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
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 â—â—ngular 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 reâ—d 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 Caâ—â—â—â— 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 Conâ—istory 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 pâ—ss 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
for this place was extraordinary finding upon survey that the former foundation and walls of the Chappel of St. George were in his time very much decayed and consumed and esteeming the Fabrick not large or stately enough designed to build one more noble and excellent in its room To this purpose he constituted Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury Master and Surveyor of the work And taking notice that divers of the Officiary Houses and other irregular Buildings and old Walls stood in his way and hindred the design he had to inlarge the Structure gave the Bishop power wholly to remove all such impediments and to demolish and dig up their Foundations particularly those ancient Buildings on the East-side of the Chappel which reached unto the Walls on the North-side of the Castle where the Towers commonly called Clure ys Tower and Le Amener ys Tower and Barner ys Tower were situated as also on the South-side of the Chappel unto the Belfrey there exclusively and to imploy the Stone Timber and other materials thereof upon such Edifices in the Castle as he should think most convenient With what diligence and sedulity and how well the Bishop performed this Office and Employment appears from the testimony given him by the King in the preamble of that Patent by which he shortly after constituted him Chancellor of the Garter to wit That out of meer love towards the Order he had given himself the leisure daily to attend the advancement and progress of this goodly Fabrick From the new Foundation thus laid by King Edward the Fourth arose like a Phoenix out of its ashes the elegant and beauteous Structure now standing enlarged in length at least one hundred fathom whose order and figure as well on the outside as the several Views from within are here represented though it attained not its beauty and perfection until the Reign of King Henry the Eighth together with the Dean and Canons Houses situate on the North-side of the Chappel and those for the Petty Canons raised at the West end thereof in form of a Fetter-lock one of King Edward the Fourths Royal Badges and so vulgarly called In Henry the Seventh's Reign Sir Reginald Bray one of the Knights-Companions of the Order became a liberal Benefactor towards finishing the Body of this Chappel and building the middle Chappel on the South side thereof still called by his name where his body lies interred as is manifest not only from his last Will but also from his Arms Crest and the initial Letters of his Christian and Surname cut in Stone and placed in divers parts of the Roof By Indenture dated the fifth of Iune in the one and twentieth year of this Kings Reign Iohn Hylmer and William Vertue Free Masons undertook the vaulting of the Roof of the Choire that curious and excellent piece of Architecture for seven hundred pounds and to finish it by Christmas anno Dom. 1508. In his Son and Successors reign the Rood-loft and Lanthorn were erected with the contributions raised among the Knights-Companions anno 8. H. 8. Adjoining to the East end of this Chappel was a little Building of Free-stone raised by Cardinal Wolsey called the Tombe-house in the middle whereof he design'd to erect a goodly Monument for King Henry the Eighth and had well-nigh finished it before he dyed But this was demolished in April 1646. by command of the long Parliament and the Statues and Figures provided to adorn it being all of Copper gilt and exceedingly enricht by Art were taken thence This place King Charles the First of ever blessed and glorious memory intended to enlarge and make fit and capable not only for the interment of his own royal Body but also for the Bodies of his Successors Kings of England had not bad times drawn on and such as with much ado afforded him but an obscure Grave neer the first haut-pace in the Choire of this Chappel his Head lying over against the eleventh Stall on the Soveraigns side and in the same Vault where the Bodies of King Henry the Eighth and his last Queen yet remain The Prospect of St. George's Chapell from the South The Tombe House The Groundplot of St. George's Chapell PROSPECT OF THE INSIDE OF THE CHAPEL 1. The midle Isle 2 The South Isle 3 The North Isle 4 The Pulpit 5 The Choire Dore 6 Roof of the Nâ—uâ— 7 Roof of the Choire 8 East Window of the Choire Fourth under a large Stone of Tuch raised within the opposite Arch at the North side of the Altar but without Inscription also having on the outside of his Grave a range of Steel gilt set to inclose it from the North Isle cut excellently well in Church-work Over this Arch hung this Kings Coat of Male gilt cover'd over with crimsoit Velvet and thereon the Arms of France and England quarterly richly embroidered with Pearl and Gold interwoven with divers Rubies This Trophy of honor had ever since his Funeral hung safely over his Grave but was plunder'd thence by Captain Fogg the twenty third day of October 1642. on which day he also robb'd the Treasury of the Chappel of all the rich Plate dedicated to the use of the Altar yet having met with an exact measure and size of each part thereof as also of his Banner both heretofore taken by Sir William le Neve sometime Clarenceux King of Arms an exact observator of any thing curious referring to Arms or Ceremony we think fit to transmit it thus to posterity The Coat of Arms was two foot seven inches deep and below two foot in breadth Above the Maunches being extended in breadth three foot and six inches whereof the length of each Maunch was one foot The breadth of the upper part of the Coat besides the Maunches one foot and a half The breadth of each Maunch one foot and eight inches The Arms were embroidered upon Velvet lined with Sattin and better wrought then they use to work in these days The Banner which also hung over his Grave was of Taffaty and thereon painted quarterly France and England it had in breadth three foot four inches besides a Fringe of about an inch broad and in depth five foot and four inches besides the Fringe There were within this Chappel of St. George several Chantries endowed with Lands and other Revenues appointed for the maintenance of Chaplains and Priests to sing Masses there for the Souls of their Founders and their Kindred As first William of Wickham Bishop of Winchester gave two hundred Marks for buying of twenty Marks Rent per annum to sustain a Chaplain to celebrate Mass in this Chappel for the health of his Soul the Soul of King Edward the Third of the said Bishops Father Mother and all his Benefactors The Covenants between him and the Dean and Chapter for performance thereof bear date at Windesor the 29. of May anno 3. H. 8. The 26. of November anno 18. E. 4. the Feossees
