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
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
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
Knighthood That Miles with us hath denoted the dignity of Knighthood which is indeed the chiefest of Military professions even in the Saxons times Mr. Selden not only believes but fortifies his opinion from the authority of several Charters of that Age wherein this Title is given to sundry persons as may be there seen to satisfaction observing withal that the ancientest use of it in the German Empire as a Title of Honor that he finds it had was about the Year of our Lord 1064. but Aubertus Miraeus in Cod. donat pier exhibits an ancient diploma in which the Title Miles is mentioned in chartâ Gerardi Cameracensium Episcopi de anno 1046. since which it is become more frequently used in all publick Instruments written in Latin and most generally appropriate in our Law to persons who have received the Order of Knighthood and to signifie the same with Eques and Chevalier though indeed it may seem less properly to signifie a Knight than that of Eques in regard Knighthood is by some called the dignity of Horsemanship and the tenure of Lands by Knights Fees here in England is in truth a Horse-service and the Tenants such as served the King on Horseback in Wars and Gentlemen at least if not persons of noble extraction besides to note the dignity of this Tenure it is anciently called Regale Servicium because due to and for the King and the Realm As the Greeks and Romans derived a Title of Honor from Horses of service and conferr'd the same upon their men of Arms so did the French among whom the word Chevalier hath the like signification and relation For at first it properly signified a Horseman or 〈◊〉 that rides a Horse but at length it came to be used among them more 〈◊〉 to express one upon whom the Honor of Knighthood had been bestowed And this cleerly appears from Claude Fauchet a French Writer of good account who speaking of the original of Knighthood and the Etymologie of the word Chevalier saith it is evident that the Chevaliers derive their name from Cheval a Horse which to say truth is the properest Animal that can be found for War and which by reason of the swiftness thereof is by the Poet ascribed to Neptune at the contention he had with Pallas for the invention of profitable things The skilful management of a Horse hath been heretofore accounted one of the principal marks and properties of a Knight and so greatly delighted were the active and warlike youths among the old Gauls to wit the ancient Inhabitants of France with gallant Horses that no Present could be more acceptable to them It is evident that with the nobler sort among us the Title of Eques or Chevalier hath been esteemed more honorable than Miles though Miles had before much prevailed in England even to a general Title and Appellation which may be proved out of those Records instanced in the fourth part of the Institutes by which it appears that the Barons in Parliament who had been Knighted liked to be called Chevaliers rather than Milites And in Writs of Summons they were more usually stiled Chevaliers than by the Titles of their Baronies or if these were used nevertheless that of Chevalier followed at the end of the style Anno 7. E. 4. all the Barons in Parliament have the addition of Chevaliers and therefore they subscribed thus Equites aurati omnes And about King Henry the Eighths Reign the Custom began to stile all the temporal Barons in their Writs of Summons Chevaliers whether they were Knighted or not which is hitherto continued in practice all which are considerable proofs of the estimation they had of the Title of Chevalier above that of Miles Among the modern Germans the Title of Knight is understood by the word Ridder which in English is the same with Rider or Horseman and equivalent both to the ancient Title Eques and the modern Chevalier and the Order of Knighthood or Equestrian Dignity is in high Dutch called Ritterschafft in low Dutch Riderschap As the German Ridder or Ritter is observed by our learned Selden to be the same with Miles viz. a Gentleman so the Ghe-slagen Ridder is interpreted by Eques Auratus viz. Miles factus or the dubbed Knight he being created by the Ceremony of a gentle stroke or light touch with a naked Sword upon the shoulder Ghe-slaeghen signifying but as percussus for albeit Lewis du May tells us that in Germany the Gentlemen to this day writing in Latin stile themselves Equites yet no man among them is accounted a Ritter or Ridder in the same sence as Eques Auratus or Cingulo Militae donatus denotes it unless he be actually Knighted And besides the said Lewis du May notes down these manifest differences between them and the dubbed Knight as first that the Knight hath been always more priviledged than the Gentleman 2. That the chance of Birth makes the Gentleman without his contributing any thing to it but Worth and Valour raises the Knight to that degree of Honor. 3. Princes and Lords do not seek for the Title of a Gentleman as they do very earnestly for that of a Knight And 4. The Gentleman is born so the Knight comes to be so that is a Gentleman begets a Gentleman but a Knight begets not a Knight The Saxon word Cniht from whence our Knight is by our learned Country-men men Spelman Selden and Somner rendred a Boy a Servant or an Attendant and also a Soldier We shall not meddle with the word as it baâ—ely signifies Puer Puerilis Iuvenis or Puber as making nought to our purpose but as it hath signified Servus or Famulus a Servant or Attendant being not otherwise used at this day among the Dutch and also as it imports the dignity of Knighthood to which purpose we now commonly use it it will deserve observation and this chiefly in the words of Mr. Somner that painful Inquisitor into the so much neglected and almost forgotten Saxon Tongue 〈◊〉 saith he that use of it remaining in our Knights of the Shire which 〈◊〉 Knights by dignity or place as indeed but few of them are or need to be yet are so called but why under favour in regard of that service which is required and performed of them in Parliament for their several Countries whose servants for the time they are But that we may know it was used with us as an honorary Title and Appellation shortly after the Conquest there is an old Manuscript yet extant in Bibliotheca Bodliana in which the Annals are continued down to King Stephens Reign wherein the Annalist having told us that King William the Conqueror accustomably wore his Crown at the Feasts of Easter Whitsontide and Christmas he further noteth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Then were with him all the wealthy or potent men throughout England
such to those who were Vassals to another the bestowing thereof was accounted illegal and they that took upon them to give it were liable to censure because by this action they took anothers Villain or Bondman from him which was a manifest wrong and ought not to be done As in the case of the two Sons of Philip de Bourbon one whereof was Knighted by the Earl of Flanders the other by the Earl of Nevers Whereupon by an Order dated on All-Saints day Anno Domini 1279. and another at Whitsontide following both the said Earls were fined and the two Brethren condemned to pay one thousand pounds apiece though by the Kings grace and favour they kept their Knighthoods And to shew that this Law was elsewhere observed more strictly and the breach thereof liable to more severe sentences those among the Aragonians that descended from Knights in a direct line by the Fathers side which were called Infançones and accounted Gentlemen whether legitimate or illegitimate were capable of being Knights and no other So that if one not an Infançon were promoted to Knighthood by a Rico Hombre which seems to be a higher Degree of Nobility both the Rico Hombre was to lose the Honor he had and the person whom he pretended to promote remained still a Villain or Plebeian But it was otherwise where a Nobleman Knighted his own Vassal as in the case reported by Philip de Beau-manoir in his Customary of the Year 1283. where the Son of a Gentleman and a Woman-Servant was Knighted by him whose Servant the Woman was and his condition being afterwards discovered the Nobleman would have challenged him for his Slave but in regard his Knightly Dignity had vindicated him from servitude and vassallage though his Lord was deceived in conferring the Honor he was adjudged to remain free and a Knight which he could not have done if any other but his Lord had Knighted him for which this reason is there given because no other person had sufficient power to infranchise him The third and last of those Qualifications which we have thought fit to take notice of here is that of Estate or Wealth which serves to support the Dignity of Knighthood for we find that in all Times and Countries when men were grown wealthy they thereby as by Merit or Birth became capable of Honors Thus Wealth was so much regarded among the Chalcedonians as Herodotus tells us that those who were rich bore the name of Knights It was Estate that intitled a man to this Honor among the Romans for the Censor as hath been before observed out of Livy might compel any Citizen who had an Estate equal to the Equestrian Cense to enter into the Equestrian Order and this old Roman Cense consisted of 400000 Sesterces which according to our learned Seldens computation amounts to 3025. l. of our Money And as anciently in old Rome so not long after the Conquest here in England as Cambden observes were Knights dignified for their wealth and state of living For they who had a Knights Fee to wit saith he six hundred and fourscore Acres of Land might claim as their right the Ornaments and Badges of Knighthood But by the way it appears from Mr. Selden that not any certain number or extent of Acres made a Knights Fee and by several Writs directed to the Shâ—riffs of all Counties in England to make Proclamation for receiving the Honor of Knighthood in the Reigns of Hen. 3. Ed. 1. as also by the Act de Militibus anno 1. Ed. 2. it appears that the Census Militis or valuation of the Estate of a Knight was measured by Twenty Pounds Land by the year and sometimes more and this was counted the most reasonable way of Estimation because one Acre might be more or less in value thâ—n another And the Parallel yet held as to the matter of enforcement and compulsion to take this Honor for by an ancient Prerogative several of our Kings have at their pleasures compell'd such persons who held a whole Knights Fee or so much Land whose annual value as aforesaid answered thereto to take this Dignity upon them and to that purpose sent forth their Mandates in Writs directed to the Sheriffs of each County to make Proclamation That all those within their several Bailiwicks who were of full age and had one whole Knights Fee and were not Knighted should appear before the King on a certain day in the Writ set down ready fitted and prepared to receive the Honor of Knighthood Sometimes these Writs included both such as were possest of Lands worth Twenty pounds per annum and such as held a whole Knights Fee valued at that annual sum but the yearly value set by the King was not always certain for sometimes we find it to be fifteen pounds then twenty pounds at other times thirty pounds then forty pounds and sometimes fifty pounds Anno 40. Hen. 3. The Sheriffs in England were amerced because they had not distrained all those who had such Estates in Land as the Law limited to take the Order of Knighthood or otherwise to pay their Fines and we observe the Command in the Kings Writ to be now and then accompanied with much severity in case the Sheriff should be negligent in the discharge of his duty or connive with any for lucre of a Bribe as appears in that directed to the Sheriff of Northamptonshire the words whereof are Rex Vicecom Northt salutem Praecipimus tibi quod sicut teipsum omnia tua diligis omnes illos in Rallivatua qui habeant viginti libratas terrae distringas quod se Milites faciendos citra Nativitatem Sancti Iohannis Baptistae proximè futur Sciturus pro certo quod si pro munere vel aliqua occasione aliquam relaxationem eis feceris vel aliquem respectum dederis Nos ita graviter ad te capiemus quod omnibus diebus vitae tuae te senties esse gravatum T. R. apud Wyndesor decimo quarto die Aprilis Where upon appearance after such Proclamation a reasonable or lawful excuse hath been alledged as old age irrecoverable weakness loss of Limbs being in holy Orders or the like whereby the Body was wholly disabled to perform personal service there the allegations have been admitted by the King the persons acquitted and by Letters Patents exempted from taking this Military Order during life But there were many other causes and reasons which usually obtained a suspension for some certain time besides those set down in the Act of Parliament Anno 1. E. 2. as where a man was at present greatly indebted or bound to attend some necessary employment as a Serjeant at Law in the Common Pleas Court for which nevertheless the party suing for such favour paid a Fine and therefore in some Writs we have seen a clause added to give
first made to create him Knight according to the custom of other Christian Emperors before they were admitted to take upon them the Imperial Diadem to which purpose he was presented by Iohn King of Bohemia before Petrus Capucius Cardinal of St. George the Popes Legate whom the King besought on the behalf of this elected Esquire for so Earl William was yet called that he might have the Oath of his profession administred unto him and be inscribed into the Military Colledge which he having taken the King of Bohemia gave him the blow on the Eaâ— and then pronounced the words of signification after which 〈◊〉 girt with the Sword The Ceremony at large is to be found in Seldens Titles of Honor. pag. 442 443. and 444. as also in Iurisprudentia Heroica p. 400.401 In the time of the Saxons here in England Knights received their Institution at the hands of great Prelats or Abbots it being the opinion of our Ancestors that nothing so happily succeeded as that which was performed by religious persons in the accomplishing of which solemnity they were very punctual by adding divers religious Ceremonies as Watching Fasting Bathing Consâ—crating of the Sword and the like and how solemnly these things were observed will appear in that famous Constitution mentioned by Ingulphus speaking of Heward Lord of Brune in Lincolnshire who coming into England from â—landers where he had lived in exile with a considerable assistance and force of his Friends and Followers to recover his Fathers possessions received the Honor of Knighthood from Brand Abbot of Saint Edmunds-bury which being thence transcribed by our learned Selden Cambden and Mr. Dugdale upon a like occasion we here omit it Shortly after the Conquest the Custom of receiving Knighthood from religious persons began to be restrained here in England insomuch that at a Synod held at Westminster in the year of our Lord 1102. viz. anno tertio Hen. primi it was among other things ordained Ne Abbates â—aciunt Milites by which word Abbates we suppose is understood all sorts of spiritual persons However the religious Ceremonies for the most part continued especially the Vigils and Bathings an eminent example whereof we have not long after in the time of King Edward the First who to adorn the splendor of his Court and augment the glory of his intended Expedition into Scotland diâ—â— at Whitsontide in the four and thirtieth year of his Reign begirt Edward of Carnarvan his eldest Son with the Military Belt and this young Prince immediately at the high Altar in Westminster Abbey conferr'd the same Honor upon neer three hundred Gentlemen the Sons of Earls Barons and Knights The Habit Equipage Attendants and Ceremonies of which grand solemnity being already transcribed at large out of Matthew of Westminster both by Mr. Selden and Mr. Cambden we shall thereunto refer our Reader But in regard their Author tells us that the number of these Knights were about three hundred and the old Annals of Ireland cited by Mr. Selden add one hundred â—ore which was further wide of the mark we will here out of a respect to truth and the memory of those Noble persons with such as are descended from them take occasion to give a perfect Catalogue of their Names which amount to no more than 267. Only first we shall take notice because that part of the Ceremony namely Bathing is not remembred by Matthew of Westminster that it is not only imply'd in the solemnity of the Vigils then held but we find in the Accounts of the great Wardrobe for the aforesaid year among the Robes and other Ornaments appointed to be prepared for the young Prince that there were six Ellâ— of Cloth delivered out for the covering of his Bath The religious Ceremonies of Bathing Watching and offering up the Sword at the high Altar are retained amongst us at this day but restrained only to that peculiar Degree of Knighthood which from hence hath the denomination of Knights of the Bath The Names of all the Knights made at Whitsontide anno 34. E. 1. DOminus Edwardus Princeps Walliae Iohannes de Warenna Edmundus de Arundel Thomas de Greilly Iohannes de la Ware Thomas de Ferers Bartholomeus de Enfeud Iohannes de Moubray Alanus Plokenet Aungerus filius Henrici Gilbertus de Clare filius Domini Thomae de Clare Edmundus de Cornubia Iohannes de Frivill Willielmus de Freigne Amaricus de Fossad Fulcius filius Warini Walterus de Hugeford Stephanus de Burghash Iacobus de Nortwoode Humpfridus de Waldene Rogerus de Chaundos Iohannes de Deen Willielmus de la Zouche Ricardus Lovel Rogerus de Mortuomari Walterus Hakelut Rogerus de Ransou Galfridus de Seye Richardus Porteseie Egidius de Breheus Walterus de Mollesworth Rethericus de Ispania Petrus de Gavaston Thomas de Verdon Humfridus de Bassingbourn Nicholaus Kryell Robertus filius Roberti filii Pagani Iohannes de Harecourt Iohannes filius Domini Iohannis de Sulleye Willielmus Tracy Hugo filius Domini Hugonis le Despenser Willielmus de Huntingfeud Thomas Bardolp Nicholaus Malemeyns Robertus de Scales Willielmus Trussel Iohannes de Hants Willielmus de Monteacute Thomas de Multon Walterus de Montgomeri Rogerus filius Domini Rogeri de Mortuomari Eustachius de Whyteneye Iohannes Mautravers Thomas de Veer filius Comitis Oxoniensis Thomas de Lodelawe Willielmus de Bernyngham Griffinus filius Griffini de la Pole Willielmus de Lodelawe Philippus de Courtenay Vrianus de Sancto Petro. Warinus de Bassingburn Iohannes le Blount Major London Iohannes Denre Iohannes de Insula Thomas de Lucy Radulphus de Botetourte Hugo de Mailly Radulphus de Kamoys Petrus filius Domini Petri de Malolacu Edmundus de Willington Robertus de Kendale Henricus de Den. Iohannes de Nevill Rogerus de Ingelfeld Hugo Braboef Iohannes de Weston Iohannes filius Warini Thomas de Ponynges Iohannes de Foxley Iohannes de Walkingham Willielmus de Harden Radulphus de Weden Iohannes de Meryeth Radulphus de Rolleston Iohannes de Manduit Thomas de Boiville Willielmus Corbet Willielmus Brabason Georgius de Thornetone Iohannes de la Penne. Iohannes de Bykebyry Willielmus de Cosyngton Radulphus Bagot Willielmus de Bassinges Andreas de Sakeville Nicholaus Pershots Morganus ap Mereduk Vmfridus de Boune Walterus de Skydemore Iohannes Chaundos Walterus de Derlyngham Walterus de Stirkelonde Iohannes de Clyndon Ingelramus Belet Laurentius de Hollebeche Iohannes de Stauntone Iohannes de Wachesham Iohannes de la Mare Hugo Howel Willielmus de Menymrate Socius Amenrey de Fossad Willielmus Pyrot socius Stephani de Burways Iohannes Sauvage Philippus de Vyreley Robertus Lovel Adam Walran Iohannes de Penbrug Rogerus Pychard Henricus le Moigne Robertus de Lâ—cy Iohannes de Boillaunde Iohannes de Guyse Willielmus Motoun Rogerus Waleys Philippus le Lou. Iohannes de Hinton Iohannes de Twyford Richardus de Breheus Stephanus
to Marriage whilst in other things they made no alteration but lest them whole and entire And therefore since we observe those Knights who vow absolute Chastity and those who profess Conjugal have alike received their approbation from the Papal See and that some Knights have not been accounted Religious before such time and until their rule of living hath been confirm'd to them from thence as is noted by those of St. Lazarus after which Confirmation all that enter into any Order are subject to the particular Rule so approved of unless for good cause they be dispensed with For these reasons we shall place both under the Title of Religious or Ecclesiastical Knights in the following Discourse SECT IV. Of Ecclesiastical Foundations dependant upon Military Orders BUT the Institutions of those Orders purely Military were after a while thought too weak to continue long if not sustained by Religion and Piety and too defective without adjoining Ecclesiastical persons thereunto Therefore the Founders considering that in all Councils and Affairs there should be a concurrence of Divine assistance and Military industry began to dedicate them principally to the Honor and Worship of God or to our Saviour or to the blessed Virgin or some other of the Saints thereby to gain no less the protection and favour of the Divine goodness on the behalf of the Founders and Knights Companions of such Orders in general than its especial assistance in their Councils Affairs or particular Enterprises And this they supposed more easily obtainable by the interposition of men eminent for their sincerity piety humility and devotion set apart and appointed to say Prayers sing Psalms and perform other Ecclesiastical Duties the efficacy of Religion consisting in the Offices of the Priests for the glory fidelity peace and safety of their Kingdoms and Subjects and the good success of their Military Undertakings Hereupon some of them at their first Institutions joined sacred Orders to their Militia and made provision for Ecclesiastical persons whose assigned Duty was to undertake the spiritual warfare and spend their time in Divine Offices and Devotions at home in their several Foundations for the prosperity of those undertakings wherein the Knights Companions themselves were engaged abroad either as to the defence of Christian Religion their Prince or Country THE Severall ENSIGNES of the RELIGIOVS ORDERS of KNIGHTHOOD mentioned in the second Chapter SECT V. A brief account of the Religious Orders of Knighthood NOw come we to deliver a short account of the Religious or Sacred Orders of Knighthood to which shall succeed those that are purely and compleatly Military in both which we shall principally take notice 1. Of the Time of their Institution 2. By whom founded and 3. The Habit and Ensigns bestowed upon each of them proceeding according to the antiquity of each Order's Foundation as we can best discover it and allowing their Precedency here for that cause rather than any other But forasmuch as the Institutions of some of these Orders of Knighthood are endeavoured to be made more ancient than there is good ground to believe we have therefore thought it needless having for the most part confin'd our Discourse to the three particulars now mentioned to engage our Pen too far where 't is almost impossible to set the Chronological part right and may very possibly give an occasion of Offence We have taken in all the Orders that we could meet with though some were obscure and but short-liv'd and others for other reasons may be thought inconsiderable judging them worthy of a place here with the most famous and known seeing once they had such in the Register of Honor. Lastly where the occasion is inserted whence as is affirmed some of them took their Original and this lookt upon as fabulous and romantick We must inform our Reader that we take not upon us to justifie all that is spoken to this point but suppose we have dealt fairly and candidly with him in placing our Authorities in the Margent and there lest them to be considered of where we hope they will be of strength at least sufficient to support the Text and justifie our integrity The Order of the Knights of the Holy Sâ—pulchre in Ierusalem 1. This Order of Knighthood though not so ancient as some would make it who refer the Original to St. Iames Bishop of Ierusalem to Constantine the Great and to Charles the Great nor so late as others would have it who say this Order was founded in the year of our Lord 1110. yet is it accounted the most ancient of all those Orders which took beginning in the Holy Land and as a judicious Divine of our Nation reports was instituted in the year 1099. at such time as the Temple of Ierusalem was regained from the Saracens which account perhaps he grounded upon the date given to the ancient Statutes of this Order established at Ierusalem on New-years-day in the year aforesaid and published by Mennenius As to the person by whom this Order was founded he refers it to Philip King of France but Andrew Favin will have it to be Baldwin the First King of Ierusalem For there having been while the Saracens possest that City certain Canons regular of the Order of St. Augustine to whom they permitted the Custody of the Holy Sepulchre of our Lord and whose Convent adjoined thereunto These Canons saith he did King Baldwin make men of Arms and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and ordained that they should nevertheless retain their White Habit and on the breast thereof bear his own Arms which were Argent a Cross Potent Or between four Crossetts of the same commonly called the Ierusalem Cross. Their Great Master was the Patriarch of Ierusalem who had power granted from the Founder to confer the Order and to receive the three Vows of Poverty Chastity and Obedience The chief Duty whereunto these Knights were obliged by their profession was to guard the Holy Sepulchre the custody whereof was peculiarly committed to them to â—ight against the Saracens and Infidels with all their power to relieve and protect Pilgrims to redeem Christian Captives to hear Mass every day to recite the hours of the Cross and to bear the five red Crosses in memory of the five wounds of our Saviour They had their Rule confirm'd to them by Pope Innocent the Third When the Christians were driven out of the Holy Land these Knights retired into Europe and seated themselves at Perugia in Italy after which by consent and permission of the Soldan the custody of the Holy Sepulchre was committed to the Franciscan Fryars The Knights then in being retained yet their white Habit but changed their ancient Arms to a double red Cross. By the Bull of Pope Innocent the Eighth dated the 28. of March 1484. they and all their Goods were annexed and incorporated to the Knights Hospitalars of St. Iohn of
Ierusalem then remaining in the Isle of Rhodes since more commonly known by the Title of Knights of Malta as being under the same Vow and Rule But it was not long e're his Successor Pope Alexander the Sixth anno 1496. transferr'd to the Papal See all power of conferring this Order of Knighthood publishing himself and his Successors to be the Great Masters thereof He further empowred the Guardian of the Holy Sepulchre his Vicar-general to bestow the same upon Pilgrims and Travellers to the Holy Land the Formulary for receiving of which is set down at large by Mennenius and Favin Afterwards Philip the Second King of Spain used his endeavours to restore this Order in some of his Dominions to which end several of these Knights assembled in the Church of St. Catharine at Hochstraten in Brabant in Cameracensi Diocesi and by their Diploma dated the 26. of March 1558. exhibited by Mennenius elected the said King Grand Master of the Order but this design took no effect Of latter times there was another attempt to the like purpose made by Charles Gonzâ—go of Cleve Duke of Nevers in the year 1615. and this also upon the application of the Great Master of Malta to Lewis the Thirteenth of France came to nothing The Order of Hospitalars of St. Iohn Baptist in Ierusalem 2. Before the Latin Christians had taken the City of Ierusalem from the Saracens certain Christian Merchants of the Kingdom of Naples who traded into Syria and the Holy Land with Commodities most acceptable because most rare and strange to the Inhabitants of those Countries obtained leave from the Caliph of Aegypt who then had the Dominion thereof to erect a small and convenient House for the entertainment of themselves and their Country-men which they built before the Patriarchal Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Ierusalem together with as small an Oratory dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary To them repaired certain Canons of the Order of St. Augustine conducted by an Abbot from Naples who in a short time built another Oratory in honor of St. Mary Magdalen that of the Virgin Mary being appointed for the entertainment of Men and that other of St. Mary Magdalen for the reception of Women And not long after to wit in the year of our Lord 1048. they restored the Church of the Holy Sepulchre But the confluence of Pilgrims and Travellers growing very great and these places already built too narrow for their reception they erected a large Hospital in that very place where our Saviour celebrated the last Supper with his Disciples for the better entertainment of Strangers that travelled thither upon the account of Devotion who for want of a place to lodge in did usually in the night time fall into the hands of the Saracens that rob'd and murder'd them as also to relieve and cure the diseased among them So that at length in regard of their great Charity and friendly Hospitality as also for that these religious persons took St. Iohn Baptist for their Patron to the honor of whose Name a Chappel or Oratory was built there also they obtained the Title of Brethren Hospitalars of St. Iohn Baptist of Ierusalem But some are of opinion that this Hospital was dedicated to the memory of St. Iohn of Cyprus who in the Reign of Phocas the Emperor was Bishop of Alexandria and so charitable and liberal in bestowing Alms that he obtained the name of Iohannes Eleemosynarius Calvisius in his Chronology sets down the Institution of this Order to be in the year 1092. Others refer it to the year 1099. when one Gerard a Native of the Province of Tholouse and a man of holy life and piety came to Ierusalem in the time of Godfrey of Bouillon and out of zeal upon sight of the places trodden by the feet of our Saviour and sprinkled with his blood built this Hospital which became the first and chief Seat of this ancient Order and devoutly ministred to the necessities of the poor After a while he adjoined to himself some honest and religious men and received the regular Habit of Black wearing on the outside thereof a White Cross. King Baldwin the First conferr'd on them large Priviledges and Franchises permitting them to manage Arms as did the Canons Regulars Guardians of the Holy Sepulchre and anno 1104. instituted them to be Knights So that they who before were pious and liberal towards Pilgrims and diseased persons became at length the examples of true and Christian generosity Their duty now engaging them personally to fight against the Saraâ—ens and Insidels in defence of the Christian Faith These Knights then acknowledged obedience to the Patriarch of Ierusalem who first approved their Order but afterwards when their Revenues increased it begat a neglect of their former religious and humble carriage and forthwith they laboured with the Pope to be absolved from their obedience to the Patriarch which they obtain'd though he and several other Bishops of Palestine travelled to Rome to oppose them and manifest the injuries they sustained from the Knights This Order had its second approbation and rule of living confirmed from Pope Gelasius the Second but Andr. Mendo saith from Calixtus the Second anno 1120. and was by Adrian the Fourth received under the protection of the Papal See being likewise endowed with ample Priviledges and exemption from payment of Tythes by succeeding Popes chiefly by Pius the Fourth The Knights of this Order then took the black Habit of Hermits of St. Augustine and lived under his rule by the grant of Honorius the Second anno 1125. vowing Obedience Poverty and Chastity and on the Breast of this Habit wore at first a plain Cross of white Cloth since changed to one with eight points but in the time of War they used a Red Cassock bearing the White Cross upon it After the death of Gerard the Founder of this Hospital having increased in Men and Revenues elected out of their own Body another Governor or Head namely Raimund de Podio or Poggio a Florentine who digested and enlarged their Laws and Institutions and divided the Body of the Order into three Classes viz. Knights Servants and Ecclesiasticks which hath since received from the succeeeding Great Masters many additions This Body of Laws was confirmed by Pope Boniface the Ninth 7. Idus Apr. in the sixth year of his Popedom the Composers style in it runs thus Ego Ramundus Dei gratia servus pauperum Iesu Christi Custos Hospitalis Ierusolymitani But afterwards he had the Title of Great Master of the Order given him which continued to his Successors the Adjective Great being added to denote his power and authority the Government and Administration of the whole Militia being lodged in him for the time being This great Master is a free
Lord he hath at this day the Title of Prince of Maltae and Goza and had that of Illustrious first given him by Ferdinand the Second Emperor of Germany Among sundry great priviledges wherewith he is invested he hath power to Seal in Lead as doth the Pope and Duke of Venice He acknowledges the Pope for his Head and the King of Spain for his Patron Under this Great Master there are many of the Knights in several Kingdoms and Provinces called Priors some of whom have also the addition of Great With us in England he was stiled Prior Hospitalis Sancti Iohannis Ierusalem in Anglia and by that Title was he summoned to the Parliament as a Baron of this Kingdom At length he became ranked the first Baron and had place and precedency accordingly above all the Barons of Parliament There is a Memorandum of making his Oath of Fealty to the King which I find thus recorded Memorandum quod Frater Johannes de Radyngton Prior Hospitalis Sancti Iohannis Ierusalem in Anglia vicesimo tertio die Septembris anno praesenti apud Mansum Fratrum Praedicatorum London fecit fidelitatem suam Domino Regi debitam coram Consilio dicti Domini Regis ibidem tunc existente sub hac forma Jeo sera foial foie loialtie portera a nostre Seigneur le Roi Richard a ses heirs Rois D'engleterre de vie de membre de terrien honour a vivre morir contre toutz gentz diligiament seray entendant as busoignes nostre Seigneur le Roy solonc mon sen poair le conseil nostre Seigneur le Roy celera a lui a ses maundementz en quantque a moy attient sera obeisant si Dieu moi eide ses Seintz Protestando quod hoc non cederet in praejudicium Hospitalis praedicti temporibus futuris This Order grew in time to such greatness in Possessions and Lands that in the Reign of King Henry the Third they had in Christendom no fewer than nineteen thousand Mannors When Saladine had taken Ierusalem after it had been possest eighty nine years by the Christians these Knights retreated to the City of Acres called Ptolomais and that being also taken they seised upon the Island of Rhodes and gained the chief City there 18. Calend. Sept. in the year of our Lord 1308. which Pope n Clement the Fifth confirmed to them and thereupon they began to be called Knights of Rhodes At Rhodes they remained 214. years even until anno 1522. when Solyman the Great took the Island by force and made his publick entry thereinto on Christmas-day after which they betook themselves to the Island of Malta which with Tripoli and Goza were granted to them in Fee by the Emperor Charles the Fifth the 23. of March anno 1530. under the tender of one Falcon to the Viceroy of Sicily upon the 25. day of April yearly and on condition to acknowledge the King of Spain and Sicily for their Protectors This Donation was confirmed by Pope Clement the Seventh on the 9. of May in the same year In which Isle they yet continue the Bulwark and Fortress of Europe chiefly to shelter Sicily and guard the Coasts of Italy and from this settlement of theirs in this place they have been ever since called Knights of Malta The Order of Knights Templars 3. About the years 1117. 1118. 1119. or 1120. this Order took beginning Baldwin the Second then reigning in Ierusalem and Gelasius the Second possessing the Roman Chair when nine Gentlemen urged by zealous devotion passed the Seas to the Holy Land the chief of which though the rest are forgotten were Hugo de Paganes and Godfrey de Saint Omer two Knights of Noble Extraction The King because these Knights at first had no habitation assigned to them part of his own Palace neer the South-gate adjoining to the Temple of Solomon in Ierusalem and gave them leave to build a small House of residence within the inclosure thereof and hereupon they became called Brothers of the Militia of the Temple or more ordinarily in one word Knights Templars And as they began to increase in number which they did not till after nine years from their Institution so their first undertaking and profession to which they were enjoined by the Patriarch of Ierusalem was chiefly to guard the most dangerous High-ways about Ierusalem whereupon they became safe conductors to Pilgrims and Travellers who came to visit the holy places in that City both in coming thither and returning thence against the violence and robberies of the Saracens which charitable service made them acceptable to all and for which they obtained of the Patriarch and Bishops remission of their sins But they were yet so poor that for the first nine years they liv'd upon the Alms of others and wore such Clothes as good men for Charities sake bestowed on them They also rode two on one Horse in memory of which primitive poverty there was engraved on the Seal of their Order the Figure of two of their Knights riding upon one Horse which is exactly represented in Math. Paris At the Council held at Troyes in Champaigne anno 1127. they had certain Rules assigned to them drawn up by St. Bernard Abbot of Clairuaux a French Gentleman Lord of Fontaines a Village and Castle distant about half a mile from Dion by the appointment of Pope Honorius the Second and Stephen Patriarch of Ierusalem in the presence of which Patriarch they made their Vows of Obedience Poverty and Chastity and to live under the rule of Canons Regular of St. Augustine They were also enjoined to wear a White Habit to which but not till the time of Eugenius the Third they assumed the Red Cross and of the same form that the Knights Hospitallers of St. Iohn of Ierusalem wore though Favin saith it was a Patriarchal Cross and sewed it â—n the left shoulder of their Mantles to distinguish them from the Knights of other Orders in the Holy Land And thus as by their â—hite Habit their innocency was notified so by the Red Cross their resolution to spend their blood in defence of the Christian Faith These Knights with those other of the Holy Sepulâ—hre Hospitallers and Teuâ—onicks were the principal Columns which supported the Kingdom of Ierusalem for a long time and therefore their valiant encounters with the Infidels and forwardness to sacrifice their lives for the honor of God and defence of the Holy Land ought to be had in everlasting remembrance But when Riches increast and their Revenues were augmented they grew proud and withdrew themselves from the obedience of the Patriarch of Ierusalem to join with the Pope So that at last upon Friday after the Feast-day of St. Denys in the year of our Lord 1307. all the
Knights of this Order in France were in one and the same hour seized on and imprisoned by the command of Philip le Bel King of France with the consent of Pope Clement the Fifth being charged with most infamous and damnable Crimes the Articles confessed are set down by Andr. Favin But in England their apprehension was on Wednesday next after the Feast of Epiphany in the first year of the Reign of our King Edward the Second Shortly after a solemn examination of their Crimes upon the Articles exhibited against them was by the special Commission of the said Pope committed to William de Grenesfeild Arch-Bishop of York and Ralph Baldock Bishop of London in the presence of the accused Templars who sufficiently answered all the objections Howbeit they were afterwards convicted in a Council held at London and all their Lands and Goods seized into the Kings hands Upon this the aforesaid Arch-Bishop very greatly commiserating the sad state and condition of the Templars within his Diocess thus left destitute of maintenance most charitably disposed of them in several Monasteries under his Jurisdiction where they were provided for during their lives Two years after many of these Knights were burnt in France nay some of the Bones of Iohn de la Tur who had been long buried were taken up and in like manner burnt Upon Munday Sennight after Easter anno 1312. in the second Session of the Council called at Vienna in Daulphine the year before this Order was by Papal Authority condemned and perpetually dissolved and in March of the following year the last Great Master Iaques de la Maule a Bourgundian burnt at Paris Their Lands Possessions and Goods by a Decree of the said Pope dated at Vienna 6. Non. Maii in the seventh year of his Papacy were annexed to the Knights Hospitallers of St. Iohn of Ierusalem except those within the Kingdoms of Castile Arragon Portugal and Majorca which were reserved to the disposition of the Roman See because they had constantly hazarded their lives in the defence of the Christian Faith and continually suffered great dangers and undergone vast expences in transmarine parts as also for five years before with exceeding great charge and signal valor had maintain'd the Isle of Rhodes against the Turkish power Thus fell this Noble Order no less famous for Martial Atchievements in the East than their wealthy Possessions in the West For according to Doctor Heylins account they enjoyed no less than 16000 Lordships in Europe and a Spanish Author tells us their Revenue was two Millions annually and had in possession 40000 Commanderies Which gave occasion to many sober men to judge that their Wealth was their greatest crime And there are several Authors remembred by Alfonsus Ciaconius who are of opinion they were falsly accused and by suborned Witnesses meerly â—pon the ambition and covetous design of Philip King of France who gaped after their Lands but nevertheless the morsel fell beside his mouth The Statutes of this Order are recorded by Favin Knights of the Order of St. Lazarus 4. We are here to note that this Order was at the first Institution only a Fraternity of Religious Monks not Ecclesiastick Knights whose Weapons in the Christian warfare were Prayers and Tears not the Military Sword And albeit the time is uncertain when they first began to be an Order of Knighthood yet it cannot be presumed to be before the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre took upon them that Military profession since to them is generally attributed the beginning of that Custom for Ecclesiasticks to make use of Arms in defence and propagation of the Christian Religion nor was there indeed occasion administred for it until the Christian Princes set on foot the Holy War in Palestine This Order then is accounted the most ancient of all others in Christendom which occasioned Pope Pius the Fifth in two Bulls given in the year 1572. to stile it Antiquissimum Charitatis Militiae Christi Ordinem but that as hath been said must be understood as an Order of Monks and before they were made Ecclesiastick Knights The Original of such their foundation being by St. Gregory Nazianzen attributed to St. Basil about the years 360. or 370. or between both viz. anno 366. about the time of Iulian surnamed the Apostate The first Institution of this Order was upon a most charitable account namely to take care of persons infected with incurable Leprosie a Disease frequent in the Eastern Countries by which Malady they became separated even from the conversation and society of men And albeit through the Incursion of Barbarians and Saracens and the injury of time this Order lay as it were extinguished for a great while yet was it revived when the Latin Princes joined together in a holy League to expel the Saracens out of the Holy Land and a famous Hospital was then erected in Ierusalem under the Title of St. Lazarus for the reception and entertainment of Lepers For in that time the Monks of this Order added Martial Discipline to their knowledge in Physick and became very skilful both at their Weapons and in feats of Arms insomuch as their services against the Infidels begat a great esteem and value with Baldwin the Second King of Ierusalem and some of his Successors and other Princes enumerated by Aubertus Miraeus in which Age this Order flourished with great lustre under the Government of a Great Master In the year of our Lord 1120. Pope Innocent the Third and after him Honorius the Third granted very great priviledges to this Order and received it under the protection of the Papal See The Knights wore a Green Cross anciently plain afterwards of eight points and Pope Gregory the Ninth prescribed the form of creating their Great Master About the year 1150 they made their Vows of Obedience Poverty and Chastity before William Patriarch of Ierusalem and submitted themselves to the Rule of St. Benedict receiving his black habit But seven years after Pope Alexander the Fourth commanded them to observe the Rule of St. Aug. and approved the donation of the Emperor Frederick who had given great Revenues in Calabria Apulia and Sicily to this Order Nicholas the Third exempted them from payment of Tythes and several of the succeeding Popes indulged them with divers priviledges These Knights were so admired and favoured by St. Lewis of France that he brought twelve of them with him out of Palestine and placed them at Boigny in the Diocess of Orleans where he established a Colledge anno Domini 1154. which as Favin affirms was acknowledged for the chief Seat of this Order in Europe In process of time the dignity of this Order sunk being suppressed by Pope Innocent the Eighth who united it to the Order of Hospitalars at Rhodes by virtue of his Bull dated anno 1490.
