is encompassed with large Oriental Pearl so also are the Letters of the Motto and the Cross within the Garter an exact Figure whereof is to be seen in the Plate set at the beginning of this Chapter the Diameter of this Garter is seven Inches but the depth from the upper part to the end of the Pendant ten Inches In the Reign of King Henry the Sixth it seems to have been the fashion to garnish the Mantle with three or four Welts drawn down the sides and round the bottom for so have I found it exprest on the Monument of Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury set in the South Wall of the Chancel in the Church of Whitâ—hurch in Shropshire About this time also the Lining of this Robe was White Damask and afterwards White Satin but of later times it was lined with White Tassaty which continues yet in fashion For further Ornament the Mantle had fixed to its Collar a pair of long strings anciently woven of Blue Silk only called Cordans Robe-strings or Laces but of later times twisted round and made of Venice Gold and Silk of the Colour of the Robe at each end of which hung a great Knob or Button wrought over and raised with a rich Caul of Gold and Tassels thereunto of like Silk and Gold Lastly at the Collar was usually fixed an Hook and eye of Gold for the surer fastning it about the shoulders SECT III. Of the Surcoat WE observed before that the Mantle or upper Robe is only taken notice of in the Founder's Statutes but not the Surcoat or Kirtle nevertheless this part of the Habit is as ancient as the other being made use of at the Institution of the Order For such a Garment the Founder then made together with his Mantle as also a Hood to wear at the first Feast of this most Noble Order And as the Mantle was derived from the Greeks and Romans so was the Surcoat also it being not much unlike the Tuniâ—k or upper Coat now in fashion with us and worn over the Vest. This Garment among the Romans was called Tunica and worn next under the Toga but both narrower and shorter than it it was girded close to the Body with a Girdle and so girded that the Hem of it reached a little below the Knee or to the middle of the Ham. It was the proper Mode of the Roman Citizens and by its trimming were the three degrees among them known For the Senators Tunicks were embroider'd or purfel'd over with broad purple Studs the Knights with narrow ones and the Plebeians plain and without any such embroidery In seting forth the Surcoat which was heretofore annually bestowed by the Soveraign on the Knights-Companions and therefore called his Livery we shall follow the method used in describing the Mantle and say something of the Name Materials Colour Quantity and Garnishing As to the Name we observe this Garment hath had sundry denominations that bestowed on it in the old Rolls of the great Wardrobe is Roba a Robe but more properly as the Founder's first Surcoat is called Tunica which Name is also given it in the Red Book of the Order In English it is rendred Gown Kirtle Surcoat Vndercoat and Robe The first of these English Names Gown is attributed to the Surcoats of the Soveraign and Forreign Princes in the times of Henry the Sixth Edward the Fourth and Henry the Seventh but since his Reign and till very lately it hath been bestowed also on the Surcoats of Knights-Companions and that of Kirtle sometimes given to those sent to Forreign Princes as doth almost every where appear among the Books of Warrants in the great Wardrobe but the rest are terms made use of in our Age. As the first Mantles so the first Surcoats were made of Woollen-Cloth and though the Cloth of the Mantles was in time changed to Velvet yet were the Surcoats for some time after made of Cloth at least till after the Office of Chancellor of the Garter was erected by King Edward the Fourth as appears by the Precedent of this Livery in the Soveraign's great Wardrobe where after the distribution of materials for this Garment proportionable to each Degree of Nobility the like follows for the Liveries given to the Officers of the Order among whom the Chancellor is there mentioned But at length they also came to be made of Velvet which sort of Silk is still retained The Colour of this Vesture was anciently changed every year commonly into one of these four Colours either Blue Scarlet Sanguine in grain or White but the Colour of the Mantles remained one and the same as at the Institution until Queen Elizabeth's Reign namely Blue and note that the Surcoats of the Knights-Companions were always changed to the same Colour with the Soveraign's The Founder's first Surcoat was of the same Cloth and Colour with his Mantle viz. Blue but that Surcoat provided for him in the 34. year of his Reign was Black Cloth And of the same Colour were those he bestowed against the Solemnity of the Feast held that year upon these following Knights-Companions namely the Black Prince the Earls of Vlster Richmond and Salisbury Edmund of Langley his Son Sir Richard la Vache Sir Hugh Wrotesley Sir Reignald Cobham Sir Bartholomew Burgherst the Lord Mohun Sir Walter Manney Sir Nele Loring Sir Walter Paveley Sir William Fitz Waryn Sir Miles Stapleton the Earls of Stafford Warwick and Suffolk and Sir Thomas Vghtred But we conceive this mourning Colour was then assumed because the Pestilence began again to encrease the dreadful remembrance of that great Pestilence which so furiously raged eleven years before called Pestilentia magna inviting to all kind of humiliation The Surcoats which the Soveraign gave the Dukes of Lancaster and Clarence and 14 other Knights-Companions an 37. E. 3. were of Cloth Sanguine in grain Those 24. provided for the Feast of St. George an 7. R. 2. were Violet in grain whereof one was for the Soveraign the other 23. for these Knights-Companions following Iohn King of Castile and Leon Duke of Lancaster the Eâ—â—â—â— of Cambridge Buckingham Derby Kent Warwick Stafford Salisbury Northumberland and Nottingham the Lords Nevil Basset and Iohn Holland Sir Guy Bryan Sir William Beauchamp Sir Thomas Percy Sir Nele Loring Sir Iohn Sulby Sir Lodowick Clifford Sir Simon Burley Sir Richard Burley Sir Bryan Stapleton and Sir Soldan de la Trane Anno 11. R. 2. there were made against St. George's Feast three and twenty Surcoats of White Cloth for the Soveraign and 22 Knights-Companions And in the 12. and 19. year of the same King the Soveraign bestowed on the same number of Knights Surcoats of long Blue Cloth as were the first The 23 Surcoats provided for the Feast of St. George an 1. H. 5. were of White
The Story of Abraham and Lot most curious for design and workmanship most costly for Silk and Gol◠with the rich State Chair Cushens and Stools belonging to the Queen's Privy-Chamber did adorn the Presence-Chamber at the Feast held at Whitehall an 11. Car. 1. And the same Hanging were made use of in the Banqueting House there an 19. Car. 2. And in case the appearance at Windesor of the Nobility and great Personages with their Trains be extraordinary then doth the Soveraign upon such an occasion direct his Letters to the Dean and Prebends desiring them to give way that the Black-Rod may survey their Houses and therein appoint Lodgings for so many as may be entertained there and thus was it done upon the coming hither of the Emperor Sigismond an 7. H. 5 for the Soveraign being desirous that their Servants and Attendants as well as others of his own Retinue might be in all respects handsomly accommodated and because the Priviledge was granted to the Dean and Canons in the Charter of 27. E. 3. That no person of what state or condition soever might upon any colour lodge or tarry in their Houses without their consent he thereupon wrote his Letter to them thereby desiring liberty and allowance for the Black-Rod to take up Lodgings in their Houses in such an extraordinary case yet withal signified it was not his intention that under colour of this they should be so charged for the future In May an 23. Car. 2. a little before the Grand Feast was held at Windesor there fell out some dispute between the Gentlemen-Vshers daily Waiters and the Knight-Harbenger who should appoint Lodgings in the Dean and Prebends Houses for any of the Knights-Companions or other persons of quality of the Court The Knight Harbenger alledged that by his Patent he ought to assign Lodgings for all persons that are not lodged in the King's Palace and that the Gentlemen-Vshers have nothing to do either without the King's House or with those who are not the King's Houshold-Servants as some of the Knights-Companions are not But after much discourse on both sides before the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold which occasioned a further enquiry into the matter the only person for this Affair appeared to be the Gentleman-Vsher of the Black-Rod who is an Officer of the Order within the Colledge and whose Predecessor carried the before mentioned Letter from King Henry the Fifth to the Dean and Canons besides he is one whom they have since willingly admitted of in such occasions and consequently not been invaded by a strange Officer and thereupon were the pretensions of the Knight-Harbinger set aside SECT VIII Officers and Servants appointed to attend at the Grand Feast THE Names of those Noblemen which the Soveraign appoints to the principal Offices of this Grand Feast are put into a List signed by the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold and delivered to the Black-Rod who is to give them notice some convenient time before the Feast begin that thereupon they may fit themselves to perform the duty of their several places A List of those Lords that gave attendance at the Grand-Feast an 14. Car. 2. when the present Soveraign was Installed A List of those Lords that attended the Soveraign at St. George's Feast held at Windesor the 8. of October an 15. Car. 1. For the Sword For the Sword Earl of Northampton Earl of Denbigh The Great Bason The Great Bason Earl of Bedford Earl of Denbigh Earl of Hertford Earl of Monmouth Earl of Clare Lord Edward Howard Earl of St. Albons Lord Herbert of Cardiff Lord Herbert of Ragland The Cupbearer The Cupbearer Lord Herbert of Cardiff Earl of Essex The Carver The Carver Lord Wharton Earl of Carlisle The Sewer The Sewer Lord Grandison Earl of Dover The Surnap The Surnap Lord Edward Howard Earl of Elgin The Ewer The Ewer Lord Slego Earl of Devonshire The Train The Train Duke of Buckingham Lord Russel Earl of Oxford Lord Herbert Lord Buckhurst Lord Cranborne  The Gentlemen of the Soveraign's Privy-Chamber who bear the Canopy are those that are at the time of the Feast in waiting and these that follow performed that service at the Feast held in October an 15. Car. 1. Mr. Gilbert North. Mr. John Carey Mr. John Frecheville Captain John Tyringham Mr. Edward Tyringham Sir Peter Kellegrew Mr. Henry Wentworth Sir William Berkeley Sir Henry Bruce Sir Richard Young Sir Robert Winde Sir John Weldram Besides these several other of the Soveraign's Officers and Servants have notice from the Lord Chamberlain to give their particular attendance at the Grand Feast and of what quality they usually are will appear by the List of those appointed to attend at Windesor the 29. of May an 23. Car. 2. Lord Chamberlain and Servants Mr. Vice-Chamberlain Groom of the Stool Gentlemen of the Bedchamber Bedchamber-men Privy-Purse Secretaries of State Secretaries of Scotland Gentlemen-Vshers of the Privy-Chamber 12 Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber in waiting 4 Gentlemen-Vshers daily Waiters 2 Carvers 2 Cupbearers 2 Sewers 8 Quarter-Waiters Gentlemen-Vshers 2 Pages of the Presence 2 Chaplains 2 Esquires of the Body 2 Physicians 2 Apothecaries 2 Chyrurgeons 4 Serjeants at Arms. Mrs. Sempstress and Landress to his Majesty 8 Sewers of the Chamber 4 Grooms of the Chamber Pages of the Back-Stairs 14 Lords to attend his Majesty Captain of the Guards Officers of the Guard Officers of the Robes Yeomen of the Guard 2 Grooms of the Privy-Chamber 3 Masters of the Tents Groom-Porter Master of the Ceremonies Marshal of the Ceremonies Aid of the Ceremonies Removing Wardrobe Iewel-house Gentlemen of the Chappel Musicians 5 Messengers Yeomen of the Bows and Guns 16 Trumpeters Captain Cook and the Children of the Chappel Serjeant-Trumpeter Drum-Major 4 Drummers and a Fife St. Alban CHAP. XX. THE ORDER OF THE Ceremonies ON THE Eve OF THE Grand Feast SECT I. Of the beginning of the Grand Feast HAving in the precedent Chapter spoken somewhat of the Institution of the Grand Festival which the Statutes of this most Noble Order have fixed to the day of St. George we come now to treat of its Celebration with the Ceremonies performed throughout this great Solemnity devised to set forth and illustrate the glory thereof In the observation of which both the first Institutor and all succeeding Soveraigns have shewn the utmost of their provision and care well knowing that what is once slightly observed will soon fall into disesteem if not contempt And here what first occurs to our consideration are the Day the Hour and the Place when and where the Soveraign and Knights-Companions are to meet in order to the beginning of the Feast As to the first although St. George's day or such other day as the Soveraign shall please to nominate and appoint by Prorogation in lieu thereof be indeed the principal and Grand day of the Feast yet does the Feast take commencement upon the Eve and determines not until the third
Founder for the commencement of the Anniversary of this Grand Feast so to make the time yet more certain the Statutes express the exact Hour of meeting for beginning the Solemnities to be at the Hour of Tierce which in many other places is called Hora tertiarum But this seemed not sufficient to express clear enough the meaning of a Law wherein the punishment for late coming was enjoined and by the strength of which the penalty might be levied and therefore in a Chapter held at Windesor upon the 10. day of May an 17. E. 4. A scruple being raised among the Knights-Companions then assembled concerning the Exposition of these words Hora tertiarum the day before the Feast whether it were intended at three a Clock in the Afternoon or at the Hour of the Church accustomably used after Prime before Noon Because it seemed most agreeable to the Statute and to the reason of the Statute and to the penalty there enjoined that it should be taken for the Hour after Prime before Noon it was determined that thereforth it should inviolably be so observed The Registrum Chartaceum recordeth the same interpretation of the words and to let us see that this was immediately put in practice in it there is entred down the Names of those Knights-Companions present in the Chapterhouse with the Soveraign both in the Morning and Evening of the said 10. day of May being the Eve of the Feast of St. George that is to say before Noon Thomas Marquess Dorset William Earl of Arundel Henry Earl of Essex Anthony Earl Rivers Iohn Lord Scrope Thomas Lord Mantravers Iohn Lord Dudley and Sir Iohn Astley and in the Afternoon the Prince George Duke of Clarence Richard Duke of York Iames Earl Douglas Iohn Lord Howard Sir William Parre Walter Lord Ferrars and Sir Thomas Montgomery Another instance of which Practice we again meet with an 3. H. 7. on the Eve of the Grand Feast held by Prorogation at Windesor where the Soveraign in regard of the arrival of several Ambassadors there and treating about the Affairs concerning which they came put off the usual Chapter until Noon Whence it evidently appears that the custom at this time also was to begin the Solemnity in the Morning and then to hold a Chapter as the first thing which although for the reasons before mentioned the Soveraign though fit to defer until Noon nevertheless he commanded in the mean time that the Earl of Shrewsbury should be installed which was accordingly performed at the Mass of the Virgin Mary As to the express acception therefore of the Hora tertia so far as it relates to the entrance upon our Grand Festival and how neer the same expounded and practised as above agrees with that hour of Tierce celebrated by the Church and reckoned as one of the Canonical Hours set apart for Divine Worship may best be deduced from what is discoursed at large by Durant de Ritibus Ecclesiae Catholicae and by Durand in his aforesaid Rationale speaking both of them concerning the Canonical hours of the Church which though agreed on by both to be the same in effect are by Durant most positively delivered to be seven in Number viz. Matutinae laudes or Mattins the Prima Hora or Prime the Hora tertia the Hora sexta the Hora nona Vespers and the Completorium besides the Nocturnum Officium the Office for Nights which is also divided into four Vigils the Conticinium Gallicinium Intempestum and Antelucinium which several hours after what manner they divided the day it is pertinent to our purpose to enquire since from thence may be collected what time of the day was their hour of Tierce seeming to be the same determined by King Edward the Fourth as aforesaid in some respect And though these Authors do not very punctually determine the course of these Hours yet it may well enough be implied that since their Mattins was performed about break of day and their Prime by consequence at 6 a Clock in the morning the hour of Tierce was most probably 9 a Clock in the Morning and so the rest at 3 hours distance one after the other and this determination is clearly confirmed by my late worthy friend Mr. Somner in his Saxon Dictionary from an old Saxon Author whose words he having cited in that Language thus renders Sacram horam diei veterum tertiam nostram autem Nonam ante meridiem Archiepiscopi cum Clero sestiva celebrant bilaritate The Archbishop with the Clergie celebrate with feasting and mirth the sacred hour of the day which among the Ancients was the Third but with us the Ninth hour before Noon This Hora tertia or hour of Tierce was by our Ancestors the English-Saxons called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as we find in venerable Bedes History of the Church of England 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i.e. à Tertia Horae quando Missae fieri solebant and so is it rendred by the said Mr. Somner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tempus ante meridianum hora diei veterum tertia nostra nona the Forenoon the third hour of the day that is nine of the Clock with us So in like manner is it used in an old Manuscript of the holy Festivals of the Church composed in meeter about the Reign of King Edward the First in the life of St. Brandon This Fowles long es her Matyns wel right tho it was time And of the Sauter sede vers and seithe also Prime And Undarne seithe and Midday and afterward seith non And ech tyde of the day longe as cristenemen scholde don Of the Third Sixth and Ninth Hours Tertullian takes notice as the most remarkable in humane Affairs for the division of the day the distinction of business and more peculiarly to be solemnized by Prayers and Divine Service but especially of all the rest the Hora Tertia is by preheminence called the Golden hour and in the Canon Law Hora sacra doubtless as being most peculiarly dedicated to some celebration of Divine Service But notwithstanding the foresaid declared and decreed Exposition made by King Edward the Fourth we find it an II. H. 8. declared to be meant and intended for the hour of three in the Afternoon and when King Henry the Eighth came to model the Statutes of the Order he in two several Articles declares and expounds this Hora teria which the English Version of those Statutes renders the Hour of Tierce to be Hora tertia post meridiem three a Clock in the Afternoon and in another Article of the same Statutes Hora tertiarum id est Hora teria post meridiem and elsewhere Hora tertia Vespertina vel Pomeridiana which Hour as it was then setled to be the punctual time for the Knights-Companions meeting to enter upon the Solemnity of the Feast so hath it ever since continued unaltered and usually observed Thirdly the Place
to Richard Earl of Arundel Admiral of the West-parts to arrest 13. stout Ships each of 80. Tun Burthen at least to bring them to Bristol before the Octaves of Easter for the passage of this Lord his men at Arms and Archers into that Country After a years enjoyment of this great Office he became desirous to resign it and to that purpose made an address to the King who sent directions to the Earl of Derby to confer with him about his continuance in it to which if he could not be perswaded to consent then he gave the Earl power to take his resignation and substitute some other fit person in his room to hold it during the Kings pleasure This Spring Iohn de Valois Duke of Normandy laid Siege to Aiguillon of which Town this Lord was Governor and then within it and though the Earl of Derby relieved him yet had the Duke so strongly intrenched himself that he could not raise the Siege so that it was continued by the Duke to the Decollation of St. Iohn Baptist in August at which time being called away to assist King Philip his Father against King Edward who had entred France with a puissant Army he raised his Siege Upon which the Lord Stafford sallying out of the Town fell upon his Rear cut off a great part of it and having joined his to the Kings Forces he had given him a Command in the Van of the Army under the Prince at the Battel of Cressy And after the Victory was sent with Sir Reignold Cobham and 3. Heralds to view the slain who made report of 11. great Princes 80. Bannerets 1200. Knights and above 30000. Common Souldiers When Calais was surrender'd he was one of those appointed to take possession of it for the King and had many fair Houses given him in that Town to place Inhabitants in Shortly after the rendition the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont mediated a Peace between both Kings whereupon this Lord with Reignold de Cobham Io. Darcy and Robert de Bourghcher were nominated by the King to treat of a Peace or Truce between them their Subjects Allies and Adherents And for his good Services done to the King in France He gave him a Pension of 600. Marks for life out of the Customs of London and St. Butolphs The King also bestowed on him as a gift 573 l. towards his expences in his service beyond Sea He was with the King in the Encounter with Sir Geoffry Charney at Calais And went into Goscoigne with the Earl of Lancaster and other Lords to stop the Progress of the Duke of Normandy made there with his Army And growing more and more in the Kings favour by his meritorious Services he advanced him to the Dignity of an Earl and for the better support of that Honor and towards the defraying of his charge in attending the King with certain men at Arms both in Peace and War he granted him a Pension of 1000. Marks per Annum during life out of his Customs in London till he could settle on him the said annual sum in Lands or Rents The next day he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and parts adjacent and the 3 d. of April following the King gave him power to appoint a Seneschal of Gascoigne and a Constable of Bordeaux and these to be such persons as he should think fit to enjoy those Offices during the Kings pleasure The next year the King empower'd him by a Commission to treat and agree with all persons of what Kingdom Nation or Degree soever upon a firm friendship and mutual assistance between the King and them and to retain them against all men to agree with them upon Fees Wages and rewards to receive security from them and give the like to them and what he did herein the King obliged himself and his Heirs to observe and perform Being ready to take another Journey into Gascoigne a Writ issued to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Admiral towards the West to arrest all Ships of 50. Tuns and upwards for this Earls passage thither and to bring them to Sandwich by Quindena Trinitatis following and upon his Entry into that Country he defeated the French that sallied out of the Fortress of Gagent and among them was taken seven Knights of the Star An. 29. E. 3. he went over with the King to Calais at the latter end of Summer and marched along with him in pursuit of King Iohn as far as Heyden And an 33. E. 3. he attended him in his Voyage into France which terminated with the Peace agreed on at Bretigny near Chartres Two years after he was designed for Ireland in the Company of several other persons of Quality upon the Kings Service But after this Voyage being much broken with Age and wasted with Sickness he became uncapable of publick Employments This Noble Lord Married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Hugh de Audeley Earl of Gloucester and Margaret his Wife who died the 7. of September an 21. E. 3. and by whom he had Issue Ralph his eldest Son who married Maud Daughter of Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby but died about 21. E. 3. Hugh who succeeded him in his Earldom and Sir Richard Stafford Knight Beatrix the Wife of Maurice fitz Maurice Earl of Desmond Ioan of Iohn Charleton Lord Powes and Margaret of Iohn Stafford Patron of the Church of Bromhall in Staffordshire He died the last of August an 46. E. 3. and lies buried at Turnbridge in Kent 7. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury THis Earl was Son unto William Montacute first Earl of Salisbury of that Family and Katherine one of the Coheirs of William Lord Grantson He was born the Morrow after Midsummer day an 2. E. 3. for at the Death of his Father found to be the 30. of Ianuary an 18. E. 3. he was 15. years old the Midsummer before The 24. of May an 20. E. 3. the Wardship of his body was committed to Iohn de Somerton and Thomas Waryn until Christmass following and then renued till Whitsontide and thence till Michaelmas ensuing and being within Age he attended the King in that memorable expedition into France an 20. E. 3. So also did his younger Brother Iohn He was in the Sea Fight against the Spaniards near Winchelsey an 24. E. 3. and going into Gascoigne in the retinue of the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. he obtained Letters directed to the Seneschal there with Command that he should not be sued or molested for any of his own or Ancestors debts during the space of two years An. 33. E. 3. he attended the King in his Royal expedition into France and from that time to the 43. of Edward the Third we find little mention of his Martial employments
Bartholomew Burghersh le fitz So also an 23. E. 3. Two years after the Duke of Lancaster being made Admiral he went to Sea in the Fleet Afterwards he went with the Prince of Wales into Gascoigne and an 32. E. 3. into Bretagne These were the Expeditions this noble Knight made which sufficiently denote his being continually employed abroad in the Kings service He died 28. of Iune an 49. E. 3. leaving Edward Pavely his Son and Heir SECT IV. A Catalogue of their Successors with Scutcheons of their Arms. KNights elected in the following part of the Reign of King Edward the Third as the Stalls became void 27. Richard of Bordeaux afterwards King of England of that name the Second 28. Lyonel of Antwerp Earl of Vlster and Duke of Clarence 29. Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster after created Duke of Aquitaine 30. Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge after Duke of York 31. Iohn de Montford Duke of Bretagne and Earl of Richmond 32. Humfry Bohun Earl of Hereford and Constable of England 33. William Bohun Earl of Northampton 34. Iohn Hastings Earl of Penbroke 35. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick 36. Richard Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel and Surrey 37. Robert Vfford Earl of Suffolk 38. Hugh Stafford Earl of Stafford 39. Ingleram de Coucy Earl of Bedford 40. Guiscard d' Angolesme Earl of Huntingdon 41. Edward Spencer Lord Spencer 42. William Latimer Lord Latimer 43. Reynold Cobham Lord Cobham of Sterborough 44. Iohn Nevil Lord Nevil of Raby 45. Ralph Basset Lord Basset of Drayton 46. Sir Walter Manny Bannert 47. Sir William Fitz Waren Knight 48. Sir Thomas Vfford Knight 49. Sir Thomas Felton Knight 50. Sir Franc Van Hall Knight 51. Sir Fulk Fitz Waren Knight 52. Sir Allan Boxhull Knight 53. Sir Richard Pemburge Knight 54. Sir Thomas Vtreight Knight 55. Sir Thomas Banester Knight 56. Sir Richard de la Vache Knight 57. Sir Guy de Bryan Knight Knights Elected in the Reign of King Richard the Second 58. Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham after Duke of Gloucester 59. Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby afterward King of England of that Name the Fourth 60. William Duke of Gelderland 61. William of Bavaris Earl of Ostrevant after Earl of Holland Henault and Zeland 62. Thomas Holland Earl of Kent after Duke of Surrey 63. Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon after Duke of Exceter 64. Thomas Mowbray Earl of Nottingham after Duke of Norfolk 65. Edward Earl of Rutland after Duke of Albemarle 66. Michael de la Poole Earl of Suffolk 67. William Scrope Lord Scrope after Earl of Wiltshire and Lord Treasurer of England 68. William Beauchamp Lord Bergaveny 69. Iohn Beaumont Lord Beaumont 70. William Willoughby Lord Willoughby 71. Richard Grey Lord Grey 72. Sir Nicholas Sarnesfield Knight 73. Sir Philip de la Vache Knight 74. Sir Robert Knolls Knight 75. Sir Simon Burley Knight 76. Sir Iohn de Evereux Banneret 77. Sir â—ryan Stapleton Knight 78. Sir Richard Burley Knight 79. Sir Peter Courtney Knight 80. Sir Iohn Burley Knight 81. Sir Iohn Bourchier Knight 82. Sir Thomas Granston Knight 83. Sir Lewis Clifford Knight 84. Sir Robert Dunstavill Knight 85. Sir Robert de Namur Knight Knights Elected in the Reign of King Henry the Fourth 86. Henry Prince of Wales after King of England of that Name the Fifth 87. Thomas of Lancaster Earl of Albemarle and Duke of Clarence 88. Iohn Earl of Kendal and Duke of Bedford after Regent of France 89. Humfry Earl of Penbroke and Duke of Gloucester 90. Thomas Beauford Earl of Dorset and after Duke of Exceter 91. Robert Count Palatine Duke of Bavaria after Emperor of Germany 92. Iohn Beauford Earl of Somerset and Marquess of Dorset 93. Thomas Fitz Alan Earl of Arundel 94. Edmund Stafford Earl of Stafford 95. Edmund Holland Earl of Kent 96. Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmerland 97. Gilbert Roos Lord Roos 98. Gilbert Talbot Lord Talbot 99. Iohn Lovell Lord Lovell 100. Hugh Burnell Lord Burnell 101. Thomas Morley Lord Morley 102. Edward Charleton Lord Powis 103. Sir Iohn Cornwall Knight after Lord Fanhope 104. Sir William Arundel Knight 105. Sir Iohn Stanly Knight 106. Sir Robert de Vmfrevill Knight 107. Sir Thomas Rampston Knight 108. Sir Thomas Erpingham Knight 109. Sir Iohn Sulbie Knight 110. Sir Sandich de Trane Knight Hitherto we have ranked the Knights of this most Noble Order as they are placed in other Catalogues and according to their greatest Dignities because the certain years of their Elections cannot be found but these that follow are marshalled in an exact series of their Elections Knights Elected in the Reign of King Henry the Fifth 111. Sir Iohn Dabrichcourt Knight 112. Richard Vere Earl of Oxford 113. Thomas Camoys Lord Camoys 114. Sir Symon Felbryge Knight 115. Sir William Harington Knight 116. Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon 117. Sigismund Emperor of Germany 118. Duke of Briga 119. Sir Iohn Blount Knight 120. Sir Iohn Robessart Knight 121. Sir William Philip Knight after Lord Bardolf 122. Iohn King of Portugal 123. Ericus King of Denmark 124. Richard â—â—auchamp Earl of Warwick after Lieutenant General and Govenor in France and Normandy 125. Thomas Montacute Earl of Salisbury 126. Robert Willoughby Lord Willoughby 127. Henry Fitz-Hugh Lord Fitz-Hugh 128. Sir Iohn Grey Knight Earl of Tankervile 129. Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier 130. Iohn Mowbray Lord Mowbray Earl Marshal 131. William de la Poole Earl of Suffolk after Marquess and Duke of Suffolk 132. Iohn Clifford Lord Clifford 133. Sir Lewis Robessart Knight after Lord Bourchier 134. Sir Heer Tank Clux Knight 135. Sir Walter Hungerford Knight after Lord Hungerford and Lord Treasurer of England 136. Philip Duke of Burgundy Knights Elected in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth 137. Iohn Talbot Lord Talbot after Earl of Shrewsbury 138. Thomas Scales Lord Scales 139. Sir Iohn Fastolf Knight 140. Peter Duke of Conimbero third Son of Iohn the First King of Portugal 141. Humfrey Stafford Earl of Stafford after Created Duke of Buckingham 142. Sir Iohn Ratclyff Knight 143. Iohn Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundell 144. Richard Duke of York the Kings Lieutenant in France and Normandy 145. Edward King of Portugall 146. Edmund Beaufort Earl of Moriton after Earl of Dorset and Duke of Somerset 147. Sir Iohn Grey Knight 148. Richard Nevil Earl of Salisbury after Lord Chancellor of England 149. William Nevil Lord Fauconbridge after Earl of Kent 150. Albert Emperor of Germany 151. Iohn Beaufort Earl of Somerset after Duke of Somerset and Earl of Kendall 152. Ralph Butler Lord Sudeley after Lord Treasurer of England 153. Henry Duke of Viseo fourth Son of Iohn the First King of Portugal 154. Iohn Beaumont Viscount Beaumont after High Constable of England 155. Gaston de Foix Earl of Longevile and Benanges Captan de Buch. 156. Iohn de Foix Earl of Kendall 157. Iohn Beauchamp Lord Beauchamp of Powik and after Lord Treasurer of England 158. Alphonsus the Fifth King of Portugal
159. Albro Vasques d' Almada Earl of Averence in Normandy 160. Thomas Hoo Lord Hoo. 161. Sir Francis Surien Knight 162. Alphonsus King of Aragon 163. Casimire the Fourth King of Poland 164. William Duke of Brunswick 165. Richard Widvile Lord Rivers after Created Earl Rivers 166. Iohn Mowbray Duke of Norfolk 167. Henry Bourchier Viscount Bourchier after Lord Treasurer of England and Earl of Essex 168. Sir Philip Wentworth Knight 169. Sir Edward Hall Knight 170. Frederick the Third Emperor of Germany 171. Iohn Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury 172. Lionell Wells Lord Wells 173. Thomas Stanley Lord Stanley 174. Edward Prince of Wales 175. Iaspar Earl of Penbroke after Duke of Bedford 176. Iames Butler Earl of Wiltshire 177. Iohn Sutton Lord Dudley 178. Iohn Bourchier Lord Berners 179. Richard Nevil Earl of Warwick 180. William Bonvill Lord Bonvill 181. Iohn Wenlock Lord Wenlock 182. Sir Thomas Kyriell Knight Knights Elected in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth 183. George Duke of Clarence 184. Sir William Chamberlayne Knight 185. Iohn Typtoft Earl of Worcester after High Constable of England 186. Iohn Nevel Lord Montague after Earl of Northumberland and Marquess Montague 187. William Herbert Lord Herbert after Earl of Penbroke 188. William Hastings Lord Hastings 189. Iohn Scrope Lord Scrope 190. Sir Iohn Astley Knight 191. Ferdinand King of Naples Son of Alphonsus King of Aragon 192. Francis Sfortia Duke of Milan 193. Iames Douglas Earl of Douglas 194. Galeard Lord Duras 195. Sir Robert Harcourt Knight 196. Anthony Widvile Lord Scales and Nucelles after Earl Rivers 197. Richard Duke of Gloucester after King of England of that name the Third 198. Lord Mountgryson of Apulia 199. Iohn Mowbray Duke of Norfolk 200. Iohn de la Poole Duke of Suffolk 201. William Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundell 202. Iohn Stafford Earl of Wiltshire 203. Iohn Howard Lord Howard after Duke of Norfolk 204. Walter Ferrars Lord Ferrars of Chartley. 205. Walter Blount Lord Mountjoy 206. Charles Duke of Burgundy 207. Henry Stafford Duke of Buckingham after Constable of England 208. Thomas Fitz-Alan Lord Matrevers after Earl of Arundel 209. Sir William Parr 210. Frederick Duke of Vrbin 211. Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland 212. Edward Prince of Wales 213. Richard Duke of York second Son to King Edward the Fourth 214. Thomas Grey Earl of Huntingdon and Marquess Dorset 215. Sir Thomas Montgomery Knight 216. Ferdinand King of Castile 217. Hercules Duke of Ferara 218. Iohn King of Portugal Son to Alphonsus the Fifth Knights Elected in the Reign of King Richard the Third 219. Sir Iohn Coniers Knight 220. Thomas Howard Earl of Surrey after Lord Treasurer of England and Duke of Norfolk 221. Francis Viscount Lovell 222. Sir Richard Ratcliff Knight 223. Sir Thomas Burgh Knight after Lord Burgh 224. Thomas Stanley Lord Stanley after Earl of Derby 225. Sir Richard Tunstall Knight Knights Elected in the Reign of King Henry the Seventh 226. Iohn Vere Earl of Oxford 227. Sir Giles d' Aubeny Knight after Lord d' Aubeny 228. Thomas Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel 229. George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury 230. Iohn Wells Viscount Wells 231. George Stanley Lord Strange 232. Sir Edward Wydevile Knight Banneret 233. Iohn Dynham Lord Dynham Lord Treasurer of England 234. Maximilian the First Emperor of Germany 235. Sir Iohn Savage Knight 236. Sir William Stanley Knight Lord Chamberlain 237. Sir Iohn Cheney Knight Baneret 238. Alphonsus Duke of Calabria 239. Arthur Prince of Wales 240. Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset 241. Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland 242. Henry Bourchier Earl of Essex 243. Sir Charles Somerset Knight Baneret after Earl of Worcester 244. Robert Willoughby Lord Brook 245. Sir Edward Poynings Knight 246. Sir Gilbert Talbot Knight Baneret 247. Sir Richard Poole Knight 248. Edward Stafford Duke of Buckingham 249. Henry Duke of York second Son to King Henry the Seventh after King of England of that name the Eighth 250. Edward Courtney Earl of Devonshire 251. Sir Richard Guildford Knight Baneret 252. Sir Edmund de la Poole Earl of Suffolke 253. Sir Thomas Lovel Knight Baneret 254. Sir Reginald Bray Knight Baneret 255. Iohn King of Denmark 256. Guido Vbaldo Duke of Vrbin 257. Gerald Fitz Gerald Earl of Kildare 258. Henry Stafford Lord Stafford after Earl of Wiltshire 259. Richard Grey Earl of Kent 260. Sir Rys ap Thomas Knight Baneret 261. Philip King of Castile 262. Sir Thomas Brandon Knight Baneret 263. Charles Arch-Duke of Austria Prince of Spaines after Emperor of Germany Knights Elected in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth 264. Thomas Darcy Lord Darcy 265. Edward Sutton Lord Dudley 266. Emanuel King of Portugal 267. Thomas Howard Lord Howard eldest Son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk 268. Thomas West Lord la Ware 269. Sir Henry Marney Knight after Lord Marney 270. George Nevil Lord Abergaveny 271. Sir Edward Howard Knight second Son to Thomas Duke of Norfolk 272. Sir Charles Brandon after Duke of Suffolk 273. Iulian de Medices Brother to Pope Leo the Tenth 274. Edward Stanley Lord Mounteagle 275. Thomas Dacres Lord Dacres of Gyllesland 276. Sir William Sandes Knight after Lord Sandes 277. Henry Courtney Earl of Devonshire and after Marquess of Exceter 278. Ferdinand Prince and Infant of Spain Arch-Duke of Austria after Emperor of Germany 279. Sir Richard Wingfield Knight 280. Sir Thomas Bullen Knight after Viscount Rochford and Earl of Wiltshire and Ormond 281. Walter d'Euereux Lord Ferrars of Chartley after Viscount Hereford 282. Arthur Plantaginet Viscount Lisle 283. Robert Radcliff Viscount Fitz Walter after Earl of Sussex 284. William Fitz-Alan Earl of Arundel 285. Thomas Mannors Lord Roos after Earl of Rutland 286. Henry Fitz Roy after Earl of Nottingham and Duke of Richmond and Somerset 287. Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmerland 288. William Blount Lord Montjoy 289. Sir William Fitz Williams Knight after Earl of Southampton 290. Sir Henry Guildford Knight 291. Francis the French King 292. Iohn Vere Earl of Oxford 293. Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland 294. Anne Duke of Montmorency 295. Philip Chabot Earl of Newblanche 296. Iames the Fifth King of Scotland 297. Sir Nicholas Carew Knight 298. Henry Clifford Earl of Cumberland 299. Thomas Cromwell Lord Cromwell after Earl of Essex 300. Iohn Russell Lord Russell after Earl of Bedford 301. Sir Thomas Cheney Knight 302. Sir William Kingston Knight 303. Thomas Audley Lord Audley of Walden Lord Chancellor of England 304. Sir Anthony Browne Knight 305. Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford after Duke of Somerset 306. Henry Howard Earl of Surrey 307. Sir Iohn Gage Knight 308. Sir Anthony Wingfield Knight 309. Iohn Sutton Viscount Lisle after Earl of Warwick and Duke of Northumberland 310. William Paulet Lord St. Iohn of Basing after Earl of Wiltshire and Marquess of Winchester 311. William Parr Lord Parr of Kendall after Earl of Essex and Marquess of Northampton 312. Sir Iohn Wallop Knight 313. Henry Fitz-Alen Earl of Arundell 314. Sir Anthony St. Leger Knight 315. Francis Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury 316.
455. Frederick William Prince Elector of the Empire Marquess of Brandenburg 456. Iohn Gaspar Ferdinand de Marchin Count de Gravil 457. Sir George Monck Knight after Duke of Albemarle 458. Sir Edward Mountague Knight after Earl of Sandwich 459. William Seymour Marquess of Hertford after Duke of Somerset 460. Aubrie de Vere Earl of Oxford 461. Charles Stewart Duke of Richmond and Lenox 362. Mountague Barty Earl of Lindsey 363. Edward Mountague Earl of Manchester 464. William Wentworth Earl of Strafford 465. Christierne Prince of Denmark since King of Denmark 466. Iames Scot Duke of Monmouth and Bucclugh 467. Iames Stewart Duke of Cambridge 468. Charles the Eleventh King of Sweden Goths and Vandales 469. Iohn George the Second Duke of Saxony Iuliers Cleves and Monts and Prince Elector of the Empire 470. Christopher Monck Duke of Albemarle 471. Iohn Maitland Duke of Lauderdale To close up all here follows a Catalogue of the Officers of this most Noble Order Prelates of the Order William de Edyngton Bishop of Winchester Lord Treasurer and after Lord Chancellor of England William de Wykham Bishop of Winchester Lord Chancellor of England Henry Beaufort Bishop of Winchester Priest Cardinal of St. Eusebius and Lord Chancellor of England William de Waynfleet Bishop of Winchester and Lord Chancellor of England Peter Courtney Bishop of Winchester Thomas Langton Bishop of Winchester Richard Fox Bishop of Winchester and Lord Privy Seal Thomas Wolsey Bishop of Winchester Priest Cardinal of St. Cecily and Lord Chancellor of England Stephen Gardiner Bishop of Winchester Iohn Poynet Bishop of Winchester Stephen Gardiner restored and made Lord Chancellor of Englanâ— Iohn White Bishop of Winchester Robert Honne Bishop of Winchester Iohn Watson Bishop of Winchester Thomas Cooper Bishop of Winchester William Wyâ—ham Bishop of Winchester William Day Bishop of Winchester Thomas Bilson Bishop of Winchester Iames Mountague Bishop of Winchester Lancelot Andrews Bishop of Winchester Richard Neyle Bishop of Winchester Walter Curle Bishop of Winchester Brian Duppa Bishop of Winchester â—eorge Morley Bishop of Winchester Chancellors of the Order Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury and Dean of Windesor Lionel Woodeville Bishop of Salisbury Thomas Langton Bishop of Salisbury Iohn Blyth Bishop of Salisbury Henry Dean Bishop of Salisbury Edmund Audeley Bishop of Salisbury Sir William Cecil Principal Secretary of State Sir William Peters Principal Secretary of State Sir Thomas Smith Principal Secretary of State Sir Francis Walsingham Principal Secretary of State Sir Amyas Paulet Privy Counsellor Sir Iohn Woollee Secretary for the Latine Tongue Sir Edward Dyer Sir Iohn Herbert Principal Secretary of State Sir George More Sir Francis Crane Sir Thomas Rowe Sir Iames Palmer Sir Henry de Vic Baronet Seth Ward Bishop of Salisbury Registers of the Order â—â— Iohn Coringham Canon of Windesor Iohn Deepden Canon of Windesor Iames Goldwell Canon of Windesor and Secretary of State Oliver King Canon of Windesor Secretary to Prince Henry Son of King Henry the Sixth to King Edward the Fourth to King Edward the Fifth and King Henry the Seventh Richard Nix Canon of Windesor Christopher Vrswick Dean of Windesor Thomas Wolsey the Kings Almoner William Atwater Canon of Windesor after Bishop of Lincolne Nicholas West Dean of Windesor Iohn Vesâ—y Dean of Windesor Richard Sydnor Canon of Windesor Robert Aldridge Canon of Windesor Owen Oglethorp Dean of Windesor Iohn Boxall Dean of Windesor and Principal Secretary of State George Carew Dean of Windesor William Dâ—y Dean of Windesor Robert Benet Dean of Windesor Giles Tomson Dean of Windesor and Bishop of Gloucester Anthony Maxey Dean of Windesor Marc Antonio de Dominis Archbishop of Spalato Dean of Windesor Henry Beaumont Dean of Windesor Matthew Wren Dean of Windesor Christopher Wren Dean of Windesor Brune Ryves Dean of Windesor Garters Kings of Arms. Sir William Brugges Knight Iohn Smert Sir Iohn Writh Knight Sir Thomas Wriothesley Knight Sir Thomas Wall Knight Sir Christopher Barker Knight Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight Sir William Dethick Knight Sir William Segar Knight Sir Iohn Borough Knight Sir Henry St. George Knight Sir Edward Walker Knight Ushers of the Black-Rod William Whitehorse Iohn Cray Thomas Sye William Evington and Edward Hardgyll Robert Marleton Ralph Ashton and Hugh Dennys Sir William Compton Knight Henry Norresse Esquire Anthony Knyvet Esquire Sir Philip Hobby Knight Iohn Norres and William Norres Esquires Anthony Wingfeild Esquire Richard Coningsbye and George Pollard Esquires Iames Maxwell Esquire Peter Newton Esquire Sir Iohn Ayton Knight Sir Edward Carteret Knight APPENDIX The Statutes of Institution of the most Noble Order of the Garter AD honorem omnipotentis Dei Sanctae Mariae Virginis gloriosae Sancti Georgii Martyris Dominus noster Supremus Edwardus tertius Rex Angliae anno regni sui post conquestum xxiii Ordinavit stabilivit fundavit quandum Societatem five Ordinem militarem infra Castrum suum de Wyndesore in hunc modum Primo scipsum statuit dictae Societatis sive Ordinis Superiorem filium suum seniorem Principem Walliae Ducem Lancastriae Comitem Warwici Capitaneum de Buche Comitem Staffordiae Comitem Sarum Dominum de Mortimer Dominum Johannem Lisle Dominum Bartholomeum Burghersh filium Dominum Johannem de Beauchamp Dominum de Bohun Dominum Hugonem de Courtenay Dominum Thomam de Hollande Dominum Johannem de Grey Dominum Richardum de fitz Symond Dominum Milonem de Stapulton Dominum Thomam Wale Dominum Hugonem de Wirteslay Dominum Nelelatum Loryng Dominum Johannem Chandos Dominum Jacobum Daudele Dominum Otonem de Hollande Dominum Henricum de Em Dominum Sauchetum Dabrichecourt Dominum Walterum Pavelay I. Concordatum est quod Rex Angliae qui pro tempore fuerit inperpetuum erit Superior hujus Ordinis Sancti Georgii sive Societatis Garterii II. Item concordatum est quod nullus eligatâ—r in socium dicti Ordinis nisi generosae propaginis existat miles careus opprobrio quoniam ignobiles aut reprobos Ordinis institutio non admittit III. Et xxvi Commilitones Consocii hujus Ordinis praenominati deferent mantella garteria apud dictum castrum ordinata quociens ibidem praesentes fuerint videlicet quâlibâ—t vice quâ capellam intrant Sancti Georgii aut domum Capitularem pro capitulo celebrando aut aliquid statuendo quod ad Ordinem pertinebit Et simili modo incedent in vigiliâ Sancti Georgii per modum processionis proficiscentes cum Superiori Ordinis aut suo Deputato de magnâ camerâ regiâ usque ad Capellam vel domum capitularem eâdem serie revertentur Sedebunt itaque cum Montellis Garteriis in dictâ vigiliâ tempore coenae tam illi qui coenare volunt quam etiam alii non coenantes quousque de magnâ camerâ praedictâ consuctum tempus fuerit separandi Sic eciam induti inâ—â—dere debent in crastino versus dictam Capellam abinde revertentes ac etiam tempore prandii postea quosque
decease of such Knight-Companion And yet besides these three Bodies most eminently known by the title of Statutes there was another drawn up and published anno 7. E. 6. the Reformation of Religion here in England giving the occasion but it being within few Months repealed by Queen Mary his Sister and Successor before it received the life of Execution and not since revived we suppose it not proper to rank it in the Appendix or make any use thereof in the following Discourse In the Month of December 1666. the Right Reverend Father in God Matthew Wren late Lord Bishop of Ely shewed me a Manuscript compiled by himself about the year 1631. being at that time Register of this most Noble Order wherein by way of Comment upon King Henry the Eighth's Statutes he briefly shews out of the Statutes and Annals of the Order what alteration there hath been in the Law of the Garter both before and since It is a work composed with a great deal of judgment and exceeding useful and had it been my good hap to have met therewith before I had so neer finished this Work the ready directions therein would have eased me of much toil whilst I was about the composing it SECT III. Several endeavours for Reforming the Statutes since the Reign of King Henry the Eighth AS the Kings of this Realm immediately at their attaining the Crown do become Soveraigns of this most Noble Order of the Garter and consequently the Supream Law and Interpreters thereof so is the regulation of the whole their undoubted Prerogative and this hath been evidenced in nothing more fully than from their constant course in exercising the power not only of making and establishing but changing and altering the Laws and Statutes thereof which upon interest of Religion pleasure of the Soveraign change of times or any other fit or necessary Occasion hath from time to time been done by them Upon this ground was it that King Edward the Sixth went about to alter and reform such things in preceding Statutes as seemed not consistent with the Religion he had established in England To which purpose at a Chapter holden at Greenwich the 23. of April in the 3. year of his Reign it was agreed That the Lord St. John the Earl of Arundel and Sir William Paget should peruse over the Statutes of the Garter and that the same should be reformed and made agreeable to the Kings Majesty's other proceedings by the advice of the Duke of Somerset Lord Protector and other Companions of this Noble Order This was seconded by another Order made also in Chapter at Greenwich on St. Georges day in the following year where it was agreed That the Book of Statutes should be reformed and thereupon the Soveraign delivered to the whole Company a Book wherein was contained certain Statutes by the same to be corrected and reformed as they thought best until the next Chapter But it seems nothing was as yet done in pursuance of either of these Orders for at the next Feast on the 24. of April anno 5. E. 6. another Order past impowering the Duke of Somerset the Marquess of Northampton the Earls of Warwick Arundel Bedford and Wiltshire to peruse over the Statutes and other Books of the Order and the same to be reformed as aforesaid This third Order it seems took more effect than the former for thereupon a new Body of Laws was collected together wherein some things were reformed others newly added but in effect the Laws of the Order very much altered and published March 17. anno 7. E. 6. But this King dying within four Months after the very first thing Queen Mary his Sister took care for in reference to the Affairs of this Order was to see these new statutes abrogated and made void To which purpose in a Chapter held at St. Iames's House the 27. of September next following her coming to the Crown it was among other things Decreed and Ordained That the said Laws and Ordinances which were in no sort convenient to be used and so impertinent and tending to novelty should be abrogated and disanulled and no account to be made of them for the future And for the speedy execution of this Decree command was then also given to Sir William Petre who that day was admitted Chancellor of the Order to see that they should be speedily expunged out of the Book of Statutes and forthwith defaced left any memory of them should remain to posterity and only those Decrees and Ordinances which her Father and his royal Predecessors had established should be retained and observed It may be also noted that in this particular of Reformation King Philip her Husband appeared no less zealous for on the 5. of August an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. which was the third day after he had been invested with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order himself being presâ—nt at a Chapter in Windesor Castle it was then Ordained That all Acts and Decrees being recorded in divers places of the Great Book to wit the Black Book of the Order which were repugnant and disagreeable either with the ancient and received Statutes of the Order or else with the Laws of the Realm should clearly be abolished and taken away by the Marquess of Winchester the Earls of Arundel and Pembroke and the Lord Paget And we no sooner see Queen Elizabeth ascending the Throne but shortly after on St. George's day in the 2. year of her Reign a view of the Statutes is committed by Commission to four of the Knights-Companions namely the Marquess of Northampton the Earls of Arundel and Pembroke and the Lord Howard of Effingham Who were thereby impowered to read over and consider those Statutes and being so read over and viewed to consider with a watchful care and diligence if any of them were disagreeable to the Religion Laws and Statutes of this Realm and if any such were found the same to be faithfully represented to the Soveraign to the end that She with the Knights-Companions might establish such Decree concerning them as she should think fit Whether any thing was done pursuant hereunto or not doth not appear in the Annals of the Order or any where else that we have seen nor do we conceive there was or that this Soveraign saw much cause to alter the frame of those Statutes which King Henry the Eighth had established and Queen Mary confirmed since the Books of Statutes delivered to the Knights-Companions at their Installations throughout her Reign were no other than Transcripts of her Father's Body of Statutes and besides the practice of her time was generally pursuant to the direction therein except in some few things now and then added or altered at future Chapters when there arose new cause for so doing of which we shall give an account as the matter occurs After her Reign King Iames her Successor observing the obscurity and disagreement of some passages among the Statutes
learned Selden and is to be so taken here and not as a distinct Title of a lower Degree because also we observe the Banerets ranked in all Scrutenies before King Henry the Eighth established his Statutes except one with the Knights-Batchelors not with Barons Besides this something further may be said concerning the Title of the third and lowest rank in this Classis for in the Statutes of Institution they are called Milites Bachalauri in those of King Henry the Fifth Batchelers and elsewhere Bachalauri and Bachalauri Equites which in common acceptation are all the same with Milites though thus rendred to express and manifest their difference from Knights Banerets who are of a higher Degree of Honor. And here we have an occasion given to note That there is no place in a Scruteny for any under the degree of Knights Batchellors And though three of the Nine named are appointed to be Barons and three other Earls or of a higher Degree yet must these six be such as have received the Order of Knighthood else ought not their names be either given or taken in Nomination for the Text is plain That each of the Knights assembled at the Election shall name nine Knights Thus his late Majesty of blessed memory in the sixth year of his Reign intending to chuse Iames Marquess Hamilton into the Society of this Order conferr'd the honor of Knighthood upon him immediately before his Nomination and the Annals in that place give this Remarque upon the Action and the reason for it Because by the Statutes it is provided That none should be Elected into the Order that have not been dignified with the title of Knight Yet it seems the Ceremony of Knighting the person designed for Election was not so strictly and duly observed as it ought but that sometimes this branch of the Statute was either not taken notice of or else confounded with the second Article throughout the several Bodies of the Statutes which prohibits the Choice or â—lection of any person into the Society of which we shall speak by and by as this doth the Proposal or Nomination and thereupon perhaps it was conceived that although the Nomination Election and sometimes delivery of the Ensigns of the Order were first dispatcht and past yet it was well enough if the honor of Knighthood were conferr'd afterward As it was in the case of William Earl of Derby and Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh anno 43. Eliz. where the Register notes that as soon as their Election was past and they brought into the Chapter the Earl of Derby who it seems had not been Knighted before was dubbed Knight with a drawn Sword according to Custom after which they had the Garter and George put on by the Soveraign her self In like manner Vlrick Duke of Holstein and Henry Earl of Northampton immediately after their Election being the last day of St. George's Feast an 3. Iac. and before they received the Ensigns of the Order had the dignity of Knighthood conferr'd on them by the Soveraign So also in the case of the Earl of Suffolk an 3. Car. 1. which the Red Book of the Order taking notice of saith that as soon as it was understood that the Earl had not received the Order of Knighthood before the Soveraign immediately drawing his Sword Knighted him which was not done till after his Election and Investiture with both the George and Garter Thus also did the Ceremony of Knighthood succeed the â—lection of his sacred Majesty the present Soveraign the 21. of May an 14. Car. 1. For after he had been Elected and the Ensigns of the Order placed upon him and that the two senior Knights the Earls of Penbroke and Montgomery and of Arundel and Surrey were intreated by the rest of the Knights-Companions to present his Highness to the Soveraign in the name of all the rest to be initiated into the Title and Dignity of a Knight-Batchelor he was conducted by the said Earls his Supporters into the Presence Chamber in Windesor Castle where before the Chair of State he most solemnly received the Order of Knighthood from the Soveraign his late Majesty of blessed memory To honor which Knighthood and the memory thereof four of the chief Nobility then present were also Knighted namely the Earls of â—ssex Saint Albans and Elgin and Viscount Grandison the first of them being conducted from the great Chamber to the Soveraign's State between two Batchellor Knights Sir Frederick Hamilton and Sir Robert Huniwood the second by Sir Roger Palmer Knight of the Bath and Sir Henry Mildmay the third by Sir Iohn Meldram and Sir William Withrington and the fourth by Sir Iohn Harpur and Sir Iohn Lucas Afterwards the Law in this point began again to be more rightly understood and by that time his Royal Highness the Duke of York came to be Elected which was on the 20. of April an 18. Car. 1. being the last day of the Feast of Saint George then celebrated at the City of York the Soveraign appointed and accordingly conferr'd the honor of Knighthood upon him the day before which he received upon his knees being first conducted into the Presâ—â—e Chamber between two of the Nobility who were also Knights namely the Marquess of Hertford and Viscount Grandison In honor and memorial whereof there were also four Noblemen Knighted at that time the Earl of Carnarvan supported by Sir William Killegrew and young Sir Arthur Ingram the Lord George d' Aubigne sapported by Sir William Howard and Sir Peter Wyche the Lord Iohn Stewart by Sir Peter Killegrew and Sir Capell Bedell and the Lord Bernard Stewart by Sir Edward Savage and Sir Heâ—ry â—lount And thus Prince Edward Count Palatine of the Rhine and George Duke of â—uckingham being designed by the present Soveraign to be admitted into this most Noble Order were both first Knighted at Saint Germans in France an Dom. 1649. and afterwards had the Ensigns of the Order sent unto them by the hands of Sir Edward Walker Garter who in right of his Office invested them therewith Nevertheless in the case of his Highness Prince Kupert who had the honor to be Elected with his Royal Highness the Duke of York an 18. Car. 1. His want of Knighthood became no impediment thereunto being then a Prince in another Country viz. Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria and might therefore justly claim the priviledge to come within the rule of Foreign Princes mentioned a little lower But herein also the Soveraign to come as neer to the intention and observance of the Statute as he could where there was a possibility to do it and the honor also would be well accepted by the Prince thought it requisite by Commission under the great Seal of England to impower Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey and George Lord Goring late Earl of Norwich both being then in Holland
obtaining a Ring one of the Symbols of the Equestrian Order with them Whence have been wisely found out those three Degrees of Gentility Beginning Encrease and full Ripeness for Gentility hath its beginning in the Grandfather its encrease in the Father and full ripeness in the Son and therefore in the constitution of Gentility the Father and Grandfather bringing renown and reputation to the Son by same and estimation of life and actions are at least required to make it perfect and compleat because it cannot naturally and congruously grow to ripeness in the Son unless it hath formerly encreased in the Father and long before begun from the Grandfather As to this particular there is a memorable instance in that of the Lord William Pagit devested of the Garter about five years after his â—lection upon pretence of his not being a Gentleman of Blood by either Father or Mother But it is also observable in the Blue Book that this severity towards him proceeded not altogether from defect in point of Extraction but most from the prevalence and practice of Iohn Dudley Duke of Northumberland by whose means he was most unjustly and undeservedly put out of the Order haply grudging the great honor he had formerly done the said Lord when being Earl Marshal of England his good advice and character of him procured from King Edward the Sixth a new Grant of those Arms under the Great Seal of England which he had sometime before received from Garter Principal King of Arms. But admit the defect of Blood and Arms for three descents were the true cause of his deprivation of the Garter yet what follows is mis-related by Sir Io. Howard as also by Iohn Stow to wit that the George and Garter were forthwith bestowed upon the Earl of Warwick eldest Son to the Duke of Northumberland who out of curtesie was so called as a commonly Dukes Sons in the life time of their Fathers are entituled of some Earldom whereof their Fathers have the honor but more truly had he said they were bestowed upon Sir Andrew Dudley Brother to the said Duke For although we find the said Earl of Warwick put in the Scruteny entred among the Annals of the Order of Edward the Sixth's Reign and taken at a Chapter held on St. George's day an 6. Ed. 6. the Lord Pagit being degraded in a Chapter held on the Eve of the said Feast yet was not the Earl Elected at that or any other time nor was any other person then chosen who had the honor to be inserted into that Scruteny except the Earl of Westmerland and the said Sir Andrew Dudley But to return the Ensigns of this most Noble Order were not with more disgrace taken from than with honor restored to the Lord Pagit assoon as Queen Mary came to the Crown and that by as great and absolute authority as did deprive him of them namely by Decree in Chapter holden at St. Iames's the 27. of September an 1. Mar. so that this Honor might be said to have been rather wrongfully suspended than justly lost For in confirmation of this Lords restauration he had the Garter forthwith buckled on his Leg again by two of the Knights-Companions present and the Collar of the Order put about his shoulders with the George depending thereat And a command then also given Garter to take care that his Atchievements should be again publickly set up over his Stall at Windesor being the same he before possest viz. the 9. on the Soveraign's side In this case of the Lord Pagit we observe that the very Records of the Order brand his degradation of injustice upon the foresaid pretence as if it were inferable thence that when Honor is conferr'd upon the score of Virtue and great Endownments the consideration of these supplies the defect and obscurity of Extraction Whence it came that the then Soveraign whose prerogative it was to declare and interpret the Statutes being at that time present in Chapter thought fit to qualifie the Law and gave him this honorable commendation That he had highly deserved of the Nation by his Prudence and Counsel And though the Exemplar entred in the Black Book hath the qualification of Virtue and good Report inserted only into it yet we observe the same in effect and practice considered in foregoing times with great circumspection by the Soveraigns and their Lieutenants before Election and that the Magnanimity Fortitude Prudence Generosity Fame Reputation and other Virtues and Merits whether innate or acquired of the Person proposed to Election have been by their prudent Inquisition looked into deliberately weighed and brought to the Rule for tryal as to their fitness and capacity of the honor of this most Noble Order These and such like Qualities we see King Henry the Fifth took into his consideration at an Election in the 9. year of his Reign and for which he preferr'd before others then Nominated and presented unto him Iohn Earl Marshal William Earl of Suffolk Iohn Lord Clifford Sir Lewis Robertsack and Sir Heer tanke Clux In like manner did Humfrey Duke of Gloucester Deputy to King Henry the Sixth in the second year of his Reign weigh and examine diligently with himself the Fortitude and Prudence with other the illustrious Actions and deserts of Iohn Lord Talbot before his Election and thereunto gave an approbation worthy his own judgment and not less than that noble Candidates virtue merited It is further remembred in the Annals of this Order that for these and such like noble and heroick Qualifications persons in after times were likewise preferr'd in Election before others And particularly we observe it taken notice of an 28. H. 8. upon the Election of Sir Nicholas Carew That he was a very fit person upon the eminency of his Extraction and Fame and the many worthy and noble Actions he had performed so as that all present did without any delay unanimously approve of his Election Of like nature those Commendations given to Henry Earl of Cumberland upon his Election wherein also particular services are taken notice of viz. the many famous and loyal Atchievements performed by him both at several other times and then more especially when the tumult of Rebellion began to break forth in those Borders where he had his habitation The second Point is That unless he be a Knight he is not qualified for Election or as one of the Exemplers express it unless girded with the unstained Girdle of Knighthood and the same in terms do the other Bodies of Statutes declare Whence we may again mind the Reader of the singular regard and jealousie the Law of the Order hath of this particular Qualification above the rest And lest chance or inadvertency might let slip a Person not Knighted into the Scruteny besides the two former cautions given touching Nomination yet is it also here in another Article a third
early after the Institution in the case of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster who as is before noted was removed from the seventh Stall on the Princes side wherein he was first placed to the Princes Stall it self this act is said to be done by the decree of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions and no doubt but as this was done by so good authority so upon no less inducements to the Soveraign and whole Society But there are few of these extraordinary cases which taking up little time we will remember here William of Henalt Earl of Ostervant was advanced by King Richard the Second from the eleventh Stall on the Soveraign's side to the Duke of Britains Stall it being the second on the Princes side Next Humfry Duke of Gloucester in the Reign of King Henry the Sixth having been first installed in the eleventh Stall on the Soveraign's side was when he came to be Lord Protector removed to the second Stall on the same side Afterward Richard Nevill Earl of Warwick by the consent of the Knights-Companions in Chapter an 39. H. 6. was translated to the Duke of Buckingham's Stall the Lord Bonvill to the Lord Scales his Seat Sir Thomas Kyriell to the place of the Earl of Shrewsbury and the Lord Wenlock to the Stall of Viscount Beaumont And lastly Ferdinand King of Naples and Sicily was removed to the third Stall on the Soveraign's side after he had been installed in the third on the Princes side yet this was an advance of so little honor as it is scarce worth taking notice of being but the very next above that wherein he was first Installed But King Henry the Eighth thinking it requisite for the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order to be impowered by a general Law to do that at pleasure which the former Soveraign's did not but by the power of particular Acts or Orders in Chapter after he had confirmed the ancient Law of succeeding in the Stall of the immediate Predecessor not to be changed without the Soveraign's License nevertheless excepting Strangers he in the next succeeding Article established this Priviledge upon Himself and Successors That if there were any Place or Stall void the Soveraign at his own pleasure might advance and translate any Knight of the Society into the void Stall so that it were higher than that wherein he sat before This in effect did vacat the ancient Law of succeeding in Stalls by him seemingly confirm'd to Knights-Subjects for afterward Translations preceding to Installations became so frequent that the right an Elect-Knight had to his Predecessors Stall was seldom enjoyed Howbeit hereby he setled a power to gratifie and oblige such of the Knights-Companions as should be thought worthy the honor of advancing without recourse had to a Chapter for a special and particular allowance and from hence the Custom began to issue out Warrants under the Soveraign's Sign manual for the Translation of Stalls some convenient time before the day of Installation approched and consequently the alteration and removal of such of the Knights-Companions Helms Crests Banners and Plates who should receive the honor of a higher Place their Atchievements being by virtue of such Warrants set up over the Stalls to which they were advanced there to remain during the time their owners continued therein And now that we may see in what manner King Henry the Eighth made use of the powers and priviledges setled by the foresaid Articles both as to the removal of Stalls and doing it by special Warrant which is Garters discharge we shall exhibit a few Examples first shewing in what order the Stalls were ranked shortly after passing this Law that by comparing some following years with these Schemes the alteration may with greater readiness be discerned Knights of the Order of the Garter as they stood ranked in their Stalls Anno 17. H. 8. The Soveraign's side The Princes side 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor Charles the Fifth 2. Duke of Richmond 2. Archduke of Austria 3. Marquess Dorset 3. Duke of Norfolk 4. Marquess of Exceter 4. Earl of Northumberland 5. Earl of Shrewsbury 5. Duke of Suffolk 6. Earl of Essex 6. Earl of Arundel 7. Earl of Worcester 7. Viscount Lisle 8. Viscount Fitz Walter 8. Lord Bergaveny 9. Lord Dacre 9. Lord Ferrars 10. Lord Dudley 10. Lord Darcy 11. Earl of Westmerland 11. Lord La Ware 12. Earl of Rutland 12. Lord Sandys 13. Viscount Rocheford 13. Sir Richard Wingfield Knights of the Order of the Garter as they stood ranked in their Stalls Anno 18. H. 8. 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor Charles the Fifth 2. Duke of Richmond 2. Archduke of Austria 3. Marquess Dorset 3. Duke of Norfolk 4. Marquess of Exceter 4. Earl of Northumberland 5. Earl of Shrewsbury 5. Duke of Suffolk 6. Earl of â—ssex 6. Earl of Arundel 7. Earl of Westmerland 7. Viscount Lisle 8. Viscount Fitz-Walter 8. Lord Bergaveny 9. Earl of Rutland 9. Lord Ferrars 10. Lord Dudley 10. Lord Darcy 11. Void 11. Viscount Rochford 12. Lord Mountjoy 12. Lord Sandys 13. Sir William Fitz Williams 13. Sir Henry Guldeford In the latter of these two Schemes drawn for the Translation of Stalls an 18. H. 8. it may be observ'd first that on the Soveraign's side the Earl of Westmerland was advanced from the eleventh Stall to the seventh being void by the death of the Earl of Worcester The Earl of Rutland from the twelfth to the ninth that being also void by the Lord Dacres death then Viscount Rochford from the thirteenth Stall to the eleventh on the Princess side where the Lord La Ware lately sat but then also deceased And lastly the three newly Elect Knights were thus disposed of at their Installation first the Lord Montjoy into the twelfth Stall then lately void by the removal of the Earl of Rutland next Sir William Fitz Williams into the thirteenth Stall from whence Viscount Rochford was removed and lastly Sir Henry Guldeford into that void by the death of Sir Richard Wingfield viz. the thirteenth on the Princes side but the Stall from whence the Earl of Westmerland was removed remained yet void An appointment for the Translation of Stalls upon admission of Francis the French King An. 19. H. 8. 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor 2. The French King 2. The King of Bohemia 3. Duke of Richmond 3. Duke of Norfolk 4. Marquess of Exceter 4. Marquess Dorset 5. Earl of Shrewsbury 5. Duke of Suffolk 6. Earl of Essex 6. Earl of Arundel 7. Earl of Westmerland 7. Viscount Lisle 8. Viscount Fitz Walter 8. Lord Bergaveny 9. Earl of Rutland 9. Lord Ferrars 10. Lord Dudley 10. Lord Darcy 11. Earl of Oxenford 11. Viscount Rochford 12. Lord Mountjoy 12. Lord Sandys 13. Sir William Fitz Williams 13. Sir Henry Guildford The setlement of Stalls made the 26. of Ianuary in the following year affords us these observations First by reason of the French King Election which past the