seen George Duke of Clarence seated and the Black Book saith this King of Portugal was Elected an 22. E. 4. in the place of George Duke of Clarence whose Stall had been long vacant and whereinto an 19. E. 4. had been Elected though perhaps not installed Henry King of Spain So the King of Poland Casemir was Elected an 28. H. 6. into the sixth Stall on the Princâ—s side at that time void by the death of the Duke of Conimbero whose first Founder was Sir Iohn Mohun Again Alphonsus King of Aragon and Naples an 38. H. 6. was Elected into the Stall of Don Albro Vasques Dalmadea Count d' Averence being the seventh on the Soveraign's side Sir Hugh Courtney first possessing it Ferdinand King of Naples and Sicely Elected an 3. E. 4. was Installed in the third Stall on the Princes side Ralph Earl of Stafford having been the first installed therein To this King succeeded Hercules Duke of Ferrara Elected an 19. E. 4. and after him Guido Vbaldus Duke of Vrbin chosen a Companion of this most Noble Society by King Henry the Seventh Lastly we find that Alphonsus King of Sicely and Ierusalem being Elected also by King Henry the Seventh received his Installation in the second Stall on the Princes side whose first Predecessor was Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick In the second place if we descend to Foreign Princes it may be observed that William Duke of Gueldres Elected by King Richard the Second was installed in the sixth Stall on the Soveraign's side which Sir Iohn Beauchamp one of the first Founders sometime possest That William of Henault Earl of Ostervant afterwards Earl of Holland Haynalt and Zeland chosen Companion of the Order by the said King Richard was installed in the eleventh Stall on the Soveraign's side whose first Predecessor was Sir Iohn Chaâ—dos That Robert Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria Elected by King Henry the Fourth was installed in the eighth Stall on the Soveraign's side That Philip Duke of Burgundy was Elected by King Henry the Fifth though not Installed into the Stall of Sir Iohn Clifford which appears to be the eleventh on the Princes side Sir Iames Audeley one of the first Founders having been first placed therein And that an 28. H. 6. Henry Duke of Brunswick was Elected into the Duke of Suffolk's Stall viz. the seventh on the same side it having been the Stall of Sir Thomas Holand Earl of Kent one of the first Founders And lastly that Frederick Duke of Vrbyn sat in the twelfth Stall on the Soveraign's side he therein succeeding Sir Walter Blount an 14. E. 4. and having Sir Otho Holand Brother to the aforesaid Sir Tho. Holand for his Founder Add to these the Sons of Kings and we find Peter Duke of Conimbero one of the Sons to Iohn the First King of Portugal Elected an 5. H. 6. to have been Installed in the sixth Stall on the Princes side therein succeeding the Duke of Exceter So also Henry Duke of Visen another of this Kings Sons Elected an 21. H. 6. succeeded Sir Simon Felbrige in the lowest Stall on the Princes side whose first Predecessor therein was Sir Walter Pavely And as the Statute was carefully observed with reference to the Election and Installation of Foreign Princes so no less in relation to the Princes of the Blood at home among whom let us in the third place observe the placing the Sons of the Founder of this most Noble Order where first we see Lyonel Duke of Clarence his third Son to have been Installed in the sixth Stall on the Soveraign's side whose immediate Predecessor was Sir Iohn Beauchamp one of the first Founders In like manner Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster his Fourth Son was Installed in the seventh Stall on the Princes side having Sir Thomas Holand for his Predecessor and a Founder Again Edmund of Langley Duke of York his fifth Son was Installed in the seventh Stall on the Soveraign's side Sir Hugh Courtney one of the first Founders being first placed therein And Thomas of Woodstock Duke of Gloucester his sixth Son sat in the eighth Stall on the Soveraign's side whose first Predecessor was Sir Iohn Grey one of the first Founders likewise It may be further observed that the Rule in the Statute was strictly pursued in relation also to the Sons of King Henry the Fourth for Thomas Duke of Clarence his second Son was seated in the seventh Stall on the Princes side Iohn Duke of Bedford and Regent of France his third Son was installed in the seventh Stall on the Soveraign's side viz. opposite to the Duke of Clarence his elder Brother and in a Stall of higher dignity And Humfry Duke of Gloucester his fourth Son sâ—t in the eleventh Stall on the same side To instance next in the Brothers and Sons of King Edward the Fourth George Duke of Clarence was placed in the second Stall on the Princes side Richard Duke of Gloucester afterwards King of England and Soveraign of this Order was Installed in the fifth Stall on the Soveraign's side whose first Predecessor was Sir Iohn Lisle And Richard Duke of York the said Kings second Son received his Installation in the fourth Stall on the Princes side In the last place if we review the foresaid Tables we shall find that as the Knights-Companions of higher dignity assumed the Stalls when they became vacant though often of the lower sort so some of the lowest degree among them have had the honor to be Installed in Seats of superior rank and this meerly by virtue and observance of the Law in this case provided Among these Knights-Companions we shall first reckon Sir Philip la Vache a Gascon who in the Reign of King Richard the Second was first Installed in the Princes Stall that being void by the death of Iohn of Gaunt in whose room he hapned to be Elected though afterwards removed to the third Stall on the Soveraign's side As also Sir Iohn Dabrichcourt Elected an 1. H. 5. who died possest of the said Princes Stall in the fifth of the said King Next Sir Nicholas Sarnesfield Standard-Bearer to the Founder who succeeded Hugh Earl of Stafford and after him Sir William Arundel imediate Successor to the said Sir Nicholas were both installed in the second Stall on the Soveraign's side Sir Iohn Robsart an Heynower was an 9. H. 5. installed in the second Stall on the Princes side Sir Gilbert Talbot and after him Sir Iohn Grey were both installed in the third Stall on the Soveraign's side And in the third Stall on the Princes side was Ralph Stafford one of the first Founders installed in which Stall successively sate Sir Alan Boxhull Sir Bryan Stapleton and Sir William Scroop We could add here divers other instances how the Knights-Companions both in the case of Elections and Installations have succeeded in the Stalls of their immediate Predecessors but these already inserted may suffice since they include