and all the goods which they possessed in France were carried away thither so that shortly after the memory of this Order as well in Italy as France was wholly obscured Nevertheless Pope Pius the Fourth did again restore and re-establish the same by his Bull dated at Rome anno 1565. confirming all former Priviledges and granting many new he also ordained Rules and Statutes both for the Election of their Great Master and reformation and better Government of the Order Moreover he made Don Ianot de Chastillon a Gentleman of Millan his Kinsman Great Master thereof The Priviledges of this Order were afterwards enlarged by Pius the Fifth in the year 1567. who permitted them to take one Wife only to wit a Virgin not a Widow Lastly Pope Gregory the Thirteenth anno 1572. bestowed the Great Mastership of this Order upon Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy and his Successors Dukes of his Line and prescribed to them the Cistertian Rule Furthermore he ordained that all Commanderies of this Order under all Christian Princes should be left freely to the said Duke and his Successors and accordingly he had the Investiture and Collation of the Commanderies in Spain and Italy But Henry the Fourth of France hindered the effecting thereof in his Kingdom conceiving the right of Great Mastership appertained to him in regard the chief Seat of this Order in Europe was according to Favin within his Kingdom Knights of the Teutonick Order or of Prusia 5. In the time of the Holy War a wealthy Gentleman of Germany who dwelt at Ierusalem commiserating the condition of his Countrymen coming thither upon Devotion and not understanding the Language or knowing where to inhabit made his House a receptacle for these Pilgrims where they received lodging and entertainment Afterwards gaining Authority and Licence from the Patriarch he erected a Chappel neer unto this Hospital and dedicated it to the honor of the blessed Virgin Mary whence they had also the Title of Marian Knights To him associated other German Gentlemen who contributing to maintain this charitable work thus begun and in short time encreasing in Number Piety Wealth and Esteem though yet they had no rule of living assigned gave themselves to the professions both of the Knights Hospitalars and Templars imitating the later in their military Employments and emulating the former in their acts of Piety and Charity albeit the year wherein they first assumed Arms and entred into a Society we do not find remembred But afterwards to wit in the year of our Lord 1190 or 1191. they elected their first Master namely Henry Walpott and on the 22. of February in the following year upon the request of Frederick the Emperor received confirmation of their Order from the Bull of Pope Celestine the Third being the first year of his Papacy under the Title of Knights Teutonicks or Dutch Knights of the Hospital of St. Mary the Virgin vowing Poverty Obedience and Chastity He also prescribed to them the Rule of St. Augustine Their Statutes were composed by the Model of the Knights Hospitalars and of the Knights Templars among which one Article was that none but Germans should be admitted into this Order But to difference them from those Orders their Habit was ordained to be a White Mantle on the breast whereof a plain black Cross but some others make it a black Cross voided with a Cross Potence for their Ensign In the year when this Order received Confirmation from the Papal See there joined to them some rich Citizens of Breme and Lubeck by whose united Contributions another Hospital was erected in the City of Acon But after that City was taken by Saladine one Hermannus then Master and the remaining Knights removed into Germany on whom the Emperor Frederick the Second anno 1229. and Pope Honorius the Third bestowed the Province of Prussia or as some say Conrade Duke of Massovia anno 1226. where having conquer'd that Nation and reduced it from Paganism to Christianity they built the City of Mary-burgh and there anno 1340. fixed the chief Seat and Resid◠〈◊〉 of their Great Master This Country they enjoyed till the year 1525. that Albertus Brandenburg the last Great Master made solemn renunciation of the Order and became Feudatory to Sigismund the First King of Poland who raised Prussia into a Dukedom and created this Albert first Duke thereof The Conditions upon his Surrender and the Ceremony of his Investiture into this new Dukedom are set down in the Theatre of Honor. Some of the Knights disrelishing this Action did afterward elect another Great Master namely Albert Wolfang and leaving Prussia seated themselves in Germany where they now reside though of no great account only the younger Sons of the German Princes being for the most part received into this Order give the greatest reputation thereunto There were some other Military Orders of lesser note instituted in the Holy Land under the first Latin Kings of Ierusalem in imitation or rather emulation of those more famous Orders before remembred of which there now remains only an obscure memorial and seeing their Histories are all defective as to the year of Institution we think best to muster them up here in the following order The Order of the Knights of Mount-Joy 6. THese Knights were so called from a Castle in the Holy Land where this Order was Instituted built on the point of a Mountain not far from Ierusalem whence the Pilgrims first viewed the Holy City and where these Knights lay in Garrison They were employed in Military Services for defence of that Casile and the Holy Land against the Saracens and Pagans and received for their Habit Red short Mantles and a White Star with five rayes issuing out of it fixt upon their breasts Others say the Habit of this Order was White and the Badge thereof an Octogonal Cross Red but this might haply be after they left the Holy Land and settled in Spain They vowed Poverty Chastity and Obedience and observed the Rule of St. Basil. Pope Alexander the Third by his Bull approved this Order and changed their Rule to that of St. Augustine in the year of our Lord 1180. In this Bull remaining in the Archives of the Order of Calatrava is mention made of several Towns and Castles which these Knights held in the Holy Land as also what they possest in Spain After the loss of the Holy Land these Knights retired into Spain and fought against the Moors and according to the several names of the places where they resided were they denominated though the general Title was of Mount-Ioy In Catalonia and Valentia they were called Equites de Mongoia which is the same with Mount-Ioy but in Castile Knights of Monfrac from a Castle so called in that Kingdom it being their chief place of residence and
after when this Order was fallen into great decay it was given unto Don Gonçalionez Master of the Order of Calatrava by King Ferdinand the Saint in the year of our Lord 1221. by whose consent they were afterwards incorporated into the Order of Calatrava Moreover in the Instrument by which Alphonso the Ninth King of Castile gave the Lands to this Order which the Knights took from the Moors the Donation saith thus To you Don Rodrigo Gonçalez Master of Monfrac of the Order of Mount-Ioy They were also called saith Favin Equites de Truxillo or de Trugillo from a City of that name where they sometime resided but this will appear by and by to be a distinct Order united afterward to the Knights of Alcantara Knights of St. John of Acon or Acres 7. Under the Patronage of this Saint was this Order erected but the Original as to time uncertain The Knights thereof exercised all Duties of Charity towards those who went on Pilgrimage to visit the Holy Land and assumed the exercise of Arms in imitation of the Knights Hospitalars whence they became ranked amongst the Religious or Sacred Orders They followed the Rule of St. Augustine and according to Favin had a black Habit assigned them upon which they wore a White Cross Pattee After the City of Acon was taken they removed into Spain and flourished in that Kingdom in the Reign of Alfonsus the Astrologer King of Castile about which time Pope Alexander the Fourth approved the Order under the conjoined Title of St. Thomas and St. Iohn of Acon This King gave unto them by his Will all the Furniture of his House and very much Money but afterward they by little and little decayed until at length they were united with the Knights Hospitalars The Ensign of their Order saith Ios. Micheli Marquez was a Red Cross like to that of the Order of Montesa in the middle whereof stood the Figures of St. Iohn and St. Thomas which differs from what Favin hath before assigned but perhaps the colour of the Cross was changed to Red after their coming into Spain Knights of St. Thomas 8. There was another Order which as may be collected from Mennenius and Ios. Micheli was distinct from the former bearing the Title of St. Thomas but A. Mendo supposeth they were rather some of those which joined themselves to the Knights Hospitalars and the rather because they wore the same Habit with the Knights of St. Iohn of Acon they also made the same Professions followed the same Rule observed the same Constitutions and were approved and confirmed by Pope Alexander the Fourth and Fifth and Iohn the 22. Their Badge was a Saltire gules yet Micheli makes it the same with that of St. Iohn of Acon wanting the Figures in the middle But Andr. Favin reports though we meet with nothing in our English Histories to back him that this Order was Instituted by our King Richard the First after the surprisal of Acon and that these Knights were of the English Nation who wore a White Habit and a Red Cross charged in the middle with a White Escallop and lastly that they had for their Patron St. Thomas Becket This gives us occasion to remember here that we have some more Honor of this kind done our Nation by Strangers if it can be called an Honor to report those things of us which want ground and authority from our own Histories and Chronicles to support them viz. That Henry of England which by the note of time afterwards mentioned must be understood of our King Henry the Second visiting the Holy places in Ierusalem but we find not that he was ever there being moved with a pious zeal by the example of the Knights of the Sepulchre Instituted the Order of Iesus Christ of the holy Sepulchre in England in the year of our Lord 1174. giving to the Knights thereof the same Rules as had those of the Holy Sepulchre in Ierusalem which Order saith the same Author was confirm'd by Pope Alexander the Third under the Rule of St. Basil. Howbeit after the Christians were driven out of the Holy Land the Knights of this Order were joined to the Knights Hospitalars But we give the less credit to this formal account because we find no mention made thereof in any of our English Writers or Records Perhaps the Relator mistook them for the Canons regular but not Knights of the Holy Sepulchre who about that time lived amongst us and of whom the Antiquities of Warwick-shire give some account Knights of St. Blase 9. These were called also Knights de Sancta Maria and founded under the Rule of St. Basil. They were Officers and Servants to the Kings of Armenia and had assigned them for their Habit Skie-colour with a Cross gold worn before their breasts Others say a Red Cross and in the middle thereof the Picture of St. Blase their Patron This Order was at the height when the Armenian Kings of the House of Luzignam kept their Court in the City of Acon Knights of the Martyrs in Palestine 10. By the pious affection of some Noblemen there was erected in the Holy Land an Hospital dedicated to the holy Martyrs St. Cosmas and St. Damianus where all acts of charity were exercised towards sick strangers Their profession also obliged them to other works of mercy towards the poor to redeem Captives taken by the Saracens and to bury the dead These Knights followed the Rule of St. Basil which was confirmed to them by Pope Iohn the 22. They wore for the Badge of their Order a Red Cross and in the middle thereof within a Circle the Figures of the Saints Cosmas and Damianus were described Mennenius informs us that Hieron Romanus had seen some of these Knights wearing for their chief Ensign a Red Cross and professing the Rule of St. Augustine which perhaps was so changed when they retired into Europe Knights of St. Katharine at Mount Sinai 11. This Order received its Institution saith Ios. Micheli in the Year of our Lord 1063. under the Title and Patronage of St. Katharine whose body is reported to be deposited in Mount Sinai and the high Altar in the Church of the Monastery there dedicated to her name erected neer to the place where she was interred The end for which these Knights were at first Instituted and the sum of their profession was to guard and keep safe the Sepulchre of St. Katharine to secure the ways for Travellers to defend and protect the Graecian Pilgrims who came thither for devotions sake and to relieve and entertain them with convenient Hospitality Their Habit was White and they lived under the Rule of St. Basil the Great making their Vows of conjugal chastity and obedience to the Abbot of this Monastery who was their Superiour or Master But when those
Countries fell into the hands of the Turks the Knights of this Order were ill entreated and driven away and the Order it self almost abolished Nevertheless some shadow thereof does still continue for such as travel to visit the Holy Sepulchre at Ierusalem do now and then likewise pass to this Monastery at Mount Sinai where in imitation of the Padre Guardian of Ierusalem the principal of the Monks of this Convent makes them Knights of the Order of St. Katharine the Ceremony being performed upon her Sepulchre or Tomb and the same Questions and Formulary are here used as are accustomed at the Holy Sepulchre in Ierusalem These Knights do now wear upon the left side of their White Habit the Cross of Ierusalem and Instrument of St. Katharines Martyrdom which I have caused to be engraven after the form of that Badge bestowed upon Andr. Favin by Mesiere Claude Daubray a Knight both of the Holy Sepulchre and of St. Katharine but according to others the middle of the Wheel is pierced with a Sword The Order of Knights of St. Anthony in Aethiopia 12. Shortly after the death of St. Anthony the Hermite which fell out about the years of our Lord 357. or 358. many of his Disciples remaining in Thebais a Country bordering upon Aethiopia followed the Example Rule and manner of life which he had left them and both they and their Successors lived for some time in great austerity and solitariness in the Desart and therefore called Anchorites until they were at length reduced to a more convenient and rational life by submitting to the monastical Rule of St. Basil and cohabiting in Monasteries but still under the Title and Habit of St. Anthony It is said that about the year of our Lord 370. Iohn Emperor of Aethiopia commonly called Prester Iohn erected these Monks into a Religious Order of Knighthood under the Title and Protection of St. Anthony Patron of his Empire and bestowed upon them great Revenues and many Priviledges And being thus instituted Knights they received the aforesaid Rule of St. Basil and submitted to his Constitutions The Habit of the Order is Black and the Cross Blue much like the form of the Latine Letter T but not like either the Samaritan or Hebrew Letter Tau which some say is like a Cross for the fashion and shape of either hath no likeness or similitude to a Cross at all as hath been observed by the Learned Ioseph Scaliger The chief Seat of this Order is in the Isle of Meroe where the Abbots both spiritual and temporal have their residence but in other parts of Aethiopia they have a very great number of Convents and Monasteries and not less than two Millions of annual Revenue The eldest Sons of Noblemen and Gentlemen cannot be admitted into this Order but the second Sons may and if a man have three Sons he is bound to assign one of them to be of the Order from which Law none are exempt but Physicians The effect of the Vow and Profession which these Knights make is to observe conjugal chastity to dye in defence of the Christian Faith to guard the Confines of the Empire to yield obedience to their natural Laws and their Superiors and to go to War whensoever and wheresoever they are commanded Moreover they take an Oath before the spiritual Abbot not to fight in Wars between Christians nor to receive any holy Orders or to marry without express License first obtained There are in this Order two sorts of Knights the one employed in the Wars the other being old are exempted from Military services and retire themselves under the Title and Profession of Monks to the Abbies where first they took their Habit. Of these there can be no more but five and twenty in one Abbey albeit while they remain Military Knights they have no certain number out of whom the most ancient in the Habit is chosen Abbot by the voices of his Fellows and called the Spiritual Abbot The Novices are taken in about sixteen or seventeen years of age and imployed nine years in the Wars to wit three years in the Garrisons about the Red Sea against the Arabian Pirats other three years in the Isle of Meroe against the incursions of the Turks and the last three years upon the Borders of Borno a neighbour Kingdom of the Moors These nine years being compleated they obtain Letters from their last Captain testifying the fulfilling those years in the Wars with honor and worthiness wherewith the great Abbot being made acquainted he directs his Letters to the Abbot where they are to receive their Habit to give them admittance accordingly But in case the Certificate of life and services be not sufficient which seldom happens their admission is prolonged to a further time When they come to be admitted into their Abbey they are introduced in their military Habit of which being disrobed and the religious Habit put on to wit a Black Gown reaching down to the ground lined with Blue described to be a Garment made with many Plaits in the neck and large sleeves such as the Basilians wear having a Blue Cross fixed to the Breast and over that a Black Cowle they then are led to the Church and before the Altar make their Profession Philip the Seventh of that Name Son to the Founder very much encreased their Lands and Priviledges and gave command that the Badge of the Blue Cross should be bordered with Gold which is observed at this day Such as are inquisitive after a further Account of this Order in Aethiopia may receive it from the afore-cited Author Ios. Micheli Marquez who is very large and particular upon this Subject In Italy France and Spain there are a sort of Monks that from some have the Title of Knights of St. Anthony these were commanded to observe the Rule of St. Augustine by Pope Boniface the Eighth and appointed to wear a plain Blue Cross like that in Aethiopia the Principals of these according to Favin wear a double St. Anthonies Cross of Blue Satin the one above the other but the rest of them only a single Cross. Their chief Seat is at Vienna in Daulphine of which place the General of the Order beareth the Title of Abbot the Monastery there having been erected into an Abbey by the said Pope Boniface anno 1297. in honor of St. Anthony whose body is reported to have been translated thither from Constantinople and all other places built in honor of his name were made subject to this Abbot by Pope Clement the Seventh anno 1523. Aub. Miraeus takes notice of this Order calling it the Order of Hospitalars of St. Anthony and to have taken beginning in France in the year 1121. from one Gaston a Nobleman of Vienna But Baronius saith it was in the year 1095. that this Gaston with his Son Gerin taking eight
other persons to them instituted this Order who before they took upon them the Habit of Religion assumed to themselves the Letter Thau for the Badge or Ensign of their Order Yet Alfonsus Ciaconius makes this Order more ancient affirming that Gaston and Guind whom Baronius calls Gerin instituted it before the year of our Lord 1092. The Order of the Constantinian Angelick Knights of St. George in Greece but now in Italy 13. We shall be somewhat large in the account of this Order because we have met with little of it besides what is delivered by Ioseph Micheli Marquez a Spanish Writer in his Tesoro Militar de Cavalleria from whom And. Mendo hath collected all he saith of it as also for that it appears he was Vice-Chancellor thereof which makes us presume he might be enabled to give a fuller and more particular account of it to the world than others and to say truth the History of it set down by him is large enough Nor do we call in question the authority of his attestations from the time of Angelus Flavius Comnenus and the Confirmation given this Order by Pope Leo the First under the Rule of St. Basil which perhaps should be understood as they were Monks rather than Knights But our Author not content with an original of that Age which if granted to him will make this Institution elder than either the Knights of the Sepulchre Hospitalars or Templars and consequently high enough to be one of the first military Orders in Christendom must needs derive a formal Institution Rules and Laws from Constantine the Great and vouch for it an Inscription not mentioned by any other in the Capitol at Rome From which account of his though it appears little better than a fabulous story grounded at best upon some uncertain Tradition and in several things smelling of novelty we shall nevertheless extract what is most material to our purpose This ancient and as our Author calls it the first Military Order in Christendom took beginning from the Emperor Constantine the Great and from him was entituled the Military Order of Constantine the Emperor It was called also Angelical because the Cross with this Inscription In hoc signo vinces was shewed from Heaven to that Emperor by an Angel and thence they of the Family descended from him among whom were the Great Masters of the Order took the name de Angelis As to the description of this Cross and the form thereof Eusebius may be consulted who in the Life of Constantine not only affirms that this Emperor himself vouched the truth of this Miracle to him with an Oath but describes the Figure thereof which the Emperor gave directions to be made of Gold and precious Stones according to the Pattern he had seen in the Skie and thence-forward caused the Figure of this Cross to be carried before his Army instead of the golden Standard formerly used and to be engraven upon the Armour of the Legionary Soldiers He also reports that upon Constantines triumphal entrance into Rome after his Victory over Maxentius he erected many Crosses with Inscriptions to indear the Sign thereof into all mens affections and amongst the rest commanded his own Statue to be placed in the chiefest part of the City holding a Banner of the Cross with the following Inscription engraven below it HOC SALVTARI SIGNO VERO FOR TITVDINIS INDICIO CIVITATEM VESTRAM TYRANNIDIS JVGO LIBERAVI ET S.P.Q.R. IN LIBERTATEM VINDICANS PRISTIN AE AMPLITVDINI ET SPLENDORI RESTITVI This Order had also the Epithet Golden adjoin'd because that instead of the Collar of Gold which the ancient Emperors his Predecessors used to give in reward of Virtue and military Service this Emperor gave a Collar of Gold composed of these three Characters A x Ω at which was fastned a Cross like that which appeared to him and thereunto the Image of St. George to confirm which saith our Author there is to be seen but we much doubt in the Capitol at Rome a Marble whereon are armed Knights engraven and an Inscription speaking thus Constantine the Great Emperor after he was cleansed of his Leprosie by the means of sacred Baptism thus created Golden Knights with the Cross for defence of the Christian name He further informs us that Constantine elected fifty illustrious Grandees of his Empire to be Knights of this Order to whom he gave the Standard of the Labarum and likewise a Collar of Gold to which the Figure of the Labarum and a Cross were dependant together with several Constitutions and Laws and that he instituted this Order with the consent and approbation of Pope Sylvester As also that it was confirmed by Pope Leo the First whose Bull for assigning to the Knights thereof the Rule of St. Basil dated the 20. of Iuly anno Domini 456. Prince Alexius Angelus being then Great Master he transcribes at large That it received further confirmation and approbation from the Popes Iulius the Third Calixtus the Third Pius the Second Sixtus the Fourth Innocent the Eighth Paul the Third Sixtus the Fifth Clement the Eighth Pius the Fifth Gregory the Fifteenth and Vrban the Eighth And whilst it flourished in Greece was confirmed and augmented with large Priviledges by divers succeeding Grecian Emperors namely Leo the First Isaac Angelus anno Dom. 1191. whose Diploma this Author also gives us dated the 13. of Sept. in the year aforesaid and of his Empire the Seventh by Michael Paleologus anno 1294. by Isaac Angelus anno 1295. and lastly by Ferdinand the Second Emperor of Germany at Ratisbone anno 1630. who recommended to his Catholique Majesty the restauration of this Order because those who had been Great Masters thereof were allied to him and of the Family of Angelus Flavius Comnenus which recommendation was sent to that King by the then Great Master Don Iohn Andrea Angelo Flavio Comneno The Great Masters of this Order have their chief Seat and Convent now at Brianno a Town nigh to Venice the Dignity yet continuing in the Line of Angelo Flavio Comneno howbeit among the Priviledges granted by the Emperor Isaac Angelus one is That if the Family of Angelus Flavius Comnenus should be extinguished the Collared Knights may elect from among themselves a Great Master Among the many Prerogatives granted to this Order by the Imperial Priviledges and Papal Bulls we shall mention a few by which may be understood something of the grandeur thereof to wit that the Great Masters are Commensales Pontificum and have the priviledge of sitting at the Table with the Pope by whom they are defended and supported as Benefactors to the Church and Founders of the Lateran Cathedral in Rome They are persons of great note and authority in that they are subject to no Prince and therefore have the power of coining Money They give titles of Counts Princes and such others and of Reverend to their own Fraternity They
have also the faculty of restoring to Honors of legitimating Bastards of giving Degrees with the Title of Doctors creating Poet Laureats and making publick Notaries This Order is under the protection of the Blessed Virgin and patronage of St. George the titulary Saint and Guardian of military men in general and of these Knights in particular who profess obedience and conjugal Chastity The Formulary prescribed for entrance into the Order the manner of receiving the Habit taking the Oath the benediction of the Mantle Cross and Sword the admittance of the Knights Priests and Novices are at large laid down by this Author The Habit of this Angelick Order is White on the left side whereof is sewed a Red or Crimson Velvet Cross Flory in the middle is the Labarum imbroidered after the form of the Letter X with the Letters A upon the one arm of the Cross and Ω on the other the sides are wrought with Gold and Silk but the Labarum all with Gold Amongst these Knights there are three Degrees the first are called Collared or Grand Crosses these wear a Collar formed of Labarums whereat depends the Figure of the Cross and St. George The second are the Knights and these wear the Cross as is above described The third are Servants and they bear the Cross only wanting the upper arm of it and the Labarum The Priests wear the like Cross with the Knights The Grand Priorates and Promotions or Commanderies belonging to this Order shew how great it hath been and how far its jurisdiction extended since to them were joined very great Revenues and Rents which the Knights of this Order held and they were these saith mine Author though I suppose divers of them are miswritten The grand Priorates of Mistra and of Bosnia of Cappadocia Calcide Napoles Antiochia Constantinople Ierusalem Natolia Iulia Caesaria and the Priories of Barlada Scione Anfiboli Damascus Mileto Pergamo Sinope Ephesus Argo Odeseo Egena Nicepoli Corinthus Nicomedia Apollonia Erapoli Engada together with several Baliato's or Baliwicks The Bulls and Priviledges are to be seen in the Constitutions of the Order published by the eloquent and learned Knight Majolini Bisachioni grand Prior of Bosnia Earl of Galicia great Chancellor and Administrator of the Order as also in Malvezzi and other Authors Knights of this Order To conclude this Author gives a Catalogue of the Names of 34 Great Masters whom he affirms were all true descendants of the Family of Angelus Flavius Comnenus beginning with Constantine the Great but between him and Alexius Angelus Flavius whom he reckons to be the third Great Master and who was he that drew all the Knights into a Fraternity is doubtless a very great Chasme As to others either the chain of succession is broken in several places or the Order hath suffered some discontinuance Knights of the Order of St. James in Galicia 14. There were several Orders of Knighthood to which the Spanish piety gave a being protection and support and amongst them that of St. Iames the Apostle commonly called Sanctiago was the first and principal There are some Spanish Writers reckoned up by Franciscus Mennenius that say this Order took beginning in the time of Don Ramiro King of Leon who began his Reign in the year of our Lord 821. and at the Battel of Clavijo or Clavigio anno 826. or as some say anno 837. against the Moors did by the assistance of St. Iames the Apostle said to have then appeared upon a white Horse bearing a Banner with a Red Cross upon it gain a mighty Victory over an innumerable multitude of them whereupon in all Battels thenceforth his patronage was implor'd That this was the occasion of the Orders Foundation is not believed or approved of by all as may be collected from Iohannes Mariana Franc. Alphon. Venerius and others of that Country some of them placing the Institution thereof about the year 1160 and some others upon a clear mistake confounding the time of Institution with that Confirmation by Pope Alexander the Third anno 1175. in which the first rule of living is prescribed to the Knights of this Order But though there be no certainty that this Order was instituted in memory of the appearance of St. Iames after the manner before related and in the Reign of Don Ramiro yet that there was a Fraternity or Military Order in Spain under that Title at least 145 years before Pope Alexander gave his Confirmation though how much elder is hitherto not known is a thing out of all dispute For it evidently appears from the original Priviledge granted to the Nuns of the Monastery of St. Esprit in Salamanca dated the 15. of Nov. anno Dom. 1030. under the royal hand of Don Fernando the First who began his Reign anno Dom. 1017. and is therein stiled King of Castile Leon Galicia Portugal and Lord of Biscay for in his time were the Kingdoms of Castile and Leon first united that there was then in being a Fraternity and Order of Knights or Comendadores as also a Superior bearing the Title of Master and Governor thereof and that these Knights had then also Castles Lands Rents and Possessions to support them for of all these is there express mention made in that Grant Moreover in an ancient Original of a very old Letter written long before they received any Rule or Form of Religion and pen'd in corrupt and barbarous Latine which contains certain Rules and Orders to be observed by them as also mulcts and forfeitures for neglects and offences therein set down they are called Brothers of the Fraternity of St. Iames. And albeit the Knights of this Order did at first dispose themselves to virtuous courses and valiantly encountred the Moors Enemies to the Cross of Christ that being the chief end of their Foundation yet in tract of time they fell from the honor of their first Institution and grew so strangely debauch'd and gave so great occasion of scandal that the Order was thereby so much perverted as it could scarce be accounted an Order But afterwards the Knights being by the divine goodness reclaimed grew desirous to be reduced to a better life and to submit themselves to regularity and order and upon Cardinal Iacintha's arrival in Spain and their application to him he as much as in him lay first confirmed their Order in the year of our Lord 1170 under the Rule of St. Augustine and upon his return to Rome Fernando de Fuente Encalada and others Knights and Canons of this Order attended him thither whom he presented to Pope Alexander the Third and from him obtained approbation and confirmation He also received this Order under the protection of the Papal See prescribed to these Knights the Rule and manner of living the form of holding Chapters of electing their Master of the Trezes and thirteen Comendadores of Houses â—nd of the Visitors In