Elected the 24. of April an 8. Eliz. but it was above a year after â—re the Commission issued out to the Earl of Sussex viz. 20. May an 9. Eliz. for carrying the Ensigns of the Order over to â—im It was seven years after the Election of the French King Henry the Third before the Warrant issued out to provide his Robes and almost two years longer ere the Earl of Derby went over with them in all about nine years and something above eight months And in another instance of a French King namely Henry the Fourth we find it six years and a half from the time of his Election to his reception of the Habit and Ensigns of the Order which Solemnity fell on the 10. of October an 38. Eliz. Lastly we observe that it was five years and a half after the Election of Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg before the Embassy with the Ornaments of the Order were sent unto him for we find he was Elected at St. George's Feast an 39. Eliz. and the Commission of Legation to the Lord Spencer and Sir William Dethick bears Teste at Woodstock the 18. of Sept. an 1. Iac. R. SECT II. Preparations made for the Legation IN reference to this solemn Embassie there are several things to be provided before the Ambassadors or Commissioners take their journey as first 1. Credential Letters 2. Commission of Legation 3. Warrants for the Habit and Ensigns of the Order and 4. other Necessaries The Credential Letters are as to particulars drawn sutable to the present occasion by the Chancellor of the Order and directed to the Stranger-Elect but the substance in general is That the Soveraign having elected him into the Society of the Order hath sent his Ambassadors with full power to present the Habit and perform the Ceremonies in such case due and accustomed as if himself were present And further to desire him to give credit to all that his Ambassadors shall say or perform in his behalf in reference to their Commission as he would do to himself These Letters pass under the Sign manual of the Soveraign and Signet of the Order but it is observable that those sent to Emmanuel Duke of Savoy were subscribed both by King Philip and Queen Mary The Commission of Legation is likewise to be prepared by the Chancellor oâ— the Order fairly ingrossed in Velom and sealed with the Great Seal of the Order the substance of which for the most part hath been as followeth First the merits and worthiness of the Elect-Stranger to deserve the honor of Election and the reasons inducing the Soveraign to confer the same upon him are elegantly set forth in the Preamble Secondly the persons nominated for this honorable employment are ordained authorized and deputed and therein styled Ambassadors Procurators and special Messengers and so are they acknowledged to be by the Strangers-Elect in their Certificates of the Receipt of the Habit. Thirdly their power authority and special command is to address themselves to the Stranger-Elect and to present and deliver him from the Soveraign the Garter Mantle and other the Ensigns of the Order with due and accustomed Ceremonies and Solemnities where note that if there were four or five joined in a Commission as it hapned sometimes heretofore then any five four three or two were of the Quorum whereof the Principal in the Embassy was always one Fourthly they were impowered to require from the Stranger-Elect his Oath according to the form and manner prescribed in the Statutes but this clause we only find inserted in the Commissions of Legation to Charles Duke of Burgunâ—y an 9. E. 4. and Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria an 15. H. 8. and omitted in all Commissions since that time And lastly to perform accomplish and dispatch those things which they should judge necessary on this occasion in like manner as if the Soveraign should or were obliged to doe if he were present in his own person And this latitude was thought convenient to allow the Ambassadors in case any matter in Ceremony or other Circumstances should be thought necessary or expedient to use not repugnant to the Statutes of the Order which their Instructions had not sufficiently provided for As touching the first of these particulars we have spoken to it already but the second particular relating to the persons nominated in the Commission to perform this service we conceive most proper to handle here The first Embassy upon this occasion recorded in the Black-Book of the Order is that to Edward King of Portugal an 13. H. 6. to whom for the dignity of the Affair Garter was thought sit by the Chapter to be sent alone with the Habâ—t of the Order And hence is the original of Garter's claim to this Employment Nevertheless in succeeding times as the Order grew up into esteem both at home and abroad some one of the Knights-Companions was made choice of by the Soveraign to be the Principal in these Legations as were Galliard Sieur de Duras sent to Charles Duke of Burgundy an 9. E. 4. Arthur Plâ—rtaâ—enet Viscount Lysle to the French King Francis the First an 19. H. 8. William Marquess of Northampton to the French King Henry the Second an 5. E. 6. Edward Lord Clynton and Say to Emanuel Duke of Savoy an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Henry Lord Hunsdon to Charles the Ninth French King an 6. Eliz. Thomas Earl of Sussex to Maximilian the Emperor an 9. Eliz. Henry Earl of Derby to the French King Henry the Third an 27. Eliz. And Gilbert Earl of Shrewsbury to Henry the Fourth the French King an 38. Eliz. Sometimes other Noblemen and persons of great quality though not Knights-Companions of the Order yet correspondent to the Degree of the Stranger-Elect or to the esteem the present Interest begat with the Soveraign were employed chief in these Embassies among whom Sir Charles Somerset created after Earl of Worcester was sent to the Emperor Maximilian an 6. H. 7. Henry Lord Morley to Don Ferdinand Prince of Spain Arch-Duke of Austria an 15. H. 8. The Lord William Howard Brother to Thomas Duke of Norfolk to Iames the Fifth King of Scotland an 26. H. 8. The Lord Willoughby of Frâ—â—â— to Frederick the Third King of Denmark Roger Earl of Rutland to Christian the Fourth King of Denmark an 1. Iac. R. The Lord Spencer of Wormleighton to Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg the same year Sir Ralph Winwood to Maurice Prince of Orange an 10 Iac. R. Sir Iacobs Spene of Wormston to Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden an 3. Car. 1. Dudley Viscount Doncaster to Henry Prince of Orange the same year And Sir William Boswell to Charles Prince Palatine of the Rhyne an 9. Car. 1. In Embassies of this nature it was heretofore usual to join some persons of rank and quality or Office neer the Soveraign in the Commission and such were Sir Iohn Scott Controller of
the Soveraign's House and Sir Thomas Vaughan Treasurer of his Chamber both joined in Commission with Galliard Sieur de Duras Sir William Hussey with the Lord Morley and Sir Nicholas Carew and Sir Anthony Brown with Viscount Lysle To these persons the Soveraign thought fit sometimes to add a Doctor of the Civil Law or an Ecclesiastical person having dignity and such as had the Language of the Country whither they were sent not only the better to make answer to such questions as the Stranger-Elect might start upon his perusal of the Statutes but also to inform him touching the Institution of the Order or other Historical passages relating to the Founder the preceding or present Knights-Companions or honor of the Garter all which if judiciously and accurately rendred might add reputation to the Order and beget in the Stranger-Elect the better esteem of it Besides an Ecclesiastical person was in those times thought fittest to administer the Oath and to pronounce the words of Signification at the time of Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order And for these Reasons was Iohn Russell Doctor of the Civil Law and Archdeacon of Berkshire joined in Commission with the aforesaid Galliard Sieur de Duras and Edward Lee Doctor in Divinity Arch-deacon of Colchester and the Soveraign's Almoner sent over with the Lord Morley In like manner was Iohn Tailour Arch-deacon of Buckingham and Vice-chancellor joined with Arthur Plantagenet Viscount Lysle and Doctor Goodrick Bishop of Ely with the Marquess of Northampton But of later times the Soveraign's Ambassador resident with the Stranger-Elect hath supplied this place as did Sir Thomas Smith in the Legation sent over to the French King Charles the Ninth and Sir Edward Stafford in that to the French King Henry the Third and Sir Anthony Mildmay when the Earl of Shrewsbury was sent upon the like Legation to the French King Henry the Fourth Besides the before mentioned persons Garter Principal King of Arms was always joined in these Commissions of Legation not only to keep on foot his right to the employment but to manage the ceremonious part of this Solemnity and if we shall be thought over numerous in Instances to justifie this particular let our Reader excuse it since it is to make good the Priviledge of an Office and maintain the interest of an ancient right This reason we presume will also excuse our repetition here of the ancient President when Garter carried over the Habit of the Order to Edward King of Portugal an 13. H. 6. to which we shall subjoin the Embassies to Charles Duke of Burgundy where Sir Iohn Writh Garter was joined in the Commission with Galliard Sieur de Duras and that to Guido Vbaldus Duke of Vrbyn an 22. H. 7. Sir Thomas Wriothesley was also joined with Sir Charles Somerset in the Legation to the Emperor Maximilian with the Lord Morley sent to Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria and with Arthur Viscount Lysle to the French King Francis the First Sir Christopher Barker Garter was also sent with the Habit of the Order into Scotland immediately after the Lord William Howard who jointly presented the same to King Iames the Fifth Sir Gilbert Dethick likewise was joined in the Commission with the Marquess of Northampton in the Embassy to the French King Henry the Second also with the Lord Clynton in that Emanuel Duke of Savoy with the Lord Hunsdon in that Legation to Charles the Ninth with the Earl of Sussex in that to the Emperor Maximilian and with Peregrine Lord Willoughby in that to Frederick the Second King of Denmark Afterwards Sir William Dethick his Son and Successor in the Office of Gaâ—ter was in like manner joined in Commission with the Earl of Shrewsbury sent to Henry the Fourth French King and with Robert Lord Spencer to Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg Lastly Sir William Segar when the Habit of the Order was sent to Henry Prince of Orange was joined in Commission with Viscount Carleton for the presentation thereof And it is here further to be noted that at such times as any other of the Officers of Arms were employed in this Affair as hath sometimes hapned when Garter could not undertake the Voyage in person such Officer recommended by him to but approved of by the Soveraign was sent to execute his Office nevertheless under a particular reservation of his Rights And therefore the Embassy to Christian the Fourth King of Denmark falling out neer to the Coronation of King Iames in reference to the preparations for which grand Solemnity Garter could not be spared William Segar Esq then Norroy King of Arms was joined in Commission with the Earl of Rutland When Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald was joined with Sir Iames Spens Knight and Peter Young Esq in the Commission of Legation to a Gustâ—vus Adoâ—pâ—us King of Sweden he went Deputy to Sir William Sâ—gâ—r Garter and was accountable to him for the Rewards he did receive Nor was Iâ—hâ— Plâ—â—â— Esq Somerset Herald any otherwise sent than Deputy to Gaâ—tâ—r though joined in Commission with William Boswell Esq for delivery of the Garter and George to Charles Prince Palatine of the Rhyne an 9. Car. 1. In like manner when the Embassy was less solemn and only part of the Ensigns of the Order sent Garter hath been jointly employed with the other Commissioners for so was William Segar Esq Garter with Sir Ralph Winwood for presenting the Garter and George to Maurice Prince of Orange an 10. Iâ—c R. But beside the ancient right the usage and prescription on Garter's side as is before laid down we find it declared by a Decree in Chapter pass'd the 18. of April an 13. Car. 1. That the carrying of the Ensigns of the Order to Stranger-Princes doth properly belong to Garter Besides those persons joined in the Commission of Legation there hath been oft times appointed either Norroy King of Arms or some one of the Heralds to go in the quality of an Attendant on this Service not only for the honor of the Sâ—veraign but of the Stranger that is to receive the Habit in regard the Ceremonies of Investiture with the whole Habit require the presence and assistance of two Officers of Arms concerning which we have met with these Presidents Lancaster Herald attended the Embassy to Charles the Ninth French King Chester Herald and Rouge Dragon Pursuivant at Arms waited on the Embassy to the French King Henry the Third A Herald also attended the Embassy to Emanuel Duke of Savoy York Herald attended that to Maximilian the Emperor And Somerset Herald to the French King Henry the Fourth And whereas there went only Norroy to Christian the Fourth King of Denmark it was because no more of the Officers of Arms could be then spared from their necessary attendance on the Soveraign's Coronation then at hand So in
the Embassy to Maurice Prince of Orange one Herald sufficed because the Garter and George only not the whole Habit of the Order were sent unto him and consequently there was then but little service to be done at such an Investiture Concerning other Companions and Attendants in these Legations they are both for Quality and Number such and so many as the Chief in the Legation thinks sufficient for the honor of the Soveraign and the reputation of the Embassy and in what Equipage some of these Ambassadors have been attended heretofore may be seen from the following Lists The Names of the Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen that accompanied the Marquess of Northampton in his Legation with the Habit of the Order to the French King Henry the Second 15. May an 5. E. 6. The Earls of Worcester Rutland Ormond Viscounts Fitzwalter Lysle Lords Bourgoune Bray Evers Mr. Throgmorton Mr. Sidney both of the Soveraign's Privy Chamber Sir William Cobham Sir Iohn Cutts Sir Iohn Perrott Sir Anthony Guydot Sir Gilbert Dethick Mr. Fitz Williams Mr. Carre Mr. Knolles Mr. Edw. Warney Mr. Fr. Warney Mr. Young Mr. William Thomas Secretary to the Lords Commissioners Mr. Nicholas Alexander Mr. Lucas Frugard Chester Herald at Arms. Rougdragon Pursuivant at Arms The whole number of Noblemen and Gentlemen with all their Trains was 260. The Names of the Noblemen Knights and Gentlemen who accompanied the Earl of Sussex in his Legation with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to Maximilian the Emperor an 9. Eliz. The Lord North Baron of Kyrtling Sir Egremond Radcliff the Ambassadors Brother Sir Thomas Mildmay Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter Sir Henry Cobham Two of the Soveraign's band of Pensioners Sir Edmund Powell Two of the Soveraign's band of Pensioners William Dethick Rouge Cross Pursuivant at Arms. William Weston one of the Queens Servants Gentlemen attending on the Ambassador Iohn Valpe Doctor of Physick Anthony Overton Prothonotary William Chancellor Chaplain George Frevill Robert Butler William Mesten Henry Mildmay Thomas Higham Peter Gough Arthur Hevingham Albert Philipps Servants to the Ambassador Henry Eritage Iames Bradshaw William Hamlett Thomas Gest. Simon Smith Thomas Barber Servants to the Lord North. Arnold Segrell Leonard Dickes Servants to Sir Tho. Mildmay Iohn Strange Iames Servants to Sir Gilbert Dethick Charles Poirett Iohn Rudde Iohn Child Iohn Fletcher Servant to Sir Henry Cobham Hans Servant to Sir Edmund Powell Charles The Names of the Emperor's Gentlemen that waited upon the Lord Ambassador the Earl of Sussex in Vienna 1567. Casper van Mynkonitz Sewer Seymfred van Alderston Carver Marquess Spiller Cupbearer William van Pellustrans Heralds of Arms. Hans Poyntsott Heralds of Arms. Nicholas Radode Comptroller of the House George Swikle Clerk of the Kitchin Item 10. Archers Item 10. Holbardiers George Weaver Master Cook In the Kitchin 10 persons In the Cellar 5. In the Larder 5. In the Confectionary 5. In the Chaundry 2. In the Wardrobe 3. In the Scullery 3. And one Porter In all 62 persons The Names of the Noblemen Knights Esquires and Gentlemen who gave their attendance on the Earl of Derby sent Ambassador with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to the French King Henry the Third 20 Ian. an 27. Eliz. The Lord Sands The Lord Windsor Mr. Scroop Son and Heir to the Lord Scroop Mr. Windsore Son and Heir apparent to the Lord Windsore Sir Richard Shirborne Knight Treasurer Sir Randolph Brereton Knight Mr. Clarencieux King of Arms. Mr. Anthony Cook Heir to Sir Anthony Cook Mr. Gerard Son and Heir to Sir Thomas Gerard. Mr. Fleetwood Mr. Newdygate Mr. Stallange Mr. Somerset Herald of Arms. Mr. Crompton Mr. Smith Mr. Denton Mr. Milles Secretary Mr. Thomas Arderne Steward Mr. Fox Comptroller Mr. Newton Gentleman Huisher Mr. Philipps Chaplain Mr. Alexander Gentleman of the Horse Mr. Moorcrost Physitian The Earls waiting Gentlemen Mr. Dawney Son and Heir to Sir Iohn Dawney Mr. Iames Legh Son and Heir to Sir Pierce a Legh Mr. Warenne Mr. Thomas Shirborne Mr. Stanley Mr. Charles Doyley Mr. Chevalier Matchett Mr. Richard Starkey Mr. Brereton Mr. Thomas Hamner Mr. Richard Lloyd Mr. Salisbury Mr. Richard Bussy Mr. Iohn Downes Mr. Francis Starkey Mr. Baptist. Mr. Thomas Randolph Mr. Tusser Mr. Anthony Chambers Mr. Nicholas Forton Mr. Gervase Rosell Thomas Burscogh Clerks of the Kitchin Roger Iollibrand Clerks of the Kitchin In the third place there is to be prepared for this Legation Warrants for the Habit and Ensigns of the Order and these are also to be drawn up by the Chancellor of the Order who is to attend the Soveraign for his Sign manual thereunto One Warrant is to be the Master of the Soveraign's Great Waâ—drobe to deliver to Garter King of Arms the Mantle with a Scutcheon of St. George within a Garter embroidered on the left shoulder and Tassels thereunto belonging as also the Surcoat and Hood There is also another Warrant drawn up for the delivery of the Ensigns of the Order to Garter namely the rich Garter the Great Collar of the Order with a George appendant and another smaller George hanging in a Blue Ribband together with Cases for them lined with Purple Velvet and gilt on the outside And sometimes these Ensigns have been delivered out of the Iewel-house to the Herald at Arms joined in the Legation in Garters's stead as where those sent to Charles King of Sweden an 20. Car. 2. But those provided for Iohn George Duke of Saxony to Sir Thomas Higgons the principal in the Legation to him for which they gave their several Receipts The Soveraign's Warrant for the delivery of those Ensigns sent to Maximilian the Emperor was directed to the Lord Treasurer of England for which Garter gave his Receipt But for those sent to the French King Henry the Fourth the Warrant was directed to the Master of the Iewel-house and out of this Office have all the Ensigns of the Order before mentioned been since delivered There are several other Necessaries to be provided which may pass as appurtenances to the former and are sometimes inserted into the Soveraign's Warrants for the Habit of the Order and at other times issue forth by particular Warrants namely A Black Velvet Cap with white Feathers and a Heron Sprig A Girdle and Hangers of the same coloured Velvet with the Surcoat A yard of Purple Velvet hath been usually allowed out of the Great Wardrobe for covering the Book of Statutes which the Soveraign sends to the Elect-Stranger and for the Velom Writing and Binding the said Book there is a Fee paid by the Soveraign to the Register of the Order which generally hath been proportioned according to the Degree of the Stranger for this Officer had allowed him for the Book sent  l. s. d. To the French King Henry the Fourth 5 0 0 To Iohn Casimire Count Palatine 4 0 0 To the Duke of Holstein an 3. Iac. 3 6 8 To the King of Sweden an 3.
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
to treat by the advice of Iohn Duke of Brabant and other the Kings Allies in â—landers While the King lay at the Siege of Tournay the Scots excited by the French King invaded England and passing by Berwick marched into Northumberland and thence to Dâ—â—â—â—m foraging the Country still as they went and after returned home 〈◊〉 this incursion they recovered all the Castles formerly lost except those of Edeâ—â—urgh Strivling and Roxborough the first of which within a short time after was taken by stratagem But in the Truce made at Tournay the Scotch were by a particular Article included and so all hostility ceased during that Truce yet after the expiration thereof and some new provocations given the King he raiâ—ed an Army to enter Scotland but being engaged in the War with France could not go with it himself and therefore constituted Edward King of Scotland his Captain and Lieutenant of his Army and in another Commission of the same date gave him power nevertheless to treat with the Scots and to admit them to Peace and pardon their offences In these Commissions the King stiles him Magnisicus Princeps Edwardus Rex Scotiae fidelis consanguineus noster charâ—simus The following year he was again constituted the King's Captain and Commander in chief of the Army designed against Scotland for defence of the Kingdom of England and destruction of his Scotch Enemies and further commissionated to raise men in all the Counties beyond Trent aswell within Liberties as without for that Expedition Upon which preparation a Truce was made for one year before the ending of which the Truce concluded at Vannes in Britagne between the King and his Adversary of France took commencement being to hold from Michaelmâ—s 17. E. 3. for three years And in the mean time the Bishop of Durham and others were appointed by the King to treat and conclude with the Scots touching the manner form and conditions appointed by the said Truce and the mutual commerce of the Subjects of both Kingdoms as also to reform and punish the breakers of the Truce The Truce made with the French at Tournay and enlarged at Arras gave the King time to see his Allies in Flanders aimed chiefly at the accomplishment of their own designs by his hands rather than the advancement of his interest in France by their assistance and the two fruitless Expeditions in attempting to enter that Kingdom through Flanders shewed they would do little for him besides he now judged it a more easie and advantagious passage thither through Britagne which he hoped to gain by laying hold of the occasion offered him to protect and assist Iohn Earl of Montsort Duke of Britagne whose Title to that Dukedom and the occasion of the War between him and Charles de Bloys are set down at large by Sir Iohn Froissard This Iohn Montfort being taken Prisoner at Nants by Charles de Bloys whom the French King had assisted with an Army to enter Britagne was sent to Paris and there died in Prison his Widow Ioane of Flanders being of a manlike courage nevertheless maintained the War and to gain further aiâ— and supplies from King Edward proposed by Sir Emere de Clisson a Nobleman of Britagne to marry her Son to one of his Daughters which taking effect the King sâ—nt Sir Walter Many in November with 3000 Archers into Britagne who though they wandred 40 days at Sea by distress of weather yet came timely to her assistance The King in the 16. year of his Reign raised a great Army and by Proclamation made appointed his Souldiers in all Counties of England except Yorkshire Northumberland Cumberland and Westmerland to be in readiness by Midsummer following to go along with him and after directed his Letters to the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishops for publick Prayers to be made and the divine goodness sought to for a blessing upon his Armies which now he designed both against France and Scotland The 4. of October following he took shipping at Sandwich in a Ship called the George and sailing towards France met with the French Fleet where after a fierce Encounter they were separated by Tempest at length he landed neer Vannes in Britagne and laid Siege thereto and here leaving the Lord Stafford he marched to Remes and Nantes laying Siege to both Towns as also to Dynan and took it after which he returned to Vannes and then drew off his Forces from Nantes thither and there the Bishop Cardinals of Penestrina and Tusculan sent from Pope Clement the Sixth obtained of him 19. Ian. 1343. a Truce for 3 years which the King gave way to in hope of an honorable Peace This done the King returned into England and set forth a Proclamation to give publick notice of this Truce But the Truce expiring the War was again renewed between Charles de Bloys and the Countess of Montfort to whose assistance the King sâ—nt Sir Thomas Dagworth from the Siege of Calais with a supply of men and the English having Rochedaren surrendred to them Charles de Bloys laid Siege to it to relief of which the Countess sent Sir Thomas Dangorne and Sir Iohn Artwell who 20. Iune 1347. took Charles de Bloys with the Britagne and Norman Lords that were on his part Prisoners and raised the Siege which Charles was sent into England where he remained in custody a long time The 24. of February an 17. E. 3. the King summoned a Parliament to be held die Lunae proximò post Quindena Paschae wherein Sir Bartholomew Burghersh present at the making of the Truce neer Vannes declared that the King consented thereto provided it might be honorable and advantageous for his Allies and was content to have the Peace made before the Pope as before a Friend but not as a Judge otherwise he would pursue his Quarrel And that as the King did not undertake this War without the assent of Parliament so without it he would conclude no Peace and therefore it rested whether it were best for the King to take this Offer and send Ambassadors to the Pope instructed for this Affair before Midsummer or not Hereupon both Lords and Commons answered That it was good to pursue the Peace and to send Ambassadors as was proposed Those who were first sent to the Popes Court upon this Affair were Hugh le Despenser Lord of Glamorgan Ralph Lord Stafford William de Norwich Dean of Lincoln Sir William Trussel and Andrew de Offord a Civilian The Authority given them was to Treat in presence of the Pope not as a Judge but private Person and Friend to both parties with the Agents of his Cosin the Lord Philip de Valois upon the Kings Right to the Crown of France as also upon whatsoever Dominions Dignities Honors Lands Possessions Places and Rights appertained to him concerning which any controversy had
Preachers with Hugh de Geneve Knight Seigneur d'Auton the Duke of Normandy dispatcht them to King Edward to propose a Treaty of Peace who required things so great they could not be yielded to Howbeit they still followed the King to Chartres where a meeting for Commissioners on both sides was consented to and they brought demands to such moderation that with the Duke of Lancasters effectual perswasion the King was content to accept of Peace But what inclined the King to hearken thereto as Froissard tells the story was this That while the Commissioners on both sides were upon Treaty and the King wholly untractable there fell in the Kings Army so great a Tempest of Thunder Lightning Rain Hail and Stones of such bigness that kill'd both Men and Horses at which time the King beholding the Church of our Lady of Chartres vowed devoutly to condescend to Peace This prodigious storm hapned on Easter Munday which falling that year on the 14. of April neer a Month before the conclusion of the Treaty was from its dismal effects called Black Munday which name it retains to this day The Treaty was managed between Edward Prince of Wales and Charles Regent of France their Proctors and Agents in the name of both Kings these two Princes and all the Subjects of France Those deputed on the English part were Sir Reginald de Cobham Sir Bartholomew Burghersh Sir Francis Hale Bannerets Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Richard la Vache and Sir Neel Loring Knights and others of the Council of the King of England Those other on the French side were the Ellect of Beauues his Chancellor Charles Lord Momorency Monsieur Iohn le Meingre Marshal of France Monsieur Aynart de la Tour Lord of Vivoy Monsieur Ralph de Ravenal Monsieur Simon de Bucy Knights Monsieur Stephen de Paris and Peter de la Charite his Councillors with many others of his Council deputed by King Iohn and Himself At first a Truce was agreed on the 7. of May An. Dom. 1360. in the 34. year of King Edward over England to continue till Michaelmas following and thence till Michaelmas an 35 E. 3. which upon the return of the King into England was by Writs bearing Teste the 24. of the same Month commanded to be published throughout all the Sea-Ports in England and by a like Writ notice was given to the Duke of Lancaster to proclaim it in Gascoigne And the next day viz. 8. of May were the Articles referring to a final Peace agreed to on the behalf of both Kings This was that Famous Treaty of Renunciation of both Kings so much spoken of by Writers to which their eldest Sons were parties in regard the King of France renounced the Soveraignty of several Territories to King Edward and he in like manner renounced his Title to France and some other Places all which we shall here briefly mention First it was agreed that King Edward with what he held in Aquitaine and Gascoigne should hold perpetually to him and his Heirs in the same manner as the King of France or his Son or any of his Ancestors held the same to wit that in Soveraignty in Soveraignty and that in Demain in Demain the City Castle and County of Poytiers with the Fees of Thoâ—ars and Land of Belleville the Cities and Castles of Xaintes Agen Pierregort Lymoges Caours Tarbe Angolesme and Rodeis and the Land and Countries of Poytou Xaintonge on this and the furthest side of the River of Charente with the Town and Fortress of Rochell Agenoys Pierreguis Lymosyn Caorsyn Tarbe Bigorre Gaure Angolesmoys Rovergue the Counties of Pierregort Bigorre Gaure and Angolesmoys And that such Earls or Lords as had Lands within the forementioned places should do their Homages and Services to him That King Edward should have in Demain all that any of his Predecessors anciently held in the Town of Monstrereul on the Sea As also all the County of Ponthieu with some few exceptions the Town and Castles of Calais the Towns Castles and Lordships of Merk Sangate Coloigne Hames Wale and Oye with their appurtenances as likewise all the places lying within the Jurisdictions and bounds following that is to say from Calais to the border of the River before Gravelinges and so by the same River round about Langle and by the River that runneth beyond the Poil and by the same River that falleth into the great Lake of Guynes to Freton and thence by the valley about Calculy Hill inclosing that Hill and so to the Sea with Sangate and all the appurtenances that the King should have the County of Guynes with all the Lands Towns Fortresses Places Men Homages Lordships Woods Forests and Rights thereunto belonging in as ample manner as the then late Earl of Guynes or his Predecessors held the same and likewise all the Isles adjoining to the Lands aforesaid and all other Isles he then held That the King of France and his eldest Son the Regent should before Michaelmas 1361. give and deliver to the King of England his Heirs and Successors all the Honors Obediences Homages Liegeances Subjections Fees Services Recognizances Rights and all manner of Jurisdictions high and low Resorts and Saveguards Advowsons and Patronages of Churches and all Lordships and Soveraignties with all the right they had and belonging to them by any Cause Right Title or Colour or to the Crown of France in the said Cities Counties Castles Towns Lands Countries Isles and Places and of their appurtenances and appendencies without holding any thing to them their Heirs or Successors or Crown of France And also to give notice to all Archbishops Bishops and Prelates and all Earls and other Noblemen and Citizens by Letters-Patent in all the said places to yield obedience to the King of England his Heirs and Successors in the same manner as they had obeyed the Kings and Crown of France and thereby also to quit and absolve them of all their Homages Fealties Oaths Obligations Subjections and Promises made to the Kings and Crown of France And that the King of England his Heirs and Successors should have and hold all the forementioned Cities Counties Castles Lands Places and Persons perpetually and freely in their Lordship Soveraignty Obedience and Subjection as the Kings of France had or did hold them in times past and all the Countries with their appurtenances in all Freedoms and Liberties perpetually as Lords and Soveraigns and as Neighbors to the King and Kingdom of France without any acknowledgment of Soveraign or making any Obedience Homage Resort or Subjection Service or Recognisance in time to come to the Kings or Crowns of France of the Places or Persons aforenamed or any of them The Renunciation on the King of England's part was as to the Name and Right to the Crown and Kingdom of France to the Homage Soveraignty and Demain of the Dutchies of Normandy and Thouraine of the Earldoms of Anjou and Maine to the Soveraignty and
Homage of the Dutchy of Britagne and Earldom and Country of Flanders and all other demands that King Edward made or might make to the King of France for what cause soever except such things as by the said Treaty ought to be delivered to him and his Heirs It was also agreed that the King of France should be brought to Calais within three weeks after Midsummer following and should pay for his Ransom three Millions of Escuts of Gold two of which should be worth one Noble English And that there should be paid to King Edward 600000 Escuts of Gold within four Months accounting from the time of the King of France's arrival at Calais and within one year ensuing 400000 Escuts more and from that year every year following 400000 Escuts till the said three Millions were paid And it after appears in the same Roll that King Edward had received 400000 Escuts part of the first 600000 the 24. of October 1360. and for payment of the other 200000 he gave time till Christmas and Lady-day following Furthermore that certain of the Nobility of France aswel of those who were made Prisoners at Poictiers as others should remain Hostages in England for the King of France namely Lewis Earl of Anjou Iohn Earl of Poictiers both Sons to King Iohn the Duke of Orliens his Brother the Duke of Burbon the Earl of Bloys or his Brother the Earl of Alanson or the Lord Peter of Alanson his Brother the Earls of St. Pol Harecourt Pontieu Valentynois Brene Vandemont and Forest the Viscount Beaumont the Lords of Cousy Fienles Preaux St. Venaunt and Garenciers the Dauphin of Auvergne the Lords of Hangest and Montmorency Sir William of Craon Sir Lewis of Harecourt and Sir Iohn Ligny And the Names of the Prisoners were these Lord Philip of France the Earls of Eu Longuevil Pontieu Tankarvile Ieigny Sanceurre Dampmartin Ventadour Salebruche D'auceurre and Vendosme the Lords of Craon and Deruale the Marshal Dodenham and the Lord Daubyny Besides these the King of France was obliged to deliver at Calais within three Months after he departed thence in further pledge for the accomplishment of this Treaty four Persons of Paris two of each of the Towns here named to wit St. Omer Aras Amyens Beauves Lisle Douay Tournay Reyms Chaalons Troies Chartres Thoulouse Lyons Orliens Compeigne Rouen Caen Tours and Bourges and these to be of the most sufficient and best Burgesses of these Towns It was moreover agreed That the King of France and his Heirs Kings of France should quit the Alliances they had with the Scots and never give to that King Kingdom or Subjects present or to come any aid or assistance against the King of England his Heirs or Successors his Realm or Subjects nor make any alliance with the Scots in time to come against the King and Realm of England And the like Article was agreed to by the King of England in reference to his Alliance with the Flemmings There were divers other particulars agreed to on the behalf of both Kings and set down in this Treaty of Peace which we designing brevity do omit but these are the main and principal to our present purpose All things thus finished King Edward immediately left France and landed at Rye the 18. of May following in the Evening and thence the next day came to Westminster And shortly a Writ issued to Sir Iohn Beauchamp then Constable of Dover forthwith to arrest and fit up a sufficient number of Ships to carry over King Iohn and his Family to Calais within the time agreed on and whither he was conducted the 8. of Iuly after The 9. of October King Edward followed where the foresaid Treaty with some few alterations was there ratified and confirmed by Oath of both Kings and several Instruments relating to the full accomplishment of the several Articles thereof were drawn up and sealed with the Great Seals of both Kings all bearing date at Calais the 24. day of October an Dom. 1360. Here also were the Renunciations on either side both absolute and conditional to all the Towns Castles Countries c. to the Resort and Soveraignty c. comprehended in the Articles of Peace drawn up sworn to and sealed at the same time but not exchanged because the King of France was as yet in Calais and Prisoner to King Edward and the Towns c. not as yet delivered But it was then nevertheless agreed and promised that they should be surrendred to the special Deputies on both sides by Midsummer following if it might be and the Renunciations sent at the Assumption of our Lady next ensuing to the Church of the Augustine Fryars at Bruges to be delivered to those Deputed to receive them Or if they were not surrendred till Alhollantide after then the Renunciations were to be delivered in the said Church on St. Andrews day following at which time and place both Kings engaged to send thither and cause to be delivered to the Deputies on both sides theirs and their eldest Sons Renunciations likewise but if they were not accordingly mutually delivered then not any thing agreed on was to take effect But it seems things were not made ready against Midsummer the first of the appointed times for compleating these matters for the 15. of November following King Edward constituted Sir Thomas Vnedale Knight and Thomas de Dunclent Licenciate in the Laws his Agents whom he sent to Bruges with power to make request to the King of France for the effectual accomplishment of all things concluded on as aforesaid and to require that He and his Son should make the Renunciations and Transports according to all the foresaid Agreements made at Calais and upon reception of which he was thereby enabled to give Acquittance in King Edwards name But there was another Instrument dated at Calais the said 24. of Oct. 1360. whereby King Edward was obliged to deliver up to the French King on this side Candlemas an 35. E. 3. the Castles and Fortresses which he held in other parts of France than in those surrendred to him by the French King viz. as they are written in the Record In Champaigne and in Brie Bursant and Ioinville upon the Marn Bourt in Champaigne Ochie Sye upon the Seine the Mote de Triesreine Brugelemens and all other Fortresses taken in these Countries In Nivernois Cornallour Gueillons Anlesy Villers and Mont Epny In Anceurrois and Burgoigne Regennes Legny Malecorne and the Mote de Chauloye In Aurelenoys and Gastinoys The New Castle upon Loire and Mereau au Boys and all other Fortresses in Orlenois in Gastinois in Messien in Beause and in Wenguesin le Francois Within a month following the County of Ponthieu was to be surrendred to King Edward or else Hostages King Edward was also to deliver up the New Castle in Tynerois Beaumont le Choistif Nogent le Rotron and the Ferte de Ville Nevill and all other Fortresses in France and in the Country of Perche and
through France to Bourdeux and there he arrived about Christmas in which Voyage though the French durst not fight him and all the way avoided the hazard of a Battel yet through the scarcity of Victuals many dyed not to mention the loss of 30000 Horse About the beginning of the following Summer at the Pope's instance a Truce was made by this Duke and the Duke of Anjou to continue till the last of August wherein it was agreed that in the beginning of September there should meet in Picardy on the English part the Duke of Lancaster and other Commissioners to treat of Peace with the Duke of Anjou and others on the French part where also the Popes Legate should appear as Mediatour and in pursuance thereof the Duke of Lancaster took Shipping the 8. of Iuly an 48 E. 3. after whose departure all Poictou and Aquitaine fell from their Allegiance except Bourdeux and Bajon In this year the Earl of Cambridge and the Duke of Bretagne were constituted the Kings Lieutenants in France after which Commands were sent forth to arrest Ships for their passage thither to be at Dertmouth and Plimouth with all speed But notwithstanding these preparations yet they went not till the following Spring having then in their retinue many of the English Nobility and for whose good success publick Prayers were appointed to be made In this Expedition the Duke recovered many of his Towns but being included in the Truce made by the Duke of Lancaster he was thereby obliged to lay down his Arms. For upon the mediation of the Bishops of Roan and Carpentras the Pope's Nuncios there had been a Treaty set on Foot at Bruges in Flanders this Year managed chiefly by Iohn Duke of Lancaster who with Simon Bishop of London William Earl of Salisbury Sir Iohn Cobham Sir Franke de Hale Sir Arnold Savage Mr. Iohn de Shepeye and Mr. Simon de Molton were commissionated to carry on that Affair on King Edwards part and by Philip Duke of Burgundy on the behalf of his Brother Charles the French King which though it brought not forth a compleat Peace yet in effect it put an end to the present War for it produced a Truce to hold for a year viz. to the last of Iune an 50 E. 3. to give notice of which to the English Subjects a Proclamation was set forth And a quarter of a year before its expiration at another meeting at the same place this Truce was inlarged to the first of April an 51 E. 3. and thereupon another Proclamation issued to make it known But it appears that the French were gotten to Sea sometime before the expiration of this latter Truce and had done much hurt upon the Sea-Coasts Of this design of theirs the King had timely intelligence and therefore he endeavoured to enlarge the Truce to which end he empowred Iohn Bishop of Hereford Sir Iohn de Cobham of Kent Iohn Monteacute Bannerets and Iohn Shepeye Doctor of the Laws to Treat with the Earl of Salebruch Monsieur Chatillon and Philebert le Spoit where the Pope's Legats were also present as Mediators But nothing was done thereupon only the Legate proposed a Marriage between Richard Prince of Wales and the Lady Mary Daughter to the French King which begot a private meeting shortly after at Montrevile by the Sea and there Sir Richard Dangle Sir Richard Stan and Sir Geoffry Chaucer Commissioners for King Edward with the Lord Coucy and other Commissioners for the French King spent the time chiefly to found one anothers intentions and so departed without any other effect saving that of Proroguing the Truce to May day following The 26 of April another Commission was made for the same purpose to Adam Bishop of St. Davids Iohn Bishop of Hereford William Earl of Salisbury Robert de Ashton the Kings Chamberlain Guichard Dangle Banneret Aubrey de Vere Hugh de Segrave Knights Walter Skirlow Dean of St. Martins le Grand and the foresaid Iohn Shepeye which gave them power to treat and compose all differences Wars and contentions They thereupon came to Calais and the Lord Coucy and Sir William Dormer Chancellor of France came to Montrevile but by reason of the suspicion the Commissioners had of each other they could not agree of an indifferent place to meet at and so the time limitted by the Truce spinning on absolutely expired And in this posture the Affairs relating to France stood to wit in open hostility till the Death of King Edward Thus we see that from the breach of the Treaty and Entry upon King Edwards Territories to the time of his Death he all along steered against the Tide of adverse Fortune and what with Invasions Revolts and disastrous accidents though no pitch'd Battel was fought nothing of his great Conquests remained to him but only Calais and the small Territory adjoining But of the strange unsuccessfulness of these subsequent years there might be three main causes First the loss of so many stout and well disciplin'd Souldiers as upon their disbanding after the Peace made near Chartres joyned themselves to the Companions and marcht into Spain Italy and Germany to which number may be added those who perished in the Princes expedition into Spain of whom scarce the fifth man returned a sort of people so inur'd to War and such as had gained so great experience therein that the very Common Souldiers among them were men of good conduct The French King knew well enough how much King Edwards power was weakned through the want of those men and that as to such as might be raised a-new few of them having been trained up in the former Wars he thought he might the better deal with them in regard that many of his own disbanded Souldiers were still within his Kingdom and lay ready at his service A second cause might be that the King declining in years and the Prince of Wales growing daily worse and worse of a lingering sickness without hope of Recovery the French King took the more heart and began now not to fear either them or their Fortunes which before had proved so terrible to France And therefore he supposed if he could make a shift but to keep his Forces on Foot against their declining power he might deal well enough with those who should succeed them none of King Edwards other Sons having given such proof of their success in martial affairs as to be feared by him and much less was any such thing to be expected when an Infant King was likely to succeed Lastly His supplies of Money from his Subjects who before had freely enough opened their Purses to carry on the War began to fail him For being tyred out with the prosecution of it they complained of Poverty and thence it came that the Forces raised to recover what was lost were inconsiderable in comparison of the former Royal Armies levied
for his own and the Princes expeditions During the Minority of this King there were several Matches proposed for him though none took but the last and first his Father designed to marry him to the Lady Margaret Daughter of William Earl of Hanow Holland Zeland and Lord of Frisia who being in the third degree of Consanguinity a Letter was dispatched to the Pope dated the 10. of December in the 12. year of his Fathers Reign for obtaining his Dispensation because of their nearness of blood Secondly with the Lady Sibilla Daughter to Robert Earl of Hanow and Zeland Lord of Frisia as appears from a like Letter to the Pope dated the 2. of November in the following year Thirdly with the Daughter of Iames King of Arragon for which affair were commissionated Alexander Archbishop of Dublin Edmund Earl of Kent King Edward the Second's Brother and William de Weston Canon of Lincoln Doctor of Laws the Commission bore Teste the 30. of March an 17. E. 2. It appears by the Kings Letters of the 16. of February following that her name was Iolant and King Iames her Father stiled Rex Aragoniae Valenciae Corsâ—ae Comes Barch Sanctae Rom. Ecclesiae Vexillarius Admirallus Capitaneus Generalis to whom the King then also sent Sir Edmund Bacon Sir Robert Thorpe Mr. Iohn Heldesley Canon of Chester to proceed further in this matter Fourthly with the Lady Alonar Sister to Alphonsus King of Spain to which purpose Iohn Stoner William de Berne Lord of Lescune William de Weston Canon of Lincolne and Peter de Galicano Canon of Roan were impowered by a Commission dated the 6. of April an 18. E. 2. as also to treat and conclude a marriage between the said King Alphonsus and Elianor King Edward's Sister Besides these the King of Portugal sent Ambassadors over hither to propose a marriage between this Prince and his Daughter to whom the King by Letter dated the 15. of April an 19. E. 2. directed thus Magnifico Principi Domino Alfonso Dei gratiâ Portugaliae Algarbiae Regi illustri amico suo charissimo acquainting him with the Treaty of marriage begun between his Son and the King of Spain's Sister and that because of neerness of blood he had dispatcht a Letter to the Pope for his Dispensation that he had received no account as then of the issue of that Affair that his Son was gone into France to do Homage for the Dukedom of Aquitaine during all which it was not fit for him to begin any new Treaty but if that succeeded not he would then confer with his Ambassador in this particular But last of all in the following year the Queen and Duke having left France went to the Earl of Henault's Court where a Contract past between him and one of the Earls Daughters and not long after his Coronation the marriage was consummate in reference to which R. Bishop of Coventry and Lichfield was constituted the King's Ambassador to contract either espousals or marriage in the King's Name with Philippa that Earls Daughter who forthwith took his Journey to Valenciens and the Popes Dispensation being gained she was there married to King Edward by Proxie By this Lady he was Father to 7 Sons all except two that dyed young men of great renown in that Age namely Edward Prince of Wales and Guyenne signally famous all over Europe and commonly called the Black Prince William of Hatfield Lyonell of Antwerp Duke of Clarence and Earl of Vlster Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster and Aquitaine King of Castile and Leon Edmund of Langley Earl of Cambridge and Duke of York William of Windesor and Thomas of Woodstock Earl of Buckingham and Duke of Gloucester His Daughters were five Isabell Wife to Ingelram de Coucy Earl of Bedford Ioan married by Proxie to Peter eldest Son to Alphonsus King of Castile and Leon but died in her journey thither Blanch died young Mary Wife to Iohn Montford Duke of Britagne and Margaret Wife to Iohn de Hastings Earl of Penbroke Besides these he had a natural Son named Nicholas who was Abbot of Westminster and lies buried in Westminster before the Altar of St. Blase His Queen fell sick at Windesor Castle and there dyed before him viz. on the day of the Assumption of our blessed Lady an 43. E. 3. whose Exequies and Interment he caused to be solemnized with great magnificence He himself dyed the 21. of June at his Mannor of Shene in Surrey after he had reigned 50 years 4 Months and 28 days and lies interred on the South side of St. Edward's Chappel in Westminster Abbey under a stately Monument having thereon his Portraicture at full length SECT III. Some account of the first 25 Knights-Companions 1. Edward Prince of Wales THis Noble and Valiant Prince was born at Woodstock the 15. of Iune An. Dom. 1330. at ten a Clock in the Morning in the Scheme of whose Nativity found among the Collections of that famous Mathematician Mr. Thomas Allen of Gloucester-Hall in Oxford the 9. degree of Virgo ascends the 3. of Gemini culminates and the Planets are thus posited gr ♄ in 16 ♌ ♃ in 12 ♠♂ in 11 ♉ ☉ in 1 ♋ ♀ in 19 ♊ ☿ in 18 ♊ ♃ in 10 ♊ â— in 22 ♋ â— in 22 ♑ â™ in 19 ♌ So welcome to his Father was the News of his Birth that he granted to Tho. Priour who brought it 40 Marks per annum out of his Exchequer for life until he should setle on him Lands to that annual value Afterwards he gave to Ioane de Oxenford this Prince's Nurse 10 l. per annum out of his Exchequer during her life until he or his Heirs should setle that yearly value in Lands or Rents upon her And the next day a yearly Pension of 10 Marks out of his Exchequer also for life on Matilda Plumpton Bersatrix or Rocker to this young Prince till Lands of that value were in like manner provided for her Before he was three years old the King intended to make some considerable provision for him though he had before made him an annual allowance for the expences of his House and several Gifts did by his Charter dated 18. May in the 7. year of his Reign grant to him by the Title of Edward his most dear and eldest Son the County of Chester the Castles of Chester Beston Rothelan and Flynt and all his Lands there as also the Cantred and Land of Englefield with their appurtenances to him and his Heirs Kings of England together with all Knights Fees Advowsons Liberties Royalties and all other things belonging to the said Country Castles Lands and Cantreds aswell in England as in Wales and the Marches thereof as fully and under the same conditions as himself received them before he was King And thence forward he had the Title of Earl of Chester added to his
At that time Tho. Douvedale was the Dukes Lieutenant in that Dukedom to whom command was given dated the 5. of August preceding to deliver up all things in his custody there and belonging to the King to such as the King had appointed to receive them in like manner as they were formerly delivered up to the Earl by Sir Thomas Holland late Captain there In the Expedition made by the King into France in the 33. year of his Reign this Duke was sent before to Calais with 400 Spears and 2000 Archers where being arrived he took with him those Lords of the Empire and other Commanders who there waited the Kings coming to Calais and marched to St. Omars Cambray and other places wasting all the Country as he passed until he heard of the arrival of the King and then returned to Calais This Voyage with the King into France was the last Martial Employment this Great Duke undertook and as he had manifested to the World the wisdom and valour of a great Commander and succeeded happily in Martial Affairs so was he no Enemy to Peace but as ready to lay hold of it on fair and honorable terms as he was forward to draw his Sword in defence of the Kings honor and right And this was most evident at the Treaty of Bretagne neer Chartres where though the King was very unwilling to accept of a Peace upon terms offered by the French yet moved by the perswasive Arguments of this worthy Duke he condescended thereunto It was also upon his motion both to the King and King Iohn of France that the Truce made at Rennes between Charles de Bloys and the Earl of Montfort which was to expire the first of May was enlarged to Midsummer following in hopes of a final Peace to be by that time made between them He married Isabel Daughter of Henry Lord Beaumont Cousin-german to Queen Isabel Wife to King Edward the Second and by her had two Daughters and Heirs Mand his eldest Daughter was Wife first to Ralph Son of Ralph Earl of Stafford and next to William Duke of Bavaria Earl of Henault Holand and Zeland Lord of Frisland stiled also Earl of Leicester and Blanch the youngest to Iohn of Gaunt created Duke of Lancaster an 36. E. 3. His Will was made in his Castle at Leicester the 15. of March 1360. in which he is stiled Duke of Lancaster Earl of Derby Lincolne and Leicester Steward of England Lord of Bergerac and Beaufort and by which he appoints his Body to be interred in the Collegiate Church of our Lady at Leicester where his Father was buried He dyed within few days after viz. on Tuesday next before Easter an 35. E. 3. and was buried at Leicester according to the appointment of his Will 4. Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick THis noble Earl was eldest Son to Guy Earl of Warwick and Alice Sister and Heir of Robert Toney He was born in Warwick Castle and had to his Godfathers Thomas Earl of Lancaster Henry his Brother and Thomas de Warington Prior of Kenilworth On New-years day in the second year of King Edward the Third he was made Knight though then within age and the 20. of February following having made his Homage had Livery of his Fathers Lands In the fifth year of the same King the Government of the Isles of Gernsey Sark and Aureney was conferred on him About two years after he attended King Edward the Third in that famous and successful Expedition against the Scots and in Christmas Holy-days an 8. E. 3. he and the Earl of Oxford were sent with Edward King of Scots to secure Carlisle and defend the West Marches of England who with some Forces raised in Lancashire Westmerland and Cumberland entred Scotland about Twelvetide wasted Gallaway and returned to Carlisle He attended the King again into Scotland an 9. E. 3. when King Edward by Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick entred again that Kingdom after which he was one of those Noblemen to whose trust the King committed the Guardianship of the Marches The following year he and other of the Nobility of England entred Scotland about Whitsontide and passed as far as St. Iohns Town which they fortified and in this Kingdom he remained all the year About the beginning of Sept. an 11. E. 3. he again entred Scotland with an Army by Berwick whilst the Lords Wake and Clifford entred by Carlisle and within two days both their Forces united whereupon they wasted Tividale Moseteidale and Nidesdale whilst Anthony Lord Lucy wasted Gallaway but not being able to prosecute their Voyage by reason of the great Rains they returned within twelve days to Carlisle and so much to the satisfaction of the King did he behave himself in this Expedition that the 19. of March following he made Letters obligatory to him for 500 Marks as a gift to be paid him at Michaelmas following When the King undertook his first Expedition into France an 13. E. 3. by the way of Flanders he likewise attended him thither and had Command of a Wing in the field pitch'd between Vyronsos and Flamengery in which among others were the Earl of Penbroke the Lords Berkley and Moulton He went over with the King into Flanders when by the way that memorable Naval fight hapned before Sluce where the King obtained a signal Victory against the French and was one of the Commissioners nominated at the Treaty agreed on at the Siege of Tournay to be sent to Arras in order to a further Treaty where after 15 days debate nothing was agreed on but the Surrender of the County of Poictou seized on by the French King the preceding year and a prolongation of the Truce for two years An. 16. E. 3. he was one of the Commissioners nominated to treat with the Kings Allies in Brabant and Flanders about his designed Expedition into France in which he after attended the King with 80 men at Arms 1 Banneret 18 Knights 60 Esquires and 100 Archers on Horse-back for whose passage a Writ issued to Iohn de Montgomery Admiral of the Fleet Westward to provide Ships At Nantes in Bretagne to which the King had laid Siege he behaved himself so gallantly upon a Sally made by the Town that they were forced to retreat with great loss Not long after his return into England he marcht into Scotland with Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby to raise the Siege laid against Louhmaban Castle whereof the Earl of Northampton was Governor and when he came back was imployed with the said Earl of Derby and some others to the Pope to treat about King Edwards right to the Crown of France which produced nothing but an enlargement of the Truce The following year he was constituted Marshall of England during pleasure In that great Expedition
but that year he went over with Iohn Duke of Lancaster in his Voyage into France against whom the Duke of Burgoigne was sent with so great an Army that the English were but as a handful to them and having pitched his Tents near Calais within a Mile of the English Army after 19. days stay he dislodged and went to St. Omars not with much honor as some observe After whose departure the Duke of Lancaster returned to Calais and having refreshed his Army for three days and marched thence to St. Omars and the County of St. Paul then passed the River Some and entred the Countries of Ve xin and Ewe within the Archbishoprick of Roan thence to Deepe and Harflew with design to burn the French Fleet which lay there but the Earl of St. Paul was entred the Town before and so secured the Haven Whereupon he returned through Ponthieu where before Abeville Sir Hugh de Chastelon Master of the Crossbows in France was taken who with the Earl of St. Paul had before entred Ponthieu and took it from the King of England and having wasted the Country with Fire and Sword as they past along to Calais staid there a while and then took shipping for England where he arrived about the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop in Winter This Earl attended the King when he took his Voyage to relieve Thouars an 46. E. 3. who directing his course towards Rochel was not able to land by reason of contrary Winds and Tempests but forced to return after nine weeks being tossed upon the Sea The year following he with William Nevil and Sir Philip Courtney was sent to Sea upon a rumour that Ievan Prince of Wales Son of Prince Aymon was upon the English Coast with 6000 men designing to land The Earl had 40 Sail of Ships besides Barges and 2000 men of Arms besides Archers and departing from Cornwall sailed to Bretagne and coming to St. Malo burnt seven great Spanish Ships in that Haven Thence they sailed to Brest and there relieved the Garrison where Sir Robert Knolls was besieged by the Constable Sir Bertrand de Guesclin with men and provisions which having done they took shipping with design to keep the Frontiers of Bretagne and Normandy about which time the King had recruited them with 1000 men of Arms and 2000 Archers Hereupon he again went to Brest with a resolution to fight the French that lay before it but before he got thither the Constable had withdrawn most of his men to other Sieges upon a Composition made with the Garrison to surrender in case they were not relieved within 40 days for performance of which they had taken Hostages Upon the Earls arrival he sent to the Constable either to fight or to return the Hostages but he refused both so the Earl having Victualled the Castle departed to Sea and kept the Marches and Frontiers as before In the 50. year of King Edward's Reign he was constituted Admiral of his Fleet from the River Thames towards the Western parts And the following year a Commission issued to him and some others to Array all able men from 16 to 60 years of Age in the County of Dorset to be ready on occasion to withstand an Invasion and defend the Kingdom there being apprehensions that the French would land The first year of King Richard the Second the French being on the Sea this Earl was assigned to secure the Sea Coasts in the Counties of Southampton and Dorset to which purpose Command was sent to the Knights and Gentry of those Counties to be assistant to him It appears also that he was this year employed in Sea service and an 2. R. 2. constituted Governour of Calais An. 8. R. 2. he with divers others of the Nobility had Summons to appear at New-Castle upon Tyne the 14. of Iuly with Horse and Arms thence to march against the Scots The custody of the Isle of Wight and Castle of Carbroke with the whole Demesne thereunto belonging was granted to him during his life with all the profits liberties and advantages as the King enjoyed them without rendring any thing therefore only that he should maintain the Castle and undergo all Charges of the Isle and Castle as the Governors thereof usually had done He designe dto marry Ioane Daughter to Edmund Plantagenet Earl of Kent and gained a Contract from her but Sir Thomas Holland in his Petition to Pope Clement the Sixth alledging a precontract from her with him upon which carnal copulation followed and being after in Foreign parts this Earl contracted with her again and unjustly withheld her from him thereupon the Pope gave judgment against the Earl who complying therewith married another noble Lady namely Elizabeth eldest Daughter and after one of the three Co-heirs of Iohn Lord Mohun another of the Founders of this most Noble Order who outlived her Lord and had her Dower assigned an 21. R. 2. By this Lady he had William his only Son and Heir unfortunately slain at Windesor an 6. R. 2. by his own hand in a Tilting a place fatal also to his Father who at the Justs held there an 18. E. 3. was so sorely bruised that he dyed soon after so that Iohn Mountacute his Cousin and Heir Son and Heir of his Brother Iohn succeeded him in his Earldom This Earl dyed the 3. of Iune an 20. R. 2. having survived all the first Founders of this most Noble Order 8. Roger Mortimer Earl of March HE was the Son of Edmund Mortimer Son and Heir of Roger Mortimer first Earl of March and Elizabeth his Wife Daughter of Bartholomew de Badlesmere Baron of Leeds who after her Husbands death was married to William Bohun Earl of Northampton born towards the latter end of the first years Reign of King Edward the Third In the Voyage which this King made into France in the 20. year of his Reign he attended him being yet under age but before he went the King admitted Sir Peter de Grandison and William de Newenham Clerk to be his Guardians and to prosecute and defend his Suits in any of the King's Courts Upon his Petition in Parliament an 28. E. 3. he obtained a revocation of the Judgment against his Grandfather attainted of and executed for Treason an 4. E. 3. and thereupon was restored in Blood and to the Earldom of March and to all his said Grandfathers Lands Honors and Possessions The next year he was made Custos of the Castle of Dover and the Cinque-Ports for life and afterwards went beyond Sea in the Kings Service in the Voyage which Iohn of Gaunt made into France upon the French Kings drawing down an Army towards Calais And in the Kings Expedition into France an 33. E. 3. upon which a Peace ensued he attended him with 500 men at Arms and 1000 Archers He married Philippa Daughter of
William Mountacute first Earl of Salisbury and Sister to William Earl of Salisbury one of the first Founders of the Garter whose Will bears date the first day of November an Dom. 1378. in which she appoints her body to be buried in the Conventual Church of the Holy Trinity in the Priory of Bistleham vulgarly called Bysham Mountagu in Berkshire where an 1381. she was accordingly interred He dyed at Rovery in Burgundy the 26. of February an 34. E. 3. as the King was upon his march in those Countries and his body afterwards brought into England was buried at Wigmore with his Ancestors 9 Sir Iohn Lisle SIR Iohn Lisle was the Son of Robert Lord Lisle first summond to Parliament an 5. E. 2. by the Title of Robert de Lisle de Rubemont and of Margaret the Daughter of Peverell His Father Robert being disposed to give to him 400 Marks per annum of Land to serve the King with 6 men at Arms in his War the King to gratifie the said Robert and the better to support his Son granted that the said Robert might give him his Mannor of Harwood with its appurtenances in Yorkshire with other Lands to the annual value of 400 Marks during his life but afterwards to return to the said Robert and his Heirs and some years after his Brother Robert released to him and his Heirs all his right in the said Mannor and in the Advowson of the Church there Being thus provided for he attended the King in his first Voyage into France by the way of Flanders an 13. E. 3. and as Sir Iohn Froissard observes was in the Battel designed to be fought near Vironfosse Two years after he went into Aquitaine in the King's Service And the year ensuing he attended the King in Bretagne where he was one of the Commanders left at the Siege of Nants in Bretagne while the King foraged the Country and laid Siege to Dinant For his good services done the King he granted him a Pension of 200 l. per annum for his life to support his Degree of Banneret This Pension was first appointed to be paid him out of the Exchequer until a Provision of Lands or Rents to that yearly value were made for him but after there was assigned to him out of the Priory of St. Neats then of Stoke nigh Clare and of Fye to wit 120 l. per annum out of the Priory of Stoke and 80 l. per annum out of that of Eye Then 100 Marks was taken out of the Rent charge upon the Priory of Eye and laid upon the Issues of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon And lastly it came to be thus setled viz. That he should receive out of the Issues of these two Counties 200 Marks per annum and out of the issues of the Counties of Bedford and Bucks the remaining sum of 100 Marks per annum And having given him besides for like services another Pension for life of 40 l. a year out of his Exchequer also he appointed the payment of it out of the Farm of the Priory of St. Neats during the War An. 25. E. 3. the King made him Sheriff of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon and granted him the Custody of the Castle of Cambridge for life He had by Maud his Wife two Sons Sir Robert Lisle Lord of Rougemont and Wilbraham whose Heir male hath now his dwelling as I am informed at Wilbraham in Cambridgshire and Sir William Lisle Lord of Cameldon and Shefford who died without Issue In the Prince's Expedition into Gascoigne an 29. E. 3. he attended him and had Command given him in the main Body of the Army But in the three days march into the Enemies Country he was unfortunately hurt with a Quarrel or Bolt shot out of a Cross-bow of which he dyed the 14. of October in the same year his Son Robert being then about 22 years of age 10. Sir Bartholomew Burghersh SIR Bartholomew Burghersh was Son to Bartholomew Lord Burghersh frequently distinguished by the Title of Senior and Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of Theobald de Verdon His Father was first summoned to Parliament an 1. E. 3. a person of great Council and Valour which laid a strong foundation for his Sons Honor having been several times constituted Constable of Dover and the Cinque-Ports he was also made Seneschal and Custos of Ponthieu and Monstriell Admiral towards the West Chamberlain to the King Lieutenant of the Tower of London one of the Custos's of England and frequently emploid in Embassies and by some through mistake made one of the first Founders of the Garter But among these enumerated in the preamble to the Statutes both of Institution with their Exemplars and those of King Henry the Fifth he is called Bartholomeus de Burghersh filius and Bartholomew de Burghersh le filz and so in divers places of our publick Records though we have seen some transcripts of these Statutes wherein the point hath been at the end of the Surname and filius so also le filz joined to Dom. Iohannes de Beauchamp But this was a plain mistake of the Transcriber since this Iohn was never married His first martial Service was when the King went into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. Next he went with the Prince in the Kings Expedition into France an 20. E. 3. where he staid with him at the Siege of Calais And for recompence of his Expences in this Voyage the King granted him the Custody of all the Lands and Tenements which had belonged to Iohn de Loueyne deceased till his Heir should come of Age without rendring any thing therefore The 23. year of King Edward he went along with him into Gascoigne And again thither with the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. and had command in the main body of the Princes Army The following year as the Prince retired from forraging the Country of Berry and was got near Romerentyne this Knight whom Froissard in several places calls the Lord Bartholomew Breches Sir Bartholomew de Bounes de Brennes and de Brunes but such mistakes are too frequent in that Author in this and other mens names as also in the names of Places was set upon by a French Ambushment but he and his Troops so gallantly behaved themselves that they kept the French in play till the Prince drew near upon the sight of whom they fled to Romerentyne pursued by the English and got into the Castle which the Prince commanded Sir Iohn Chandos to Summon but they refusing to yield after two desperate but fruitless assaults the English set it on fire which caused them speedily to surrender He attended the King in his expedition into France an 33. E. 3. and towards the end of the year an 37. E. 3.