Order namely the Great Collar of the Order with the Image of St. George in a riding posture hanging at it also the Garter wrought with Gold and Pâ—ecious Stones He carried moreover the Book of the Statutes of the Order Next after Garter came jointly together the Lord Ambassador Spencer richly glistering with Gold and Precious Stones and with him the illustrious Duke of Wirtemberg himself so personable and withall so magnificently attired that he attracted the admiration of all upon him some thinking his Habit to be Turkish some Hungaric some Imperial others Electoral others Pontifical The Train of his Mantle was held and carried after by Count Lodowick Leostein The last part of the Procession consisted of the grand Councellors and Senators of Wirtemberg as namely the Lord Eberard Lord of Limpurg hereditary Cup-bearer of the sacred Roman Empire Great Master of the Court of Wirtemberg James Reenhard Doctor of Law Assistant at the Imperial Chamber and Chancellor besides many other Councellors and Noblemen Thus nobly and magnificently attended the Duke entred into the Church where in the midst of the Body thereof he and the Lord Ambassador Spencer walking upon Red Cloth spread for that purpose they first made obeysance according as the manner is in England to the Soveraign's Royal Stall all the rest of the Company doing the like as they past by then the Lord Ambassador went to his own Stall placed at the right hand next after the Soveraign's and seated himself therein Garter also placed himself in his and lastly the Duke possessed his Stall on the left hand As soon as they were seated thus in the Church a loud volley was discharged by 300 Musketiers The concourse of People at this Solemnity was very great but to repress the Croud from rushing in with too much violence there were placed at the entrance both of the Church and the Castle on the one side a row of Musketiers and on the other a row of Halberdiers The Soveraign's Ambassadors and the Duke being thus seated each in their Stalls the Peers and Nobles that attended took their places also the English Nobles and Gentlemen on the right hand of the Lord Ambassador Spencer those of Wirtemberg on the left hand of their Duke and in the first place on the foremost Seats covered with red Cloth sate the Dukes five Sons vested in ducal habits Then began a threefold sacred Musick first the Organ played to certain Anthems next the Children of the School sung certain Psalms in Dutch lastly the principal Musitians of the Court sung in Consort and during the Musick the Investiture of the Duke went forward For the Lord Ambassador Spencer and Garter rising from their Seats went upon the red Woollen Cloth towards the Duke and making a low obeysance to him with great honor and respect they addressed their speech to him in a certain form of words commonly used upon that occasion and presented unto him the Ensigns and Ornaments of the Order First they delivered into his hands the Book of the Statutes which he again delivered unto his chief Secretary the Lord John Stattler who stood ready at the Duke's side according to his place to receive it and who thereupon delivered to the Ambassadors from the Duke an Oath to keep and observe faithfully all the Statutes and Articles of the Order After that the Garter was tied upon his Highness left leg a little beneath the Knee Then they put the Collar about his neck All these things being performed the Lord Ambassador Spencer and Garter congratulated the Duke with much respect and a while held discourse with him and then after a low obeysance made to the Soveraign's Stall they returned towards their several Seats Then the Musick ceasing that most eminent Divine John Magirus Councellor to the new invested Duke and President of Studtguardt made a most learned and elegant Sermon wherein he discourst of the friendship and discord of Princes and shewed how excellent a thing the mutual concord amity and benevolence of Princes was how much it was to be esteemed by their Subjects and what great benefits and conveniences arose from thence Sermon ended the Musick was again renewed which consisted of the Voices of two Youths clad in White Garments with Wings like Angels and standing oppoâ—ite one to another so after a Tenor an Altus and a Base was sung the Organ and other instrumental Musick together with vocal went together in 〈◊〉 After according to the Custom at the Anniversary Feast of Georgeâ—t â—t Windesor the new invested Duke rising from his seat and thrice as he passed by making Reverence to the Soveraign's Stall went upon the Red Cloth Garter going bâ—â—ore immediately to the Altar his Train being held up by Count Leostene and his Sword carried after him by his Esquire of honor where when he was come the Reverend Divine Faelix Bidembachin Chaplain to his Highness set a gilt Bason upon the middle of the Altar into which the Duke put 50 Duckets which he took out of a little red silk Purse giving charge to his said Chaplain to distribute them to the Poor which done he betook himself again to his Stall saluting the Soveraign's in passing by as before The Solemnities in the Church being finished this illustrious company returned to the great Hall in the Castle in the same order and pomp as they proceeded thence the Trumpets sounding and the Guns going off After several congratulations from the Lord Ambassador Spencer and Garter and many other noble Personages to the new invested Duke in the said Hall they parted and went to their several Chambers till Dinner was ready Dinner time being come the Duke and Lord Ambassador Spencer with all their Train went into the great Hall to Dine where the preparation and order of the Feast was after the manner of St. George's Feasâ— in England the Soveraign's Table was served with all manner of varieties as if he had been there present himself the Carver and Sewers and all other Officers attending and serving on the Knee Also Water was presented by three that carried the Bason Ewer and Towel with the same obeysance as is used in England to the Soveraign being present Water also was presented to the Duke after the custom of Wirtemberg the like to the Lord Ambassador Spencer and Garter to the Dutchess and the Duke's Children Then each ones proper place was assigned by certain Officers appointed for that purpose At the four ends of the Soveraign's Table were placed Tasters he that was at the North side received the Dishes from the Sewers and delivered them to him that stood opposite on the South side who standing on the right side of the Soveraign's Chair tasted of the meat cut off it and put it upon a Plate that was laid as for the Soveraign and after a while changed the Plate giving it to him that stood at the West Side and did the