brief this Bull gives them very large Priviledges is fitted with â—xceeding good Precepts and Laws both for Government and Conservation of the Order and bears date the 13. of Iuly anno Dom. 1175. which hapned in the beginning of the Reigns of Don Alonso the Ninth King of Castile of Don Fernando the Second King of Leon and Don Alonso the Second King of Aragon And hereupon saith Francisc. de Rades y Andrada do some of the Chronicles of Spain call this an Institution which was indeed but a Restauration because the Knights of that time were the first that entred into the Vow of Obedience poverty of Spirit and Conjugal Chastity wherein consisted the substance of this Religious Order It being observed out of the Confirmation that Pope Alexander the Third had among other things granted to these Knights the Monastery of Saint Loyo situate in Galicia near Sanctiago and that the Prior and Canons thereof being Canons Regulars of St. Augustine were thereby incorporated to the Knights of this Order it is thence concluded that this Order was rather founded in the Kingdom of Galicia than Leon. And though it appears by King Fernando's Priviledges to the Monastery of St. Esprit that there was in ancient time a Master of this Order yet is no notice taken either of him or any of his Successors till after Pope Alexanders Confirmation and then Don Pedro Fernandez de Fuente Encalada Encalada being a place in the Diocess of Astorga is reckoned the first in the Catalogue of Masters At the beginning the Knights of this Order were imployed to assist the Canons Regular of Saint Loyo who had built Hospitals the first of which was that of St. Mark in the Suburbs of Leon for the relief of Pilgrims who daily resorted from all parts to visit the shrine of St. Iames of Compostella and to guard the high ways frequented by the concourse of them against the insolencies of the Moors and Robbers of Spain The Ensign of this Order is a Cross which the Knights wore upon their Breasts finishing like the blade of a Sword the Hilt crosleted and fashioned after the ancient manner whereupon it was called La Orden de Sanctiago de la Espada as also Ordo militaris Sancti Iacobi Ensigeri à qualitate insignium And the reason why this Ensign is always painted Red rather than any other colour is thus given by Don Rodrigo Ximenes Arch-Bishop of Toledo Rubet ensis sanguine Arabum But these Knights assumed not only the Sword in form of a Cross but also the Symbol of St. Iames which though it cannot be directly determined saith Rades y Andrada what it is yet it seems to be the Escallop shell For that the Escallop is generally among the Spaniards taken for the Badge of St. Iames and worn by Pilgrims in their Voyages to his Sepulchre at Compostella the place where his body was found about the year of Christ 800. the day of whose Translation is the 30. of December And in all the ancient Seals of the Order as well of the Masters as of the Convent there is to be seen an Escallop shell placed under the handle of the Sword at the closing thereof to the Hilt But it seems the honor of the Escallop is such that the use thereof is not permitted to all for by a Bull of Pope Alexander the Fourth among other things it is ordained that none of this Order shall wear the Escallop shell for Ensign but such Knights Priests and Nuns as are nobly descended In the year of our Lord 1560. King Philip the Second declared that the Knights of this Order might wear an Escallop shell hanging in a Chain of Gold not a Ribbon or Cordon made of Gold or Silver as big as a piece of Eight but not of Chrystal or any Stone of what kind soever and wearing this they were permitted the use of a Coat without the Badge of the Order nevertheless their upper Robe or Mantle was not to be worn without it The Habit of these Knights is a White Mantle of Cloth or Serge close before on the breast whereof is set a Cross of Cloth or Sattin in the form before described The Figure of which Habit adorning a Knight of this Order is to be seen in Iurisprudentia Heroica This Câ—â—â—s made of Silk or Cloth they are obliged to wear upon their Garments Coats or Cloaks though they use Crosses of Gold likewise When the Moors were driven out of Spain the principal end for which this Order with those of Calatrava and Alcantara were instituted ceased and thereupon it came to be considered how the Administration of these Orders might be placed in the Crown of Castile Upon the death therefore of Don Rodrigo Manrique elected Master at Vcles in Castile Competitor to Don Alonso de Cardenas elected Master at Leon Queen Isabella came to the Covent of Vcles whither Don Alonso had drawn a considerable power to force his Election there also and commanded to assemble all the Knights of this Order that then were thereabouts upon whose appearance she told them That in regard the Knights of this Order had many Fortresses upon the Frontires for which reason her Predecessors had in former times taken the Administration of this Order upon themselves and given it to their Sons upon great deliberation therefore was it thought fit that the King Don Fernando her Husband should now be Administrator and intimating that a desire was sent to the Pope for a Grant thereof she commanded them to surcease in their Election to which all the Trezes submitted Afterwards the King had the Mastership of this Order under the Title of Administrator granted him by the Pope nevertheless finding that Don Alonso de Cardenas had been very faithful to him and greatly deserving he waved the Papal Grant and gave leave for a new Election whereupon Don Alonso was elected a second time in the year 1477. But anno Dom. 1499. the Mastership of this Order becoming again vacant by the death of this Don Alonso King Ferdinando and Isabella obtained another Bull from Pope Alexander the Sixth to hold the Administration thereof during their lives After their death Charles the Fifth succeeding obtained a Grant from Pope Adrian the Sixth whereby the perpetuity of the Mastership together with those others of Calatrava and Alcantara became annexed to the Crowns of Castile and Leon and thereunto in most ample manner were transferred all Rights c. which the Masters of those Orders did formerly enjoy or exercise Since which time the Kings of Spain have enjoyed the Administration of this Order and carried that title and stile in the Inscription upon the Great Seal thereof which holds the Royal Arms of Spain upon a Cross that filleth all the Shield with a Sword at each of the four Corners Philip the Third King of Spain called
a Chapter of this Order in Madrid the 16. of April anno 1600. which ended the 30. of November following In which it was ordained that the Book Intituled La Regla y Establecimientos de la Cavalleriae de Santiago del Espadae c. should be printed This Book contains the Institutions whereby the Knights of the Order are to be governed together with all the Statutes Laws Rules and Ceremonies appertaining thereunto and now in use and at this Chapter many of the former Laws were abolished others amended and some new added The Order of Knights of St. Saviour in Aragon 15. About the year of our Lord 1118. was this Order erected by Don Alphonso called Emperor of Spain King of Navarr Aragon Leon Castile and Toledo who chose out of those Spanish and French Nobility that assisted him in his Wars against the Moors a certain number whereof he formed this Society and to the end he might be the better enabled to drive the Moors out of Saragosa and the whole Territory of Aragon he engaged them by this Honor to pursue the War against them to the utmost of their power Favin seems to place the Institution of this Order to the year 1120. but that was the year of King Alphonso's great Expedition against the Moors whom he vanquished and destroyed and for which Victory he had the Title of Conqueror given to him besides these Knights were Instituted upon design to engage with this King in that War of whose assistance he had not so great need as to give Institution to them if he had before overcome the Moors Some may possibly take this Order to be rather Military than Religious but if it be considered that these Knights succeeded the Templars in Montreall being by King Alphonso established in that place and had a Rule of living somewhat conformable to the Knights Templars save only the priviledge to marry which Rule Io. Mariana a Spanish Author of very great credit saith expresly was the Cistertian and for that Ios. Mich. Marquez another Spanish Writer informs 〈◊〉 that they profest conjugal Chastity and Obedience and were obliged to support the holy Church and Christian Faith against the Moors we need not scruple to place them in the ranks of Religious Knights Their Habit was a White Mantle on the breast whereof they wore a Red Cross Ancree but A. Mendo saith it was the Figure of our Saviour At length the like Fate attended this Order as did the Knights of St. Iames Alcantara and Calatrava for the Moors being driven out of Spain and the chief end for which they were instituted ceasing their rich Commanderies were at length united to the Crown The Order of Knights d'Avis in Portugal 16. Don Alphonso Henriquez first King of Portugal took from the Moors in the year of our Lord 1147. the City of Evora and to strengthen this Garrison he sent thither several gallant Commanders who assumed the Title of Knights of St. Mary of Evora as well from putting themselves under the protection of our blessed Lady as from the place where they were first seated Their first Great Master was Don Fernando de Monteiro Not long after they came to be called Knights d' Avis from a Castle of that name situate on the Frontires of Portugal which being conquered from the Moors by the said King Don Alphonso he gave it to Fernando de Yannes Master of Evora in the year 1161. but Fr. de Rades saith it was 1181. to which Castle he and his Brethren forthwith transplanted themselves from Evora This Order was confirmed by Pope Innocent the Third anno 1204. in the Reign of Sancho the First Son to King Don Alphonso under the Rule of St. Benedict and therefore in some Papal Bulls the Order is called of St. Benedict d' Avis but others say this Order had confirmation anno Dom. 1162. by a power which the Bishop of Hostia Legat in Spain for Pope Alexander the Third gave to Io. Zerita Abbot of St. Io. Tarroca The Knights profess Conjugal Chastity and Obedience In the year of Christ 1213. Don Rodrigo Garcez de Assa then seventh Master of Calatrava gave to the Great Master and Brethren Knights d' Avis their two Fortresses in Evora and some other lands possessed by them in the Kingdom of Portugal upon which Donation they submitted themselves to the Rule Statutes Visitation and Correction of the Order of Calatrava and their Successors but in the time of Don Iohn of Portugal natural Son of Pedro the Eighth King of Portugal seventh Great Master d' Avis after he had gained the Victory of Aljubarrato against Don Iohn the First of Castile he commanded this Order to cast off their acknowledgments to that of Calatrava which they thereupon did and afterwards refused to receive Don Gonsalo Nunez de Guzman Master of Calatrava who went to visit them Hereupon the Order of Calatrava complained to the Council of Basil who decreed that this Order d' Avis should continue subject to that of Calatrava and receive their Visits and Reformation to which purpose a Bull issued which yet remains preserved in the Archives of Calatrava but the Portugueses never submitted to it albeit those of Calatrava to preserve their preheminence have still nominated Visitors Nay afterwards when that Crown fell into the hands of Philip the Second King of Spain this Order d' Avis did nevertheless remain governed according to the Statutes of Portugal nor did the Council of the other three Orders of Castile take upon them to proceed in any Cause where this Order was concern'd The Badge of this Order is a Green Cross Flory such as the Knights of Alcantara wear and said to be given them by Don Pedro but before they used the like Cross with those of the Order of Calatrava two Birds being added at the foot thereof in allusion to the later name given to this Order as appears from the ancient Seal The Royal Council of Portugal make examination of the Extraction of such as are to be admitted into this Order that is of the Fathers and Grand-fathers Gentility both of the Fathers and Mothers side The manner of giving the Habit and making profession is agreeable to that of the Knights of Calatrava The Order of Knights of the Wing of St. Michael in Portugal 17. Don Alphonso Henriquez King of Portugal in whose Reign the Order d' Avi◠was instituted being very much opprest by Albara the Moor King of Sevil raised an Army to free his Country and being ready to give Battel he commanded all his Soldiers in a devout manner to address themselves to their particular Saints for the obtaining of good success himself imploring St. Michael the Archangel to whom he was greatly devoted When the Battels were joined St. Michael the Archangel appeared on the Kings right side and fought against the Moors
whence followed a very great and notable Victory over them Assoon therefore as the King was returned home he Instituted this Order of Knighthood in the year of our Lord 1171. but Mendo placeth the Institution earlier to wit in the year 1165. and Miraeus the year after which he called the Order of St. Michaels Wing These Knights had for the Badge of their Order a Red Sword crost with Flowers de lis and this Motto Quis ut Deus but more agreeable to the Name of the Order is that Badge assigned by Mendo to wit a Purple Wing irradiated with beams of Gold They were of the Cistertian Order and followed the Rule of St. Benedict The manner of their Investiture was the same as is used in the Order d' Avis Their Obligation was chiefly to defend the Christian Religion to secure the Borders of the Country against the inrodes of the Moors and to relieve the Widows and the Fatherless This Order is now grown out of use but the Mastership thereof hath since remained with the Kings of Portugal Knights of St. Gereon 18. This Order was instituted by Frederick Barbarossa the Emperor others say by Frederick the Second and consisted only of Gentlemen of the German Nation who followed the Rule of St. Augustine and wore a White Habit whereon was sewed a Black Patriarchal Cross set on a little green Hill The Order of St. Julian de Pereyro or of Alcantara 19. This Order of Knighthood hath assumed two appellations upon what occasion we shall here shew The first and ancient Title was of St. Iulian de Pereyro because at a Town so called in the Kingdom of Leon in the Diocess of Cividad Rodrigo upon a small branch of the River Coa a Monastery was built for these Knights by the favour of Don Fernando the Second King of Leon and Galicia who in his Diploma of Priviledges granted thereunto dated in December the Aera of Caesar 1214. which agrees with the year of our Lord 1176. stiled himself Protector of this Fraternity and Society of Knights An approbation thereof was obtained from Pope Alexander the Third the following year being the 18. of his Popedom at the supplication of Don Gomez Fernandez therein called Prior but Pope Lucius the Third confirming this Order anno Dom. 1183. stiled him Master of Pereyro This Bull of Pope Alexander the Third makes not any mention of the Habit these Knights of St. Iulian should wear nor is it known what it was more than that they used a secular Habit modest and grave and the Ecclesiasticks a clerical Habit Only to make a difference of these Knights from other Seculars and the Clergy from other Ecclesiasticks they wore a shred of Cloth and a Scapulary Nor doth the said Bull take notice of the Rule they were obliged to observe but by several other Bulls it appears that from the beginning of this Orders Foundation it was of the Cistertian Order and the Knights thereof observed the Rule of St. Benedict moderated and limited as it was convenient for the exercise of Arms against the Moors for which end it was instituted The ancient Badge of this Order was a Pear-tree vert assumed in allusion to the Name of the Order The occasion of altering the first appellation was upon changing their place of habitation For when Don Alphonso the Ninth King of Leon had taken from the Moors Alcantara a Town in Castile anno Dom. 1213. he afterwards gave it to Don Martin Fernandez de Quintana the twelfth Great Master of the Order of Calatrava which Town anno 1218. with the consent of the said King was given to Don Nunno Fernandez the third Master of St. Iulian de Pereyro and his Fellows as well Knights as Ecclesiasticks and to the end there might follow an union of these Societies in like manner as was between Calatrava and the Order d' Avis in Portugal some few years before they consented to become subject to the Order of Calatrava under the agreement and conditions following First that the Master and Convent of Pereyro should receive with all obedience the Visitation which the Master of Calatrava should make according to the Cistertian Order That they should not be obliged to receive a Monk for their Prior against their consent and will but rather when they were to chuse one it should be of their own House or of that of Calatrava or of any other Houses Daughters to Calatrava provided he were not a Monk That the Master and Convent of Calatrava should give to the Master of Pereyro the Town of Alcantara and all its Possessions with all their Charters and Priviledges and all the moveable Goods which they held in the Kingdom of Leon as well by royal gift as any other way That when it should happen that the Master of Calatrava should dye or be removed the Master of Pereyro should be called to the Election of the future Master Lastly that the Master of Calatrava should not have power to give away any thing belonging to Pereyro without consent of the Master and Convent thereof and in case he did then the King of Leon should have power to vacate such Donation These Conditions and Capitulations were made en Cividad de Rodrigo the 16. of Iuly anno Dom. 1218. and confirmed by King Don Alphonso and the Masters of both Orders Hereupon the Convent of St. Iulian transferred their Seat from Pereyro to Alcantara and Don Diego Sanchio the fourth Master of Pereyro assumed the Title of Master of Pereyro and Alcantara which Title his Successors held until the Church of St. Iulian de Pereyro was made an Encomienda and thenceforward the Masters used only the Title of Alcantara and the Fraternity in like manner relinquishing their ancient Name were afterwards called Knights of Alcantara from this their new place of abode And whereas the Masters of Pereyro did formerly bear for the Ensign of the Order a Pear-tree only they after this Union added two Travas to the Pear-tree But albeit this Order of Alcantara was by this agreement put under the subjection of that of Calatrava and accordingly visited and corrected by them yet nevertheless they have since pretended to be freed therefrom for that the Masters of Calatrava broke the agreement made between them by not admitting the Master of Pereyro to the Election of their Master as was contained in their Articles Whereupon this Order of Alcantara obtained a Bull from Pope Iulius the Second by which they pretend to be freed from that ancient subjection Though this Bull was given without knowledge of any cause or making any necessary mention of the subjection And therefore notwithstanding this Bull the Order of Calatrava doth still in all general Chapters nominate Visitors of their own Order to visit that of Alcantara as well as that of Montesia according to their ancient Capitulations but they of
Alcantara make always their protestation against it and so this matter rests still undecided After this pretension of being exempted from obedience to the Order of Calatrava Benedict the Thirteenth one of the Anti-Popes changed their Badge into a Cross Flory vert in the year of our Lord 1411. and this they wore upon the left shoulder of their Scapulary for the Badge of their Order The Examination of the Candidates and in what manner they receive the Habit is related at full by Ioseph Micheli Marquez The Catholick Kings Don Fernando and Donna Isabella having about three years before obtained the Administration of the Order of Calatrava for their lives had an eye also upon this of Alcantara and therefore endeavoured that at the first time the Mastership thereof should fall vacant to gain it likewise with the like Title of Administrator to avoid several inconveniences that had hapned to the Crown of Castile when the Master of Alcantara did confederate with the King of Portugal Hereupon in the year of our Lord 1492. they made their address to Pope Innocent the Eighth that he would reserve to himself the provision of the supreme Dignity of this Order whensoever it became vacant either by the death or renunciation of the then Master Don Iohn de Cuniga or after any other manner Upon this address the Pope did accordingly reserve the disposing thereof as was desired and then gave it in Administration to the said Kings that they two should govern this Order under that Title until such time as his Holiness should provide a Master A little after Pope Innocent dyed and Alexander the Sixth succeeded who at the like supplication of these Kings confirmed and of new granted what his Predecessor had granted them before Upon which anno 1494. they treated with Don Iohn de Cuniga for the renunciation of his Mastership yet with condition to reserve to himself all the Rents of the Masters Table that he held in that part of Serena to which he consented Whereupon he resigned and surrendred his Dignity of Master of this Order into the hands of the Pope which the Bishop of Valencia received by Commission back from him and gave the Possession thereof in administration to the said Catholick Kings After this manner it was that these Kings succeeded in the Administration of the Mastership of Alcantara in the year of our Lord 1494. which they held during their lives But it was not long e're Pope Adrian the Sixth annexed this Mastership together with those other of St. Iames and Calatrava to the Royal Crown of Castile for ever as hath been before observed Knights of Trugillo or Truxillo in Spain 20. Ioseph Micheli Marquez professeth that it had been his great endeavour to satisfie himself about the Foundation of this Order notwithstanding which neither by information from the Natives of the City of Trugillo a Town situate in Estremadura in Spain nor otherwise from History could he understand when or by whom it was erected Evident it is these Knights were in being in the year of our Lord 1227. though it be unknown how long before they had their beginning But because it is found in some slight memorials of the Order of Alcantara That Don Arias Perez Gallego elected Master of that Order in the year before mentioned took Trugillo from the Moors and there placed a Fraternity or Brotherhood of Knights and Priests who lived after the manner of a Convent therefore it is presumed that they were no other than of the Order of Alcantara Now it is certain that there was a Convent and Order of the Fraternity of Trugillo but it is not so certain that these were of Alcantara It rather seems to be the opinion of Fr. Rades y Andrada that these had been some other and a distinct Order of Knighthood by it self which he collects from a Donation of Lands that King Don Alonso the Ninth gave them some years after viz. in the Aera of Caesar 1233. of the Towns of Trugillo Sancta Cruz Zuferola Canaba and Albala in which it appears that several years before the time of Don Arias there were Brothers or Knights of Trugillo It is not unlikely therefore that this Order might be incorporated into that of St. Iulian de Pereyro and by this means the Order of Alcantara pretend these Towns to be theirs which in the Reign of King Don Alonso the Ninth of Castile and King Don Fernando of Leon were taken by force of Arms from the Moors and given to the Fraternity of Knights who kept their Convent in Trugillo Hieronymus Romanus saith that these Knights were of noble descent and that no man was admitted into this Order unless he first made proof of his Gentility But there is not any Writer that gives an account what was the Ensign or Badge of their Order It is guessed by Marquez that their Institution obliged them to be neer the person of the King and upon every martial Expedition that he undertook to attend him armed and well provided maintaining always two Horses and Servants to be in readiness such for services The Order of Knights of Calatrava in Castile 21. This ancient Order of Knighthood was instituted in Castile and took beginning under the Reign of Don Sanchio the Third and appellation from the Castle Calatrava being a Frontire both of Castile and Toledo which Castle the Moors took upon their Victory over Don Rodrigo King of Spain anno Dom. 714. The word is compounded of Cala signifying in Arabick a Castle and of the Spanish word Travas which signifies Manacles Gives or Irons to fasten about the feet and wrists of Captives for with such as these the Moors lockt up and fettered the Christians whom they held Prisoners in that Castle After its recovery from the Moors who had held it above 400 years it was given by Don Alphonso surnamed the Emperor of Spain to the Knights Templars of whose virtue that Age had a great opinion to be made a Bulwark against the Inrodes of the Moors being the very Key into the Kingdom of Toledo but they no way able to hold it withdrew their Garrison and what with the Knights Templars deserting it and the approach of the Moors all others were disheartned from accepting the place although the foresaid King Sanchio Son of Don Alphonso the Emperor had caused it to be proclaimed at his Court that whosoever would take upon them the defence thereof to them he would freely give it and to their Heirs for ever At length one Don Raymond native of Barcelona formerly a Knight of great renown then Abbot of the Monastery of St. Mary de Fitero of the Cistertian Order in the Kingdom of Navarr by the advice of Diego Velasquez of the same Order being then at Court accepted of the Kings proffer and took upon him the fortifying and maintaining this Castle and
hereupon the King made his Charter of Donation dated at Almason in Ianuary in the Aera of Caesar 1196. to wit of Christ 1158. whereby he gave to God to the blessed Virgin Mary to the Congregation of Cistertians and to Don Raymond and all his Brethren as well present as future the Village called Calatrava with all its Bounds and Territories particularly described in the Grant to possess and enjoy by right of inheritance for ever This Don Raymond after he had received possession according to the tenor of the Charter together with his Associates and other assistance from Castile and Toledo fell to fortifying of the Castle and hence arose the Order of Knights of Calatrava instituted by King Don Sanchio in the year of our Lord 1158. in the Town of Calatrava and therefore called at first Militia de Calatrava the foresaid Don Raymond and Don Velasquez being the first movers of this excellent work of whom the former is in another place called also a joint Founder with King Sanchio After this Don Raymond considering the richness and fertility of the Soil returned to his Monastery and from its neighbouring Countries drew 20000 men with their Families and Goods to plant in and about Calatrava which so greatly strengthened the Country that the Moors durst never after attempt besieging of the Castle This Order was approved by Pope Alexander the Third the 25. of September anno Dom. 1164. under the Discipline of the Cistertian Order It was confirmed afterwards by Pope Innocent the Third in the year 1199. and at length grew on till it gained exceeding great reputation in Spain At the first Institution the Knights wore their Robes and Scapulars of a White Colour Sansovin and Genebrand saith Black as did the Cistertian Monks and on the breast thereof a plain Red Cross but Pope Benedict the Thirteenth anno 1396. dispensed with that Monastick Habit and assigned them a Cross Flory So anciently they were prohibited Marriage yet Paul the Third permitted them one Wife but not a second After the death of the last Master Don Lopez de Padilla anno 1487. Don Diego Garcia de Castillo being the Commendador Major caused a general Chapter to be summoned in the Convent of Calatrava for the Election of another Master in which there fell out great contest among the Electors and the chief that stood was the said Commendador Major and Don Alonso Pacheco Commendador de Villa Franca Upon notice of this the Catholick Kings Don Ferdinando and Donna Isabella sent to the Convent a Knight of their Court with a Bull from Pope Innocent the Eighth wherein he declared that he had reserved to himself the providing of a Master and therewith required them not to proceed in the Election until his further Commands were made known in obedience to which the Election ceased Afterwards anno Dom. 1489. the Pope gave the Mastership of this Order in Administration to King Don Ferdinando during life but he did not give it with the Title of Master because the King had never received the Habit of this Order neither was he capable of it being a married man but chiefly because the King then endeavoured to obtain the other two Masterships of St. Iames and Alcantara and he could not hold them all three with the Title of Master King Don Ferdinando and Isabella his Wife governed this Order with the Title of Administrators very worthily and reformed the stare thereof visiting it by the Abbot of Claravalle of the Cistertian Order then called Don Pedro who came on that imployment with a Commission from Pope Innocent at the desire of the said Kings and of the general Chapter in the year of our Lord 1491. Upon the death of King Don Ferdinando anno 1516. the Chapter of this Order met at Guadalupe with intention to elect a new Master of which Cardinal Adrian having notice who then governed the Kingdoms first sent then went to the Electors to desire they would not proceed because the Pope had given the Administration of the Order to Prince Charles afterwards Emperor by the name of Charles the Fifth but they seemed unwilling to depart before they had made an Election and thereupon elected that Prince Master or Administrator of their Order which was afterwards confirmed by Pope Leo the Tenth But it seemed much for the interest of the Crowns of Castile and Leon to have the Mastership or Administration of this Order and those other of St. Iames and Alcantara for life made perpetual and annexed to them for ever hereupon great suit was made to the Pope by the Emperor for obtaining thereof and among the inducements some of them were these That great alteration often hapned in those Kingdoms upon the Election of these Masters to the damage of persons of all sorts relating to those Orders That in regard the Masters were so powerful in those Kingdoms they several times gave aid and assistance to particular Factions that arose so that Civil War often followed That the Peace and Quiet since the Administration was in the hands of the King much exceeded that which was in the times of the Masters These and other things being considered of Pope Adrian the Sixth granted the Emperors desire and annexed the Mastership of these three Orders perpetually to the Crowns of Castile and Leon. The form of admittance into this Order and manner of their profession is set down at large by Marquez The Order of the Holy Ghost in Saxia at Rome 22. They are called by Marquez the Brothers of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost who though not invested with Sword and Spurs as other Knights be are nevertheless reckoned among the Military Orders because bound to bring Certificate of their Gentility before they can be accepted or admitted Their chief Seat is the sumptuous Hospital of the Holy Ghost founded neer the Church of St. Mary in Saxia by the River Tyber in Rome a place so called from the Saxons a People of Germany who anciently inhabited there by Pope Innocent the Third in the year of our Lord 1198. or 1201. But it appears by another of this Popes Bulls dated anno 1204. for uniting of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost at Montpelier in France unto this at Rome that the ancient Foundation was at Montpelier though in process of time this other became the principal They of this Fraternity profess Chastity Poverty and Obedience as also the service of the Poor living under the Rule of St. Augustine and have a Praeceptor or Master The Ensign of this Order is a White Patriarchal Cross with twelve points sewed to their Breast and on the left side of their Black Mantle The manner of giving the Habit and making their Profession is recorded by Ios. Mich. Marquez In this Hospital care is taken for the nursing and bringing up exposed
Children the curing of all manner of Infirmities entertainment of Strangers for three days with meat and lodging relieving the Poor and other works of the like kind The Revenue belonging thereto is about 24000 Duckets every day it having great Commanderies in Italy Sicily Spain France Burgundy Germany and elsewhere The Order of St. George d' Alfama 23. We are informed from Sylvester Maurolico that there was an Order of Knights called the Order of St. George d' Alfama instituted in the year of our Lord 1201. in a Town of that name situate in the Diocess of Tortosa which afterwards in the year 1363. received approbation from the Papal See but we find no other mention thereof save that it was united to the Order of our Lady of Montesa anno Dom. 1399. The Order of Knights of Christ in Livonia or of the Sword-Bearers 24. In the year of our Lord 1186. one Meinardus a holy and devout man began to preach the Gospel in Livonia and erected the Bishoprick of Riga But this good man and his Successors met with great difficulties and opposition in the propagation of Christianity until the year 1200. about which time many of that Country embraced the Christian Faith and one Albert being then Bishop of Livonia instituted this Order in imitation of the Knights Teutonicks with design to extirpate Idolatry and propagate the Christian Religion in those Territories as the other had undertaken to do in Prussia He prescribed to the Knights the Cistertian Rule and Habit namely a long White Mantle and Black Hood on the breast was sewed the Figure of a Red Sword or rather two Red Swords crossing one another in form of a Saltire whence they had the Title Ensiferi vel Gladiferi Fratres or Brethren Sword-Bearers This Order had their Statutes something like those of the Knights Templars and the Knights thereof took on them the Vow both of Obedience and Chastity Pope Innocent the Third gave approbation and confirmation to this Order which became fully Instituted in the year of our Lord 1203. And because they could not of themselves accomplish the end for which they were instituted they in the year 1237. or 1239. united to the Teutonick Order and submitted to their Rule and Habit by whose help and assistance they afterwards overcame the Idolatrous Livonians and brought them to submit to the Christian Faith thenceforward the Great Master of Livonia acknowledged him of Prussia for his Superior and so continued until Walter de Pletemberg their Great Master contemporary with Albert of Brandenburg Great Master of Prussia separated this Order from its obedience to the Teutonick Finally in the year 1561. Gothard de Ketler the last Great Master of this Order following the example of Albert Great Master of Prussia became a Subject to the Crown of Poland for on the 5. of March in the year aforesaid he in the Castle of Riga surrendred to the use of King Sigismund the Second surnamed Augustus all the Lands belonging to this Order together with his Cross the Seal of the Order the Charters and Grants of several Popes and Emperors which concern'd the same the Keys of the City and Castle of Riga the Office of Great Master the rights of Coynage and all the Powers and Priviledges appertaining to it receiving back again from Radzevill the Kings Commissioner the Dukedom of Curland to him and his Heirs for ever In this manner this Order became extinguisht after it had flourished 357 years The Knights of Jesus Christ in Italy and France or Brothers of the Militia of St. Dominick 25. St. Dominick descended of the Family of the Guzmans in Spain was Founder of this Order which he instituted in the year 1206. principally to fight against the Albigenses then called Hereticks and the Knights thereof were stiled Fratres de Militia B. Dominici He prescribed to them a White Habit and for the Badge of their Order a Cross Flory quarterly Sable and Argent to be worn upon their Breasts Pope Innocent the Third approved of this Order anno Dom. 1215. under the Rule of the said St. Dominick and gave priviledge that the Knights from among themselves should elect a Master They professed Obedience and conjugal Chastity The work being done for which these Knights were instituted they laid aside their Arms and devoted themselves wholly to the spiritual warfare Afterwards there were Widows and Virgins joined to this Order and thereupon they became called Fratres seu Sorores de Paenitentia B. Dominici whose Rule was approved by Pope Innocent the Sixth about the year of our Lord 1360. The Order of Knights of St. Mary de Merced in Aragon 26. Iames the First of Aragon surnamed the Invincible who conquered from the Moors the Kingdom of Murcia Valentia and the Baliares was sometime Prisoner to Simon Earl of Montfort in France where he suffered much hardship and many troubles and being throughly moved with the insufferable miseries the Christians indured under the slavery of the Moors made a Vow to the blessed Virgin that when he should be delivered from his Captivity he would endeavour the redemption of such Christians as the Moors had made Captives Thus far his Vow but it extended not to the erecting of an Order which should oblige the Companions thereof to engage in that affair as some would have it This King being freed from his Imprisonment laid up great sums of money to be imployed in performance of his Vow and afterwards by the advice and counsel of Raymond de Penafort his Confessor a Dominican Friar and of Pedro Nolasco a noble Cavalier descended from the ancient Family of Nolasco in France resident at a Town called les Saintas Pucelles in the Diocess of St. Paul under the Arch-Bishop of Arles he founded an Order of Knights in the City of Barcelona called La Nueva Merced so named saith our Author by the blessed Virgin who in a Vision appeared to this King and to Raymond and Nolasco one night in one and the same hour directing the whole Institution and giving it that Name because of the mercy and liberty which the Christian Captives should receive by this means But it appears by the Bulls of Popes Gregory the Ninth and Alexander the Fourth as also by a Charter made by Don Pedro King of Aragon dated the eleventh of Ianuary anno 1358. to have been likewise called Ordo beatae Eulaliae from St. Eulalia the Virgin and Martyr buried at Barcelona in the Church there dedicated to her name There are various opinions concerning the year wherein this Order was founded but it is with certainty determined to have been anno Dom. 1218. on the Feast-day of St. Laurence the Martyr in August on which day annually the commemoration of the Foundation of this Order is commanded to be celebrated by the Bull of Pope
