished Besides these things already noted there is nothing further observable but what relates to the Atchievements themselves as they are become by this Ceremony of Offering them in so solemn a manner parcel of the goods of the Chappel and included within the words of the Statutes of the Colledge whereby the Soveraign granted to the Dean and Canons all Oblations concerning which we have already spoken when we treated of the Offering of Gold and Silver Hereupon because they could not be alienated or sold they were commonly deposited by the Dean and Canons in the Chapter-house and there an 8 R. 2. upon the taking of an Inventory of all the Vestments Ornaments c. of the Chappel we find among them three Swords one of the Founder's King Edward the Third another of the Earl of Suffolke's and the third of Sir Thomas Banister's as also six Helms We also find more afterwards added viz. the Swords of King Richard the Second of King Henry the Fourth when he was Earl of Derby of Iohn a Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and the Earl of Salisbury But the Helms and Swords because they were at first forged for this very purpose of an extraordinary greatness and size therefore have they been commonly redeemed that they might serve again afterwards And because it belongs to Garter to provide the Atchievements for the new installed Knights he usually hath compounded with the Dean and Canons for the defunct Knights-Atchievements To which purpose among other compositions there was an Agreement drawn up in writing dated the 20 th of May 1606. between William Segar Garter and Giles Thompson then Dean of Windsor William Wilson Erasmus Webb and Henry Beaumont three of the then Canons to this effect That Garter should pay to them or their Successors when it should happen for the Helmets Crests Swords Mantles and Banners of the deceased Knights the sums following viz. for those of all Batchellor-Knights Barons Earls and Dukes the sum of twenty Shillings but of Kings and absolute Princes being imbroidered the sum of three pounds We shall conclude this Section with another kind of Offering ordained also to be made in honor of the deceased Knights-Companions and Registered in King Henry the Eighth's Body of Statutes which as it begun not many years before our Reformation in Religion so was it of no long continuance but then took ending the words of the Statute are these That if any Knight-Companion shall decease the year before the Celebration of St. George's Feast then every Knight being in the Castle of Windesor at the Mass of Requiem shall offer a Taper armed with a little Escutcheon of the Arms of the Knight deceased and if there be more than one deceased that there be made for every of them an Escutcheon of Arms and a Groat set night to the light of the Taper which Escutcheon and Taper shall be made at the cost and charges of the Knights of the said Order SECT IV. Of depositing the deceased Knights Mantles in the Chapter-house THere past a Decree an 9 Eliz. That the Knights-Companions should be bound by their Oath to take care by their last Will that after their decease all their Ornaments which they had received should be restored the Robes to the Colledge the Jewells to the King that gave them Hereupon
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 haultpâ—ce or mounting floor in the said Chamber where the King stood at his Beds feâ—t 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 â—states 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 reverenâ—e 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 greâ—t 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 aâ—oresaid Hostell de Longueville On Monday the 15 of February the King by Mouâ—eur 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
him to the Duke of Joyeuse These Duties thus performed the King standing invested with his Robes and the â—arl 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 Sâ—affoldwise 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 Marquessâ—s 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