to send over hither any person of his own Court or give his Procuration to some one of the Soveraign's Subjects to receive his Stall and in his name to take possession of it the later of which hath been several times done out of desire to favour some of our Nobility or other persons of quality at Court with this honor For instance Frederick the Second King of Denmark gave his Procuration to the Lord Willoughby principal in the Legation for the carriage of the Habit of the Order to him to be installed for him and in like manner Iohn Prince Palatine of the Rhyne deputed Sir Philip Sidney to the same Employment Viscount Dorchester was installed for Henry Prince of Orange to whom he and Sir Williams Segar Garter had before carried the Habit and Ensigns and this was done by virtue of a Deputation pen'd in French and sent him hither from the said Prince The Earl of Carlisle received his Deputation from Charles King of Sweden at Stockholme and the Prince Elector of Saxony sent his hither to the Earl of Bath But it hath sometimes hapned that a Proctor for the installation of a Stranger hath been appointed and nominated by the Soveraign of the Order though the Principal had named another before perchance induced thereto by some extraordinary necessity Thus it hapned in the case of Maurice Prince of Orange an 10. Iac. R. who having deputed Count Henry his Brother to be installed for him and he having put to Sea in order thereto but by reason of contrary winds not arriving in England before the day appointed for his Installation the Soveraign and Knights-Companions ordered that Lodowick of Nassau Kinsman to the Elect Prince should take possession of his Stall on his behalf to the end that the honor designed the said Prince in accompanying Frederick Prince Elector Palatine to his personal Installation might not become frustrate A case somewhat like to this was that of Iohn George Duke of Saxony for having sent over his Procuration to Iohn Earl of Bath and he being detained in the West by extraordinary occasions when St. George's Feast was held at Windesor an 23. Car. 2. wrote to the Chancellor of the Order to obtain the Soveraign's Dispensation for his not appearing there in the name of his Principal who representing his humble request to the Soveraign in Chapter held on the Eve of the said Feast he was pleased to grant it and appointed Heneage Earl of Winchelsey to be the Duke's Proxie who performed the whole service And there is an ancient Example in this kind an 9. H. 5. where the Soveraign nominated the Lord Fitz-Hugh Procter for the King of Denmark which yet was not done till after the Soveraign had been certified that the said King had been invested with the Habit and Ornaments of the Order and also obliged himself by Oath to the observation of the Statutes In like manner it is recorded that the Earl of Cleveland was by the Soveraign appointed Deputy for the Installation of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden and yet not unlike but this might be by consent of the said King though the Annals herein are silent as is very usual and sometimes in circumstances and passages of note for if we look towards the end of the said King's Certificate returned of his Receipt of the Habit and Ensigns of the Order we shall there find he desired that the Qualifications therein before mentioned might be admitted into his Oath when any solemn attestation should be made by his Proctor in his Name whence it may be well enough and without much wresting inferr'd that he had not then named his Proctor but probably either by a private Letter or verbal message returned by those or some of them joined in the Legation with the Habit might leave him and the time to the choice and appointment of the Soveraign But suppose the Soveraign being loth to defer this King's Installation too long considering the hazards of War did appoint a Deputy for his Installation without his direction as the case stood he might do it and not intrench upon that leave given a Stranger by the Statutes to chuse his own because in the body of the said Kings Certificate there is set down the very qualifications wherewith his Oath should be taken by his Proctor which being allowed and admitted by the Soveraign any further concern in this Affair was but matter of indifferency But if the Soveraign having nominated a Proctor should also cause him to take the ancient Oath in its absolute nature and form not allowing those qualifications which the interests of his Principal to his Religion or to other Princes Orders and such like might justly exact which without consulting an invested Stranger cannot well be known or set down and such an Oath as his Principal had neither allowed of nor consented unto this might seem good cause of exception and be esteemed done in prejudice to his preingaged interests SECT II. The Proctor's Qualifications BUT whether the Proctor be nominated by his Principal or by the Soveraign the Statutes of the Order put some qualifications upon the person so sent or appointed as aforesaid and first That he be Procurator sufficiens idoneus that is such a person who hath been always accounted of an unblamable conversation not branded with any note of infamy but altogether irreproveable And such as one was Dominus Franciscus Deputy to Hercules Duke of Ferara who in the Black-Book of the Order is characterised to be a Knight of an incorrupt Fame nor are we to doubt but that other Proctors to Strangers were such though the testimonials of their virtue do not appear in the Annals of the Order Secondly the Proctor ought to be a person correspondent to the State and Dignity of that Stranger which doth depute him so that answerable to the dignity of the Invested Knight ought to be in some Proportion the quality of the Proctor And how this Injunction hath been observed will sufficiently appear in the following Scheme  Knights Proctors  Emperor Maximilian the First Marquess of Brandenburgh An. 6. H. 7. Kings Ericus King of Denmark Lord Fitz-Hugh An. 9. H. 5. Kings Francis the First of France Andrian de Tercelin Lord of Bross An. 19. H. 8. Kings Iames the Fifth King of Scotland Lord Iohn Erskine An. 26. H. 8. Kings Charles the Ninth of France Iaques Lord Remboilliet An. 8. Eliz. Kings Frederick the Second King of Denmark Peregrine Lord Willoughby of Ersby An. 24. Eliz. Kings Henry the Fourth of France Sier de Chastes Vice-Admiral of France An. 42. Eliz. Kings Christierne the Fourth King of Denmark Henry Ramell hereditary Lord of Wosterwitz and Beckeskaw An. 3. Iac. R. Kings Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden Thomas Wentworth Earl of Cleveland An. 4. Car. 1. Kings Charles King of Sweden Charles Howard Earl of Carlisle An. 23. Car. 2. Arch