yearly collected and put into their hands for that use and purpose in manner following They send their Agents yearly abroad chiefly to Algiers and Fess to return them an account of the age quality and number of those who are in Captivity and upon consideration had thereof order them to contract for their redemption the general course being to ransom the religious persons first next the Laiety and among them the young and such as appear most likely to do service before others Few dye in Spain who bequeath not some Legacy to this Order which greatly encreafeth its Revenue and here though she was no Benefactress to this Order nor left her Legacy to be disposed of by that Fraternity most deservedly may be recorded of our Nation the illustrious Lady Alice Dutchess Dudley created into that Dignity by his late Majesty of ever blessed memory King Charles the First by Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England bearing date at Oxford the 23. of May in the twentieth year of his Reign who dyed the 22. day of Ianuary in the year of our Lord 1668 9. being the 90. year of her age and bequeathed by her last Will and Testament one hundred pounds per annum for ever to be imployed for redemption of Captives of the English Nation Knights of the Rosary in Toledo 27. Roderick Arch-Bishop of Toledo in Spain seeing the Country sore oppressed by the Moors called the Nobless of the City together and propounded the great necessity of their appearance and assistance in its defence and extirpation of the Moors whereto they being unanimously inclined he gave beginning to this Order of the Rosary into which entred many of the Nobless This Order had Statutes which chiefly obliged them to the defence of the Catholick Religion to fight against the Moors and to say continually a Rosary of our blessed Lady Our Author finds not that it had been approved by any of the Popes but conceives the Arch-Bishop being Metropolitan of Spain was of sufficient power to give it approbation besides he framed the Statutes for the Knights and prescribed to them the Rule of living to wit that of St. Dominick The Ensign of this Order was the Figure of our Lady of the Rosary upon a Cross Flory quarterly Argent and Sable Knights of St. Mary the Glorious in Italy 28. The Author of this Institution was Bartolemeo de Vincenza of the Order of Friers Preachers or Dominicans afterwards made Bishop of that City a man that did much both in word and example and the end he chiefly design'd was to procure peace to the Cities of Italy then much disquieted by Civil Wars among the Princes thereof This Order received Institution anno Dom. 1233. a year famous and renowned in that Age for very great piety and therefore called generalis devotionis Annus It was approved and confirmed by Pope Vrban the Fourth anno 1262. and the Rule of St. Dominick prescribed to the Knights who are obliged to take into their care and protection Widows and Orphans and use their endeavour to beget concord among such as are at variance The Habit is a White Tunick or Cassock and a Mantle of Russet Colour but there is some difference among those that mention the Badge Sansovin and Maurolico say they wore before their breasts a purple Cross patee bordered with Gold Gothofridus saith it is a purple Cross patee with two Stars in chief but Marquez gives it an Octogonal Cross like that of Malta and four Stars to wit one at every side thereof The manner of giving the Habit and making Profession is with the Ceremony used by the Knights of Malta The Knights profess Obedience to their Great Master and conjugal Chastity but are forbid to wear Spurs or Bridles of Gold They are commonly called Cavaleri de Madona and reside at Bolonia Modena and other Cities of Italy and because they have no Monasteries but dwell in their own Houses together with their Wives and Children at ease and in plenty they were called Fratres Gaudentes or Hilares The Order of Knights of St. James in Portugal 29. We have not met with any who make mention of this Order as distinct from that of St. Iames in Galicia save only I. Mich. Marquez but such as rather take it to have been sometime a member thereof and that the Knights of St. Iames in Galicia who had anciently Commanderies in Portugal were only exempted from obedience and subjection to their Great Master and not received upon the account of a new Institution for so much doth Andrew Favin affirm but Ios. Micheli from Portugal Writers reports the contrary and gives this further account of the Order to wit That the troubles the Moors gave daily to Portugal and the great zeal of their Kings seeing their Subjects so exceedingly opprest by them was such that they endeavoured by all means to cut off those mischiefs and to secure and quiet the Consines of their Kingdom Among whom King Don Denys the Sixth moved with a like tender regard towards his People did in the year of our Lord 1310. institute this Order of St. Iames under whose protection he became victorious in divers Battels against the Moors and at length quieted his Kingdom by the assistance of these Knights And it was not long after the Institution e're this Order flourished through the favour of those Priviledges bestowed on it by the Founder It received approbation first from Pope Nicholas the Fourth after from Pope Celestine the Fifth and again from other of his Successors The Knights profess conjugal Chastity Hospitality and Obedience and none are admitted before they make proof of their Gentility by blood The Ensign of this Order is a Red Sword formed like that of St. Iames in Galicia the Habit White only the difference between them lies in a little Twist of Gold which these of Portugal draw about their Sword At the Town of Alcasar de Sul was the principal Convent of this Order first seated afterward removed to Palmela where it yet continues and whiles Portugal remained under the Crown of Spain and the Administration of this Order under that King it was no less illustrious than whilst their own Kings governed The Statutes are much the same with those of St. Iames in Galicia so also is the manner of giving the Habit Benediction and Profession The Order of our Lady and of St. George of Montesa in Valentia 30. This Order did succeed into the Lands and Possessions of the Knights Templars in Valentia as the Knights Hospitalars did into those of the Templars in France Italy and other places For after the Templars were dissolved Iames the Second King of Aragon and Valentia refused to grant their Revenues lying in his Kingdom to the Order of St. Iohn of Ierusalem as other Princes had done nevertheless within few years sent an Embassy
to Pope Iohn the 22. to give him his reasons why he did not These the Pope considering of as also that the Moors were very neer to Aragon gave way that these Revenues of the exauterated Templars should be applied to the Convent of Montesa where had been placed both Knights and Friars of the Order of Calatrava Hereupon this King in the year of our Lord 1317. Instituted this Order in the City of Valentia nevertheless subject to that of Calatrava as a member thereof and made choice of the Town of Montesa to give the Knights both name and habitation whom he obliged to defend his Kingdoms against the incursions of the Moors Their Colledge dedicated to the honor of St. George was built in the following year by the Pope at Montesa at the instance of King Iames Culielmus de Eril a valiant Soldier being constituted the first Master in the Convent of St Mary and St. George The Statutes of the Order almost the same with those of Calatrava were confirmed by the said Pope Iohn who gave to these Knights thâ— Cistertian Rule They vowed conjugal Chastity and the manner of their Investiture is as in the Order of Calatrava Their Habit is White and the Badge of the Order a plain Red Cross that is the Cross of St. George Patron of the Kingdoms of Navarr and Aragon This Cross was worn upon the breast by a priviledge granted to the Knights from Pope Benedict the Thirteenth To this Order of Montesa was incorporated that of St. George d' Alfama anno Dom. 1399. which union received confirmation from the Council of Constance A Catalogue of the Masters are recorded by Io. Micheli which great Office continues to this time in the King of Spain so doth the Revenue of thirteen Commanderies belonging thereunto amounting to 23000 Duckets per annum The Order of Knights of Christ in Portugal 31. As the Knights of Montesa sprung from the ruine of the Knights Templars in Valentia so did this Order of Christ or of the Warfare of Christ succeed them in the Kingdom of Portugal For the Knights Templars having been very serviceable to the Kings of Portugal in their Wars against the Moors the Kings gave unto them divers Lands and Revenues which when their Order came to be dissolved and their Estates confiscate King Don Denys surnamed Perioca sent to Pope Iohn the 22. then at Avignion to desire that the Knights Templars Lands might not be disposed of out of his Kingdom which though he did not readily grant yet he gave way for the King to render him â—he reasons of his request Hereupon King Denys sent his Embassadors to the Pope in the year 1316. not only to back his desire but withal to declare to his Holiness the great vexations and evils the neighbouring Moors in Algarves did to his Kingdom And forasmuch as the Town of Castro Marin was a Frontler of the Enemy and the site thereof very commodious for the building of a Fort to resist them he farther moved the Pope for Licence that an Order of Knights might be Instituted in that Town and withal offered to him the Rents and Jurisdiction thereof and all Dominion over it This request being thought just and the remedy so necessary the Pope did afterwards namely in the year of our Lord 1319. give Foundation to this new Order dedicating it to the honor of God and the exaltation of the Catholick Faith under the Title of the Military Order of our Lord Iesus Christ because of the miraculous apparition which this King had seen of Christ crucified when he went out to fight against the Moors He further commanded that the Knights of this Order should observe the same Rule with those of the Order of Calatrava which was Cistertian and enjoy the same Pâ—iviledges and Indulgences formerly granted to their Great Master and Knights In which respect he nominated Don Gil. Martinez for their first Master because he was a Knight profest and Master of the Order of St. Benedict d' Avis and appointed for their Visitor the Abbot of Alcobaza of the Cistertian Order This Abbot or his Lieutenant in succession was impowred to receive of the Master of this Order in the name of the Pope and Church of Rome the Oath of fidelity it being directed to be taken in the presence of the Kings of Portugal before he should enter upon the administration of his Mastership and the King was obliged to receive this Oath within ten days after the Master should tender it to him and in case the King did not in that time receive it from the Master then he might take on him the administration of his Office without it and further that each Knight before his admittance should take the same Oath of Fidelity before the Master of this Order All the Goods and Possessions formerly belonging to the Knights Templars within the Kingdom of Portugal were hereupon granted unto this Order and the Knights thereof particularly obliged to make War against the Moors in Baetica next neighbour to Portugal They had appointed to them for their chief Seat Castro Marin where their first Convent was erected but afterwards it was removed into the City of Tomar They went clothed in Black wearing upon their breasts a Cross Patâ—e of Red Silk and upon that another of White This Order as that d'Avis became at length annexed to the Crown of Portugal whose Kings have ever since taken upon them the title of perpetual Administrators of both The Order of Knights of the Passion of Jesus Christ. 32. Some years after the Institution of the precedent Order and towards the latter end of the thirteenth Century there was erected a religious Order of Knighthood by Charles King of France and our King Richard the Second which bore the Title of the Order of the Passion of Iesus Christ. And though we do not find any further progress thereof after it had received its Foundation yet considering the grounds whereon it was instituted and the nobleness and largeness of the design exceeding all other Religious Orders of Knighthood except those of the Knights of St. Iohn of Ierusalem and Knights Templars as also because one of our English Kings was a Co-founder thereof we conceived it worthy our pains to make an extract particularly relating to the causes why it was erected the frame of its Constitution its principal Structures and the Habit and Ensigns thereof out of an old French Manuscript written by Philip de Maisiere Chancellor of Cyprus wherein it is thus prefaced Forasmuch as by reason of the three deadly sins which began to reign among the Christians namely Pride Covetousness and Luxury God permitted the Saracens Enemies of the Faith to overcome Ierusalem and the Holy Land to the shame and disgrace of Christendom therefore to renew the memory of the Passion of Christ thereby to extirpate those deadly sins and to make
golden colour representing the glory of Iesus after his resurrection the Cross and Compass was to be edged about with a bordure of Gold one finger broad or a little less and about the sides there was to be a little red bordure of the breadth of half a finger Habits and Ensignes belonging to the Order of the Passion of Ihesus Christ. Every Knight was to have his Esquire armed at all points and a little Valet to carry his Launce and Helmet beside another bigger Valet habited in a loose Coat to carry his Mail and a third on foot to lead his Sumpter For any warlike Expedition he was to have his five Horses and four Servants and in all times of peace two or three Horses according as the means of the Chevalry should be able to allow Also each Brother of the Chevalry was to have toward warlike Expeditions three Horses or four according as his merits and abilities were and three Servants whereof one or two were to be fighting men and in times of peace one or two according to the Chevalry's ability of allowance The number of Knights of the Holy Chevalry was a thousand or a thousand one hundred or thereabouts The Order of the Brician Knights in Sweden 33. Ios. Micheli Marquez from Marcus Ant. Vianus in his Description of Sweden informs us that a holy and famous Queen of that Kingdom whom Andr. Mendo saith was St. Bridget being very zealous for the honor of our Saviour Iesus Christ Instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1396. which we rather think is mistaken for 1366. because he saith it was approved by Pope Vrban the Fifth who then possest the Roman Chair and gave to the Knights the Rule of St. Augustine beside St. Bridget dyed the 23. of Iuly 1373. The sum of their Profession was to defend Christian Religion against Hereticks to secure the Confines of that Kingdom to bury the dead to succour the Widows and Fatherless and to keep up Hospitality to which end the Queen endowed this Order with large Possessions so that during her Reign it exceedingly flourished The chief Ensign of this Order was a Blue Octogonal Cross and under it a Tongue of Fire this being accounted the Symbol of Love and Charity in regard they were to be zealous in defence of the holy Faith and in maintaining the Statutes of the Order The manner observed at the Investiture of the Knights as also the Benedictions and Professions were the same with those of Malta But one thing is observable in this Order above others that after admission thereinto all were advanced according to their seniority so that there was a possibility for the junior Knight to arrive at the dignity of Master of the Order The Order of Knights of St. Maurice in Savoy 34. The Order of Knights Hermits of St. Maurice had their beginning upon the retreat of Amadis the Eighth Duke of Savoy into the desart of Ripaille neer the Lake of Geneva and was bestowed by him in the year of our Lord 1434. on those ten Knights of his Court who had retired with him thither as well to preserve the memory of St. Maurice honored as titular Patron of Savoy for many Ages past as of his Launce some say Sword and Ring the essential Symbols of Knighthood passing from hand to hand from the Kings of Burgoigne to the Princes of Savoy by whom they have been preserved with great honor and veneration and are as a pledge of Dominion delivered to them with great solemnity at their Inauguration Nine years after the Institution of this Order the Founder was prevailed with to accept of the Popedom after the deposition of Pope Eugenius the Fourth and the Council of Basil sitting he was elected Pope the 5. of November anno 1439. by the name of Felix the Fifth Nine years after he freely resigned the Chair the Instrument of Renunciation bearing date at Lausanna the sixth day of April anno 1449. to whom succeeded Nicholas the Fourth and immediately he retired again to his solitude in Ripaille where he dyed the seventh of Ianuary anno 1451. and lies buried in the Cathedral Church of Lausanna This Order of St. Maurice was made subject to the Rule of St. Augustine and the Knights had assigned them for their Habit a Grey or Ash-colour Gown and Chaperon a Vest of the same girded with a golden Girdle the Chaperon and Sleeves faced with Red Chamlet and on the breast of the Mantle a White Cross Pommette of Taffaty or Cloth but the Cross which the Master or Chief of the Order wore was made of Gold or rich Embrodery This Order continued not long after the death of the Founder But Duke Emanuel Philibert to renew the devotion which his Predecessors always bore to St. Maurice restored the same and obtained a Bull from Pope Gregory the Thirteenth dated the 17. of October 1572. for erecting and instituting thereof under the Cistertian Rule and the perpetual protection of the Duke of Savoy its Grand Master which Bull is set forth by Albertus Miraeus who thence collects that this Order was then first Instituted and not by Count Amadis the Eighth as is before noted Knights of the Holy Ghost at Rome 35. This Order was Instituted by Pope Paul the Second anno Dom. 1468. under the Title of Brethren of the Hospital of the Holy Ghost The Knights wore upon their Habits a White Cross Forme The Order of Knights of St. George in Austria and Carinthia 36. Wolfangus Lazius informs us that Frederick the Third Emperor of Germany others that Rudolphus of Hapsburgh first raiser of the House of Austria instituted this Order of Knights of St. George in the year of our Lord 1470. chiefly to guard the Frontiers of Germany Hungary Austria Stiria Carinthia and to suppress the insolency of the Turks by whose Incursions the Marches of these Countries were about that time miserably wasted since which these Knights have so gallantly behaved themselves that they have often born away great Trophies and Ensigns of Victory from their Enemies The Great Master of this Order was advanced to the Title and Honor of a Prince and for a Seat and Residence to him and his Successors the Castle of Mildstad in the Dukedom of Carinthia was appointed where also was founded a Cathedral Church of Canons under the Rule of St. Augustine The Knights bear for the Ensign of their Order the Arms of St. George viz. a plain Red Cross. Their Habit is White they profess conjugal Chastity and Obedience to their Master and have the Emperors for their Protectors But there is mention made by Fr. Mennenius from Bernardus Luceburgius in his Book De Ordinibus Militaribus as also by Alb. Miraeus of an Order of Knights of St. George which Ios. Micheli calls Cavalleros de San Iorge en Alemania
erected by Maximilian the Emperor upon the like design with the former he being greatly devoted to that Patron of all military Professors This Order was confirmed by Pope Alexander the Sixth under the same Rule and Profession as the other having the Emperors also their Protectors though it be not much extended The Knights elect their Master from among themselves and the Ensigns of the Order is a Red Cross with a Crown of Gold on the top of it We observe elsewhere that this Order runs under the Title of Crowned Knights and is said to have been instituted among the Austrians by the said Emperor Maximilian anno 1494. in which respect the Knights after they have served their Prince for a year do enjoy a peculiar right which is transmitted to their Heirs of adorning their Shields and Helms with a Crown Ios. Micheli writeth that this Emperor Mâ—ximilian joining in Battel with these Knights against the Turks obtained a notable Victory and that the Turks confest that a man on Horseback supposed to be St. George Patron of this Order put them into so great fear that they longed for the hour to flye and leave the Field The Order of Knights of St. George at Rome 37. Alexander the Sixth anno Dom. 1498. Instituted the Knights of St. George who wore a Cross of Gold entowred with a circle of the same made in the form of a Crown But Micheli saith that the Order of St. George which had the foresaid Cross for Ensign assigned to it was instituted by Pope Paul the Third at whose death it became extinct and that the Knights of this Order dwelt at Ravenna and were obliged to secure the Confines of the Adriatic Sea from Pyrats But that the Order which Pope Alexander the Sixth erected had for Ensign the Figure of St. George hanging at a Collar Knights of St. Peter at Rome 38. Pope Leo the Tenth anno 1520. Instituted this Order to fight against the Turks and to guard and defend the Sea-Coasts The number of these Knights at first was 400. They wore the Image of St. Peter within an Oval of Gold hanging at a Gold Chain This Order was confirmed by Paul the Third Knights of St. Paul at Rome 39. They were Instituted by Pope Paul the Third anno 1540. and while he sat in the Papal Chair which was about ten years after he made 200 of these Knights The Ensign of this Order is the Image of St. Paul hanging at a Chain of Gold The Order of Knights called Pios at Rome 40. In the year of our Lord 1560. Pope Pius the Fourth erected this Order and gave to the Knights thereof the Title of Pios He created of them at first 375. but they encreased to the number of 535. Ciaconius stiles them Imperiales but they were more usually called Commensales Ios. Micheli Marquez calls them Knights of the Golden Spur in Italy and not getting any certain knowledge of the original of this Order under that Title he is content to believe a Relation of some of the Roman Courtiers who told him that it took beginning in the time of Constantine the Great and that the Knights had their Title from the nature of their Office which was to take off the Emperors Spurs they were also employed neer his Person in the quality of a Life-Guard This Pope endowed them very considerably and gave them precedence before the Knights of the Empire and of Malta because they were his Courtiers and had the care and charge of carrying the Popes Chair on their shoulders at such times as he went abroad in publick Miraeus saith the Ensign of this Order is the Figure of St. Ambrose hanging at a Chain of Gold about their necks â—ut Marquez will have it a Cross of Cloth of Gold of eight points like that of Malta and a little Spur linkt to the foot of it The Order of Knights of St. Stephen at Florence 41. This Order was founded in the year of our Lord 1561. by Cosmo de Medicis second Duke of Florence created afterwards first Great Duke of Tuscany in honor of St. Stephen Pope and Martyr of that name the Ninth Patron and Protector of the City of Florence to revive and continue the memory of that fortunate Battel at Marciano at which overthrowing the assertors of Liberty he laid the foundation of his grandeur This Battel was fought on the sixth of August being the Feast-day of the said St. Stephen Pope Pius the Fourth approved and confirmed this Order under the Rule of St. Benedict his Bull to that effect being dated at Rome the first of February next following the Institution which was afterwards enlarged with many Priviledges by another Bull of the said Pope Pius as also by the Bulls of Sixtus the Fifth and Paul the Fifth The Institution of these Knights much resembles those of the Knights of Malta and was erected in imitation of that Order they having the same Priviledges granted unto them They vow Chastity but conjugal for they have liberty to marry Charity in relieving their neighbour and afflicted and Obedience to the Commands of their Grand Master which Dignity was vested in the Founder and descends to his Successors Great Dukes of Tuscany The principal Seat of this Order was setled at Pisa where the Founder built a Church and a Convent designing it for a Nursery to breed up persons skilful in Maritime Affairs that City having a commodious Haven for the Gallies wherein the Knights of this Order are to serve either in checking the Inrodes of the Turkish Pirats or seting forth a Navy on any other Expedition if occasion require it But since it hath been transferr'd to Cosmopoli in the Isle of Ilva a place where the Founder it seems designed and intended it to have been first setled for which A. Miraeus cites Onuphrius Panvinius The Habit of this Order is a long Mantle of White Chamlet beautified with Red Trimming and on the left part of the breast a Cross like that of Malta of Red or Crimson Satin bordered with Gold This Cross is daily worn by the Knights on their Cloaks as also on their military Garments and about their necks in a Ribbon on Festival days Moreover this Order like that of Maltà consists of Knights Priests and Servants the Priests wear the Cross of Red Taffaty without a border and the Servants the Cross of St. Anthony only The Statutes and Constitutions were reformed by Ferdinand Great Duke of Tuscany Son to the Founder and approved in a Chapter of the Order anno 1590. and since printed at Florence anno 1628. The Order of Knights of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus in Savoy 42. Pope Gregory the Thirteenth having at the sollicitation of Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy restored and instituted anew the Order of St. Lazarus as also the
Roman Church and to repress the insolence of the Turks roving on the Mediterranean Sea In this Institution there are three kinds of Knights who are differenced by their Habits The first are Knights Gentlemen Laicks who wear a Mantle of White double Taffaty having great sleeves and a long train the Cordons of White Silk with Knots and Tassels of White and Blue Silk the second are Knights Gentlemen Priests and beneficed who wear the like Mantle but something shorter and both these wear about their necks in a Blue Ribbon a Cross of Gold enameled Blue The third are Knights Chaplains or Servants of Arms and their Mantle is of White Serge with strait long sleeves reaching down to the ground and Cordons of Blue Silk All these Degrees wear on the left side of their Mantles the Cross of the Order as is here described to wit of Blue Satin embrodered with Silver and bordered with Gold in the middle is a round Circle wherein is this Motto In hoc Signo vincam and within that is composed a Cipher of the Letters M and S the initial Letters of Sancta Maria crowned with a Chaplet of Flowers and Stars of Gold set over the Chaplet from the round Circle issue twelve rays or beams of Silver representing the twelve Apostles the finishings of the Cross are fashioned like Flowers de Lis and at the end of each Flower is a Star set to signifie the four Evangelists The Statutes and Rules of this Order are recorded by Andrew Favin in his Theater of Honor. The Order of the Annunciade and St. Michael the Arch-Angel or of the Christian Militia in Moravia 46. In the year of our Lord 1618. Charles Gonzaga Duke of Maniua and Nevers together with Adolph Count of Altham his Brother and Iohn Baptist Petrignan Sfortia did contrive the Institution of thâ—s Order and to extend and amplifie the same divided the World amongst them For Duke Charles took the North and West parts his Brother the Eastern part and to the other was given the South where in their own persons they were bound to found Convents and invest Knights And in prosecution of this design we find that Duke Charles began his Institution of this Order under the Rule of St. Francis in the Monastery of the Capuchins in Olmuntz the Metropolis of Moravia on Saturday the 17. of November in the foresaid year and dedicated the same to the honor of the blessed Virgin and St. Michael But what thâ— other two did in the Eastern or Southern parts of the world we have not heard Ioh. Ludov. Gothofridus gives this Title to the Order to wit Ordo Equilum Militiae Christianae Philip Brietius calls it Conceptionis Ordo Andr. Mendo Militia Virginis Annuntiatae and the Knights thereof are called by Ios. Micheli Marquez Cavalleros de la Anunciada y San Miguel Archangel en Mantua This Order was afterwards viz. the 8. of March 1619. received at Vienna by many Princes of divers Countries whose names together with the Statutes of the Order are set down by the said Gothofridus in the work above cited Iâ— was approved by Pope Paul the Fifth and the 6. of February 1624. it received confirmation from Pope Urban the Eighth From the preamble of the Statutes of this Order it appears that it had for its Basis the two chief Precepts of the Divine Law to wit to love God with our whole hearts and with all our souls and our Neighbour as our selves and the end of its Institution was to establish Peace and Concord between Christian Princes and their Subjects to release Captives and to deliver the oppressed out of the hands of the Infidels The Habit assigned to the Knights was White upon which they wore a long White Mantle and over that a shorter of Blue Silk their Buskins were of Blue and their Caps of Black Silk They bore two Crosses for the Ensign of this Order the one of Gold of eight points enamel'd Blue on the one side thereof was the Figure of the blessed Virgin bearing our Saviour in her arms and on the other the Portraicture of St. Michael treading the Dragon under his Feet This they wore about their necks in a Blue Ribbon The other Cross was made of Blue Silk and Gold in the middle whereof was the Image of the blessed Virgin surrounded with rays of the Sun holding Christ in her left arm and a Scepter in her right hand crowned with 12 Stars a Crescent placed under her feet all which were encompassed with the Cord of St. Francis and the four angles of the Cross cast forth four golden flames This Cross was embrodered on the left side of their white Mantles Touching the great Collar of this Order it was composed of fifteen Cords of St. Francis joined together with as many Stars at the lower part whereof hung at three Chainets the golden Cross above described But it seems that in the height and glory of this Order there grew some difference between the Founders insomuch that in a short time it became ruined thereby as if that notable Comet which appeared within four days after it was instituted shewed its sudden splendor and decay which occasioned Brietius to say of it That the Mahumetans for whose destruction it was instituted heard only the name and report of it CHAP. III. A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE Orders absolutely Military SECT I. The Order of Knights of the Round Table 1. HAving thus given some account of the Religious Orders of Knighthood that is of such whose Knights live under an Ecclesiastick Rule and according to some Religious Profession or solemn Vows we shall next proceed to those that are accounted purely and completely Military among which that of the Knights of the Round Table may for its Antiquity challenge the first place The Severall ENSIGNES of the ORDERS absolutely MILITARY mentioned in the third Chapter The Founder of this most ancient Order was Arthur King of Britain Crowned in the year of our Lord 516. at the age of 15 years concerning whom though some with unbounded fancies have strained too far in setting down his famous actions insomuch as that what really is true of him can hardly be known yet all allow him to have been a stout and successful Martialist of incredible courage and gallantry the most famous and renowned of all the British Kings and as William of Malmsbury judges right worthy to have been celebrated by true story not false Tales seeing it was he that long upheld his declining Country and even inspired martial courage into his Country-men having overcome the Saxons in twelve several pitch'd Battels I have by me an old Chronicle in Manuscript Entituled Brute or the Chronicles of England beginning at Brute and ending the sixth year of King Henry the Fifth wherein it is noted That after King Arthur had conquered divers Countries he lived
in so great renown that many worthy Knights came from all parts to his Court as to a Seminary of military Discipline to give evidence of their valour in the exercise of Arms. This gave him occasion to select out of these and his own Subjects a certain number some say 24. of the most valiant Knights whom himself being chief he united into a Fellowship or Order and to avoid controversie about priority of place when they met together at meat he caused a Round Table to be made whereat none could be thought to sit higher or lower than another and thence they were called Knights of the Round Table At the upper end of the great Hall in Winchester Castle I remember to have seen a large Round Table hang against the wall called King Arthurs Round Table and affirmed by the Inhabitants who had taken up the report upon vulgar Tradition to have been as ancient as that Kings time but it carried no very great show of antiquity to a judicious eye however it seemed to have been set up either in the room of one more ancient or else by some who were perswaded there was once such an Order of Knights which had been denominated thence This old Monument was broken to pieces being before half ruined through age by the Parliaments Soldiers in the beginning of the late unhappy War because looked upon as a relique of Superstition as were those little gilded Coffers with Inscriptions that did preserve the bones of some of the Saxon Kings and Bishops deposited by Bishop Fox in the top of the Walls on both sides the upper part of the Quire of the Cathedral Church of that City though guilty of nothing but the crime of reverend Antiquity Into this noble Society of Knights were admitted not only Britains but also Strangers of other Nations who out of a desire of glory came over hither to make proof of their sufficiency in the exercise of Arms with the British Knights and the general qualifications for Election were that they should be persons of Nobility and Dignity renowned for Virtue and Valour and admirably well skill'd in the knowledge and use of Arms. The place where the Founder first Instituted this Order saith Sir Iohn Froisard was at Windsor and those other of note where he and his Knights usually assembled were Carleon in Monmouthshire Winchester and Camelot in Somersetshire and the time of the year for their meeting was Whitsontide The Articles of their profession are set down by Sir William Segar which are in number twelve and if any be desirous to read the Names of the first twenty four Knights he shall not only have them from Monsieur Boisseau in his Promptuaire Armorial but of 129 more of this Order elected in seven following Chapters nay more then that the formal blazon of all their Arms but these particulars may be justly ranked with what is fabulous in King Arthurs story We read not of any Badge peculiarly assigned to these Knights though Ios. Micheli in allusion to their Title takes upon him to give the Figure of a Round Table furnished with Cloth Bread Salt Knives Bottle and Bowl but we have not authority enough to follow him However it gives us occasion here to acquaint our Reader that King Arthur himself is reported to bear a Shield called Pridwen whereon was painted the Image of the blessed Virgin his Sword and Launce also were not without their names for the one it seems was called Caliburn the other Irone or Rone It is not remembred by any that this Order survived its Founder but rather that it extinguished at his death for it is related that most of those Knights whom he had drawn from several Countries and advanced to a Companionship with himself bore him company in death and perished in that fatal Battel of Kamblan or Cambula now Camelsford in Cornwal where though he killed Mordred his Enemy upon the place yet being sorely wounded he survived him but a short time and dyed in the year of our Lord 542. It may add some reputation to King Arthurs Round Table if we here note that the like Round Table grew into great estimation and request shortly after the Norman Conquest and continued long with us being ordinarily set up at the grand martial Exercises called Hastiludes Tilts or Turneaments permitted by King Stephen and much encouraged by King Richard the First for the delight of men inclined to military actions and increase of their skill in the management of Arms and for the same end and purpose as King Arthur made use of it no less than in memorial and remembrance that he had erected an Order of Knighthood denominated therefrom those times being throughly perswaded of the truth of that story Besides it is recorded that Roger Mortimer Earl of March held the celebration of the Round Table consisting of an hundred Knights and as many Ladies with Tilting and Turneaments at Kenelworth Castle in Warwick-shire anno 7. E. 1. and that King Edward the Third having designed to restore the Honor of the Round Table held a Juste at Windsor in the 18. year of his Reign but there is an old Manuscript Chronicle that hath these words King Edward in his nineteenth year first began his Round Table and ordain'd the day annually to be kept there at Whitsontide and this meeting in truth occasioned the Foundation of the most noble Order of the Garter as shall be noted by and by But it was thought fit sometimes and upon divers accounts to forbid these kind of Assemblies upon very great penalties as in particular anno 16. H. 3. at Shrewsbury when the King went to meet Llewalyn Prince of Wales called in the Record Prince of Aberfraw and Snowden and afterwards at Walden in the 36. year of the said Kings Reign and at many other times The Order of the Oak in Navarre 2. The Kingdom of Navarre being opprest by the Moors the Inhabitants were forced to seek deliverance by Arms to which end though they had raised a great Army yet were they destitute of an experienced Commander at length Don Garcia Ximenes of the blood of the Gothes who had formerly retired from the world to a solitary and religious life was perswaded to relinquish the same and take upon him the Command of the Army As he was marching out of the City to encounter the Moors in the year of our Lord 722. there appeared to him from the top of an Oak the sign of the Holy Cross adored by an infinite number of Angels Proceeding on he gave battel to the Moors and having gained a remarkable Victory the people elected him their King and upon this occasion he became the first King of that Country Some few days after in thankfulness to God for this great Victory he instituted this Order investing therewith even all the Nobles of his Kingdom whom he