during pleasure But the following year these Dignities were committed to him alone He married Ioane Daughter of Edmund of Woodstock Earl of Kent Sister and Heir of Iohn Earl of Kent in whose right he sate in Parliament an 34. E. 3. as Earl of that County after whose death Edward Prince of Wales married her whose Widow she remained till an 9. R. 2. and then died By this Lady he had Issue two Sons Thomas Holland Earl of Kent and Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon and Duke of Exceter as also two Daughters Ioane and Maude the later was Wife to Hugh Courtney eldest Son to Sir Hugh Courtney one of the Founders of this Order an 39. E. 3. This noble Earl after the performance of many brave acts in the Kings Service died the 26. of December an 34. E. 3. Thomas his Son and Heir being then much about the tenth year of his age 15 Sir Iohn Grey of Codnore HE was eldest Son of Richard Lord Grey of Codnore in Derbyshire by Iane his Wife who had been Seneschal of Gascoigne in the Reign of King Edward the Second In that notable and famous Expedition made into Scotland an 7. E. 3. he had Command where his valour was so far taken notice of that not long after the King in part of recompence thereof and of his great expences in those Wars acquitted him of all such debts as he then owed unto his Exchequer Towards the end of the 9. year of E. 3. he went again to the Wars of Scotland being of the Retinue of Hugh Andley and two years after in another Expedition then made thither An. 12. E. 3. he attended the King into Flanders and an 14. E. 3. went over thither when by the way that famous Naval Fight hapned neer Sluce The following year he undertook employment in the Scotish Wars An. 18. E. 3. he with Nicholas de Langford and Edward de Chandos were assigned to Array all able men in Derbyshire from 16 to 60 years of age and to have them in readiness to march with them or others whom the King should appoint within three days warning against the Scots then ready to invade this Kingdom The following year he went in the Retinue of Henry Earl of Derby into Gascoigne and in regard he stayed there the next year in the Kings Service his Lands in Kent were exempted from finding men for guarding the Sea-Coasts With this Earl he returned to England and went to Calais in his Retinue an 21. E. 3. and stayed there the following year There being an Invasion threatned by the French an 26. E. 3. he was joined in Commission with the Lord Deyncourt to Array all able persons in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire and to conduct them to such places as might stand in need of them for defence of the Realm He went in the Expedition which the foresaid Earl made into Breâ—â—gne an 29. E. 3. And after attended the King in his Voyage royal into France an 33. E. 3. and the same year was constituted Governour of the Town and Castle of Rochester for life More of his Military Services we find not before he obtained the Kings License an 39. E. 3. to go on Pilgrimage And an 45. E. 3. being grown very aged and not able to endure Travel he obtained a special Dispensation wherein his many and great Services performed with much fidelity and valour are by the King acknowledged to exempt him from coming to Parliaments to which he had received Summons from the time of his Fathers death which hapned an 9. E. 3. and Councils and charging him with setting forth of Soldiers in the Wars for the future He married Alice de Insula by whom he had Henry his eldest Son who married Ioane Daughter of Reginald Cobham of Sterborough but died before his Father and Iohn his second Son who both went in the Retinue of Iohn of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster in his Expedition into France an 43. E. 3. and Alice a Daughter Wife of William Son of Sir Adam de Everingham of Laxton in the County of Nottingham 16. Sir Richard Fitz Simon WE have met with little concerning this Noble Knight but that he had command under Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby in Gascoigne an 19. E. 3. The following year he went with Robert Vfford Earl of Suffolk when he attended the King in his Expedition into France An. 21. E. 3. he was imployed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and lastly he was in command under the Prince of Wales an 22. E. 3. and in these Expeditions he performed so great Services that he was thought worthy to be Elected one of the first Founders of this most Noble Order 17. Sir Miles Stapleton THis Sir Miles Stapleton was Son and Heir to Sir Miles Stapleton of Bedall in the County of York Knight His first employment in the Wars was when King Edward the Third made his Expedition into Bretagne He also attended the King in his Voyage Royal into France an 20. E. 3. and lay at the Seige before Calais An. 23. E. 3. about the Month of Iuly he was employed in the Kings Service beyond Sea and the like an 29. E. 3. In the 30. year of King Edward the Third Philip Brother to the King of Naevarre taken Prisoner by the French King the year before came over into England and obtained assistance for recovery of his Lands in Normandy whereupon the King joyned to him this Sir Miles Stapleton a man of great integrity and in martial affairs very skillful as Froissard Characterizeth him These two with 2000. men passed through Normandy and as they marched took and burnt several Towns and Fortresses till they came within 9. Leagues of Paris and did not retreat till they had forced the French to enter into Truce for a Year For this Expedition the said Philip of Navarre was constituted the Kings Captain and Lieutenant in the Dutchy of Normandy In consideration of the constant fidelity and eminent valour of this Noble Knights as also his great service in the Wars the King granted to him a Pension of 100 l. per annum out of his Exchequer for life until he had that annual value in Lands or Rents provided for him And shortly after Upon information that several injuries and damages had been done to the French by the English after and against the Truce taken near Chartres the King desirous that it should be kept without violation and the infringers thereof punished constituted him with Sir Nele Loring and Sir Richard Stafford his Commissioners to inform themselves of the way and manner how these injuries might be discovered and repaired and gave them power to arrest and imprison to seize and confiscate their Estates and to punish them according as they
the King of France and entred Bretagne this Sir Iohn with some few Forces left Aquitaine and came to the assistance of Iohn Earl of Montford who received him with great joy having so great an opinion of his Valour and Conduct that he conceived no misfortune could fall upon him while he stayed with him By his advice and valour as all acknowledged the French were defeated Sir Bertrand de Guesclin taken Prisoner by an English Esquire under Sir Iohn's Standard Charles de Bloys there slain and the Enemy pursued 8 Leagues even to the Gates of Rennes This Battel was fought on Michaelmas day an 38. E. 3. where were taken two Earls 27 Lords and 1500 men at Arms. The news of the Victory being brought to the King then at Dover by a Pursuivant of Arms who had been in the Battel the King for his good service created him a Herald by the name of Windesor there was also an Herald who had the addition of Chandos given him in honor of this noble Knight whom he employed in Aquitaine upon several occasions This good success begat a Treaty which setled the Earl of Montfort in the Dukedom of Bretagne by the King of France to whom he did Homage as the Dukes before had done In the Prince's Voyage to Spain he had command in the Van led by the Duke of Lancaster and immediately before the joining of the Battel this noble Knight was created Banneret which honor was not only well bestowed but by his valiant carriage in the Fight as well deserved for he and his men hapning to encounter Sir Bertrand de Guesclin who had been ransomed from his former imprisonmeâ—â— at 100000 Franks and the Marshal Sir Arnold Dandrehen they took them both Prisoners and defeated their Battel After his return out of Spain he obtained leave to reside at St. Saviour le Viscount but when the French invaded Gascoigne the Prince sent for him back and employed him in the conduct of that War wherein he behaved himself most valiantly and in a word recovered and kept Aquitaine the particulars of whose famous actions from hence to his death may be seen in Sir Iohn Froissard out of whom we are loth to cloy our Reader with too much of transcription and shall therefore only note that in this time he was made Constable of Poictou and Marshal of Aquitaine He had the Barony of St. Saviours le Viscount of Domvers and Dongeville and the Lands and Tenements of St. Mary de Monte de Farsellis and de Romelly and all the Lands which were formerly Sir Godfry de Harecourts in Normandy given him and his heirs for ever by King Edward to whom the said Sir Godfry had sold them to be possessed after his death which being not comprised in the Treaty of Peace near Chartres the Homage for them became due to the King of France but there having passed so great Testimonies of affection and respect between King Edward and King Iohn the latter at the request of King Edward before he went from Calais sealed to Sir Iohn Chandos a confirmation of King Edward's grant to possess them as his inheritance for ever Whereupon command was sent to Sir Thomas Holland then Captain and Custos thereof forthwith to deliver the Castles Baronies and all the Lands and Tenements to the said Iohn And hereupon he was sometimes stiled Baro Sancti Salvatoris le Viscount and at other Vicecomes Sancti Salvatoris in Normania The last martial action of this most famous Knight and which proved fatal to him was near to St. Salvin an Abbey in Poictou which having been betrayed to the French by a Monk who hated the Abbot he endeavoured to recover it the last of December in the night an 44. E. 3. but missing of his design and intending to return to Poictou he encountred a party of the French at Lusach-bridge where the way being slippery he fell down and as he was rising one Iaques de St. Martyn an Esquire struck him under his Eye into the brain with a Glave for having lost the sight of that Eye five years before as he was hunting a Hart neer Bordeaux he saw not the blow come The French knew him by his Surcoat of Arms and endeavoured to get his body but his Uncle Edward Clyfford bestrid him and defended it and other relief coming in the French men were taken Prisoners He was thence carried to Mortymer Fortress where he lay a day and night speechless and then died and lies there buried His death was exceedingly lamented by all and when the French King heard of it he was very much troubled saying there was now no Knight left alive that was able to make Peace between the Kings and Kingdoms of France and England so much was he feared so highly esteemed and so generally beloved He was never married but we find he had three Sisters Elizabeth who died 9. R. 2. Alionora the Wife of Roger Colinge and Margaret 22. Sir Iames Audeley THis noble Knight was Son and Heir of Nicholas Lord Audeley and of Iane Sister and Heir of William the Son of William Martyn and was born an 7. E. 2. He was no sooner come of age but he entred upon Martial Employments wherein for several years he became engaged in the Wars against the Scots and there did the King so great service that in recompence thereof and the great charge he had been at in supporting himself in those Wars he forgave him the sum of 10000 Marks which he was engaged to pay Roger Mortimer Earl of March by whose attainder it became forfeited to the King An. 16. E. 3. he was made Custos of the Town of Berwick upon Twede during pleasure and by other Letters Patent of the same date constituted the Kings Iustice of the said Town and of all other the Kings Lands in the parts of Scotland to execute all things appertaining to that Office according to the Law and Custom of Scotland Not long after he was engaged to go beyond Sea in the Kings Service with Nicholas Audeley Earl of Gloucester and thereupon the Kings Letters of Protection were obtained for him to hold till Easter following The 20. of December after the Kings special Letter was directed to him to provide 20. Men at Arms and 20. Archers to be sent to Portsmouth by the first of March ensuing and thence to pass in the Kings Service with the Earls of Arundel and Huntingdon An. 18. E. 3. he went into Gascoigne with the Earl of Derby in his Expedition thither The following year he received Command personally to attend the King and to serve him with his Retinue for defence of this Kingdom against the French at the Kings charge And when the King made his Royal Voyage into France an 20. E. 3. he attended him thither He was sent over from the
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
Collar hung the Mus Ponticus or Ermine passing over a Turf of Grass diapred with Flowers at the edge whereof was imbossed this Epigraph in French A Ma Vie the devise of his Grandfather Iohn by which he made known the greatness of his courage and rather than fail of his word that he would undergo any misfortune This Order took ending when the Dukedom of Bretagne became annexed to the Crown of France by the marriage of Anne Dutchess of Bretagne with Charles the Eighth and he being dead with Lewis the Twelfth both French Kings The Order of the Ermyne in Naples 38. Ferdinand the First King of Naples after the end of the War which he had with Iohn of Lorain Duke of Calabria erected this Order in the year of our Lord 1463. being moved thereunto upon the Treason intended against him by Marinus Marcianus Duke of Sessa and Prince of Rosiona his Brother-in-law who raising a confederacy against him intended to kill him when they should be together that so he might transfer the Kingdom to the Duke of Calabria But this Plot being discovered and the Duke apprehended by the King his Subjects expecting that he should have executed Justice upon him he not only forbore it but having instituted this Order of Chevalry the first of many that were invested with the Collar thereof was this his Brother-in-law whom he not only pardoned but also honored and besides whom admitted all the Noblemen of Title in the Kingdom thereinto The Collar was of Gold intermixt with Mud or Dirt to which depended an Ermyne and this Motto Malo mori quam faedari The Order of St. Michael in Naples 39. Albertus Miraeus makes this King Ferdinand Founder of another Order of Knighthood in Naples in memory of St. Michael the Arch-Angel Patron of Apulia The Habit of the Knights was a long White Mantle embroidered with Ermyns and the Collar of Gold composed of the Letters O to which was added for Symbol this Epigraph Decorum This Order is likewise taken notice of by the Author of the Iurisprudentia Heroica but perhaps it may be the same with that of the Ermyn since we observe the Habit hereof is embroidered with Ermyns and might be otherwise called of St. Michael if so be it were dedicated to his honor The Order of Knights of St. Michael in France 40. Lewis the Eleventh of France considering how much the Factions of the Nobility of his Realm had disordered his Affairs to the end he might reunite their affections to himself and confirm the same by new obligations of Honor instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1469. to which he gave the Title of St. Michael this Arch-Angel being esteemed the titular Angel and Protector of the Realm of France in reverence of whom the ancient Kings of France were wont to observe the Feast-day of this Saint with great solemnity and keep an open Court This King Lewis by the foundational Statutes of the Order which passed his Royal Assent at Amboise the first of August in the year aforesaid ordained That the number of Knights should be 36. whereof himself and his Successors were to be Chief but afterwards the number far exceeded even to 300. The Collar of this Order is composed of Scallop-shells of Gold joined one with another and double banded fastned on small Chains or Males of Gold to the midst thereof is annexed an Oval of Gold on which a rising hillock whereon standeth the Picture of St. Michael combating with and trampling upon the Dragon all curiously enamelled to which saith Mennenius was adjoined this Epigraph Immensi tremor Oceani The Habit appointed by the Founder was a Mantle of White Damask hanging down to the ground furr'd with Ermyn having its Cape embroidered with Gold and the border of the Robe interwoven with Scallops of Gold the Chaperon or Hood with its long Tippet was made of Crimson Velvet But afterwards King Henry the Second ordered That this Mantle should be made of Cloth of Silver embroidered with three Crescents of Silver interwoven with Trophies Quivers and Turkish Bows semed and cantoned with Tongues and Flames of fire and moreover that the Chaperons of Crimson Velvet should be covered with the same embroidery The grand Assembly was by the Soveraign and Knights directed according to the Statutes to be held as a solemn Festival on Michaelmas day and the place appointed for celebration of these pompous Ceremonies at the Church of Mount St. Michael in Normandy built by St. Autbert upon St. Michael's appearing to him in a Vision and liberally endowed by â—ollo Duke of Normandy and his Successors but afterwards removed to Bois de Vincennes not far from Paris There is an Herald of Arms appointed to this Order called Monsieur St. Michel whose duty is to attend the Solemnities thereof and who in most things is precedented by our Garter King of Arms. Such care and moderation was used by King Henry the Third of France when he instituted the Order of the Holy Ghost not only to preserve the honor of this Order in its full splendor notwithstanding the example of former times where the rising of a new Order hath commonly proved the setting of the old but to reform some miscarriages which had crept into it by bestowing it upon some meâ—â— and undeserving persons that he not only continued the annual Solemnities thereof and Election of Knights thereinto but also declared that neither Strangers nor the Natives of France who before are Knights of any other Order should enter into that of the Holy Ghost except those only of St. Michael The Collar of which Order is thereby made lawful to be worn with that of the Holy Ghost and usually represented within it that being esteemed the more worthy place And we are told it is now customary for those that are design'd to be Knights of the Holy Ghost to be admitted into the Order of St. Michael the Evening before they receive that Order Knights of St. Hubert in Gullick 41. Gerard Duke of Gullick and Berg or as the French call them Iuliers and Mont Instituted a Military Order in the year of our Lord 1473. in veneration of St. Hubert Bishop of Liege who died anno 727. The Statutes thereof were written in the Dutch Tongue whereunto was added a Catalogue of the Knights and their Arms to the year of our Lord 1487. But further mention of this Order or what was the Badge thereof we do not find The Order of the Elephant in Denmark 42. Observing some difference among Writers touching the Institution Collar and Ensign of this Order I was in doubt what to say till at length I haply met with better satisfaction from a Letter wrote anno 1537. by Avo Bilde Bishop of Arhusen sometime Chancellor to Iohn King of Denmark and Norway unto Iohn Fris Chancellor to King Christian the Third
with this Order â—he sends the Jewel accompanied with her Letter which serves instead of a personal Investiture Among many others admitted thereinto were Vladislaus Sigismundus late King of Poland Carolus Gustavus late King of Sweden and Adolphus Iohannes his Brother also Iohn George Duke of Saxony the Lantgrave of Hesse several German Princes the Count Montecuculi General of the Horse to the Emperor Don Antonio Piementelli de Parada Envoye Extraordinary from the King of Spain as also divers great Lords of the Court of Sweden and of our Nation Sir Bulstrode Whiteloke to whose friendly civility we are obliged for the foregoing Account SECT II. Of Knights in the West-Indies IF after all these we take some prospect of those Martial Honors bestowed in the West-Indies which the Europeans commonly call by the Title of Knighthood as having some resemblance to it from the nature of the Ceremonies used at the entrance and admittance into that Dignity and the end for which they were bestowed we shall find they properly enough deserve mention here The Mexicans gave the first place of Honor to the profession of Arms and therefore on such as had performed valiant services in Wars they bestowed great recompence and gave them sundry Priviledges which none else might enjoy Valour and Courage were with them the steps by which a man of mean extraction ascended to high dignity and honor and therefore the chief of their Nobility commonly sprung from the Camp Among whom Moteçuma set Knighthood in highest splendor ordaining certain Military Orders with several Badges and Ensigns The most honorable among the Knights were those that carried the crown of their Hair tied with a little Red Ribbon having a rich Plume of Feathers from which did hang branches and rolls of Feathers upon their shoulders They carried so many of these rolls as they had done worthy deeds in War The King himself was of this Order as may be seen in Capultepec where Moteçuma and his Sons are represented attired with those kind of Feathers cut in the Rock There was another Order of Knighthood which they called of the Lyons and Tygers these Knights being commonly the most valiant and most noted in the Wars and always bore with them their Badges and Armories Other Knights there were as the Grey Knights not so much respected as the rest they had their Hair cut round about the ear They went to the Wars with Ensigns like the other Knights yet not armed but to the Girdle while the most honorable were armed all over All Knights might carry Gold and Silver wear rich Cotton use painted and gilt Vessels wear Shoes after their manner but the common people only earthen Vessels neither might they carry Shoes nor attire themselves but in a gross Stuff called Nequen Every Order of these Knights had their Lodging in the Palace noted with their Ensigns the first was called the Lodging of the Prince the second of Eagles the third of Lyons and Tygers and the fourth of Grey Knights They of the Province of Cinaola an Inland part near new Mexico created their Knights by giving a Bow then setting them to encounter a Lyon or some other wild Beast the death of which was accounted the life of their Gentility The Inguas Lords of Peru in their solemn Feasts at Cusco dedicated their Children to Honor by adorning them with Guarras or Ensigns They pierced their Ears whipt them with Slings anointed their Faces with Blood and all in sign that they should be true Knights to the Ingua Those of the blood royal in Peru before they received the Degree of Knighthood pass'd through sundry probations but chiefly they performed some Military Exercises and managed the Lance Dart and other Arms. The manner and order of tryal of their skill and courage was both rigorous and severe as abstaining from all things for seven days except a little raw Corn and Water then being heartned again their running of Races afterwards one day holding out another besieging a Fort then Wrestling Leaping Shooting Slinging throwing the Dart and Lance exercising in all Weapons of War and enduring to be beaten on the hands and legs with wands all these things tending to discover whether they could bear the hard adventures of War or not which tryals if they could not manfully suffer they were rejected and denyed Knighthood Next followed the Circumstances and Ceremonies of their Creation as boaring a hole in the Ears putting on gallant Shoes as also Breeches which before they might not wear adorning their heads with Flowers and an Herb that none else might use and lastly giving an Axe into their hands All which Mr. Purchas having set down at large we thought it less needful to be more particular These Knights are by Mennenius called Oreiones from the Spanish word Orejas which signifies flap or loll-eared and in Latin Auriculares either from the Leaf which they carried hanging in their Ears or as Ios. Micheli saith for that they were only to negotiate and treat of great Affairs with the Emperor and had his ear at all times To these we shall add the account we have of an Order of Knights in Iapan intituled Mengoras part of them are called Bonzoes living in Fraternities as do our religious Brotherhoods in Europe Some of these relate to their Temples and have the charge of their Idols and the service appertaining to them others are Knights and follow the Wars accepting pay from any Lord that imploys them Of this Order there are found to be about 30000. who in many things bear parallel with the Religious Knights in Europe They prosess Chastity with such severity that into their Cities no Woman may enter They have the Rule given them over those Kingdoms which they conquer and are very rich some of them having not less than 60000 Duckets per annum Revenue Every day they make and present five Arrows to the publick Armory which is a very prudent provision in regard no man is sensible of the charge and thereby they find themselves well provided upon all occasions SECT III. The Feminine Cavaliers of the Torch in Tortosa AND now in close of our Discourse of the Orders of Knighthood give us leave to bring up the rere with a memorial relating to Feminine Valour and of the later Age for we shall not need to instance in the Amazons of old whose fame in Arms is so generally known since some of that Sex having acquired honor and renown by their personal courage and valiant exploits have had bestowed on them the priviledge of living after the manner and in the esteem of Knights The Example is of the noble Women of Tortosa in Aragon and recorded by Ioseph Micheli Marquez who plainly calls them Cavalleros or Knights or may I not rather say Cavalleras seeing I observe the words Equitissae and Militissae formed from the Latin Equites and Milites
Ferrys 16. William Palet Canon 12. Iohn Vaughan Canon 17. Henry Deane 13. William Lord Hastings 27. Iohn Oxenbrydge Canon 14. Brothers and Sisters of St. Anthony  21. King Edward the Third Founder  27. Will Askew Bishop of Salisbury  August September 4. Sir Reginald Bray Knight 5. Iohn Seymor Canon 8. Iohn Blount 13. Henry Hanslappe Canon 10. William Mychell Canon 14. Iohn Duke of Bedford 11. Robert Barham Canon 16. William Bohun Earl of Northampton 17. Philippa Queen of England Foundress 27. William Wykham Bishop of Winchest 18. Richard Surland Canon  31. King Henry the Fifth  It was an usual thing in former Ages especially for those of the Military profession after they had spent their youth and manhood in the service of their King and Country to bestow the remainder of their livâ—â— in Prayers for both and the salvation of their own Souls And therefore to cherish the piety of well disposed Knights-Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter who for devotions sakâ— were induced to retire to Windesor permission was given then by the Statutes of Institution to make their continual abode there Nevertheless to maintain themselves out of their own Estates not at the Colledge charge This Article is confirmed by the Statutes of King Henry the Fifth to which those of King Henry the Eighth add That the Soveraign should assign them convenient Habitations within the Castle The like favour upon like occasion was afforded to other devout Knights though not of the Order but the Lodgings to be such as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions should decree We no where find that any of the Knights-Companions made use of the benefit of this Article hitherto but in another nature and for their better accommodation at the grand Feast of the Order and other Solemnities held at Windesor they moved the Soveraign in Chapter there 22. of May anno 14. Car. 1. That they might have Rooms for Lodgings assigned them in the great or upper Court which they offered to repair at their own charge since all the officers of the Order had Lodgings in the Castle but the Knights-Companions none This motion was not disliked by the Soveraign so it might be without exclusion of the Great Officers of State concerning whom He declared That he would not have them removed from him at any time and thereupon it was left to further consideration SECT III. The Foundation of the Colledge within the Chappel KIng Henry the First as he had erected a Chappel within the Castle so did he therein found a Colledge for eight Canons neither endowed nor incorporate but maintained by an annual Pension out of the Kings Exchequer King Edward the Second founded here a Chantry for four Chaplains and two Clerks to pray for his Soul and the Souls of all his Progenitors as likewise a Chappel in the Park of Windesor under the same Ordination for four more Chaplains whom his Son King Edward the Third by the advice of his Council removed and joined to those other before setled in the Chappel of the Castle and built habitations for their better accommodation on the South side thereof all which we shall pass over with this short mention as not directly relative to our present purpose But the Foundation that we shall treat of here King Edward the Third laid by His Letters Patent bearing Teste at Westminster on the sixth day of August anno regni sui 22. that being about three quarters of a year before He instituted the most Noble Order of the Garter for being inflamed with the zeal of a pious devotion and desiring by a good kind of Commerce to exchange earthly for heavenly and transitory for eternal things at his own Royal Charge He new founded the ancient Chappel in honor and to the praise of the omnipotent God the glorious Virgin Mary of St. George the Martyr and St. Edward the Confessor And by his Kingly authority and as much as in him lay Ordained that to King Henry's eight Canons there should be added one Custos fifteen more Canons and twenty four Alms-Knights together with other Ministers all under the Government nevertheless of the Custos and these to be maintained out of the Revenues wherewith this Chappel was and should be endowed But according to the opinion of those times his Kingly Authority extended not to the instituting therein men of Religion and other Officers to perform and attend the Service of God for that lay in the power and disposition of the Pope And therefore this King setting forth what he had profer'd to do in reference to the endowment of this Chappel requested Pope Clement the Sixth to grant to the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of Winchester the authority and power of ordaining and instituting the Colledge and other things thereunto appertaining Hereupon this Pope by his Bull dated at Avignion pridie Calendas Decembris in the ninth year of his Papacy which answers to the thirtieth day oâ— November Anno Domini 1351. commending the pious purpose of the King in this affair granted to the Archbishop and Bishop and to either of them full power to Ordain Institutâ— and Appoint in this Chappel as should seem good to them a certain number of Canons Priests Clerks Knights and Officers continually to attend upon the Service of God of which Canons and Priests one should have the Title of Custos and preside over the rest On that day twelvemonth the Statutes and Ordinances of the Colledge bear date being made by virtue of the Popes authority the Kings Command the Consent of the Bishop of Salisbury in whose Diocess the Chappel is situate and of the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury By which Statutes the Bishop of Winchester one of the Popes Delegates for we find not the Archbishop's name used in them did Ordain and Institute a Colledge within the Chappel of St. George consisting of one Custos twelve secular Canons thirteen Priâ—sts or Vicars four Clerks fix Choristers and twenty six Alms-Knights beside other Officers And to this Custos and Colledge by the name of Custos and Colledge of the Free-Chappel of St. George within the Castle of Windesor for the most part but sometimes of Custos and Colledge of Chaplains or otherwise of Custos and Chaplains of the same Chappel were the Donations of Advowsons and other temporal Endowments commonly made and granted SECT IV. Of the Dean Canons Petty-Canons Clerks and Choristers SHortly after the Foundation of the Colledge by the Kings Letters Patent to wit the 14. of November anno 22. E. 3. the King constituted Iohn de la Châ—mbre Custos of the Chappel of St. George but he enjoyed this dignity not above half a year for the 18. of Iune ensuing the Letters Patent for constituting William Mugg Custos bears Teste so that in truth Iohn de la Chambrâ— was the first Custos though in the Preamble to the Letters
Patent past under the Great Seal of England with consent of the Lords and Commons in Parliament anno 8. H. 6. William Mugg is there said to be the first and so hath been since accounted But it seems the Catalogue of Custos's and Deans took commencement at the Institution of the Colledge by Papal not Kingly authority and though William Mugg in like manner as Iohn de la Chambre had been constituted Custos above three years before yet being then again nominated by the King to receive Institution from the Bishop of Winchester upon his ordaining the Colledge he came to be accounted the first Custos as being so under that Institution and consequently Iohn de la Chambre not taken notice of By this Title of Custos were those that succeeded De la Chambre and Mugg presented by the King till the last year of King Henry the Fourth when Thomas Kingston was the first of them presented by the name of Dean and his Successor Iohn Arundell observing that divers of the Lands and Endowments of the Colledge were sometimes granted thereunto by the name of Custos at other times of Dean and Custos or lastly of Dean only and doubting that this variation and diversity of names might beget some damage to the Colledge especially being both beside and against the form of the Foundation wherein the Title of Custos was only used he applied himself by Petition to the Parliament before mentioned whereupon the King being pleased to provide for the security of the Colledge in this particular did with consent of the Lords and Commons by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England grant and declare That the said Iohn should be Custos sive Decanus for his life and enjoy all rights thereunto belonging and for the future he and every other Custos of the Chappel for the time being should be called Custodes sive Decani viz. Wardens or Deans of the free Chappel of St. George within the Castle of Windesor and that the Custos or Dean and Canons thereof and their Successors by the Name of Custos or Dean and Canons of the said free Chappel should have and hold to them and their Successors for ever all Lands Tenements Rents Possessions c. â—s also all manner of Liberties Franchises Immunities c. granted to the Colledge at any time before So that here was instituted a kind of new Incorporation of this Chappel by the Title of Custos or Dean and Canons only and the whole State of the Colledge together with its possessions strengthened and constituted in a manner De novo at least this was a great step to the compleat incorporating them by King Edward the Fourth when through the interest of Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury then also Dean of Windesor â—â—d Chancellor of the most noble Order of the Garter there was obtained from King Edward the Fourth Letters Patent bearing Teste at Windesor the 6. of December in the 19. year of his Reign for incorporating the Custos or Dean and Canons and their Successors by the name of Dean and Canons of the free Chappel of St. George within the Castle of Windesor and that thenceforward they should be one Body Corporate in thing and name and have a perpetual Succession Furthermore that they and their Successors should by the same Name be persons capable in Law to purchase receive and take Lands Tenements Rents Reversions Services Liberties Franchises and Priviledges or other Possessions whatsoever to be held and possest in Fee and Perpetuity As also to have a Common Seal for the Affairs and Causes of them and their Successors And that they and their Successors by the name of Dean and Canons c. might plead and be impleaded pursue all manner of Causes and Actions real and mixt challenge all Franchises and Liberties and answer and be answered before any Judges spiritual or temporal But for the avoiding all further doubts which might be taken for any occasion or cause touching the Dean and Canons of this Chappel in their Corporation Capacity or Possessions and for the more surety of them in all their temporaâ— Endowments the Letters Patent of Incorporation were within three years after past into an Act of Parliament which yet remains in force Thus much for his Title of Custos and Decanus we shall next touch upon his Authority and Ecclesiastical Iurisdiction for as he is constituted both by the Bull of Pope Clement the Sixth and the Institution of the Colledge thereupon President over the rest of the Colledge to govern direct and order them their Goods and Estates so is he to exercise all manner of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over them with a reservation of power of Appeal to the Chancellor of England Visitor of that Colledge Moreover where any of them live inordinately or unpeaceably he with the advice of the Chapter in cases where no particular penalty is appointed to be inflicted hath power to reprehend or correct at discretion And in case where discord ariseth among any of them shall within eight days reconcile the parties or do justice Lastly he hath power after the third time of admonition to expel from the Colledge all sowers of Discord Back-biters and Whisperers that are below the Degree of a Canon And to the end there may be no defect in Government at any time during his non-residence it is provided by the Statutes of the Colledge That when he hath occasion to be absent from thence above eight days or more he shall before his departure constitute one of the Canon-Residents whom he please for his Deputy who during his absence having the Title of Lieutenant shall in all things exercise and execute his Office for we are to note that the said Statutes allow him sixty days for non-residence the Royal Visitation held anno 1552. enlarged that time to one hundred and ten days and the Lord Chancellor Hyde gave him liberty of six weeks absence to attend the affairs of his Deanry of Wolverhampton But in the vacancy of the Custos whatever power or authority belongs unto him the same is then devolv'd upon the Chapter of the Colledge which Chapter ought within two days after the vacancy known to elect one of the Resident-Canons under the Title of President to govern the Colledge and direct all affairs relating thereunto until there be provided another Custos Leaving the Custos thus setled under the Title of Decanus which later he is only known by at this day we are now to speak of the Canons whose number by the Letters Patent of Foundation were appointed to be four and twenty including the Custos but upon Institution of the Colledge by the Bishop of Winchester there was then ordained as hath been noted one Custos twelve Secular-Canons and thirteen Priests or Vicars in all twenty six being the very number before ordained by the Statutes of Institution of the Order of the
They are tyed to be present in the Choire at all times of Service as are the Petty Canons and under the same forfeitures nor may they or the Petty Canons go out of Town without the Dean's or his Lieutenant's license nor then neither above three at once except for very weighty cause left the Choire should be unfurnished of a convenient number to perform the daily Service Secondly There were appointed for the further service of the Choire six Choristers and they to be likewise Clerks or at the time of their admission to have been instituted of the Clerical Order to each of which was allowed five Marks Sterling annually or to the value thereof in common Money And in like manner as the Deacon and Sub-Deacon were placed in the Colledge only in addition to the Vicars and designed to succeed them as vacancies hapned so also were there six secular Children endued with cleer and tuneable voices admitted and design'd to succeed the Choristers when their voices altered King Edward the Fourth enlarged the number of Choristers to thirteen and allowed them annually six Marks apiece and though this number was confirm'd by King Henry the Eighth's Statutes yet the Injunctions dated the 8. of Feb. anno 4. E. 6. reduced them to ten nevertheless by Queen Elizabeth's Establishment the former number of thirteen was restored and thereby given in augmentation among them all three pounds eleven shillings eight pence Howbeit they were since brought to eight and their present exhibition is twelve shillings a Month to each SECT V. Of the Alms-Knights PUrsuing the Order of our Discourse the Alms-Knights come next to be spoken of wherein to avoid confusion we shall consider them first under the Foundation of King Edward the Third Secondly when separated from that by Act of Parliament and lastly as they were established anew by Queen Elizabeth First then King Edward the Third out of the great respect he bore to Military honor of which himself had gain'd a large share and due regard had of valiant men chiefly such as had behaved themselves bravely in his Wars yet afterwards hapned to fall in decay took care for their relief and comfortable subsistence in old age by making room for them within this his Foundation and uniting them under one Corporation and join Body with the Custos and Canons these he called Milites Pauperes and we vulgarly Poor or Alms-Knights the ordained number being at first but four and twenty as were the Custos and Canons at the first foundation of the Colledge But shortly after upon his Instituting the Princely Society of Knights of the most noble Order of the Garter consisting of six and twenty there were added two more to the former number as there was to the first Canons to make them of like number with the Knights-Companions of that Order which number of twenty six we after find setled at the Ordination of the Colledge by the Bishop of Winchester the Popes Delegate The charitable intention of the Royal Founder was to provide for such only as were truly objects of Charity and therefore he describes even in the Instrument of Foundation what kind of men they should be to wit Poor Knights weak in body indigent and decayed and to like effect is their qualification inserted in the Statutes of Institution of the most noble Order of the Garter viz. such as through adverse fortune were brought to that extremity that they had not of their own wherewith to sustain them or live so gentilely as became a military condition but this being thought not enough the same is repeated probably for greater caution in King Henry the Fifth and King Henry the Eighth's Statutes to prevent diverting the Founders pious intention and against admittance of such as are otherwise able to live of themselves which conjecture is not improbable because we find the ancient Statutes of the Colledge Ordained as also the Orders of Queen Elizabeth That in case there should happen to fall to any of the Alms-Knights either Lands or Rents by succession or any other way to the yearly value of twenty pounds or more then such Knight should immediately be removed from the Colledge and made incapable of receiving any profits or emoluments thence and another Alms-Knight preferr'd into his place Their presentation when first admitted was by the same hands that presented the first Canons viz. Each Knight-Companion of the Order presented his Alms-Knight nevertheless it was then also Ordered That from thenceforward every Election should remain at the disposal of the Soveraign of this most noble Order To each of these Alms-Knights was appointed for their Habit a Red Mantle with a Scutcheon of St. George but without any Garter to surround the same Their Exhibition from the Colledge at first was twelve pence apiece for every day they were at Service in the Chappel or abode in the Colledge and forty shillings per annum for other necessaries it being the like allowance as was appointed to each of the Canon-Residents which shews the quality and esteem then had of these Alms-Knights It seems about the beginning of King Henry the Sixth's Reign these quotidian distributions and the forty shillings per annum so assigned them had been unpaid by reason of some dissentions and quarrels that had risen between the Dean and Canons and Alms-Knights but upon complaint to Iohn Archbishop of York Lord Chancellor of England Visitor of the Colledge by the Injunctions issued upon his Visitation anno 10. H. 6. the Arrears of both were appointed to be forthwith paid without charge and in case the Treasurer of the Colledge became negligent in future payments he was to incur the loss of his own Quotidiaus from the time of his voluntary delay the same to be divided among the Alms-Knights Their duty was to attend the Service of God and pray for the prosperity of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions of the Order to be every day present at high Mass the Masses of the Virgin Mary as also at Vespers and Compline from the beginning to the end except any lawful occasion did impede But it was Ordained that for every days absence from the Chappel they should be debarred of receiving the twelve pence per diem and whatsoever was raised from such forfeitures should be converted to the use of the rest of the Alms-Knights then being in the Castle of Windesor Notwithstanding which Decree it appears that the Dean did afterwards take upon him the disposure of these Mulcts at his pleasure which occasioned the Alms-Knights to complain to Adam Lord Bishop of St. Davids Chancellor of England and Visitor of the Colledge who among other of his Injunctions dated the 8. of October anno 2. R. 2. commanded that the Mulcts should be equally distributed among those Alms-Knights who did attend at Divine Service in the Chappel as the Statute had
of the Annunciation of our blessed Lady the Sunday before the Nativity of St. John Baptist the Sunday before the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel and the Sunday before the Nativity of our Lord God 13. Item If any of the 12 Knights do not obey the Governor in the observation of these Statutes he shall sustain for every time of such disobedience such forfeiture as the Dean and Chapter shall put on him The Governor shall make report of all such disobedience and other Offences committed by any of the said Knights to the Dean and Chapter and if the offence be such as shall seem to them to require such punishment they shall besides a pain Arbitrary give a warning to the Offender causing the same to be registred and he that shall so twice be warned by them shall immediately upon the third offence be expelled for ever out of that company And if the Governor disobey the Dean and Chapter in the Observation of the said Statutes upon such warning by them he shall receive like punishment as the other twelve 14. Item The Penalties of such as are punished by the Dean and Chapter for not observing of these Statutes shall be imployed by the discretion of the Dean and Chapter upon any of the Ministers or Choristers of the Church where they think best 15. Item When it shall please God that We or our Successors Kings of this Realm shall repair to the Castle of Windesor the said 13 Knights shall stand before their doors in their Apparel to do their obedience unto Vs then at the coming and going away 16. Item Yearly at the keeping of the Feast of St. George they shall stand likewise in their Apparel before their doors at the coming and going out of the Lieutenant and of the other Knights of the Order chosen for the keeping of that Feast 17. Item When any Feast of St. George is kept within that Castle of Windesor the Governor and Knights at the Dinner shall sit together in their Apparel as aforesaid at one Table and have allowance of meat and drink at the charges of Vs our Heirs and Successors 18. Item The said 13 Knights shall daily in their Prayers pray for Vs the Soveraign our Heirs and Successors and for the Companions of our said Order of the Garter 19. Item The said 13 Knights shall all lye within their Lodgings provided for them and if any of them shall lye without their said Lodgings and the Colledge without the license of the Dean or his Deputy he shall lose for every time twelve pence 20. Item If any of the Poor-Knights after his admission into that room shall have Lands or Revenues fall unto him to the yearly value of 20 l. or upwards he shall immediately upon the coming of such Lands or Revenues unto him be removed and put from his said room of a Poor-Knight and another such as aforesaid taken into his place 21. Item The said Poor-Knights excepting cause of sickness shall be every day present in the Colledge at Church at Divine Service as is aforesaid and receive there for a daily distribution of twelve pence by the day to be paid them Monethly if it may be or at least in such sort as the other Ministers of the Chappel be paid and he that shall be absent from the Church one day without leave of the Dean or his Deputy shall lose his distribution of 12 d. aforesaid 22. Item The Governor shall keep a Book and therein note aswell the absence of every Knight from the Church as other faults committed by them punishable by these Statutes whereof he shall deliver one to the Dean or his Deputy and another to the Steward or him that payeth the Poor-Knights who by order of the Dean or his Deputy shall defaulk at the time of their pay such sums as are set upon any of the said Knights for Penalties as aforesaid 23. Item The Dean or his Deputy shall once in the year at least appoint a day and hour at the which the Poor-Knights shall be warned to be present unto whom the said Dean or his Deputy or one of the Commons to be appointed by the Dean or in his absence by his Deputy shall read these Statutes and if any of the Knights being warned shall be absent from that reading without license of the said Dean or his Deputy he shall lose for every time of such absence six shillings eight pence 24. Item The Poor-Knights so chosen as is aforesaid and every of them before he take any commodity of his Room shall give a corporal Oath before the Dean or his Deputy to be faithful and true to Vs and to our Heirs and Successors Kings of this Realm and that he or they for the time of their tarrying there shall truly observe these Statutes and Ordinances so far as the same concerneth them or such other as shall be hereafter made by Vs or our Heirs and Successors touching the good order of that Company upon the pains contained in the said Statutes 25. Item Notwithstanding the Article before expressed prescribing the aforesaid number to be chosen of Gentlemen which we do most allow yet considering that before the perfection of these Orders we be advertised that the more part of them now chosen and admitted be not certainly known Gentlemen were received into the same Order as men well reported for honesty and thought meet to be relieved for their poverty we are pleased to dispence with all such as are presently placed being not Gentlemen born and hereafter mean in that point not to have any admitted contrary to the said Order The annual allowance to each of these Alms-Knights upon this new Establishment is 18 l. 5 s. 0 d. to be paid by the Dean of Windesor but their Governor hath 3 l. 6 s. 8 d. more besides a Gown or Surcoat of Red Cloth and a Mantle of Blue or Purple Cloth on the left sleeve whereof is embroidered the Arms of St. George in a plain Scutcheon King Iames was pleased to double this Pension viz. to each of them 18 l. 5 s. 0 d. more and made it payable out of the Exchequer by quarterly payments To these thirteen Alms-Knights there was added in the Reign of the late Soveraign King Charles the First of ever blessed memory five more to wit two of the Foundation of Sir Peter la Maire Knight and three of Sir Francis Crane Knight sometime Chancellor of this most noble Order For Sir Peter la Maire by his last Will and Testament bearing date the eighth of Ianuary anno 1631. bequeathed the sum of 1500 l. to be bestowed and setled to and for such charitable and pious uses and in such manner and form as Sir Francis Crane who had married his Sister should think fit and appoint within four years after his death Afterwards Sir Francis determining very greatly to his own Fame and the honor of the Order to erect certain Houses in Windesor Castle for the
Adolphus King of Sweden did excel all others bestowed by former Soveraigns for richness and glory each Letter of the Motto being composed of Diamonds A particular Inventory whereof taken the 24. day of May anno 14. Car. 1. when delivered by the Soveraign's Command to the custody of the Dean and Chapter of Windesor to be preserved there in memory of that famous King we here exhibit it being the transcript of that Counterpart signed by Doctor Christopher Wren then Dean of Windesor and seven Canons of that Colledge upon the receipt thereof Vnder the Letters of the Garter Small Diamonds on the lower side 52 Item on the upper side of the Garter of Small Diamonds 52 In the Letter H Diamonds small 10 In the Letter O Diamonds small 12 In the Letter N Diamonds small 11 In the Letter I Diamonds small 4 The first stop Diamond 1 In the Letter S Diamonds small 11 In the Letter O Diamonds small 12 In the Letter I 4 In the Letter T Diamonds 10 The Stop 1 In the Letter Q Diamonds 13 In the Letter V 9 In the Letter I 4 The Stop 1 207 In the Letter M Diamonds small 11 In the Letter A Diamonds small 10 In the Letter L Diamonds small 6 The Stop 1 The Letter Y Diamonds 6 The Stop 1 The Letter P 10 The Letter E 9 The Letter N 11 The Letter S 11 The Letter E 9 85 In the first Button Diamonds 6 In the second 6 In the third 6 In the fourth 6 In the Star of longer Diamonds 7 Small Diamonds 31 In the Chapes border Diamonds of a bigger size 32 In the Cross four faucet long Diamonds and four three square faucet Diamonds 8 One large Diamond long and fauce◠encompassed with seven square Diamonds and faucet 8 In the Buckle one faucet table Diamond in the end and twenty seven in the compass and tongue 28 In the Hinge of the Buckle one soul square Diamond and eleven other faucet and square Diamonds 12 88 Total of the Number 411 This rich Garter being for greater security buried in St. George's Chappel at the beginning of the late War was discovered by Cornelius Holland and fetch'd thence by Iohn Hunt Treasurer to the Trustees for sale of the late Kings Goods and sold by them to Thomas Beauchamp their then Clerk The Garter which his said late Majesty wore upon his Leg at the time of his Martyrdom had the Letters of the Motto composed likewise of Diamonds which took up the number of 412. It came into the hands of Captain Preston one of the late Usurper's Captains of Horse from whom the said Trustees re-received it and sold to Mr. Iohn Ireton sometimes Lord Mayor of London for 205 l. But since the happy Restauration of the present Soveraign Mr. Ireton was summoned before the Commissioners impowered by a Commission under the Great Seal of England to enquire after the Crowns Plate Iewels c. of the said late Soveraign which had been concealed or imbezeled and being charged with the buying the foresaid Royal Garter and not denying it Composition was offered him according to the direction of the Commission as in all other like cases where any thing could not be had in kind but he refusing the offer the Kings Attorney General proceeded against him in an Action of Trover and Conversion in the Court of Kings-Bench which coming to trial in Trinity Term 〈…〉 upon a full hearing a Verdict was given for the King against the said Iohn Ireton for 205 l. and 10 l. Costs of Suits The Motto of the now Soveraign's Royal Garter is set with Diamonds upon Blue Velvet and the borders wrought with fine Gold Wire the Diamonds which frame the Letters of the Motto are Rose Diamonds much of a bigness but those which make the Stops table Diamonds and the number which set each Letter are as followeth In the Letter H small rose Diamonds 10 In the Letter O 12 In the Letter N 11 In the Letter I 4 The first stop Diamond 1 In the Letter S 9 In the Letter O 11 In the Letter I 4 In the Letter T 8 The Stop 1 In the Letter Q 12 In the Letter V 9 In the Letter I 4 The Stop 1 In the Letter M 13 In the Letter A 10 In the Letter L 6 The Stop 1 In the Letter Y 8 The Stop 1 In the Letter P 9 In the Letter E 9 In the Letter N 12 In the Letter S 8 In the Letter E 9 In each of the four Ilot holes six little Diamonds 24 In the Buckle two very large Diamonds four somewhat lese three less than they and four small Diamonds 13 In the Tab three very large Diamonds six a little lesser one somewhat less four smaller Diamonds two less than they and fourteen small Diamonds 30 Total 250 The Hinge of the Buckle is pure Gold and thereon the Soveraign's Picture to the breast curiously cut in flat-stich crowned with a Laurel and vested in the Military Habit worn by the first Roman Emperors The Tab or Pendant is also Gold and on the back side thereof engraved a Saint George on Horseback encountring the Dragon The order of placing the Diamonds on the Buckle Tab and about the Ilot holes may be seen in the Draught which with the rest of the Noble Ornaments that make up the whole Habit and Ensigns of the Order exactly taken from the particulars themselves is placed at the beginning of this Chapter This Noble Ensign the Garter was at the Foundation of the Order appointed to be worn on the left Leg a little beneath the Knee and so hath the usage in all time since continued And its apparent that the manner of placing this Garter on the left Leg of the Knights-Companions Sepulchral Portraictures was very early brought into use seeing in that Alablaster Figure of Sir William Fitz Waren who died a Knight-Companion of this Noble Order in the five and thirtieth year of the Founder's Reign lying with his Lady on a raised Monument in the North side of the Chancel of Wantage Church in Berkshire and yet to be seen with his Surcote of Arms upon the breast the resemblance of his Garter but without any Motto is carved upon its left Leg. In like manner is the Garter represented on the left Leg of the Alablaster Portraicture of Sir Richard Pembridge elected Knight of this most Noble Order in the Founder's Reign and in the room of Sir Thomas Vfford whose Monument is erected in the South side of the Cathedral Church of Hereford below the Pulpit and encompassed with a Rail of Iron Spikes The next Monument in time whereon we have seen the Garter so represented is that made for Sir Simon Burley beheaded anno 1388. and raised in the North wall siding the Quire of St. Paul's Cathedral London almost over against the Monument of Iohn a Graunt Duke of Lancaster Thence forward the usage became more frequent and then the Motto
at Windesor an 11. H. 8. for it carries the date of 29. of May in that same year on which day that memorable Chapter was held for Reforming and Explaining the Statutes of the Order Hoods were anciently worn for defence of the Head against the inconveniences of weather c. but in later times Caps and Hats have supplied their place How they were then worn and sat upon the Head may be observed in that Plate which exhibits the Portraictures of the first Founders of the Order standing compleatly robed As also with some variety of fashion in succeeding times in the Pictures of William Beauchamp Lord Bergaveny Richard Earl of Warwick Humfry Earl of Stafford and Iohn Duke of Norfolk Yet is not the Hood quite laid aside since still kept hanging down the back almost like a Pilgrims Hat as if put in hopes being so ready at hand that it may again be restored to its former use This Hood was Ordained and is yet retained as part of the Habit of this most Noble Order And though neither it nor the Surcoat is remembred in the Statutes of Institution or in either of its Exemplars nor doth King Henry the Fifth's take notice of it yet is it of equal antiquity with the rest of the Habit as appears from several places before cited out of the Rolls of the great Wardrobe and Henry the Eighth's Statutes have made special observation of it as part of the Habit for there the Mantle Surcoat Hood and Collar are called the whole Habit of the Order Nay before this time mention is made of it in the Black Book anno 22. H. 7. where at the Investiture of Philip King of Casâ—ile the Mantle Kirtle Hood and Collar are exprest to be the whole Habit wherewith he was invested The form of this part of the Habit is perfectly described in the Plate at the beginning of this Chapter It was heretofore and now is generally made of the same materials with the Surcoat and consequently of the same Colour Moreover it was anciently trim'd and garnished with a proportion of little embroidered Garters lined with Cloth of a different colour and such as would best set off to view but now with Taffaty as is the Lining of the Surcoat of all which mention is made in those authorities cited before and relating to the Surcoat As to the Cap which in use and place succeeded the Hood we shall briefly say thus much That it hath been and yet is made of Black Velvet lin'd with Taffaty but the fashion hath several times varied for in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth the Cap was flat as appears in a Proceeding of that Soveraign and the Knights-Companions fairly limned in the Black Book of the Order In Queen Elizabeth's time it was a little raised in the head as may be seen in another Proceeding in her Reign which hereafter follows But in King Iames his Reign they were much more high crown'd and the present fashion is shewn in our before mentioned Plate This Cap hath been usually adorned with Plumes of white Feathers and Sprigs and bound about with a Band set thick with Diamonds so was that Cap provided for the Installation of the present Soveraign And sometimes the Brims have been tackt up with a large and costly Jewel It seems the custom of wearing Caps and Feathers at the grand Solemnities of the Order had for some time about the beginning of King Iames his Reign been neglected and thereupon in a Chapter held the 13. of April an 10. Iac. Regis this laudable usage was re-established To all these may be fitly added the Cross of the Order encompassed with a Garter which by King Charles the First was Ordained to be worn upon the left side of the Soveraign's and Knights-Companions Cloaks Coats and Cassocks when they did not wear their Robes The Order for which we shall here insert Charles R. WHereas the Robes concerning the Order first having the same ordinary use which Cloaks have at this time and now are worn only at the Feast of St. George Installing of Knights and holding of Chapters so that the Arms of the Garter not being daily worn thereon may be thought an omission whereby the Order doth receive some diminution of honor contrary to the intention of the Founder King Charles out of his princely desire by all due means to advance the honor of the said Noble Order at a Chapter holden at his Palace of Westminster on the 27. day of April in the 2. year of his Reign of Great Britain the same day being by Prorogation appointed for the day and Feast of St. George for that year His Majesty with eleven Knights of the Order viz. Edward Earl of Worcester Lord Privy Seal Robert Earl of Sussex William Earl of Pembroke Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties House Philip Earl of Montgomery Francis Earl of Rutland George Duke of Buckingham Lord high Admiral of England William Earl of Salisbury James Earl of Carlisle Edward Earl of Dorset Henry Earl of Holland Captain of his Majesties Guard and Thomas Earl of Berkshire hath Ordered and and Ordained That the Knights and Companions of the Order and the Prelate and Chancellor of the same shall after three months next ofter the date before mentioned of the said Order wear upon the left part of their Cloaks Coats and Riding Cassocks at all times when they shall not wear their Robes and in all Places and Assemblies an Escotcheon of the Arms of St. George that is to say a Cross within a Garter not enriched with Pearls or Stones that the wearing thereof may be a testimony apert to the World of the honor they hold from the said most Noble Order Instituted and Ordained for persons of the highest honor and greatest worth And it seems it was not long after e're the Glory or Star as it is usually called having certain beams of Silver that spread in form of a Cross was introduced and added thereunto in imitation as is thought of the French who after that manner wore the chief Ensign of the Order of the Holy Ghost being the resemblance of a Dove irradiated with such like beams And whereas some allow this Symbol of the Holy Ghost to be properly enough surrounded with a Glory like as are the representations of the Heads of our Saviour and his Apostles by a general consent among Painters yet censure it altogether improper for a Garter to be so adorned let them consider that King Edward the Fourth encompassed his White Rose with the like Glory whereof both the Stone-work and Wood-work of St. George's Chappel in Windesor Castle afford divers instances and then there will be found something of Precedent for it long before Institution of the Order of the Holy Ghost as also of its application to other no less than sacred things But this King assumed this Devise upon the Sun's appearance like three Suns which suddenly united together into one immediately
the ennobled Garter to the end a manifest distinction should thereby appear between the Knights-Companions and others of the Nobility and Knights who according to the fashion of those times wore large Gold Chains the ordinary Ensign of their Knighthood And thus the wearing the Medal or Jewel usually called the Lesser George to distinguish it from the other George worn at the Collar of the Order was first enjoined and hath since been constantly so used This George was for the most part made of pure Gold curiously wrought by the hand of the Goldsmith but we have seen divers of them exquisitely cut in oniâ—'s as also in Agats and therein such happy choice of the Stones that by joining thereto the Workmans skill in designing and laying out the Figures to express the History the natural tincture of the Stones have fitted them with Colours for Flesh Hair and every thing else even to admiration In this Jewel is St. George represented in a riding posture encountring the Dragon with his drawn Sword By the last Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes this George is allowed to be enriched and garnished at the pleasure of him that wears it as is the great George which for the most part hath been curiously enamelled and the Garter about it set with Diamonds in the best order either art or invention could devise And of what weight and bigness these lesser Georges formerly were may be judged from that sent to the French King Charles the Ninth being an ounce and a half and half quarter weight The variety of Workmanship shown in those Gold Chains whereat this Jewel hung was usually great and the Artists upon all occasions express much ingenuity and skill in them according to the fancy or pleasure of the persons for whom they were made But within a short time wearing the lesser George in Silk Ribbâ—nds as well as Gold Chains was indifferently used and at pleasure so were the Symbols of Forreign Orders as appears from sundry Coyns and Medals but the Colour of these Ribbands at their first use were Black as is noted of those belonging to the Georges wherewith Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle the Lords Saint Iohn and Parr were invested an 35. H. 8. and in the Pictures of several Knights-Companions about that time both painted in Oyl and limned with Water Colours the Ribbands of their Georges are visibly Black That small Chain whereat hung the lesser George sent to Emanuel Duke of Savoy an 1. 2. Phil â—amp Mar. was formed of twelve pieces of Gold in every of which were set three small Diamonds and of twelve other like pieces wherein were three Rubies and twenty four Pearls It appears by a Letter sent from Sir Richard St. George Knight Clarenceux and the Heralds of Arms to Henry Earl of Holland dated the 10. of Iuly 1627. that the Blue Ribband had some years before been added to the Ornaments of the Order And 't is said that Robert Earl of â—ssex being in France and observing the Jewels of the Order of St. Michael and St. Esprit worn in Blue Ribbands upon his return did occasion the altering those Ribbands whereat the George hung into that Colour And I have seen the Picture of Queen Elizabeth drawn towards the end of her Reign wherein was represented the Lesser George hanging before her Breast at such a Blue Ribband It was not long e're this Colour grew into great estimation with the Soveraign and Knights-Companions the rather for that it was the ground of the Garter and colour of the Mantle of the Order And toward the later end of King Iames his Reign because the Colour of the Ribband had not been peculiarly exprest in any Article of the Statutes and the Blue or Sky Colour used for some years past it was Decreed That for the future it should always be of a Blue Colour and no other nor in time of mourning for any of the Knights-Companions of what Degree soever should the Colour be changed The ordinary manner of wearing this Ribband in time of peace was till of late about the neck down to the middle of the Breast where the lesser George hung but now for the more conveniency of riding or action the same is spread over the left shoulder and brought under the right arm where the Jewel hangs But where the Pictures of the Soveraign or any of the Knights-Companions are drawn in Armour there even to this day the George is represented as fixed at a Gold Chain instead of the Blue Ribband and worn about the neck not brought under the right arm which also was so exhibited in the three pound pieces of Gold stamped at Oxford by the command of his late Majesty of ever blessed memory King Charles the First whereby he published to the world that the true and just occasion of his taking up Arms in the late War was to maintain the Protestant Religion the Laws of the Land and the Priviledge of Parliaments And in like manner is the Gold Chain represented in a Medal of Charles Count Palatine of the Rhyne now senior Knight-Companion of this most Noble Order Among those rich and invaluable Jewels and other choice Curiosities of his said late Majesty which came to the hands of the Trustees appointed for sale of his Goods there were several of these lesser Georges sold by them to the foresaid Thomas Beauchamp the particulars whereof how low they were valued and for what sold appears thus from the Book of Sales  Valued at Sold for A George containing 161 Diamonds which came from the Countess of Leicester and was discovered by Cornelius Holland 60 00 00 71 02 00 A George cut in an Onix with 41 Diamonds in the garnish 35 00 00 37 00 00 A small George with a few Diamonds 8 00 00 9 00 00 A George with 5 Rubies and 3 Diamonds and II Diamonds in a Box. 10 00 00 11 00 00 A George cut in a Garnet 7 00 00 8 00 00 Total 120 00 00 136 00 00 The George which his said late Majesty wore at the time of his Martyrdom was curiously cut in an Onix set about with 21 large Table Diamonds in the fashion of a Garter On the back side of the George was the Picture of his Queen rarely well limn'd set in a Cafe of Gold the lid neatly enamel'd with Goldsmiths work and surrounded with another Garter adorned with a like number of equal sized Diamonds as was the foreside A Draught of this Jewel in three parts open and shut we have exhibited to the Readers view among the Ensigns of the Order at the beginning of this Chapter Nor will it be unfitly here remembred by what good fortune the present Soveraign's lesser George set with fair Diamonds was preserved after the defeat given to the Scotch Forces at Worcester an 4. Car. 2. Among the rest of his Attendants then disperst Colonel Blague was one who taking shelter at Blore-pipe