or Stone-Gallery do twelve Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber attend with a rich Canopy of Cloth of Gold who when the Soveraign approacheth receive him under it and bear it over his head until he arrivâ— at the Choire Door of St. George's Chappel and this Canopy is carried over the Soveraign only in the Morning of the Feast Day not in the Afternoon nor on the Eve nor the Day after the Feast The Processional way to the Chappel is the same they traversed on the Eve if the Soveraign and Knights-Companions march to the Chapter-House first for anciently it was the Custom to hold a Chapter in the Morning of the Feast Day either before Mattins and sometimes when Mattins was finished before the Grand Procession set â—orward This course received interruption in Queen Elizabeths time during which no Chapter was held in the Morning but in the 26. 31. 38. years of her Reign and then only for admitting of some of the Officers of the Order But the time of holding this Chapter was restored by King Charls the First who several times held it before the first Service began as in the 5. 14. 15. Years of his Reign But if no Chapter be at this time held then as soon as the Proceeding comes near to the Chappel instead of entring the passage between the East end of the Chappel and King Henry the Eighth's Tomb-House as it doth on the Eve because the Soveraign goes first to the Chapter-House it proceedeth straight on to the South Door of the Chappel and thence into the Choire Yet the present Soveraign An. 15. of his Reign appointed the whole Proceeding to pass by the said South Door along the Southside of the Chappel and then to enter in at the West Door which was then and since so observed When the Alms-Knights are come to the West Door of the Choire they enter and pass up above the steps to the Altar in the very same manner and Order as is at large described and mentioned to be observed upon the entry of the Proceeding into the Choire on the Eve of the Feast Then do the Prebends take their Seats and The Officers of Arms pass to the Haut Pas's of the Altar After this the Knights-Companions proceed and stand before their Stalls The Officers of the Order before their Forms and The Soveraign ascends his Royal Seat as also The Knights-Companions their Stalls Then the Prelate conducted by the Serjeant of the Vestry goes up to the Altar The Officers of Arms descend into the Choire and lastly The Alms-Knights retire to their Seats All which being done the Prelate begins the Morning Service wherein he proceeds according to the order prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer save only that the first Lesson being made proper to the Festival is taken out of the 44 Chapter of Ecclesiasticus This solemn Proceeding to the Chappel in the Morning of the Feast day is and hath been most usually performed on Foot nevertheless sometimes heretofore the Soveraign and Knights-Companions have proceeded on Horseback to enlarge the state and gallantry of the show For it is remembred that an 16. E. 4. the Feast of St. George being then celebrated at Windesor the Soveraign and Knights-Companions rode to the Chappel on Horseback to hear Mass that morning and with them also rode the Queen the Lady Elizabeth the King's Daughter and the Dutchess of Suffolk the King's Sister the Lady Marchioness Mountague the Marchioness Dorset and divers other Ladies in Gowns embroidered with Garters concerning which Habit we have already spoken So also an 3. H. 7. on the Morning of the Feast-day did the Soveraign and Knights-Companions proceed on Horseback to Matins with equal splendor or rather more glorious than on the Eve to the first Vespers For the Knights-Companions were vested in Surcoats of White Cloth embroidered with Garters the Livery of the new year the Kings Courser was trapped with a Trapper of St. George of white Cloth of Gold and the Lord Berners bare the King's Sword his Courser being trapped with St. Edward's Arms. This Proceeding was augmented by the presence of the Queen and the Kings Mother attended with a splendid Train of Ladies and others that waited on them themselves being attired in the Livery of the Order and their Horses most richly accoutred with Foot-Cloths Trappings and all other Furniture correspondant in like State as on the Eve Again in the 20 year of the same Soveraign who then held the Feast of St. George at Baynards Castle in London he proceeded on Horseback to St. Paul's Church in like order as on the Evening before where he heard Matins And King Henry the Eighth at the Feast held at Windesor in the 11. year of his Reign rode with the Knights-Companions about eight a Clock in the morning down to the Colledge to hear Mattins in like manner as on the Eve and alighted at the South door of the Chappel The like did King Philip an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. And Queen Elizabeth in the sixth year of her Reign proceeded also on Horseback to the Morning Service in her whole Habit of the Order Lastly an 6. Eliz. the Soveraign in the whole Habit of the Order the French Ambassador riding neer her and all the Knights-Companions with the Officers of the Order and Officers of Arms proceeded on Horseback to the Chappel on the Morning of the Feast-day And in like manner did the Soveraign's Lieutenant at the same Feast ride to the first and second Vespers and to the Morning Service the day after the Feast It was a Custom begun by Queen Elizabeth and used when she celebrated the Feast of St. George either at Whitehall or Greenwich for the Soveraign's Lieutenant and the Knights-Companions in full Robes attended with the Officers of the Order and of Arms to meet in the Presence-Chamber about 9 a Clock in the Morning of the Feast day and thence to proceed as they did the Evening before through the Guard-Chamber down into the Great Hall and thence into the Chappel where they took their Stalls as on the Eve after which Morning Prayer according to the order established in the Church of England was begun and continued so far as the Letany and this was called the first Service which done they all descended from their Stalls in the accustomed order and proceeded back to the Presence in the same manner and by the same way as they went to the Chappel and there waited the coming of the Soveraign before whom they proceeded a second time to the Choire where the Letany and Grand Procession begun called the second Service at which the Soveraign was usually present but never at the first Service And the first memorial that we have met with of this double proceeding to the Chappel in the Morning of the Feast-day is recorded in