day And both these Kings after their solemn Procession presently instituted an Order naming it the Order of St. Andrew But Andr. Favin reporteth the occasion to be otherwise to wit that Achaius King of Scotland having made that famous League offensive and defensive with Charlemain King of France towards all and against all other Princes to preserve the memory of which alliance to posterity the Scotch Lyon assumed before by King Fergus became then enclosed with a Tresure of Flowers de Lis he found himself thereby so strong and mighty that he took for device the Thistle and the Rue which he composed into a Collar of his Order and for his Motto Pour ma defence giving intimation thereby that he feared not the powers of Foreign Princes seeing he leaned on the succour and alliance of the French And though hence may be inferr'd that these two Plants were the united Symbols but of one Order of Knighthood yet doth Mennenius divide them into two making one whose chief Badge was the Thistle whence the Knights were so stiled and the Motto Nemo me impune lacessit and another vulgarly called Sertum Rutae or the Garland of Rue whose Collar was composed of two Branches or Sprigs thereof or else many of its leaves Nevertheless that at both these Collars hung one and the same Jewel to wit the Figure of St. Andrew Patron of that Kingdom bearing before him the Cross of his Martyrdom But there are some saith the same Author who refer the Institution of the Order of the Thistle to later times albeit the Thistle from the Reign of Aâ—haius had been acknowledged for the Badge and Symbol of the Kingdom of Scotland in like manner as the Rose was of England the Lilly of France the Pomegranate of Spain c. to wit in the Reign of Charles the Seventh of France when as the League of amity was renewed between those two Kingdoms and especially for the succour and aid which France then received from Scotland it being in a time of so extraordinary distress and last of all others place the Foundation yet later viz. in the year of our Lord 1500. I have done with what can be said as to the Foundation of this Order and the time thereof and shall now pass on to some other particulars relating to the Order it self The chief and principal Ensign of this Order is a Gold Collar composed of Thistles interlink'd with anulets of Gold and pendant thereunto the Image of St. Andrew with his Cross and this Epigraph Nemo me impune lacessit the Figure whereof may be seen in a Picture of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland now hanging in his Majesty's Gallery at Whitehall on several great Seals of that Kingdom on some Coyns and Medals and lastly among the representations of the Military Ensigns placed at the beginning of this Chapter The time of this Societies meeting was heretofore very religiously observed and celebrated upon the Feast day of St. Andrew the Apostle annually in the Church of the Town dedicated to his name and in testimony of the high esteem and reverence they bore unto him as their titular Saint and Patron During the solemnity of the Feast the Knights of this Order were habited in rich and costly Apparel and wore their Parliament Robes having fixt on their left shoulders an azure Rundle on which was embroidered St. Andrews Cross environed in Center with a Crown composed of Flowers de Lis Or. For the ordinary and common Ensign the Knights used a Green Ribbon whereat hung a Thistle of Gold crowned with an Imperial Crown within a Circle of Gold containing also the foresaid Epigraph but for more satisfaction we have caused the Figures of these two to be here exactly represented from the draughts of them sent me from the before-mentioned Sir Charles Areskin As to the number of the Knights there is nothing remembred by any Author we have seen but herein I was supplyed by the Right Honorable the Earl of Lauderdale who assured me he had met with among his readings from good authority a memorial that this Order consisted of 13 Knights in allusion to the number of our blessed Saviour and his twelve Apostles The Order of Knights of our Lady of the Star in France 7. The Institution of this Order is by Andrew Favin derived from Robert King of France surnamed the Devout who to manifest his particular devotion to the blessed Virgin Mary and in her honor gave Being thereunto in the Month of August Anno Domini 1022. The Knights were in number thirty comprehending the King of France the Chief or Soveraign they had appointed for their Habit Mantles of White Damask their Mantlets and Lining were of light Carnation Damask their Surcoats of the same and on their Mantles as also on their Surcoats to wit upon the left side of the breast was embroidered a Star wrought in pure Gold with five rays or pointed beams The great Collar saith he was formed of three round Chains of Gold much like that of the Order of the Gennet and united at little distances with enamelled Roses interchangeably White and Red at the end whereof hung the Figure of a Star The Ceremonies of the Order began on the day of the Nativity of the blessed Virgin Mary Patroness thereof in the year before-mentioned In the Reign of Philip de Valois this Order began to be intermitted by reason of the Wars nevertheless it was restored by King Iohn his Son the eighth of September anno 1356. But albeit Favin hath thus formally set down the Institution of this Order and assign'd it to King Robert adding moreover Habit Collar and other specious circumstances thereunto yet the Sancte Marthe's his Countrymen are not perswaded of the truth thereof but ingeniously acknowledge that there is not any thing of it mentioned by their ancient Writers and coming to speak of the Order in particular they refer its first Institution not renovation so do Mennenius Ios. Micheli and others to King Iohn Son of Philip de Valois in the Month of October anno 1352. in commemoration of that Star which directed the Wisemen who came from far to adore the Saviour of the World at his Nativity the Figure whereof crowned King Iohn caused to be embroidered on the Mantle or upper Garment of the Order as also this Motto Monstrant Regibus Astra viam The Seat of this Order thus instituted by King Iohn and where the first Ceremonies were kept was in the noble and ancient House of St. Owen called de Clichy neer St. Denys in France and by an ancient deed of Exchange of Lands situate in the Earldom of Alançon in lieu of the House of St. Owen made by King Iohn to the Countess of Alançon and dated at St. Cler de Gomets the 6. day of Iune 1356. is the King called
Institutor of the military Fraternity of the Star which sufficiently contradicts the fair-spun relation of Favin who bestows the honor of Foundation upon King Robert as before hath been said To which we may add that the day assigned by Favin for holding the Chapter of Election of the first Knights to wit the eighth of September 1356 and at Clichy aforesaid was in all probability too neer the day of the Battel of Foicters that being but eleven days after and King Iohn not only then at a great distance from Clichy but on a hasty March to engage the Black Prince and consequently too little at leisure to enter upon the Formalities of such an Institution This Order was of no long continuance for being much violated and dishonoured during the confusion of the Civil and Foreign War by the admission into it of mean and undeserving persons it gave a fair occasion to King Charles the Seventh to take off the pretence of honor supposed in it and to extinguish it Whereupon in the year 1455. he contrived the holding of a Chapter for giving away that Ensign thereof which himself wore to the Chevalier du Guet Captain of the Night-watch in Paris after whose example the Princes and Lords left the Order thus disgraced to the said Captain and never after wore it This Story as to the time though not the manner doth Favin contradict and renders his reasons for it howbeit upon what occasion soever the Order became relinquished or dismist certain it is that upon if not some time before the Foundation of the Order of St. Michael it grew out of request as did that of the Gennet upon the erection of the Star The Order of the Lilly in Navarre 8. Garcius King of Navarre the Sixth of that name lying under the extremity of a languishing sickness sent to divers places of Devotion to the end that Prayers might be offered up for the recovery of his health In which season there hapned to be found in the City of Nagera where he kept his Court an Image of the blessed Virgin Mary issuing forth of a Lilly and holding her Son between her arms upon finding of which if we may credit the story he immediately recovered and to perpetuate his devotion to the said Virgin instituted an Order of Knighthood in the year of our Lord 1048. which consisted of 38 Knights drawn out of the ancientest Families in Navarre Biscay and old Castile and Entituled it the Order of Knights of St. Mary of the Lilly But Ios. Mich. Marquez gives foundation to this Order 25 years before Favin and draws the Institution from another ground For whereas Don Garcias had succeeded his Father King Zanchy the Fourth in the Kingdom of Navarre the Moors made War against him and he prevailing made a Feast in honor of the blessed Virgin Mary at which he instituted this Order and adorned many Knights with the Ensign thereof beginning with his Brothers and Sons Of this Order esteemed the most illustrious of all Spain King Garcias ordained himself and after him his Successors Kings of Navarre the Chiefs and Sovereigns The Knights promised at their entrance into this Order to expose their lives and fortunes in defence of the Christian Faith conservation of the Crown of Navarre and expulsion of the Moors The Badge or Symbol which the Knights wore daily on their breast was a Lilly embroidered in Silver but on solemn days a double Chain of Gold interlaced with the letter M. made after the fashion of a Saxon Capital at the end whereof did hang a Flower de Lis of Gold enamelled White bearing the foresaid Letter M. crowned upon the head of its Flower The Habit was White wrought all over in Needle-work with White Lillies But Ios. Micheli differs in this also from Favin for he assigns for the Badge two Branches of Skie-coloured Lillies one crossing another and in the middle of them the Figure of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin but agrees that the Habit was White The Order of the Sword in Cyprus 9. Guy of Lusignan and according to this Author King of Ierusalem and Cyprus in right of his Wife Sibilla Sister to Baldwin the Leper shortly after his setlement in the Isle of Cyprus which he had bought of Richard the First King of England for one hundred thousand Crowns of Gold Instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1195. in remembrance of so fortunate a Plantation of 15000 persons whom he had brought thither But Mennenius and some others are so far from being of this opinion as to affirm that neither the name of the Founder nor the time of this Order's Foundation are certainly known though it be conceived he was one of the Family of Lusignan who gave beginning unto it The Collar of the Order called a Collar of Esses by Mennenius was composed as Favin reports of round Cordons of White Silk woven into Love-knots interlaced with the Letters S and R. Beneath this Collar hung an Oval of Gold wherein was figured a Sword the Blade enamelled Silver and the Hilt Gold and about the Oval was engraven this Motto Securitas Regni Micheli saith it was Pro fide servanda and Gothofridus Pro integritate tuendâ The day appointed for holding of the solemn Ceremonies of this Order was Ascension-day whereon the Founder gave it in the Church of St. Sophia the Cathedral of Nicosia in Cyprus to his Brother Amaury Constable of Ierusalem and Cyprus and to 300 Barons which he had established in that his new Kingdom There were eight Kings of Cyprus of this House of Lusignan Great Masters or Chiefs of this Order and when the Isle fell into the hands of the Turks this noble Institution ceased The Order of the Bear in Switzerland 10. The Emperor Frederick the Second in favour of the Abbot of St. Gall in Swaben and several Noblemen of that Country who had been active in his assistance for gaining to him the Empire instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1213. and bestowed upon the elect Knights Collars of Gold at the end whereof hung the Figure of a Bear Gold mounted on an Hillock enamelled with Black He ordained that this Honor should be conferr'd by the Abbot of St. Gall for the time being and that on the Anniversary of their Patron St. Gall a Gentleman of Scotland and the Apostle of Swaben being the 16. day of October the Knights of this Order should assemble at the Abbey on which day such Candidates as were designed to receive the Honor were girded with the military Belt the Sword being first consecrated at the Altar and adorned with the Collar of the Order having kept their Vigils the preceding night according to the ancient and accustomed manner But it carried the Title of the Order of the Bear in memory of St.
Vrsus of the Theban Legion who was martyr'd before the Temple of the Sun at Soleurre in Switzerland as also of St. Gall from the name of the Patron of the place where it received Institution This Order continued among the Switzers till they became a Common-wealth and then the Castles and strong holds of the Noblemen and Gentry of the Country being dismantled the use thereof was wholly laid aside The Order of the Broom Flower in France 11. Saint Lewis King of France saith Favin instituted this Order to honor the Coronation of Margaret his Queen eldest Daughter of Berengâ—rius Count of Provence anno Dom. 1234. The Habit appointed for the Knights were Cassocks of White Damask and Violet Chaperons the Collar was composed of Broom Flowers of the native colours interlaced with Flowers de Lis hanging thereat a Cross Florence Gold to which was added this Inscription Exaltat humiles the Founder accounting it the Symbol of humility As to the number of the Knights it was not made certain by the Founder but wholly depended on the will of the Sovereign This Order continued to the death of King Charles the Fifth Notwithstanding all that Favin thus relates the Saincte Marthe's are of opinion for the reason before noted that neither this St. Lewis nor the before mentioned King Robert nor King Charlemain did ever institute any Military Order of Chevalry And Mennenius reports that Charles the Sixth is said to have been the Founder of the Knights of the Broom Flower if this be true the Order will want many years of that antiquity which Favin bestows upon it Peter Bellay rather thinks this later Institution not to have been any Order of Knighthood but a Company of young Esquires the Sons of Noblemen who attended King Charle's person as a Life-Guard or as Esquires of the Body and were oftentimes imployed to interpret the messages of Embassadors from foreign parts The Order of the Ship and double Crescent in France 12. Mennenius acknowledgeth that of old there was such an Order in France erected in honor of the great atchievements that Nation did by Sea but by whom it was founded or at what time doth not appear from him Yet Favin is full in both for he affirms that the before mentioned St. Lewis after the Institution of the Broom Flower erected this likewise for animating the Nobility of France by this new prize of honor to accompany him in his Voyage into Africa 1269. The Collar was interlaced with double Escallops of Gold and double Crescents of Silver interwoven and fastned together with double Gold Chains at which the Figure of a Ship was pendent in an Oval of Gold This Order continued in France after the death of St. Lewis no longer than those Knights lived who were admitted thereinto by him but it was retained by Charles Brother of the said St. Lewis and by him setled in Sicily where it remained in request with his Successors until the Kings of Aragon gained that Kingdom Knights of St. James in Holland 13. Albertus Miraeus from an old Dutch Register called Register der Ridderscap or the Register of the Order of Knighthood informs us That Florentius Earl of Holland and Zeland and Lord of Friseland in the year 1290. bestowed the Ensigns of his Order of St. Iames in the Hall of his Palace at the Hague upon twelve of his principal Nobility whose names he sets down among whom the second in rank is Lancelot Lord Hamilton then Embassador from the King of Scots The Knights of this Order were invested with a Collar of Gold or military Belt of Silver and gilt adorned with six Escallops whereat was appended the Picture of St. Iames the Apostle All the Knights Shields whereon were painted their proper Arms were delivered to Iohn Paypaert Herald of Holland and by him hung up in the great Hall of the Palace at the Hague in perpetual memory and testimony of this Institution Order of the Swan in Cleveland 14. If ever there was an Order there under that Title it hath been very ancient and long since laid aside yet Favin says the Princes of Cleve have born the Swan for their Order Devise Crest and Supporters to preserve the memory of the Knight of the Swan the Romance of whose Adventures he also sets down and further reports that Charles Gonzaga of Cleve Duke of Nivers and Retelois had it in design to re-establish this Order peculiar to the House of Cleve The Knights of Jesus at Rome 15. The Popes of Rome as they are Lords Paramount of St. Peters Patrimony are Temporal Princes upon which account to honor the Nobles principally of that Territory and others they have erected and established certain Orders of Knighthood as well Religious as Military but all of them Stipendaries to the Papal See Of the former sort we have spoken before in the last Chapter but this being esteemed a Military Order we therefore place it here It was instituted by Pope Iohn the 22. at Avignon in France anno 1320. and much augmented by Paul the Fifth The Knights wear for the Badge of this Order a plain Cross gules inclosed within a Cross Patee Or hanging at a Gold Chain In the Month of Ianuary 1668 9. Pope Clement the Ninth created three of the Ambassadors from the Catholick Cantons in Switzerland with the accustomed Ceremony himself putting on their Gold Chains with the Ensigns appendant and the Captain of his Guards girding their Swords about them Order of the White Eagle in Poland 16. The information we have of this Order is from Favin also who saith that Ladislaùs the Fifth King of Poland instituted the same to honor the marriage of his Son Casimire the Great with Anne Daughter of Gedimir Duke of Lithuania in the Month of February in the year of our Lord 1325. The Ensign hereof was a White Eagle crowned The Order of Knights de la Banda in Castile 17. This Order of Knights called de la Banda was erected by Alphonsus the Eleventh King of Leon and Castile in the City of Victoria anno 1332. but Favin from Antonio de Guevara saith it was in the City of Palencia anno 1330. and Sansovin in Burgos anno 1368. For this King considering that he had to do with many Enemies could find no better way to secure himself than by erecting this Order and constituting himself Master thereof which he did a little before his Coronation Shortly after saith Mennenius to wit anno 1332. the Solemnity of this Order was celebrated in the City of Burgos where on the Eve thereof in the Monastery of St. Mary Royal each of the Candidates was conducted by the King to the Altar and having there laid down his Arms spent the whole night in watching and Prayer The next day after Mass he was invested with a Red military Belt or a Ribband of four fingers broad
which came across the body over the right shoulder and so under the left arm And was the Ensign from whence the Knights took their denomination This Order was instituted chiefly to honor the Nobility and therefore at first none were admitted but the younger Sons of Noblemen excluding elder Brothers or persons descended of the most noble Families in Spain or else Esquires who had served in the Court or Camp ten years at the least and to the end that greater honor might the more inflame them to valiant Exploits Kings themselves sometimes vouchsafed to take the Ensign of this Order upon them It was anciently of very great esteem but such is the vicissitude of humane Affairs at length it grew out of use The Laws and Constitutions are recorded by Anth. de Guevera who also gives a Catalogue of the first Knights Ios. Micheli Sansovin Favin and Segar to whom we refer those that are desirous to be informed of them The Order de la Calza in Venice 18 From the example of the Knights de la Banda in Castile and about the year 1400. was instituted a Society at Venice bearing the Title de la Calza in honor of the Inauguration of Duke Michele Steno Meeting with but a slender account hereof among those Authors who have handled Military Orders and some confounding it with that of St. Mark I was at length by the friendship of the deservedly honored Sir Charles Cotterel Knight Master of the Ceremonies to his Majesty furnished with better satisfaction which he obtained for me from Signóre Pietro Moccinigo the late Venetian Ambassador at his Residence here in England and from Signóre Aberti the present Resident for that State This Order consisted of a Society of particular Noblemen and Gentlemen who at their voluntary choice met together and entred into a Fellowship among whom some person of Eminence was elected their Chief Nevertheless upon the recommendation of their intention and design to the Council of Ten who confirmed their Institution and granted them Priviledges It hath appeared with so much the more reputation to the world by having had the honor to receive into it several Princes of Italy especially the Family of Este Dukes of Ferara of Gonzaga then Marquesses now Dukes of Mantua of the Rovere Vrbino Mirandula and others of the most conspicuous Families of that Country namely Colonna Vrsini Sanseverini Visconti and others They were distinguished by wearing a Stocking quartered into different colours embroidered with gold and enriched with Jewels which they at pleasure altered from the right to the left Leg and in particular it is remembred that an 1529. the right Stocking then worn was half the inside of Scarlet and half the outside of Purple and the other half gray but the left Stocking was all green and as were the Husbands Stockings such were the Wives Sleeves in all particulars On their solemn days they first went to Church and at Mass took an Oath to observe the Articles of their Order Among other things which this Society for the honor of the City was obliged to splendid and noble Entertainments were part at which were exhibited Musick Dancings and Theatral Representations And with such magnificent and sumptuous Divertisements have they given reception to divers foreign Princes in particular to Henry the Third of France when he past by Venice in his way from Poland to France They wore for their Habit a Crimson Senators Vest appearing therein very splendid and reserved for solemn days at which times the Foreign Princes that had been admitted into this Order appeared clad after the same manner These Knights had for their Ensign a Sun on a Shield painted in their Banners which they used also for a Seal perhaps as a happy Omen and Presage that the Order being laid aside about the year 1590. for the excess it was growing into should like the Sun from under a Cloud rise again in after times when better opportunity offered it self in greater splendor than ever The Order of St. Mark in Venice 19. In this Seigniory there is another Degree or Dignity of Knighthood commonly called the Order of St. Mark and because it is generally reckoned among the Orders of Knighthood and differs from the Milites Simplices by wearing a peculiar Title and being invested with a particular Ensign of Honor at their Creation we have thought good rather to discourse of it here though the Ceremony of Creation is performed after the manner of Knights Batchellors viz. by Dubbing with a Sword and their Title a bare mark of Honor only being by our Learned Selden affirmed to be the known Degree of Knighthood given by Supreme Princes or such as have a like power with them Besides we have been informed thence that those Knights are not governed by any Laws or Statutes and are without any Revenue or Indowment of Lands That they are not under any particular obligation or tye except what is common to them with other Subjects namely that of Fidelity to the Prince being in all things else left to their own liberty To this we add that the Honor is also bestowed on absent persons by Letters Patent or Codicils as is the Knightly Dignity sometimes among some of which that to the learned Sir Daniel Heinsius is given us by Mr. Selden It had its Title from St. Mark the Evangelist whose Body was translated to Venice from Alexandria in Aegypt in the year of our Lord 828. in the time of Iustinianus Patritius Duke of Venice ever since which time this Saint hath been assumed and taken for the titular Angel and Guardian of this noble City and his Picture very anciently painted upon their Banners and Ensigns but as to the Institution it is not certainly determined when or by whom it was first brought in use The Badge of Honor wherewith these Knights are adorned is a Gold Chain put over their shoulders at the instant of their Creation whereat depends a Medal on the one side is represented the Symbol of St. Mark to wit the Figure of a Lyon having wings holding in his right Paw a drawn Sword and in his left a Book spread open in which this Motto Pax tibi Marce Evangelista mens on the other the name of the Duke then living beautified with a particular Impress but in the other he is represented on his Knee receiving a Standard from the hands of St. Mark and sometimes this Medal is worn on a Cross enamel'd blue I was further informed from the hand of the noble Signóre Pietro Moccinigo that the Duke of Venice bestows this Honor either privately in his Chamber or publickly in a full Colledge Some also are made Knights by the Senate and those of the Venetian Nobility at least persons of very eminent Quality and Character who have merited well of this Common-wealth by some extraordinary piece of service either at home or abroad or upon whatever occasion
the Senate sees fitting and for asmuch as the Senate is a representation of the whole Common-wealth and that the Creations of these Knights are confirmed by publick Decrees it is taken that the Knights of their creating are of greater Dignity than those made by the Duke When the Creation is in a full Colledge whether it be by the Senate or the Duke only the Collar and Medal is bestowed at the publick Charge but when by the Duke privately then upon his particular expence These Knights wear the Honor among other Titles of Dignity as I have seen it inscribed about the Effigies of Sir Daniel Heinsius thus DANIEL HEINSIVS D. MARCI EQVES ILLVSTR. HOLLANDIAE ORDINVM HISTORICVS POLITICVS ET HISTORIARVM PROFESSOR BIBLIOTHECARIVS ACADEMIAE ET SECRETARIVS And among those other Titles given to that famous Mathematician and Astrologer Sir Andrew Argoll that of his Knighthood by this Title is also thus inserted ANDREAS ARGOLVS D. MARCI EQVES ET IN CELEBERRIMO LYCEO PATAVINO PROFESSOR MATHEMATICVS The Order of Seraphins in Sweden 20. In the year of our Lord 1334. Magnus the Fourth King of Sweden in imitation of other Christian Princes who had established Military Orders instituted this of the Seraphins or Seraphick Knights otherwise surnamed of Iesus in memory of the Siege laid to the Metropolitan City of Vpsala The Collar of this Order was composed of Seraphins and Patriarchal Crosses the former of Gold enamelled Red the later also of Gold but without any enamel At the end thereof hung the Image of Christ in an Oval Favin saith it was this Cipher IHS composed of three Letters and signifying the name of Iesus and in point four Nails But elsewhere 't is said to be the Figure of the blessed Virgin Mary and to make the thing yet more uncertain another tells us it was a Patriarchal Cross that hung thereat The Order of the Sword and Military Belt in Sweden 21. We find mention made of another Order of Knights in Sweden called of the Sword and Military Belt whose Collar consisted of Swords and Belts conjoyn'd the Symbols of Justice and Love the Swords somewhat bending towards the point and so joined point to point round into a Circle But by whom or when this Order was instituted we are not yet informed The Order of the Knot in Naples 22. When Lewis King of Hungary design'd a War against Ioane Queen of Naples he undertook an Expedition into Italy not so much to deprive her of her Kingdom as to revenge the death of his Brother Andrew whom as 't is reported Queen Ioane his Wife had commanded to be strangled After many troubles and three years of War they came to an accord the first of April anno 1351. and the 26. of May following with the consent of Pope Clement the Sixth the Queen and Lewis Prince of Tarentum were crowned King and Queen of that Realm and that same day in memory of such a happy Peace and to take away all suspitions and enmities the Prince instituted this Order of Knights into which entred threescore and ten of the illustrious Lords in blood of Naples and some other Strangers The Habit he appointed was White and for the Orders chief Ensign he gave a Knot the Embleme of Love and Friendship intermixt with Gold and as the like Institutions in that Kingdom commonly ended with the death of their Founders so this Order expired in a short time The Order of Knights of the Annunciade in Savoy 23. Ame the Sixth of that name Earl of Savoy surnamed Conte le Verde instituted this Order under the Title of the Collar in the year of our Lord 1362. in honor of the 15 Divine Mysteries of the Rosary Andrew Favin on a mistaken ground calls it the Order of the Snares of Love in regard as he alledgeth the Founder had received of his Lady the favour of a Bracelet made of the Tresses of her hair knit or plaited in Love-knots and that the four Letters afterward interlaced by the Founder within such like Love-knots should signifie Frappés Entrés Rompés Tout But Francis Capre Councellor and Secretary of State to the present Duke of Savoy who hath given an account of the Institution together with the several restaurations of this Order from the Records thereof preserved in the Charter-house in Pierre Chastle appointed at the time of the Foundation for the Seat of the Order confutes this error of Favin and with him several others who have unwarily swallowed down the same mistake Mennenius and Miraeus take not the least notice of its denomination from the Collar but call it the Order of the Annunciation in Savoy But it is cleer enough from the Founders last Will and Testament bearing date the 27. of February anno 1383. and from what Capre and Guichenon alledge as also from the Statutes of Ame the Eighth that at the time of the Foundation it was called the Order of the Collar under which name it continued till the time of Charles the Third surnamed le Bon Duke of Savoy when and not before it had bestowed on it the Title of the Annunciation from the Picture of the History of the blessed Virgin Mary by him first made appendant to the Collar in the year 1518. The Founder appointed the number of his Knights reckoning himself the Chief and Sovereign for one to be fifteen among whom we find Sir Richard Musard an English Gentleman recorded agreeable to the number of the before mentioned Divine Mysteries but in the additional Statutes made by Ame the Eighth first Duke of Savoy anno 1434. and by Duke Emanuel Philibert 1568. there is a permission given to augment their number by adding five to the former fifteen but the Soveraigns have not always been confin'd to this number Besides the Institution of this Order the Founder erected and founded the Chartreuse of Pierre Chastle in Bugey wherein were entertained 15 Priests and they obliged to celebrate every day 15 Masses to the honor of the 15 Joys of the blessed Virgin to the Souls health of him his Predecessors and all who had been were or should hereafter be Knights of this Order So that the resemblance of this Institution with the foundation of this religious house is some argument that the Order as well as the House were founded upon a religious and pious not amorous or wanton account At Pierre Chastle were the Ceremonies observed and the Chapters held by the Sovereign and Knights until the time that Charles Emanuel First of that name Duke of Savoy exchanged it and some other places for the Marquisate of Saluces upon the Treaty of Peace concluded at Lyons 17. Ian. 1607. and then the Anniversary of the Feast and celebrations of the Order being fixt to the Feast-day of the Annunciation of our Lady were translated from hence first to the Church of St. Dominick at