House within two miles of Eccleshall in Staffordshire where one Mr. George Barlow then dwelt delivered his Wife this George to secure Within a week after Mr. Barlow himself carried to Robert Milward Esquire now second Justice of the great Sessions of the County Palatine of Chester one of the Commissioners of the Privy Seal and Son unto Sir Thomas Milward Knight late Chief Justice of the said great Sessions both persons of known loyalty and great sufferers for his late Majesty he being when a Prisoner to the Parliament in the Garrison of Stafford and by his means was it happily preserved and restored for not long after he delivered it to Mr. Isaac Walton a man well known and as well beloved of all good men and will be better known to posterity by his ingenious Pen in the lives of Doctor Donne Sir Henry Wotton Mr. Richard Hooker and Mr. George Herbert to be given to Colonel Blague then Prisoner in the Tower who considering it had already past so many dangers was perswaded it could yet secure one hazardous attempt of his own and thereupon leaving the Tower without leave taking hasted the presentation of it to the present Soveraign's hand The first is the Great Seal of Borice-Feodorwiche Emperor of Russia affixed to his Letters sent to Queen Elizabeth dated at his Imperial Palace of Mosko the 12. of Iune 1602. and 39. year of his Reign A Translation of which was most courteously afforded me by Mr. Ia. Frese Interpretor to the Russian Ambassadors sent over hither to his now Majesty an Dom. 1660. and is as followeth By Gods providence We the great Lord Emperor and great Duke Boreece Feodorwiche of all Russia Self-upholder of Wolodeemer Mosko Novograde Emperor of Kazan Emperor of Astracane and Emperor of Seebeeria Lord of Psokosske great Duke of Smolenskee Twerskee Ugarskee Permskee Vaticekee Bolgarskee and other Lord and great Duke of Novagradia the lower Countries Cheringoskee Rezanskee Rososkee Yaroslaveskee Beloozerskee Leeflandia Udorskee Obdorskee Kondinskee and Commander of all the Northern parts and Lord of all the Iverskee Countries and Granziskee Empires and of the Caberniskee Countries Cherkaskee Igorskee and of many other Kingdoms Lord and Conqueror We have likewise seen another of this Emperors great Seals fixed to his Letters bearing date the 31. day of May an Dom. 1594. which he also sent to Queen Elizabeth and was presented to her at Richmond the 14. of October following by his Ambassador Evanowich the Circumscription containing the same Stile and Titles above set down There is preserved in the Archives at Oxford an Instrument containing Letters testimonial of this Emperor given to Doctor Christopher Ritinger his chief Physician the Seal whereof is Silver gilt but differs in size and design from the former and contains on the reverse the Figure of St. George and the Dragon only A translation of the whole Instrument I have transcribed hither as it was communicated to me by my worthy friend Mr. Thomas Hyde the present Library-Keeper of that famous Vniversity a Gentleman of eminent Learning in all kinds and especially in the Oriental Tongues By the great mercy of God We great Lord Emperor and great Duke Borrys Feodorwich of all Russia sole Commander of Volodemersky Moscovesky Novogorodsky King of Cazansky King of Astracansky King of Sibersky Lord of Vobsky and great Duke of Smolensky Twersky Ugorsky Permesky Votsky Bulgarsky and many others Lord and great Duke of Novogorod Levelandsky Udorsky Obdorsky Kondnisky and all the Northern parts Commander Lord of Iverskyland King of Grusinsky Caberdinsky Country Chercasky and the Country of Iversky and of many other Kingdoms Lord and Commander together with our princely Son Pheodor Burrissiwich of all Russia do by these our princely Letters given unto Doctor Christopher Ritinger Physician Hungarian born acknowledge his true faithful and willing service unto our Highness in which his profession We Lord King and great Duke Burrys Feodorwich of all Russia have sufficiently tryed his skill on our princely person which he carefully performed for the better preservation of our health and through Gods great mercy by his diligent and faithful service hath cured our Highness of a dangerous sickness And therefore we Lord King and great Duke Borys Feodorwich of all Russia sole Commander with our princely Son Pheodor Burryssiwich in regard of his great learning and faithful service to us have admitted him to be our Princely Doctor to minister Physick and attend on our royal person to which end we have granted him our Letters and hereby we testifie his sufficient knowledge and practice in Physick who hath by our selves well deserved to publish and make known the same And if the said Doctor Christopher shall repair to any other Princes Countries Emperors Kings Curfists Arch-Dukes or Dukes to offer his service unto them We do by these our princely Letters wheresoever they shall come give true testimony on the said Doctor Christopher's behalf to be of great learning sufficient knowledge well practised in Physick matters as also in that profession careful diligent and trusty to be credited We having had sufficient tryal of his faithful carriage in all true and honest services towards us These our Princely Letters given in our great and chiefest Palace in the Kingdom of Mosco in the year of the creation of the World 7109. and in the moneth of August The Style about the Seal By the great mercy of God We great Lord Emperor and great Duke Borys Feodorwich of all Russia sole Commander Lord and Governor of many other Countries and Kingdoms The third is the great Seal of Alexeye Michailowiche the present Emperor of Russia wherewith was sealed the Letter sent to his now Majesty an Dom. 1660. by his Ambassadors Duke Peter Semoenowiche Prosoroskee Lord and Possessor of the Dukedom of Toole and Evan Offonosyewiche Zelabuskee Namestinck of Coormeskee Which having obtained by the favour of Sir William Morice Knight and Baronet late principal Secretary of State we also here exhibit to publick view with a translation of this Emperor's Style rendred into English by the said Mr. Ia. Frese By Gods mercy We the great Lord Emperor and great Duke Alexeye Michailowiche of all the great and lesser and white Russia Self-upholder of Moscovia Kneveskee Wolodeemerskee and Novagardskee Emperor of Kazan Emperor of Astracan Emperor of Siberia Lord of Pscosskee and great Duke of Lettow Smolenskee Twerskee Wolniskee Podolskee Ugarskee Permskee Waticekee Bolgarskee and others Lord and great Duke of Novogradia the lower Countries Cheringoskee Rezanskee Polotskee Rostosskee Yaroslasskee Belozerskee Udorskee Obdorskee Kandinskee Weetepskee Meestesloskee and of all the Northern parts Commander Lord of the Iverskee Countries Cartalinskee Groonsiskee and Igerskee Empires and of the Kabardinskee Countries Cheringosskee and Igorskee Dukedoms and of many other Dukedoms Eastern western and northern from Father and Grandfather heir apparent Lord and Conqueror This representation of St. George and the Dragon we find assigned for Arms to Anne de Russie Daughter to Iaroslaus
Noble Order of the Garter the Register of our said Order is to have his person and estate secured from violence and injury to the end he or his Ministers may securely live under our perpetual protection and safeguard and as often as he shall be molested for himself or for any thing that belongs unto him he is to receive our protection and the assistance of the Companions of our said Order according to equity and right These are therefore to will and command all men of what condition soever they be not to trouble or molest Doctor Christopher Wren Dean of Windesor and Register of our most Noble Order of the Garter or any of his Ministers whomsoever or any thing that belongs to him whatsoever but to suffer his Person servants and Estate to be in quiet security and peace without any injury or violence to be offered by any unto him or his as they and every of them will answer the contrary at their peril Given at our Court at Oxford under the Signet of our Order the 12. day of December in the 19. year of our Reign This Officer by the Constitutions of his Office hath a Pension of 50 l. per annum allowed him or proportionable in Fees Offices or other Profits And an 1. 2. Phil. Mar. the like Pension was granted to Owen Oglethorp Dean of Windesor out of the Exchequer until some Ecclesiastical Preferment of like value should be conferr'd on him by the Soveraign The same was confirmed to Doctor Maxey by Decree in Chapter 23. April an Iac. Reg. 16. and afterwards to Doctor Beaumont by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England in the 20. of the said King for which there is a most grateful acknowledgment entred among the Annals But there needed to assignment of Lodgings at Windesor to this Officer as there was to the rest considering both the Canons and Dean were provided of Houses belonging to their Ecclesiastical Dignities within the Colledge at the Institution of the Order SECT IV. Garter ' s Institution Oath Mantle Ensign Badge Priviledges and Pension KIng Henry the Fifth Soveraign of this most Noble Order seriously contemplating its honor upon good and mature deliberation and with advice and consent of all the Knights-Companions Ordained and Instituted this Officer and for the Dignity of the Order was pleased he should be the Principal Officer within the Office of Arms and chief of all the Servants of Arms. The services enjoined him relating to the Order were in time preceding performed by Windesor Herald at Arms an Officer created with that Title by King Edward the Third much about the time of his Instituting the Order and an annual Pension of 20 Marks granted him out of the Exchequer by Letters Patent for life which received confirmation from King Richard the Second But as to the nature of his employment comprehended under this later part of his Title and thus annext to the Office of Garter we have here no direct occasion to discourse off nothing therein properly relating to the service he is to performed within this Order Nevertheless where any are desirous to be informed of it some part of his Priviledges Employments and Duty are to be found in the Constitutions of his Office others in the Constitutions made by the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England an 10. Eliz. and lastly by the Lords Comissioners constituted for the Office of Earl Marshal dated the 22. of November an 20. Car. 2. Sir William Brugges was the person first created Garter and called in the Institution of his Office Iartier Roy d' Armes des Anglois but else where his Title is found to run thus Willelmus Brugges alias dictus Gartier Rex Armorum This Sir William became a great Benefactor to St. George's Church at Stamford and in the Windows of the Chancel caused to be represented King Edward the Third with his 25 first Knights-Companions kneeling habited in their Mantles and Surcoats of Arms which upon my journey thither an 1664. I found so broken and defaced that no tolerable Draught of them could be taken fit to exhibit to the Readers satisfaction Iohn Smert the immediate Successor to Sir Will. Brugges had this Office given him by Letters Patent under this Title Iohannes Smert Rex Armorum de Garteria and Iohn Wrythe was stiled Principalis Heraldus Officiarius inâ—liti Ordinis Garterii Armorumque Rex Anglicorum But Sir Gilbert Dethick leaving out Heraldus joined Principalis with Rex and so it hath continued since Principalis Rex Armorum Anglicorum Principal King of English Arms. In the Constitutions of his Office he is called Garterus Rex Armorum Angliae whom the Soveraign and Knights-Companions thereby Ordained to be a Gentleman of Blood and Arms of untainted reputation and born within the Kingdom of England Besides as King Henry the Fifth did before so doth King Henry the Eighth here declare That he should be chief of all the Officers of Arms attending upon the Crown of England The substance of his Oath administred by the Register at his admission whilst he humbly kneeleth at the Soveraign's feet in the Chapter-house is 1. To yield obedience to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions 2. To keep silence and not disclose the secrets of the Order 3. To make signification of the death of each Knight-Companion 4. To execute all things faithfully committed to his care 5. To enquire diligently after all the Noble Acts of the Knights-Companions and certifie them to the Register 6. To be faithful in the exercise of his Office And we find it observed that an Oath consisting of these particulars was administred to Garter at a Chapter held at Greenwich an 28. H. 8. which is to be understood of Sir Christopher Barker admitted Garter that very year We find no allowance given to this Officer for his Habit in the Precedent of the Garter for Liveries nor among the Books in the Soveraign's Great Wardrobe whence it may be presumed he had no particular Habit assign'd him at first but was distinguished from the rest of the Officers of the Order by his Coat only embroidered with the Soveraign's Arms like as the Provincial Kings then wore But after the Constitutions of the Officers were established there was appointed him a Habit in all things like to the Registers saving that the Ground whereon the Lions and Flowers de Lis were embroidered was wholly Red and this to be worn only at the Publick Solemnities of the Order the fashion and embroidery of which appears in the Plate exhibited at the beginning of this Chapter Queen Mary caus'd it to be made of Crimson Sattin and so it continued till shortly after the present Soveraign's return when the Colour was altered to Scarlet This Officer is appointed to bear a White Rod or Scepter at every Feast of St. George the Soveraign
Windesor 6. Aug. 1. 2. Ph. M. Emanuel Duke of Savoy 11. Whitehall 8. Febr. 20. Eliz. Iohn Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne 12. York 12. Sept. 16. Car. 1. Thomas Earl of Strafford But for the most part since the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign Whitehall the Soveraign's usual Court of Residence hath been the place whereunto the Knights-Companions have been specially summoned and peculiar Chapters held for Election of Knights in the interval between the vacancy and St. George's Feast Howbeit of late while the present Soveraign was abroad beyond the Seas and wanted the full number of Knights-Companions to constitute a compleat Chapter He hath been necessitated to make use of his supream power not only in dispencing with the Ceremony of Election in Chapter but also in supplying thâ— defect of a Scrutiny by making his own choice nevertheless since his most happy return to the Throne of his Ancestors Whitehall hath also recovered her accustomed Honors and beheld again a most worthy advancement of Knights into this most Noble Order at a Chapter specially called and held in the Bed-chamber there the first day of April an 13. Car. 2. in the Election of the Duke of Richmond the Earls of Lindsey Manchester and Strafford SECT III. The Number of Knights that constitute a Chapter IN the next place we are to consider what number of Knights-Companions ought to assemble for constituting a compleat Chapter of Election By the Statutes it is appointed there should be â—ix at the least besides the Soveraign or his Deputy the due observation of which hath been so strictly stood upon heretofore that Elections were ordinarily deferr'd where the Chapters consisted not of so many For proof of which we find that the Duke of Gloucester anno 9. H. 6. then Deputy to the Soveraign at that time in France for celebrating the Feast of St. George at Windesor forbore to proceed to Election because the Number of Knights-Companions there assembled was less than the Statutes required to constitute a Chapter We likewise take notice that anno 10. H. 5. no Election was made the Feast being also celebrated at Windesor though one Stall was void by the death of the Lord Clifford and probably the reason though not exprest might be for want of that full number of Knights-Companions the Statutes required For the Duke of Bedford then the Soveraign's Deputy had but three Knights present with him But in this case we need not fly to conjectures there are direct and cleer instances enough wherein if we abound we hope the satisfaction they will give the concern'd Reader beside the antiquity of the Precedent may obtain our pardon In the 22. year of King Henry the Sixth or rather 23. for so the Registrum Chartaceum hath it in the hand of that very Age Humfry Duke of Buckingham being deputed to celebrate the Feast of St. George at Windesor although there were at that time four Stalls vacant yet did no Nomination pass one reason being because there was not present a sufficient Number to make Election So when the same King celebrated the Grand Feast personally at Windesor in the 31. year of his Reign having but three Knights-Companions attending him thereat and two Stalls void the Election was prorogued for the very same reason In like manner the want of a sufficient Number of Knights-Companions hapning at the Feasts held the 32.33 and 34. of Henry the Sixth hindred the Election at those times for at the first of them there were but two Knights-Companions beside the Soveraign's Deputy and at the two last but four besides the Soveraign though the Registrum Chartaceum anno 33. names five by adding the Duke of Somerset At the Feast of St. George celebrated at Windesor anno 1471. which answers to the 11. year of King Edward the Fourth although from what is spoken concurrent with the following circumstances both out of the Black Book of the Order and the Registrum Chartaceum we suppose it should more rightly be transferr'd to the twelfth of this King's Reign and therefore this passage throughout may fitly be corrected by those Authorities the Soveraign intending to make an Election and having but five Knights-Companions present with him Calys Pursivant at Arms was sent to London for Sir Iohn Astley to come and furnish the Chapter in which saith this Fragment there were chosen seven Knights namely the Prince the King of Portugal the Duke of Norfolk the Earl of Wiltshire the Lord Ferrers the Lord Montjoy and the Lord Howard But here are some other mistakes for the Prince was not elected until anno 15. E. 4. and the King of Portugal not until the 22. year of the same King As for the rest we not finding the true time of their Election elsewhere shall let them stand having been loth to make use of so imperfect an authority but that the circumstance of sending for Sir Iohn Astley to make up a Chapter rather than violate the Laws of the Order may be faithfully enough related and well worth observing through the other false lights cast in from the inadvertency of the Relator Lastly the 31. of Ianuary anno 21. Car. 2. being designed for the Election of Christopher Duke of Albemarle and there appearing but five Knights at the Chapter the Election was put off till the 3. of February following at which time a statutable number of Knights being present his Election past SECT IV. Dispensation for want of a full Number AND whereas some may suppose that the Soveraigns of this Order in later times have appeared less careful in the due observation of its Statutes and Laws than were their Predecessors by making use of Dispensations where the number of six Knights-Companions have been wanting they are to consider the License herein is no other than an advantage to be laid hold on in cases of necessity only for necessity can bring a sufficient plea where the infringement of a Decree is objected in the Law of this Order and withal to shew that the power and prerogative of Dispensation is reserved to the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order in all cases of exigency albeit not to be made use of where there is a possibility to perform the Rules and Injunctions of the Statutes The Soveraigns therefore in succeeding times for sundry reasons and upon important and urgent occasions have been induced to dispence with this branch of the Statute as to a full Number of Knights-Companions in case so many were not in readiness as the Law appointed to make a compleat Chapter And the first liberty we observe to have been taken herein was by King Henry the Eighth in the 26. year of his Reign who after he had received intelligence of the death of the Lord Montjoy immediately called a Chapter at Whitehall where no more than five Knights-Companions being present the absence of the rest were excused
by his special favour and the Injunction of the Statute as the Annals further add concerning the due Number of Nominators were by the same clemency remitted because of the exigency of the time and place and forthwith upon a Scruteny then taken Iames the Fifth King of Scotland was elected into the fellowship of this most illustrious Order From this time to the late Rebellion we meet not with the like case but then the wickedness of those days created new necessities which occasioned or rather inforced the then Soveraign one of the exactest observers of the Laws and Ceremonies of this Order most unwillingly to awaken this dormant prerogative which he first put in execution at a Chapter specially called for the Election of that deserving and renowned Knight Thomas Earl of Strafford held at the City of York upon the 12. day of September anno 16. Car. 1. where at that time and place by his Supream Authority he dispensed with the defect of Number of six Knights-Companions having then with him four only some of the rest being employed in his Service against the Scots and gave Sir Thomas Rowe then Chancellor of the Order directions to prepare a Dispensation accordingly which in regard that Soveraign did therewithal command should be entred among the Annals of the Order we have thought fit to insert in the Appendix Afterward when several of the Knights-Companions so much adhered to the Long-Parliament that no summons could draw thence their attendance upon the Soveraign though but to celebrate the grand Festival of their Patron much less to the compleating Chapters of Election to which the Oath taken at their Installation had equally obliged them the Soveraign was constrained to make further use of his Supream Authority in this very particular and thereupon at the Feast of St. George celebrated at York upon the 18.19 and 20. days of April in the 18. year of his Reign in a Chapter held on the Eve of the said Feast by Himself and but four other Knights-Companions viz. Prince Charles the Prince Elector the Earl of Lindsey and Duke of Richmond and Lenox it was Ordered That Letters of Dispensation should be drawn up by Sir James Palmer then Deputy Chancellor for the insufficient Number as wanting of six Knights to hold a Chapter of Election and for authorizing the Knights then present to deliver in their Votes according to custom in other Scrutenies that so the Soveraign might proceed to the Election designed By virtue of which Dispensation the Duke of York and Prince Rupert were Elected Fellows and Companions of this most Noble Society The like Dispensation was made for the defect of Six Knights to hold a Chapter of Election at Oxford upon the second day of March ann 20. Car. 1. there being then but five Knights-Companions present with the Soveraign namely the Duke of York Prince Rupert the Earls of Dorset and Berkshire and the Duke of Richmond and Lenox at which Chapter William Prince of Orange Son-in-Law to the Soveraign and Bernard de Foix Duke of Espernon were Elected Last of all in reference to the holding three several Chapters preparatory to the Feast of St. George and Grand Installation celebrated at Windesor the 15.16 and 17. days of April in the 13. of his Majesty the now Soveraign's most happy Reign one of which Chapters was called for the Election of four Knights and to deliberate with the surviving Knights-Companions the Soveraign was pleased the 29. day of March immediately foregoing to pass the like Dispensation under the Signet of the Order and his own Sign manual for this defect and thereby made those three Chapters as legal and of as much force and validity as if the Number of Knights-Companions required by the Statutes had been full and compleat SECT V. Of opening the Chapter WE are now arrived at opening the Chapter whereinto neither the Soveraign of the Order nor any of the Knights-Companions are to enter without wearing both their Mantles and Garters for so the Statutes of the Order ordain and so hath the Law been understood in case where a Chapter hath been held elsewhere than at Windesor as for instance at a Chapter held at Whitehall for the Election of Iohn Count Palatine of the Rhine an 20. Eliz. the Earl of Huntingdon and the Lord Grey of Wilton not having their Mantles then at Court not permitted to enter into that Chapter to give their Votes for his Election The late Soveraign King Charles of ever blessed memory determining to call a Chapter for Electing the foresaid Thomas Earl of Strafford at York where neither He nor any of the Knights-Companions then attending his person had their Robes of the Order with them and taking notice of the Injunction of the Statutes now mentioned did by his supream authority as Soveraign of the Order dispence with the Knights-Companions then present for coming into the Chapter without their Mantles Afterward upon great necessity occasioned by the late Rebellion the same Soveraign was inforced to make further use of his Prerogative relating to this particular in some following Chapters held at Oxford In like manner shortly after the present Soveraign returned to his Throne a like Dispensation pas'd under the Signet of the Order the Great Seal being then under the hand of the Graver but not finished dated the 10. of Ianuary in the 12. year of his Reign He being then necessitated to make use of his Supream authority for holding a Chapter the 14. of Ianuary following in regard the Knights-Companions then in being were not as yet provided of new Robes Presuming then that a full Number of Knights-Companions in obedience to their Summons are attending the Soveraign habited in their Mantles and Garters and entred into the Chapter-house at Windesor or other place appointed for this their Assembly the Soveraign having taken his Seat at the upper end of the Table and given leave to the Knights-Companions to sit the occasion of their being called together is first declared either by the Soveraign himself or by the Chancellor of the Order upon his command The next thing in course is to give the Soveraign information of all the Stalls then void the notice of which vacancies if as sometimes formerly the Soveraign happens to be in foreign parts ought to be before sent him by his Deputy or Lieutenant but if in England and present in Chapter then to be presented by the Chancellor or in his absence by the Register or other Officer of the Order This done the Soveraign and Knights-Companions enter into consideration how the room of the defunct Knight or Knights shall be supplied and sometimes where two or more Stalls are found void whether they shall be all fill'd up at that time or if not how many Knights then Elected But where the Scruteny is intended to be taken in the Choire of St. George's Chappel at Windesor these
or the like particulars referring to Election are commonly consider'd of on the Feast day in the Chapter held immediately before Vespers wherein it is most usually Ordered That the Scruteny shall be taken in the said Chappel that following Afternoon and so was it Decreed on St. George's day anno 5. E. 6. viz. That the Elections of Knights should be taken that Evensong and in the Chappel After this the Chancellor begins to collect the Knights-Companions Votes and this is frequently termed the taking of a Scruteny To the full understanding the nature of this Action and Ceremony we shall proceed to certain considerations preparatory thereunto beginning with what concerns the Nomination of the Persons to be proposed to Election SECT VI. That Knights only present in Chapter ought to Nominate THE Nomination of those persons proposed to the Soveraign's Election belongs only to such of the Knights-Companions as are present in Chapter when the Scruteny is taken for therein not only all the Bodies of the Statutes are positive but Entrances to that purpose are made in sundry places of the Annals insomuch that from the Institution of this most Noble Order it hath not been otherwise used that we can collect And it is observable that anno 26. Eliz. the Feast of St. George being celebrated at Greenwich the Earl of Warwick and Lord Burley Lord Treasurer of England fell both ill of the Gout upon the Feast day which occasioned their absence at Evening Prayer whilst the Scruteny was taken whereupon we find their indisposition of body and absence noted in that Scruteny instead of and in those peculiar places where their Nominations should else have been entred had they been present at the taking thereof And beside this we meet with an observation made upon the same occasion by Robert Cooke Esquire then Clâ—renceux King of Armsâ— That as for those Knights-Companions who happen to be absent when the Scruteny is taken although this absence be occasioned by accident of sickness or with the Soveraign's license nevertheless in regard of this their absence at that very time their Votes may not be received Those Knights-Companions that come late to the Chapter lose also the priviledge of giving their Votes for that time which so hapned to Prince Rupert and the Earl of Strafford at the Chapter held for the Election of Iames Duke of Monmouth in the Privy-Chamber at Whitehall the 29. of March an Dom. 1663. Now though none of the absent Knights-Companions can give a Proxy to Vote or otherwise send their suffrages into the Chapter or Chappel there to pass in Nomination yet anciently about the Reigns of King Henry the Fifth and King Henry the Sixth when divers of the Knights-Companions were frequently employed in the Wars of France and consequently so strictly obliged to their several Commands that they could not personally attend the celebration of the Feast of St. George at Windesor it was usual for the Commander there in chief with consent of those Knights-Companions to make a formal Certificate or Presentment but not to pass it by way of Nomination or Vote for that the Law of the Order did not permit to the Soveraign of the Order or his Lieutenant and Knights-Companions assembled at the Feast of such persons famous for martial Valor and Virtue with an account of their notable services and atchievements attested by other persons of honor also as were at that time and in that Kingdom employed in the Soveraign's service and seemed worthy the honor of Election to the end that famous and deserving men might be preferr'd to so noble a Dignity Which manner of Recordation we having most happily lighted upon among the Collections made by the great industry of William Dugdale Esquire now Norroy King of Arms and esteeming it to carry the just reputation both of authority for informing us of this custom and of antiquity for the hand of that time cannot without injury to its due worth omit My Lord the Duc of Bedford remembrith as by the Statutes of the Diver of the Gartice the Election of the Stalls voyde be saith in the voyce of the Brethren and of the Fellowship beyng at the tyme at the Fest in the presence of the Soverain or hys Deputy Yt thinkyth to my said Lord that for hys acquital to Knighthood yt fytteth hym to give in knowledge to the Kyng Soverain of the Ordre and to his Fellowship of the same Ordre the great honours of the notable Knights that from tyme to tyme exercyseth and have exercysed in Knighthood and especially in the service of their Soveraign Lord and of such notable Knyghts as my Lord of Bedford for the tyme remembreth hym of he hath by the advyce of them of the Fellowshyp of the Order being now in France in the Kyngs service and givyng in charge to the said Garter Kyng of Arms of the Order to shew theyr â—ames to the Kyng and to expound part of theyr Deeds Acts and of theyr worthynesse First to expose the honour of Sir John Radeclyff that hath contynowed all the tyme of the victorious Kyng that last dyed whom Chryste absolve at the first landing of hym at Quies-de Caux where the sayd Radeclyff receyved the order of a Knyght and after continowed the Seige of Hareflew And after with my Lord of Excester at the Battaile of Vallemont and of Quies-de Caux And also sythen the deth of the sayd victorious Kyng Radeclyff being Seneschall of Guyen hath brought by hys labour in Knyghthood to hys Soveraign Lord's obeysance within the Duchie of Guyen many dyverse Cities Towns and Fortresses And in especial deserved great and notable merits at the Seige of the City of Bazates whych Seige was accorded appointed and set day of Battaile and of Rescous the whych day was kept and houlden with great power on both sydes and under Banners displayed the Enemyes doubtyng to fyght wyth Radeclyff required hym of apoyntment they to depart under saufe conduit from the said feild the whych saufe conduit he graunted them for the term of eight days like as they required The honour and the empruise rested in the sayd Radeclyff and to hys hygh meryte for incontynent followying was delyvered to hym the reddyssion and possession of the sayd Cytty of Bazates And also the sayd Radeclyff was at the Battaile of Assincourt and hath contynowed and exercysed the Armys the space of xxviij Wynter unreprothed And in the tyme of his Esquierhood was at the Battaile of Shrewsbury and at the Journey of Husks wyth the Lord Grey at the discomfiture and taking of Owenson Syr Thomas Ramston Syr William Oldegall Syr Rauff Butler Syr Ro. Harlyng Syr Gilbert Halsall Item my Lord the Duc of Bedford beseecheth the Kyng Soveraign of the Order to have also for recommendyd to his good grace and highnesse other of his Subjects and Servants now being in hys service in his Realme of France whych hath doon and yet doth take great
or either of them to Knight the said Prince before the putting on his Garter seeing it could not possibly be done before his Election which was intended to be sent and presented unto him by the hands of Sir Iohn Burrough Garter but his death after hapning the Soveraign's intention herein was frustrated Albeit the Prince upon his coming afterwards into England received both the Garter and George from the Soveraign himself at Nottingham nevertheless without being Knighted which to excuse it may well be alledged that the Soveraign might not take into his thoughts this part of the Ceremony it being a time of so greas business and trouble occasioned by the then setting up of his Standard However upon the 17 day of Ianuary an 1644. when a Decree past in Chapter then held at Oxford that both the Duke of York and the Prince should enjoy all Rights and Priviledges of the Order though they were not hitherto Installed until Windesor was free from the Enemy but then to perform the Ceremonies of Installation there the Prince before he took his Oath was conducted by the Earl of Berkshire and Duke of Richmond and Lenox two of the Knights-Companions unto the Soveraign and kneeling down received the honor of Knighthood from him There being at the same time two of the Nobility likewise Knighted in memorial of that Solemnity namely the Lord Henry Seymour second Son to the Marquess of Hertford brought up to the Soveraign between Sir Iohn Stawell Knight and Baronet and Sir Francis Lloyd Knights and the Lord Capell conducted between Sir Richard Willis and Sir Thomas Corbet Knights SECT VIII Of the Scruteny and by whom it ought to be taken ALL this being premised we are led directly to the Scruteny it self in reference to which we shall first consider by Whom it ought or hath been usually taken next the time when and then the manner and form thereof By the Statutes of Institution the collecting Knights-Companions Votes and entring them in the Scruteny properly belongs to the Prelate of the Order and upon him is this employment conferr'd not only by the other Bodies of Statutes that succeeded but also by the Constitutions of his Office and the obligation of his Oath whose right thereunto we find afterwards duly asserted upon this Officers taking a Scruteny anno 27. Eliz. on the Feast day of St. George Nevertheless the Statutes provided that if the Prelate were at any time absent then the Dean of Windesor or the Register or the Senior Residentiary of the Colledge or the Secretary or Scribe of the Order should undertake the employment and the Constitutions of the Officers say the Chancellor Dean or Register shall in like case do it which when they did it is frequently mentioned to be performed by them in absence of the Prelate as implying a reservation of his right to the employment or as in another place more expresly In the absence of the Prelate whose particular duty otherwise it had been Now there are various Examples of all these given us in the Annals of the Order but among the many take these that follow and first of the Prelate The Prelate of the Order gathered and received the Suffrages from the Knights-Companions anno 9. H. 5. when Iohn Earl Marshal and four other Knights were Elected The like did Henry Beaufort Lord Cardinal Prelate of the Order upon the Election of the King of Portugal an 13. H. 6. And when the Duke of Norfolk was Elected an 28. H. 6. the Prelate then also collected the Suffrages which he likewise did upon the Feast days of St. George celebrated in the 12. 13. 14. 27. 28. 30. 31. 34. and 35. years of Queen Elizabeth's Reign Sometimes the Scrutenies have been collected both by the Dean of Windesor and the Register of the Order jointly as at the Elections of Iohn Lord Talbot an 2. H. 6. of Sir Iohn Fastolf an 6. H. 6. and the Duke of Quinbery an 5. H. 6. all taken at the Feasts of St. George celebrated at Windesor And peradventure the Dean at those times received the Votes from the Knights-Companions on the Soveraign's side while the Register collected those other on the Prince's for we observe that in King Henry the Fifth's Reign in employments of other natures but of like manner as to the performance one whereof was to signifie the pleasure of the Soveraign to the Knights-Companions about their giving due Reverence first to God and afterwards to Himself and the other in a Ceremonial which directs and appoints the manner and order of Censing the Knights-Companions in both which the Dean was sent to perform the service on the right hand the Choire the Soveraign's side and the Register on the left Sometimes the Register of the Order took them himself alone as at the Election of Iohn Earl of Arundel an 10. H. 6. as also at another Election of the Earl of Monteyne and Sir Iohn Grey an 14. H. 6. And we likewise find that when the Office of Register was void and Thomas Ruthall Bishop of Duresme executed it during its vacancy the Bishop himself an 2. H. 8. collected the Suffrages In like manner when William Day Dean of Windesor officiated in the absence of George Carew Dean of the Chappel and Register of the Order at the Feasts of Saint George held at Whitehall the 18. and 19. years of Queen Elizabeth he performed this service This duty was likewise performed by the Register from the 15. year of King Henry the Eighth to the end of his and his Sons Reign as appears by the Black Book of the Order in those places where the taking of Scrutenies is treated of as also on the day of St. George celebrated the first of Queen Elizabeth by Iohn Boxhall and again at the Feast of St. George held an 1. Iac. by Gâ—leâ— Thompson who in the several times were Registers of this most Noble Order Nevertheless here it must be understood that what was in these Instances done by the Register or such as officiated for him was on the behalf of the Prelate and not otherwise But in the beginning of Queen Maries Reign we find the Chancellor of the Order began to perform this service being by King Henry the Eight's Statutes adjoined to those other Officers before appointed to collect the Scrutenies In absence of the Prelate and thereby made capable of the employment which afterwards we observe somewhat tacitely noted to be performed as if in his own right when the Register hath done it in the Chancellor's absence Though in truth it was no other then as when the Bishop of Duresme and Doctor Day immediately before remembred took the Scruteny in the vacancy of the Office and absence of the Register nevertheless on the
of Shrewsbury but this Error peradventure arose for want of due information either of the Law in the Statutes or his Degree the later of which is more probably true for being a Stranger his Title of Earl might not be so generally known nor is it taken notice of in the Scruteny it self though in the Annals immediately after And which is more apparent the Earl of Oxford Devonshire and Arundel whose degrees were sufficiently known at a Scruteny taken an 24. H. 6. are once ranked in the second division among the Barons and an 1. H. 8. the Earl of Derby is three times so placed and again an 13. H. 6. the Earl of Devonshire twice But this hapned not through any oversight or neglect in observation of the Statutes in this particular but because at these Nominations wherein they are so placed the first division to which they belonged hapned to be fill'd up with those other higher degrees appertaining to the same Classis that is to say Kings or Dukes as when the before mentioned Earls of Oxford Devonshire and Arundel were named in the place of Barons the King of Portugal the Dukes of Warwick and Norfolk were set down in the place of Princes and so it fell out in like manner in the other instances On the contrary an 15. and 16. E. 4. the Lord Richard Grey one of the Queens Sons by her former Husband Sir Iohn Grey of Groby Knight in respect of his alliance to the Royal Family is ranked in the first Division among the Princes under this Title Dominus Richardus filius Reginae and afterwards an 19. of the same King set only among the Barons as well with the former Title as this Ricardus Dominus Grey But in the 22. of the same King he is thrice registred among the Princes and as often with the Barons whence we see that sometimes the place among Princes may be afforded of courtesie to Persons of most eminent Relation but then again as it is not their due so such of the Knights-Companions as rank them lower pass no diminution on their honor Within the second Division are placed Barons and Viscounts for Viscounts were in all Scrutenies after the first Erection of that Dignity ranked with Barons until the 3. of King Iames saving only Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle an 35. H. 8. who by every Knight the Duke of Norfolk excepted is ranked in the first Division with the Princes and in a Scruteny then taken Robert Cecil Viscount Cranborne is the second Viscount that we observe to have been ranked with Princes from whence it became usual so to do in succeeding Scrutenies until an 14. Car. 1. and then upon a question put in Chapter held at Westminster the 23. Maii anno praedicto whether Earls Sons and Viscounts were elegible with Barons it was resolved they were and that by all practice except in the two cases now mentioned it was usually done and it seems so again observed neer that time for in two Scrutenies taken the 19. and 21. of that instant May the Viscounts are therein reduced to the second Division and ranked with Barons Finally in the third Division the Knights-Batchellors receive their place so also did Banerets until King Henry the Eighth in his Body of Statutes gave them equal rank in Scrutenies with Barons Only in that one Scruteny taken an 14. H. 7. Sir Reignald Bray Sir Richard Gouldford and Sir Rice ap Thomas all three created Banerets at the Battel of Black-heath are registred among the Barons and yet two of them are oftner ranked with the Knights-Batchellors in the very same Scruteny But though the word in King Henry the Eighth's Latin Statutes is Baronettus instead of Banerettus yet is this a mistake met with anciently in some both Records and Books as well as in those places of the Annals all written long before the Title of Baronet was conceived or the Dignity in use with us for the first Creation of that hapned but in this last Age. And hereof more satisfaction may be received elsewhere In the last place he who demands these Suffrages given according to the judgment of each Knight-Companion present is by the Statutes of Institution appointed to take them in writing In pursuance of which we find it so observed at a Scruteny taken an 2. H. 6. for the Election of Iohn Lord Talbot and Furnivall afterwards created Earl of Shrewsbury where the Dean of Windesor and the Register of the Order wrote down the Votes and Nominations of every one of the Knights present at the day of Election Again at a Scruteny made an 4. H. 6. so also at sundry other times to supply the Stall of Ralph Earl of Westmerland then lately deceased for whom mistakingly the Black Book of the Order sets down Sir Henry Fitz. Hugh in whose room a little before in the same Book an 3. H. 6. it appears the Lord Scales was Elected and elsewhere that Sir Iohn Fastolse was chosen a Companion of this most Noble Order upon the death not of Sir Henry Fitz. Hugh but of the said Earl of Westmerland we find it noted that the Dean and Register wrote down in order according to their seniority the Votes of the Knights-Companions And after the Scrutenies began to be entred on the Pages of the Annals it is evident the general practice hath gone along with the Injunction of the Statutes only there are two Instances of an Election made without taking a Scruteny in writing one in the case of Prince Henry and Christierne the Fourth King of Denmark where the Knights-Companions in a Chapter held at Whitehall the 14. of Iuly an Iacobi Regis primo gave their Votes Viva Voce and forthwith the Soveraign Elected them both into the Fellowship of the Order The other was the case of Iames Marquess Hamilton Elected the 2. of February in the 20. year of the same King with the vocal consent of all the Knights-Companions present But it is to be considered that this course and the omission of taking the Scruteny in writing is not only contrary to the Law of the Order so enjoined for a more certain memorial of the action and more faithful transmission of it to Posterity but exceeding prejudicial to persons of Honor and Merit whose Names would otherwise live with great reputation among the Candidates of this Illustrious Order and of which honor many deserving persons will be hereafter deprived if the Injunction of the Statutes be not observed in this particular SECT XI The Presentation of it to the Soveraign THE Suffrages being recieved from the Knights-Companions the Officer by whom they are collected is to present the whole form of the Nominations to the Soveraign with all due Reverence for so is it recorded an 9. H. 5. when the Prelate of the Order had taken the Scruteny If these Votes were taken
who have most voices or whom he conceives likely to contribute most to the honor of the Order and prove most serviceable to himself or most useful to his Crown and Kingdom Touching the first of these Inducements the greater number of Voices we find the Law hath not been always observed as from the many Scrutenies entred in the Annals will appear if need were to refer thereunto Nevertheless it is sometimes noted to have taken place as at the Election of the Duke of Quinbere an 5. H. 6. where after a due and sufficient examination had of the Scruteny then taken the said Duke by the consent of most voices was then Elected into the Stall of Thomas Duke of Exiter This plurality of Voices is again taken notice of among other Inducements for the Election of Sir Nicholas Carew the 24. of April an 28. H. 8. It is remarkable that one time when the number of Voices on the behalf of two Knights were upon Examination found equal which hapned in the case between Sir Iohn Fastolf and Sir Iohn Radcliff an 4. H. 6. Sir Iohn Fastolf being by the Soveraign's Lieutenant esteemed the more worthy of the two obtained the Election The second Inducement relates to such as in probability may bring most reputation to this Order or advance the good and prosperity thereof and these have been chiefly Foreign Princes esteemed so in respect of that high pitch of Honor they attained and whose eminent Valour and Worthiness proclaimed them deserving both of Nomination and Election And therefore the late Soveraign of blessed memory upon consideration had of the Glorious Atchievements and high Renown of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden judg'd it a part of his respect not only to render him all offices of kindness and friendship as to a Prince neerly allyed and his most special friend but also to impart to him as far as in him lay the greatest and highest honors that might be and especially such wherewith the Military Virtue of a great Captain was wont to be adorned But the general consideration for which the Soveraigns thought fit to Elect Foreign Princes into this most Noble Society and to impart to them these Testimonies of Honor hath been exprest in the Commissions of Legation to be in respect of their Glorious Merits ennobled by the lustre and grace of their Heroick Virtues their eminent Nobleness Grandeur Prowess and Magnificence the renown of which Fame had divulg'd and spread abroad through the World Thirdly where the advantage of the Soveraign's service was cast into the Ballance it frequently out-weighed other pretentions insomuch that an 2. H. 6. the consideration of the Eminent services of Iohn Lord Talbot for his King and Country appears to be the strongest motive for his Election And the great zeal and affection which Iohn Gaspar Ferdinand de Marchin had to engage himself in the present Soveraign's service and Cause for the recovery of his just rights besides his eminent and famous actions performed in several military Commands wherein he had been for many years employed was the strongest inducement that swayed with the Soveraign to chuse him a Knight-Companion of this most Noble Order an 10. Car. 2. But the last of these Inducements is of greatest latitude for thereby the Soveraign has power to reject whosoever he pleases though exceed in number of Voices or other Qualifications and to Elect a Person but once named which appears full enough in the case of Casimire the Fourth King of Poland an 28. H. 6. who having but the single Vote of the Lord Scales yet upon consideration had by the Soveraign how advantageous he might become to his and his Kingdoms Interest pass'd in Election And of later times as appears in some of the Preambles to the Commissions for carrying the Ensigns c. to Foreign Princes the advantages which the Soveraign has conceived to possess himself of in the improving confirming and establishing of a most strict and inviolable Bond of Friendship and fair correspondency between him and Foreign Princes their Realms and Subjects hath been a main Inducement to Elect such into the Order SECT XIV That the Soveraign only doth Elect. UPon the vacancy of any of the Knights-Companions Stalls the Election of new Knights appertains to the Soveraign and in some case to his Lieutenant in declaration of which it is recorded in the Black Book of the Order That if any Stalls fall vacant it should belong to the Soveraign to Elect new Knights wheresoever he were resident provided he have with him the compleat number of six Knights-Companions but if he be beyond Seas wanting that Number and the Feast of St. George held by his Lieutenant at Windesor in such case the Election belongs to the Lieutenant who is first to be certified of the Soveraign's pleasure as also who they are that in His esteem appear fit persons to be chosen to the end such Information may guide his Election This power of Election is fully acknowledged by the Knights-Companions themselves to be in the Soveraign as appears out of their Letter sent to King Henry the Fifth then in France and dated at Windesor on the morrow after Saint George's day where it is said That the Soveraign in what place soever residing may as is most fitting elect into a vacant Stall there being a sufficient number of Knights called to the Election such as he shall judge serviceable to his Crown or do exceed others in deserts and nobleness of descent Observable herewith is this that at the publishing the Election of Emanuel Duke of Savoy King Philip and Queen Mary being at that time joint Soveraigns of the Order it is called the Election of the King and Queen This grand Prerogative of the Soveraign being not duly considered by Polydore Virgil occasioned his committing a great mistake and Claudius Coteraeus from him for speaking of this Order and the succession of new Knights into the rooms of those deceased he hath this passage One Knight is received into the room of another deceast by the Choice and Election of all the râ—st But Erhard Celly being as much ignorant of the Soveraign's Prerogative and rather more mistaken sticks not to affirm That no person may be received into this Order not so much as by the Soveraign unless with the common consent or suffrage of all the Knights-Companions But these passages are altogether erroneous the Knights-Companions part being only to Nominate the Persons nevertheless qualified as aforesaid but the right of Election remains wholly in the Soveraign of the Order For whosoever He designs appoints and chuseth is forthwith admitted His only pronouncing the Name of the Person in Chapter being sufficient For after the Scruteny hath been taken and presented to the Soveraign in the manner and order before laid down He peruseth it himself or otherwise the Chancellor or
Thomas Wriothesley Garter was sent to the Earls of Arundel and Westmerland with the Garter and George an 17. H. 8. So also was Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter sent upon the like employment to the Earl of Westmerland an 6. Ed. 6. to the Earl of Sussex an 1 2. Ph. M. to the Lord Grey of Wilton an 3. 4. Ph. M. to the Earl of Shrewsbury an 3. Eliz. to the Earl of Bedford an 6. Eliz. to the Earl of Warwick an 5. Eliz. being then at Newhaven in France to William Earl of Worcester an 12. Eliz. to William Lord Cobham an 26. Eliz. and to the Lord Scroop the same year who then was at Carlisle in Cumberland This Investiture of the Lord Scroop was the last action in this kind which Sir Gilbert Dethick performed who had served four Soveraigns of this Order an Officer of Arms the space of 65. years whereof he had been Garter 38. years and having most worthily and faithfully accomplished his service upon his return to London from Carlisle aforesaid he languished by the space of ten weeks or thereabouts and dyed the 3. day of October an Dom. 1584. in the 81. year of his age The Letters heretofore sent from the Soveraign along with these Ensigns of the Order to the Elect-Knights have for the most part been drawn after the form of those certifying Election only instead of the last Clause which therein requires the Elect Knights repair to the Soveraign for receiving the Garter and George from him in these was an allowance to use them as to their Election appertain And these were the two general forms of Letters sent upon the foresaid occasions all further difference lay not in the body but direction of the Letters which were evermore worded according to the quality of the person to whom sent as to a Knight Batchellor the direction was To our trusty and wellbeloved c. to a Baron Right trusty and wellbeloved c. to an Earl Right trusty and right wellbeloved Cousin c. and to a Duke Right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin c. But we observe the forms of those Letters sent upon like occasion to Knights-Subjects when the present Soveraign was beyond the Seas were pen'd after another manner and the necessity of those times requiring contained some other particulars namely besides a large preamble relative to the Election of Knights eminent for noble birth and heroick virtue additional clauses of 1. Power to wear the Star of Silver about St. George's Cross 2. The great Collar of the Order And 3. to stile themselves Knights and Companions of the Order of the Garter in as ample manner as if they had been Installed at Windesor with an assurance of receiving the whole Habit there when the Soveraign was restored to the possession thereof And it appears from some of these Letters that by reason Sir Edward Walker Garter was otherwise employed in the Soveraign's service when they were sent therefore the Soveraign made choice of other persons to carry both the said Letters and Ensigns of the Order nevertheless reserving unto him as Garter the rights of hâ—s Office Howbeit the said Sir Edward looking on the disposing this employment to others as an invasion upon the rights of his Office and having a just regard to the preservation of the interest of his Successors no less than his own humbly petitioned the present Soveraign for redress and obtained his gracious Reference thereupon to several Knights-Companions of the Order to examine the matter and make report both what they found and what they thought fit to be done therein upon whose Report the Soveraign did him full right by his gracious Declaration All which Proceedings we think necessary to insert here for cleering and setling the interest of so ancient an Office To his sacred Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter The most humble Petition of Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter principal King of Arms and Officer of the said Order In all humility representing THat by the especial favour of his late Majestly your Royal Father of ever glorious and blessed memory he was created Garter Principal King of Arms and was thereby to enjoy all immunities and advantages thereunto belonging as amply as any of his Predecessors That since your Majesties accession to the Crown he hath by right continued in the said Office it being granted during life by Letters-Patent Notwithstanding which there have lately some disputes arisen about the execution of that part of his Office wherein he conceives himself most concerned and for which his Office was at first erected He therefore in all humility appeals to your Majesty as Soveraign of the said Order and Protector of the Officers thereof for the vindication of his just rights which were never questioned until this time of general Invasion hoping clearly to make it appear First when any Foreign Prince is chosen that the Ensigns of the Order are sent and delivered him by an Ambassador and Garter joined with him in the presenting thereof Secondly that until this time of Rebellion wherein your Majesty cannot formally either Elect or Install any subject the Garter hath rarely been sent to any of them but according to the Statutes was always delivered them in the Chapterhouse Garter and the rest of the Officers of the Order assisting To prove the first he refers himself to the Statutes and to the constant practice As for example the Garter was delivered by the Earl of Arundel and Garter King of Arms to Philip the second King of Spain in the time of Queen Mary By the Lord Spencer and Sir William Dethick Garter in joint commission with him to the Duke of Westemberg in the first year of King James By the Lord Carleton and Sir William Seagar to Maurice Prince of Orange By Mr. Peter Young Gentleman Vsher and Mr. Henry St. George Richmond Herald Deputy to Sir William Seagar Garter to the King of Sweden by whom they were both Knighted and as he remembers by Sir William Boswell and Mr. Philpot Deputy to Sir John Burrough Garter to the now Prince of Orange from all which Garter and his Deputies received large and honorary rewards To the second by the Statutes no Knight chosen or elect shall be installed by Attorney except he be a Stranger or busâ—ed without the Realm for the affairs of the Soveraign nor receive the Garter but in Chapter so that the sending of the Garter to any subject rarely happens The only example he remembers is of that sent by Garter to the Lord Scroop President of the North in Queen Elizabeth's time As for the other alledged of that sent to the Earl of Holland into France it is subsequent in time and was only the delivery of the Garter and no compleating of the Order and may if it were so for ought appears to the contrary have been done by Garter's
Knight Subject either with Letters to signifie his Election or the Garter and George wherewith to invest him and this is commonly proportioned according to the length or shortness of the Journey The allowance for that Journey which Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter made into the Counties of Lincolne and Cumberland by the Soveraign's command given in Chapter first to the Earl of Rutland and next to the Lord Scroop an 26. Eliz. appears to have been 20 l. Besides the Soveraign's allowance to Garter he hath been accustomed to receive honorable gratuities and rewards from the Elect-Knight himself after the Investiture performed and these have usually been proportioned according to the esteem of the honor he receives and his particular inclinations to Garter and the service done by him Among whom we find the Earl of Arundel an 17. H. 8. gave to Thomas Wriothesley Garter 10 l. in Angelotts being then at his Mannor of Dawnley and Ralph Earl of Westmerland elected at the same time with the said Earl of Arundel then at Myle-end 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. But the Earl of Northumberland an 23. H. 8. gave Garter for the verbal certifying him of his Election 4. l. though he went no farther than the Chapter-house door Lastly an 26. Eliz. the Earl of Rutland honorably rewarded Garter at Newark and the Lord Scroop gave unto him 30 l. in Gold a Velvet Cloak and a Gallaway Nag and to William Dethick York Herald who then went along with Garter to Carlisle 10 l. But since these times the Knights-Elect have greatly enlarged their Gratuities to Garter for his service upon this occasion CHAP. XI OF Preparations FOR THE Personal Installation OF A KNIGHT SECT I. That Installation gives the Title of Founder THE Installation or Inauguration of a Knight of this most Noble Order consists in a conjunction of many Ceremonies and contains the most solemn part of those whereby so great an honor is conferr'd indeed that which compleateth all the rest And till this great Ceremony be duly and solemnly performed the person Elected hath not the honor of being reckoned among the number of Founders but barely passes for an Elect Knight and no other For the express Text is That in case a Knight Elect dye before his Installation he shall not be named one of the Founders And the reason is there given forasmuch as he hath not had the full possession of his state and in this point do the other Bodies of the Statutes agree Howbeit assoon as the Ceremonies of Installation are compleatly finished the Knight is unquestionably vested in full possession of all the Honors and Priviledges belonging to a Founder of this most Noble Order But to quicken each Elect Knight who is either a Subject to the Soveraign or resides within his Realm and consequently in a more ready capacity of receiving Installation then one remaining in Foreign parts to the full attainment of his honor or otherwise to wave what hath been conferr'd on him by the Act of Election the compass of one year after such his Election is allowed him by the Statutes for Installation albeit for sooner speeding thereof the Statutes do as well appoint him to use all convenient diligence otherwise his Election is ordained to be absolutely nul and void Nor can any thing hinder but that the Soveraign may then freely proceed to a new Election unless the Elect-Knight send or produce an excuse for such delay sufficient and fit to be accepted by the Soveraign or his Deputy and the whole Society or that the Soveraign himself think fit to defer the Ceremony of Installation for some longer time For which cause when certain Articles concerning the honor of the Order had been prepared by the Soveraign's Lieutenant and ten Knights-Companions approved by the Soveraign and in a Chapter held 24. April an 21. Iac. R. ordered to be observed one of them was for hastning the Installation after a Knight had been Elected nevertheless with this Exception unless for some special cause the Soveraign should think fit to defer the same until the Eve or day of Saint George next following the time of Election SECT II. Of the Time and Place appointed for Installation THE Feast of Installation hath not been hitherto fixed to any certain time but always rested in the pleasure of the Soveraign to assign a convenient day which hath been obtained either upon the sute of the Knight-Elect or some other of the Knights-Companions whose favour and esteem with the Soveraign was best able to prevail Such a one do we find the Lord Burghley an 35. Eliz. partly in regard he had been Lieutenant at St. Georges Feast immediately preceding and partly by reason of his being Lord Treasurer of England who on the behalf of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland obtained the 19. of Iune in the foresaid year to be appointed for the day of their Installation It sometimes fell out that though the day for Installation was set down nevertheless upon some extraordinary occasion intervening it hath been protogued to a further and more convenient time for the Soveraign's Affairs and the most remarkable instance is that an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. when the Earl of Sussex the Lord Grey and Sir Robert Rochester Knights Elect had their Installation together with St. George's Feast prorogued to the 10. of May in the year aforesaid But many and urgent affairs relating both to the King and Queen hapning about that time not only the Grand Feast but the Solemnity of their Installations were in a Chapter held the 3. of the same Month prorogued to the 5. of December following and on the last day of October preceding were they again prorogued to the first Sunday after Twelf-day in case the King should not return into England before the said 5. of December After all this on the 5. of Ianuary following the Grand Feast was prorogued a fourth time to the 20. of February next coming Nevertheless it was then Ordered that the Earl of Sussex one of the three Elect Knights should be forthwith Installed which was performed on the 8. of the same Ianuary And the 6. of February following the Lord Grey also obtained an appointment for his Installation and that was celebrated the 20. of April ensuing but we do not find that Sir Robert Rochester ever received that honor But though the time of Installation be arbitrary and uncertain yet hath the place been from the Institution of the Order fixt as an essential Priviledge only to the Soveraign's free Chappel of St. George in the Castle of Windesor within whose Choire stand erected the Soveraign's and Knights-Companions Stalls and under its sacred Roof their Banners and Atchievements are set up as Monuments of their high deservings and so great honor For albeit the celebration of the Grand Feast of St. George hapned to be withdrawn from Windesor by a Decree past an
21. Oct. an 18. H. 8. and to make room for his Instalment in the second Stall on the Soveraign's side which hitherto had been possessed by the Duke of Richmond both the said Duke and Marquess of Dorset were removed lower the Duke into the said Marques's Stall and the Marquess into the Earl of Northumberlaâ—ds then lately void by death And this was now so done that the Soveraign might express what honor he could to a King between whom and him there had lately past so great endearments All the rest of the Stalls may be observed to stand ranked as they did the year before and the void Stall on the Soveraign's side to be here supplied by the Installation of the Earl of Oxford Elected in the same Chapter with the French King In the 20.21 and 22. years of King Henry the Eighth the Stalls received no alteration and but little an 23. of the same King when the death of the Marquess Dorset occasioned advancing the Duke of Suffolk into his void Stall and placing the Earl of Arundel in the Dukes Whereupon the Earl of Northumberland Elected in the room of the Marquess Dorset was Installed in that which the Earl of Arundel relinquished and in this order they continued the 24. and 25. years of this King Nor was there any removal made an 26. H. 8. for albeit the Earls of Beaumont and Newblâ—nke French Noblemen were elected in a Chapter held at Callire the 27. of Oct. an 24. H. 8. yet at their Installation they were placed in the two Stalls then void by the death of two of the Knights-Companions viz. the first in the Stall of the Lord Dudley and the other in that of Sir Henry Guilford But the alterations became yet more considerable and extended almost to a general Translation which were made in the Stalls an 27. H. 8. upon the admission of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland one Stall being then void by the death of the Lord Montjoy for there remained unchanged only these five viz. the Earl of Rutland and Earl of Beaumont but called only Lord Beaumont in the Warrant for Translation on the Soveraign's side and the Emperor the King of Bohemia and Duke of Suffolk on the Princess side Nevertheless this so great an alteration was not made but upon consultation in Chapter held at Greenwich on St. George's day in the aforesaid year where the Soveraign with the assent of the rest of the Knights-Companions present thought it expedient that forasmuch as the said King of Scots was newly admitted into the Society of the Order and that there ought to be assigned a Stall answerable to his greatness that the Stalls of the Knights-Companions should be translated so as the said King should be placed next to the King of the Romans and the rest to be ranked according to the Soveraign's pleasure and thereupon it was given in charge to Garter to see the same accordingly performed The setlement of the Stalls at this time as it was sub-signed by the Soveraign coming to our hands we have exactly transcribed hither The Kings Highness appointment for the Stall of the King of Scots An. R. sui 27.23 April 1535. 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor 2. The French King 2. The King of the Romans 3. The King of Scotland 3. The Duke of Richmond 4. The Duke of Norfolk 4. The Duke of Suffolk 5. The Marquess of Exceter 5. The Earl of Shrewsbury 6. The Earl of Arundel 6. The Earl of Essex 7. The Earl of Northumberland 7. The Earl of Westmerland 8. The Earl of Wiltshire 8. The Earl of Sussex 9. The Earl of Rutland 9. The Earl of Oxenford 10. The Lord Beaumond 10. The Viscount Lysle 11. The Lord Burgaveny 11. The Earl of Newblanke 12. The Lord Ferrars 12. The Lord Darcy 13. The Lord Sandys 13. Sir William Fitz William  Henry R. In this Scheme we find the King of Scots placed in the Duke of Richmond's Stall who with the Duke of Norfolk the Earls of Shrewsbury Arundel Essex Northumberland Westmerland and Sussex were all removed into the next Stall below that which each of them sat in before whether it were on the Soveraign's or Princes side The Marquess of Exeter to the next below his own on the Soveraign's side Viscount Lisle from the seventh to the tenth Stall on the Prince's side the Lord Abergaveny from the eighth on the Prince's side to the eleventh on the Soveraign's side the Lord Ferrars from the ninth on the Prince's side to the twelfth on the Soveraign's side the Lord Darcy from the tenth on the Prince's side to the twelfth on the same and the Lord Sandys from the twelfth on the Prince's side to the thirteenth on the Soveraign's And as these before mentioned Knights Companions were removed lower so the Earls of Oxford Wilts and Newblanke were honored with higher Stalls than they before possest for the first of them was advanced from the eleventh Stall on the Soveraign's side to the ninth on the Prince's the second from the eleventh on the Prince's side to the eighth on the Soveraign's and the third from the thirteenth of the Prince's to the eleventh on the same side So that in this last example though many of the Knights-Companions were removed lower yet it may be observed that the English Nobility were now ranked according to their Degrees first Dukes next a Marquess then Earls next Viscounts afterwards Barons and last of all Knights Some few removals were made in the following years of this King but none of so great note as this last mentioned and therefore we need not enlarge our Instances Nor were there any considerable translations in the Reigns of King Edward the Sixth or Queen Mary But immediately after Queen Elizabeth came to the Crown by consent of the Knights-Companions in Chapter held the 12. of Ianuary an 1. Eliz. the Atchievments of Philip King of Spain late Soveraign of the Order were removed to the Stall of the Emperor Ferdinand void by his being advanced into the Princes Stall for which Garter had then command given him And when the French King Charles the Ninth was Elected into this Order to wit on the morrow after St. George's day an 6. Eliz. it occasioned the Soveraign then to alter some Stalls to leave one vacant for him and the better to observe this alteration which was considerable we shall first shew how they stood ranked on the Eve of the said Feast Elizabeth R.  1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor Ferdinand 2. The King of Spain 2. The Duke of Savoy 3. The Constable of France 3. The Duke of Holstein 4. The Earl of Arundel 4. The Marquess of Winchester 5. The Earl of Derby 5. The Earl of Penbroke 6. The Duke of Norfolk 6. The Lord Clynton 7. Void 7. The Marquess of Northampton 8. Void 8. Void 9. The Lord Effingham 9. The Earl of Sussex 10. The Earl of Shrewsbury 10. The Lord Hastings 11. The Viscount