ever pious memory having taken notice of and desirous to put a stop to a mischief not in his power to prevent as also to preserve the remembrance of the precedent Knights-Companions commanded the Dean of Windesor to describe the Stiles of those that remained in a Book which he accordingly did and laid it up in the Colledge But what became of this Book our most diligent enquiry could never find out So that in May An. Dom. 1659. by the civil permission of Colonel Whichcott then Governour of Windesor Castle all we could do was to draw the Arms and coppy out the Stiles engraven on the Plates then remaining whilst Mr. Wineslaus Holler was imployed by us to take several Prospects of the Castle and Chappel from which we have drawn these following observations First That for many years after the Institution of the Order the Plate whereon the Shield was engraved bore no other Inscription but the deceased Knights name set at the foot thereof under the Scutcheon of his Arms. Afterwards his Chief Title of Honour began to be added though now and then in these first and elder times both were omitted as also their Crests But about the beginning of King Henry the Eighth's Reign not only the Knights chief Title but all other his Titles of Dignity whether Honorary or Officiary and every thing in that kind due were drawn together in one Inscription concluding with that of Knight of this most Noble Order and which about the same time the Knights-Companions used to insert into both publick and private Instruments of writing wherein any of them were concerned a custom observed by the Knights of other Soveraign Orders abroad For in an Instrument dated at Bulloign the 20 th of Febr. an 1549. by the Noblemen and others that were appointed to treat of a Peace between King Edward the Sixth and the French King Henry the Second we find that such of them as were Knights of the Orders of either Kingdom had the additions of their Orders as also the Register of the Order of St. Michael that title of his Office joyned to their other Titles in this manner Iohn Earl of Bedford Knights of the Order William Pagit Knight also of the Order Francis de Mountmorency Seignior de Rochepot Knight of the Order of France Gaspard de Colligny Seignior de Chastillon Knight also of the Order Guilliame Rochetell Seignior de Sassy one also of the French Kings Council chief Secretary and Register of the Order At first the Knights-Companions gave their Paternal Coats of Arms singly and without any Quarterings but towards the beginning of King Henry the Fifths Reign they began to add their Quarterings as may appear from the Scutcheons of Hugh Lord Burnell who died an 9 H. 5. Sir Lewis Robessart Lord Bourchier Robert Lord Willoughby and others Yet was not the same generally used but left to the pleasure of the Knights-Companions But of latter times this very thing was thought of such concernment and honour that where a Knight hath been elected who wanted Quarterings the Soveraign hath been pleased to grant him another Coat of Arms to quarter with his Paternal Coat lest otherwise his Banner which ought to hang over his Stall should seem too naked as in the Case of Robert Viscount Rochester and Thomas Earl of Kelley in the Reign of King Iames. Shortly after the beginning of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth the Knights compassed their Shields with the Royal Garter and thereon if Noblemen placed the Coronet belonging to their Dignity continuing the use ever since Thus adorned do we find the Scutcheon of Charles Duke of Burgundy elected in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth and yet we do not observe it used in all the Reign of King Henry the Seventh For though a Plate for Franke van Hall a Knight elected by the Founder is hitherto standing in his Stall at Windesor surrounded with a Garter yet is not this Plate the workmanship of that Age but engraved and set up of late times as may easily be observed from the work it self As touching Supporters t is true we observe two Plates to which Supporters are added the one of Iohn Beaufort the first Duke of Somerset of that name elected an 20 H. 6. the other of Anthony Woodvill Earl Rivers elected an 5. E. 4. and besides these until the Reign of King Henry the Eighth there is not one other example But then it grew into a common usage as also the ingraving their peculiar Mottoes or Devises upon the Plates SECT III. The Offering of Atchievements A Third honour done to the defunct Knight is a most solemn Offering up of his Atchievements at the High Altar according to the magnificence of so great an Order namely the Banner of his Arms his Sword his Helmet and Crest with its Mantlings all which had been set up over his Stall when he was Installed The Ceremony of Offering these Ensigns does not appear to have been so Ordained at the Institution of the Order but rather an additional honor instituted by King Henry the Fifth and the manner and order thereof set down in the 14 th Article of his body of Statutes This solemn Ceremony is local to the Chappel of St. George within the Castle of Windesor and not to be celebrated until certain notice be given to the Soveraign of the Knights-Companions Death or that he shall receive a Certificate thereof This appears in the case of the Duke of Ferrara where at the Feast of St. George an 20 H. 7. the vulgar report run for currant that he was dead nevertheless because the Soveraign had not then received any Certificate of the same his Atchievements were not Offered up at that Feast There fell out a question at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor the 23 d. of May an 1 E. 6. which held some debate viz. whether the Atchievements of King Henry the Eighth which yet hung over the Soveraigns Stall should be taken down and Offered at the Mass of Requiem ensuing or not in regard his Banner Sword Helm and Crest with Mantles had been offered up thâ— 16 th of Febr. before at his Interment within that Chappel whereupon it was determined That the said Atchievements should not again be Offered but remain over the Soveraigns Stall for his Son King Edward the Sixth The Relator for justifying the legality of this determination saith there was found a like Precedent in the case of King Henry the Sixth who lyeth buried in that Chappel but we suppose him mistaken and that instance being in truth much different from that of King Henry the Eighth not well considered by him For the case was this When King Edward the Fourth came to the Crown he thought it unfit that the Atchievements of King Henry the Sixth who could not be accounted Soveraign of this most Noble Order because no longer King of England should be continued over his Stall They therefore by the express