the Third who brought into use the great Mantle of Crimson Velvet his own being fur'd with Ermins but the rest of the Knights with Miniver fringed and bordered with Knots to wit of the fashion of those that adorn the Collar in fine Gold Under this Mantle is worn a Surcoat of white Damask Duke Emanuel Philibert his Son changed afterwards the colour of the Mantle to Azure and lined it with White Taffaty of which Silk he also made the Surcoats But Charles Emanuel altered the Mantle unto an Amaranthus or Purple Colour seeded with Roses and Flames in embroidery of Gold and Silver bordered throughout with the Symbols of the Order fringed with Gold and lined with Cloth of Silver tissued Blue which continues hitherto in use Under which instead of the White Taffaty Surcoat is now worn a White Satin suit embroidered with Silk the Hose gathered upwards in the fashion of Trouses Concerning the Statutes of this Order the most ancient are those of Ame the Eighth for there are none of the Founders extant made at Chastilion the 30. of May in the year of our Lord 1410. the original whereof is lodg'd in the Archives at Turin which he augmented in the year 1434. and both are printed by Sansovin Duke Charles the Third made new Statutes at Chambery the 11. of Sept. anno 1518. these were enlarged by Duke Emanuel Philibert anno 1568. and published in the year 1577. The Order of the Thistle of Bourbon in France 24. At the solemnity of the marriage of Lewis the Second Duke of Bourbon with Anne Daughter to the Count Daulphine of Auvergne celebrated in the Town of Arde on New-years day 1370. this Duke instituted the Order of Knights of our Lady otherwise called the Thistle and the first solemnities thereof were performed at Nostre Dame de Maulins in Bourbonnois where he founded a Colledge of twelve Canons in honor of the blessed Virgin The ground of the Institution was to strengthen this Dukes power and interest for the aid of Charles Duke of Orleans and of his two Brothers Philip and Iohn against the Faction of the House of Burgundy And by joining of Flowers de Lis and Thistles the Symbols of hope and courage emblematically to express the nobleness of his Spirit against all power of Fortune He ordained a set number of Knights of this Society to wit 26 therein comprehending himself and Successors Dukes of Bourbon as Chiefs and obliged these to wear daily a Belt or Girdle made of watchet colour Velvet lined with Crimson Sattin embroidered with Gold in the midst of which embroidery was curiously wrought the word ESPERANCE This Girdle was fastned with a Buckle and a Tongue of Gold bearded and checquered with green enamel in form like to the head of a Thistle On the Anniversary of the Festival namely the day of the Conception of our Lady in December the Knights wore Cassocks or Surcâ—ats of Carnation Damask with wide sleeves girded with the Girdle before described The Mantle of this Order was of Skie-coloured Damask having broad weltâ— of Gold embroidered on the Collar and lined with red Sattin but the Mantlet of green Velvet The Bonnet was also of green Velvet at the point of the band hung a saiâ— Tassel of Crimson Silk and threds of Gold the lining of Crimson Tassaty and turned up after the antique manner whereon they had embroidered the Golden Shield with the word Allen. Whoso considers in this Constitution the number of Knights the principal colours of the Mantle Surcoat and Girdle with the injunction for wearing thereof shall plainly see that this Founder took an exact pattern from the Order of the Garter which he had observed in England and acquainted himself with its Constitutions while he was Prisoner in Windsor Castle for here is little change or alteration and only a Belt or Girdle made the chief Ensign of this as the Garter was of that Order The great Collar was of Gold of the weight of ten Marks enamelled with Green opened like Network which was fill'd with Flowers de Lis of Gold and each of them together with the Letters of the Impress placed in a Lozenge of red enamel At the bottom of the Collar in an Oval of Gold the Circle whereof was enamelled with Green and Red appeared the Figure of the Patroness the blessed Virgin Mary surrounded with rays of the Sun crowned with twelve Silver Stars a Crescent of the same under her feet enamelled with Purple and Skie colour lastly at the end of the Oval depended the head of a Thistle enamelled Green but bearded White Some little difference is put by others in the fashion and composition of this Collar namely that it was made either of Gold or Silver and framed of Flowers de Lis and four leaves or Flowers of a Thistle set in the form of a Cross. The Order of the Dove in Castile 25. Was instituted by Iohn the First of that name King of Castile in the City of Segovia Anno Dom. 1390. so saith Mennenius and Miraeus but Favin placeth it 1379. and proposed to his Nobles as a reward to encourage them to prosecute the noble acts of his Grandfather King Henry the Second The Collar of this Order was linked or enchained with the resplendent beams of the Sun both waved and pointed at which hung a golden Dove enamelled White and encompassed with rays the Eyes and Beak Red. Herewith the Founder saith Favin adorned himself on Whitsonday yet Mennenius and Miraeus will have it the Feast-day of St. Iames and at the Altar of the great Church in Segovia distributed other the like Collars to his intimate Favourites together with a Book containing the Statutes of the Order But he dying the very same year before the Order had taken sufficient root it became of small continuance The Order of the Argonautes of St. Nicholas in Naples 26. Charles the Third King of Naples instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1382. and with the Ensign thereof invested several of the Nobility of that Kingdom with which as by a Bond he designed to tye them one to another in a brotherly obligation The end of its Institution was to preserve amity among the Nobles to compose enmities and suppress seditions Insomuch as if any of the Knights of this Order were at variance one with another and refused to be reconciled the Ensigns were then to be taken from him but some say the ground and cause was to advance Navigation which the Neopolitans stood in need of To which the principal Ensign of this Order seems rather to allude it being a Ship floating upon the waters in the midst of a storm having this Motto Non credo tempori In the Convent of that sumptuous Church which St. Nicholas Bishop of Smyrna caused to be built was the grand Feast held on the Anniversary of
that Saint This King appointed a White Habit for the Knights and prescribed laudable Constitutions to the Order but because he setled no Revenue thereupon the splendor thereof ceased at his death nevertheless he obtained the end for which it was instituted Knights of St. Anthony in Hainolt 27. Albert of Bavaria Earl of Hainolt Holland and Zeland designing an Expedition against the Turks and Moors instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1382. The Ensign thereof was a golden Collar wrought after the fashion of an Hermits Girdle at which hung a walking Staff and a little golden Bell. The Order of the Porcupine in France 28. Monsieur Lewis of France Duke of Orleans instituted this Order in the year 1393. to honor the Baptism of his eldest Son Charles by Valentina his Wife Daughter to Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan and made choice of the Porcupine for his Devise with this Epigraph Cominus Eminus not only out of the high hopes he conceived of this Child but also to intimate something of revenge against Iohn Duke of Burgundy his mortal Enemy no less than self-defence against all his designs and assaults of which this Animal is a proper Emblem Paradine Mennenius and Micheli make Charles the Son of this Monsieur Lewis the Founder anno Dom. 1430. in imitation or emulation of Philip Duke of Burgundy Founder of the Order of the Golden Fleece but Favin strengthens his foresaid relation from the authority of one Hennotin de Cleriaux an Herald who attended the forementioned Christning in his Heralds Coat and set down an account of the Institution by Monsieur Lewis together with the names of the Princes Lords and Gentlemen on whom he then bestowed his new erected Order their number being 25 including the Founder The Habit assigned to the Knights were Surcoats of Violet Velvet and over them Mantles of Watchet Velvet lined with Carnation Satin The Collar was formed of Gold Chains at the end whereof hung a Porcupine of Gold upon a little enamelled hillock of Grass and Flowers which Creature was also embroidered on the Knights Belts The Order of the Lilly in Aragon 29. According to Hieronymus Zurita this Order was instituted by Ferdinand King of Aragon called the Infant of Antiquera in the year of our Lord 1403. and dedicated to the honor of the blessed Virgin The Collar was composed of Bough-Pots fill'd with White Lillies interlaced with Gryphons and as Hieronymus Romanus reports was vulgarly called La Orden de la Terraca o de las Azucenas ò Iarra de S. Maria which is as much as to say The Order of Lillies or the Vessel of St. Mary Favin gives it under the Title of the Looking-glass of the blessed Virgin Mary in Castile instituted as he saith in honor and memory of a Victory which this King Ferdinand had obtained in that Kingdom against the Moors anno 1410. to wit seven years after the time assigned by Zurita for the foundation The Founder transplanted this Order with him into Aragon 1413. when he received the Crown of that Kingdom and where it continued under the Sons of this King but no longer The Order of the Dragon overthrown in Hungary 30. The Emperor Sigismond surnamed the Glorious for the many Battels he gained over the barbarous Nations in defence of the Christian Religion having greatly laboured the peace of the Churches of Hungary and Bohemia and by his Travels into England France and Spain to invite those Princes to join with him in that his Enterprise brought the same to pass by the Council of Constance out of extream joy at the accomplishment thereof instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1418. for defence of the Christian Religion and to crush all Hereticks and Schismaticks that should arise which Order in short time became of high esteem not only throughout Hungary but Germany also The Knights wore daily for their Ensign of Honor a Green Cross story on solemn days a Scarlet Cloak and on the Mantlet of Green Silk a double Chain of Gold Micheli saith a Green Ribbon at the end of which hung a Dragon dead with broken Wings in the posture of being overcome the Symbol of Heresie vanquished and the whole enamelled with variety of Colours proper But this Order continued not long for it almost expired with the Founder Peter Beloy President of Tholouse affirms he had seen a Diploma dated anno 1413. purporting that Basilius Colalba Marquess of Ancona was admitted into this Order in these very words Te quem manu propria militiae cingulo societatis nostrae Draconicae ac Stolae seu amprisiae charissimi fratris nostri Regis Aragoniae insignivimus c. Equites Tufini in Bohemia 13. We find but a bare mention thereof made by Mennenius and that it was erected in the Kingdom of Bohemia or else both in Bohemia and Austria but he doth not in the least inform us either of the cause of its Institution the Badge of the Order or to what the Title refers The two first of these particulars Ios. Micheli supplies but as to the third we cannot give so perfect an account as we would yet we remember to have read somewhere that this Order had its name from Toca a Cap or Coif The Arch-Dukes of Austria saith he were Founders of this Order which they instituted to ingage their Subjects in the defence of the Christian Religion and expulsion of the Turks and those they called Hereticks out of their Dominions for having about 200 years maintained a War with vast and excessive charge by erecting this Order and bestowing upon the Knights thereof all that they gained in War towards their supportation they very much eaâ—â—d themselves in their Military Expences and indeed this proved so great an encouragement to them that in a few years performing service wheresoever their Chiefs commanded them to ingage they cleared their Provinces almost of both Turks and Schismaticks The Ensign of this Order was a plain Green Cross and the Habit of the Knights Red. This and the following Order saith the same Author were under the Rule of St. Basil and profest conjugal Chastity and Obedience but we see not from what ground he alledges this for if so then ought we to have placed it among the Religious rather than Military Orders these being absolute notes and marks thereof But inasmuch as we elsewhere find that Albert the Emperor adorned Moyses Didacus de Valera in Spain a Knight of known and approved courage with the Ensigns of his three Orders viz. of the Dragon as he was King of Hungary of the Tusin as King of Bohemia and with the Collar de la Disciplinas as Duke of Austria it is hence manifest they were all compleat Military Orders of which this Emperor was Soveraign or Chief for no man can be admitted into
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
in a Red Ribbon alone The Founder ordained four Officers to attend and serve the Order after the manner declared in the Ordinances for their Instructions annexed to the Statutes namely a Chancellor a Treasurer a Greffier or Register and a King of Arms called Toison d' Or. Lewis the Eleventh of France refused to accept of this Order because his Predecessors were not accustomed to receive the Orders of their Subjects for such were the Dukes of Burgundy accounted who held that Dutchy and other Seigniories in homage leige to the Crown of France Albeit the Emperors of Germany are descended from Philip Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders nevertheless the power of conferring the Order is lodg'd in the Kings of Spain only the Title of Head and Soveraign being solemnly resigned by the Emperor Charles the Fifth to his Son King Philip the 25. day of October anno Dom. 1556. in the Royal Chappel at his Palace in Bruxelles and the Collar taken from his neck and with his own hands put over his said Sons shoulders in the presence of divers of the Knights at which Ceremony he used this form of words Accipe Fili mi quem è Collo meo detraho Tibi praecipuum Aurei Velleris Torquem quem Philippus Dux Burgundiae cognomine Bonus Atavus noster Monimentum fidei sacrae Romanae Ecclesiae esse voluit hujusce Institutionis ac Legum ejus fac semper memineris Afterwards though Philip the Second King of Spain invested the Infanta his Daughter Isabella in the Dominion of the Low Countries upon the Contract of her marriage with the Arch-Duke Albert of Austria yet he retained to himself and Successors Kings of Spain and Dukes of Burgundy the honor of being Chief of this Order in which Crown it remains to this day The Statutes ratified under the Founders Seal the 27. of Nov. 1431. are printed in the Iurisprudentia Heroica together with those other additions and alterations which were since made by his Successors So also are the Priviledges granted to the Knights by the Founder his Son Charles and Maximilian which received confirmation from King Philip the Second anno Dom. 1556. The Names of the first 24 Knights and their Successors to the number of 450. are there also registred together with a Catalogue of the Chancellors Treasurers Registers and Kings of Arms and lastly a Figure of a â—â—â—ght vested in the Habit may be there likewise seen The Original and Foundation of this Order is written at large in French by William Bishop of Tournay Abbot of St. Bertin and second Chancellor to the Order in a Treatise of his called The Golden Fleece dedicated to Charles Duke of Burgundy Son to the Founder and printed at Troyes in the year of our Lord 1530. In this Work the Author treats of two manner of Golden Fleeces viz. first of Iason's Fleece of which he useth the testimony of Eustathius to assert it for a true History and by it represents the noble Virtue of Magnanimity demonstrating several Virtues appertaining to the state of Nobility Secondly of Iacobs Fleece viz. the party-coloured and streaked Fleece by which he sets forth the Virtue of Iustice which Virtue principally appertaining to Kings Knights and noble persons moved the heart of Duke Philip to institute this Order under it comprehending the Virtues of both the other Fleeces The Order of St. George at Genoa 35. The Republick of Genoa have an Order of Knighthood among them dedicated to the honor of St. George their titular Saint and Patron it was instituted by Frederick the Third Emperor of Germany and the Knights thereof are called Knights of St. George at Genoa The Ensign is a plain Cross Gules and worn by the Knights at a Chain of Gold about their neck The Dukes of Genoa are Chiefs thereof and in regard their Dignity lasts but two years the Order is much impaired through the inconstancy and alteration of times The Order of the Croissant in France 36. Rene or Renatus descended of the second Line of the House of Anjou King of Ierusalem and Sicily c. Duke of Anjou Count of Provence c. erected this Order under the denomination of the Croissant or half Moon in the City of Anjou anno Dom. 1464. But the Saincte Marthe's make it 16 years older by placing the Institution in the year 1448. Ios. Micheli reports that Charles King of Sicily and Ierusalem was the first Institutor anno 1268. in the great Church at Messina in Sicily on the day of St. Lewis King of France but he by mistake confounds this Order with that of the double Croissant instituted by St. Lewis in France and after his death retained and setled in Sicily by the said King Charles his Brother The end wherefore King Rene founded this Order is noted to be in honor of God support of the Church and exaltation of Knighthood Over which he declared himself and his Successors Dukes of Anjou and Kings of Sicily Chiefs He also chose St. Maurice Knight and Martyr for Patron and held the first Ceremonies in the Church of Angiers dedicated to his name The Symbol which the Knights wore on the right side of their Mantle was a golden Crescent whereon in red enamel was this word L'oz signifying in the opinion of Peter Mathieu L'oz en Croissant whereby they were encouraged to search after the increase of valour and reputation At this Crescent was fastned as many small pieces of Gold fashioned like Columes and enamelled with red as the Knights had been present in Battels Sieges of Towns Cities or Castles which gave due intimation to all men of their valour shewed in martial services for none could be adopted into this Order unless he had well mâ—â—ited in some of these kinds The Knighâ—â— who were 36 in number but the Saincte Marthe's say 50 did wear for the Habit Mantles of red or Crimson Velvet and a Mantlet of White with the lining and Surcoat of the same The Order of the Ermine in Britagne 37. In the year of Christ 1450. Francis the First of that name Duke of Bretagne in memory of his Grandfather Iohn surnamed the Conqueror or else in imitation of other Princes of the bloud in France founded this Order consisting of 25 Knights and thereupon also new-built his Castle of the Ermine He ordained the Habit to be Mantles of White Damask lined with Carnation and the Mantlet of the same The great Collar to be of Gold composed of Ears of Corn in Saltir bound above and beneath with two Circles of Gold in imitation of the Crown of Ceres hereby noting the care of Husbandry which the ancient Counts and Dukes of Bretagne had as also the fertility of that Province and hence is this Order otherwise called of the Ears of Corn. At the end of this
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
a Copy whereof was most freely communicated to me by Monsieur Cristofle Lindenow Envoye from Christian the Fifth now King of Denmark to his sacred Majesty the present Soveraign of the most noble Order of the Garter This Letter informs him of the Institution and some other particulars relating to the Order to wit That King Christian the first being at Rome whither he had travelled upon a religious account Pope Sixtus the Fourth among other Honors invested him with this Order in memory of the Passion of our Lord and Saviour and withal ordained that the dignity of Chief and Supream should be continued as a successive right to the succeeding Kings of Denmark This King founded the magnificent Chappel of the three Kings in the Cathedral Church at Roschilt four Leagues from Copenhagen where the Knights were obliged to assemble upon the death of any of their Fraternity He also admitted thereinto divers Kings Princes and Noblemen The chief Ensign of this Order was the Figure of an Elephant on whose side within a Rundle was represented a Crown of Thorns with three Nails all bloody in honor and memory of the Passion of our blessed Saviour The Knights were obliged to the performance of acts of Piety Alms Deeds and certain Ceremonies especially upon those days on which they wore the Ensigns of the Order But King Iohn set so high a value upon it that he wore them on every solemn Festival He also advanc'd the honor of this Order to so great esteem that it became accepted by both our King Henry the Eighth and Iames the Fifth King of Scotland his Sisters Son with whom the Ensigns thereof remained as a Pledge and assurance of constant and perpetual friendship with these he likewise invested divers Ambassadors Senators and noble Danes There is one Ivarus Nicholai Hertholm a learned Dane as I am informed who hath written a particular Treatise of this Elephantine Order but not yet printed The scope whereof is to shew that the beforementioned Epistle of the Bishop of Arhusen does not sufficiently make it appear that it received its first Institution when Christian the First had those many Honors conferr'd on him by Pope Sixtus the Fourth And that the Badge was an Ensign meerly Military anciently given as a memorial and incitement to the Danish Princes who took upon them the defence of Christianity against the Moors and Africans 'T is greatly presumed that this Book which we hope may shortly be published will furnish the world with many choice things relating to the antiquity and honor of the Institution Ensigns and Ceremonies of this royal Order Heretofore the Knights wore a Collar of Gold composed of Elephants and Crosses fashioned something like Crosses Ancrees Mennenius calls them Spurs at which hung the Picture of the Virgin Mary to the middle holding Christ in her arms and surrounded with a Glory of Sun-beams but they have long since laid this Collar aside and now wear only a Blue Ribbon at which hangs an Elephant enamelled White adorned with five large Diamonds set in the middle Those Elephants worn by the Knights in the Reign of Christian the Fourth had in the same place within a Circle the Letter C and in the heart thereof the Figure of 4 made to signifie Christianus quartus This Honor hath been most commonly conferr'd by the Kings of Denmark on the day of their Coronation both upon the Nobles and Senators of the Kingdom It seems Frederick the Third brought into use in imitation of the most noble Order of the Garter an embroidered Glory of Silver Purle wrought upon the left side of their Cloak or Vest on which was embroidered two Crowns within a Rundle bearing his Motto Deus providebit for such a one did Count Guldenâ— low Ambassador hither from that King wear at his residing here in England anno 1669. But we are to note that the Motto hath changed with the King for that of the present King is Pietate Iustitia and this the Knights of his Election now wear in the middle of the Circle Nevertheless all the Knights created by his Father are obliged still to continue the former Motto The Order of the Burgundian Cross at Tunis 43. Charles the Fifth Emperor of Germany and King of Spain after he had restored Mulleasses King of Tunis to his Kingdom who had been expulsed thence by that famous Pyrate Barbarossa on the day of his victorious entrade into Tunis with solemn and magnificent Pomp was apparelled in a Coat which he used to wear in Battel whereon was embroidered the Burgundian Cross and being desirous to gain the good respect of all who had served in that War was chiefly willing to adorn the Commanders that had behaved themselves valiantly in the Victory with some Badge or token of Honor as a reward and for this reason did he institute this Order in the year 1535. on St. Magdalen's day To this Burgundian Cross he added a Steel striking sparks of fire out of Flint with this Inscription BARBARIA to be the Badge or Ensign thereof And for an additional Ornament gave a Collar of Gold whereat hung the said Badge Some say this Order was instituted at ten of the Clock that day it being also the hour of Mercury in which respect the Character of that Planet is usually enamelled on the one side of the Jewel as the Burgundian Cross is on the other But it was of short continuance for it expired long since The Order of Knights of the Holy Ghost in France 44. This Order received Institution from the French King Henry the Third the first Chapter being held on the last day of the year 1578. The design thereof was chiefly to unite and tye his Nobility and Prelates more firmly to their natural obedience as also to stir up and encourage them to persevere in the Romish Religion to illustrate and adorn the state of the Nobility and to restore its ancient splendor and dignity It had its denomination from the Holy Ghost to whose power and assistance the Founder usually ascribed all his Actions and Councils advanced with most glorious and fortunate successes in remembrance that he was born on Whitsonday in the year of our Lord 1550. elected to the Crown of Poland on Whitsonday 1573. and lastly came to the Crown of France on Whitsonday 1574. The number of Knights whereof this Order was to consist is by the Statutes ordained to be one hundred besides the Soveraign or Great Master which Office and Dignity is inseparable from the Crown of France A long Mantle of Black Velvet turned up on the left side and opened on the right was also appointed for the Habit of this Order being at first embroidered round with Gold and Silver consisting of Flowers de Lis and Knots of Gold between three sundry Cyphers of Silver and above the Flowers de Lis and Knots were thickly seeded or powdered Flames of Fire This great Mantle
Garter and answerable to the just number of the Knights-Companions of that most noble Ordâ—r And for a further distinction between these Canons-Secular and the Priests the first twelve are in a Bull of Pope Innocent the Eighth called Majores Canonici the other elsewhere Canonici Minores or Petty Canons To these twelve Seculars were assigned so many Prebendships in the Chappel of St. George as also Stalls in the Choire and Places in the Chapter together with that held by the Custos whence of later times they are frequently called Prebends as well as Canons and their Dignities Canonships and Prebendships Every Prebend hath a Sacerdotal power given him by the Statutes of the Colledge and in regard of this those Statutes further ordained That each Canon of the Chappel being a Prebend if not at that time a Priest should within a year after he hath enjoyed his Prebendship be so ordained otherwise without further admonition to be deprived thereof By the fore-mentioned Bull of Pope Clement the Sixth there is reserved to the Founder his Heirs and Successors the right of presenting the Canons Priests Clerks Alms-Knights and Ministers belonging to the Colledge and thereupon we find it noted that he nominated and presented William Mugg and four other Presbyters to the Bishop of Winchester to institute them Canons and Prebends in the Canonships and Prebendships of the Chappel which the Bishop did accordingly and then gave the said William Mugg institution to the place of Custos upon the Founders nomination and presentation also Notwithstanding which it appears by the Institution of the Garter that the first Canons were presented to the Custos by the first Founders of the Order viz. the five and twenty first Knights-Companions every one of them being permitted by the Soveraign's favour to present a Canon yet was it therewithal provided That neither the Knights-Companions who thus first presented nor any one of their Successors from that time should present to the vacant Canonships but the Soveraign only To which end in another place the Custos was obliged when any of the Canons died the Soveraign being out of the Kingdom to signifie the same to him by Letter that so he might appoint whom he thought sit to succeed him But upon whomsoever these Dignities are conferr'd they ought to be Admitted Instituted and Installed by the Custos or Dean or his Lieutenant to whom at the time of their Installation they are to be obliged by Oath to yield Canonical Obedience and observe the Statutes of the Colledge so far as it concerns them The form of their Admittance is annexed to those Statutes The principal duty of these Canons so also of the Vicars Clerks Alms-Knights and Ministers of the Colledge is continually and personally to attend upon the Service of God in the Chappel of St. George and upon each days omission of a Canon-Resident it was Ordained that he should forfeit his quotidian distribution viz. twelve pence Nor do we find any license of non-residence or discontinuance given to any of the Canons by the Colledge Statutes but only to the Custos and that but for sixty days in the whole year as is before remembred howbeit there is mention of Canons-Resident and non-Resident in the said Statutes to the non-Residents there are great defalcations appointed to be made and good reason for it because the Resident-Canons bear not only the burthen of that duty belonging to the Chappel and Colledge but the expence of Hospitality and other works of Charity occasioned from their residing at Windesor Nevertheless the effect of a favourable indulgence towards the Canons was introduced by degrees and when Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury had obtained power by a Bull from Sixtus the Fourth to make new Statutes in the Colledge he in this particular dispensed with the old ones and the fifth of March 1478. gave to the Dean and every Canon and their Successors fourteen days of non-Residence in every Term to wit six and fifty days in the year By the visitation held anno 1552. these days are inlarged to fourscore and the Lord Chancellor Hatton yet further indulged them with two hundred and two days which liberty the late Lord Chancellor Hyde confirmed and consequently there remains one hundred sixty and three days in the year in which the Canons ought to be resident at Windesor For each Canons great Residence is 21 days the looser Residence in conjunction with the greater is 163 days that is 21 of these 163 are to be kept without interruption and with hospitality according to the Statute The Canons are particularly obliged humbly to pray for the prosperity of the Soveraign of the most noble Order of the Garter from time to time being as also for the happy estate of the Order And if any Knight-Companion or other person should out of Devotion bestow ten pounds per annum revenue or more in Lands or otherwise that so he might be made partaker of the Prayers appointed for the Benefactors of the Colledge his name was ordained to be inscribed among them and himself also prayed for which Article though King Henry the Fifth confirmed yet he provided that neither the Custos or Canons should thenceforth admit of any such charge upon the Colledge without the consent of the Soveraign his Deputy or the Knights-Companions of the Order To this let us adjoin the care taken by the Injunctions of the 8. of February an 4. E. 6. for commemorating the bounty of the Benefactors of this Colledge to Posterity for there it is enjoyn'd That from thenceforth upon the Tuesday next after the third Sunday in Lent and on the first Tuesdays in Iune September and December some one of the Colledge should in a brief Sermon commend the munificence not only of the Founder and of King Henry the Eighth but of all other Noblemen whose bountifulness had appeared in their pious acts and set forth how greatly God is to be glorified who by them had bestowed so many benefits on the Colledge As also exhort his Auditors to use their gifts to the glory of God increase of Virtue and Learning and the pious intent of Benefactors and lastly pray the Almighty so to stir up the hearts of the living to bestow some part of their substance likewise to the increase of Religion and setting forth of his glory Thus far of the Canons Ecclesiastical Duty but those things which relate to their Civil Obligations are to attend the Soveraign or his Deputy and the Knights Companions at the Grand Feast of St. George whensoever celebrated at Windesor as also at the Feasts of Installation or when the Soveraign upon any other solemn occasion shall come to the Chappel of St. George to offer or lastly when any of the Knights-Companions being on a Journey neer the Castle come thither to offer likewise As touching their part in the Ceremonies
the Reign of King Richard the Second But since Mr. Selden does acknowledge him guilty of a mistake in the number of the first Knights-Companions and a gross one indeed it is by making them no fewer than forty why might he not likewise erre in this point namely the Time and as unwarily confound the year of its Erection with that wherein the Founder renewed the Order of the Round Table Windesor being the place for holding the grand celebration of both For should we admit that during some part of the great Solemnity held in this Kings 18. year the accident of the Ladies Garter slipping off happen'd and that the King taking it up declared he would make it highly renowned what other inference can be made but that he had then only an intention or resolution at most to do somewhat afterwards not that there was an Erection or Order actually Instituted at that time Besides if the King had been desirous to fall upon the establishment of the Order immediately upon the said accident yet may it well be supposed that the jollity of the season and remaining part of the Feast was too busie a time to admit of much consultation tending thereunto at least serious enough to mould a design so compleat and substantial as it appears to have been even at first whether we consider the substance of the Statutes of Institution or variety of the matter and so fully judiciously and warily contrived as little of that subject could be found worth the adding in many years after To these if we join the authority of Fabian he is plain that though the King design'd the Institution at the end of the Festival which he placeth between Candlemas and Lent in the 19. not 18. year of this King yet was it not then saith he but afterwards established by him As to the testimony given by the Author of Les grandes Chroniques de Britaigne c. who likewise alledgeth that the Institution of the Order was in the 18. year of the King We suppose his best authority was also taken from Froissart supposing him as Mr. Selden doth the more to be relied upon because he wrote so near that time But 't is a fault too frequent among Historians to run away with what they find spoken by those from whom they collect especially if such have gained any good opinion or credit in the world though perhaps erroneous without making a sufficient enquiry either into the probability or truth of the thing And for an instance of some unwariness in collecting we may trace the now mentioned Author in another passage relating to this matter where he tells us it was the day of St. Gregory instead of St. George whereon the Grand Feast of the Order was ordained to be solemnized We now see that Froissart and with him Mr. Selden place the beginning of this Order to the 18. year of King Edward's Reign with whom agrees Thomas Cooper in his Epitomy of Chronicles And yet the same Mr. Selden in another place notes that it took beginning in the 24. year of the said King and our industrious Stow with whom Lilly Speed and Segar agree tells us that the first Feast of the Order was celebrated in the year of our Lord 1350. which answers to the said four and twentieth year of King Edward the Third But Polydore Virgile in the series of his History placeth it after Henry Earl of Derby was created Duke of Lancaster and Ralph Lord Stafford Earl of Stafford which hapned in March anno 25. E. 3. Thus it appears that our Historians took little heed to transmit the true time of so famous an Institution to posterity and their neglect perhaps was the cause why our judicious Cambden became silent herein yet how this Chronological note slipt all their Pens is much to be wondred at We must therefore have recourse to some other proofs whence our Reader may receive better satisfaction Admitting then that the erecting this Order entered into Edward's thoughts at some of those grand Assemblies of the Round Table held after the French King had set up the like yet was it not brought to any maturity till after his glorious Triumphs over the French and Scots in the Battels of Crescy and Nevils Cross in which both the French and Scotch Armies were utterly vanquished and David King of Scots taken Prisoner and until King Edward had Calais surrendred to him as will now be manifest Among the Rolls of the great Wardrobe we have met with one which contains the Accounts of all the Kings Liveries from Michaelmas anno 21. E. 3. to the 31. of Ianuary in the 23. year of the same King In this Roll are divers things mentioned to be adorned with Garters which were provided against the first grand Feast of St. George and among the rest are the Robes for the Soveraign of the Order namely his Mantle Surcoat and Hood as also a Bed of Blue Taffaty adorned with embroidered Garters containing the Motto Honi soit qui mal y pense There were then likewise made for the Soveraign three Harnesses whereof two were of White Velvet wrought over with Garters de blu diaspriz per totum compedinem cum Woodhouses and the third de Velvetto Ynde cont Lappekin quisseux caligas wrought over likewise with Garters Had this Roll been divided into years or had there been other notes thereupon to have distinguished whether these particulars were made and provided at the beginning of his 22. year against the Feast-day of St. George ensuing or else towards the later end of that year against the same Feast-day anno 23. E. 3. we might have been thereby guided with more certainty as to the right and true year of the Institution However we may thence safely conclude that this Order was not founded in the 18. year of King Edward the Third according to Froissart and his Followers because we here find that the Soveraign's Robes were not made until the 22. year of his Reign at the soonest perhaps not till the beginning of the 23. But to put all out of further doubt the Founder's Statutes fix the time of Institution to his 23. year so do the Statutes of King Henry the Fifth and the Preface to the Black Book the same also is attested by Leland and affirmed by Mills and Doctor Heylin To conclude when this famous King had resolved upon the day and place for keeping the first grand Feast of this most noble Order which he designed to exhibit with as much glory as could be imagined He sent his Heralds into Germany France Scotland Burgundy Hainault Flanders and Brabant to invite all Knights and Esquires who were willing to meet at that grand Solemnity with assurance to every one of safe conduct and Liberty for fifteen days both before and after the same to shew their Military Prowess and Valour in all kind