Soveraign 1. Void 2. The French King 2. The King of Spain 3. The King of Denmark 3. Void 4. Duke Iohn Casimire 4. Void 5. The Viscount Mountague 5. The Earl of Leicester 6. The Earl of Shrewsbery 6. The Earl of Warwick 7. The Lord Hunsdon 7. Void 8. Void 8. The Earl of Worcester 9. The Earl of Huntingdon 9. The Lord Burghley 10. The Lord Grey 10. The Earl of Derby 11. The Earl of Penbroke 11. The Lord Howard of Effingham 12. Void 12. The Lord Cobham 13. The Lord Scrope 13. Void A Translation of Stalls made against the Feast of Installation an 30. Eliz. Elizabeth R. Â 1. The Soveraign 1. Void 2. The French King 2. The King of Spain 3. The King of Denmark 3. Void 4. Duke Iohn Casimire 4. Void 5. The Viscount Mountague 5. The Earl of Leicester 6. The Earl of Shrewsbury 6. The Earl of Warwick 7. The Lord Hunsdon 7. The Earl of Worcester 8. The Earl of Huntingdon 8. The Lord Burleigh 9. The Lord Grey 9. The Earl of Derby 10. The Earl of Penbroke 10. The Lord Howard of Effingham 11. The Lord Cobham 11. The Lord Scroope 12. The Earl of Essex 12. The Earl of Ormond 13. Sir Christopher Hatton 13. Void The first of these Schemes shew how the Stalls were ranked on St. George's Eve an 29. Eliz. and the second how altered against the Installation of the Earls of Essex and Ormond and of Sir Christopher Hatton the 23. of May an 30. Eliz. by which those three Elect Knights appear to be Installed in the lowermost Stalls as the last mentioned Decree enjoins and by reason that the Earl of Essex and Sir Christopher Hatton were setled on the Soveraign's side the vacancy before in the eighth and twelfth Stalls of the same side became filled up the Earl of Huntingdon seated before in the ninth Stall being advanced into the eighth the Lord Grey into the ninth and the Earl of Penbroke into the tenth Stall So also by the like advance of the Earl of Worcester into the seventh on the Prince's side the vacancy is therein supplied and the other Knights-Companions seated below him by a joint and orderly removal left the twelfth Stall for the Earl of Ormond and the thirteenth void for the next Elect Knight The like order was observed by King Iames as appears by another Scheme of the Stalls setled in Chapter held the 3. of Iuly an 1. Iac. R. at the Election of the Duke of Lenox the Earls of Southampton Marr and Penbroke Stalls altered at a Chapter held at Windesor the 3. of Iuly an 1. Iac. R. Iames R. Â 1. The Soveraign 1. The French King 2. The Prince 2. Void 3. The Earl of Nottingham 3. Void 4. The Earl of Ormond 4. The Lord Buckhurst 5. The Earl of Salop. 5. The Earl of Cumberland 6. The Earl of Northumberland 6. The Earl of Worcester 7. The Lord Sheffeild 7. The Lord Howard of Waldon 8. The Lord Hunsdon 8. The Lord Montjoy 9. Sir Henry Lea. 9. The Earl of Sussex 10. The Lord Cobham 10. The Lord Scrope 11. The Earl of Derby 11. The Lord Burghley 12. The Duke of Lenox 12. The Earl of Southampton 13. The Earl of Marr. 13. The Earl of Penbroke From hence it appears that these Elect-Knights were Installed in the lowest Stalls and so were all other Elect-Knights Subjects throughout his Reign and since except the Prince of Wales and Charles Duke of York Sons to the said Soveraign for the Prince was Installed in the second Stall on the Soveraign's side and upon the election of the said Duke of York an 9. Iac. R. the second Stall on the Prince's side was first designed for him and in place answerable thereunto did he proceed to the Chappel the morrow after St. George's day upon which he was elected But upon Whitsunday following at a solemn debate in Chapter it was determined That notwithstanding he was the Soveraign's Son yet should he have no more preheminence than other Knights-Companions but come in as a Puisne and that his Atchievements which it seems had been set up over the second Stall on the Prince's side should therefore be removed to that Stall next above the Viscount Rochesters being the eleventh on the same side and so to be consorted with the Earl of Montgomery before whom he proceeded on Whitson Monday to the Chapter-house towards his Installation and it was moreover then Decreed that all Princes not absolute should be installed thenceforth in the puisne place But after this endeavours were used to advance the said Duke into the Stall to which he was first appointed and the Kings of Arms were consulted with in the case who certified that Richard Duke of York second Son to King Edward the Fourth was Installed in the fourth Stall on the Prince's side and had precedence of the Duke of Suffolk the Earls of Dowglas and Essex who were elected long before him That Henry Duke of York second Son to King Henry the seventh was Installed in the third Stall on the Soveraign's side and had place of the Duke of Buckingham and the Earls of Oxford and Derby his ancients and lastly that Henry Fitz Roy Duke of Richmond base Son of King Henry the Eighth had place and precedence before the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk and others Whereupon it was thought fit that the Soveraign's Children should be as well priviledged in this case as Stranger Princes and therefore in another Chapter held at Whitehall on the 13. of April being Easter Monday an 10. Iac. R. the Order which past the year before for making the Duke a Puisne was abrogated and he translated to the second Stall on the Prince's side and paired with Prince Henry as may be also seen by the order of the Stalls then setled and entred in the Blue Book of the Order We need not bring hither more instances in proof of the observation of the Chapter Act made an 6. Eliz. as it hath relation to Knight Subjects since the same hath been to this time punctually pursued but in regard Strangers are therein excepted it will be necessary to note here concerning them that the rule and practice continued as established by King Henry the Eighth viz. That they were Installed in Seats next to the Soveraign according to their state and dignity We shall only add an instance of the manner of placing both Strangers and Knights Subjects at one and the same time for at the coming of King Charles the First to the Crown there were of both conditions to be Installed in one day namely the Duke of Brunswick a Stranger Prince the Earls of Salisbury and Carlisle Knights Subjects elected by King Iames the 31. of December in the 22. year of his Reign as also the Earls of Dorset and Holland with Viscount Andover elected by the said King Charles the 15. of May following and the Duke of Chevereux elected the
was ought to outlive the accident of foul weather we shall insert the order of it here The order of riding to the Installation of William Earl of Northampton the 20. of April 1629. Trumpets whose Banners were of Damask and thereon the Earls Arms within a Garter with his Crest and Supporters The meanest of his Servants as Grooms and Teomen in Blue Coats two and two His Lordships other Servants in Blue Coats as Gentlemen Esquires and Knights two and two Two Secretaries Mr. Ralph Goodwyn and Mr. Francis Mewse Steward Mr. Cuthbert Ogle Controller Mr. William Goodwyn Two Pages Thomas Floyd and Francis Browne His spare Horse led by the Gentleman of his Horse His Chaplain to distribute his Alms. Pursuivants at Arms two and two Heralds at Arms two and two Gentleman Vsher Mr. Walter Thomas bareheaded Earl of Berkshire Earl of Northampton Earl of Salisbury The Senior Herald covered Noblemen in their places two and two Knights Esquires and Gentlemen which accompanied him The Commissioners Servants Other Noblemens Knights Esquires and Gentlemens Servants Thus Henry Earl of Danby and William Earl of Morton being to receive the honor of Installation an 10. Car. 1. so disposed of themselves for their more commodious passage and the peoples view that the one lodged at Warwick House in Holborne the other at Dorset House in Salisbury Court neer Fleetstreet and proceeded severally through the Streets to Hide Park each between two Noblemen to support him with their Footmen in rich Coats on either side them Their Gentlemen-Vshers rode bare-headed and before them the Officers of Arms wearing their Coats then their Servants in Blue Coats and Cognizances as was the ancient manner all led on by Trumpets The rest of the Lords Knights and Gentlemen followed after each Knight-Elect in Troop according to their Degrees those of the best quality formost In particular the Proceeding of the Earl of Morton was marshalled in the following order Trumpets two and two Grooms in Coats two and two Yeoman two and two Gentlemen two and two Secretaries Steward Gentleman of the Horse Pages 4 Officers of Arms. Gent. Vsher bare Lancaster Herald covered Earl Morton supported between two chief Lords Footmen on each side in rich Coats Noblemen and Gentlemen according to their Degrees At Slow two miles on this side Windesor they all made a stand and being put again into order proceeded to Windesor Castle where alighting in the lower Court the Knights-Elect were thence conducted to their several Lodgings To these already mentioned we shall add the order of that stately Cavalcade set forth by Algernon Earl of Northumberland from Dorset house in Salisbury Court toward Windesor the 13. of May an 11. Car. 1. which though the last this age hath beheld yet was it not the least in pomp and glory and disposed as followeth Mr. Butler Mr. Havelocke Mr. Hillman Mr. Eglebie Mr. Gradye Mr. Williams Mr. Sheares Mr. Collins Mr. Simpson Mr. Barnard Mr. Gates Mr. Iohnson Mr. Fenwick Mr. Granger Mr. Cappon Mr. Browne Mr. Rushton Mr. Percy Mr. Gibbons Mr. Musgrave Mr. Millar Mr. Heron. Mr. Potter Mr. Dodsworth Mr. Githens Mr. Blackstone Mr. Harris Mr. Hall Mr. Newland Mr. Hubbald Mr. Lambe Mr. Clarke Mr. Emery Mr. Meriwether Mr. Guppie Mr. Cobbie Mr. Holdridge Mr. Baldwine Mr. Thorneton Mr. Edmunds Mr. Francis Mose Mr. William Mose Mr. Cartwright Mr. Cardinal Mr. Wivild Mr. Pagler Mr. Smith Mr. Taylour Pages being Earl Sons viz. Mr. William Herbert Mr. Philip Cecil Mr. Iohn Herbert Mr. Algernon Sidney Heralds at Arms two and two Mr. Bluâ—devile Gent. Vsher bareheaded Norroy King of Arms. Marquess of Winchester Earl of Northumberland Earl of Kent And somewhat behind him the rest of the Lords Knights and Gentlemen in order the best formost two and two the Coaches closing up the Troop There was a publick Cavalcade desâ—â—n'd from Somerset House in the Strand to Windesor Castle when the present Soveraign was to be Installed which though it took not effect yet is fit to be remembred by the insertion of the then Chancellor's Letter to each Knight-Companion for making preparations to accompany him thither May it please your Lordship THE Kings Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter having determined to create the Prince his eldest Son Knight and to propose him in Election to be a Companion of his Order for the better conveniency of his Installation hath prorogued by a Commission under the Seal of his Order given the 25. of February now remaining in my Custody the celebration of the Feast of St. George from the 22.23 and 24. of April next whereon it should have been solemnized unto the 21.22 and 23. of May immediately ensuing and thereby given Command to all the Knights-Companions and Officers of his Order that they should attend his royal person at his Palace of Whitehall upon those days appointed In discharge of the duty of my place and by special order I do signifie unto your Lordship his Majesties will and that it is his pleasure for the more honor of the Prince and the noble Feast of his Election and Installation that your Lordship should be attended with your Servants and Retinue according to solemn Custom and be prepared to accompany his Highness from Somerset-house in the Strand unto the Castle of Windesore upon the 19. of that moneth to assist at the Ceremony and Feast of his Installation upon the day following Praying your Lordship that you will be pleased to take knowledge hereby both of the time and place designed and of the Soveraign's order I humbly rest In all due obedience and observance Tho. Rowe St. Martin's Lane 27. Feb. 1637. When this Letter was sent the Soveraign intended to create the Prince Knight of the Bath which Ceremonies were designed to begin at the old Palace at Westminster upon the 21. day of May an 13. Car. 1. as also to hold the Feast of St. George for that year at Whitehall on the 23. of the same Moneth and to take the Scruteny that Evening for his Election into this Order The next day was designed to invest him with the Garter and George and the day following to set forward the Cavalcade towards Windesor wherein also the Knights of the Bath intended to be created with the Prince were to ride in their Robes But this resolution being changed and the intention of creating the Prince a Knight of the Bath altered to that of a Knight-Batchellor the Ceremony thereof was defer'd to Windesor and so the Cavalcade followed not It was the manner heretofore for the Soveraign's Lieutenant when the Soveraign thought fit to appoint the Installation at the same time with the Feast of St. George to ride to Windesor attended with a gallant Train and no small number of his own Gentlemen and Yeomen richly habited and in all things well appointed as was seen in that Cavalcade of the Duke of Norfolk Earl Marshal of England and Lieutenant to the
immediately next after the Provincial Kings And if it so happen that the Proctor to a Stranger-Prince be then also present he is to proceed between the Knight-Subject's Proctor and the Knight-Subject Elect. But Prince Henry at his Installation an Iac. R. 1. went in a place above all the Knights-Companions and was paired with the Earl of Nottingham the Soveraign's Lieutenant for that occasion Where two or more Elect-Knights proceed to their Installation at the same time they take place according to the seniority of their Election proceeding two and two together and if the number be odd the junior Elect-Knight passeth alone Some other notices may here take place as first that the Elect-Knight passed heretofore in his ordinary Apparel wearing over it long since a short Gown afterwards a Cloak and of later times a Coat as did the Earl of Northumberland an 5. Eliz. and the Earls of Penbroke and Derby an 16. Eliz. And this also the Annals of the Order and other Authorities particularly note of the Earl of Sussex and Lord Buckhurst an 31. Eliz. of Charles Duke of York and others an 9. Iac. R. of the Duke of Lenox an 22. Iacobi the Earl of Northampton an 5. Car. 1. and Marquess Hamilton the year following But this was before any peculiar under Habit was appointed to the Knights-Companions for now there being a Cloth of Silver Doublet and Trunk Hose established to be worn at the Feasts of Installation and of St. George the Elect-Knight proceeds in this Habit and so did the Duke of Albemarle an 23. Car. 2. Secondly In this Proceeding to the Chapter-house he weareth only the Garter about his Leg and the George and Ribband wherewith he was invested either about his neck or as of late drawn under his right arm which being omitted by Sir George Villars and Viscount Lisle is noted to be contrary to order Thirdly that the Earl of Rutland with his Fellow Elect Knights an 14. Iac. Reg. proceeded bareheaded as also the Duke of Lenox an 9. Car. 1. and so did the Duke of Albemarle an 23. Car. 2. Fourthly the Elect Knight doth not always go in this Proceeding but sometimes stays at his Lodgings in the Castle as did the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberlâ—nd an 34. Eliz. or else at some other convenient place neer unto the Chapter-house till he be sent for in thither to receive Investiture with the Surcoats an instance whereof we have in the Duke of Montmorency an 14. Eliz. and the other Elect Knights that were to be installed at the same time with him who before the Soveraign's Lieutenant and Assistants proceeded to the Chapter-house went privately from the Soveraign's Lodgings down to the House of Mr. French then one of the Prebends for the Dean was absent at that time and his House unprovided for their Reception and rested in the Parlour until they were sent for Or otherwise he hath gone privately into the East Isle of the Chappel behind the High Altar and there stayed till called in as did the Duke of Monmouth an 15. Car. 2. If the Soveraign be present at the Installation the Knights-Companions proceed next after the Knights-Elect or the Proctor to a stranger Prince according to the order of their Stalls but if the Soveraign's Lieutenant then his Assistants go in their place of which there is a President at the Installation of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Hunsdon an 3. Eliz. the Proceeding being ordered in the following manner Vergers Alms Knights Officers of Arms. Elect-Knights Assistants to the Lieutenant Officers of the Order Earl of Arundel Lieutenant And if the Installation be dispatcht by Commissioners then the three inferiour Officers of the Order immediately follow the Knight-Elect and proceed next before the Commissioners because they have no Assistants appointed them to pass between as hath the Soveraign's Lieutenant and thus we find them marshalled at the Installation of the Earl of Northampton an 5. Car. 1. The Earls Servants Alms-Knights Prebends Heralds Elect-Knights Officers of the Order The Soveraign's Commissioners Nevertheless once and but once viz. an 16. Eliz. at the Installation of the Earls of Penbroke and Derby we find the said Officers did precede the Elect-Knights but this was through mistake Something more may be added concerning these three Officers place and order in proceeding at the Solemnities of Installation since there hath heretofore fallen out both question and dispute thereupon For at the Installation of the said Earl of Northampton some question and debate hapning touching their place in this Proceeding it was at length concluded That from the Castle to the Chappel they should proceed before the Commissioners but in returning from the Chappel to the Castle they should follow We suppose the Question whatsoever it was chanced not to be propounded till the Proceeding was ready to pass on and then starâ—ed on a sudden because the Heralds not readily resolving as the Annals note seems rather to proceed from suprize than want of ability to answer and it also appears that the determination which took place was grounded but upon conjecture and how fit soever it was them thought yet if well considered will appear not consonant to Precedents and Practice both before and since as also to the usual rule where all returns are marshalled answerably to their settings forth unless the condition of any person in the Proceeding be in the mean time changed But perhaps it will be answered that the ground of this resolution of following the Commissioners in their return was because the authority wherewith they were impowered seemed to cease as soon as the Knight was Installed and consequently the attendance which that authority exacted from the Officers then ceased also Yet if so what needed any Proceeding back at all but that the Commissioners should have put off their Habits in the Chapter-house and pass thence privately to their Lodgings But to proceed It is further to be observed that when Installations pass by Commissioners only these three inferior Officers wear their Robes for they are appointed to be worn at all solemn Assemblies of the Order no less than at the Feasts of St. George but bear not the Ensigns of their Offices in the Proceeding And this seems to be deduced from particular Injunctions laid down in the Constitutions appertaining to the Officers of the Order which appoint Garter and Black Rod to bear the Ensigns of their Offices at the Feast of St. George when the Soveraign or his Deputy shall be present whence it may be inferred that if either happen to be absent they need not bear them We also find this in practice and their Ensigns not carried at the Installations of Frederick King of Denmark and Iohn Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhine an 25. Eliz. next of the Earl of Rutland and Lord Cobham the following year and thirdly so noted in the Red
next place the Commissioners or Assistants or Knights-Companions lay the Hood upon the Knights right shoulder over the Mantle and bringing the Tippet athwart his Brest tuck it under his Girdle at which his Sword hangs And lastly they tye the Collar about his shoulders over his Mantle and Hood and at this part of the Investiture these words of Admonition are also pronounced To the encrease of your honor and in token of the Honorable Order you have received Take this Collar about your Neck with the Image of the holy Martyr and Christs Knight St. George by whose aid you being defended may pass through the prosperities and adversities of this world that having here the Victory as well of your Ghostly as Bodily Enemies you may not only receive the glory and renown of temporal Chivalry but also at the last the endless and everlasting reward of Victory This form of words received likewise alteration when the present Soveraign was to be Installed being varied after this manner Wear this Collar about thy Neck adorned with the Image of the blessed Martyr and Soldier of Christ St. George by whose imitation provoked thou maist so overpass both prosperous and adverse encounters that having stoutly vanquished thy Enemies both of body and soul thou mayest not only receive the praise of this transient Combat but be crowned with the Palm of eternal victory And here before we pass further it will be needful to observe that anciently at the Solemnities of Installation when the Soveraign or his Lieutenant was present the Elect-Knight after he had been invested with the Mantle in his Stall was immediately conducted out of the Choire back to the Chapter-house where the said Soveraign or his Lieutenant was accustomed to remain till he returned there to receive Investiture with the Collar of the Order from the Soveraign or his Lieutenant's hands which being done he is said to have received the full possession of his Habit. And this is evident first from King Henry the Eighth's Statutes which direct after the Elect-Knight's Investiture with the Mantle That he shall return into the Chapter-house where he shall receive from the Soveraign or his Deputy the Collar of the Order and secondly from the Practice about that time as is manifest in the cases of the Lord Montjoy Sir William Fitz Williams and Sir Henry â—ouldford installed an 18. H. 8. and the Lord Cromwell an 30. H. 8. as also of the Lord Russell Sir Thomas Cheney and Sir William Kingston installed an 31. H. 8. of the Marquess Dorset Earl of Derby Lord Seymour of Sudeley and Sir William Pagit an 1. E. 6. of the Earl of Huntingdon Lords La Ware and Cobham and Sir William Herbert an 3. E. 6. so likewise of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Hunsdon an 3. Eliz. of the Earl of Northumberland an 5. Eliz. and of the Duke of Montmorency an 14. Eliz. The Proceeding back into the Chapter-house upon this occasion was ordered almost after the same manner as that before mentioned into the Choire only with this difference that the new installed Knight took here his place according to the dignity of his Stall and so did the aforesaid Duke of Montmorency when he returned to the Chapter-house to receive his Collar for because the Stall wherein he had been installed was of a higher rank than either of those belonging to the two Assistants that conducted him to his Installation they therefore proceeded before not on either side him thither But this is observable that when the Soveraign's Lieutenant remained in the Chapter-house while the Elect-Knight proceeded to his Installation the Vsher of the Black-Rod proceeded not with the said Knight but stayed behind to attend upon the Lieutenant as appears from the notices of the before mentioned Installations of the Lord Russell Earl of Huntington and Earl of Northumberland and as soon as the Investiture with the Collar was finished the Lieutenant proceeded to the Choire in the Rear and the new invested and installed Knight in place according to his Stall A President or two of such Proceeding follows The Lieutenant's Proceeding into the Choire at the Installation of the Lord Russell and others an 31. H. 8. after they had received their Collars in the Chapter-house Officers of Arms. Knights newly installed the junior formost Knights-Assistants Black-Rod Register Garter The Lieutenant In the same manner was the Lieutenan's Proceeding ordered at the Installation of the Marquess Dorset and others an 1. E. 6. After the Proceeding had entred the Choire and the Lieutenant and Knights-Companions taken their Seats with the usual Ceremonies the Service of the Church began But when the Installation was performed by Commissioners then was the Collar of the Order laid on the Cushen with the Mantle and born before the Elect-Knight to his Stall were after his Investiture with the Mantle and Hood he received Investiture with the Collar also and among sundry examples we shall instance in these The Lord William Howard an 1. 2. Plâ—l Mar. was â—irst invested with his Mantle and then had his Collar put about his neck by the Lord Clynton and Lord Pagit the two Commissioners appointed for his Installation The Earl of Lincolne and Viscount Mountague Commissioners for the Installation of the Earls of Derby and Penbroke put on their Collars in their Stalls and thus was it done by the Commissioners at the Installations of the Earl of Rutland and Lord Cobham an 26. Eliz. and of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland an 34. of the same Queen And in like manner at all Installations solemnized since Elizabeth's Reign where the Soveraign hath vouchsafed his presence the ancient Custom of returning to the Chapter-house for the Collar being laid aside the Knights-Companions who led the Elect-Knights to their Stall did there invest them with the Collars also as we find in the case of the Earl of Rutland Sir George Villars and Viscount Lisle an 14. Iac. R. who being come to their several Stalls were first invested with their Mantles next their Hoods and after that their Collars In like manner did the Earls of Dorset and Holland invest the Earl of Suâ—â—olk with the Collar in his Stall an 4. Car. 1. and thus hath it been observed at all Installations since where the Soveraign hath been present at the Solemnity As soon as the Ceremony of Investiture with the Mantle Hood and Collar is finished the Commissioners or Knights-Assistants or Knights-Companions take the Book of the Statutes of the Order and deliver it into the hands of the new invested Knight Thus this part of the Ceremony was observed to the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland after their Investiture an 34. Eliz. and to the Earl of Rutland Sir George Villars and Viscount Lysle an 14. Iac. R. and so generally to all Elect-Knights since This Book the Knight is to keep
safe in his own custody both for instruction and direction in such things as relate to the Laws and Ceremonies of this most Noble Order therein contained After this they also give unto him the Black Velvet Cap adorned with Plumes of White Feathers and this in particular is noted to be the last among the Ceremonies performed at the Installation of the present Soveraign All things relating to the full Investiture being ended there only remains to compleat this great Ceremony the Installation it self which is performed in the following manner The new invested Knight standing before his Stall and turning himself towards the High Altar first makes an humble Reverence thitherward and after a like obeysance towards the Soveraign or in his absence towards his Stall Thus is it noted of William Lord Howard 1. 2. Phil. Mar. which having done the Commissioners or Assistants or Knights-Companions forthwith jointly imbrace him with much joy as their Fellow and Companion according to the Custom of Installations and set him down in his assigned Stall thereto adding their wishes for his happiness and honor With the like courteous and civil expressions and congratulations we find this Ceremony was closed to the Lord Russel an 31. H. 8. which he answered with equal respect giving moreover to the Knights who installed him great thanks for the honor of their assistance and to the Marquess Dorset and others installed an 1. E. 6. the Commissioners for that Ceremony added this Vote That God would give them much honor and after such like Complemental respects have past the Commissioners or Knights-Assistants or Knights-Companions take their Stalls But we have a notable instance in relation to this Ceremony at the Installation of Philip King of Castile an 22. H. 7. where the Soveraign himself solemnly introduced him into his Stall being the next unto his own and therein placed him At which action it seems there was a form of words pronounced relating to the Elect-Knight's Session and act of Installation no less than at his Investiture though we are not so happy as to know them the Relator of the manner and order of this great Ceremony having in the place of the words added an c. and left a blank for them but with this short note at the instant of Installation The Soveraign saying these words Don â—ils c. SECT VIII The Order observed when two or more Knights are Installed in one day WHen there are two or more Elect-Knights appointed to receive the honor of Installation at one Solemnity and that the Ceremony is performed by two Commissioners or two Knights-Assistants then as soon as they have finished all the Ceremonies of Investiture and Installation due to the senior of them they leave him so possest of his Stall and forthwith return to the Chapter-house the Proceeding of Alms-Knights Officers of Arms and the inferior Officers of the Order after their usual Reverences made in the middle of the Choire passing forth before them to the Chapter-house and thence they conduct the next senior Elect-Knight into the Choire where they perform all the circumstances of Investiture and Installation to him as they did to the first Installed Knight Which having finished they leave him also in his Stall and proceed back as before for the third Elect-Knight and after the like manner do they introduce and instal him and so the rest if there be more that wait their Installation till all be installed This seems to have been the ancient practice for it is noted in the Annals that Viscount Beaumont and the Lord Sudeley Commissioners appointed by King Henry the Sixth for the Installation of Albro Vasques d' Almadea Earl of Averence the Lord Beauchamp and Sir Thomas Hoo led them into the Choire singly and apart by themselves and there installed them in their proper Stalls And thus is it noted of the two Assistants at the Installation of the Earl of Huntingdon and others an 1. E. 6. who after they had invested and installed the said Earl proceeded back to the Chapter-house for the Lord La Ware and he being installed they returned again for the Lord Cobham and lastly for Sir William Herbert In like manner when the Commissioners had given the Proctor to Emmanuel Duke of Savoy possession of his Principals Seat an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. they proceeded back for William Lord Howard and conducted him to his Installation Thus did the Commissioners by the Earl of Penbroke an 16. Eliz. when they had first installed the Earl of Derby and by the Earl of Cumberland after the Earl of Shrewsbury had been installed When the Soveraign hath nominated three Commissioners to his service in such case they have returned altogether to fetch in the other Knights after the Ceremonies of Installation were performed to the senior Elect-Knight singly that were to be installed and alternately changed their places in the Proceeding to the several Installations one of them always going single and formost an instance whereof we have at the Installation of the Earls of Essex and Ormond and Sir Christopher Hatton an 30. Eliz. where the Earl of Essex having been first conducted to his Installation between the Lord Hunsdon and Earl of Worcester the Lord Grey the third Commissioner went single next before them then all three Commissioners returned to fetch in the Earl of Ormond who proceeding into the Choire between the Lord Hunsdon and Lord Grey the Earl of Worcester went alone immediately before them and his Installation being likewise dispatcht Sir Christopher Hatton was conducted to his Stall between the Earl of Worcester and the Lord Grey the Lord Hunsdon in this proceeding going next before them If the Lieutenant had four Assistants appointed him which was necessary when there were many Knights to be installed the order of their Installation hath been as followeth first two of the senior Knights-Assistants conducted the senior Elect-Knight to his Installation next the two other Assistants proceeded with the second Elect-Knight and installed him then again the two senior Knights-Assistants introduced the third Elect-Knight to his Stall and in this manner they alternately changed till all were installed Thus was it ordered at the Installation of Francis Duke of Montmorency and others an 14. Eliz. for at this Solemnity the Earl of Bedford Sir Henry Sidney the Earl of Worcester and the Earl of Huntington were appointed Assistants to the Earl of Leicester then the Soveraign's Lieutenant the two first conducted the Duke to his Stall and the two last the Earl of Essex then the two first proceeded again with the Lord Burghley and the two last with the Lord Grey and lastly the two first proceeded a third time with the Lord Shandos between them And the like method and alternate change is observed if four Commissioners be constituted as at the Installation of Frederick King of
Denmark and Iohn Prince Palatine of the Rhyne an 25. Eliz. where the Kings Proxy was conducted into the Choire between the Earl of Leicester and Lord Hunsdon being the two senior Commissioners and the Prince between the Earl of Huntingdon and the Lord Charles Howard the two junior Commissioners But some have been of opinion that the Commissioners nominated to this employment ought not to divide the duty and part of them to instal one Knight and part another and by such an alternation to dispatch the Ceremony as in the former cases but on the contrary that all should jointly assist at each Installation And in favour of this opinion there is an instance at the Installation of the Earl of Salisbury and Viscount Bindon anâ— 4. Iac. R. for the said Earl having been brought in to the Choire and both invested and installed by the Earls of Nottingham and Suffolk then the two senior Commissioners the other two Commissioners who were left behind in the Chapter-house to conduct Viscount Bindon to his Stall calling to mind that all four were joint Commissioners conceived that the said Earl was not legally installed by the two other because themselves had not been assistant at the Ceremony And upon consultation with the senior Commissioners it seems this opinion prevailed so far with them that they agreed to impart it to the Earl of Salisbury who thereupon descended into the lower Seats before his Stall and there all four Commissioners gave him his Oath again then led him up into his foresaid Stall and a second time Invested and Installed him each of the four Commissioners putting to their hand and the like joint assistance was given by them to the Viscount Bindon installed at the same time But this method was not only new but different from former practice for in all like cases as before are cited we have observed that both the Knights-Commissioners and Lieutenant's Assistants have constantly divided the employment by an alternate change and besides where the Soveraign hath authorized his Lieutenant to peform this Ceremony and appointed some of the Knights-Companions to assist therein these Assistants and not the Lieutenant have done the duty appertaining to the Installation that part of it of investing with the Collar heretofore in the Chapterhouse and the whole duty at the Installation of Prince Henry excepted And it is to be further noted that this way of joint assistance at the installation of the Earl of Salisbury was afterwards thought so little essential or necessary that it became no Precedent for at the very next Feast of Installation when the Earls of Dunbar and Montgomery were installed in the sixth year of the same King and for which Ceremony four Commissioners were likewise appointed the two senior of them installed the Earl of Dunbar and the two junior the Earl of Montgomery and this we find again in Practice an 10. Car. 1. when the two senior Commissioners installed the Earl of Danby and the other two the Earl of Morton But in the last place if the Soveraign be present and consequently that the Knights-Companions perform this Ceremony of Introduction Investiture and Installation there is commonly then so many of them as can go through the whole work without changing by turns after the manner used when done by a few either Commissioners or Assistants and therefore in this case the order is thus First the two senior Knights-Companions having descended from their Stalls and past out of the Choire to the Chapter-house with the Proceeding before them conduct to his Installation the eldest Elect-Knight and having performed that whole Ceremony they return and take their Stalls with accustomed Reverences Then the two next senior Knights-Companions descend and go out and return with the next senior Elect-Knight to his Installation and after that two other Knights-Companions go out and fetch in the third and so the rest in due order And this method we observe to have been practised at the Installation of Prince Henry and other Elect-Knights an 1. Iac. R. for after the Prince had been placed in his Stall by the Earl of Nottingham and Lord Buckhurst the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland came down from their Stalls and went to the Chapter-house taking the Proceeding before them and thence conducted the Duke of Lenox to his Stall and returned to their own In like manner the Earls of Northumberland and Worcester went next out for the Earl of Southampton and having installed him the Lord Sheffield and Lord Howard of Walden past forth of the Choire and brought in the Earl of Marr and lastly the Lord Montjoy and Earl of Sussex Installed the Earl of Penbroke The like order was observed at the Installation of the Earl of Rutland and others an 14. Iac. R. who having been left behind in the Chapter-house while the Soveraign proceeded to the Choire were afterwards by several Knights-Companions the seniors going out first introduced to their Installations one after another according to the seniority of their Election But to be more particular in the order of the Ceremony in this case we shall lay down the method observed at the grand Feast of St. George held at Windesor an 13. Car. 2. which was as followeth First the two senior-Knights the Earls of Salisbury and Berkshire descended from their Stalls with the usual Reverences and stood before them Next the Alms-Knights came down in a body from the hault paces of the Altar into the middle of the Choire and having there made their double obeysances proceeded forth After them the Officers of Arms descended also the Pursuivants formost and having made the double Reverences in the middle of the Choire went out after the Alms-Knights Then followed the three inferiour Officers of the Order having first made their usual Reverences And lastly the two Senior Knights joining together in the middle of the Choire after their double Reverences past out in the Rear In this order they proceeded towards the Chapter-house and when the Alms-Knights came neer the door they fell off and divided themselves the like did the Officers of Arms and both thereby opened a way for the Officers of the Order and Knights-Companions to pass between them into the Chapter-house where being entred they first brought forth the Duke of Oromnd the senior Elect-Knight and taking him in the middle between them the Proceeding went before into the Choire in the same order as it came thence Garter then bearing on a Velvet Cushen his Mantle Hood Collar and Book of Statutes The Alms-Knights being entred the Choire made their double obeysances in the usual place and ascended the hault-paces of the Altar flanking on the other side After them the Officers of Arms did the like Then the three inferior Officers of the Order coming up into the middle of the Choire made their double Reverences and so passed before the Knights to the place directly under the Stall
after his Reign we find the old usage of making a Feast at this Solemnity restored If the Soveraign appoint the Installation to be when the Feast of St. George is also celebrated and himself personally present the Feast is then kept at the Soveraign's charge If in such case he constitute a Lieutenant the Installation Dinner is kept at the expence of the Lieutenant and usually prepared in some of the Soveraign's Lodgings in the Castle but seldom in St. George's Hall though there the Earl of Arundel at the Installation of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Hunsdon kept his Feast an 3. Eliz. But when the Installation is kept at any other time of the year without the joint observation of St. George's Feast then the new installed Knight or Knights are at all the charge who for the most part have had the Grand Dinner prepared at the Dean's Lodgings Nevertheless where ever it is appointed thither do the Soveraign his Lieutenant and Assistants or Commissioners together with the new installed Knights proceed in full Robes which at the Installation of the Marquess of Dorset and other Knights an 1. E. 6. we find noted to be according to the ancient custom At the Installation of the Lord Russell Sir Thomas Cheney and Sir William Kingston an 31. H. 8. the Soveraign's Lieutenant washed alone the water being brought up with three Reverences after him did his two Assistants walh and lastly the three new installed Knights The Lieutenant's place at the Table is somewhat on the left hand the cloth of State and there sat the Earl of Arundell Lieutenant for St. George's Feast when the Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Hunsdon were installed an 3. Eliz. But the other four Knights-Companions his two Assistants and the two new installed Knights sat towards the Tables end on both sides for that they could not well sit all on a side But of late times viz. at the Installation of the Earl of Northampton an 5. Car. 1. a question was started whether the Lieutenant or Commissioners should sit at Dinner in their Habit or not since the powers given them by their Commissions seem to terminate as soon as the Knights are installed though it was allowed that the new installed Knight ought to sit in his Robes as also because at the Installation of the Lord Cromwell an 29. H. 8. after all the Ceremonies were finished in the Chappel the Knights went to the Deans house and there put off their Habit and dined in their ordinary Apparel So also at the Installation of the Earl of Rutland and Lord Cobham an 26. Eliz. the Commissioners when they were returned from the Chappel did put off the Habit of the Order before they went to Dinner and the new installed Knights kept on only their Surcoats and thus sat all Dinner while What was answered to these objections or whether they dined without their Habit we do not find but the practice to the contrary to wit of keeping on the whole Habit till the grand Dinner be ended hath been at other times generally observed At the second Course called also the second Mess and second Service doth Garter accompanied with the Officers of Arms proclaim the Stiles and Titles of honor of the Soveraign if he be personally or by Lieutenant present in Latin French and English and crys Largess thrice next the Stiles of the new installed Knights in French or English only with two Largesses and in that order they were installed Thus was it done at the installation of Charles Duke of York an 9. Iac. R. of Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhyne an 10. Iac. R. of the Earl of Rutland and others an 14. Iac. R. Philip King of Castile dined with the Soveraign in his Privy Chamber the day of his installation an 22. H. 7. whose Stile was proclaimed by Garter not in the same Room but at the Soveraign's great Chamber-door and in St. George's Hall after Largess had been thrice cryed in this manner Du treshault trespuissant tresexcellent Prince Ic Roy de Castile de Leon de Granade Archdue Daustrich Due de Bourgoine Chevalier de la tres-noble Ordre de la Iartier When the Soveraign constitutes a Lieutenant then is the Lieutenant's Stile also proclaimed and to his other Titles is added that of this present honor of Lieutenantship and afterwards the Stiles of the new installed Knights which we find noted at the installation of the Earl of Shrewsbury and Lord Hunsdon an 3. Eliz. where Garter and the Officers of Arms proceeded into the middle of St. George's Hall the Grand Dinner being held there and after three obeysances proclaimed their Stiles only in French as followeth Du tres-noble puissant Seigneur Henry Fytz Allen Conte de Arundell Seigneur Matravers de Clun Chevalier du tres-noble Ordre de la Iartier Lieutenant de cest noble Feste de St. George Du tres-noble puissant Seigneur George Conte de Shrewsbury Seigneur Talbot Furnivall Verdon Strange de Blakmer Chevalier du tres-noble Ordre de la Iartier Iusticier des Forrestz Chasez de la Riviere de Trent envers le North. Du tres-noble seigneur Henry Cary Baron de Hunsdon Chevalier du tres-noble Ordre de la Iartier The order of this Ceremony is more particularly noted at the Installation of the Duke of Montmorency and others an 14. Eliz. and was thus first Garter cryed Largess and next proclaimed the Soveraign's Stile and Titles of honor in three Languages then going two foot back he proclaimed the Lieutenants Stile only in French with two Largesses after that he cryed one Largess for the Duke and lastly for all the other new installed Knights only two Largesses and the other Officers of Arms did the like and still as Garter had finished his proclamation of the Stiles the Heralds joined with him in crying Largess and so with Reverence they departed the Hall But we are in the last place to note that when neither the Soveraign is present nor his Lieutenant then the Soveraign's Stile is not proclaimed nor those of the Commissioners but only of the new installed Knights Assoon as Dinner is ended the Knights-Companions rise from the Table and withdraw to disrobe themselves and therewith the Solemnity of Installation takes ending but if at any time the Solemnities continue to that evening and the following day it is only because the Soveraign or his Lieutenant is present upon the account of celebrating the Feast of St. George and not with reference to the Solemnity of Installation We shall conclude with this Observation that the ancient custom of preserving the memory of remarkable actions by some Emblematical Representations Figures and Devises whereof for the last Century Lukius affords plenty of Examples is still continued in use and therefore upon consideration had of the honor they thereby
brought the persons to whom they related was it that the late Soveraign of ever blessed memory thought fit to perpetuate the Solemnity of the present Soveraign's Installation by certain Medals whereof the forms and inscriptions were these SECT XI Of setting up the Knights Atchievments THE last thing to be done at this great Solemnity is setting up the Helm Crest Sword Banner and Plate of the new installed Knight over his Stall in the Chappel of St. George at Windsor to which purpose they are to be provided in readiness according to the directions before given This though it be no part of the Ceremony of Installation yet is it a consequent thereunto and an unseparable appendix and therefore proper enough to be added here The setting up of Trophies Ensigns and Atchievements of honor anciently in Churches as well in the life time of such worthy and deserving men who had performed some gallant action as on their Tombs and Monuments after their death was chiefly designed to this end that the Beholders thereby put in mind of their great virtues might be excited to the imitation and pursuit of true Nobility Valour and Virtue Hereupon at the Institution of this most Noble Order the Atchievements of the Knights-Companions were thought fit to be set up in the Choire of the said Chappel and hence also the remarkable Plates wherein their Escotcheons of Arms curiously wrought in enamel were fastned to the back of their Stalls Not that the outward form of such things have in them any great force but that the memory of great actions done beget that ardour in the breasts of excellent persons which never is at rest till some eminent atchievements of theirs have over-taken the others fame and glory By the Statutes of Institution it is ordained that the time for setting up the Atchievements shall be when the Elect-Knight comes to Windesor Casilâ— that is to his Installation and not before and the reason is there likewise given lest it should happen he not coming within the time limited for his Installation and consequently the vacating his Election thereupon ensuing that a new Election being made those Military Ensigns might seem to be disgracefully withdrawn and an occasion of dishonor given which otherwise could not be avoided if they should be suddenly taken down from a place so high Now 't is most clear that the intention of this Article extends to the â—inishing the Ceremonies of Installation before the Atchievements ought to be set up by so carefully providing against the dishonor of taking them down in case the Election should become void which must certainly happen if the Knight-â—lect died but the hour before he were compleatly installed And accordingly in the ancient Deputation both to Sir William Philip and Sir Iohn Fasiâ—lâ— power is given their Proctors first to demand receive and obtain their Principals Stalls and next to tender their Helms and Swords to be hung up in the Choire of Windesor according to custom and for clearer information of the order and course in this Ceremony it may be observed that the Soveraign impowered his Commissioners first to give the Deputy possession of his Principals Stall and aâ—ter to receive the Atchievements and place them over it Herewith it may be considered That the Atchievements are set up in memorial of the Knight-Elect's being installed a Companion of the Order and 't is incongruous in the rules of Honor to have the sign or memorial of an action precede the action it self Again the Statutes of this most Noble Order expresly provide That the Knights Atchievements shall not be permitted to be hung up until all the Duties and Fees enjoined by the Statutes to be paid the Colledge be first discharged but 't is certain there are no Fees due and consequently cannot be challenged till the Ceremonies upon which they become due are compleatly â—inished And it is remembred as the Custom in Queen Elizabeth's Reign for the Elect-Knights Steward or some other of his Servants to bring money with them to Windesor and there pay the Fees at the Chappel door so soon as the Installation was dispatcht to the end the Atchievements might immediately after be set up But to clear all doubts which may arise upon this point it was in a Chapter held at Whitehall the 4. of February an 22. Car. 2. Ordained and Decreed That not any of the Atchievements of an Elect-Knight shall be set up in the Chappel at Windesor before he be Installed and the Fees of Installation paid It should seem that though anciently they did not set up the Elect-Knights Atchievements before he was installed yet were they prepared and brought to Windesor and disposed of or set before his Stall and in case of his not coming to receive Installation then being no otherwise placed might be the easier removed without the Choire in as decent a manner as could be that so the honor of Knighthood might be preserved entire nevertheless to be thenceforth kept for publick use and benefit of the Colledge Where we find mention made in the Annals of any person employed to set up the Atchievements of a Knight it is to be understood that he was his Proctor and installed on the behalf of that Knight whose Atchievements he so hung up And the Lord Fitz Hugh who set up the Atchievements of the King of Denmark an 9. H. 6. took also possession of that Kings Stall for and on his behalf and in his name There is but a single instance as we remember where one man hung up a Knights Atchievements and another was installed for him and this hapned an 29. H. 6. where the Lord Ryvers having been Elected to the Stall of the Lord Hungerford the 4. of August that year his Sword and Helm were hung up on the 8. of September next after by William Bobden his Esq and Guyen Herald and he installed the 30. of October following by Sir William Crafford his Proctor But this was contrary to the Law of the Order Moreover where the setting up of a Knights-Atchievements is barely mentioned without taking notice of the Installation it is to be understood that such Knights Installation was also solemnized at that time as in the case of the King of Portugal concerning whom the Annals only note that he had taken care to set up over his Stall his Helm Sword and Banner and all things belonging thereunto at the Feast celebrated at Windesor an 2. H. 6. In what manner and order these Atchievements are fixed will partly appear from the Statutes viz. the Helm and Crest are thereby appointed to be set over each Knight-Companion's Stall and the Sword to hang directly underneath them But the Plate is nailed to the Back of the Knights Stall And here for a Corollary to this Chapter let us add That as the Statutes of two of the most noted Orders of Knighthood in Christendom have in
the Vestry where he shifted him into the Robes and Habit of the Order of St. Michaell as followeth First Having on afore his Hose Shoos Girdle and Scaberd of White Velvet he there put on a Cote with Sleeves of Cloth of Silver the edges laid with Gold Lace and over that his Mantle of Cloth of Silver broad garded with Scallop shells environed with Clowds and Rays of the Sun and other Embroidery of Gold very richly lined with White Taffeta and on the right shoulder it was tyed and turned up on the left shoulder to put his Arm underneath at and over that on his right shoulder lay his Hood of Crimson Velvet spreading all over his back the Tippet over his breast the end put under the Hood on the left shoulder garded and embroidered like the Mantle And over th' oder lay the Collar of Gold made with Knots and Scallop shells whereat hanged the Picture of St. Michaell garnished with Stones And whiles the said Deputy was shifting him the Duke and Earl came down into the Chappel apparelled as followeth And first the Duke with his Shoes Hose Girdle and Scabbard of White Velvet his neather stockings of white Silk knit his Cote with the Sleeves on of Cloth of Silver the edges laid with Gold Lace and in a short Gown of Russet Velvet garded with the same surred with Leopards and faced with Lisards the sleeves set with eighteen pair of Agglets of Gold and a Cap of black Velvet with a Silver band the Earl of Leicester likewise in all points apparelled but that his Gown was Russet Satten garded with Velvet furred and faced as the other the Sleeves set with thirty pair of Aglets of Gold and in his Cap a White Feather and so the Duke and Earl being come into the Chappel stood beneath on the ground before their Arms and Stalls And then they there staying proceeded forth of the Vestry into the Chappel two Noblemen named Mounsieur Cleremont and Mounsieur de Luppe carrying the two Mantles and Hoods in their arms after them Mounsieur Doze alias Saint Michaell King of Arms carrying the two Collars lying on a Cushen upon his arms without any Cote of Arms but â—earing about his neck hanging at a Riband at his breast the Arms of France within the Order of Gold After him followed the Deputy Remboilliet doing reverence to his Majesty's Stall as he passed by and there went up and stood with his back to the Communion Table The Embassador then standing somewhat near him Then St. Michaell went and brought the Duke and Earl to the Deputy afore whom his Secretary read the Commission whereby he had authority from the King his Master to make those two Noblemen Knights of the Order of St. Michaell which read out on Cushens they two kneeled down and the Deputy himself read unto them their Oaths which ended they stood up and then Doze alias St. Michell took off their two Gowns and they two again kneeled down and the two Lords Mounsieur Cleremont and Mounsieur de Lupe presented the Mantles and Hoods to the Deputy who put on the same First that on the Duke and then the other on the Earl himself reading unto them the signification thereof And then the said Deputy put on their Collers likewise reading the signification thereof which said Mantles Hoods Collers and Cotes were sent them by the French King and were in all points like to the Deputy's afore declared and the Cotes were sent them to their Chambers afore they came where they put them on Then the Deputy with St. Michell before him and the other two following proceeded down and after reverence done to the King's Stall took theirs the Deputy first the Duke next and the Earl last Then the Prayers as the Letany and Commemoration began and at the Offring time the Deputy came forth of his Stall and stood in the middle of the Chappel below before his Stall and made his obeysance both to the Table and his Masters Stall and then proceeded with St. Michell before him up to the Offring making as he passed by a beck to either of his Companions they sitting or standing still in their stalls which Offring ended he returned and took his Stall Then the Duke of Norfolk came forth making obeysance to the French King's Stall and proceeded up with St. Michell before him and Offered and returned to his Stall And then the Earl of Leicester likewise offered Then the Service being ended with reverence to the King's Stall they proceeded forth of the Chappel first St. Michell then the Earl then the Duke last the Deputy till they came into the Counsel Chamber where they dyned all three sitting in three Chairs on one side of the Table which Dinner ended they went all three into the Privy Chamber to the Queen and after a while came forth into the Counsel Chamber where they put off their Cotes Mantles Hoods and Collars and put on their usual Apparel And then the said Duke and Earl brought the Deputy to the Great Chamber Door where they took their leave of him and they returned into the Chamber of Presence again and so ended this Ceremony CHAP. XIII THE Installation OF A KNIGHT SUBJECT BY Proxie SECT I. The original cause of making Proxies THere was no liberty given at the Institution of the Order to Instal a Knight-Subject by his Proctor or Deputy but on the contrary in the Founders Statutes was inserted this express Prohibition That none of the Knights-Elect should be permitted to be Installed by Proxie unless he were a Stranger The Law in this particular continued unaltered till the Reign of King Henry the Fifth when Iohn Duke of Bedford the Soveraign's Deputy for holding the Feast of St. George at Windesor an 7. H. 5. and other the Knights-Companions then present took it into consideration That where a Knight-Subject Elected into the Order was at that time employed beyond the Seas in service of the Soveraign and likely to continue there upon that Employment it was concluded that the said Duke should make an address to the Soveraign by Letter under the Seal of the Order he being at that time engaged in the War with France wherein for the reasons set down in the Letter which we have inserted in the Appendix he should petition him to remove from the Statutes all manner of scruple and in cases of like hazard and danger to Ordain That Knights-Subjects might be permitted to receive the priviledge and favour of a compleat admittance and full possession of their Stalls and rights by their Deputies or Proctors no less than Strangers notwithstanding the clause in the Statutes to the contrary It likewise appears from that Letter as also from the Black Book of the Order that Sir Iohn Grey and the Lord Bourchier had been installed at the foresaid Feast by their several Proxies which the Soveraign's Deputy permitted out of great tenderness to their persons lest by an over punctual and too
rigid an observance of the Statutes in this point the foresaid Knight through the misfortunes and casualties of War whereunto they were daily exposed should be snatcht away by a sudden death and so want the desired suffrages of those Masses ordained to be sung for a defunct Knights as had been seen in the case of divers other prevented thereof by over much delay Nevertheless by that more ample and large Copy of the foresaid Letter recorded in the Registrum Chartaceum which we think necessary also to add in the Appendix it appears that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions remaining at that time with him in France had before upon the Duke of Bedford's request signified their approbation of installation by Proxie by the favour of which Certificate and virtue of this consent though as yet not formed into a Decree Sir Iohn Grey and Sir Iohn Robessart were installed upon their Letters missive wherein they only named their Proctors In this Letter it also appears that the Lord Bourchier's Proctor made so by a deprecatory Letter sent over to his Deputy from the Countess of Stafford was only promised to be installed in regard there was no express caution given in the Statutes concerning the sufficiency of this sort of Proxie But to clear all doubts which for the future might arise it was among other things Decreed an 9. H. 5. That where any Elect-Knight was actually in the Soveraign 's Wars or otherwise employed abroad upon the Soveraign 's affairs he should possess and enjoy the priviledge of a Stranger in this particular namely to be admitted to his Stall by a legal Proxie who should do and perform all things enjoined to the Proxie of a Stranger Which Decree we find added to King Henry the Fifth's Statutes Hereupon it was in a short time after enjoined the Elect-Knight upon notice of his Election to take care that his Proctor should be appointed to take possession of his Stall with all possible speed to the end he might enjoy the rights and priviledges of a Founder for such an obligation we find laid upon Sir Iohn Fastolf who at the reception of the Garter was in France and there employed in the Soveraign's service But King Henry the Eighth besides his confirmation of this Decree for allowance of a Proxie in the foresaid two Cases further enlarged it to such as the Soveraign should either command or permit by License to be installed by Proxie which is to be understood of Knights-Elect within the Kingdom no less than those beyond Sea By virtue of which clause the Earl of Dorset being sick an 1. Car. 1. obtained the Soveraign's License to be Installed by his Deputy Sir Richard Young who accordingly took possession of the Stall appointed for him SECT II. Letters of Procuration WE noted before out of the Registrum Chartaceum that Sir Iohn Robessart Elected into the Order by King Henry the Fifth was Installed by virtue of his Letter missive sent to Sir Thomas Barr his Proxie But the same Register in another place calls it a sufficient Procuration under his Seal of Arms enabling him to do and perform in his name all things which might appertain to the observance and Ceremony of his Installation The Copy of this Instrument we have not met with but that other Letter missive which Sir Iohn Grey directed to Sir Iohn Lisle to take the possession of his Stall and by virtue of which he was Installed is transferred to the Appendix Nor have we seen the before mentioned Deprecatory Letter sent over from the Countess of Stafford for the Installation of Hugh Stafford Lord Bourchier but it seems to have been esteemed so sufficient and authentick as to obtain for his substitute the title of Proctor This example became a President to the now Countess of Bristol whose Lord having been Elected a Knight-Companion of this Order by the present Soveraign and being absent on an Embassy when the Grand Feast of St. George happily celebrated an 12. Car. 2. was drawing on she wrote a Letter to Sir Richard Fanshaw Knight and Baronet to desire him to appear and act at that following Solemnity in quality of her Lord's Proxie And because there grew some doubt from the Lord Bourchier's Case of the sufficiency of such a Nomination the request of the said Countess was thought requisite to be strengthened by the Soveraign's Authority and Nomination likewise which being obtained was ratified under the Seal of the Order And doubtless in the case of a Knight-Subject the Soveraign may if he please nominate and appoint a Proxie for Installation where the Elect-Knight hath not done it himself for here all those considerations of grand respect form of the Oath c. always afforded to Strangers have no place and this is evident from the Soveraign's Letters of Summons to the Commissioners nominated for Installation of the Lord Grey an 4. 5. Ph. M. who at that time was Prisoner in France and whose Deputy Sir Humfry Radcliff Knight is therein mentioned to have been appointed by the Soveraign her self The first President of Letters of Procuration or Deputation drawn into a solemn form is that made by Sir William Philipp whereby he having obtained the Soveraign's License impowers two Knights namely Sir Andrew Butreley and Sir Iohn Henington or either of them as their occasions would permit to supply his place and take possession of that Stall which should be assigned him in the Choire at Windesor This Procuration and the time of Sir Philipp's Installation by virtue thereof is entred in the Black Book of the Order under the eighth year of King Henry the Fifth but certainly misplaced for though the year of our Lord or of the Soveraign's Reign be wanting in the date of the Instrument yet is there added a note remarkable enough to wit that it was made while the Soveraign lay in Siege before Roan in France which as our Chronicles report was begun the 13. of October an 5. H. 5. and taken the 19. of Ianuary following so that by this account the Procuration was sealed the 11. of November an 5. H. 5. and ought to have been placed in the Annals under that year Besides this the Registrum Chartaceum expresly saith That Sir William Philipp was Installed the same day with Sir Iohn Robessart and so it is also exprest in the Duke of Bedford's before mentioned Letter which Solemnity is there entred as held on the 17. of February and though the year be not set down and all the former part of this Register wanting yet in the course thereof it may be observed that the following year is the 7. of H. 5. Add to all this that the Black Book it self under that seventh year ranks both Sir Iohn Robessart and Sir William Philipp for Knights-Companions among the other Knights Installed before that year and notes them to be then
attending upon the Soveraign in Normandy whence it may be collected that Sir William Philipp was installed if not in the 5. yet in the 6. year of King Henry the Fifth at the farthest And that this Procuration made by Sir William Philipp became a President in that Age appears from the Deputation given by Sir Iohn Fastolf to Sir Henry Inghouse and Sir William Breton under his Hand and Seal of Arms which is little different from Sir Philipp's Procuration in French unless in the alteration of the Persons Names SECT III. Qualifications of a Proxie AS touching the Qualifications of a Proctor nominated by a Knight-Subject they are the same with those wherewith the Proxie of a Stranger is to be endowed and of which we shall discourse anon that permissive clause in the Statutes affording the same favour to a Knight-Subject as to Strangers and is the ground whence he derives like Priviledges We shall only add here that not any Deputy or Proxy for a Knight-Subject hath at any time been admitted to be Installed for an Elect-Knight under the degree of a Knight it being thought fit as in other essentials and circumstantials so especially and chiefly in this that a Knight-Subject should exactly observe the Rule which the Statutes have imposed on a Stranger And in this respect the case is very observable where Sir William Lysle though one of the Alms-Knights of Windesor yet in Degree a Knight was not refused but allowed Proctor to Sir Iohn Grey an 7. H. 5. It appears by the Characters given to the Proctors nominated by Sir William Philipp and Sir Iohn Fastolf that the Qualifications required in a Proctor viz. to be 1. a sufficient Proctor of 2. unblamable Reputation and at least 3. a Knight were to be found in them for when the Soveraign was induced by reason that the Employments of Sir Philipp's in his service detained him beyond Sea to give him leave to nominate his Proctor it may be observed that this License was not granted but under this Proviso That his Procuration should be executed by a Knight at least in degree ennobled with Arms and of an honest and untainted reputation And when the said Sir William did make choice of and depute his Proctors they were Knights and such and so nobly qualified That there was nothing wanting in them which belonged to true valiant Knights and the like Character is bestowed upon those two Knights nominated by Sir Iohn Fastolf to take the possession of his Stall to wit That in them there could be found no defect of ought that should belong to magnanimous and couragious Knights SECT IV. Preparations for Installation THE day for Installation of a Knight-Subject by Proxie being by the Soveraign appointed there are to be provided for him and got ready against the Solemnity these things following First a Commission for Installation is to be drawn up and by the Chancellor of the Order presented to the Soveraign for his Sign manual to which is after affixt the great Seal of the Order The substance of the ancient Commissions may be found in that directed to Sir Iohn Robessart an 5. H. 6. to accept of Sir Henry Inghouse one of the two Knights which Sir Iohn Fastolf had constituted for his Proxie himself being at that season employed in the Wars of France the powers granted by the Soveraign to the said Sir Iohn Robessart were these 1. To conduct Sir Henry Inghouse to Windesor Castle 2. To put him in possession as from the Soveraign of the Stall assigned to his Principal 3. To invest him with all the Benefits Honors Prerogatives Franchises and Liberties thereunto appertaining 4. To receive his Mantle Helm and Sword and set them up where the Earl of Westmerland's stood in whose room he was Elected 5. To ad thereunto all usual Solemnities 6. Lastly this Commission contained an Injuction to all the Knights-Companions to suffer and permit the said Sir Iohn Fastolf fully and peaceably to possess the said Stall Places Honors Franchises Prerogatives and Liberties in the same manner as the Statutes import without any contradiction or scruple There is another Precedent almost as ancient in a Commission granted to the Earl of Essex the Lords Berners and Wenlock for Installation of the Earl of Worcester and other Elect-Knights by their Proxies an 2. E. 4. in regard they for the present were and for some time would be so far employed about the Soveraign's Person and in his Service that they could not receive a Personal Installation but the Commissioners Authority in this is comprised in fewer particulars than the former namely to admit receive and establish with all convenient speed the Elect-Knights by their Proctors into their Stalls at Windesor in the same manner as if one and all of them had been present in their own persons any Ordinance or Statute to the contrary notwithstanding Of later times the Commissions granted upon such occasions differ from those made for the Personal Installations of the Knights themselves only be premising the cause of their Principals absence and the Employment or Negotiation he is then ingaged in and then authorising the Commissioners to admit the Proxie into his Stall a Precedent of which kind is added in the Appendix to the former In the next place where the Installation by Proxie is performed by two or more Commissioners the Soveraign directs Letters to each of them giving notice of the intended Solemnity and requiring them to make their repair to his Castle of Windesor by a certain day therein prefixt to the end the Proxie may proceed to take possession of his Principal 's Stall Of such a Letter see also a form in the Appendix And as there is upon admission of an Elect-Knight installed by Proxie the same ground for removal of Stalls in the Choire as for one who receives a Personal Installation and in like cases So is it usual to issue out the like Warrants from the Soveraign to Garter some time before the Solemnity to remove the Atchievements and Plates and place them in the order as his Warrant directs Anciently the Stall for the Elect-Knight was assigned in the body of the Commission which issueth out for his Installation as it appears in the before mentioned Commission for admitting Sir Henry Inghouse Proctor to Sir Iohn Fastols to whom the Stall which the Earl of Westmerland held while living was thereby appointed for him The rest of the particulars to be prepared against the day of Installation are provided at the Knight's own charge and they are first his Mantle of the Order which according to the injunction of the Statutes the Proctor is obliged to bring along with him to Windesor at the day appointed for Installation Garter is also to be consulted with as to the preparing the Elect-Knight's Atchievements namely his Helm Crest Mantlings Sword and Banner of Arms and to