offered and an 4. Car. 1. those of the Duke of Brunswick and the Earls of Suffolk and Leicester before the King of Sweden Prince of Orange and Earl of Suffolk were installed and at all times afterwards during that pious Kings Reign the Offering of Atchievments was the first Ceremony performed on the Eve of the Feast next after the decease of a Knight though no Installation followed as were those of the Earl of Carlisle an 13. Car. 1. and of the Earl of Kelly in the 15. year of the same Soveraign But if at that time any of the Elect-Knights were introduced into the Choire before the Offering of Atchievments began they were appointed to stand there under the Stalls designed for them till that Ceremony was finished Thus the practice continued of Offering the defunct Knights Atchievments before the Ceremony of Installation began from the 9. year of King Iames until an 15. of the present Soveraign when it was performed at the time anciently accustomed for the Prince of Denmark by his Proctor Sir George Carteret and the Duke of Monmouth were both Installed before the first Vespers began and the Atchievments of Bernard de Foix Duke of Espernon and Edward Count Palatine of the Rhyne were not Offered till the Morrow after the Feast day immediately before Divine Service began so also was it observed at the Feast held an 23. Car. 2. As to the manner and order of this Ceremony among other Institutions of King Henry the Fifth it is thus appointed That as often as through the vacancy of any Stall the Swords Helms with the rest of the Atchievements ought to be Offered the Sword of the deceased Knight shall be first Offered being carried up to the high Altar by two of the Knights-Companions whom the Soveraign or his Deputy shall assign to that purpose and afterwards the Helm with the Crest and Mantlings for which we sometimes find one general word Insignia used by two other Knights-Companions named also by the Soveraign or his Deputy and this Offering is to be made for them in the order as they were Installed not as they dyed But of the Offering of a defunct Knights Banner we find no express mention till the 18. year of King Henry the Seventh at which time the Banner of the Lord Brook was Offered by Sir Edward Poynings and Sir Richard Pool his Sword by the Earl of Surrey and Lord Strange and in the last place his Helm with its Appendices by the before named Sir Edward Poynings and Sir Richard Pool But afterwards the direction for Offering this Ensign of the defunct Knights honor was taken into King Henry the Eighth's body of Statutes And note that since the Offering of the Banner was introduced it was in the order of Ceremony and according to the before mentioned Precedent to be offered first and so hath it been observed only once we find this course inverted viz. an 22. Iac. R. but upon what account there is no mention where at the Offering of the Duke of Lenox his Atchievements the Helm and Crest were offered in the first place the Sword in the second and the Banner in the third Immediately after the entrance of the before mentioned Constitution of King Henry the Fifth in the Black Book a Precedent for the order of this Ceremony doth also follow which extended it self to future times and was thus On the Morrow after the Feast of St. George an 9. H. 5. the Soveraign and Knights-Companions assembled according to custom to celebrate the Mass pro defunctis at which time the Sword of Thomas Duke of Clarence who was slain at Bougy-bridge in his return out of Anjou on Easter Eve preceding was born to the Altar and offered up by John Duke of Bedford and Humfrey Duke of Gloucester Brothers to the defunct Duke but his Helm with its Appendices were offered by the hands of the Soveraign and the said Duke of Bedford Besides this honor thus paid to the deceased Duke of Clarence there past the like at that time upon several other defunct Knights-Companions namely on Sir Iohn Grey whose Sword was offered up by Sir Thomas Erpingham and Sir Walter Hungerford and his Helm and Crest by Richard Earl of Warwick and the Lord Fitz Hugh and next on the Lord Burnell whose Sword was offered by Sir Lewis Robessart and Sir Simon Felbrig and his Helm c. by Sir Iohn Cornwall and Sir Iohn Robessart In the fourth place the Sword of the Lord Cameux was offered up by Sir Lewis Robessart and Sâ—â— Here Tank Clux and his Helm by Sir Iohn Cornwall and Sir Iohn Robessart This solemn Ceremony being finished in the order as is set down the Soveraign and Knights-Companions presently after decreed That the Rites to be observed at the Offring of Atchievements should for the future be in the foresaid manner performed The appointment of the Statute is before noted to be that the Soveraign shall nominate and assign the Knights-Companions who are severally to perform this Ceremony and so is the direction set down in King Henry the Eighth's Statutes But generally heretofore so few of the Knights-Companions have used to attend the Feasts of Installation at which time most commonly were the Atchievements of the defunct Knights offered that there hath not been much choice nay for the most part not enough for the enterchange of all the Atchievements but that those who have offered the Banner have been constrained to assist at the Offering if not of the Sword yet of the Helm and Crest Nay yet less for the Feast of St. George an 1. E. 4. was solemnized at Windesor by two Knights-Companions only viz. Viscount Bourchier the Soveraign's Deputy and the Lord Berners at which time there being the Atchievements of six deceased Knights to be offered namely the Dukes of York and Buckingham the Earls of Salisbury and Shrewsbury of Viscount Beaumont and the Lord Scales these two Knights-Companions performed the whole Ceremony according to the ancient Custom Moreover an 32. H. 6. there were but three Knights-Companions that then held the Feast namely the Duke of Buckingham Deputy to the Soveraign the Lord Sudely and Viscount Bourchier the two latter of which offered both the Sword and Helm of the Earl of Salisbury the Duke of Buckingham not enterchanging But notwithstanding these Examples at another time viz. an 8. H. 7. because the number of the Knights-Companions present at the Feast were fewer than the Statute required therefore the Offering of Atchievements was then prorogued Iohn Lord Denham then Lord Treasurer of England being President and only the Lord Scroop joined with him Again when the number of Knights-Companions present have been sufficient to perform all the Ceremony severally yet do we not observe the same anciently executed by Knights-Companions according to the series of their Stalls which is an argument that the Rule