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
Seals but also in those other belonging to their Courts of Justice and generally in all things except Coyns whereon the Scutcheon of their Arms have been since cut carved graved painted or wrought in imitation of whom the Knights-Companions have done the like But there were an 21. Car. 1. certain half Crowns stamped in the West of England having the Soveraign's Arms so encompassed and this was the first Money whereon the Royal Garter appeared amongst us And the present Soveraign intending the augmentation of the Honor of this renowned Order as in many other things so in advancing the reputation of this Noble Ensign by a more publick way hath caused the irradiated Cross of St. George encompassed about with the Royal Garter to be stamped in the Center of his Silver Coyn made upon the alteration of it anno 14. Car. 2. There were likewise Medals heretofore stamped upon several occasions wherein the Garter was designedly added some of which are here exhibited As that in the year when Frederick Prince Palatine of the Rhyne was crowned King of Bohemia and Robert Cecil Earl of Salisbury made Lord Treasurer of England both Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order We have seen Gold Rings cast into the Figure of Garters the ground on the outside enamelled with a deep Blue through which the golden Letters of the Motto appearing set them off with an admirable beauty And it seems such Garter Rings have been of ancient use since the Preface to the Black Book of the Order taking notice of wearing the Garter on the left Leg and Shoulder adds also the Thumb by which we suppose is meant Gold Rings made into the fashion of Garters and bestowed by some new installed Knights upon their Relations and Friends to wear in memorial of so great an honor conferred upon them Among the Officers belonging to the Order the Prelate is allowed to bear his proper Arms impal'd with those of his See within the Garter and the rest of the Officers are permitted only to wear the Badges of their Office surrounded with the same to express their peculiar relation to this most Noble Order Besides the manner of bearing Arms within the Garter of this Order the Garter either in whole or part hath been given by way of Armory but without the Motto and in sundry manners of bearing As in the Seal of Arms belonging to the Office of Garter Principal King of Arms where the Garter surrounding a Crown is placed in Chief between one of the Lions of England and a Flower de Lis of France And to instance in Families we find Argent three demy Garters Azure buckled and garnished Or granted by King Henry the Seventh to his Servant Peter Nerborne and Sable a Garter Or between three Buckles of the second to be born by the name of Buckland or Bowland in the County of Northampton SECT II. Of the Mantle IN the Founder's Statutes mention is made of no other Robe among those appointed for the Habit of this most Noble Order but only an upper Garment to which is there given the name of Mantle and is the chief of those Vestments which the Soveraign and Knights-Companions wear upon all solemn occasions relatâ—ng to the Order That this kind of Mantle was transferred and derived to us from the ancient Greeks and Romans is not to be doubted since it so little differs in fashion from their Pallium or Toga For the Grecian Pallium was a kind of long Cloak which only wanted a Coller or Cape and the Roman Toga a Garment as common in fashion with and proper to them as the Pallium to the Grecians and the use so ancient as Romulus is noted by Plutarch to have worn it We find the Pallium further described to be a kind of upper Robe that covered the whole Body made fast on the right shoulder with a Fibula or Clasp It was usually worn over the Tunica or short Coat whence grew the Proverb Tunica Pallio propinquior est and is more particularly observed by Erhard Cellius from the authority of Livie Suetonius Tacitus and other Latin Authors to have been a Garment made without Sleeves that reached down to the Ancles In describing this upper Robe called the Mantle the Soveraign's being differenced from the Knights-Companions only by a long Train we shall first set down the various Names given it in the Records of the Order secondly the Materials whereof made thirdly the Colour fourthly the Quantity and last of all the Ornamental Trimming used about it Wherein though some things hereafter inserted may perhaps to some seem light and trivial and fitter to fill up a a Taylors Bill than have place in a serious Discourse yet well knowing they will be thought to others worthy remembrance and as much esteemed as necessary to be known we thought good not to omit the least particular that might contribute to the satisfaction of any enquiry In the Founder's Statutes it is called Mantellum and in Henry the Fifth's Manteâ—â— both which in English we render a Mantle But the Exemplar of the Founder's Statutes entred in the Black Book and the Statutes of Henry the Eighth call it Trabea which Rosinus also reckons among the different kinds of Mantles or Gowns And in the 20. Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes it is applied both to the Mantle and Surcoat Sometime it is called Chlamyda sometime Stola but in other places and more agreable to the Greek and Latin denomination Pallium and Toga In the second place as to the Materials That Mantle made for the Founder against the first Feast of this Order appears to have been of fine Wollen Cloth And it is not unlikely the Founder made choice of Cloth for the Robes of the Order rather than any richer material to the end he might give a reputation to that our homebred and native Commodity albeit we find in the Statutes of Institution a permission for the Proxies of Forreign Princes to bring over with them Mantles of Silk or Velvet when they came to receive the possession of their Principals Stalls either because other Countries were better furnished with such Commodities than our English Cloth or that it might rather stand with the liking or esteem of Forreign Princes as accounting Silk or Velvet the nobler material How long the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order continued wearing of Cloth we cannot directly say the first time we discover their Mantles to be made of Velvet is about the beginning of the Reign of King Henry the Sixth which sort of Silk hath thence continued in use until this day About this time also we observe the Mantles of Forreign Princes were likewise made here of Velvet for so was that sent to the King of Portugal elected anno 13. H. 6. As touching the Mantles of the Knights-Companions there is no question but they were of the same
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
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
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
King of Russia and Moscovia married to Henry the First King of France in the year of our Lord 1051. and thus blazoned De Gueules à un homme à Cheval d' Argent tenant une Lance en la main qu'il darde en la gueule d'un Dragon renverse The Counts of Mansfield in Germany have likewise frequently stamped on their Coyns the Figure of St. George killing the Dragon from which we have singled out one bearing the name of St. George and placed it under the Number IV. In the last may be seen the Effigies of Vincentius Duke of Mantua and Montserat a Knight of the Order of the Golden Fleece and on the Reverse thereof St. George encountring the Dragon in the manner generally worn by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order of the Garter SECT X. When the Habit or part of it ought to be worn THere are several solemn days and occasions on which the Soveraign and Knights-Companions of the Garter are enjoined to wear either the whole Habit of the Order or some part of it The more solemn and which require a full conformity as to wearing the whole Habit that is the Garter Mantle Surcoat Hood Collar Great George and Cap are first the high Festival of the Order commonly called St. George's Feast whether it be solemnized on the 22 23 or 24. days of April annually or any other days within the following year by Prorogation And for this there is cleer Text in all the Bodies and Exemplars of the Statutes as also to the time how long they ought to be worn on every of those days before the Soveraign or Knights-Companions put them off For first it was Ordained That the Knights-Companions should put on the whole Habit on the Eve of St. George before the Soveraign proceeded to the Chappel to hear Divine Service and being so habited should attend the Soveraign to the Chapterhouse thence to the Chappel and return with him back continuing in the same manner habited as well such of them as should be minded to Sup as those that should not until after Supper nor might they put off their Robes until the Soveraign or his Deputy had put off his or declared it time for his or their so doing By the same third Article of the Statutes the wearing of the whole Habit was also enjoined on the Feast day of St. George both at their Proceeding in the morning to the Chapterhouse or Chappel at their return to Dinner from thence to the second Vespers and back to Supper as also till Supper should be ended and until the Soveraign or his Lieutenant took leave of the rest of the Knights-Companions Secondly it is manifest from King Henry the Eighth's Statutes that the Eve the day of St. George and morrow following were appointed to be kept with solemn service and holding of Chapters wheresoever the Soveraign should then be though the Grand Feast and Solemnity of St. George were prorogued to some further time in the year And therefore when by reason of such Prorogation the Knights-Companions do meet in any other place besides the Castle of Windesor to attend the Soveraign for the observation of St. George's day only they then are appointed to wear the whole Habit of the Order from beginning of the first Evening Service until the last Evening Service on St. George's day Thirdly on such other days of the year whereon the Grand Feast is held by Prorogation and during such part of the Eve and day of the Feast as is before appointed when the said Feast is held on its proper day Fourthly by absent Knights whensoever the Grand Feast of St. George should be celebrated and wheresoever they should at such time happen to reside or be if at liberty and not under restraint in like manner as if then present with the Soveraign or his Deputy in the place where he should celebrate the Feast The time of wearing the whole Habit in this case extends but to the end of the second Vespers as in the second instance above Fifthly in like manner are the Knights-Companions to wear the whole Habit of the Order at the Feasts of Installation I mean such of them as are appointed by the Soveraign to assist at that Ceremony where if it begin in the Evening then are they not disrobe themselves till after Supper and being the next morning habited as before then to proceed to the Chapterhouse or Chappel and not put off their Robes till Dinner be ended The less solemn Occasions are those which require wearing the Mantle or Collar of the Order only And they are first upon the morrow after the Grand Feast day when the Soveraign and Knights-Companions proceed to the Chappel and make their Offering of Gold and Silver for it then suffiseth that they put on the Mantle only which service being finished they were wont to leave at the Chapterhouse door as they went out of the Chappel Secondly as often as Chapters are called and in what place soever held either for Elections or other Causes as it shall please the Soveraign to name And also as often as it is requisite for the Soveraign or any of the Knights-Companions to enter into the Chappel of St. George at Windesor and with reference hereunto was it Ordained That every one of the Knights-Companions should leave a Mantle at Windesor to the end that upon any sudden and unexpected occasion of access thither there might be Robes found in readiness for the due observing the Statutes in this point with all the Commands and Decrees of the Soveraign It s manifest that anciently in pursuance of this Article both the Soveraign and Knights-Companions left Mantles in the Vestry at Windesor for such accidental Occasions for in the Inventory of Ornaments belonging to the Chappel taken an 8. Ric. 2. We find remaining at that time in the Vestry a Mantle belonging to the Soveraign another to Iohn Duke of Britain a third to Iohn Holland Earl of Huntingdon another to Edmund Langley Earl of Cambridge and one to Thomas Holland Earl of Kent all of them then alive And by a Decree past at the Grand Feast anno 1. H. 6. the Mantle of the young Soveraign was appointed to be left at Windesor as the Statutes required It is further to be noted that this Article of the Statutes was confirmed by King Henry the Eighth's Statutes by force whereof the Mantles of the Emperor Charles the Fifth and Anna Duke of Montmorency Constable of France were left in the custody of the Dean and Canons of Windesor And heretofore in the general Bill drawn up of things necessary to be prepared for Installation of a Knight-Companion there were usually two Mantles set down the use of the one being therein expresly mentioned to remain in the Colledge at Windesor and the other for all other occasions elsewhere These Mantles thus enjoined to be left in the Colledge
of April an 15. Car. 2. Sir Edward Walker now Garter represented to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions by Petition That the annual Pensions of the Installed Knights then in arrear for one year amounted to 94 l. 13 s. 04 d. according to the proportions last above decreed whereof the Soveraign's part he being to pay for all Stranger-Knights was at that time 32 l. 13 s. 4 d. And therefore humbly prayed that his Majesty would please to grant him and his Successors to receive in lieu not only of the said Pensions from Himself and Knights-Companions both Strangers and Subjects but for quitting his right and just pretence to his annual Pension of 50 l. to his allowances for preparing Scutcheons and removal of Atchievements 100 l. per annum out of the yearly Revenue setled and assigned to the use of the Order This Petition the Soveraign was pleased to refer to a Committee of the Knights-Companions namely the Duke of Albemarle the Earls of Lindsey Manchester Sandwich and Strafford who being attended by Garter and consideration had upon the Proposals contained in the Petition they humbly offered their opinions to the Soveraign to grant him the said 100 l. per annum in lieu of what he offered to quit and thereby he should not only gratifie him by preserving the interest of his Office in a more certain way than it was but be freed from those small payments for Strangers and other yearly Charges the Petitioner pretended unto as also exempt the Knights Subjects from the payment of their annual Pensions Shortly after the Chancellor Register and Garter attended the Soveraign with the Report which he approving of ordered the Chancellor to pay unto Garter and his Successors the said annual sum of 100 l. which he accordingly performed and for testimony thereof signed the ensuing Declaration I Henry de Vic Knight Chancellor of the most Noble Order of the Garter do certifie and declare That upon certain Proposals made by Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms to the Lords Commissioners for the Affairs of the said Order It was certified by a Writing under their said Lordships hands dated the 26. May 1663. That in lieu of all Fees and Salaries in the said Proposals contained the said Sir Edward and his Successors Garters and Principal Kings of Arms shall be paid by me and my Successors in the said Office of Chancellor of the Garter the sum of one hundred pounds by â—he year out of the Revenue of the Order with which Writing having attended the Soveraign his Majesty was pleased to conform unto it and to direct in his Commission unto me under the Seal of the Order to pay and issue the said one hundred pounds accordingly to the said Sir Edward Walker Garter In witness whereof I have set my Hand and Seal to this present Certificate this 5. August 1664. De Vic. Canc. Touching the Duty of this Officer in general it is to perform or cause to be done what business soever relating to this Order the Soveraign or Prelate or Chancellor shall enjoyn him to do but his duty in particular is dispersedly set down in the following Discourse under such heads to which it properly relates SECT V. Institution of the Black Rod's Office his Oath Habit Ensign Badge Priviledges and Pension THis Officer was instituted by the Founder of this most Noble Order but whether so soon as the Institution of the Order doth not yet appear Howbeit within a few years after viz. the 13. of April in the 35. year of his Reign he granted to William Whitehorse Esq for life Officium Hostiarii Capellae Regis infra Castrum de Windesore with a Fee of twelve pence a day out of his Exchequer An. 3. H. 4. This Office is called Officium Virgarii comitivâ— de la Garter infra Castrum Regis de Windesore and under that title was then granted to Thomas Sye with the Fees and Profits thereunto belonging In the Patent granted to his Successor Iohn Athilbrigg an 1. H. 5. we observe it called Officium Virgarii sive Ostiarii c. Afterwards it hath this Title Officium Virgae-baiuli coram Rege ad Festum Sancti Georgii infra Castrum Regis de Windesore And ever since it hath past in Patents by the name of Virgae-baiulus Virgarius or Nigri-virgifer But in the Constitutions of his Office he hath given to him the title of Hostiarius and these qualifications put upon him That he be a Gentleman of Blood and Arms born within the Soveraign's Dominions and if he be not a Knight at his entrance upon the Office he ought then to be Knighted As Garter was declared the Principal Officer of Arms so was the Black Rod for the honor of the Order appointed the Chief Vsher in the Kingdom And as he is so and frequently called Gentleman Vsher of the Black Rod so we shall wave as we did in the account of Garter's Office all things appertaining to his Imployments other than what directly relate to this most Noble Order In a Chapter held at Whitehall the 13. of February an 6. Car. 1. it was Decreed That the Office of Black Rod should from thenceforth successively as soon as the same should become void Iames Maxwell Esquire then enjoying the Office be annext to some one of the Gentlemen Ushers daily-waiters whom the Soveraign should appoint This was obtained upon the Petition of the Gentlemen Vshers daily-waiters seconded by the Lord Chamberlain the Earl Marshal and divers others of the Knights-Companions as appears from another Petition of theirs presented to the Soveraign in Chapter held at Oxford the 17. of Ian. an 20. Car. 1. But it seems some years after this Decree past viz. an 1642. the Lord Lenerick Secretary for Scotland had on Mr. Maxwell's behalf obtained the Soveraign's hand to a Warrant for passing Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England for two lives his own and Mr. Thayne's and the longest liver of them whereby the Soveraign's intention signified in the foresaid Decree to the Gentlemen-Vshers was frustrate of which they complaining in this last mentioned Chapter the Soveraign and Knights-Companions then present in regard this later Grant was not only repugnant to the preceding Decree and the Great Seal surreptitiously gained but ought to have pass'd the Seals of the Order to be made authentical according to a Decree made an 20. Car. 1. Ordered That Peter Newton Esquire should be presently sworn into this Office Which was then done in the presence of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Nevertheless shortly after the present Soveraign's happy return viz. 14. Ian. 1660. the said Peter Newton being deceased the Gentlemen-Vsherâ— daily-waiters petitioned the Soveraign in Chapter for the void place which being read the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Ordered That the Petition should be shewed to Mr. Thaine and he to be heard in the next Chapter what cause he could alledge why
Institution we observe from its insertion into the following bodies of Statutes to have been sufficiently confirmed nor hath it since received alteration howbeit some enlargement and explanation was given thereunto in the 21. year of King Iames at a Chapter held the last day of the Feast viz. the 24. of April at Windesor where in the first place among other things then also established it was thus Decreed That the Soveraign being advertised of the death of a Knight-Companion of the Order the Knights-Companions remaining at the Court should move him to declare his pleasure whether he would that Letters should be sent to all the Knights-Companions within the Realm to attend his person for the choice of a new Knight at a day by the said Soveraign appointed according to the ancient Statutes of the Order or be pleased to defer the Election until the day and Feast of St. George at what time Elections have been most usually made wherein the Soveraign ' s pleasure and direction was to be followed and observed and according as he resolved in what place it should be so it ought by Letters directed to the Knights-Companions within the Realm to be made known unto them This deferring or proroguing the Election was to say truth no new thing nor more than what had been anciently practised though not indulged by the Statutes of Institution or declared Law before this 21. year of King Iames as appears from the fore-cited Letters of Summons both which take notice of the limitation of time given by the Statutes after Certificate of death viz. six weeks within the compass whereof a new Election was to be made And where a Chapter for Election could not conveniently be held within that limited time it was enough if the Soveraign declared as he did in that Summons sent after Sir Robert D'umfrevils death and entred in the Black Book That being then involved in other business he could not well attend this Affair and therefore deferred the time for Election unto the Eve of St. George next following So that it is plain the Decree an 21. of King Iames was but declaratory of an old and practised Custom But of later times this formal way of Summons by Letter to Knights-Companions attending at the Court hath been left off yet continued to such as are remote and notice given them by a verbal message only For the Chancellor of the Order having known the Soveraign's pleasure as to the day and place usually acquaints Garter therewith who thereupon goeth immediately to the Knights-Companions then at Court and desires their attendance at the Chapter according to the Soveraign's appointment And here it is to be understood that no Knights-Elect ought to be summoned to a Chapter of Election or are capable of giving their Votes therein until they be compleatly installed either in Person or by Proxy Nor indeed did any necessity fall out from the Foundation of the Order that did require they should until the late rebellious times when the Castle of Windesor being Garrisoned by the Parliaments Forces it was not possible for his Royal Highness the Duke of York and his Highness Prince Rupert to take possession of their Stalls in such manner as the Law of the Order enjoined Therefore the then Soveraign to whom the power of dispensing with any of the Statutes is reserved did on the 17. of Ian. an 1644. so inevitable necessity requiring dispence with their Installation in the Chappel of St. George at Windesor for the present and invested them with all the Priviledges of the Order among which the power of giving their Votes in Chapter was one Provided these Princes should first take the Oath given at Installations and afterwards perform the accustomed Ceremonies at Windesor so soon as it should be thought fit after the Castle was delivered out of the power of the Rebels and returned into the possession of the Soveraign of this most Noble Order In compliance with this Proviso they both then took the Oath And on the Eve of the first Feast of St. George celebrated after the present Soveraign's happy Restauration the Duke was Installed by the Earls of Northumberland and Berkshire and on the Eve of the second Feast being the 22. of April an 15. Car. 2. the Prince likewise received his Installation by the hands of the Duke of Albemarle and Earl of Lindsey SECT II. The Place of Assembly BUT at what time soever this Ceremoney of Election is appointed the same ought to be celebrated in Chapter for so is the assembly of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions called wheresoever or whensoever held on this occasion whether at the Solemnity of St. George's Feast which hath been the ordinary and most usual time or on other certain days set apart for this affair by more special appointment of the Soveraign And therefore when the Soveraign thinks fitting in the interval of Feasts to Elect any Forreign Prince or other person either Stranger or Subject He many times doth it in peculiar Chapters called to that end and purpose and then he appoints his own both day and place having the prerogative to declare them at pleasure This we find hath been practiced both heretofore and of late times and by those few of many Chapters holden at sundry places most convenient to the Soveraign's present occasions drawn out and here exhibited will be sufficiently manifest whereunto we shall add the Names of those Persons of eminence who at such times and places have been Elected Place Day and Year Knights Elected 1. Sign of the Lion in Brainford 11. Iuly 24. H. 6. Albro de Vasques Dalmadea Earl of Averentia 1. Sign of the Lion in Brainford 11. Iuly 24. H. 6. Lord Beauchamp 1. Sign of the Lion in Brainford 11. Iuly 24. H. 6. Lord Hoo. 2. Soveraign's Bedchamber at Westminster 27. Nov. 25 H. 6. Sir Francis Surreyne 3. London within the Bishop's Palace 8. Febr. 39. H. 6. Richard Earl of Warwick 3. London within the Bishop's Palace 8. Febr. 39. H. 6. Lord Bonvile 3. London within the Bishop's Palace 8. Febr. 39. H. 6. Sir Thomas Kyriell 3. London within the Bishop's Palace 8. Febr. 39. H. 6. Sir Iohn Wenlock 4. Tower of London 8. Aug. 14. E. 4. Guido Vbaldus Duke of Vrbin 4. Tower of London 8. Aug. 14. E. 4. Henry Percy Earl of Northumberland 5. Starchamber 15. May 15. E. 4. Edward Prince of Wales  15. May 15. E. 4. Richard Duke of York  15. May 15. E. 4. Thomas Grey Marquess Dorset 6. Soveraign's Bedchamber in the Wardrobe London 10. Febr. 19. E. 4. Ferdinand King of Spain 6. Soveraign's Bedchamber in the Wardrobe London 10. Febr. 19. E. 4. Hercules Duke of Ferrara 7. Greenwich 14. July 15. H. 8. Lord Ferrers 8. Caelais 27. Oct. 24. H. 8. Anne Montmorency Earl of Beaumont 8. Caelais 27. Oct. 24. H. 8. Philip Chabot Earl of Newblanke 9. Hampton-Court 9. Jan. 32. H. 8. Edward Seymour Earl of Hertford 10.
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
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
behalf of the Prelate For instance an 4. Eliz. the Register in the absence of the Chancellor who was sick upon the Feast day of St. George collected the Suffrages and an 8. â—liz George Carew then Register of the Order took the Votes of the Knights-Compaions in absence of Sir William Petre Chancellor of the Order So also anno Iacobi 4. where the cause of the Chancellor's absence is noted to be sickness and an 6. Iac. to be death In the first of these Instances we find the Prelate expresly mentioned to be present in the two following his presence implyed for it is said that the four Officers of the Order did attend both Feasts whereof the Chancellor being wanting the Prelate must needs be one Now all these passages seem to relate to the Chancellor's rather than the Prelate's right by this Remarque That every of the Scrutenies were taken in the absence of the Chancellor which looks something like a cautionary note that intended the preservation of the right of performing this service to the Chancellor rather than the Prelate Furthermore when a Deputy Chancellor hath been admitted to officiate in the Chancellor's absence he and not the Prelate hath taken the Scruteny though present as at that made for the Election of his sacred Majesty the present Soveraign the 20 day of May an 14. Car. 1. and at another Scruteny taken the 22. of May following As also when the Suffrages were collected for the Election of his Highness the Duke of York and Prince Rupert at York anno 17. Car. 1. But there is one passage more upon taking a Scruteny an Iac. 22. which seems advantageous to the Chancellor in this point where it is said That when the Knights-Companions had given their Votes as in the Annals they are described the Chancellor who according to his Office was to receive them presented them to the Soveraign Howbeit in truth we find no sufficient ground for the Register to record this as done by the Chancellor by virtue of his Office or any one Act or Decree of Chapter that hath suspended or taken off the Prelate's right which is reserved to the Prelate even by the Patent for erecting the Office of Chancellor particularly in those things which touching the Order ought by the Statutes of the Institution to belong to him But forasmuch as at the usual time of performing this Ceremony in the Chappel the Prelate if present is presumed to be officiating at the Altar in discharge of another part of his Duty Upon this consideration hath the service been then imposed upon the Chancellor and others Lastly we have observed the Scruteny to be once taken by Garter an 16. Car. 1. at the Election of the renowned Thomas Earl of Strafford but this was at a time when not only the Prelate but all the other Officers of the Order excepting Sir Iohn Burrough Garter were absent and consequently this Service being so performed by him ought rather be judged from what hath been said to have been done in the Prelate's than Chancellor's right SECT IX The Time when BUT whosoever of the Officers of the Order they were that gathered the Knights-Companions Suffrages the time when they entred upon this duty in the intervals of Feasts where the occasion required a peculiar Chapter to be called for Election was usually after the Chapter had been opened and the matter of Election proposed by the Soveraign after which to the execution of this accustomed employment the Officer usually proceeded with great Reverence and all possible Respect Howbeit upon an extraordinary occasion in the interval of the Grand Feasts the Soveraign hath sometimes caused and assembly of the Knights-Companions to be had at the Castle of Windesor who in the Choire of St. George's Chappel not Chapter-house after the more solemn way have delivered in their Nominations and returning thence into the Chapter-house He there hath made his Election Thus did King Henry the Eighth upon the 7. of Iune in the 17. year of his Reign in reference to the Election of the Lord Henry Fitz Roy so is he styled in the Scruteny and there ranked among the Barons for as yet he was not created Duke of Somerset and Richmond nor until the 18. day of the same Month and Ralph Nevil Earl of Westmerland the Ceremony of whose Nominations having been performed in the Choire the Soveraign returned into the Chapter-house where the Election passed Again we observe that the 20. of May an 14. Car. 1. being Trinity Sunday the Soveraign caused a Chapter to be held that afternoon in the Chapter-house at Windesor in reference also to the Nomination and Election of his Sacred Majesty the present Soveraign at the breaking up whereof the Soveraign and Knights-Companions proceeded immediately to Saint George's Chappel where at Evening Prayer which was not within the compass of the Feâ—st for that began not until the next day the Scruteny was taken And besides those Examples which shew the Nominations have been collected upon peculiar occasions in the Choire at Windesor there are also one or two Instances where it appears they have been also taken in the Chappel at Whitâ—hall as on the 15. of May an 1. Car. 1. at the Election of Edward Earl of Dorsâ—t Henry Earl of Holland and Thomas Viscount Andever afterwards Earl of Berkshire as also on the 4. of Iuly the same year whereat the Duke of Chevereux was chosen one of the Companions of this most Noble Order Otherwise and that most usually the Suffrages have been collected at the second Vespers or in the time of Evening Prayer on St. George's day or that day whereon the Feast of St. George hath been celebrated by Prâ—râ—gation And with this note of time do we find the taking of divers Scrutenies marked Howbeit we once have met with a scruteny made in the Chapter-house at Windesor on the Eve of the Grand Feast at which the Person immediately Elected was sent for in and had the Ensigns of the Order placed upon him when forthwith the Soveraign proceeded to the Chappel and after some space the Elect Knight followed to his Installation And this was the case of Iames Marquess Hamilton an 6. Car. 1. who being necessitated to begin his Voyage the next morning towards Germany whither he went General of 6000 Foot in assistance of the King of Sweden occasioned the Soveraign to dispatch these Ceremonies on the Eve of the Feast Formerly the time wherein the Scruteny was begun to be taken in the Chappel may be noted to have been spoken of somewhat general and indefinite as in the 2. 3 4 5. 8. and 9. years of Queen Elizabeth during the time of Evening Prayer And so in like manner an 4. Iac. and an 13. Car. 1. And when the Feast of St. George was held at Whitehall upon the 18. of April an 13.