with the former yet more clear and full than the Black-Book for it tells us that Mr. Newport was at the same time sent in the Legation with the Garter and Mantle to the King of Poland But to return we have not found that King Henry the Eighth or any of his Successors Soveraign's of the Order have made much use of that liberty granted by the foresaid Article of his Statutes for deferring the Significatory Letters of Election beyond the time appointed by the Statutes of Institution And that it may be the better observed how soon notice of Election hath been given to Strangers we will insert all the instances in this kind that have come to our knowledge It is recorded that the French King Francis the First was Elected Oct. 21. an 19. H. 8. and albeit we find not the exact time when the Soveraign's Letter for giving notice of his Election was sent him yet must that complement be most certainly dispatcht within the time limited by the ancient Statutes since we observe he was Installed within three months after viz. the 25. of Ianuary following When Iames the Fifth King of Scotland was Elected Ian. 20. an 26. â— 8. the Lord William Howard was forthwith sent to inform him of his â—lection Henry the Second of France before mentioned having been Elected the 24. of April an 5. E. 6. had Letters of signification sent him in May following Emanuel Duke of Savoy was chosen a Knight-Companion 6. Aug. an 1 2. Ph. M. and the same day it was Decreed That Letters should be sent unto him with the illustrious Garter and other Ensigns of the Order But hereby is to be understood the Soveraign's Credential Letters sent to accompany the Habit of the Order the Commission for delivery whereof bears teste the 17. of October following not the Letters signifying his Election for it appears clearly from the said Credentials that the Soveraign had not only before that time given him notice of his Election but that the Duke had returned a cheerful and ready acceptance of the honor The Election of Charles the Ninth of France passed the 24. of April an 6. Eliz and in May ensuing the Lord Hunsdon carried him the Habit of the Order which he received at Lyons the 24. of Iune following and the French King Henry the Fourth and Iames the Sixth King of Scotland afterwards Soveraign of this most Noble Order were both Elected together the 24. of April an 32. Eliz. to the former of these the Certificate of Election was sent by Sir Edward Stafford Knight and to the later by the Earl of Worcester Lastly Christian the Fourth King of Denmark Elected the 14. of Iune an 1. Iac. R. Maurice Prince of Orange chosen the 19. of December an 10. Iac. R. Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden and Henry Prince of Orange both Elected the 24. of April an 3. Car. 1. as also Charles Prince Palatine of the Rhyne chosen a Knight-Companion the 18. of April an 9. Car. 1. had Letters sent to signifie their Election within a few days after they were Elected And at such times as the present Soveraign made Election of any Stranger whilst he remained abroad care was also taken to send his Letters to acquaint them with their Election immediately after the Ceremony of Election had past SECT II. Of Notice given of an Election before sending the Habit. HEre it is to be observed with how much more caution than the former the Statutes made by King Henry the Eighth do Ordain to send Letters that signifie Election and the Book of Statutes only at the first but not the Garter and Mantle till a return be made whether the Stranger-Elect after consultation had with the Statutes will receive the Order or not And after the Certificate of Acceptance returned to the Soveraign then but not before is it there also Decreed to send a solemn Embassy with the whole Habit George and Collar And consonant to these directions in the Statutes hath the Practice sometimes been As for instance in the cases of the French King Henry the Second an 5. E. 6. and Emanuel Duke of Savoy an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. both remembred a little before as also in that of Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg to whom Queen Elizabeth sent Letters signifying his Election shortly after she had chosen him into the Society of the Order to which the Duke returned thanks and acceptation by two Ambassadors Benjamin a Buwinkhausen of Walmeroet one of his privy Councel and Cristopher ab Haugwitz Master of his Horse who received a promise from the Soveraign that the sending him the whole Habit of the Order should not be long deferr'd howbeit the same was not sent during her life SECT III. Notice of Election sent with the Habit. WHen the Soveraign hath been well assured beforehand that the Elect-Stranger would not refuse the Honor upon such confidence the same Embassy as anciently before the adding this Clause dispatcht both Ceremonies The Soveraign's Letter certifying Election being first presented together with the Book of Statutes to peruse and consider of and if upon consideration thereof the Stranger declared his acceptance then within few days after the whole Habit of the Order was with due Solemnity delivered And thus do we find it directed shortly after the Election of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland the Lord William Howard sent on that Embassy his Instructions as to this point being as followeth That he should within five or six days next after he had been with the said King of Scots for his first Embassade and resort to Court there and in most reverend fashion deliver unto the King of Scots the Letter Missive of Certification of his Election into the noble Order of the Garter from the Soveraign of the Order with due commendation from his Highness The Letter read and the said King consenting to the Reception of the said Order then incontinent the Book of Statutes to be delivered unto him and a day appointed to have his consentment on the Articles of the said Statutes In like manner were the Letters certifying Election and the Commission for presenting the Habit and Ensigns of the Order dispatcht together to Christian the Fourth King of Denmark an 1. Iac. R. and sent by the Earl of Rutland who went hence within a fortnight after the said King had been Elected As also to Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden and Henry Prince of Orange within two months their Election falling on the 24. of April an 3. Car. 1. and the date of the Commission for delivering the Order being on the 24. of Iune following The manner and order of the delivery of these Letters signifying Election when the Habit is sent therewith is thus First the Ambassador and Officer of Arms having notice given them of the first Audience do present
of the Election or not It seems the Duke of Burgundy returned no answer to this Letter and therefore at the next years Feast it came again to be considered of by the Duke of Gloucester the Soveraign's Deputy for that Feast also and the Knights-Companions present and upon further debate it was thought fit that there should be those persons sent over to him with the Nomination who should desire to receive his final answer And then it appears that the Duke of Burgundy well considering the Statutes of the Order and reflecting on the Quarrels between the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Brabant his Uncle made a most plaucible excuse refusing the Election least he should be forced either dishonorably to violate the pious Constitutions of the Order or the obligations of Alliance The substance of this Excuse was afterwards represented to the Soveraign's said Deputy and Knights-Companions in a Chapter held at Windesor an 2. H. 6. who considering the reason and manner thereof the long voidance of the Stall and the strictness of the Statutes in this case vacated the former Election and proceeded to a new one which brought Iohn Lord Talbot into the room and Stall of the said Lord Clifford This is the only instance of any Stranger who after Election refused his acceptance of the Order On the contrary how desirous and earnestly solicitous some others even of the highest rank have been of admittance into this illustrious Society may appear by these few Examples Alphonsus King of Naples and Duke of Calabria did with great importunity solicit his Election into this Order and was accordingly chosen an 7. H. 7. The Black-Book of the Order mentioning the Election and Installation of Philip King of Castile saith that he not only assented to what was offered namely the honor of admittance into the Order but with much gladness and infinite thanks accepted thereof A little before we are informed how gratefully the King of Denmark an 20. H. 7. accepted of his Election And in the memorial of the Soveraign's sending his Ambassadors with the Ensigns of the Order to the French King Francis the First it is noted that he received them with such a cheerfulness of mind as the Affair required Some few years before this King was Elected Ferdinand Brother to the Emperor Charles the Fifth was chosen into the Order of whom it is said That he took it for a very high honor to be made a Collegue of this most Noble Society and that he received the Order at Norimberg in Germany to his great contentment Maximilian his Son was presented with the Habit of the Order by Thomas Earl of Sussex who giving the Soveraign an account by Letter of his reception thereof affirms that he received the Honor gladly and with manifest satisfaction Such is also the expression of Frederick the Second King of Denmark in his Letters of Procuration to the Lord Willoughby That he received the Order with as much gratitude as if it had been presented to him by the Soveraign her self But that which Erhardus Celius reporteth of Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg is beyond all who being in England and seeing the magnificence of the Castle and Chappel of Windesor was induced by the sight of the illustrious Arms and Ensigns of Honor of so many great Princes and famous Personages of this most Noble Order to wish himself one of the renowned Society Being afterwards Elected he exprest his acknowledgments of the Honor done him not only by a solemn Embassy to Queen Elizabeth but also by the great Preparations he made the vast Expences he was at and his extraordinary munificence in Rewards at his Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order which indeed were such grand testimonies of his glad acceptation of this additional flower of Honor as nothing could more fully evidence it to the World To these we may add the re-iterated sollicitations made to the present Soveraign on the behalf of Frederick Guillaume Marquess of Brandenburgh and his great impatience till his Election was past though not easily nor suddenly obtained In fine how acceptable this Honor hath been to several other Kings and Princes and what esteem and value they have set upon it may be further seen in their several Certificates sent back to the Soveraign of this most Noble Order after their Investitures with the Habit and Ensigns thereof CHAP. XV. THE Investiture of Strangers WITH THE HABIT and ENSIGNS Of the ORDER SECT I. The Time for sending the Habit and Ensigns unlimited ALbeit the Statutes of the Order do appoint and prefix a time within which the Soveraign's Letters giving notice to a Stranger of his Election ought to be sent unto him as before is shewed yet as to the sending a solemn Embassy with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order they do not limit a certain time but leave that wholly to the Soveraign's pleasure wherein his conveniency and other Interests as also those of the Elect Stranger are to be consulted and considered But nevertheless the Statutes of Institution appoint and direct that this Legation shall be dispatcht with convenient speed which must needs be interpreted with such latitude as may refer both to the Soveraign's conveniency of sending and the Stranger 's capacity of receiving And therefore we find it six years after the Election of the Kings of Aragon and Poland and the Duke of Brunswick e're we meet with the first notice of the Soveraign's determination of sending over the Habit of the Order to them For they having been Elected the 4. of August an 28. H. 6. the preparations for the intended Legation were not made until the 34. year of the same King And doubtless some cause within the limits of that conveniency allowed to the Soveraign by the foresaid Article of the Statutes or the accident of miscarriage might fall out particularly in reference to the King of Poland if not of the other because three years after the former Order for Legation had past we find new directions issued for sending the Ensigns of the Order to him But in King Henry the Eighth's body of Statutes this Clause of sending the Legation with convenient expedition is wholly omitted and the Soveraign is now unlimitted as to the time by which liberty it hath come to pass that the Habit and Ensigns have been sent over sometimes soon after the Stranger 's Election at other times not till some years after and at all times when the Soveraign hath thought fit and convenient Thus was it four years after Frederick the Second King of Denmark had been Elected before Peregrine Lord Willoughby of Ersby together with Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter and Robert Glover Somerset Herald by Order of Chapter 24. Apr. an 24. Eliz. were sent over into Denmark to present him with the Habit of the Order Maximilian the Emperor was
to the French King Henry the Third he received a hundred Marks beforehand When any of the Heralds were sent in Garter's place the same allowances were made them as if Garter had gone in person for we find the sum of 30 s. a day allowed to Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald sent with the Earl of Carlisle to Charles King of Sweden whither he began his Journey the 5. of February an 21. Car. 2. As also to Tho. St. George Esq Somerset Herald sent with Sir Tho. Higgons to the Duke of Saxony upon the like Employment the 27. of February following As concerning the allowance to such Officer of Arms not joined in but appointed to attend any of these Legations it was as followeth If he were a Herald his allowance was the moyety of what was given to Garter to wit heretofore 5 s. per diem for his Dyet and the like sum for the Soveraign's Reward in toto 10 s. per diem And if a Pursuivant at Arms was sent on this Employment his allowance was half as much per diem as an Herald had Agreeable hereunto was the allowance given to Chester Herald and Rouge Dragon Pursuivants in the Embassy to the French King Henry the Second an 5. E. 6. and there called the old Rate So also to Somerset Herald in the Voyage to Frederick the Second King of Denmark and to the same Herald when he attended the Legation to the French King Henry the Third and likewise in that Embassy to Henry the Fourth of France Moreover the Herald or Pursuivant had also a proportionable part of their daily allowances advanced beforehand to fit them for their Journey like as Garter had as in the foresaid Legation to Henry the Third Somerset Herald an advance of an hundred Nobles Over and above the before mentioned allowances to Garter for Diet and the Soveraign's Reward he hath also an allowance for Postage both outward and homeward of himself and his Servants and Transportation of the Habit of the Order and other things necessary for the Voyage and of this because there can be no estimate made beforehand whereby to ascertain any allowance for the same it hath been usual to insert a Clause in the Soveraign's Warrants including the allowances for these things to be such as Garter upon his return should in a Bill of particulars subscribed with his hand signifie to the Treasurer and Chamberlains of the Exchequer to have been disbursed by him The Warrant to furnish Garter or the Herald with Post-horses from place to place is commonly had from the Lords of the Privy Council or Secretary of State as likewise for convenient Shipping for the Transportation of himself Servants Trunks and other necessaries when he passeth over Sea either before or after the Lord Ambassador and is not provided for in his Ship SECT III. The Ceremonies of Investiture THE Ceremonies observed at a Prince's Receipt of the whole Habit and Ensigns of the Order are highly solemn whether we consider the manner of Investiture performed by the Soveraign's Ambassadors or the Festivity and Triumphs added by the new Invested Stranger and therefore that nothing may hinder a full prospect into the state and magnificence of both we shall handle the same at large and give such instances thereof as may illustrate so great a Solemnity First then the Commissioners joined in the Legation after their arrival at the Elect-Stranger's Court and receiving notice of their first Audience are to present themselves in the accustomed manner of Ambassadors Garter or his Deputy going in breast with the chief in the Legation if there be only himself joined in the Commission with the Lord Ambassador and in that place is it remembred that William Segar Esq Norroy King of Arms sent in the place of Garter did proceed with the Earl of Rutland at their first audience before Christian the Fourth King of Denmark Being arrived neer the Elect-Stranger they present the Letters certifying Election or their Credential Letters from the Soveraign and after some short general Complement delivered from the Soveraign of the Order by the chief Ambassador in the Legation he further makes known how that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter have elected him into that most renowned Society for the reasons which are commonly laid down in the Preamble of their Commission and which he ought then to repeat further acquainting him that the Soveraign doth never Elect any Stranger into the said Society but such as he doth most highly honor and respect and therefore desires him that he would accept of it as a true testimony thereof to which end he adds that the Soveraign hath sent him over together with Garter Principal King of Arms or his Deputy to perform the Ceremony of Investiture And this is the substance of his address for the general representation of his Affair But more particularly in this first speech he is to prosecute the method and order laid down in his Instructions concerning which we have some light from those given to the Earl of Shrewsbury upon his Embassy with the whole Habit of the Order to the French King Henry the Fourth which were as followeth First you shall let the King understand that the King who was first Institutor of this Order did principally dedicate the same to Noble persons remarkable for extraordinary valour and command in martial Affairs and as both We and Our Predecessors have usually bestowed it upon personages of highest Estate and dearest unto Us so both these respects concurring in this Election of him as that Prince whose preservation we have ever held most dear and who liking personal valour and experience hath gotten to himself the greateâ— reputation by the same that ever any Prince hath done in Europe we have had no small desire long ere this time to possess him of this further pledge of our perfect amity being one of the greatest signs of honor wherewith we can honor any Prince and therefore do desire him to make no other judgment of the protraction of the same hitherto but that his own uncertainties of residence in regard of the continual actions of War wherein he is daily engaged hath given us cause to think it would have come unseasonably unto him when now that the Treaties and other Circumstances seem more fitting we assure our self that it shall be received with that sure measure of good will and kindness wherewith we offer it and as we take our self honored by such and so choice a Companion so can no Prince go before Vs in Our true and perfect obligation to the rights of all happiness in all his Fortunes After the formality of this first address is over and that the Stranger hath by his answer accepted of the Election and consented to the reception of the Order then doth the Ambassador immediately deliver to him the Book
was performed all together and before the Stranger proceeded to the Church The Stranger being thus Invested stayeth a while in the Room where he received this honor and either discourseth with the Ambassador or else is entertained by him with some short congratulatory Oration which Complement being ended he goeth to the Church in a solemn manner having the Train of his Mantle carried up The Proceeding to the Chappel after the Investiture of the French King Henry the Second Gentlemen of France and England Noblemen of France and England Knights of the Order of St. Michael in their Collars Commissioners of England where Sir Iohn Mason placed himself with Monsieur de Omable above the other Commissioners because he was the Soveraign's Ambassador Resident Chester Herald in the Soveraign's Coat of Arms. Marquess of Northampton and Constable of France Serjeâ—nts at Arms. Garter in the Soveraign's Coat of Arms. The French King in the Habit of the Order of the Garter Cardinal of Chattillion The Cardinal of Loraine His Train born by the Duke of Longueville as great Chamberlain of France At the entrance into the Church all in the Procession make three Reverences the first towards the high Altar the next towards the Soveraign's Stall and the third towards the new-invested Stranger 's Stall The Lord Ambassador proceedeth towards the Seat assigned for him and stands before it till the Stranger hath ascended his Stall and after that making his Reverences as before he takes his then Garter making the like Reverences sits down on a Chair placed for him before the Soveraign's Stall But the Herald at Arms ought to be often neer the Stranger or else the Lord Ambassador to inform them of the order of the Ceremony if there be occasion because Garter is obliged to attend the Soveraign's Royal Stall After a solemn Anthem sung Garter passeth into the middle of the Choire and by a Reverence first to the Invested Stranger and next to the Lord Ambassador gives them the Signal for descending They being both come down Garter passeth up before the Stranger to the high Altar where he makes his Offring of Gold and Silver being accompanied with the Lord Ambassador the Herald laying the Cushen whereon he kneels while he offers But in case a Knight-Companion of the Order be sent on this Legation then he proceeds first up to the Altar preceded by Garter and offers for the Soveraign which done he returns to his own Stall Next the Invested Stranger proceeds up preceded as before and offers and returns back to his own Stall afterwards the foresaid Knight-Companion proceeds up again and at this time offers for himself and in this order was the Offring made when the Emperor Maximilian was Invested at Vienna the 4. of Ianuary an 10. Eliz. At the Investiture of the French King Henry the Second there was a solemn Mass sung and at the Offring time Garter proceeded before the King to the Altar and Monsieur Dangennes the Duke of Vendosme's Brother presented to the King his Offring and when he was returned to his Stall the Constable of France proceeded up with Garter before him and offered and in like manner after him the Marquess of Northampton with Garter also before him made his Offring and returned to his Stall The new-invested Stranger having offered returns to his Stall and the Lord Ambassador with three Reverences takes his Seat the Organs or other Musick playing all the while As soon as the solemn Service is finished the Stranger descends again from his Stall and with the Proceeding before him returns in the same order he came to the Room where he received his Investiture And it is observable that the Emperor Maximilian out of compliance with the Protestant Religion caused on the day of his Investiture all Prayers to Saints Incensing and other matters and Ceremonies not used by the Church of England to be wholly omitted at the service in his Chappel At these great Solemnities the invested Strangers have heretofore held most magnificent Feasts but they of late are not so much in use And when Dinner was ready they proceeded thither in their whole Habit which they wore all Dinner while At the Investiture of Christian the Fourth King of Denmark an 1. Iac. the Soveraign's Stiles and Titles of honor were proclaimed thrice before they sat down to Dinner and the said Kings twice But when Maurice and Henry Princes of Orange received Investiture the Stiles were proclaimed immediately after they were Invested and in the same Room that Ceremony being performed to both in an Afternoon We have had the perusal of a fair Vellom Manuscript wherein there is very curiously limned the order and manner of Maximilian the First King of the Romans his sitting at Dinner on the day of his Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order together with Sir Charles Somerset and Sir Thomas Wriothesley sent on the Embassy to present him therewith As also the order observed of sitting at Dinner by Don Ferdinand Prince of Spain Arch-Duke of Austria on the like solemn occasions the Lord Morley and Sir William Hussey sitting on his right hand and Doctor Lee the said Sir Thomas Wriothesley on his left these four being joined in the Commission of Legation to him which two Draughts for Antiquity's sake we have copied thence and thought good here to exhibit The Manner of sitting at Dinner of Maximilian king of the Romans on the day of his Investiture The Manner of sitting at Dinner of Ferdinand Prince of Spanie on the day of his Investiture At the Feast made on the like occasion by the French King Henry the Second he admitted to his Table beside the Marquess of Northampton the principal person in the Legation the before mentioned Constable of France and all three sat in their full Robes of the Garter which they put not off till after Dinner The Cardinal of Loraine fate also at the Kings Table but it was on the other side When the Investiture hath been performed in the Afternoon then was the grand Dinner turned into a Supper and thus it fell out at the Investiture of Maximilian the Emperor and two of the French Kings namely Charles the Ninth and Henry the Third as also of Maurice Prince of Orange But when Henry Prince of Orange received the Ensigns of the Order there was no Feast at all but purposely omitted to prevent the difference which might have been occasioned by the precedency and place between Ambassâ—dors drinking of Healths and other Complements Only the next day the said Prince invited Garter to Dinner who sate on the same side with him yet at a convenient distance and on the other side of the Table were placed Count Lodowick of Nassau and Collonel Bogg a Scotchman Thus have we briefly touched at the most material particulars relating to the Investiture of Strangers of which Solemnity
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
United Provinces and by consequence his Realms and so thereby the whole Christian World his Majesty being altogether of opinion that the quiet of Christendom consisteth much in the happy state of these Provinces and that the condition of these Provinces what ever it be and that of those Realms have a mutual dependence one upon the other This is the motive and sole cause that hath induced his Majesty to confer upon you an Honor the greatest his Kingdoms can bestow of which behold these the Marks and Ensigns and with these words produced the Garter which your Excellency is to receive from us according to the commands of our King and those altogether free from any Ceremonies except such wherein you shall voluntarily and willingly consent to be engaged This Speech being ended Prince Maurice in brief gave thanks for the Honor offer'd him and then forthwith the Ambassador and Garter having made due obeysance tyed on the Garter about his Leg next Garter took out of the forementioned Purse the Golden Medal whereon was the Effigies of St. George with the subdued Dragon under his feet this Medal hanging upon a Blue Ribband Garter put about the Princes Neck after which he unfolded a Parchment wherein were contained the Titles of Prince Maurice in French which he read aloud The high mighty and excellent Prince Maurice Prince of Orange Earl of Nassau Catzenelleboge Viand Dietz Meurs Linge Marquess of Vere and Flushing Baron of Grave the Territory of Kuyke Lece and Nyervaert Governour and Captain General of Gelderland Holland Zealand Vtrecht West-Friesland Zutphen and Overyssell Admiral General of the United Provinces and Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter Assoon as he had made an end of reading these Titles presently all the Trumpets sounded and the Troops in order shot off their Pistols which Volly was seconded by the Trained-Bands after which the great Guns were discharged These things being thus performed and silence made Sir John Oldenbarnevelt Lord of Tempel making an Oration in the name of the States General reckoned up in brief the Leagues contracted heretofore at several times between the Provinces and the Kingdom of Great Britain and thereupon rendred humble thanks to the King for the continuance of them specially for that by this action he went about to manifest the same to all men for as much as that so remarkable Honor which his Majesty was conferring on those Provinces in the person of Prince Maurice their Governour and Commander both in War and Peace was an honor used to be shewn but only to the very choicest of his Friends but most principally of all for that he was pleased to confer this honor on Prince Maurice without enjoining any strict obligation upon the receipt of the Order Next he gave thanks to the Ambassadors for the diligence they had employed in this affair and lastly directing his speech to Prince Maurice he in the name of the States General congratulated his new honor assuring him on their behalf that they conceived very great joy and satisfaction and wisht him a very long and a happy enjoyment thereof to the glory of God and the enlargement of his Family and the conservation of the publick liberty of the United Provinces in which thing as hitherto they had done so for the time to come they would for ever afford him their best and most faithful assistance As soon as he had finished his Speech John Utenbogard Minister of the Hague as he had been ordered standing at the end of the Table made a very admirable and learned Sermon wherein he most devoutly praised God for what had hapned imploring him to bless Prince Maurice in his new obtained honor and to endue him with his Grace The Sermon ended the Trumpets sounded the Muskets also and great Guns were again discharged Then Prince Maurice accompanied by the Ambassadors and other Noble Persons returned in the same order as he came and then again the third time Vollies of great and small shot were discharged after which the Soldiers and Trained-Bands went every one to their own homes and quarters At Evening the pitcht Barels were set on fire and Bonfires kindled a magnificent entertainment also was given by Prince Maurice to the Ambassadors Princes and great Persons above mentioned at which while Healths were drunk to the King of France and Great Britain all the Guns were again discharged A Remonstrance made by Sir William Segar Knight Garter Principal King of Arms joined in Commission with the right honorable the Lord Carleton Ambassador to the high and mighty Prince Henry Prince of Orange for presenting him with the Noble Order of the Garter 1627. WE took our journey from Whitehall on a Thursday to Gravesend being the of April Anno Domini 1627. and lodged there that night On Friday morning we embarqued in two Merchants ships of London in the one went the Lord Ambassador Carleton Secretary of State of the Kings Majesty King Charles accompanied with the young Lord Dormer and divers other Gentlemen his Followers and Servants my self embarqued in the other Merchants Ship with my two Sons Mr. Henry Lennard my three Servants Trunks and other Provisions We set sail about 9 of the Clock and sailed all that day and night following and arrived on Saturday at Delf Haven in Holland about 6 of the Clock in the Evening where being landed we could have no lodging in the Town all was taken up for the Lodging of the Lord Ambassador and his Train and I forced to hire two Waggons for the transport of me and mine our Trunks and baggage to the Town of Delf whither we came about eleven of the Clock that night and lodged at the Sign of the Golden Fleece The next day being Monday the Ambassador coming by water to Delf was entertained and feasted at the English House by the English Merchants and that Afternoon was conveyed by Water in the Princes Barge to the Hague and by the way was met with by his Excellency and divers of the States who complemented his welcome My self followed his Lordship by Waggon and had my Lodging and Diet provided in the Chastelins House in the Hague where I was well entertained and accommodated The day following being Tuesday my self with my two Sons an Mr. Lennard went to kiss his Excellencies hands who very kindly entertained me and remembred he had seen me there before upon the like occassion with his Brother Maurice Prince of Orange so after our humble salutations we departed It was about nine or ten days before we could be resolved whether the Order should be accepted of or not for the French Ambassador there resident opposed it by all means possible that he could alledging it stood not with the French King his Masters honor considering the League between him the Prince and States that his Enemy the King of Great Britain should be so much favored and honored by the Prince as to have the Order of the Garter by him received
of Scaffolds in it filled with the principal persons of quality both of the Courtand City After my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George had saluted the King Mr. St. George placed the Robes c. on the Table and having made an obeysance first to the Soveraigns State then to the King of Sweden stood before his own Chair till the King and my Lord Ambassador were both of them seated they being seated Mr. St. George sate down on his Chair until the Trumpets and Kettle Drums ceased which had beat and sounded from their first entrance in the Room all being quiet Mr. St. George arose and making an obeysance first to the Soveraign's State and then to the King of Sweden stood by the Table then the Ambassador arising began his Speech to the King which ended his Secretary delivered a Copy of it in the Swedish tongue to the Ambassador who gave it to the Lord Stein Bielk who delivered it to a Secretary by whom it was read aloud whereunto a Reply was made by the same Senator in Swedish this Reply translated into English was given by the said Senator to the Ambassador and by him to his Secretary who read it in English Then did Mr. St. George deliver the Commission under the Seal of the Order to my Lord Ambassador who presented it to the King who having received it gave it to a Secretary by whom it was read aloud The Commission being read Mr. St. George devested the King of his Cloak Sword and Belt untying also the Silk Garter on his left leg and delivered the Book of the Statutes of the Order to the Ambassador who presented them to the King then was the Garter of the Order presented to his Majesty by Mr. St. George who at the delivery pronounced the accustomed words in Latin which ended my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George did both of them buckle it on the King of Sweden's left leg in like manner was presented the Surcoat the Girdle and Hangers with the Sword the Mantle the Hood the Collar and great George last of all the Cap and Feather His Majesty thus fully invested with the whole Habit of the Order continued standing under his State whilst Mr. St. George descending from the haut-pas towards the lower end of the Rails returned and having made three obeysances as he came up proclaimed the Stile of the Soveraign in Latin French and English and afterwards the Stile of the King of Sweden in French only This being done Mr. St. George returned and stood before his Seat whilst my Lord Ambassador complemented his Majesty in a short Speech in English which was afterwards read in Swedish by a Secretary and a Reply made by the afore named Senator Stien Bielk in Swedish read in English by my Lord Ambassador's Secretary After this another Senator viz. Baron John Gyllenstiern did in a long Harangue congratulate his Majesty's Election and Investiture into this most Noble Order which ended the King my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George took their Seats again whilst the Trumpets and Kettle Drums beat and sounded being the signal for the firing 124 great Guns from the Ships of War in the River and several parts of the City and of divers Vollies of small shot from Horse and Foot purposely drawn into the Town for this occasion after they had all fired the first time they gave a second Volley which being near ended my Lord Ambassador and Mr St. George arose and making their obeisances to the King who stood in his Robes under his State they withdrew and were conducted by the afore mentioned Senators Count Brabe and Count Steenbook to the same Room from whence the Robes of the Order had been brought where Mr. St. George put off his Mantle and after a little repose my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were in the same manner conducted home to my Lord Ambassador's House About eight of the Clock that Evening my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were again brought to Court in the King's Coach by Count Torstenson and the Master of the Ceremonies to Supper where in a fair Room under a state of Crimson Velvet sate the King covered and in the Robes of the Order on his left hand the Queen and on her left hand my Lord Ambassador all under the State at each end of the Table sate two of Regents and on the other side of the Table near each end sate two of the senior Senators and between them stood two Carvers At another Table in the same Room sate Mr. St. George with the other Senators and the Officers of the Army during Supper several Healths were drank as the Soveraign's the King of Sweden's the two Queens the Duke of York's the Companions of the Order c. at each of which were fired 4 great Guns 24 being purposely planted for that service under the Wall of the Castle Supper being ended my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George having waited on the King and Queen back again in the same manner they attended them to Supper about three of the Clock the next morning they were again conducted home by Count Torstenson and tâ—â— Mâ—ster of the Ceremonies in the King's Coach and as they descended from the Castle the 24 great Guns were all fired twice over Sunday the 1. of August my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were by Count Torstenson and the Master of the Ceremonies in the King's Coach brought to the Castle about 7 of the Clock in the Evening from whence they went with their Majesties in their Barge to see the Fireworks which had been preparing about three Months as English mile from Stockholme in honor of this Solemnity this divertisement continued about two hours and was concluded with a Banquet which ended they returned in the same manner being saluted both in their going and return with four Guns from each Ship of War in the River besides the Guns from the Fort At their landing Count Torstenson and the Master of the Ceremonies were ready to conduct my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George home in the same manner as they came Thursday the 19. of August Mr. St. George received his Majesty of Sweden's Letter to the Soveraign and a Certificate of his Majesties Reception of the said Order both signed by the Queen and the Regents Sunday the 22. of August Mr. St. George took his leave of the King and Queen being attended by the under Master of the Ceremonies Thursday the 2. of September Mr. St. George was presented by the under Master of the Ceremonies with a Chain of Gold and a Meddal set with Diamonds from his Majesty Saturday the 4. of September Mr. St. George began his Iourney from Stockholme to the Sound by Land and came to Elsineur the 12. of the said Month the 29. he took shipping for England and landed at Hull the 20. of October the 27. he came to London and was the next day by the Earl of Carlisle who was newly returned brought to
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
Duke Ferdinand Arch-Duke of Austria George de Halwyn Baron of Gomyns An. 16. H. 8. Dukes Peter Duke of Conimbero Iohn Lord Typtost An. 6. H. 6. Dukes Guido Vbaldus Duke of Vrbin Sir Balthasar de Castilian Knight An. 22. H. 7. Dukes Emanuel Duke of Savoy Iohan Thomas Langusts des Contes de Stropiane An. 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Dukes Adolph Duke of Holstein Walter Devereux Viscount Hereford An. 3. Eliz. Dukes Henry Prince of Orange Dudley Carleton Viscount Dorchester An. 4. Car. 1. Dukes Iohn George Duke of Saxony Heneage Finch Earl of Winchelsey An. 23. Car. 2. Earls Anne Montmorency Earl of Beaumont Sir Amye de Courteney Knight Sier de Villert An. 25. H. 8. Earls Philip Chabot Earl of Newblank Sir Iames Deschateners Knight Sier de Beaulion An. 25. H. 8. Thirdly it is provided that he be a Knight and without any manner of Reproach and if it so happen that he have not received the degree of Knighthood the Soveraign is to bestow that honor before he be allowed to take upon him the execution of his deputative power for none but Knights are capable of this Honor or permitted to bear the Ensigns of so great an Order Hereupon the Lord Willoughby of Ersbie Proctor for Frederick the Second King of Denmark and Sir Philip Sidney for Iohn Count Palatine of the Rhyne were both Knighted by the Soveraign at Windesor Castle the morning before they proceeded to take possession of their Principals Stalls Notwithstanding there was a reason why this particular was not strictly stood upon though moved in the case and it is the single case of Henry Ramell Deputy for Christian the Fourth King of Denmark an 3. Iac. R. for it being taken notice of that he was not a Knight certain persons were sent from the Soveraign to signifie his pleasure that he should be advanced to the honor of Knighthood before he took upon him the Ensigns of the Order in his Kings behalf to which he made answer that he appeared here not in his own but in the name of the King of Denmark and that such a Degree of honor was unusual in his own Country being born in Pomerania and therefore humbly desired that he might be excused for receiving the honor Upon which answer the Soveraign was pleased to dispence with him and forthwith the said Deputy but no Knight received the Ornaments of the Order and was admitted to take the Stall assigned to the said King his Principal SECT III. His Letters of Procuration THE authority wherewith an Elect-Stranger invests his Proxie is chiefly deduceable from the words in his Letters of Procuration or Deputation which ought to pass under the Hand and Seal of his Principal and do generally contain these particulars First he premiseth the Soveraign's Election of him into the Order of the Garter and his Receipt of the Habit and Ensigns thereof then takes notice of the obligation which the Statutes of the Order put upon him for sending a Proxie to take possession of his Stall in regard the dignity whereunto he is advanced in his own Country will not permit him to repair personally to Windesor and being not only desirous that the Election and Investiture should obtain its due effect but to fulfil as far as in him lies the Injunctions of the Statutes in what concerns the assuming of his Stall and taking the Oath appointed He therefore ordains authorises and deputes a person fitly qualified named in the Deputation his sufficient Proctor and special Deputy to appear at the Castle of Windesor on his behalf and in his Name at the next Solemnity that should be held there to supply his room and receive possession of the Stall assigned him according to the usual form and to perform in all respects those Ceremonies and things in his behalf due and accustomed or should appear to belong any way to the splendor or ornament of the Order As also to take the accustomed Oath with those qualifications and in that form as had been or should be agreed upon and further to fulfill all other things which he should think necessary to be performed on this occasion or whatsoever thing might require a more special command than was contained in the Letters of Procuration and as fully as the Stranger should be obliged unto and would do if he were there present in his own person Lastly there is usually added a Clause of Ratification and Confirmation of all such things as the Proctor should say or do in reference to the Solemnity of Installation SECT IV. Of the Proctor's Reception SOon after the arrival of the Proxie and that the Soveraign is acquainted with the occasion of his coming he at some convenient time giveth him Audience after which a day for Installation is assigned where the Soveraign or his Lieutenant are present the Soveraign nominates some of the Knights-Companions his Commissioners to perform the Ceremonies Heretofore the Soveraign hath caused the Proctor to be received with very great state for so was Sir Balthasar Castilian sent hither from the Duke of Vrbin an 22. H. 7. whom Sir Thomas Brandon with a goodly company of his own Servants well horst met at the Sea side and thence continually kept company with him till they came neer Deptsord in Kent where by the Soveraign's command he was met by Sir Thomas Dokara Lord of St. Iohns and Sir Thomas Wriothesley Garter The said Sir Thomas Dokara had attending him 30 of his Servants all in new Liveries well horsed every Gentleman bearing a Javelin in his hand and every Yeoman a Bow and a Sheaf of Arrows and so they conveyed him to his Lodging The next day they conducted him to London and by the way there met him divers Italians and Paulus de Gygeles the Popes Vice-Collector to whose house he was conveyed and there lodged The Reception also of Iames Lord Rambouillet Proctor for the French King Charles the Ninth was very noble to whom as soon as the Soveraign heard of his arrival at Gravesend being Tuesday the â—8 of Ianuary an 8. Eliz. she sent thither Arthur Lord Grey of Wilton Mr. Midlemore and other Gentlemen who the next day landed him at the Tower-Wharf where all taking Horse they conducted him to his Lodgings neer St. Maries Spittle without Bishops-Gate within which place lay the Ambassador Leiger of France SECT V. The Preparations for Installation THE Preparations for the Installation of a Stranger by Proxie are the same as for the Proxie of a Knight-Subject and mentioned as before namely the 1. Commission for Installation 2. Letters of notice to the Commissioners 3. Warrants for removal of Stalls 4. for the Strangers Atchievements and 5. some other particulars of less note All which are to be obtained by the Chancellor of the Order under the Soveraign's Sign Manual to which the Signet of the Order is to be affixt The form of the Commission is
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
THat at his first entry into this Office the Black-Book wherein the chiefest Record's of the Order are being in the custody of Sir William Segar then Garter he was forced to receive from him the Instructions which concerned his place And whereas at the Installation of any Knight the said Sir William Segar did use to make a Bill of such Fees as were to be paid wherein of later years he would set down for the Register but half as much as for himself upon whose athority the Register for a while rested and knowing no other had no more Copies of which Bills are privately transmitted from one Lords Officer to another But since the Black-Book was by the honorable Chapter remanded to the Registers custody upon survey of the Records and view of the Statutes in the Book by him latey exhibited to your Soveraign Majesty the rule for the Registers Fee in more express Text than for any Officer else appears That as oft as any Knight chosen into the Order is installed the Register shall have of him thirteen shillings and four pence and a Robe Statut. de Officialibus Ordinis cap. 6. He therefore most humbly beseecheth on the behalf of his place that according to every Lords Oath not wittingly to break the content of any Statute this Statute may be without question observed and the Robe be allowed him and that Sir John Burrowes noâ— Garter may have order to reform this Error with such of the Companions or their Officers as have not yet paid the Register an Installation Fee But in case that any Lord shall rather chuse to compound with the Register for the said Robe That it may now please your sacred Majesty for the avoiding of all exception to the said Register to set down a proportion meet to be demanded for the same by him who both in the order of his place is before Mr. Garter and in the proportion of his Annual Fee from your Soveraign Majesty above him At the Court at Greenewich the 6. of May 1634. It is his Majesty's pleasure that all Fees due to the Officers of the Order by the Institution shall be precisely paid and that this particular of the Register shall be satisfied according to the words of the Institution and not according to the custom lately used of which Mr. Garter is to give notice as there shall be occasion Fr. Crane Cane But it seems that nothing was done in his time upon the Soveraign's Answer to this Petition besides its entry into the Red-Book and thereupon afterwards when his Brother Doctor Christopher Wren had succeeded him in the Register's place and the Robe assigned him out of the Soveraign's Wardrobe at his entrance into his Office being of the value of 28 l. 1 s. 0 d. according to this valuation of his Robe a like value was proposed by way of Composition upon the Knights-Companions Batchellors the lowest Degree among the Knights of the Order to be paid him in lieu of the said Robe supposing they could not give him less and from hence was raised the proportions for each several Degree of honor upon those who should be admitted into this most Noble Order thus  s. d.  l. s. d. Imprimis for a Knight-Batchellor 13 04 and 28 00 00 Item for a Baron 13 04 and 30 00 00 Item for a Viscount 13 04 and 32 00 00 Item for a Earl 13 04 and 34 00 00 Item for a Marquess 13 04 and 36 00 00 Item for a Duke 13 04 and â—8 00 00 Item for a Prince 13 04 and 40 00 00 Afterwards taking occasion from the Instalment of the present Soveraign then Prince an 14. Car. 1. the Dean desired the Deputy-Chancellor to know the Soveraign's pleasure once again and to represent that the Registers Fees were anciently 13 s. 4 d. in money and the Robe in kind and seeing that the Soveraign was pleased to allow encrease of Fees to the other Officers of the Order particularly to Garter King of Arms 40 l. at the Installation of the said Prince and every other Officer in proportion and that it stood both with the honor of the Prince to give as honorable a Fee as any Prince Stranger at his Installation and also with the Dignity of the Registers place to expect no less than others that were not above him in rank that it would therefore please the Soveraign to think the Register worthy to make the like Plea Thus much the Deputy-Chancellor represented to the Soveraign at Greenewich sometime after the Prince's Installation and thereupon the Soveraign was graciously pleased to think it most reasonable on the Register's behalf and Ordered that at every Installation of a Prince the Register should receive for his Fee 13 s. 4 d. and 40 l. in lieu of his Robe and that Prince Charles then newly installed should pay him the said sums which was accordingly done and the same were since setled on this Officer by the Establishment of Installation Fees made an 22. Car. 2. to be thenceforth paid not only by the Prince of Wales but for the Installation of a a Stranger-King whereto is added for a Stranger-Prince 38 l. 13 s. 4 d. But those thereby made due from Knights-Subjects of other Degrees are the same as were proposed by Doctor Christopher Wren mentioned a little above Next to the Register doth Garter claim both Droits and Fees for his service and attendance at this Solemnity who in reference to its preparations and employment at the time hath a greater share of business than any other Officer of the Order As to the first of these it was Ordained by the Constitutions of his Office That as often as any Knight should happen to be Installed he might challenge for himself the Garments worn by him immediately before his Investiture with the Surcoat of the Order And the constant practice hath interpreted this to be the Knight's upper Garment anciently a short Gown of later times a Cloak but now a Coat which he puts off in the Chapter-house when the Investiture begins When Garter had received the Gown of Philip King of Castile immediately before his Investiture with the Robes of the Order an 22. H. 7. he came before the Soveraign and humbly besought him to give thanks to the King who for his sake had bestowed it on him which the Soveraign accordingly did Heretofore when Garter had received the Knight's Gown he immediately put it on and wore it during the whole Ceremony of Installation and therefore the Gown of Henry Duke of York second Son to King Henry the Seventh though he was very young when installed was made large enough for Garter's use But because this short Gown hath been so long out of fashion as to be well nigh forgotten we shall therefore mention several of the kind wherein their description will appear remarkable enough both for their materials and the then fashionable Trimmings King
Church phrase the Nativity of his Patron so as to the place wherein to perform its Solemnities he made choice of that of his own Nativity the Castle of Windesor and appointed the observation of this Grand Festival in a solemn manner and with due Ceremonies to be celebrated there which for a long time after was inviolably observed either upon the very day by the Church made sacred to St. George or else upon some other appointed by Prorogation not long after for which way of Prorogation allowance was given by the Statutes of the Order and of which the Registers are full of instances SECT V. St. George's day kept apart from the Grand Feast and how then observed HOW this Noble Order spread its roots and flourished from its first plantation to the time of King Henry the Fifth we can give no account since the Annals thereof are wanting unto his Reign certain it is that then it was of a considerable growth but afterwards the Civil Wars towards the end of King Henry the Sixth's Reign caused it to stand at a stay Under the benevolent aspect of King Edward the Fourth it seemed to recover and whilst King Henry the Eighth reigned to have attained a greater height than at any time before But though the several Branches of the Order received some augmentation from the favourable influence of this last mentioned Soveraign yet the principal to wit the Grand Festival began to flag by a removal of the observation of St. George's day from Windesor the place particularly appointed for it and a prorogatory celebration of the Grand Feast to other times By which means the honor of that princely Seat and the advantages accrewing by the performance of the Solemnities there were diverted to those other places whereto the observation of St. George's day was translated The Article of the Statutes causing this great alteration and which clashed so much with the design of the first Institutor may be seen in the Appendix where it is manifest that when the Soveraign saw occasion to prorogue the celebration of the Grand Feast he might legally do it but when he did so 't is there also evident that the day of St. George was nevertheless ordained to be duly observed singly by it self in what place soever the Soveraign if within this Realm should then reside Windesor hereby being not excluded It further implies the sacred Rites and Offices to be performed with sundry other concerns of the Order for besides the particulars therein innumerated we may observe thence this general clause that what other urgent Affair soever relating to the Order should offer it self to be performed the same might be treated of and receive dispatches in the Chapter held where the Soveraign then should be as fully as if he were at Windesor Castle So that hence forward all things began to be ordered both on the Eve the Day of St. George and the Morrow after with full as great state all Affairs as legally dispatched and all Ceremonies as magnificently performed except that of Offring up of Atchievements which is peculiar and local to the Chappel of St. George in Windesor Castle as could be observed at the Grand Festival it self And how by virtue of this Article and with that Ceremonies St. George's day was held when the Grand Feast was prorogued to some further time is evident from a full and ample Precedent an 22. H. 8. now remaining in the Office of Arms. For albeit the Soveraign with thirteen Knights-Companions were at Windesor upon the 22.23 and 24. of April that year yet did they at that time observe only the Feast day of St. George with the Eve and Morrow after but deferred by Order in Chapter the celebration of the Grand Feast unto the 8. day of May ensuing the Memorial whereof follows The King went not to the Chapter before the first Evensong but immediately to his Stall viz. in the Chappel of the Soveraign's Lodgings in the Upper Ward of the Castle of Windesor not in the Chappel Royal of St. George The Bishop of London Lord Cutberde Tunstall elect of Duresme did the Divine Service and at Magnificat he and the Dean first censed the Altar and after the King both the high Altar and the Altar which was made before the King were richly garnished with Images and over garnishments of Gold and Silver and Gilt c. The Evensong the King returned to his and his Grace and the Knights of the Order were served of the void c. And on the Morn at 9. of the Clock to be at Matyns which was done above the Ordinary the King ordained in the honor of St. George a right noble Procession whereat was 35 Copes of rich Cloth of Gold after the Procession the King went immediately to his Stall and High Mass and offered as accustomed That done Dinner and 4 of the greatest Estates sat at the kings boards end And the residue sat all along at the two Tables all on the one side as accustomed and before Evensong the King went to his Closet to the Chapter and appointed the Duke of Suffolk to be his Lieutenant at the Feast which was appointed to be kept the eight day of May then ensuing accompanied with the Earl of Rutland the Lord Sandys Lord Chamberlain Sir William Fitz Williams Memoramdum That the low Evensongs that were said before the King were of St. George Also the first low Mass in the morning song by the Lord George Grey of Dorset two oder Masses of the day of the which Lord John Longland Bishop of Lincolne sang the third Mass the fourth low Mass was of Recordare and was appointed that the high Mass done the Mass of Requiem should begin Thus here we have 1. The attendance of the Knights-Companions upon the Soveraign 2. the Chapter which accustomably was held on the Eve of the Feast implied by observing that the Soveraign went not unto it 3. The Ceremonies at the first Vespers 4. The Morning Service on St. George's day 5. The Grand Procession 6. The Solemn Offring 7. The Grand Dinner 8. The Chapter held before the second Vespers 9. The day for celebrating the Grand Festival appointed And 10. The Mass of Requiem on the morrow after St. George's day celebrated SECT VI. The Grand Feast neglected by King Edward the Sixth BUT King Edward the Sixth assuming the Soveraignty of this Noble Order the days became more gloomy in as much as during his Reign there was no Anniversary of St. George kept at Windesor by a Grand Festival Under what churliâ—h Fate this noble place then suffered we cannot guess other than the common calamity of that Age wherein most Ceremonies solemn or splendid either chiefly such as related to Divine Services came under the suspicion of being superstitious if not idolatrous Insomuch as at a Chapter held at Greenewich upon the 22. day of April in the second year of his Reign an abolition being intended of all
Scotland taking notice that the day of the Celebration of the Feast of St. George approched and his Affairs hindring him from the observation of the just day because he could not be so soon present at any of his Houses of Residence where the same was meet to be kept he therefore thought good to defer the Celebration thereof for a time until he could conveniently honor the same with his own presence To that purpose by Commission dated the 5. of April in the first year of his Reign he appointed Charles Earl of Nottingham his Lieutenant for the Proroguing thereof unto the 3. day of Iuly next ensuing Declaring also that on that day he intended to keep the said Feast and Ceremonies personally at Windesor This Commission being read upon the Knights-Companions assembling at Whitehall on St. George's Eve following they forthwith proceeded to Vespers which being finished all the Knights-Companions present went up to the Closet and there Decreed That the foresaid Festival should be celebrated upon the day which the Soveraign had appointed And the Soveraign arriving at Windesor the 25. day of Iune following shortly after constituted the said Earl of Nottingham his Lieutenant by Commission bearing date the second day of Iuly following thereby impowering him to perform the Ceremonies of the Feast which it seems himself could not personally observe as was intended though then in the Castle on the 2.3 and 4. days of the said Month upon which days it was with all pomp and state solemnized And thus after a long interval did the honor of the Feast then return which had this effect towards the end of the same Soveraign's Reign and in that of his Son and Successor King Charles the First that it begat a re-union of the Feast and Place whereby that ancient Fabrick famous for the Institution of this most Noble Order retrived the honor of having its Solemnities celebrated within its Walls SECT VIII Of Prorogation of the Grand Feast HAving thus noted that from the beginning of King Henry the Eight's Reign until of late years the Grand Feast was seldom observed upon the precise day of St. George and that the occasion how both day and Feast came to be celebrated apart took its rise from the indulgence of the Statutes in point of Prorogation we shall further observe that this Prorogation is of two sorts either absolute as being enjoined by the Statutes of the Order or else arbitrary at the Soveraign's pleasure when for some reason he saw just occasion therefore To the first of these it is said If the Feast day of St. George shall happen within 15 days next after Easter day it shall be prorogued to the Sunday fortnight or 15. day next after Easter day and the reason of this is there set down viz. That every of the Knights-Companions might have the opportunity of coming thereunto without being constrained to ride upon any of those three holy days immediately following Easter day The same rule for Prorogation where there is a concurrence of these two Feasts is likewise enjoined in the Statutes of King Henry the Fifth and King Henry the Eighth And we observe that when the Grand Feast in this case of Easter hath been kept before the expiration of the said 15 days the Knights-Companions then absent to avoid the penances incurr'd for their non-attendance have laid hold of this following excuse That the ancient Statutes of the Order were violated in keeping the Feast within fifteen days after Easter and this was so alledged when Sir Iohn Denham then also Lord Treasurer held as President the Feast of St. George at Windesor the 24. of April an 8. H. 7. Anciently where the Register mentions the Grand Feast to be held at Windesor beyond the day of St. George we find upon Calculation that Easter day in those years fell too near the 23. of April to celebrate the Festival on without breaking the Law which was the real cause of those Prorogations As for instance in the 13. 24. and 35. of King Henry the Sixth when Easter day fell upon the 17. of April and consequently St. George's day within the following week In like manner in the 29. and 32. of the said King's Reign Easter day hapned yet neerer to St. George's day in the one upon the 25. and in the other upon the 21. of April And in all of these cases care was taken to Prorogue the celebration of the Grand Feast until some further day in the Month of May immediately following as from the before cited places doth appear Again an 11. H. 8. Quia festa dies Divi Georgii Paschatis in vigilia contigit because the Feast day of St. George hapned upon Easter Eve therefore the Soveraign summoned a Chapter to be held upon the Thursday before Easter day at Richmond where it was then held and although there is nothing spoken as to the Prorogation of the Feast or when it was to be celebrated yet doubtless something there was to this purpose then enacted in pursuance of the foresaid Statute else why should it there be noted with the word quia if it were not out of respect to the Feast of Easter and that thereupon the said Chapter was then called To this place may be referred a Commission of Lieutenancy made to Thomas Earl of Arundel for holding the Grand Feast at Windesor upon the 24. of May an 21. H. 7. the Soveraign keeping the day of St. George that year at Cambridge the Prorogation being grounded upon the falling of St. George's day within the excepted 15 days of Easter as appears by the then Soveraign's Letters of notice to the said Lieutenant which for the antiquity thereof as that it is a testimony of the punctual observance of the Statutes we have inserted in the Appendix And as the Knights-Companions had prohibitions put upon the solemnization of their Feast in case of its interfering with Easter so had the Church of England in their observation of the day of St. George For by the Ordinall of the Church of Salisbury published an 1508. it appears to have been the usage of that Church that when the Feast day of St. George fell upon Easter day or Easter Eve the celebration thereof was then deferred to the 9. day or some other day of May as the case required in their Ecclesiastical Discipline And our learned Selden observes it noted in the end of an old Manuscript Ordinal of the Province of York That when St. George's day hapned to fall upon Easter Eve the celebration was anticipated and cast into the 8. or 9. day preceding or into the 16. or 17. days of April Hereunto may we subjoin that in the Solemnities of the Order there hath sometimes been an omission in part or in all of the Service and Office appointed by the Church to be used upon the day of St. George when it
Soveraign of the Order was at the charge notwithstanding the said Order an 3. E. 6. which heretofore we see was paid out of the Treasury in the Exchequer and since the establishment of 1200. l. per an setled by the late Soveraign King Charles the First to discharge the ordinary and extraordinary expences of the Order the allowance issued thence and was paid by the Chancellor of the Order But now the charge is placed upon Garter he having an allowance therefore included in the augmentation of his Pension an 15. Car. 2. We find Privy-Seals to have issued as high as the 15. of Queen Elizabeth for the annual allowance of 7 l. Scutcheons employed for the use aforesaid and that the price sometime before was much about that rate for the three and twenty Scutcheons provided against St. George's Feast an 1 2. Ph. Mar. came to 6 l. 1 s. 8 d. and those five and twenty set up the following year to 6 l. 11 s. 8. d. some difference then also being in the work which inhanced the price viz. those provided for Princes at 6 s. 8 d. a piece and each of the rest at 5. s. The Soveraign the Prince of Wales and Stranger Kings and Princes have accustomably had at these times Majesty Scutcheons set up over each of their Stalls but the rest of the Knights-Companions Lodging Scutcheons only and we have seen an account of four Majesty Scutcheons prepared for every St. George's Feast from 1613. to 1619. to wit one for the Soveraign another for the King of Denmark a third for the Prince of Wales and a fourth for Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne at 6 s. 8 d. a piece but so many Knights-Companions as attended the Soveraign at those Feasts had each a Lodging Scutcheon at 2 s. 6 d. From the marshalling of Arms quartered in the Knights-Companions Scutcheons and ordering their Stiles printed always in French there are several things no less useful than worthy observation for First though the Plates of Arms and Quarterings fixed in each Knights-Companions Stall at Windesor continue there without alteration or very seldom changed from that order wherein they were marshalled at the time of their Installation yet these Scutcheons and Stiles annually set up do admit of frequent alteration as there is occasion either by adding more Quarterings altering the Stiles or amending any thing that is amiss For instance Whereas the Duke of Savoy before 5. Eliz. bore Gules a Cross Argent it was then altered into 5 Coats that is to say in the first quarter Westpahliâ— Saxe moderne and Angrie in the second Chablais in the third Aouste the fourth as the first and over all in the middle the foresaid Scutcheon of Savoy When the Lord Hunsdon was installed an 3. Eliz. he had 12 Coats of Arms thus marshalled in his Plate 4 4 and 4 the first Carey the second Spencer the third Somerset the fourth Bullen the fifth Ormond the sixth Hoo the seventh Rochford the eighth Seyntomer the ninth Malmains the tenth Wichingham the eleventh St. Leger and the twelfth Hangford But an 7. Eliz. his Scutcheon received an addition of four other Coats viz. Beauchamp Warwick Berkley and Gerard and these were inserted next to Somerset the third Coat in his said Plate But on the contrary where Ambrose Earl of Warwick had 21 Coats put into his Plate an 5. Eliz. and they marshalled in this order 5.5.5 and 6. namely 1. Sutton 2. Paganell 3. Grey of Ruthin 4. Hastings 5. Quincy 6. Malpas 7. Somery 8. Valence 9. Talbott 10. Warwick 11. Beauchamp 12. Berkley 13. Lisle 14. Gerard. 15. Guilford 16. Houlden 17. West 18. and 19. quarterly de la Ware and Cantilupe 20. Mortimere of Wigmore and 21. Greely at the Feast of St. George held at Whitehall an 9. Eliz. his Scutcheon contained but 16. viz. 4.4.4 and 4. namely 1. Sutton 2. Paganell 3. Somery 4. Malpas 5. Grey of Ruthin 6. Hastings 7. Valence 8. Ferrers 9. Quincy 10. Chester 11. Talbot 12 Beauchamp 13. Warwick 14. Berkley 15. Gerard. and 16. Lisle So that here was seven Coats taken out of the former namely Guilford Holden West de la Ware and Cantilupe quarterly Mortimere and Greely and two added viz. Ferrars and Chester But the greatest and most frequent variations are in the Stiles and Titles of Honor set under the Scutcheons and these relate unto and are occasioned principally from their attaining or resigning of Offices or Dignities We find that the Stile set under the Scutcheon of Ferdinand the Emperor at St. George's Feast an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. was as followeth Du tres-hault tres-excellent tres-puissant Prince Ferdinand par la grace de Dieu Roy des Romaines de Hungarie Bohemie Archiduc d' Austrie Duc de Bourgoigne c. Chevalier du tresnoble Ordre de la Iarretiere But an 5. Eliz. in the said Emperors Stile the Titles of King of Hungary and Bohemia were left out because Maximilian his Son had a little before obtained and at that time enjoyed both those Kingdoms In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth the Stiles of Philip King of Spain who while Queen Mary lived was Co Soveraign of this most Noble Order run thus Du tres-hault tres-excellent tres-puissant Prince Philip par la grace de Dieu Roy d' Espaigne des Deux Cicels Ierusalem Arch-Duc d' Austriae Duc de Bourgoigne Millan Brabant Comte de Hapsburge Flanders and Tyroll Chevalier du tres-noble Order de la Iarretiere But at the Feasts of St. George an 28.29 and 30. Eliz. the Title of Catholick Prince was also given him viz. Du tres-hault tres-excellent tres-puissant Catholique Prince Philip c. And till an 26. Eliz. we observe the Title des Deux Cicils were continued to him but an 28. Eliz. and so forward the word Deux was omitted nevertheless an 36. Eliz. that word is again added but withall we find this marginal note entred over against the said Stile This was forbidden to be set up at Greenwich the 22. of April an 1594. If we proceed with a few instances relating to Knights-Subjects we shall find that among them there hath hapned the most frequent alterations and almost every year some additions or omissions In the Duke of Norfolk's Stile an 3. Eliz. the Lieutenantship of the North was omitted In the Earl of Rutlands at the same Feast President of the Council in the North was added The Marquess of Winchester an â— Eliz. caused the Title of Bâ—ron of St. Iohn to be omitted because his eldest Son then bore that honor In like manner was the Title of Lord Strange left out of the Earl of Derby's Stile an 4. Eliz. in regard his Son was then so called and a Baron of Parliament As to these and such like particulars a multitude of Examples might be cited but let these suffice