after none and on Saynt George's day for to kepe the said Feast at the costes of the said Soverayne for the space abovesaid withoute any new Ordenance to be made havyng power to correcte and redresse all poyntes of the said Chapter as for then shall seme necessary VIII Item that every one on Saynt Georges Even that is to wit the xxii day of April a gatheryng together shall be made of all the Knightes of Saynt George within the Castell of Wyndesore That is to wit of all them that shall be within this Realme of Englande or withoute that conveniently may come And there they shall have the service of Saynt George and also shall were their hole habit of the said Order duryng the seid servyce beyng ordinarily in they re Stalls And every of them shall have his Banner Sworde with his Helme and Creste above his Stall the whiche duryng his lyff shall abyde in the said Chappel for his honor and in signe and knowledge that he beres them in defence of holy Churche as the Order of Knyghthod requireth But in case that the seid Feast of Saynt George happen to fall within xv dayes after the Feast of Easter or upon any Fyshe-daye or Fastyng day then it shall be proroged and prolonged at the Soverayne's pleasure as above is seid if so be that the day of the seid Feast be not assigned ne ordenyd to be kepte the xxiv xxv xxvi nor the last day of April nor upon the fowre firste dayes of May for by cause of the impediment or let of devyne servyce ordened by holy Churche for the double Feastes of Saynte Marke Philipp and Jacob and the Invention of the Holy Crosse of our Lord Jesu Chryste nor at suche dayes as shall fall the Assencion or the Feast of Penthecoste or any other Feaste of Solempnite as is ordened in holy Churche whereby the fyrst or seconde Evensonge by suche Prorogacions myght be letted and distorbed IX Item that all the Knyghtis of the said Order shall come yerely in the said place of the said Castell of Wyndesore on Saynte George's Even at th'owre of tierce the whiche is at three of the Clocke at afternoone as it is aboveseid And if thei come not at the tyme assigned without havyng a juste and reasonable excuse that may be acceptable to the said Soverayne or to his Deputie or otherwyse pardoned by the seid Soverayne of their absence by special Letters of excuse in the whiche Letters theyr names and causes shall be wryten or otherwyse shall have their pennance after th'ordenance and agreement of the said Chaptre And the said Ordenaunce is suche that they shall not entre into the Chaptre for that tyme but shall byde withoute the dore And shall have no voyce in any thynge that is done in the said Chaptre at that tyme alonly And if they come not to Evensonge before the begynnyng of the said Evensonge they shall not enter into their Stalles but shall byde belowe affore the said Stallis in the Queristers places duryng the said Evensonge And like pennance is ordened for them that come not to the high masse betyme and at Evensonge on Saynt George's daye And if there be any that come not to the Feaste and have not a reasonable excuse towarde the Soverayne or his Deputye as it is above declared his pennance shall bee that he shall not enter within his Stall tâ—e next Feast after but shall byde below as it is said at the first Evensong and shall goo in the procession before all the three Crosseâ— And shall sit below as affore is said all the mass tyme untyl the Offryng And he shall offre laste And after his penance so done incontinent he shall come before the Soverayneâ— Stall or his Deputie and there he shall aske pardon And after that the Soverayne or his Deputie shall commaunde hym to goe unto his Stall in his fyrst estate and if he come not at the seconde Feaste and be dwellyng within the â—ealm without having any excusation alowable to the Soverayne or to his Deputie as is abovesaid he shall not entre in his Stall from theâ—â—forth until the tyme that he have gyven and offered a â—ewell unto Saynte George's Aultar within the said Chappell of the valew of xx markes of Sylver of Troye and fro thens forwarde he shall double every yere the Penaltie unto the tyme â—e be reconsciled X. Item it is agreed that if any Knyght of the sayd Companye be founde in apperte withoute his Garter That he pay anon after that the chalenge hee made to hym by any of the five Officers of th' Order or of the Warden of the Seid College a marke of Mony Excepte he be voted for to ryde that then it shall suffice to were under his vote a blew â—iâ—ande of Sylke in signyfying of the Carter and also provided that no Knyght of the sayd Order from hensforthe do entre into the Chaptre without his Garter upon the payne abovesaid And whosoever of the said Officers or Warden shall make the first chalenge shall have the penaltye for his labor XI Item it is agreed that the Knyghts of the Order of St. George alwey and as often as they shall were theyr mantels they shall goo before there Soverayne every of them with his Felow that is for aneynst him ordinarily as they â—e sett in their Stalles And if it shoulde happen that eny of them were not there present his felow for aneynst hym shall goo alone The whiche Order shall be kepte and observed as well in goyng in procession as ellis where in other places But at the Offryng the Souerayn or his Deputie shall goo before all the Company and the ordinarie Officers of the said Ordre shall goo as thei have bene accustomed when any procession shall be done in the Chapter Chappel or ellis where And for the ordre of the said Knightis for to sitt at the Table for to take their reseccion by it at Diner at or Souper they shall sit all along on one side after ther Stalls and not after their state except Children and Bretherne of Kinges Princes and Dukes that be Strangers the which shall kepe their places and romes aâ—ter their astate and at their voiding and â—â—ing out shall abide and goo in order so as thei sat at the Table XII Item it is agreed that every one of them at the Casâ—ell of Windesore on the morow after the Feast of Saynte George before the departyng of the Company thâ—t the said Knyghtes upon suche Gownes as shall please them at the Chapter dore shall take their Mantels and shall goo into the said Chaptre and after that shall goo and here a mass of Requiem the which shall be solempnely songe for the souls of all the Felowes of the said Order which be departed and deceassed and for all Christen sowiles and that all the Company be there present without eny of them be lett bi a reasonable cause or have