the Chapter-house either through negligence or want of timely notice or other accident the Penance set on them by the Statutes of Institution is That they shall so far incur punishment from the Soveraign and Chapter for their offence as not to be permitted for that time to enter into the Chapter but shall tarry without at the door and not have voice in any thing that shall happen to be done there unless they can alledge a just excuse or render such a sufficient cause as the Soveraign or his Deputy shall approve of But we have observed few Defaulters in this kind beside the Lord Bourchier an 35. H. 6. who being noted to come thither before Vespers it seems to imply that his appearance was short of the Hour enjoyned as aforesaid Concerning the third sort of Delinquents being those Knights-Companions who are not only absent at the Hour of Tierce but likely to be so during the whole Feast the Proceedings in the Chapter relating to them are either upon what is presented and offered in excuse of their absence or determined upon their neglect or default of making Apology for it Where Excuses for absence are offered they are either by Letters or word of mouth if by Letters then are they sent either from the absent Knights themselves and directed to the Chancellor of the Order or else from the Soveraign to his Lieutenant on their behalf and both produced by the Chancellor But it Excuses be made by word of mouth then they are delivered either by the Soveraign himself or upon motion made by some of the Knights-Companions present in Chapter In order to the first of these ways of presenting the absent Knights-Companions excuses we find the Custom of sending Letters to that purpose to have been very ancient For at the Grand Feast held at Windesor by Humfry Duke of Gloucester the Soveraign's Deputy an 8. H. 5. it appears that the Lord Powis his Letter under his Hand and Seal wherein he certified his present infirmity and indisposition of Body was produced in Chapter And the following year the Dukes of York Norfolk and Buckingham with the Earls of Salisbury Shrewsbury and Penbroke Viscount Bourchier the Lord Rivers and Sir Iohn Fastolf being all absent from St. George's Feast they declared the reason of their absence by their Messenger So an 5. E. 4. we find that the Lord Beauchamp sent his Excusatory Letters which were received Again an 19. of the same King it is noted That all that were absent from this Solemnity excused their absence by Letters to that purpose signed and sealed with their Arms. And this hath been the use in following times whereunto several Memorials entred in the late Soveraign's Reign concur and among others that an 13. Car. 1. when on the Eve of the Grand Feast held by Prorogation upon the 17.18 and 19. days of April the Earls of Moulgrave Lindesey Suffolk and Exceter having signified by Letters under their Seals of Arms their several excuses of sickness and disability to attend the Chancellor producing them in Chapter they were dispensed with by the Soveraign The like Excuses made by Letters were accepted from the Earls of Suffolk Danby and Lindesey an 15. of the same King There are entred in the Registers several Memorials of Letters sent from the Soveraign to his Deputy when himself hath not been present in Chapter wherein his excusing and pardoning the defaults of absent Knights-Companions hath been signified As an 22. H. 6. the Duke of Buckingham being Lieutenant the Dukes of Gloucester and Exceter with the Lord Hungerford were excused by the Soveraign's Letters So an 36. of the same King Viscount Mountague being reckoned up amongst the absent Knights-Companions the Register saith he was excused by the Soveraign 's Letters The like is noted of the Dukes of York and Gloucester and six other Knights-Companions absent from the Feast held an 18. E. 4. the Lord Soveraign's Lieutenant And so an 21. E. 4. concerning other absent Knights-Companions Moreover an 18. H. 7. the Soveraign it being his pleasure to be absent sent his Letters thereupon to the Earl of Darby his Deputy to excuse also some others that were absent So also in the 21. 22. and 23. of the same King But an 20. H. 8. we find no less than 17 Knights-Companions at one time excused and pardoned for their absence by the Soveraign's Letters sent unto the Marquess of Exceter his Lieutenant for the Grand Feast kept at Windesor the 27. of May in the foresaid year viz. three Dukes six Earls two Viscounts five Barons and one Knight Baneret And hitherto may be referr'd what is spoken of the Dukes of Clarence and Gloucester and six other Knights-Companions an 14. E. 4. that their absence was excused by the Soveraign's authority the like expression is used in the case of the Earl of Northumberland and others an 19. of his Reign And from many Precedents which we have seen of Letters sent from the Soveraign and directed to his Lieutenant to accept of Knights-Companions excuses whose absence he had beforehand dispensed with we observe those Dispensations excused not the sending of their own particular Excuses for it is evident they were also expected and that such allowance of absence was not absolute but in a manner conditional the clause running thus That you the Soveraign's Deputy allow these excuses so far as they are consonant to reason And in all other Letters of the same nature a Clause to this effect hath been inserted That as the Soveraign thought good to advertise his Deputy that for certain causes he had dispenced with their attendance for that time so he willed him to accept their reasonable excuses in that behalf accordingly Secondly The absent Knights-Companions have had their Excuses frequently made by word of mouth either of the Soveraign or some other of the Knights-Companions present in Chapter This favour of the Soveraign is either done by himself when present in Chapter or by giving order to his Lieutenant before the Feast begin In relation to what he hath personnaly done in this case we have many Examples as an 6. H. 6. the Soveraign declared the reason of the Duke of Norfolks absence So on the Eve of the Feast kept at Windesor an 26. H. 6. the Duke of York the Earl of Salisbury Viscount Beaumont the Lords Hungerford Willoughly and Sir Iohn Fastolf were absent but excused by the Soveraign Again in a Chapter held on the Eve of the Grand Feast celebrated at Windesor an 36. H. 6. the Duke of York Earl of Salisbury and Viscount Bourchier being absent were excused by the Soveraign's own moâ—th the like is said on the behalf of the absent Knights an 3. H. 7. So an 17. E. 4. on the Eve of the Feast held by Prorogation the Dukes of Gloucester Buckingham and Suffolk with
upon lawful and sufficient grounds so hath the Soveraign for like reasons been pleased to license and dispence with their departure from the same Of this we have met with an Example an 6. Eliz. in the Lord Hastings of Longhborough who falling ill a little before the Offring on St. George's day obtained license from the Soveraign to depart out of the Choire and came no more abroad that day nor during that Feast As also another in the Duke of Lenox an 15. Car. 1. who being forced to go back to London by reason of the aforesaid Dutchess of Richmond's death had his excuse made in Chapter held the morning of the Feast day by the Deputy Chancellor whereupon he obtained the Soveraign's allowance for such his departure We are next to consider Excuses which though sent in due time yet upon debate and consultation in Chapter were suspended rather than allowed to this head may be referred that case of several of the Knights-Companions who were members of the Lords house in the Long Parliament For an 18. Car. 1. the Deputy Chancellor having by command of the Soveraign and in discharge of the duty of his Office sent unto each of them a several Summons for their attendance at the celebration of the Grand Feast to be held for the preceding year at York upon the 18.19 and 20. days of April and notice thereof being given to the House of Lords they immediately made the ensuing Order Die Martis 22. Maii 1641. WHereas the Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties houshold and some other Lords of Parliament Knights of the Garter have been summoned to give their attendance and repair unto the City of York for the celebration of St. George's Feast who acquainting this House with the Summons aforesaid it is this day Ordered by the Lords in Parliament that they attend the weighty Affairs of the Kingdom discussed in Parliament whereunto they are obliged by his Majesties Writ and the Law of the Land Jo. Browne Cleric Parliament Whereupon every one of the said Knights-Companions before the days appointed by Prorogation for holding the Feast sent their Petitionary Letters of excuse to the Deputy Chancellor wherein they professed their desire and readiness to attend in obedience of the said Summons nevertheless pleaded the foresaid Order for the ground of their stay at London and therefore desired him to obtain for them the Soveraign's gracious Letters of Dispensation But when the said Letters were severally presented in Chapter held before Vespers on the Eve of the said Feast the Soveraign would not at present either admit or disallow of their Excuses but deferred the consideration thereupon until the next Chapter to be held by Prorogation Of excuses which have not been allowed the most remarkable is that of the Duke of Norfolk and the Lord Scales an 36. H. 6. who in regard the causes alledged to excuse their absence at the Feast were not approved in a Chapter held on the Eve were adjudged to the penalty of the Statute the latter being particularly fined by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions in a Iewel to the value of 20 Marks to be offered in the Colledge whereby the rigour of the Statute appears to have been more strictly executed upon him than on the Duke whose contempt might be of a less nature though it seems great enough to shut out his excuse probably because the Lord Scales having been absent the year before and no cause thereof being then shewed in Chapter was therefore to suffer penalty for his absence according to the Statute so that this it seems was the second fault But now to enter upon the second Branch of the third general head which relates to the proceedings upon the absent Knights-Companions neglect or default of sending their Excuses We shall therein observe that some of them have with difficulty been remitted some left in suspence and others sentenced and referred either to the Soveraign's pleasure or the punishment assigned by Law Of the first kind are those who having such a plea for their absence as might induce the Chapter to dispence therewith yet were with much ado excused because they neglected giving the due intimation thereof according to the Statutes Such was that of the Earl of Westmerland an 10. H. 5. who though not very well yet had much ado to be excused because he signified not the cause of his absence as the Statutes required So an 12. Car. 1. The Earls of Derby and Kelly having made no Excuse nor Petition for Dispensation were for that omission blameable but by the grace of the Soveraign for that time pardoned Of the second sort are such who through the indulgence of the Soveraign or his Lieutenant where probable cause hath induced it have not had sentence passed on them at that present but were deferred in expectation of some satisfactory cause to be shewed As in the cafe of the Prince the Duke of Tuckingham and five other of the Knights-Companions absent from the Feast held an 18. H. 7. concerning whom no cause of Excuse was shewed but there was an expectation of one to be alledged But as for those of the third sort upon whom sentence hath passed for default of sending their Excuses they have been left either to the pleasure of the Soveraign or to those penalties and penances which the Law of this Order doth inflict And first of such Offenders as are left by the Chapter to the mercy of the Soveraign we have several Examples Of the Earl of Essex an 18. H. 7. it is recorded That his absence was referred to the Soveraign's indulgence So an 21. of the same King upon occasion of the absence of the Earls of Northumberland Oxford Devonshire Kent together with the Lord Stafford and no cause thereof assigned they were left to the Soveraign's indulgence To the like effect is the entry made of the Earls of Essex and Kent absent the following year without cause shewn to the Chapter Lastly touching those on whom Iudgment hath passed divers instances may be given among which are these that follow An. 10. H. 5. the Lord Willoughby Sir Robert Vmsrevill Sir Iohn Cornewall and Sir William Harington were in no wise excused for their absence because being within the Kingdom they sent not the cause of their absence And an 2. H. 6. the said Sir Robert Vmsrevile was also found culpable in regard no cause of his absence had been shâ—wed Moreover seeing the reasons of the Duke of Norfolk's the Lord Scales and Fastolss absence an 33. H. 6. were not made known to the Chapter they were left to the Iudgment of the Statutes And of the same Lord Scales an 35. H. 6. it is recorded that he gave no reason of his absence therefore underwent the punishment thereof Lastly The Duke of York the Earl of Salisbury the foresaid Lord Scales and Lord Willoughby for presuming
so negligent as not to come to the celebrations of the Grand Feast and yet have no justifiable reason of his absence such as may be allowed by the Soveraign or his Deputy he shall not at the Feast to be held the ensuing year enter into his own Stall but stand below before it in the place above mentioned 2. he shall walk alone by himself before the three Crosses which in ancient times were born in the Grand Procession 3. When the Grand Procession returns to the Choire he shall stand in the place before mentioned the following part of the Mass until the time of the Offertory 4. He shall Offer last of all by himself alone And after the humble sufferance of all these Penances he shall forthwith approach the Stall of the Soveraign or his Deputy and there humbly desire absolution for his Offence Whereupon the Soveraign or his Deputy shall restore him to his Stall and first estate But we have not hitherto met with any Record or Memorial where the particulars of this punishment were executed upon any of the Knights Offenders albeit we too often find where many have neither appeared all the time of the Feast nor sent Letters of excuse nor obtained license for their absence As for instance an 9. H. 6. Sir Robert Vmsrevile Sir Simon Felbrigg and Sir William Harington signified not the cause of their absence neither did the Duke of Buckingham nor Earl of Northumberland give any reason at all of their absence The like hath been observed of many others but without further memorial of what the Chapter did thereupon Fifthly and lastly the Statutes ordain That if any Knight-Companion remain within the Kingdom and not having a sufficient excuse to be allowed upon humble suit as aforesaid shall presume to absent himself the next following year and thereby become culpable of an omission of two years successively from the Solemnity before mentioned he ought thereupon to be so long interdicted his own Stall until in the said Chappel he shall have offered at Saint George's Altar a Iewel to the value of 20 Marks of lawful money of England and thence forward every year so long as he shall continue guilty in that nature the mulct must be doubled until he be reconciled and pardoned By vertue of this last Clause of the foregoing Article was the Lord Maltravers an 15. E. 4. for such his absence fined at 20 Marks And the Lord Scales an 36. H. 6. in a Jewel of 20 Marks value which as probably may be collected was the following year endeavoured either to be mitigated or taken off nevertheless we find the sentence confirmed and he left to pay the Fine imposed Of later times the greatest Offender that we observed against this Statutes was Ferdinand Earl of Derby who having made no excuse nor Petition for his absence in two years was at a Chapter held on the Eve of the Grand Feast an 13. Car. 1. accordingly fined and that with some further note of negligence but at the mediation of the Earl of Penbroke and Montgomery he was for that time remitted Yet was he not guilty of any future neglect for the following year upon his humble Petition setting forth his age weakness and inability to Travel he obtained a Dispensation for attendance on the Soveraign at the Feasts of St. George during his life But the most memorable case in the prosecution of a contempt was that against the Earl of Arundel who in a Chapter held an 14. E. 4. was fined 40 Marks to be paid to the Colledge of Windesor for being absent from the Solemnity of the Grand Feast for two years together without any approved cause and the following year still continuing his Contempt the mulct by virtue of the aforesaid Statute was doubled and he fined in the sum of 80 Marks Touching the third particular amongst those things done of course in the Chapter held before the first Vespers to wit the nominating and constituting an Officer for holding the same if the Soveraign be not present we are beforehand to note the occasion and cause thereof which was briefly this At the time of Instituting this Order the Soveraign being engaged in Wars with France and Scotland which he then and for some time after personally managed thought fit to make provision for supply of his room no less than in case of sickness or other urgent occasion where he should be hindered from affording his personal presence at such time of the year whereon the Grand Feast should happen and hereupon allowance was given by the Statutes to depute another in his stead When therefore such occasion afterwards hapned a Commission was made out to one of the Knights-Companions some reasonable time before the approach of the Feast to the end that by such a representation of his Person none of the ancient Ceremonies might be omitted or any defect happen through his absence For till the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's Reign we meet not with any Commissions that stayed for the Soveraign's fiat so long as until the sitting of the Chapter held before the first Vespers Nevertheless seeing from thence it hath been for the most part thus practised we think it not improper to give our account thereof here amongst those things of course which if at this day the appointing such an Officer shall be thought requisite are usually dispatcht at the foresaid Chapter And herein we shall speak 1. Of the Person Nominated to this Office 2. his Title 3. the Ceremonies used at his Constitution 4. the nature of his Employment 5. and the Dignity of his Office As to the Person Nominated we observe That most usually he hath been one if not the chief of the Knights-Companions we mean in Authority Eminence or Birth next to the Soveraign himself Such were Iohn Duke of Bedford Regent of France and Humfrey Duke of Gloucester stiled also Earl of Henalt Zeland and Penbroke Lord of Frizland Protector and Governor of England both Sons to King Henry the Fourth Brothers to King Henry the Fifth and Uncles to King Henry the Sixth Humfry Stafford Duke of Buckingham Son and Heir of Edmund Stafford by Anne Plantaginet Daughter of Thomas of Woodstock made Primer Duke of England 22. Maii an 25. H. 6. Thomas Earl of Derby Father-in-Law to King Henry the Seventh the Dukes of Suffolk and Richmond with Marquesses of Dorset and Exceter in King Henry the Eighth's time The Duke of Norfolk Marquess of Northampton Earl of Leicester and Lord Treasurers Burghley and Buckhurst under Queen Elizabeth And in King Iames his Reign the Soveraign's eldest Sons the Princes of Wales first Prince Henry and after his death Prince Charles the late Soveraign of blessed memory Next we shall consider the Time and Place when and where he hath been appointed to this Employment Concerning
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
the same one of the Companions of the same Order the Arms of the Soveraign and others Kings Princes and Nobles then Installed in the said Noble Order were fixed in the Church of the same Town during the Service and Ceremonies belonging to the same Order Be it further remembred that at that time then was Elected but not Installed these Princes following Rudolphus the 2d of that name Emperor of the Romans King of Hungary and Bohemia Arch-Duke of Austria Henry the 3 d. French King Christian King of Denmark and the most Noble Prince John Casimire Duke of Bavaria and Palatine of the Rhien then being Bailiffs William Jones and William Hering who together with the Chieftains of the several Companies of that good Town did in most decent sort attend upon the said Lord President during the said Feast together with the Aldermen and Bailiffs Peers in their Scarlet Robes and other Chieftains In the Gallery of the New-House at Ludlow are yet remaining the several Scutcheons of those Knights-Companions which were set up in the Chancel of St. Lawrence Church in Ludlow in the 24. Year of Queen Elizabeth when the Feast of St. George was solemnized there before which the following memorial is also fairly written Be it remembred that in the Year of our Lord God and in the 24 th Year of the Reign of the most Excellent and Famous Princess Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland The Feast of the most antient and most Noble Order of the Garter was honourably kept in the Town of Ludlow at the usual days for keeping of the said Feast by the Right Honourable Sir Henry Sydney Knight Lord President of the Council established in the Principallity of Wales and Marches of the same and one of the Companions of the same Order The Arms of the Soveraign and all the Princes and Nobles being Companions of the same Noble Order and Enstalled were fixed in the Church of the said Town and there remained during the Ceremonies And be it further remembered that before the same Feast there were Elected and not Enstalled these Princes whose names follow Rudolphus the Second Emperour of the Romans King of Hungaria and Bohemia Arch-Duke of Austria Henry the Third the French King Christian King of Denmark and the most Noble Prince John Casimire Duke of Bavaria and Palatine of the Rhien manifestly fixed in the Church then Bailiffs in their own persons did honour the Feast with their attendance Moreover the Town of Ludlow to shew their due respects to Sir Henry Sidney and readiness to contribute to the Triumphs of this Solemnity met and drew up the following Order which we found entred in the Town Register 10 th day of March 1581. an 24 Eliz. IT is agreed upon by this Assembly that Mr. Bayliffs shall call before them the six persons undernamed of their Brethren as soon as conveniently may and they all to confer and lay down a place how my Lord President shall be gratified by the Town towards the keeping of St. George's Feast if it be kept here and the said Bayliffs and their Associates have Commission upon their meeting to call afore them at convenient time two out of every Occupation in the Town and confer with them how the charges may be levied and the same two to be of this Company or other of the best sort of every occupation Thomas Blashfield Richard Farr Thomas Cauland William Poughnell Richard Rascoll Thomas Langford Richard Bayly In pursuance of which we also found there was delivered out of the Treasury to Mr. Bayliffs the very same day 10 l. and the 18 of April fol. 10 l. 19 s. 2 d. more towards defraying the charges of such Preparations as the said Town made upon that solemn occasion As to the manner used at the observation of the Feast by a Knight beyond Sea we have an instance in Robert Earl of Leicester Lieutenant for Queen Elizabeth Governour and Captain General of the United Provinces who kept the Celebration of St. Georges Feast in the Netherlands An. Dom. 1586. of which we have met with these broken Memorials He had a Scutcheon of the Order impailed with the Soveraigns Arms fixt to the front of his House so also upon the back of her Stall in the Church and his own Arms at the back of his Stall He Proceeded on Horseback to the Church William Seager then Portcullis Pursuivant at Arms by his appointment riding before him wearing a King of Arms Coat which Iohn Cocke Lancaster Herald both of them imployed to attend the said Earl had brought over thither for that days service but it seems he dyed a little before St. Georges Day After Sermon Portcullis proceeded before him to the Offering which the Earl made for the Soveraign and returned and stood a little while before the Soveraign's Stall and then Offered for himself which done he returned by the lower end of the Desk to his own Stall with his due obeysances Service being ended he returned to his own Lodgings and there dined At the second Course Portcullis went up before it between the Gentleman Usher and proclaimed only the Soveraign's Stile and retired during which Proclamation the Earl sitting at a Table alone on the left hand of the State and divers eminent persons who sat at a side Table stood up and were bare The Soveraign's Trencher was laid under the State and the whole Service performed to that with due Reverence by divers of her Servants there present and the Earl took his meat therefrom as by the by Lastly a learned Scotch Historian takes notice that King Iames the Fifth having been honored not only with the Order of the Garter by King Henry the Eighth but next with that other Order of the Golden Fleece by the Emperor Charles the Fifth and not long after of St. Michael by the French King Francis the First kept the several Feasts of the Patrons of those Orders with great Solemnity an 1534. And to signifie to the several Soveraign's as also to proclaim to the world the great account he made of those Honors he not only adorned himself on those solemn Festivals with the Ensigns of each Order but fixed on the Gates of his Palace at Lithgoe his Royal Arms encompassed with the Collars of each of them together with that of St. Andrew Patron of the Kingdom of Scotland SECT V. Dispensation for Absence granted during life SOmetimes upon special favour of the Soveraign and where Age or Infirmity of any of the Knights-Companions hath been made known to him by Petition they have obtained Letters of Dispensation for absence not only from the Feast approaching of which we have before discoursed but also during life Such indulgence was granted to the Lord Dacres an 26. H. 8. and to the Earl of Derby an 14. Car. I. both which Precedents we have thought fit to insert in the Appendix The like with that to
command of King Edward the Fourth signified by Letters sent to his Deputy and the Knights-Companions were by Garter taken down and carried out of the Choire into the Vestry and in their place were set up the new Atchievements of King Edward the Fourth and this was done at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor an 1. E. 4. and long before the Death of King Henry the Sixth which when it hapned he was first buried at Chertsey Abbey in Surrey and by King Richard the Thirds Command Reinterred on the Southside of the High Altar in St. Georges Chappel at Windesor and therefore this cannot sute with King Henry the Eighths Case whose Atchievements were not taken down at all But when the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order are not interred at Windesor then are their Atchievements offered up at the next ensuing Feast according to the usual manner as were those of Queen Elizabeth which the Blew Book notes to be done at Morning Prayer the 11. of Iuly an 1. Iac. R. The Banner being offered by the Earl of Nottingham Lord Admiral then the Soveraign's Lieutenant and the Lord Buckhurst Lord Treasurer the Sword by the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland and the Helm and Crest by the Earls of Northumberland and Worcester and also of King Iames her Successor an 1 Car. 1. both these Soveraigns being buried at Westminster As to the time for performing this Ceremony it was ordained to be on the Morrow after the Feast when the Mass was sung for the soul of the Knights-Companions and of all the Faithful deceased and before the Offering of Money Thus was it ordered even in the first precedent we have of this solemn Ceremony and so was it duly and constantly performed in succeeding times till that of the Reformation at which the Mass of Requiem being abolished this Solemnity was nevertheless performed in the Morning Service on the Morrow immediately after the Offertory But after Queen Elizabeth had removed the Feasts of St. George from Windesor and left those of Installation only to be held there that Solemnity was commonly dispatcht in one day and the Atchievements of the defunct Knights offered before they went out of the Choire as in the 16. year of her Reign at the Installation of the Earls of Derby and Penbroke when assoon as the Morning Service was ended in which the Ceremony of Installation was performed the Commissioners appointed for that Solemnity came down from their Stalls and offered the Atchievments of the Earl of Derby Lord William Howard of Effingham and Lord Chandos And this was the first time we observe this Ceremony to have been translated from the Morrow after the Feast of St. George to any other time and the ancient rule as to the time being thus broken was never after restored but generally thence forward the Offring of the defunct Knights Atchievments was performed the very same Morning wherein the Elect-Knights were Installed For the Installation being fully compleated towards the end of the second Service viz. at the time of the Offertory the Atchievments were offered after which succeeded the Offring of Money And yet once when the Solemnity of Installation was celebrated at Evening Prayer being that of Frederick the Second King of Denmark and Iohn Casimire Prince Palatine of the Rhyne the 13. of Ianuary an 25. Eliz. immediately after their Proctors had taken possession of their Stalls and an Anthem been sung the Atchievments of Maximilian the Emperor Emanuel Duke of Savoy Francis Duke of Montmorency Henry Earl of Arundel and Walter Earl of Essex were with wonted honor as the Statutes of the Order required severally Offered but not without the sad and sorrowful view of all the standers by Sometime before the day was thus changed an intermixture of both the Offerings together viz. of Money and Atchievments began to be introduced when after the Offertory was read the Soveraign's Lieutenant descended from his Stall and proceeded to the Altar and there Offered both Gold and Silver for the Soveraign and so returned to his Seat after which the Offering of the defunct Knights Atchievements began and that Ceremony being ended the Soveraign's Lieutenant proceeded again to the Altar and there offered Money for himself and lastly all the rest of the Knights-Companions present offered Money in order Thus we find these Ceremonies managed an 5. Eliz. at the Offering of the Atchievements of the Lord Grey and an 6. Eliz. when the Atchievements of the Earls of Westmerland and Rutland and the Lord Paget were offered the Earl of Arundel being the Soveraign's Lieutenant at both these Feasts But not long after this course was altered in part and the Lieutenant Offered not for the Soveraign till after such time as the Atchievements of the defunct had been compleatly offered And albeit the day was thus changed for performance of this Ceremony yet was not the Ceremony it self begun till after the Installation was finished that Solemnity having at all times the precedency until an 9. Iac. R. when he observing a kind of incongruity in the order of the Ceremony namely to Install a new Knight and who being thus installed frequently became one of those Knights that offered part of the defunct Knights Atchievments as may be seen in divers and sundry Examples before his Predecessor had been fully discharged of his Stall gave order for Offering the Atchievments of Sir Henry Lea the Lord Scroop Viscount Bindon and the Earl of Dunbar first and before the Instalment of the Elect Knights Charles Duke of York Tho. Earl of Arundel and Robert Viscount Rochester which was accordingly performed as also at the Installation of Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne and Henry Prince of Orange an 10. Iac. R. And two years after at the Installation of the Earl of Rutland Sir George Villars afterwards created Duke of â—uckingham and Viscount Lisle the Lord Admiral going out of the Choire to fetch in the said Earl of Rutland to his Installation according to the old manner before the Offering of the Atchievments and as had been done the year before the Soveraign remanded him and again ordered That the Atchievments of the Earl of Shrewsbury should be first Offered before any of the Elect Knights should be Installed Not long after it was thought convenient to perform this Ceremony on the Eve of the Feast presently after the first Vespers begun and next to proceed on with the Installation of the Elect Knight whereby as much as possible the Stalls of the Knights-Companions might be supplyed and consequently the places among them filled up in all the rest of the Solemnities of the Feast Thus was it ordered at the Installation of Marquess Hamilton an 21. Iac. R. when the Atchievments of the Earl of Exceter were Offered In like manner the following year were the Atchievments of the Duke of Lenox first
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
was born at 40 minutes after five in the morning of the said day the 6. Degree of the Sign Scorpio Ascending and the 18. Degree of Leo Culminating The places of the Planets as there posited followeth gr ♄ in 5 ♑ ♃ in 27 ♉ ♂ in 21 ♠☉ in 28 ♠♀ 18 ♠☿ in 8 ♠◠in 8 ♉ ♠in 26 ♉ The Thursday after his birth he was Christned in the Chappel then of St. Edward in Windesor Castle by A. Priest Cardinal by the Title of Sancta Prisca and his Godfathers were Richard Bishop of Poictiers Iohn Bishop of Bath and Wells William Bishop of Worcester Lewis Earl of Eureux the Queens Brother Iohn de Britannia Earl of Richmond Aymer de Valence Earl of Penbroke and Hugh le Despenser Within a few days after the King his Father granted him the County of Chester except the Mannors of Mekklesfield and Shotwyke to hold to him and his Heirs Kings of England for ever And likewise the County of Flint and Cantred of Englefield with the Castles of Flint and Rothelan to hold as before except the Mannor of Overton the Lands of Mailor Seysnoke and the Castle and Mannor of Holt after which he was thus stiled by the King Edwardus Comes Cestriae filius noster Charissimus So pleasing to his Father 〈◊〉 the birth of this Prince that the 16. of December following he gave to Iohn Launge Valet to the Queen and to Isabel his Wife and the longer liver of them for bringing to him so desirable News 24 l. per annum to be paid out of the Farm of London But leaving his Infancy we will now proceed to his youth and the occurrences that attended his riper years King Edward his Father having been often summoned to the Court of France to do homage for the Dukedom of Aquitaine and other his Lands held in that Kingdom and still delaying till the French King had seized thereon it was at length concluded that he should give to this Prince that Dukedom who then should do the Homage and enjoy the Lands Hereupon preparation was made for his passing into France and a little before at Langedon Abbey near Dover the King on the 2. of September in the 19. year of his Reign first gave to him his Heirs and Successors Kings of England jure haereditario imperpetuum the Counties of Ponthieu and Monstroile and on the 10. of the same month at Dover granted to him the Dukedom of Aquitaine and all the Lands he had or ought to hold in the Kingdom of France Habendum as before two days after this new Duke took shipping at Dover thence passed into France and made his Homage in which Journey it was likewise thought fit that the Queen should accompany him in regard her Lands in that Kingdom had also been seized on Shortly after his return into England he was unanimously chosen Custos of the Kingdom in his Fathers absence then fled into Wales with Hugh le Despencer the Son Robert-Baldock and others by divers of the Bishops Nobility Barons and Knights de assensu totius Comitatûs dicti Regni ibidem existentis and at Martley the Great Seal sent from the King was delivered to him Not long after his Father ressigned his Crown upon which great preparations were made for this young Prince's Coronation which was solemnly performed at Westminster by William Archbishop of Canterbury on Sunday after the Conversion of St. Paul being the 1. of Feb. an 1327. His first Martial Attempt but unsuccessful for more then what appertains to his Wars we shall not here discourse off was the raising an Army to march against the Scots For Robert Bruce King of Scotland having sent him a defiance about Easter next following his Coronation shortly after invaded England notwithstanding the Truce between the said King Robert and King Edward the Second was yet on foot and an agreement for further Treaty of Peace to be held in the Marches on Sunday next before Ascension day then next comming The Kings Army was appointed to Rendevouz at Newcastle upon Tyne on Munday next before the Ascension of our Lord though Sir Iohn Froissard saith it was at York upon Ascension day whence about three weeks after Trinity Sunday he marched towards the Enemy but the Scots having exceedingly wasted the Northern parts and declined to fight slipt from him at Stanhop Park in the Bishoprick of Durham and withdrew towards their own Country nor could the King engage them though he endeavoured it for 24. days together I confess the first Actions of Princes are looked upon by all Eyes and not seldom with many Observators taken as the Radix whence to calculate their future either Successes or Miscarriages If at these undertakings a full Age entitle them to the sole management of Affairs we are inclined to think a judicious Eye may partly discern the strength of their Fortune But while they reside within Tutorage and their designs are carried on under the conduct of others the Event of things will manifest a dependency upon the strength or weakness of the Genius of those persons who are the chief managers of their Concerns And this was fully made good in this Prince whose Martial undertakings were very unsuccessful specially while the Government of the Kingdom was committed to others and sometimes afterwards when he was tyed up and hampered by his Allies in Flanders but he no sooner arrived at full Age but his Affairs shewed themselves as if disposed by his own Genius and the first remarkable experiment was verified even upon the Scots themselves from whom before he had received some affronts and indignities For having sent Ambassadors to the Custos and chief Nobility of Scotland He demanded the Homage of David Brus their King and these were probably Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton and William de Denum for it appears they were employed thither the 14. of Decemb. an 6 E. 3. touching the Affairs of the King and Kingdom and the doing of Homage denyed He forthwith raised an Army in assistance of Iohn Balioll Son of Iohn Balioll sometime King of Scotland against David Brus the then King which being appointed to meet at Newcastle upon Tine on Trinity Sunday an 7 E. 3. King Edward entred Scotland and wasted the Country as far as Scone for six months together Insomuch that the Scots were forced to fly to their Fastnesses in the Forest of Gedworth where they abode for many years and as the King returned he encountred an Army of theirs at Hallidown Hill which he defeated and killed about 32000. common Souldiers 7. Earls 90. Knights and Bannerets and 400. Esquires In memory of this great Victory hapning on the Eve of St. Margaret the Virgin being the 13. of Iuly he repaired the Church and Convent of Nuns near the place where the Battel was fought upon that occasion destroyed and burnt and caused
England landing at Orewell the 21. of Febr. at 9. a Clock in the Morning and the first of March delivered it to Sir Iohn de St. Paul in a Chamber called the Cage Chamber at Westminster The old Great Seal was then delivered up to him by the said Sir Iohn which he gave to William de Kildesby to be kept in his Wardrobe But that the New Seal might be made more publick he caused Impressions thereof and of his Privy Seal to be made and sent to all the Sheriffs in England to be published in the several Counties in regard he intended at the meeting of the Parliament on the Wednesday next after Midlent Sunday to acquaint them with the cause wherefore he had added to his Stile the title of King of France That day being come he under his New Great Seal as King of France vacated all Papal Processes made at the instance of the French King against the Inhabitants of Flanders and granted to the Earl of Flanders his Heirs and Successors for ever the Towns of Lysle Doway Bethune and Orchies with the County of Artois and City of Tournay and to their Inhabitants divers Priviledges And by another Instrument of the same date under the said Seal with the consent of the Parliament he granted that the staple of Wools should be setled at Bruges A little before his return into England he wrote a Letter from Gaunt which bore Teste the 8. of Febr. in the first year of his Reign over France and 14. over England to the Prelates Peers and Commons of France thereby signifying that Charles late King of France his Mothers Brother being dead that Kingdom was fallen to him by manifest Law and that Philip de Valois Son to the Uncle of the said King had by force intruded into it in his Minority and yet detained it Lest therefore he should seem to neglect his own right he thought good to own the Title of France and take on him the defence and Government thereof and having offered the said Philip divers friendly conditions of Peace to which he refused all condiscention he was therefore necessitated to defend himself and recover his right by force of Arms and therefore all such Subjects as would submit to him as true King of France by Easter then next ensuing should be received into his grace and protection Having dispatcht his Affairs with the Parliament which had given him a great Supply to go on with this War and wherein an Act passed that he might with the assent of his Allies condescend to any reasonable terms of Peace And having created the Marquess of Iuliers Earl of Cambridge and given him 1000 l. per annum until he were provided for of so much Land of Inheritance He got in readiness an Army to go beyond Sea and prepared his Navy to transport it and on the 22. of Iune horâ diei quasi primâ set sail from Orewell The French King had laid 120. great Ships beside Genoeses Normans and Picards Manned with 40000. Men to intercept his passage But after a fierce and bloody fight on Midsummer Eve the King got the Victory before Sluce destroying most of the Enemy and taking the greatest part of their Fleet and on Midsummer day landed at Sluce and went forthwith to Gaunt Of this Signal Victory an account by Letter was sent from the King to the Bishops and Prelates by the Earl of Arundel and Sir William Trussell Not long after the King held a Council with his Allies at Villenort where it was resolved that the King should besiege Tournay before which he brought 120000. Men. Thence he sent a Letter sealed with his Great Seal to Philip de Valois signifying that he had fairly requested him to render him his lawful right to the Crown of France but perceiving he meant to persist in detaining it without returning him any answer He was therefore entred Flanders as Soveraign Lord thereof to pass through that Country for recovery of his Inheritance so detained yet to avoid the effusion of Christian blood and determine the right he challenged him to fight body to body or else 100. chosen Souldiers on each side or if both were refused then to pitch upon a day for both Armies to fight neer Tournay But the French King returned no answer to this Letter The Siege continued eleven weeks wanting three days in which time by the mediation and effectual endeavour of Iane de Valois the French Kings Sister a Treaty was set on foot Iohn King of Bohemia Adolph Bishop of Leige Reynel Duke of Loraine Am Earl of Savoy and Iohn Earl of Arminiack being Commissioners for the French King the Dukes of Brabant and Gueldres the Marquess of Iuliers and Iohn of Henault Lord Beaumont for King Edward who on the 25. of September agreed upon a Truce between both Kings to endure till Midsummer following of which publication was made in England the 6. of October and thus both Armies retired But this was much against the Kings Will though not against those of his Allies who were very desirous to return home The Siege being raised the King went to Gaunt and thence returned into England where he arrived at the Tower Wharf on the Feast of St. Andrew about Midnight At this Treaty before Tournay it was among other things agreed that another Treaty should be held at Arras within that year whither both Kings and the Pope should send Commissioners but that meeting produced only another year to be added to the Truce The Kings Commissioners were the Bishops of Lincolne and Durham the Earl of Warwick Sir Robert d' Artois Sir Iohn Henault and Sir Henry of Flanders This year produced some other Overtures for the amicable composure of all Controversies and concluding a Peace between the two Kings to which purpose a Commission issued to R. Bishop of Durham Hugh Earl of Gloucester William Fitz Warren Nicholas de Flisco and William Trussell Another Commission issued to Iohn Duke of Brabant Reignold Duke of Gueldres and Zuthphen William Marquess of Iuliers and Earl of Cambridge and William Earl of Hanaw and Iohn de Hanaw Lord Beaumont to treat and agree with Philip de Valois upon a Truce to the Feast of the decollation of St. Iohn Baptist then coming on which it seems became so far hopeful as to produce a prorogation till the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross and thence till Midsummer in the following year Another Commission was made forth to William Earl of Huntingdon Bernard Dominus de le Brett Bartolomew de Burglersh Iohn de Offord Archdeacon of Ely and Michael de Flisco to treat with the 〈◊〉 Philip de Valois aswell touching the Kingdom and Crown of France as divers other questions and controversies between them and to compose the differences by a full Peace or otherwise a Truce and one of these Commissions was
risen between them or was like to arise After this another Commission issued containing the same powers to Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby Thomas de Beauchampe Earl of Warwick Robert de Vfford Earl of Suffolke Hugh le Despenser Lord of Glamorgon Ralph de Nevill Bartholomew de Burghersh Iohn le Grey de Ruffyn Reginald de Cobham and Thomas de Brodiston Barons William de Norwich Dean of Lincoln Iohn de Offord Archdeacon of Ely Robert Herward Archdeacon of Taunton and Andrew de Offord Professor of the Civil Law or to any 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 or 3. of them But this Treaty had only the effect of continuing the Truce yet that so ill kept on the French side that the following year it occasioned a solemn complaint sent from the King to the Pope by Iohn Offord Dean of Lincoln Hugh de Nevill and Nicholas de Flisco to require reformation and security for the observance of the said Truce until the time it was to end and in case that were not done then they to surrender it into the Popes hands and defy Philip de Valois as the Kings Enemy It seems the desires of the King met with a dilatory answer for the 20 of October following William Bishop of Norwich Iohn de Offord Dean and Iohn Thoresby Canon of Lincoln Sir Hugh Nevil and Sir Ralph Spigurnell Knights and Nicholas de Flisco were commissionated to declare before the Pope in what particulars the Truce had been broken and to demand reparations but after all this no satisfaction being given to the King and the Truce manifestly and notoriously violated the King gave Commission to William de Bohun Earl of Northampton to defy Philip de Valois as a Violator of the Truce an unjust Usurper of his inheritance in France and his Capital Enemy And shortly after he set forth a Manifesto touching the dissolution of the Truce wherein the causes were declared at large being the same with the Letters sent from him to the Pope and four Cardinals the 26. of May preceeding This being done the King with all diligence provides an Army to enter France the following year and the 5. of Iuly in the 20. year of his Reign took Shipping at Southampton but instead of sailing towards Goscoigne whether he at first intended upon the advice of Sir Geoffry de Harecourt he diverted his course and made towards Normandy and landed at Hoges Saynt Wast in the Isle of Constantine not far from St. Saviours le Vycount the 12. of Iuly after Upon his arrival he ordered his Army in three Battels the one marched on his right hand along the Sea-side the second on his left both which exceedingly inriched themselves with the spoils of the Country and himself with the third in the middle This Battel consisted of 3000. men at Arms 6000. Archers and 10000. Common Souldiers The first Town he took was St. Lo in Constantine rich in Drapery and next Caen the plunder of it and other places consisting of Cloth Vessels of Silver and Gold Jewels and more than 60. Knights and 300. Burgesses made Prisoners were sent to the Ships and transported into England After this the King marched on wasting and burning the Country and entred Lisieux the Chief City of Normandy for Wealth and Merchandize and plundered it And hence he gave Letters of Protection and safe conduct to the Cardinals of Tusculan and St. Iohn and St. Paul sent from the Pope to mediate a Peace From thence he marched into the Country of Eureux and spoiled it and leaving Roan he passed to Gaillon and burnt it with Vernon Pont de Lache and all the Country thereabouts and went over the River Seyne to Poissy Hence having thus overrun and wasted Britagne and Normandy the English Marshalls rode towards Paris and burnt St. Germain en Laye Mountjoy St. Clou Pety Bolayne neer Paris and the Bourg la Reyne which caused the French King to retire to St. Denys Sir Godfrey de Harecourt encountred a considerable party of the Burgesses of Amiens going to the assistance of the French King of whom he kill'd 1200 and defeated the rest and took their Carriages and Baggage About this time the French King had sent notice to King Edward that he would give him Battel the Thursday Saturday Sunday or Monday after betwixt St. Germains de Preez and Valgirart de là Paris or between Franconville and Ponthoise in answer to which from Antes 15. Aug. the King sent him word that he was come thither to put an end to the War by Battel but that the said French King had broken down all the Bridges so that they could not come at each other That he had come to Poissy and repaired that Bridge and there stayed three days expecting him and that the French Forces might have come on either on the one side or the other at his pleasure But forasmuch as they did not he could not then give him Battel and therefore now resolved to pass further into the Kingdom and there stay till he had ended the War or advantaged himself and disabled his Adversaries Nevertheless if he would combat him to save those which he challenged for his Subjects upon notice of the Hour he should find him ready for the Encounter and this he principally desired for the benefit of Christianity since he had refused to accept of or propose any reasonable way for effecting Peace This answer was not liked by the French King therefore the King having stayed at Poissy and there kept the Feast of our Lady in August marched thence into the Country of Beauvosyn burning and destroying all before him One night having lodged in an Abbey and next morning after his departure looking behind him he saw it on fire but he hanged 20 of his Souldiers that had done the mischief because at his first entrance into France he had caused Proclamation to be made throughout his Army that no man upon pain of death should violate a Church or burn a Religious House As he passed by Beauvois he fired the Suburbs and went thence to Granvillers He also took and fired the Castle of Anger 's and the Town of Pork and the two Castles and drawing neer to Abbeville he endeavoured to pass the River of Somme but sounding several places found no Ford at length one Gobyn a Grace a Prisoner brought him to Blanch-taque This Ford was guarded on the other side by 12000 men commanded by Sir Godmar du Foy here the King forced his passage and defeated Sir Godmar and after he had passed his whole Army over he marched to Crescy in Ponthieu where he formed his Army into three Battels the first of which was led by the Prince of Wales accompanied with divers of the English Nobility the second by the Earl of Northampton and the third by the King himself And here before the Battels joined he created 50 Knights
brought to King Iohn he resolved to fight him for now the Prince with about 8000. Men had entred the Country of Berry as far as Issoudun Bourges Vierzon and Remorentin which two last Towns and their Castles the Prince took by Assault and passing into Anjou and Touraine having wasted all the Country where he past intended to return for Bourdeaux But after this long and wearisom Voyage drawing near to Poicters he was informed that the French Army was not far from him and here the Cardinal of Poicters used means to have brought both sides to some composition but the French being high in their demands his endeavours took no effect The Prince thereupon fitted himself for fight and the Battels joining in the Fields of Beaumont and Malperteus after some space they broke the Van of the French Army when the main Body led by the Duke of Normandy coming on and finding the other routed fell into disorder also This incouraged the Prince to fall in upon the Rear led by the King at whose approach the main Body of the French Army left the Field as their Leader himself did with Charles Lewis and Iohn the Kings Sons the Earls of Poicters and Tourayne King Iohn behaved himself very valiantly and maintained the fight for some time but was at length taken Prisoner by Sir Denys Morbeck a Knight of Arthois to whom the Prince gave afterwards 2000. Nobles to support his Estate whilst the chace continued to the Gates of Poictiers and a compleat Victory obtained the particulars whereof are related by Froissard The French Kings Army consisted of 60000. fighting men whereof there were above 3000. Knights The Prince had but 8000. whereof 3000. were Archers though Froissard in one place saith 6000. in another 4000. The names of some of the Prisoners of Note and those that were slain are mentioned by Knighton in a word the Flower of France fell here and so many Noblemen were there slain or made Prisoners that there were but few left to manage the Affairs of France the Souldiers had twice as many Prisoners as themselves were in number nay divers of them 4. or 5. Prisoners a piece all which they put to ransom in the Field upon promise to return before Christmas with their Ransoms to Bourdeaux The spoil was exceeding rich so were also the Arms they took and whatsoever the Booty was it remained to him that took it The Prince bought of the Gascoigners for ready money those of the French Nobility whom they had taken And of these namely Philip Son to King Iohn the Earl of Sanceir and the Lord Craon he sold to the King afterwards for 20000 l. This Battel was sought the 19. day of September an Dom. 1356. it beginning in the Morning and ending at Noon but it was night e're they returned from the Chase. When it was ended the Prince who saith Froissard was therein couragious and cruel as a Lyon and took great delight in the Fight and Chase commanded his Standard to be pitched on a high Bush as a signal to the dispersed Forces to retire to him thither and then sent out the Earl of Warwick and Sir Reynold Cobham to make enquiry after the French King who in a short time brought him Prisoner to the Prince The Prince entertained this Noble Prisoner at a Supper at which himself with all respect served him nor could be prevailed upon to sit down at the Table The next day the Prince dislodged his Army and marched through Poicton Santonge and at Blaye passed the River Garronne and so to Bordeaux where in one part of the Abby of St. Andrew he lodged his Royal Prisoner and in the other himself and upon the News of this great Victory and Success the King appointed publick thanks to be given to God throughout England In April following the Prince took shipping for England and brought along with him the French King and divers other Prisoners of quality the 5. of May he arrived at Plymouth for whose reception there Iohn Dabernoun Sheriff of Devonshire was commanded to make provision of Victuals and Carriages and Horses and attend him in all parts through that County The 24. of May the Prince in a stately Cavalcade rode through London his Royal Prisoner by his side on a White Courser and himself on a Black Hobby and so proceeded to Westminster Hall where he presented King Iohn to his Father and from whence King Iohn was conducted to his Lodging but within a short time the Savoy was furnished for his entertainment After some few years the King an 33. E. 3. preparing for another Expedition into France this Prince went along with him so also his three Brethren and commanded the Rear of that Army which making its way through the Bowels of France at Bretigny neer Chartres a Peace was concluded in which this Prince and some other of the Kings Council on the Kings part having treated with the French Lords on the part of the Dauphin of Viennois Governor of France brought all controversies touching that Realm to a happy composure The King desirous to proceed to the effect and accomplishment of that Treaty gave him another Commission with authority to treat further upon any thing that concerned or was comprised therein either in general or special to demand and receive the Hostages Money Castles Cities and Fortresses and what ever else was to be delivered to the King by virtue thereof with a general Clause to add and supply the power granted if any solemn or substantial thing should be omitted through much business or otherwise or were expedient or advantagious as to the premises After the confirmation of this Peace and King Edward in possession of a considerable part of the Territories both of his own inheritance or invested in him by the said Peace which he was to enjoy without resort or Soveraignty to the Crown of France The Nobility of these Provinces desiring to be governed by a Prince of their own rather than by the Kings Lieutenants as before they addressed themselves to the King to confer the Government thereof on this Prince and send him thither where he had so great Possessions and Revenues to maintain his State and Dignity Hereupon the King Created him Prince of Guyenne and gave him Guyenne and Gascoigne by the name of a Principality during his life and also granted to him those other Countries Towns and Castles near adjoyning delivered into the Kings possession by vertue of the foresaid Treaty together with the Government of them also retaining nevertheless the Resort and Soveraignty over all thereby given and granted to himself This done he forthwith prepared for his Voyage thither taking along with him his Lady the Princess with whom being arrived at Rochel they were both joyfully received Thence he went to Poicters whither the Barons and Knights of Poictou and
pardon and restore their Lands The 3. of April in the following year he and 6 other whereof he was to be one were commissionated to treat with David Brus and other Scotchmen his Adherents upon a final Peace or Truce as also upon all debates and differences whatsoever between the King and them and amicably to compose them And the same day he had power likewise given him to grant to Adam Bishop of Brechin to Patrick Earl of March Sir William de Douglas and Sir Thomas de Caruato Knights and William Bullock and other Scotch Men as he should see cause the the King 's special Letters of safe Conduct and Protection for so long time as this Earl thought fit to come into England with as many Horse as he should appoint to treat either of a Truce or Peace with this Earl and others deputed thereto by the King Having in this expedition undertaken upon certain conditions the Custody of the Marches of Scotland the King gave him in reward the 1000. Marks which Io. de Wesenham stood engaged to pay the King for Wooll He went over with the King in his Voyage into Bretagne having under his Command 5. Bannerets 50. Knights 144. Esquires and 200. Archers on Horseback The daily Wages allowed him for himself was 8 s. for each Banneret 4 s. each Knight 2 s. each Esquire 1 s. and each Archer 6 d. At the Siege of Vannes he was constituted one of the Kings Commissioners the other being the Earls of Northampton and Salisbury the Lord Stafford Burghershe Cantelowe Cobham Manneys and Berkley and Mr. Iohn Vfford Archdeacon of Ely where a Truce was concluded for three years The 24. of March an 18. E. 3. The King by his Letters Patent constituted this Noble Earl and Richard Earl of Arundel his Lieutenants in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and the Countries adjoining to govern and defend those Territories to demand and receive the possession of the Castles Places and Rights unjustly detained from him to recover and retain the same by force of Arms if need should be and to receive such as should return to their Obedience to the grace and favour of the King as also the Homage and Fidelity from whomsoever in those parts due and generally to do all things for defence and recovery of the Kings Rights and good Government of those Countries and his Subjects with Command to the Archbishops c. to yield Obedience to them And whereas the King upon false suggestions had been deceived in many of his Grants and Donations in that Dukedom He by other Letters Patents of the same date gave him power to seize into his hands all the Castles Lands Liberties and Profits formerly granted by him and those that should appear to have been obtained upon untrue suggestions to retain without Restitution but upon true to restore entirely A like Commission was given them which extended to the grants made by his Father King Edward the Second upon like pretences as well as by himself They also had a General Commission to treat and conclude with all persons of whatsoever state or condition Kingdom or Nation for the setling of Alliances and mutual Assistance between the King and them to retain men for the Kings Service and to agree about Fees Wages and Rewards to be paid unto them By other Commissions of the same date these two Earls had power to treat and conclude with Alphonsus King of Castile there stiled Alphonsus Rex Castiliae Legionis Toleti Galiciae Siviliae Cordubiae Murciae Gyennii Algarbiae Comes Molmae or his Deputies upon all differences arising between their Subjects especially Mariners and amicably to compose them as also of a perpetual League of Friendship between them c. their Subjects and to afford each other their mutual assistance with Power to make Substitutes in their stead The said Earls had like Commissions with the same Power to treat with the King of Portugal therein stiled Alphonsus Rex Portugaliae Algarbiae And with the King of Aragon stiled therein Petrus Rex Aragoniae Valenciae Majorcae Sardinii Corsicae Comes Barthon Sir Iohn Froissard tells us that some of the Gascoigne Lords came hither about this time to acquaint the King with the weak condition of that Country and City of Bordeaux and to desire relief and that in this Earls company went also the Earls of Penbroke and Oxford the Lord Stafford Sir Walter Manney the Lord Frank de la Hall and divers others of note being about 500 Knights and Esquires and 2000 Archers and having landed at Bayon the 6. of Iune 1344. went thence to Bordeaux His first attempt was upon the Town of Bergerac which surrendred to him and next Longo Castle and le Lake Mandurant he took by assault so also the Castle of Mountgyse Punache and the Castle de la Lewe Forsathe and Pondayre he won with little opposition and the great Town of Laylloyes after three days the chief Town appertaining to the Earl of Laylle who lived as King in those parts of Gascoigne was delivered to him after some dispute After this success he marched to Bonu this he assaulted and took he also took the Castle of Auberoche and the Town of Libourne yielded themselves to him Auberoche being presently after besieged by 12000 French this Earl on St. Laurence Eve assaulted the Enemy in their Tents with 300 Spears and 600 Archers and took the Earl of Laylle and 8 other Earls and Viscounts and 200 Knights and so many Esquires and other Soldiers that each Englishman had 2 or 3 Prisoners many of whom they let go upon their paroll to return to Bergerac or to Bordeaux on a certain day and others they carried with them to Bourdeaux and by this valiant Exploit having relieved the Castle he afterwards disposed of his Army into Winter Quarters and returned into England Upon these great successes the King made him his sole Lieutenant and Captain in the Dutchy of Aquitaine and the parts adjacent with power to do and execute all things that belonged to that Command and gave command to all Archbishops Earls Barons Viscounts Castellans and other persons throughout that Dukedom and adjacent Countries to yield obedience to him as the Kings Lieutenant Five days before the King gave him Commission with power to treat and conclude with all persons of whatsoever state or condition Kingdom or Nation for setling firm alliances and mutual assistance between the King and them as also to retain men for the King's Service and to agree about their Fees Wages and other Rewards The 11 of Iune following Command was sent to the Sheriff of London that forasmuch as the Earl had shipt most of his Horse at Southampton and was ready to depart to make proclamation that all the men at Arms Archers and others who were to go with him should march to Southampton with all possible
speed Immediately after his arrival in Gascoigne he took the Field and laid Siege to Bosyll which surrendred to him The Castle of Rochemyllone being well fortified he took by assault and slew all but those that fled into the Church the next day he laid Siege to the Town of Mountsegur and battered it with great Engines for 15 days together and at length it was yielded to him upon Composition After this the strong Castle of Aguillon was yielded up to him and then he laid Siege to Reole which surrendred on mercy but the Castle stood out 11 weeks and then also surrendred After his taking of Reole he marched to Mountpesance Castle which he took by Storm and then he sat down before Mauleon and took it by the stratagem of an Ambush He took also the Ville Franche in Agenois with its Castle by assault after which he marched through the Country and took many other Towns and Castles with little difficulty At the end of three days Siege Myremont yielded to him and some of his Forces took Thomynes on the River Garonne and the strong Castle Damasan Last of all Augoulesme yielded to him after a Months Siege and thence he retired to his Winter Quarter at Bordeaux This Winter the Duke of Normandy entred Gascoigne with 100000 men and shortly after Christmas took the Field in this Expedition he regained several places from the English and sat down before Aiguillon but after the Battel at Cressy being sent for back by the French King he was constrained to raise his Siege Shortly after the retreat of the Duke of Normandy this Earl the King having sent to the Prior of the Order of the Friers Preachers in London to offer up Prayers that God would please to protect and defend him and give his Forces Victory over his Enemies with 1200 men at Arms 2000 Archers and 3000 Foot passed the River Garonne towards Xantonge and took Myrabel by Storm as also the Town and Castle of Alaay and Sargeres and Benon He likewise took Mortagne on the Sea side in Poictou by assault and burnt Lusignen and took the Town and Castle of Taillebourge at length he lay Siege to St. Iean d' Angely which surrendred to him upon Conditions after which he took Maxinent by assault and won the Town of Monstrevil Bonnin he thence marched to Poicters and that he took by Assault where 700 of the Inhabitants were slain and some Churches spoiled and more had been but that this pious Earl commanded the contrary on pain of death Nevertheless they plundred the Town and left it desolate and here the Soldiers got so great Wealth that nothing was of value but Gold Silver and Feathers for the Troops From hence he returned to St. Iean d' Angely and thence to Bordeaux and in this Expedition he gained so great esteem that he was reported to be the Noblest Prince that ever rode on Horseback Having behaved himself so gallantly and faithfully in prosecuting and recovering of the King 's right in these parts the first of Febr. an 21. E. 3. the King sent for him back to be near unto himself for the future upon all occasions and to direct and assist in his Martial and other Affairs whereupon he returned into England and because King Edward understood that the French King was making great preparations to draw down to Calais about Whitsontide he enjoyned him speedily to repair to his assistance in reference to whose passage Command was sent to Io. de Montgomery Admiral of the Fleet Westward to provide Ships in readiness at Sandwich and Dover for the Transportation of the Army he had raised with all speed and immediately upon his coming thither and consideration had of his victorious Successes and good Services done the King in the Dukedom of Aquitain and parts adjoining the King granted to him and his Heir Males by Charter the Castle Town and Place of Brageriac in Diocess Petragoriensis with the whole Castellany and all Iurisdiction high and low Royal Authority absolute and mixt as also the Coinage of Money there To which he afterward added a grant of the Examination of the Assay with both the Criminal and Civil punishment of all Offenders for coyning Money And because this Town and Castle stood upon the Frontiers of the Enemy the King granted that during the War there should remain in that Garrison 100 men of Arms and 200 Foot at the King's pay subject nevertheless to the Command of the Steward of Gascoigne to be drawn out upon occasion by him leaving sufficient strength to defend the same This Earl having taken divers Prisoners at the Town of St. Iohn d' Angely and reduced it to the obedience of the King he therefore granted to him all the Lands Tenements Vines and other Goods of those Prisoners until their Ransoms were fully paid And a little after granted unto him and his Heirs for ever the Houses Lands c. of Bernard Barram Burgess of that Town to hold by the Service of rendring to the King and his Heirs one Rose annually at Midsummer Moreover on the 10. of November following he had further granted the Castle of Horston with the appurtenances in the County of Derby and 40 l. per an out of the Farm of the Town of Derby to him and his Heirs Males then the same to revert to the King and his Heirs All these Grants were made to him upon the account of his good and grateful services formerly performed Upon the French King 's coming towards Calais in Iuly before with design to relieve it the King appointed him to keep Newland bridge for by securing that passage the French could not pass on that side unless through the Marches which were not to be attempted without danger His order in keeping this place was much commended by the four French Commissioners who passed by it when they came from their King to King Edward to demand a place to fight in At this time the Pope having sent two Cardinals to the King they obtained his condescention to treat with King Philip whose Commissioners were the Dukes of Burgoigne and Burbone the Lord Lewis de Savoy and the Lord Iohn of Henalt otherwise called Lord Beaumont and on King Edwards part were the Noble Earls of Derby and Northampton the Lords Cobham and Mannie but three days being spent without coming to any conclusion the Treaty broke up and the Cardinal Mediators departed He was after made choice of by the King and Ralph Earl of Eu and Guynes Constable of France by the French King to agree upon a Truce in hopes of a Peace to hold for 6. Weeks throughout Picardy Normandy Artois Boulogne and Flanders to commence the 13. of the same September The 25. day of September following he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant as well in the parts of Flanders and Calais as
elsewhere in the Kingdom of France and therein power was given him to treat and agree with any of the Kings Adversaries or their Adherents or other persons whatsoever And after by a particular Commission he and William Bishop of Norwich the Earls of Suffolk and Huntington and others were impowred to Treat and agree with the Earl of Flanders and his Allies touching any difference between the King and them and it seems their Endeavours took so good effect that an Agreement was made with that Earl the 10. of December following whereupon he was sent to Denemere and there received the said Earls Fealty and Homage As to his transactions relating to France He with the Bishop of Norwich the Earl of Suffolk and Sir Walter Many agreed to the Prorogation of the Truce from the 18. of November to the first of September following Upon the Death of his Father which fell out an 19. E. 3. he succeeded him in the Titles of the Earldoms of Lancaster and Leicester and for that a great part of the Lands sometimes the Earl of Lincolns were come to his possession the King Created him also Earl of Lincoln He had by his Charter of Creation granted unto him the Creation annuity of 20 l. to be paid him by the Sheriff of Lincolnshire for the time being in lieu of the third penny of that County for ever as Thomas late Earl of Lincoln his Uncle had to enjoy whilst he lived About 8. days after the King renued his Commission for being his Captain and Lieutenant in Aquitain and the parts adjacent with all Powers requisite for the better Government of those Dominions whether he shortly after pass'd And by other Letters Patent he constituted him his Captain and Lieutenant in Poicters with full power to exercise all things which appertained to that Command But for further increase of Honor the King Created him Duke of Lancaster and granted that during life he should have within that Country his Chancellor and Iustice as well to the Pleas of the Crown as other Pleas whatsoever to be held according to Law and the Executions of them and likewise all other Liberties and Royal Jurisdiction to a County Palatine appertaining as freely and wholly as the Earl of Chester was known to enjoy in the County of Chester the tenths and fifteenths and all other payments granted by the Clergy or Canons and pardons for life and members to the King excepted The 8. of March ensuing he was constituted Admiral of the Fleet from the mouth of the River Thames Westward and two days after the King Assigned him several Lieutenants namely Reginald de Ferers on the River Thames and Medway Robert Ledred Serjeant at Arms within the Cinque-Ports Philip de Wetton and Walter de Harewell Serjeants at Arms in the Port of Seford and in every part and place thence by the Sea-Coast to Fowy Richard Lengles in the Port of Fowy and thence to Bristol and there and in the Port of Chepstow and River of Severn and Ralph de Lullebrock in all places and Ports from Chepstow to Chester and there and in all Parts and Maritine places in Wales Upon a Rumor that the French had provided an Army and Navy to invade England among the Maritine Counties on the South of England Hants Wilts Somerset and Dorset were committed to this Duke to secure and to resist the Enemy So also was the Maritine parts of Lancashire And because the King had occasion to raise men for Land Service he gave him Commission to array 300. Archers within that Dutchy before the Quindena of the Holy Trinity then next following to be ready to march in the Kings Service The Scots also designing to invade England the following year this Duke had Commission to array all able men in Lancashire between the Age of 1â— and 60 to march against them in case they should presume to enter the Kingdom The like Commission was given him the 26. of February an 29. â— 3. The 14. of September an 29. E. 3. this noble Duke was constituted Lieutenant for the King and Iohn Duke of Bretagne then under age And by other Letters Patent of the same date Command was given to Sir Thomas Holland the Kings late Lieutenant to deliver up to him all the Castles Forts Cities Towns and other Places Lands Tenements and Rents in the said Dukedom under his custody with all the Corn Victuals Money and Issues of the said Dukedom as also all Victuals Engines Arms and other Ammunition in the said Castles c. which belonged to the King in Bretagne The 8. of August an 30. E. 6. he was by the Kings Letters Patent constituted Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Bretagne and parts adjacent for the good Government thereof both for the King and the said Iohn de Montford Duke of Bretagne then under age and in the King's custody from Michaelmas following for one year Froissard saith this Duke was in Normandy and with him the Lord Philip of Navarre and the Lord Godfrey of Harecourt carrying on the War in that Country under the Title of the King of Navar at such time as the Prince was foraging of Berry and used all endeavour to have joined his Forces with the Prince at Poicters but the passages being so well kept on the River Loire he could not pass and having heard that the Prince had got the Victory there he returned into England In this Voyage being 4000 strong they marched to Lisieux to Orbeâ— to Ponteau and relieved that Castle besieged above two Months but the Enemy hearing of the approach of the English raised their Siege in such hast that they left behind them their Ensigns and Artillery This Duke then marched to Breteuil which he relieved next to Verneuil in Perche took both Castle and Town and burnt a great part of it Upon the information of which the French King raised a mighty Army with design to fight him but he withdrawing to Laigle and the King being come within two Leagues of it found the Forest so thick and hazardous that he thought it not safe to pass further and in his return took from the Navarrois the Castles of Tilliers and Breteuil and so marched forward towards the Prince then harrasing Berry About the middle of May an 31. E. 3. he took the Field in Bretagne with 1000 men at Arms and 500 Archers and laid Siege to Rennes which though well defended was at length surrendred and the 25. of Iuly his Commission of Lieutenancy both for the King and Duke of Bretagne was renued for another year to commence at Michaelmas following but the 8. of August before the expiration thereof Sir Robert Herle and Iohn de Buckenham Clerk were appointed to succeed him being jointly and severally constituted Captains and Lieutenants both to the King and Duke for the following year from Michaelmas then next ensuing
first designed for Gascoigne an 20. E. 3. he was made Admiral of the Fleet but the King altering his course upon the advice of Sir Godfry de Harecourt took into his own Ship the Admirals Colours and sailed towards Normandy Where landing at Hoges this Earl made the first attempt with one Esquire and six Archers against 100 Normans whereof 60 were slain upon the place and by this valiant action made way for the Kings Army to land Upon this he was constituted one of the Marshals of the Kings Army and Sir Godfry de Harecourt the other And upon the Kings advance to Cressy he was one of the Commanders under the Prince of Wales who led the Van of his Army in that famous battel He attended the King at the Siege of Calais with 3 Bannerets 61 Knights 160 Esquires 154 Archers on Horseback and upon its surrender he with the Earl of Stafford and Sir Walter Manny had the Keys of the Town delivered them by the King and were appointed to take possession of it for him And for his great services in this Voyage into France the King gave him 1366 l. 11. s. 8 d. and after assigned him 1000 Marks per annum for life out of the Customs of London Lynn and St. Botolphs and these partly in recompence for his great services and partly for wages due for attendance on his person with 100 men at Arms according to certain Indentures of Covenants made betwixt them He was also in that Naval fight against the Spanish Fleet near Winchelsey quarto Calendas Septembris an 24. E. 3. where the English took 26 of their best Ships the rest fled or were sunk King Edward having received intelligence that the French King threatned an Invasion this Earl was constituted Admiral of the Sea from the River Thames Westward and Philip de Witton made his Lieutenant The same year he was constituted one of the Commissioners assigned for the Arraying all able men as well Knights and Esquires as others within the Counties of Warwick Leicester and Worcester for defence of the Realm The Prince being constituted the King's Lieutenant in Aquitaine he attended him thither and there staid with him that year and the year after And that the Town of Vattes in Bretagne might be made defensible he had command to take care of the fortifying it and to furnish the Magazin with stores In the Battel at Poictiers the French King and his eldest Son encountred the Battel of the English Marshals led by the Earls of Warwick and Suffolk And after the Victory the Prince sent this Earl and Sir Reignold Cobham to discover what was become of the French King who after some time espied a Company of Souldiers together and riding towards them found the French King on foot in great danger between the English and Gascoigners for they had taken him from Sir Denis Morbeck to whom the King first yielded himself and in token thereof had given him his right Gauntlet there being above 10 Knights and Esquires among them who challenged him for their Prisoner but this Earl entring the throng commanded the Souldiers to fall back and brought King Iohn to the Prince In this Battel the Earl himself took William de Melleun Archbishop of Seinz Prisoner for whose Ransom he after received 8000 l. and therein behaved himself most valiantly and got great renown having fought so long that his hand was galled with the management of his Sword and Poleax This Earl was in the Gascoigne War an 31. E. 3. he also attended the King in his Expedition into France an 33. E. 3. And after the Peace was agreed upon at Bretigny near Chartres and the King returned to England he gave this Earl the Command of all the Forces he left behind him in Guyenne or any other place on that side the Sea An. 36. E. 3. he marched in the Retinue of Iohn Duke of Bretagne The following year he attended the Prince of Wales into Gascoigne and had an allowance of 452 l. in recompence of his expences and loss sustained by stay of himself and Men at Arms at Southampton After he had been a while in Gascoigne he began his Travels into other Countries having a Train of 300 Horse consisting of Knights Esquires Archers and Servants In this Journey he spent 3 years having made great proof of his Valour in the East Countries against the Pagans and in his return for England brought along with him the King of Lituania's Son to whom being christened in London this Earl was Godfather and named him Thomas His Commission for Marshal of England was renewed to him an 40. E. 3. and the following year he and the Bishop of Durham and some others were impowered to supervise the Marches of Scotland and to treat with David de Bruys about the rupture of the Truce formerly made at Berwick and several injuries done by the Scots He married Katherine one of the Daughters of Roger Mortimer Earl of March who dyed some few weeks before him He had by her these Children Guy his eldest Son who died in France Thomas who succeeded him in his Earldom Reynburn William Lord Bergaveny and Roger. His Daughters were Maud the Wife of Roger Lord Clifford Philippa of Hugh Earl of Stafford Alice of Iohn Beauchamp of Hach Ioane of Ralph Lord Basset of Drayton Isabel of Iohn Lord Strange of Blackmere Margaret of Guy de Montfort Agnes of Cokesey Iulian and Katherine This noble Earls last action was in the Isle of Caux an 43. E. 3. for passing over to Calais in assistance of the Duke of Lancaster as is mentioned the French having intelligence of his coming presently withdrew in great confusion from Chalke-hill where they had pitcht their Tents and upon his arrival understanding that the English had only faced the French and not fought them he could not forbear to condemn their slackness and out of a high sence and indignation thereof said I will go on and fight before the English bread which we have eaten be digested and forthwith past into the Isle of Caux in Normandy which he entred with Fire and Sword but returning to Calais he fell sick of the Pestilence then vulgarly called the Third Mortality and died on the 13. of November His Body was brought over into England and interred in the middle of the Choire of the Collegiate Church at Warwick the Sculp of whose Monument is to be seen in the Antiquities of Warwickshire 5 Piers Capitow de la Bouch. We are yet to seek who this person was notwithstanding there hath wanted no pains in the search That his name was Peter is most evident from the Inscription under his Plate yet remaining in Windesor Chappel in these very Syllables Le Capitow de la Bouch Monsieur Piers But whether Peter de Greilly
Viscount Benanges mentioned in the following Pedigree be the same person is some question For first in all those Records where he is remembred the Title of Capitow de la Bouch is not given him Secondly we cannot trace him beyond the 22. year of the Reign of King Edward the Third and the Order of the Garter was not Instituted till the following year Thirdly Iohn his Son is called Capitan de Bouâ—h an 5. E. 3. and so till he died And if he should prove the persoâ— as some do take him to be it is a strange mistake committed in the Engravement of the Plate which seems to be as ancient as any of the rest set up in the Chappel at Windesor Of this Iohn Capitan de Buch there are many things noted by Sir Iohn Froissard relating to both his taking King Edward's side against the French and his valiant actions in those Wars But in regard we doubt of his being one of the first Knights-Companions of the Garter we have thought fit for the present to wave the Historical account of him and intreat the Reader in lieu of it to content himself with that of some part of the descent whereby he may guess at the greatness yet unsuccessfulness of our pains in endeavouring to ascertain the person Iohannes de Greilly dominus Benanges Senescallus totius Aquitaniae Rot. Vasc. 6. 7. E. 1. m. 9. Claramonda filia haeres Galliardi de Mota domini de Laudirons Rot. Vasc. 6. 7. E. 1. m. 9. Petrus de Greilly miles Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. Katherina de Greilly Domina Locorum St Blasii de Laudiron Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. Petrus de Greilly Vicecom Benangiarum Castellionis Rot. Vasc. 14. E. 3. m. 2. 16. E. 3. m. 13. 22. E. 3. m. 25. Assalita soror haeres Petri de Burdegal Rot. Vasc. 5. E. 3. m. 24. Petrus de Burdegal dominus de Puypaulini Iohannes de Greilly ac Capitaneus de Buch. Rot. Vasc. 5. E. 3. m. 24.14 E. 3. m. 2.16 E. 3. m. 13. 29. E. 3. m. 6. Blanch de Loup Archambaud de Greilly Capitalis de Bogio ac Vicecomes Benangiarum Castillionis ac dominus de Podiopaulini Castri novi in Medulco Rot. Vasc. 7. R. 2. m. 10. 6. Ralph Earl of Stafford THis Noble Earl was Son unto Edmund Lord Stafford first summoned to Parliament an 27. E. 1. and Margaret Daughter to Ralph Lord Basset of Draiton His Father dyed an 2. E. 2. and and an 17. E. 2. being of full age he did his Homage and had Livery of his Fathers Lands The first military imployment that he undertook was an 1. E. 3. being summoned to be at Newcastle upon Tine on Monday next before Ascension day to go against the Scots The 12. of February an 10. E. 3. the King sent his Writ directed to him Philip Chetwynde and Philip Somervill to raise in Staffordshire Lichfield excepted 60 Hobelars and 200 Archers and to bring them to Berwick upon Tweed before the following Octaves of Easter In his absence it seems there was some attempts made to seize upon his Lady and carry her away but making his complaint to the King he received her under his protection and directed his Writ to the Sheriff to protect her so long as her Lord remained in his service I find this noble Lord was an 15. E. 3. Steward of the Kings House and one of those who went over into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. with Robert d' Artous to the assistance of the Countess of Montfort He behaved himself bravely in the Sea-fight near the Isle of Gernsey with the French and Genoeses who endeavoured to interrupt their passage thither but after they had been a while engaged a violent storm parted the two Navies and the English landed safely the first Town taken by them being Vannes and that by assault Soon after this Town was re-taken by Sir Henry de Leon and the Lord Clisson but the latter end of the Summer King Edward landed with an Army and laid a new Siege to it and perceiving the Country was much wasted he left the Earl of Arundel with this Lord before it and went to Rennes It hapned that one day upon an assault this Lord ventured so far that he was got between the City Gate and the Bars and there taken Prisoner but at another side of the Town Sir Henry de Leon and the Lord Clisson were both taken Prisoners by the English and so he was afterwards exchanged for the Lord Clisson In this Expedition he had Wages allowed him for 50 men at Arms viz. himself two Bannerets 16 Knights 31 Esquires and 50 Archers on Horseback An. 17. E. 3. was a year of much action for first this Earl with the Earl of Lancaster and other Noblemen went into Scotland to raise the Siege laid by the Scots to the Castle of Louhmaban and being returned was joined in Commission with Hugh le Despenser Lord of Glamorgan William de Norwich Dean of Lincolne Sir William Trussell and Andrew de Offord to treat in the Pope's presence with the Agents of Philip de Valois concerning the Kings right to the Crown of France but we suppose he went not on that Embassy for the 19. of August there was another Commission for that Affair made out to Henry of Lancaster Earl of Derby and others wherein he and Sir William Trussell were omitted and they the first of Iuly preceding with Philip de Weston Canon of York and Iohn Wawayn were sent to treat with the Noblemen Burgomasters c. in Flanders about the setlement of the Staple of Wool there and touching the Coyning of Gold and Silver such as might be current both in England and Flanders and whatsoever by any 3 or 2 of them should be agreed on this Ralph Earl of Stafford being one the King promised to ratifie They had another Commission wherein power was granted them to treat with the Princes Nobles and People of Almaine upon Alliances between the King and them and to gain their assistance for him The following year he went in the Expedition intâ— Gascoigne with the Earl of Derby and commanded the Party that assaulted Bergerac by Water who behaved themselves so valiantly that through their Valour the Town was forced to surrender to the Earl He was very active in this Gascoigne War and almost in continual Service and in sealing the Walls of Mountpesat Castle Richard Pennenort an English Gentleman that bare his Banner was slain For his Great Services in this War after his return into England he was made Seneschal of Gascoigne and had the Kings Letter sent to the Prelates and Nobility of that Country to obey and submit to his Authority while he continued in that Office Within a few days after the King directed his Writ
He and divers other Knights of the Court were sent to Dover to wait upon Iohn King of France who coming over to Visit King Edward landed there the 4. of Ianuary and was conducted by them to Caenterbury where having offered a rich Jewel at the Shrine of Thomas Becket he after rode to Eltham to the King and thence to the Savoy where he was honorably entertained Half a year before this we find the King appointed the Treasurer of his Chamber to give him 200 l. upon the Debt due to him from the King for the Count de Vendedour his Prisoner He had two Wives the first was Cecily Daughter and Heir to Richard Weyland by whom he had divers Lands in the Counties of Norfolk Suffolk Cambridge Huntingdon Essex and Hertford by her he had Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir married to Edward le Despenser His second Wife was Margaret Sister to Sir Bartholomew Badlismere whom he lest a Widow but she afterwards married William de Burcester and dyed about the 18. year of King Richard the Second The 5. of April an 43. E. 3. he dyed leaving Elizabeth his Daughter and Heir then about 24 years of age 11. Sir Iohn Beauchamp HE was a younger Son to Guy Earl of Warwick by Alice his Wife and Brother to Thomas Earl of Warwick one of the Founders of this most Noble Order of the Garter He attended King Edward the Third into Flanders in the 12. year of his Reign and was in the Battel pitcht between Vyronfosse and Flamengery an 13. E. 3. So also the following year in the Naval fight at Sluce Aâ— 15. E. 3. I find him stiled Banneret towards the support of which Dignity he had a considerable Pension given him He attended the King in his Voyage into France an 20. E. 3. and at the Battel of Cressy carried the Kings Standard Royal. The following year he continued with the King at the Siege of Calais till it was taken And an 22. E. 3. he was constituted Captain of that Town The next year made Admiral of the Kings Fleet from the River of Thames Westward And having his Commission again renewed for the custody of Calais to commence the first of April an 25. E. 3. he marched out of the Town with a Party of 200 Archers and 300 Men at Arms and forraged the Country for 10 miles round where meeting with 2000 Men at Arms commanded by the Lord Bealren encountred them and slew the said Lord. But fresh Supplies coming in to the assistance of the French they overpowr'd the English and took this noble Knight Prisoner who was exchanged within a short time after This year the Constableship of the Tower of London being resigned to him by Iohn Darcy who had a former Grant of it for life the King confirmed the resignation to him and for the Custody thereof allowed him 100 l. per annum He was again constituted Captain of Calais an 29. E. 3. and of the Castle of Guynes the Forts of Merk Colne Eye and Sandgate as also Admiral from the River Thames Westward An. 31. E. 3. he had his Commission again renewed for Custody of Calais Guynes and those before mentioned Forts Two years after he attended the King in his Voyage Royal into France and upon the death of Roger Earl of March was constituted Constable of Dover-Castle and the Cinque-Ports the Kings Letters Patent bearing Teste primo Martii apud Goillioun in Burgundia This year he was made Constable of the Tower of London and also Admiral of the Seas for the South North and West Coast of England He was a man of eminent esteem with the King and by his services deserved so well that he confer'd on him both considerable Pensions and several gifts and from an 24. E. 3. so long as he lived received Summons to Parliament The first donation we have met with was an 10. E. 3. when the King bestowed on him the Marriage of Margaret the Relict of Iohn de Bohun Earl of Hereford An. 19. E. 3. the King granted him a Pension of 30 l. per annum out of his Exchequer towards his expences in his service over and above 20 l. per annum formerly given him till he should have Lands setled on him to that yearly value The following year the King gave him the Mannor of Oddingle which Thomas de Haukeston held for life after whose death it was to remain to this Sir Iohn and his Heirs for ever An. 22. E. 3. he had the custody of the Lands of Allan la Zouche granted him till his Heir came to â—ull age without rendring any thing theretofore The King had also given him out of the Exchequer a Pension of 180 l. per annum to support his Degree of Banneret beside 20 l. per annum out of the Customs until he should have 200 l. per annum in Lands or Rents provided of that yearly value for his life And upon his resignation of several Letters Paâ—ent of Pensions amounting to 280 l. per annum he had the same annual sum granted to him out of the Customs of London and St. Botolphsâ—or â—or his life also The next year the King granted to him the Bailyweek of Cors in Gloucestershire till the full age of the Heir of Edward le Dispenser Knight Cousin and Heir of Hugh le Dispenser then deceased And lastly there being an Arrear of 50 l. at Michaelmas before he dyed of the said 280 l. per annum formerly granted to him out of the Customâ— as aforesaid a Writ issued to the Collectors of the Customs of St. Botolphs to pay the same to Iohn the Son of Giles Beauchamp his Executor He lived a Batchellor and dyed the 2. of Dec. an 34. E. 3. and was buried on the South side of the Body of the Cathedral of St. Paul London a Sculp of whose Monument is yet preserved in the History of St. Pauls by William Dugdale Esq now Norroy King of Arms which vulgarly but falsely was called Duke Humfry's Tomb. 12 Sir Iohn Mohun HE was Son to Iohn Mohun and Sibyll the Daughter of Iohn de Segrave which Iohn his Father dyed before his Grandfather in Scotland an 4. E. 3. and lies buried at York Shortly after his Grandfather Iohn Lord Mohun died at which time he was about 10 years old the custody of all his said Grandfathers Lands he being by Inquisition found to be his Cousin and Heir as also of his Marriage was granted to Henry Burghersh Bishop of Lincolne till he came of full age the 28. of May an 18. E. 3. he did homage to the King whereupon he had Livery of the said Lands In the 16. year of King Edward the Third he went over in the Kings Service into Bretagne with Sir Bartholomew de Burghersh as
he did also with the said Sir Bartholomew an 19. E. 3. The following year he attended the Prince of Wales when King Edward entred France by Normandy and continued in service at the Siege of Calais and the following year was again sent into France The last Martial service we find him employed in was an 29. E. 3. when he attended the Prince of Wales into Gascoigne An. 16. E. 3. which was soon after he came of age he was summoned to Parliament from whence the summons were continued till an 47. E. 3. He married Ioane Daughter to Sir Bartholomew Burghersh the elder Sister to Sir Bartholomew Burghersh one of the Founders of this most Noble Order who died on Saturday next after the Feast of St. Michael an 6. H. 4. and had by her three Daughters and Co-heirs namely Elizabeth Wife to William Mountague Earl of Salisbury another of the Founders of the Order Philippa Wife to Edmond Duke of York and Albemarle and Maude Wife of Iohn Lord Strange of Knoching whose Son Richard came to inherit a large Estate after the death of his Aunts Elizabeth and Philippa they dying without Issue 13 Sir Hugh Courtney THis Hugh Courtney was elâ—est Son of Hugh Courtney second Son of Hugh Courtney first Earl of Devonshire of that name his eldest Son Iohn having taken on him a religious life was made Abbot of Tavestock and Margaret Daughter of Henry Bohun Earl of Hereford his Wife He was born 11. Cal. Apr. an 1. E. 3. and commonly called Hugh Courtney junior in regard his Father was living â—e attended the Kingin his Expedition into France an 20. E. 3. and in the following year being amoâ—g other brave Martialists in the Tornament at Eltham he had given him by thâ— King a Hood of White Cloth embroidered with men in the postures of dancing button'd with large Pearls He had a Son named Hugh who married Maud Daughter to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent one of the Founders of the Garter but had no Issue by her and she after his death became Wife to Waleran Earl of St. Paul He died an 40. E. 3. and his Son also died Hugh Courtney second Earl of Devonshire Father to the former and Grandfather to the later surviving both after whose death Edward Son to his Brother Edward Nephew and Heir to his Father succeeded him in the Earldom 14 Sir Thomas Holland HIS Father was Robert Lord Holland of Holland in Lancashire first summoned to Parliament an 8. E. 2. and he his second Son by Maud Daughter and Heir of Alan la Zouche An. 16. E. 3. he with Sir Iohn Dartuell were sent to Bayon with 200 men at Arms and 400 Archers to keep the Frontiers the following year he went again into France The King having granted to him 40 l. per annum for his good service till Lands of that yearly value were provided for him appointed it to be paid him out of the Farm Priory of Haylyng during the War with his Adversary of France The next year he gave his Mother Maud license to infeoffe him of the Mannors of Hals Brackeley and Kyng sutton to hold to him and his Heirs for ever And shortly after he attended the King into Normandy where he had a command under the Earl of Warwick At the taking of Caen in this Expedition the Earl of Eu and Guynes Constable of France and the Earl of Tankervile who defended it for the French seeing this Knight whom Froissard notes to have but one Eye as having formerly known him in Prusia Granada and other places called to him and yielded themselves and 25 Knights his Prisoners After he had secured them he again took Horse and rode into the Streets where he preserved the lives of many Ladies Maidens and Religious Women Afterwards the King bought of him the said Earl of Eu for 80000 Florens de Scuto six of which went to a Pound English money Not long after when the Army left Poysy he with Sir Reginald Cobham having command of the Rear upon the Townsmens revolt and killing some few of the English Souldiers that stayed behind returned and burnt the Town razed the two Castles and flew most of the Inhabitants At the Battel of Cressy he had command in the Van under the Prince of Wales and was at the Siege of Calais The 24. of August an 26. E. 3. the King granted to him and Ioane his Wife na annual Pension of 100 Marks out of his Exchequer towards her support during her life but in case her Brother Iohn Earl of Kent died without Issue and she enjoyed his Estate then the payment of the said Pension to cease An. 27. E. 3. he was summoned to Parliament and the next year constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Bretagne and in the parts of Poictou adjoining to that Dukedom and of all other places belonging to Iohn Duke of Bretagne then a minor and under the Guardianship of the King and towards his expences and the maintenance of his Army while he stayed there he had allowed him all the profits and issues of the said Dukedom without rendring any account or profit to the King The 11. of November following this Commission was renewed and thereupon he continued in Bretagne all that Winter and the 8. of February following it was again renewed to him to hold from the 13. of April then next coming for one whole year but before half that time was expired Henry Duke of Lancaster was constituted the Kings Lieutenant there and the said Thomas command to surrender to him or to his Deputy all that was within his command It appears that his servants making provision at Totnes in Devonshire for his and his Ladies passage for Bretagne were robbed of as many of his Goods as were valued at 200 l. which accident retarding his passage the King upon his complaint sent forth his Writ to Iohn de Stonsord Iohn de Ferers Knights and Roger Pyperell to enquire into the matter Afterwards he had granted to him the custody of the Fort and Place of Cruyck in Normandy part of the Kings late Conquests with all the Revenues and Profits thereto belonging to hold during pleasure and a command was given to Donald Aselrig Lewis Clifford and Waelter Mewe to deliver them up to him or his Lieutenant An. 32. E. 3. he and his Lady went into Normandy and the ensuing year the custody of the Castle and Fort of St. Saviours le Viscount and of all the Castles c. that were Sir Geoffry de Harecourts was committed to him as also that of e Barflu in Normandy And shortly after Philip of Navarre Earl of Longueville Lord of Casell and this Noble Lord were constituted the Kings Lieutenants and Captains in Normandy conjunctim divisim
deserved He married Ioane the Daughter and Heir of Oliver de Ingham and Relict of Roger le Strange and dyed on Wednesday next before the Feast of St. Nicholas an 38. E. 3. leaving his Son Miles then about 20 years of age The Custody of his Lands was granted to the Queen who granted it to Bryan Stapleton Knight Iohn de Boys and Roger de Boys till his said Son came of age which Grant the King confirmed the same day by his Letters Patent He and his Wife were both buried at the House of Ingham founded by his Mothers Ancestors 18. Sir Thomas Wale HE was the Son of Sir Thomas Wale and Lucy his Wife which Lucy held the Mannor of Wedon-Pinkney in the County of Northampton with its appurtenances in her Demesne as of Fee of the King in Capite as of the Fee Pinkney by the service of one Knights Fee and long before her death she setled the said Mannor on this Sir Thomas and his Heirs as appears by the Inquisition taken after her death wherein the said Sir Thomas is found to be her next Heir and then about 40 years of age He attended the King into Flanders an 12. E. 3. and had command under William de Bohun Earl of Northampton in the Expedition which the King made into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. so also beyond Sea in the Kings service with Richard Earl of Arundel an 18. E. 3. We find not that he had any issue by his Wife Nichola who out-lived him but that his three Sisters were his Heirs namely Margaret the Wife of Malorre Alice of Thomas Chamberlain and Iulian. He dyed in Gascoigne on Tuesday next after the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel an 26. E. 3. being a Knight of great vertue and worthiness so that of all the Stalls of the first Founders his first became void into which succeeded Reginald Lord Cobham of Sterborough 19. Sir Hugh Wrottesley SIR Hugh Wrottesley was Son to Sir William Wrottesley of Wrottesley in the County of Stafford Knight It appears that an 8. E. 3. he designed a Voyage to the Holy-Land and to that end had obtained the Kings Letters for appointing Peter de Hoe and Thomas de Chency his Attornies during his absence to prosecute his Suits in any Court of England An. 12. E. 3. he went in the Kings Service into Flanders when the King went over thither to confer with his Allies And at the Siege of Calais he had the Kings Licence to inclose his Wood at Wrottesley and make a Park Two years after for his good service he granted to him the Custody of the Lands and Tenements which were William de Pilateâ—hall deceased till his Heirs came of age with the marriages of them without rendring any thing theretofore An. 24. E. 3. the King granted him a Pension of 40 l. per annum out of his Exchequer for his life upon the surrender of which Letters Patent he granted him 40 l. per annum to be thus received viz. 16 l. 4 s. 4 d. out of the Farm of the Villages of Mere and Clent 11 l. 10 s. out of the Farm of the Village of Swinford 11 l. out of the Farm of the Village of Kinefare and Tetenhale and 1 l. 6 s. 8 d. out of the Farm of the Foresters Fee of Tedesley to hold for life or till he had 40 l. per annum in Lands or Rents setled on him for life yet to be answerable for the overplus being 1 s. 8 d. These last Letters Patent were confirmed to him by King Richard the Second in the first year of his Reign He married Mabill the Daughter of Sir Philip ap Rees and Ioane his Wife by whom he had issue Iohn whose heir male in a direct line is Sir Walter Wrottesley of Wrottesley in the County of Stafford Baronet now living He also had to his second Wife Isabel Daughter of Iohn Arderne of Aldeford Aderlegh and Edds. And dyed the Monday after the Feast of St. Vincent an 4. R. 2. 20. Sir Nele Loring AT the Naval Fight before Sluce his Valour was so remarkable that it gained him the Honor of Knighthood to which the King immediately added a Donation of 20 l. per annum to him and his Heirs males for the better support of that Dignity till Lands of the like annual value were provided for him and them These Letters Patent bear Teste at Sluce 26. of Iune in the 14. year of the Kings Reign over England and his first of France In the Kings Expedition into Bretagne he attended him thither and an 18. E. 3. went beyond Sea in his Service In the beginning of the following year he and Michael Northburgh Canon of Liâ—hfeild and Hereford were sent to the Pope's Court with the Kings Letter dated 23. Feb. an 19. E. 3. to obtain a Dispensation for the marriage of the Prince of Wales with the Daughter of the Duke of Brabant At his return he went with Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby into Gascoigne where he stayed the following year After which coming over into England he within a short time returned to his Commands in Gascoigne An. 29. E. 3. he attended the Prince of Wales in his Expedition into Gascoigne and being specially assigned to attend his person in the Battel at Poictiers he performed his duty so well that he received both acknowledgments and rewards from the Prince for that days service He was afterwards appointed by King Edward to be one of his Commissioners for receiving the possession of all Countries Cities Forts c. that by the Treaty of Peace near Chartres were to be delivered to him When the Prince of Wales was created Prince of Guyenne he attended him thither again and there continued four years whence returning into England he stayed not long but went back again and remained there three years After which coming into England and being again sent into Aquitaine Writs were directed to Robert de Ashton Admiral towards the West for the passage of him and Sir Iohn de la Haye their Soldiers and Retinue and this year he was one of those Knights of the Prince's Retinue sent to meet Sir Robert Knolls at his coming out of Bretagne whom they met at Quercy and assisted at the Sieges of Durmel and Domme both which though they thought fit to break up yet marching further into the Country they took Gauaches Freins Rochmador and Ville Franche upon the marches of Tholouze He was an active man and did King Edward great services which induced him to confer many favours on him in recompence thereof as first he granted him a Pension of 5 l. a year during his life to be paid him by the Abbess of Burnham out of the 15 l. per annum she was
Seige of Calais with Command to raise what Forces he could and to bring them to Sandwich by Ascension-Day well arm'd to pass over to Calais in regard the French King was drawing together a vast Army with intention to raise the Seige In the Prince of Wales's Expedition into Gascoigne an 29. E. 3. He attended him thither and at the Battel of Poctiers gained everlasting Fame For immediately before the Battels joined he acquainted the Prince that he had served his Father and him faithfully and had made a vow to give the onset or dye in the attempt at the first Battel that the King or any of his Sons should personally be engaged in and therefore beg'd his License to place himself there where he might be in the best capacity to accomplish his Vow which the Prince giving way to he put himself into the Front of the English Army accompanied with his 4. Esquires viz. Dutton of Dutton Delves of Doddington Fowlehurst of Crew and Hawkeston of Wrinehill who had obliged themselves to stick close to him and encountred with Sir Arnold Dandrehen who commanded in the French Marshalls Battel and was sorely wounded by him but taken Prisoner by others for this valiant Knight and his Esquires refused to take Prisoners but spent their time in execution In this Battel he was most dangerously wounded in the Body and Face and at the end of it his 4. Esquires brought him out of the Field and laid him under a Hedg to refresh him where they took off his Arms and bound up his Wounds His valour and stout performances were greatly wondred at by the French Commanders as they acknowledged the following night when they sate at Supper in Poictiers and it is reported by Walâ—ingham that by his extraordinary courage he brake through the Enemies Battel and made great slaughter among them As soon as the Prince had sent to find out the French King he enquired after this Knight and being told where he lay wounded he sent to know if he could be brought to him otherwise he would come to visit him this being told Sir Iames he caused 8. of his Servants to carry him in his Litter to the Prince who took him in his Arms and kist him acknowledging he ought to honor him for by his valour he had gain'd great renown and to enable him to pursue martial affairs he retained him to be his Knight with 500. marks Land of Inheritance Sir Iames being departed from the Prince sent for his Brother Sir Peter Audeley with some other of his nearest Relations and called before them his 4. Esquires to whom he declared that seeing the honor he had that day gain'd was by his Esquires valour he gave them the said 500. marks per annum as freely as the Prince had bestowed them on him This generous action the Prince being acquainted with sent for Sir Iames who being brought to him in his Litter the Prince told him that he had been inform'd of his Gift to his Esquires and would therefore know whether he liked his kindness or why he gave it away To whom he gave a particular account of their fidelity and services which he thought himself obliged to reward affirming it was by their assistance he accomplished his Vow and had his life preserv'd and therefore humbly desir'd pardon for doing it without his knowledge Herewith the Prince was so well satisfied that he afterwards gave him 600. Marks per annum more in like manner as he had done the former this grant was confirm'd to him by the King during life and for a twelve Month after to be received out of the Coynage of the Stanneries in Cornwall and the Kings Lands in that County This valiant Knight did afterwards attend the King in his Royal expedition into France an 33. E. 3. And was in the action with Sir Iohn Chandos and the Lord Mucident when the strong Castle of Dormoys was taken by assault When the Prince undertook a voyage into Spain to restore Don Pedro he constituted him Governor of Aquitaine in his absence and afterwards made him great Seneschal of Poictou about this time he raised a great Army there and marched to Berry and wasted that Country and thence passed to Tourayn keeping the Field and then to the Lord of Chauuigny's Country he being lately revolted to the French and destroy'd it afterwards he took the Town of Breuse by assault and burnt it and so returned to Poictiers He was with Sir Iohn Chandos at the Siege of Dome and of the strong Castle of Roche sur Ion in Anjou which at length was surrendred and thence he retired to fresh Quarters in the County of Fontney And here Sir Iohn Froissard puts a period to his life and faith he was buried at Poictiers but he mistakes Iames the Father for Iames the Son who in truth died in Gascoigne an 43. E. 3. which was near about Froissard time after whom his Father lived many years having received Summons of Parlialiament an 4. E. 3. and thence to all ensuing Parliaments to the time of his Death This Noble Lord married to his first Wife Ioan Daughter to Roger Mortimer Earl of March by whom he had Nicholas his Son and Heir Roger and Rowland who died without Issue and two Daughters Ioan the Wife of Iohn Tochet and Margaret Wife of Roger Hillary who upon their elder Brothers Decease also without Issue became Heirs to a fair Patrimony but the Barony came to Iohn Tochet Son to the eldest Daughter By his second Wife Isabel he had Iames and Thomas who died without Issue and Margaret the Wife of Fulk Fitz-Waren And having lived to a very great Age he died the first of April an 9. R. 2. leaving Nicholas his Son and Heir then 50 years of Age having a little before made his Will at Heligh Castle by which he appointed his Body to be buried in the Choire of his Abbey of Hilton before the high Altar in case he should dye in the Marches but if in Devonshire or Somersetshire then in the Choir of the Friers Preachers at Exceter before the high Altar 23 Sir Otho Holland HE was one of the younger Sons of Robert Lord Holland and Brother of Sir Thomas Holland one of the first Founders of this Noble Order The Earl of Ewe Constable of France being Prisoner of War to the said Thomas the King bought him of him for a certain sum of Money and afterwards by Indenture deliver'd the said Earl to the Custody of the said Sir Otho Holland under condition that the Earl should not go out of England nor wear Arms publickly until he had paid his full Ransom to the King But it seems Sir Otho took the Earl with him to Calais where he went up and down armed upon which information being given to the King Sir Otho was brought to the Kings Bench Bar before the
Thomas Wriothesley Lord Wriothesley after Earl of Southampton Knights Elected in the Reign of King Edward the Sixth 317. Henry Grey Marquess Dorset after Duke of Suffolk 318. Edward Stanley Earl of Derby 319. Thomas Seymour Lord Seymour of Sudely 320. Sir William Paget Knight after Lord Paget of Beaudesart 321. Francis Hastings Earl of Huntingdon 322. George Brook Lord Cobham 323. Thomas West Lord La Ware 324. Sir William Herbert Knight after Lord Herbert of Cardiff and Earl of Penbroke 325. Henry 2. the French King 326. Edward Fynes Lord Clynton after Earl of Lincolne 327. Thomas Darcy Lord Darcy of Chiche 328. Henry Nevil Earl of Westmerland 329. Sir Andrew Dudley Knight Knights Elected in the Reign of Queen Mary 330. Philip Prince of Spain after King of England 331. Henry Radclyff Earl of Sussex 332. Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy 333. William Howard Lord Howard of Effingham 334. Anthony Browne Viscount Mountague 335. Sir Edward Hastings Knight after Lord Hastings of Loughborow 336. Thomas Radcliff Earl of Sussex 337. William Grey Lord Grey of Wilton 338. Sir Robert Rochester Knight Knights Elected in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth 339. Thomas Howard Duke of Norfolk 340. Henry Mannors Earl of Rutland 341. Sir Robert Dudley Knight after Earl of Leicester 342. Adolph Duke of Holstein 343. George Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury 344. Henry Carey Lord Hunsdon 345. Thomas Percy Earl of Northumberland 346. Ambrose Dudley Earl of Warwick 347. Charles 9. the French King 348. Francis Russell Earl of Bedford 349. Sir Henry Sidney Knight 350. Maximilian the second Emperor of Germany 351. Henry Hastings Earl of Huntingdon 352. William Somerset Earl of Worcester 353. Francis Duke of Montmorency 354. Walter d'Euereux Viscount Hereford after Earl of Essex 355. William Cecill Lord Burghley after Lord Treasurer of England 356. Arthur Grey Lord Grey of Wilton 357. Edmund Bruges Lord Chandos 358. Henry Stanley Earl of Derby 359. Henry Herbert Earl of Penbroke 360. Henry 3. the French King 361. Charles Howard Lord Howard of Effingham after Earl of Nottingham 362. Rodolph Emperor of Germany 363. Frederick the Second King of Denmark 364. Iohâ— Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria 365. Edward Mannors Earl of Rutland 366. William Brook Lord Cobham 367. Henry Scroop Lord Scroop of Bolton 368. Robert d'Euereux Earl of Essex 369. Thomas Butler Earl of Ormond 370. Sir Christopher Hatton Knight after Lord Chancellor of England 371. Henry Radcliff Earl of Sussex 372. Thomas Sackvile Lord Buckhurst after Lord Treasurer of England and Earl of Dorset 373. Henry 4. the French King 374. Iames the Sixth King of Scotland after King of England France and Ireland 375. Gilbert Talbot Earl of Shrewsbury 376. George Clifford Earl of Cumberland 377. Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland 378. Edward Somerset Earl of Worcester 379. Thomas Burogh Lord Burogh of Gainesborough 380. Edward Sheffield Lord Sheffield after Earl of Mulgrave 381. Sir Francis Knolles Knight 382. Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg 383. Thomas Howard Lord Howard of Walden after Earl of Suffolk and Lord Treasurer of England 384. George Carey Lord Hunsdon 385. Charles Blount Lord Montjoy after Earl of Devonshire 386. Sir Henry Lea Knight 387. Robert Radcliff Earl of Sussex 388. Henry Brooke Lord Cobham 389. Thomas Scroop Lord Scroop of Bolton 390. William Stanley Earl of Derby 391. Thomas Cecill Lord Burghley Knights Elected in the Reign of King Iames. 392. Henry Prince of Wales 393. Christiern the Fourth King of Denmark 394. Lodowick Stewart Duke of Lenox and after Duke of Richmond 395. Henry Wriothesley Earl of Southampton 396. Iohn Erskin Earl of Marr. 397. William Herbert Earl of Penbroke 398. Vlrick Duke of Holstein 399. Henry Howard Earl of Northampton 400. Robert Cecill Earl of Salisbury 401. Thomas Howard Viscount Bindon 402. George Hume Earl of Dunbarr 403. Philip Herbert Earl of Montgomery 404. Charles Stewart Duke of York after Prince of Wales and King of England by the Title of Charles the First 405. Thomas Howard Earl of Arundell and Surrey after Earl of Norfolk 406. Robert Carre Viscount Rochester after Earl of Somerset 407. Frederick Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne Prince Elector of the Empire and after King of Bohemia 408. Maurice van Nassau Prince of Orange 409. Thomas Ereskin Viscount Fenton 410. William Knolles Lord Knolles of Grayes after Viscount Walingford and Earl of â—anbury 411. Francis Mannors Earl of Rutland 412. Sir George Villers Knight after Baron of Whaddon then Earl and Marquess of Buckingham and lastly Earl of Coventry and Duke of Buckingham 413. Robert Sidney Viscount Lisle after Earl of Leicester 414. Iames Hamilton Marquess Hamilton and Earl of Cambridge 415. Esme Stewart Duke of Lenox 416. Christian Duke of Brunswick 417. William Cecill Earl of Salisbury 418. Iames Hay â—arl of Carlisle 419. Edward Sackvile Earl of Dorset 420. Henry Rich Earl of Holland 421. Thomas Howard Viscount Andover after Earl of Berkshire Knights Elected in the Reign of King Charles the First 422. Claude de Lorraine Duke of Cheuereuse 423. Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden 424. Henry Frederick van Nassau Prince of Orange 425. Theophilus Howard Earl of Suffolk 426. William Compton Earl of Northampton 427. Richard Weston Lord Weston of Neyland Lord Treasurer of England and after Earl of Portland 428. Robert Barty Earl of Lindsey 429. William Cecill Earl of Exceter 430. Iames Hamilton Marquess Hamilton Earl of Cambridge and Arran 431. Charles Lodowick Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne Prince Elector of the Empire and Duke of Bavaria 432. Iames Stewart Duke of Lenox after Earl of March 433. Henry Dâ—nvers Earl of Danby 434. William Douglas Earl of Morton 435. Algernon Percy Earl of Northumberland 436. Charles Prince of Wales now King of England Scotland France and Ireland of that name the Second and present Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter 437. Thomas Wentworth Earl of Strafford 438. Iames Stewart Duke of York and Albanie second Son to King Charles the First 439. Rupert Casâ—mire Count Palatine of the Rhyne and Duke of Bavaria after Earl of Holderness and Duke of Cumberland 440. William van Nassau Prince of Orange 441. Bernard de Foix Duke d'Espernon Knights Elected in the Reign of King Charles the Second 442. Maurice Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne and Duke of Bavaria 443. Iames Boteler Marquess of Ormond since Earl of Brecknock and Duke of Ormond 444. Edward Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne and Duke of Bavaria 445. George Villers Duke of Buckingham 446. William Hamilton Duke of Hamilton 447. Thomas Wriothesley Earl of Southampton after Lord Treasurer of England 448. William Cavendish Marquess of New-Castle since Duke of New-Castle 449. Iames Graham Marquess of Montross 450. Iames Stanley Earl of Derby 451. George Digby Earl of Bristoll 452. Henry Stewart Duke of Gloucester third Son to King Charles the First 453. Henry Charles de la Tremoille Prince de Tarente 454. William Henry van Nassau Prince of Orange
to be paid out of the said Revenue of 1200 l. in your receipt all and every the annual and ordinary Fees Pensions Salaries and other Payments usually paid to any of our Officers Alms-Knights or others who do their yearly duty and service any way unto our said Noble Order appertaining either by Charter Grant or Assignation under our Privy Seal or Signet or by any other lawful way whatsoever taking and receiving from them and every one of them an acquittance and receipt under their hands for your discharge which shall be good and available in Law to be pleaded against us our Heirs and Successors for the same And in particular we do by this our Commission give you full power and order to pay or cause to be paid unto your self as our Chancellor for the time being the sum of 100 l. yearly and to the Register of our Order for the time being 50 l. yearly and to Garter our Principal King at Arms for the time being 50 l. yearly and to our Usher called the Black Rod for the time being 30 l. yearly and to every one of our Poor or Alms-Knights being 13. at our Castle of Windefore for the time being yearly 18 l. 5 s. in manner and form following That is to say every of the said Pensions quarterly upon the Feasts of St. John Baptist St. Michael the Archangel the Nativity of our Lord and the Annuntiation of our blessed Lady the Virgin Mary by even and equal portions and payments The first payment whererof to begin at and upon the Feast of St. John Baptist next and immediately ensuing after the date hereof in full discharge of any and all the said Fees or Pensions to them formerly by us given or paid As also to pay or cause to be paid any other annual and usual charge to any other inferior Officer or Servant for their service or attendance And this our Commission shall be to you a sufficient Warrant to pay any and all the said annual and ordinary Fees Pensions Payments and other Charges whether named or not named having been usually due and paid whatsoever upon account thereof to be made and given and Acquittances produced as aforesaid for the Receipts to be presented and shewn to us or to so many of the Knights of our most Noble Order as we have or shall depute in Chapiter to take liquid and allow your said Disbursments according to the tenor hereof under their hands in writing and according to the directions and limitations in our said Letters Patents and order and provision therein made and had for your discharge which said allowances shall also be a sufficient discharge against us our Heirs and Successorss to be pleaded in any of our Courts of Record within our Highness Dominions Given under the Seal of our said most Noble Order the 3. of May at our Court at Whitehall in the 14. Year of our Reign 1638. N. XIII A Letter of Summons for Electing a Knight upon the death of the Lord Fitz-Hugh Registrum Chartaceum f. 12. b. De par le Roy Souverain de l'ordre du Iarretier TRescher foiall c. Pour ce que le Sire Fitz-Hugh Henry n'agairs un de nos Compaignons de lordre de Jarter est la xi jour de Januere darreine passé a Dieu commaunde que Dieux assoile nous vous certifions clerement selonc la tenure de lez estatuz pour faire vostre devoir dex messez par la morte du quele en ycell est un place vacante a le quel il coviente par lez ditz estatuz eslier un autre compaignon en son lieu deius sys semaines appres la certification de la morte suisdite que nous au presente ne purrons bonement parformer au cause resonable que nous destourba Et pour taunte nous volons vous chargeons que sur lez peines de les estatuz suisditz saunz excusacion soies ou nous a Wyndefore en vostre propre persone la veille de Seint George procheine venante a le Chapitre a le oure de tierce pur accomplere ceo q'appartindra a lez estatuz suisditz en cez casez si non que vous nous signifiez le jour lieu suisdit clerement de soubz vostre seal de vous armez cause jouste de vostre destourbier digne destre allouè c. Don c. NUM XIV Another upon the death of Sir Robert Dumphreville Ex eodem Registro De par le Roy Souverain de l'ordre de Iarretier TReschier bien ame Pour ce que feu Sire Robert Dumphreville que Dieux absoille en son vivant un de noz compaignons de l'ordre Jarretier a la de vie a trespas le darrain jour de Januer darrain passe que selon lez estatuz du dit Ordre sommes tenuz en advertir ung chescun dez Compaignons vous certifions son dit trespas ad fin que facies vostre devoir des messes prieres les quelles estes tenuz faire dire celebrer pour le salut de son ame Par le mort du quel est un place vacant convient selon les ditz estatuz aultre eslier en son lieu dedans sys sepmaines apres la certification du dit trespas si bonnement faire se peut vel que bonnement au present faire ne pourrons Si voulons vous mandons sur lez peines contenues es diz estatuz qe soies ovec nous la vaigle Seint George à l'eure de tierce prochein venant pour faire accomplir en ce que dit est come per les ditz estatuz appertendra Et si estre ny poves nous signifies soubz vostre seell la cause de vostre empechement par quoy vostre excusation puissions congnoistre l'avoir agreable s'ainsi est quelle soit digne destre accepté ny faites faulte Treschier bien ame c. NUM XV. A Dispensation for Installation of the Duke of York and Prince Rupert till Windesor Castle should return to the Soveraign's possession Ex ipso Autogr. penes praef Ia◠Palmer Charles R. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland Fancee and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. and Soveraign of the most Noble Ordre of the Garter To all and singular unto whom these our Letters Patent shall come greeting Whereas by the Statutes of our said most Noble Order all Knights elected to be Companions of the same are according to usual form and Ceremony to be installed at the Stalls of the Order in the Chappel of our Royal Castle of Windesor before they can be admitted to have their Stalls Places and Votes amongst the rest of the Companions there And whereas our dearly beloved Son James Duke of York and our intirely beloved Nephew Prince Rupert Count Palatine of the Rheyne Duke of Bavaria and Cumberland and Earl of Holderness were in a
peremis victoriae palmam recipere valeas in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris NUM CII Instructions to the Soveraign's Amabassadors sent upon a like Embassy to Iames the Fifth King of Scots Ex. Autogr. in Bibl. Hatton THE said Lord William shall within five or six days next after he hath been with the said King of Scots for his first Ambassade and resort to Court there and in most reverend fashion deliver unto the King of Scots the Letter missive of Certification of his Election into the Noble Order of the Garter from the King our Soveraign Lord his Highness with due commendations from his Highness The Letter read and be consenting to the reception of the said Order then incontinent the Book of Statutes to be delivered unto him and a day appointed as well for to have his consentment on the Articles of the said Statutes and in the mean time his Oath to be prepared by his consent and advice On which day being at the least Sunday and he agreeing to receive the same honorable Order he must be in a place convenient First they shall present their Commission unto the said King and cause the said audibly and distinctly to be read and so followingly shall in good and reverent manner require him to make his corporal Oath for the inviolable observing of the same like as by the tenure of the Statutes every Knight of that Order is bound to do in form following The Oath We James by the grace of God King of Scots promise and swear by our Faith and Honor and holy Evengelist by us presently touched that we shall accomplish and keep truly unto our powwer all the Statutes Points and Ordinances of the right Noble Order of Saint George named the Garter from point to point and from Article to Article as is contained and declared in the Book thereof to us delivered the which we have accepted and do accept as if that we read them now presently Note if he will make any exceptions they must be here rehearsed the which Articles we promised now again to keep hold and entertain without breaking So God help us and all the Saints Yeoven c. Which Oath given the Lord William shall put the Garter in due and reverent manner about his left Leg and in this doing Garter shall say Sir the Soveraign and honorable Company of the Order of the Garter have received you as their Brother and Companion and in knowledge and token thereof they give and present you this Garter the which God give you grace to wear to his land and praise to the honor of the blessed Virgin Mary and the glorious Martyr Saint George Patron of that Noble Order and to the augmentation of your honor Which thing so done the said Lord William shall deliver unto him the Gown of Crimson and cause him to apparel himself with the same the said Garter saying these words following at the doing on the same Ye take this Garment wherein God give you grace strongly to stand in the true Faith of Christ and depressing the Enemies of Saints in token of the said Order and to the augmenting of this Order and your honor And then lovingly the said Lord William shall cause the said King to put on the Mantle of Blue Velvet garnished with the Arms of St. George invironed with a Garter the said Garter saying as followeth Note the Hood to be put on the right shoulder Take ye this Mantle of heavenly colour with the shield of the Cross of Christ garnished by whose strength and virtue ye always be defended and by virtue of it you may overcome all your Enemies and so through your most noble desert may worthily come to the joys everlasting in token of the said Order and increase of your honor And when the said King shall be so apparelled with the adornments aforesaid the said Lord William shall put the Coller of the Order with the Image of Saint George about his neck the said Garter saying Take ye and bear this Coller with the Image of the most glorious Martyr Saint George Patron of this Order about your neck by the help whereof you may the better pass through both the prosperity and adversity of this world so that your Enemies both of body and soul may be overcome ye then may receive not only glory of temporal Chivalry but also the rejoycing of everlasting victory in sign and token of this Order and increase of your honor Which things thus fully ended the King to go to some solemn Church and there to bear a solemn Mass and so to return an so to his Lodging where if he dine abroad to wear the said whole Habit during the dinner time and after to do this pleasure Then Garter to remember to purchase and sollicite a Certification of the Reception of the said Order by him and also his Oath both under the said Kings Seal Also to advertise him the manner of the coming of his Procurator for his Installation within seven Months he to bring with him a Procuration under the Kings Seal for his Installation with all other things necessary as the said Garter knoweth by his old Presidents in such case accustomed All these things thus duly and in reverent order done with other the Kings Affairs there the said Lord William and the said Garter to return to the Kings Highness NUM CIII A Letter signifying Election to Edward Count Palantine of the Rhine Ex Collect. E. W. G. Charles R. CHarles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right dear and entirely beloved Cousin Edward Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria c. Greeting Whereas our Royal Progenitors the Kings of England have in all times since the Institution of the most Noble Order of Saint George called the Garter by our most Noble and Victorious Ancestor King Edward the Third elected and chosen into the Fellowship thereof such Princes and other eminent persons as well Strangers as their own Subjects as have for the greatness of their Births and other Heroick virtues especially in martial actions been thought worthy of the same We therefore considering that since the late horrid Rebellion in that our Kingdom that many of the Companions thereof are dead and that others contrary to their Honor and Oaths have deserted their Allâ—giance and are no more worthy to be esteemmed Companions of so Noble an Order anâ— finding how necessary it is for our honor and sâ—â—vice to elect others in the places vacant wâ—o for their birth courage fidelity and affectionâ—â— us may be worthy to be admitted thereuntâ— have therefore thought fit by our power as Soveraign of the said Order dispensing with the usual Ceremonies to elect and chuse you our said right dear and entirely beloved Cousin Edward Count Palatiâ—e of the Rhyne and Duâ—â— of Bavaria to be Fellow and
reception de la dicte Jartiere du Collier Habit que leur est envoié par la Souverain du dit Order qu'ils auront certifié avoir le dit Jartiere Collier Habit un sufficient Depuâ—é Procureur selon l'estat de son Seigneur Maistre moyennâ—ns qu'il soit Chevalier sans reproche pour estre miâ— en sa place y estant faire son serment y estre admis par au nom de son dit Seigneur Maistre Scavoir vous faisons que nous desirans pour le respect â—ue nous portons a la Royne nostre dicte Soeur Cousine l'estime que nous faisons du dict Ordre satisfaire qu'a nous est au contenu des dits Statutes en ce que touche la dite prise de possesion prestation de serment recognoissance que pouâ— cest effect nous ne pourrons saire melleur ou plus convenable election que de vostre personne pour les bonnes louables qualitiés qui sont en vons les tesmoignages que vous avez rendus en divers occasions de vostre affection au bien avantage de nos affaires service vous avons Commis Deputé Commettons Deputons par ces presentes signées de nostre main pour vous trausporter en Angleterre vous trouver a la prochain ceremonie qui se fera du dicti Ordre pour prendre possession de nostre place en iceluy selon la forme ordinaire si besoigne est faire le serment en nostre Nom ainsi que l'ou à accoustumé de fairé gardant au surplus les solemnites en tel cas requises generalment faire tout ce que vous adviserés necessaire pour l'effect dessus ores qu'il y eust chose qui requist mandement plus special qu'il n'est contenu en ces dits presents par lesquelles de ce faire vous avons donné donnoâ—s plain pouvoir puissance authorité commission mandement special Cartel est nostre plaisir Donné a Paris le vingtiesme jour de Avrill l'an de grace mil six cent de nostre Reigne le onziesme Henry Duneuville NUM CXXIV A Precedent of a Commission for Installation of an Elect-Knight Ex lib. Nig. p. 315. HENRICUS Dei gratiâ invictissimus Rex Angliae Franciae Fidei Defensor Dominus Hiberniae Ordinis Divi Georgii supremus fidelibus ac praedilectis Cognatis nostris N. S. D. P. Quoniam intelligimus quod illustrissimus ac potentissimus Princeps N. vel Dominus aut vir inclytus N quem nuper in Socium nostri Ordinis elegimus non possit ipse commodè advenire ut in â—ollegio nostro de more in sedem suam introducatur alias ibi Ceremonias ritè perimpleat juxta quod ex Statutis ipsis obligatur ob id virum bene nobilem ac honorandum N. misit ut sedem nomine suo possideat juramentum praestet caeteraque perficiat quae Statuta requirunt Nos ideò noâ—iscum ista reputantes Volumus virtute praesentium eam vobis authoritatem addimus ut hunc procuratorem ejus ac deputatum non solùm admittere sed caetera quaeque facere valeates quae ad Statuta consuetudinesque laudabiles attinere videbuntur Et hae literae nostrae vos tuebuntur Sub Sigillo nostri Ordinis N. die Mensis N. Anno regni nostri N. NUM CXXV A Commission for the Installation of Guido Vbaldus Duke of Vrbin Ex Collect. W. D. N. HEnry by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland Soveraign of the Noble Ordre of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins the Marquess of Dorset The Earl of Surrey our Treasurer of England and the Earl of Shrewsbury Steward of our Household Companions of the said Order greeting Forasmuch as we understand that the right noble Prince Gwe de Ubaldis Duke of Urbin who was heretofore elected to be one of the Companions of the said Noble Order cannot conveniently repair into this our Realm personally to be installed in the Collegial Church of that Order and to perform other Ceremonies whereunto by the Statutz of the said Order he is bound But for that intent and purpose hath sent a right honorable personage Balthasar de Castilione Knight sufficiently authorised as his Proctor to be installed in his name and to perform all other things for him to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order requisite and appertaining We therefore in consideration of the premisses will and by these presents give unto you license full power and authority not only to accept and admit the said Balthasar as Proctor for the same Duke and to receive his Oath and install him in the lieu and place and for the said Duke but also farther to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Order it appertaineth and this our writing shall be to you and every of you sufficient discharge in that behalf Given under the Seal of the said Noble Order of the Garter at our Mannor of Grenewiche the vii day of Novembre the xxii year of our Reign NUM CXXVI Another for the Installation of Emanuel Duke of Savoy Ex Collect. A. V. W. PHilip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England France Naples Hierusalem and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Princes of Spain and Cicily Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Millayne Burgundy and Braband Counts of Haspurge Flaunders and Tyroll and Soveraigns of the Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton and the Lord Paget Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order Greeting Forasmuch as we understand that the right high and mighty Prince and our entirely beloved Cousin Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy and Prince of Piemont c. and our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord William Howard of Effingham high Admiral of England were heretofore elected to be Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order of the Garter which Emanuel Duke of Savoy Prince of Piemont c. cannot conveniently repair unto our Castle of Windesore personally to be installed in the Collegiate Chappel of that Order and to perform other Ceremonies whereunto by the Statutes of the said Order he is bounden and for that cause hath sent a right noble personage Johan Thomas L'angusto des Contes de Stropiane sufficiently authorised as his Deputy and Proctor to be installed in his name and to receive his Oath and to perform all other such things and Ceremonies for him as to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order be requisite and appertain We therefore in consideration of the premises will and by these presents give unto you full power license and authority not only to accept and admit the said Johan Thomas L'angusto des Contes de Stropiane to be Deputy and Proctor for our said
entirely beloved Cousin the said Duke of Savoy Prince of Piemont c. and to install him in the lieu of the said Duke but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order as touching a Proctor it appertaineth And in semblable wise we will authorise and license you to admit accept and install our said right trusty and right well-beloved Counsellor the Lord William Howard of Essingham high Admiral of England and further to do for his installing as to the Statutes of the said Noble Order it belongeth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under the Seal of our Garter at our Palace of Westminster the 29. day of January in the first and second year of our Reign 1554. NUM CXXVII Another for the Installation of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex eod Collect. ELizabeth by the grace of God c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Leicester Master of our Horse our right trusty and well-beloved the Viscount Mountague with our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton our high Admiral of England Knights and Companions of our Noble Order of the Garter Greeting Forasmuch as We with other the Companions of the said Noble Order assembled did lately elect and chuse our dearest and most entirely beloved Brother the French King to be Knight and Companion of our said Noble Order and forasmuch as our said dear Brother cannot for divers causes conveniently repair to our collegiate Chappel within our Castle of Windesore and for that cause hath 〈◊〉 a right noble personage the Lord Rambouilliet one of his ordinary Chamberlains Knight of the Order of Saint Michaell and Captain of fifty ordinary men of Arms sufficiently authorised as his Deputy and Procurer to be installed in his name and to receive his Oath and to perform all other such things and Ceremonies for him as to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order be requisite and appertains We therefore in consideration of the premisses will and by these presents give unto you full power and authority not only to accept and admit the said Procurer but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order as touching a Procurer it doth appertain And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under the Seal of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the 14. day of January in the 8. year of our Reign NUM CXXVIII Letters of notice to the Commissioners appointed to Install the Duke of Holstein by his Proxie Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and well-beloved We greet you well and whereas we have appointed you together with our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Hastings of Loughborow to be in Commission for the Instalment in our Castle of Windesor of our dearest and most entirely beloved Cousin the Duke of Holstein by his Procurer the Viscount Hereford being lately chosen to be one of the Fellowship and Companions of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Saturday the 14. day of this moneth to the end that upon Sunday next the 15. day of this present Moneth of December he may proceed to the Installation of him by his Procurer accordingly Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the 12. day of December in the third Year of our Reign To our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Pagit of Beaudesert one of the Companious of our Order The like Letter was directed to the Lord Loughborow the other Commissioner appointed for this Installation NUM CXXIX Letters of notice to the Commissioners for Installation of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex eod Collect. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin we greet you well And whereas we have appointed you with others the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter to be in Commission for the Installation in our Castle of Windesor of our dearest and most entirely beloved Brother the French King by his Procurer the Lord Rambouillet being lately chosen to be one of the Fellowship and Companions of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Tuesday next the 15. day of this present Moneth of January to the end that on Wednesday he may proceed to his Installation accordingly Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the day of January in the eight year of our Reign To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex one of the Companions of our Order The like Letter to the Earl of Leicester Viscount Mountague and Lord Clinton NUM CXXX A Warrant for materials for the Banner of the French King Henry the Second Ex Collect. E. W. G. By the King Edward WE will and command you that unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight aliàs Garter King at Arms ye deliver or cause to be delivered upon sight hereof without delay three yards of Cloth of Gold two yards of Cloth of Gold Tissue and 16 yards of Blue Velvet which shall be for the Banner for the Mantles of the Helmet and the lyning of the same for the Installation of Henry the French King and that you content and pay for the Stuff workmanship and the embroidering of the said Banner And these our Letters c. Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the 10. of May in the fifth year of our Reign To our trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Sir Rauf Sadleyere Knight Master of our Great Wardrobe or to his Deputy there NUM CXXXI A Warrant to deliver Garter money to provide the Atchievements of the said King Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. THE King's Majesty's pleasure is that of such his Treasure as remains in your custody to his Majesty's use ye deliver unto Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter King at Arms for the provision of an Helm garnished with fine Gold a Crown of Copper gilt an arming Sword and Girdle to the same and a Plate of metal with the Arms of the French King engraven which are for the Installation of the King's Majesty's good Brother Henry the French King the sum of twenty pounds and these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant in that behalf From Greenwiche the 11. of May 1551. Your loving friends E. Somerset J. Bedford E. Clinton W. Herbert W. Cecil J. Warwick W. Northt W. Paget J. Gate NUM CXXXII A Warrant