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
time remembred and provided against to secure such from passing through the Soveraign's Election For this cause also were the words ut minimum That he be at least a Knight before he be elected added as a special Item to give a more than ordinary caution when the Soveraign comes to make his Choice And to make it clear that the second Article in the Statutes hath long since received this construction we shall insert an eminent case which fell out an 17. H. 8. where the Soveraign keeping the Feast of St. George at Greenwich having Elected the Lord Roos created Earl of Rutland the 18. of Iune following into the Society of this most Noble Order and being advertised on the morrow after St. Georges day while the Mass of Requiem was celebrating that he had not before received the dignity of Knighthood according to the Statutes which positively enjoin That whosoever is elected into this Society should be in degree at least a Knight that is actually Knighted beforehand for so the words ut minimum here in this place also of the Annals vouched ought justly to be understood in regard the Lord Roos was at the time of his Election a Baron of this Realm and consequently stated in a higher degree of honor than a Knight The Soveraign therefore immediately after Mass recalled the Knights-Companions to a new consultation whereat he declared the Election void for the reason before alledged and commanded the Ensigns of the Order the Garter and George so lately received to be withdrawn which being accordingly done He in the same place drew his Sword and therewith dubbed him Knight and then proceeded with the Knights-Companions present to a new Election wherein the said Lord Roos was with their unanimous consent again Elected a Companion and so declared by the Soveraign's own mouth by whose command also the aforesaid Ensigns and Ornaments were restored unto and placed upon him by the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk And declaratory to this is it since recorded in the Red Book of the Order That none of the English Scotch or Welch Nation how considerable soever otherwise in the prerogative of Blood or Virtue can be Elected into this most honorable Society but that he ought to be first ennobled and rendred capable by this first Degree of Knightly honor But in reference to Foreign Princes being in their own Country this Law hath now no force for by a Decree made at Whitehall in a Chapter there held the 18. day of April an 13. Car. 1. it being the day whereon the Feast of St. George was also celebrated these words ut minimum are explained to relate to all Subjects of what Degree soever within the Soveraign's Dominions not Foreign Princes who before their Election at least if not Nomination ought to be Knighted as the Basis and first Degree of Chivalry And as they ought to be Knights so as well Knights free from Infamy or Reproach for so the Statutes of Institution enjoin In Henry the Fifth's Statutes it is thus rendred Chivalier sans reproche which is the same with Eques irreprehensus And we find it one of the Arguments used by Iohn Duke of Bedford on the behalf of Sir Iohn Radcliff to promote his Election That he had continued and exercised the Armies the space of eight and twenty Winters unreproached But for as much as the points of Reproach may be accounted many and diverse and through their incertainty and number rather become Traps to enshare than Rules for caution and direction King Henry the Eighth determined and limited them to Three only The first species or point of Reproach is where a Knight hath been convicted of Heresie against the Catholique faith or suffered any publique punishment for such offence Here we may see Heresie is reckoned among those defects that deprive men of Honor in as much as bending its force against the Catholique Church it not only renders a man in the ballance of Honor of no weight but more than all other sins makes him infamous And therefore when either by Tongue Pen or Actions a man endeavours to trample under foot the sacred Law scandalizeth Government seduceth others or in like execrable wickednesses discovers himself he is judged void of Conscience and â—quity and a most notorious destroyer of that divine part of man the Soul and consequently deserving not of external infamy alone which the guilt of this Offence justly coâ—tracts but other punishments extending to life The second Point of Reproach is where any Knight hath been arraigned convicted and attainted of Treason Nevertheless Queen Elizabeth qualifies this point by a Decree in Chapter held at the Tower the 12. of Ianuary in the first year of her Reign which we conceive was made upon occasion of restoring in Blood William Marquess of Northampton and the Lord Robert Dudley after created Earl of Leicester who with others had been attainted of high Treason in the first of Queen Mary and the attainder confirmed by Parliament the same year viz. That in case any Person so convicted were pardoned by the Soveraign and restored in Blood every such Gentleman in Name Arms and Blood and descended as aforesaid being otherwise qualified according to the ancient Statutes of the Order should be thenceforth accounted Eligible and might be chosen a Companion And we find that the very next St. George's Feast held the 22.23 and 24. of April following the said Marquess of Northampton and the Lord Robert Dudley who during the remaining part of Queen Maries Reign lay under the burden of a heavy fate had now recovered the Priviledges of Honor and were preferr'd in Nomination and on the last day of the said Feast Elected into this most Illustrious Society And here may further notice be taken of the said Marquess of Northampton's case who having been restored in Blood and his restauration to the honor of this most Noble Order also designed for he had been formerly an 35. H. 8. Elected and Installed it was thought necessary to descend to a new Nomination and Election which as may be collected from the aforesaid Decree ought now to be done and was in him accordingly performed the 3. of Iune anno primo Eliz. The third and last Point of Reproach is where a Knight-Companion hath fled from Battel in which the Soveraign or his Lieutenant or other Captain having the Kings authority were present when Banners were displayed and both sides proceeded to fight Now for a man to carry himself cowardly in the Field abandon his Colours leave his Prince Friends and Companions in hazard of life are undoubtedly things highly reproachful and draw dishonor upon the Order the Soveraign and Knights-Companions and a sufficient testimony that he valueth more his life than his honor and prefers an infamous safety before an honorable death If we look back into ancient History we shall meet with a
hither being pronounced by the Chancellor if the Soveraign or his Lieutenant be present otherwise by the Register To the land and honor of Almighty God his imaculate Mother and Saint George the holy Martyr tye or gird your Leg with this Noble Garter wearing it to the encrease of your honor and in token and remembrance of this most Noble Order remembring that thereby you being admonished and encouraged in all just Battels and Wars which only you shall take in hand both strongly to fight valiantly to stand and honorable to have the Victory But against the Investiture of the present Soveraign the words of Signification being better weighed and considered were put into this form To the honor of God omnipotent and in memorial of the blessed Martyr St. George tye about thy Leg for thy renown this Noble Garter wear it as the Symbol of the most illustrious Order never to be forgotten or laid aside That thereby thou mayst be admonished to be courageous and having undertaken a just War into which only thou shalt be engaged thou mayest stand firm valiantly fight and successfully conquer The Princely Garter being in manner aforesaid buckled on and the words of Signification pronounced the Elect-Knight is brought before the Soveraign who puts about his Neck the George pendant at a Skie coloured Ribband at which part of the Ceremony the Admonition used at the adorning of an Installed Knight with the Collar of the Order changing only the word Collar for Ribband is pronounced but were thus framed for the before mentioned occasion of the present Soveraign's Investiture with the George and Ribband Weaâ— this Ribband about thy Neck adorned with the Image of the blessed Martyr and Soldier of Christ St. George by whose imitation provoked thou mayest 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 In further progress upon this Ceremony we shall note that so great a respect hath been given to Foreign Princes who receive the honor here that the Soveraign most usually performs the Investiture himself For so when Philip King of Castile received a personal Investiture in the Chapter-house at Windesor it was from the Soveraign's own hands for he took the Garter from the King of Arms put it about the Kings Leg and Prince Henry fastned the Buckle Queen Elizabeth her self buckled the Garter about the Leg of Iohn Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhyne and hung about his Neck a Gold Chain with the George at it The like honor did King Iames to the Duke of Holâ—tein in the third year of his Reign And now and then though seldom out of special grace and favour hath the Soveraign done this honor to a Knight-Subject though when Queen Eliz. was pleased to adorn the Lord Burghley with the Garter the Annals note it to be done as it were by the by and Henry Earl of Susseâ— an 31. Eliz. received these Ensigns of the Order from the Soveraign her self The like favour did she to the Earl of Shrewsbury in the 34. year of her Reign So also did King Iames invest Henry Earl of Northampton with the principal Ensigns of the Order as a person worthy so great an honor and lastly his late Mâ—jesty of blessed memory placed both the Garter and George upon the present Soveraign the 21. of May 1638. with his own hands Sometimes the Soveraign hath performed but part of the Investiture and commanded the senior Knight to do the rest Thus when the Earl of Devonshire an 13. H. 8. received these Ensigns it was on this manner first the Soveraign reached out the Garter to the Marquess Dorset and commanded him buckle it about his left Leg which as he was doing the Duke of Norsolk gave him his assistance then the Soveraign put on the Gold Chain with the Image of Saint George at it At the Investiture of Christian Duke of Brunswick an 22. Iac. R. the Soveraign put about his neck the Blue Ribband whereat hung the Effigies of St. George and the Earls who introduced him to the Soveraign's presâ—â—â—e buckled on the Garter The like did the late Soveraign to William Earl of Northampton an 4. Car. 1. at which time the Earl of Penbroke fastned the Garter about his left Leg and an 9. Car. 1. the Earls of Danby and Moreton were both of them invested with the George by the Soveraign himself while the Earl of Penbroke invested the former and the Earl of Carlisle the latter with the Garter So also since the Soveraign's happy return in the cases of the Prince of Denmark the Dukes of Monmouth Cambridge and Albemarle was the Investiture begun with the George And thus we see that an 22. Iac. Reg. the order of Investiture began to be inverted the George and Ribband being then first put on and the Garter last Nevertheless the Garter as it was the first so the principal and most worthy Ensign of the Order and therefore in the practice of all former times thought fit to have the precedence of Investiture given it and was so observed at the Investiture of the present Soveraign Lastly the Investiture with these two Ensigns hath for the most part been heretofore performed by the two senior Knights and at the command of the Soveraign but always in his presence the Chapter sitting but if absent then by his Lieutenant and so it hapned an 31. Eliz. for the Lord Buckhurst being Elected at Whitehall upon the 24. of April that year and coming to Court having no knowledge of his Election after the Soveraign was risen yet leaving the Chapter sitting her Lieutenant invested him both with the Garter and George The Solemnity of Investiture being compleated the Elect-Knight recollecting himself with all befitting humility renders thanks to the Soveraign for these Tokens and Ensigns of Honor and after with due respects salutes the Knights-Companions who thereupon re-salute the Elect-Knight and joyfully receive him into their Fellowship Society In case two or more Elect-Knights receive the honor of this Investiture at one time then so soon as the senior hath been Invested and his humble thanks presented he passeth down towards the Chapter-house door and there stands while the next junior is in like manner invested which Ceremony being ended he also goes down and stands with the other Elect-Knight and so do the rest in order if there be more present that attend their Investiture until the Chapter break up SECT IV. Of sending the Garter and George to an Elect-Knight Subject WHere a Knight-Subject at the time of his Election is remote from Court or beyond Sea and the Soveraign determines to send him the two principal Ensigns of the Order the charge of this employment doth of right belong to Garter and herein there are divers Precedents Sir
9. Eliz. nevertheless the Feast of Installation was therein excepted and appointed to be solemnized at that place And this was again provided for among the before mentioned Orders an Iac. Regis 21. to wit That after an Election made of a Knight of the Order his Installation should be performed at Windesor according to the ancient Custom and Statutes of the Order When therefore the Soveraign hath been pleased to prefix a certain day for Installation in order to this great Solemnity several things are necessarily to be prepared as namely 1. a Commission to admit and install the Elect-Knight 2. Letters to each of the Commissioners and the Elect-Knight for their repair to Windesor 3. Warrants for the Soveraign's Livery 4. a Bill or Warrant for the removal of Stalls and Atchievements all which are to be obtained from the Soveraign under his Sign manual by the Chancellor of the Order and 5. lastly the Knights own Preparations among which his Atchievements are to be got in readiness for setting up so soon as he is Installed SECT III. Of Commissions for Installation IN the first place we are to note that no Elect-Knight can be Installed unless by the Soveraign of the Order himself or being present by such of the Knights-Companions whom he shall verbally authorize or if absent by his Commission drawn up in writing and past under the great Seal of the Order directed either to his Lieutenant or Knights-Commissioners We have met with but one Instance where the Soveraignâ—ath â—ath been pleased to honor a Knight by performing the Ceremony of Installation himself and that was in the case Philip King of Castile and Leon an 22 H. 7. yet it is probable enough that Sigismond the Emperor and anciently some other Foreign Princess of eminence and dignity might receive Installation from other of the Soveraigns though no memorial thereof hath been transmitted to us As to the Soveraign's verbal appointment we shall mention it by and by But in reference to Installation by Commission we shall speak of it here For it was Ordained by the Statutes of Institution That in case the Soveraign should be absent out of the Kingdom at the time of Installation of any of the Knights so that he could not personally perform those things his Office obliged him to it should be lawful for him to constitute as his Deputy in this affair whomsoever of the Society he should think fit and he to have power and authority in the Soveraign's name to perform and execute those things which it would have been his own part to have done had he been present By virtue of this Article the Soveraign's Deputy or Lieutenant in his absence performed the Ceremony before the Reign of King Henry the Eighth which was usually done at the Feast of St. George for the Celebration of which he had another Commission but in the Commission given out for Installation formerly the Lieutenant was first named and the Knights-Companions appointed for his Assistants at the said Feast were joined with him in the Commission for Installation to assist in that Ceremony also but of later times the Commission hath pass'd to the Lieutenant alone King Henry the Eight enlarged the powers given by the former Statutes to a Deputy to two or more of the Knights-Companions that should exercise the same by the Soveraign's Letters of Commission And therefore by the liberty and priviledge of this Article whensoever after the Soveraigns did appoint an Installation at other times of the year than at the Feast of St. George they then delegated their authority to such of the Knights-Companions as were thought most fit to perform this great Ceremony And the very next year after making this Statute we find such a Commission issued to the Marquess Dorset and Earls of Devonshire and Kent to Instal the Lord Ferrars of Chartley the substance of which hath been ever since and is yet retained though the form hath received some little Variation as may be seen by two other Commissions immediately following in the Appendix The particular powers granted by the Commissioiners are these to accept and admit the Knight Elect into the Order to receive his Oath and to Instal him and the general power is to do and accomplish every thing which belongeth to his due Admittance and full Installation as to the Statutes and laudable Usageâ— Rules and Customs of this Order appertaineth We shall only add this observation out of the Commission given to the Marquess Dorset and the Lord Cobham an 5. E. 6. for Installation of the Lord Darâ—y which else is the same verbatim with former Commissions that in the last clause of general power the word Vsage is put down instead of the words Statutes and laudable Customs which were generally inserted in the more ancient Commissions perhaps as restraining the Ceremonies of Installation to such as were in use about that time when many Ceremonies accustomably used were forborn not what the Statutes and laudable Customs of formerly days had appointed and pracâ—ised Howbeit shortly after these words were restored to the Commissions of Installation as appears from a and Lord Clynton an 2. 3. Ph. Mar. for the Installation of Anthony Brown Viscount Mountague SECT IV. Letters of Summons BEsides the Commission impowering the Soveraign's Lieutenant or Knights-Commissioners therein named to Instal the Elect-Knight it hath been usual for the Soveraign upon the Chancellors motion to issue out Letters of Summons under his privy Signet but of late under the Signet of the Order both to the Commissioners for Installation and to the Elect Knights Those to the Commissioners are directed severally to each nominated in the Commission the effect whereof is to give them notice of the Installation and to require their repair to Windesor against the day therein assigned to the end the Elect Knight might proceed to his Installation a Precedent whereof is also added in the Appendix But at the Installation of Algernon Earl of Northumberland an 11. Car. 1. a Clause to this purpose is inserted into the Commission it self Those directed to the Elect Knight pass likewise under the Soveraign's Sign manual and Signet of the Order by which he is required to repair to Windesor Castle at a certain day therein prefixt to proceed to his Installation according to the Statutes of the Order and of this kind we have also inserted a Form in the Appendix Where note that if there be two or more Knights appointed to be Installed on the same day the like Letter is sent to each of them the difference being only in the direction Besides these Letters sent from the Soveraign the Chancellor in case the Soveraign afford his presence in his Circular Letters to the Knights-Companions for their repair to the Feast of St. George gives them also intimation of the designed Installation And if the said Feast be held either by the Soveraign or his
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
themselves to the Stranger-Prince in the accustomed manner of Ambassadors and deliver the Soveraign's Letters Missive with all due reverence The Ambassador therewithall signifying after some short general Complement from the Soveraign how his Master and the honorable Society of the Garter in respect of his renowned prowess valour virtues c. and for to establish and augment the amity which is betwixt them hath Elected him into the most renowned Order of St. George and that the Soveraigns do never Elect any Stranger but such as they do most highly honor and therefore desires that it may be accepted as a true testimony thereof to which end the Soveraign hath sent him over and his Herald there present to perform the Ceremonies due thereunto But of late when through the Soveraign's multitude of Affairs in particular the late Soveraign while engaged in the Wars or suddenness of the occasion they have had no convenience for the present to send a special Commission of Legation with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to any Stranger They therefore thought fit at such time as they sent their Letters signifying Election to Commissionate their Agent residing in that Princes Court and Garter Principal King of Arms to deliver part but the two chief and most peculiar of the Ensigns of this most illustrious Order namely the Garter and George pendent at a Blue Ribband to the Elect Stranger deferring the solemn Legation till a further and more convenient time The first Precedent we have met with in this kind was an 10 Iac. R. when Sir Ralph Winwood and William Seagar Esq Garter afterwards Knighted were Commissionated to deliver only at the present the Garter and George to Maurice Prince of Orange the rest of the Habit being intended to be presented afterwards in their due time And this was so done within five days after his Election that Ceremony being dispatcht on the 19. of December in the foresaid year and the Soveraign's Letter 's of notice and the Commission both bearing date the 24. of the same month In like manner were the Garter and George only sent over to Charles Prince Palatine of the Rhyne and presented to him by William Boswell then Esq the Soveraign's Agent in Holland and Iohn Philpot Esq Somerset Herald an 9. Car. 1. So the late Soveraign by reason of the many disturbances occasioned by the unhappy War with the Long Parliament could not conveniently send over to William Prince of Orange and Bernard de Foix Duke of Fspernon other Ensigns of the Order than the George and Garter And lastly during the present Soveraign's aboad in Foreign parts it was the general practice in regard the whole Habit could not with conveniency be provided nor the Ceremonies of Investiture fully performed to present the Elect-Knight in confirmation of his Election whether he were a Stranger or Subject with the Garter George Ribband and sometimes a Saint George's Cross irradiated within a Garter to be fixt on the left shoulder of their Cloaks or upper Garments of which we shall speak more largely in the following Chapter SECT IV. Certificate of Acceptation AFter that the Soveraign's Letter signifying Election hath been delivered by the Ambassador and the Elect-Stranger doth readily accept the Order and thereupon is desirous to have it confirmed to him he is obliged by the Statutes to return to the Soveraign a Certificate of such his acceptance and desire of ratification And we observe that before this additional Clause made by King Henry the Eighth this ceremonious course had been of ancient time practised and both expected from and observed by the King of Denmark who having been Elected an 6. H. 5. was an 8. of the same King taken notice of for not returning before that time an answer whether he would accept of the honor of the Order or not And it appears that before the next St. George's Feast in the following year he sent over to the Soveraign his ready acceptance both of the honor of his Election as also of the Ensigns of the Order and thereupon directions were then given for his Installation by his Proxie the Lord Fitz-Hugh But for an instance after the said additional Clause we have one remarkable enough in the preamble of the Soveraign's Credential Letters to the Duke of Savoy an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. sent together with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order in which it appears that the Soveraign having given him notice of his Election into this most Noble Order he had returned back his cheerful and ready Acceptance of and singular satisfaction in the said choice and therefore cordially wisht that it might attain its due effect In succeeding times it was thought necessary in case where the whole Habit of the Order was sent over to a Stranger together with the Soveraign's Letters signifying his Election to make a provisional Decree which pass'd the 18. of April an 13. Car. 1. That Garter and all others whom it pleased the Soveraign jointly to commissionate with him should be most punctually careful that they delivered not the Ensigns of the Order into the hands of any such Prince till they were fully satisfied by his Letters Patent of his kind and grateful acceptance thereof or in case of refusal to forbear their presentation And that care was taken for the due observation of this Decree even in such case where only the Garter and George were sent appears from the Instructions of the 4. of March an 19. Car. 1. sent to Sir William Boswell Knight he being appointed by the then Soveraign to present those two principal Ensigns of the Order to William Prince of Orange the said Soveraign's Son in Law where among other things he is expresly commanded to take a Testimonial from the said Prince of his kind acceptation thereof before he should deliver those Ensigns of honor to him The like Clause for demanding of a Certificate of willing and grateful Acceptance of the Order we also find to have been inserted in those Instructions under the same date for the delivery of the Garter and George to Bernard Duke of â—â—ernon SECT V. Of an Election not accepted of THat there hath been a non-acceptation of this honor by the person Elected appears in that single case of Philip the Second Duke of Burgundy who having been Elected by King Henry the Fifth then in France into the Stall of the Lord Clifford slain at the Siege of Meux in Brie had not an 1. H. 6. sent his answer whether he would have his Election confirmed It was therefore concluded on at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor in the foresaid year by Humfry Duke of Gloucester then Deputy to the Soveraign having therein the unanimous consent of the Knights-Companions present to send Letters to the said Duke Elect by which he might be entreated to give his Resolution whether he would accept
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
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
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
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
aetherial and christalline Heaâ—en that at length they may come to the empyreal It is called also Obitus Because then the Angels come to meet the Soul Sometimes it is termed Passio because then the soul and body suffer most as being violently separated one from the other The transitus of the blessed Virgin Mary is called her Assumption Deposition is properly belonging to St. Iohn the Evangelist who entred alive into the place of Sepulture and as it were deposited himself Obdormition is the refreshment of the Saints after sleep because Saints in their glorified bodies rise as it were newly awakened out of sleep By all these several Names are the Festivals of the Saints celebrated which plainly denote the day of the second Birth or going out of the world and not of the first or coming into the world And it is further observable that the Church among the many Saints who have days appointed for their Commemoration does not celebrate the Nativities of any but our blessed Saviour and St. Iohn the Baptist whereto those of the Romish perswasion have added that of the blessed Virgin Mary SECT III. St. George's day made Festum duplex AFter that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions had given encrease of honors to this their Patron 's â—estival our Church began to take a greater regard to his day because he was also esteemed amongst us the Patron of our Nation and therefore bestowed an addition of honor thereupon For whereas it had anciently been accounted only minus duplex or inferius duplex as beside the Testimonies both of our learned Selden and others may also be deduced from the interdiction of the minora servilia opera upon this Saints day by a Synod held at Oxford in the year of our Lord 1222. cited by Hospinian it was petitioned in a Convocation held under Archbishop Arundel an 1. H. 4. that it might be observed and solemnized sicut caeterae Nationis suorum Patronorum facta colunt which though it took no effect yet after at the instance of King Henry the Fifth this day was in the 3. year of his Reign made Festum duplex ad modum majoris duplicis by a Canon of the Convocation of the Province of Canterbury And so we find it noted to be observed a long time after in the Kalender set before the Horae beatissimae Virginis Mariae secundum usum Sarum Printed at Paris by Francis Regnault anno Domini 1526. But this is found so noted only in some of the Missals used here in England for in the Roman Breviary and Missal it appearâ— to be but Semiduplex Now the better to explain the above-mentioned distinction of Festa majora duplicia minora duplicia Durand as being very particular in this point may fitly be consulted herein who saith Quaedam festa dicuntur in totum duplicia quaedam simpliciter duplicia quaedam semiduplicia c.. Some Feasts are said to be totally double some simply double some half double The totally or greater double are so called because in them the Responsories as well the greater as the shorter as also the Verses are sung by two and because the Antiphones both at Mattins and Vespers are doubled of this sort are the Feasts of the Nativity of our Lord of St. Stephen of St. Iohn the Evangelists Epiphany Purification c.. The lesser double Feasts are the second and third Feriae before the Octaves of Easter and Penticost the Commemoration of St. Paul and in brief every Feast which is ordained to be celebrated double in all Churches whereas the greater double Feast are kept in some particular Churches only The half double Feasts are such wherein the Responsories are sung by two but neither are they begun by two nor are the Antiphones sung double yet the Verses and short Responsories are said and these are the Feasts of St. Andrew Nicholas Lucie Thomas the Apostle c.. And the reason of this variety observed in the celebration of these Feasts is for that as St. Paul saith One Star difers from another in glory so according to the degrees of merit saith the same Durand their praise is so much the more or less celebrated in these Feasts This division of Durand appears to be the same in effect with that taken notice of by our learned Selden where Majora duplicia answers to Durandus his duplicia in totum the Minora to the simpliciter duplicia and the Inferiora to the Semiduplicia only herein Selden notes this difference that the grand and high Feast of all as Christmas Easter and Penticost c. are not comprehended under the notion of Majora Duplicia but by the title of Principaliora And as for the Festival of our particular Patron St. George however after-Custom had slackned that due honor which was decreed unto it by the above mentioned Canon yet how great a veneration it was thought worthy of plainly appears both by that part of the said Canon wherein it is Decreed to be one of the Festa majora duplicia and also by the reasons given at large for it in the Preamble thereof which are these Vpon consideration therefore of this appointment proceeding from the favorable and bountiful mercy of our God and Saviour the faithful of the English Nation although at all times obliged to worship God in all his Saints yet as is testified by the general vote of the World and the experience of grace given from above the best interpreter of all things are they more particularly bound to extol him with high acclamations to sound forth his praises and to give him veneration and special honors in the persoâ— of his most glorious Martyr Saint George as Patron and Protector of the said Nation since by his intercession at we verily believe not only the Military Power of the English Nation is strengthened and made capable of repelling all hostile incursions in the time of War but also our Spiritual Militia the flourishing estate of our Clergy is under the tutelage of so great a Patron manifestly fortified in the prosperity of a holy and peaceful estate To this may be added the division of Feasts into Generalia which are called Solemnitates and Particularia which are peculiar to one Church only one Parish or one Bishoprick and also into Mobilia such as are not limited to one certain day of the Month as Easter-day Whitsunday c. and Fixa such as constantly fall upon a certain day of the Month as Christmas-day Lady-day and several others which as falling into this subject of Feasts we thought fit to mention out of the before mentioned Hospinian rather for satisfaction to the curious than as necessarily relating to the present discourse SECT IV. The Place for celebrating the Grand Feast assigned to Windesor Castle AND as King Edward the Third Founder of this most Noble Order had fixed the day of its Feast to that of the Passion or according to the
such Ceremonies as were not consonant to the King's Injuctions then lately prescribed it was Ordained and Decreed that then and for ever from thenceforth at the Feast of this most Noble Order no other Ceremonies should be observed than such as were appointed in the following Letter Which was at that Chapter agreed upon and a little before the next years Feast day of St. George sent from the Lords of the Council to the Knights-Companions attributing the whole procedure to the great piety of the then Soveraign and the care he took that certain abuses and preposterous Ceremonies of the Church should be reformed Whereby the Solemnity State and magnificence of this Grand Festival was very much eclipsed AFter our most hearty commendations For as much as the Kings Highness hath appointed a most godly Reformation of divers abuses and rites in the Church to a more convenient and decent Order of the which some hath been used heretofore in the most honorable and amicable Order of the Garter and being not reformed there should make a disagreeing from his Majesty's most godly proceedings Therefore it is his Majesty's will and pleasure by the advice of us the Lord Protector and other his Highness Council that all such things as be not conformable and agreeing to his Majesty's Injunctions Orders or Reformations now of late prescribed should be also in that most Noble Order and the Ceremonies thereof lest undone and reformed as hereafter followeth First that no Procession be made with going about the Church or Church-yard but the Kings Majesty's Procession lately set forth in English to be used His Majesty and other Knights of that honorable Order sitting in their Stalls at the entry such Reverence to be made to the King's Majesty only as was heretofore The Offring to be in the Box for the Poor without any other Reverence or kissing of any Paten or other thing but only at the return due Reverence to the King's Majesty as was used before The Mass of Requiem to be left undone but yet both upon St. George's day and the next day a Mass to be sung with great Reverence in the which immediately after the words of Consecration is said the Priest shall say the Pater Noster and so turn and communicate all or so many of the Order or other after they have done as shall be disposed godly at the same time to receive the Communion according to such order as is prescribed in his Highness Book of Communion and without any other Rite or Ceremony after the said Communion to be used except it be some godly Psalm or Hymn to be sung in English and so to end the said Service All Chapters and other Rites concerning the said Order not being contrary to these to remain as they have been prescribed and used the which we have thought good to signifie unto you that you may follow the same accordingly From Greenwich the 20. of April 1548. This Decree we observe signified not less than a Prohibition to the holding the Grand Feâ—st at Windesor although it spoke not so plain at least the neglect of its celebration there whilst King Edward the Sixth lived makes it to seem so And albeit towards the end of this Soveraign's Reign some care was or seemed taken for a permissive holding of the said Feast either upon the day of St. George or some other day appointed by Prorogation yet was it without any regard had to the ancient and usual place the Castle of Windesor For when the Act of Parliament passed commanding the days therein mentioned to be kept holy and none other whereby the celebration of many days besides which in former time by the Canons of our Church appointed to be kept holy were prohibited and among the rest the Feast day of St. George it being not found among those Feast days at that time established It was considered That a Proviso and allowance should be entred in the aforesaid Act for the celebration of this Feast particularly by the Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order in these words Provided always and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid that it shall be lawfull to the Knights of the right honorable Order of the Garter and to every of them to keep and celebrate solemnly the Feast of their Order commonly called St. George's Feast yearly from henceforth the 22.23 and 24. days of April and at such other time and times as yearly shall be thought convenient by the Kings Highness his Heirs and Successors and the said Knights of the said honorable Order or any of them now being or hereafter to be any thing in this Act heretofore mentioned to the contrary notwithstanding Which Act although it suffred a Repeal by Queen Mary yet strands it at this day in force being revived by King Iames his repealing of that Statute of the first of Queen Mary Cap. 2. SECT VII Removed from Windesor by Queen Elizabeth BUT that which gave the greatest and almost fatal blow to the growing Honor of this no less famous than ancient Castle of Windesor and severed the Patrons Festival from the Place was a Decree made at a Chapter held at Whitehall upon St. George's day an 9. Eliz. with the consent of the Knights-Companions then present being 12 in number namely the Earls of Arundel and Penbroke the Lord Clinton Marquess of Northampton Lord Howard of Effingham Earl of Sussex Lord Loughborow Viscount Mountague Earls of Leicester Northumberland Warwick and Lord Hunsdon to the effect following That if on the Vigil and day of St. George the Feast were not held at Windesor according to the usual Custom it should nevertheless be sufficient if the observation thereof were kept in the same place where the Soveraign should then happen to be where also all the rest of the Knights-Companions were obliged to be present no less than if the Feast had been to be celebrated at Windesor And henceforward the glory which Windesor Castle had alone possest for some Ages began to be distributed to other places nay so severe was the later part of this Decree to the interest of so flourishing a place that it welnigh extended to a prohibition of all other Celebrations there since it also commanded That no other Solemnity under the notion of St. George's Feast should thenceforth be celebrated at Windesor except upon occasion of the Installation of some illustrious personage and then also not without the leave and appointment of the Soveraign And to say truth this Statutes was but too strictly observed all the remainder of her Reign for we meet not with one Feast of St. George held simply and peculiarly as a Feast in honor of the Order's Patron at Windesor unless you mistakingly account any of the Feasts of Installation for those of St. George which for the most part were held at the charge and expence of the Knights Installed until the first year of King Iames But then the Soveraign as yet in
Thursday and Friday following being the 26.27 and 28. of April upon which days it was observed at Whitehall But where the Eve hapned upon a Sunday as it did the next year after there the Feast received no Prorogation In the year of our Lord 1636. the Soveraign was moved by reason of the Contagion and Sickness dispersed into several places of the Kingdom and to avoid the danger of the concourse of much People during the Infection aswell for other great and important Affairs to give several Prorogations to this Feast from the 22.23 and 24. dâ—ys of April being the usual days of this Solemnity first to the 8.9 and 10. days of Iuly following then again to the 26.27 and 28. of September and from that time unto the 13.14 and 15. of December and lastly to the 17.18 and 19. of April in the 13. year of his Reign upon which last appointed days it was solemnized at Whitehall Where on the morrow after the Feast it being considered in a Chapter that the day of St. George was neer at hand and for other special reasons the Soveraign was there pleased to defer the Celebration of the approaching Feast unto the 25.26 and 27. days of September ensuing And on the 13. day of the said September prorogued the Prorogation unto the 2.3 and 4. of October next following to Windesor where it was accordingly observed Within few Months after the Soveraign having determined to create the then Prince now most happily the present Soveraign a Knight and to propose him in Election as a Companion of this most Noble Society did for the more conveniency of his Installation the 25. of February an 13. Car. 1. defer the celebration of the Grand Feast from the 22.23 and 24. days of April then coming on to the 21.22 and 23. days of May when the same was observed with high Solemnity This being the third Grand Festival which had been celebrated personally by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions within the Revolution of one year and something more and to keep up the honor of Windesor Castle two of them were solemnized within its Walls And before the return of the next Anniversary of St. George the Soveraign upon consultation had in February an 14. Car. 1. with divers of the Knights-Companions about the Prorogation of the Feast which was supposed could not by reason of his important occasions to repair into the North be celebrated at the usual time in the next ensuing April thereupon he thought fit to adjourn the same which was done the 26. of February aforesaid unto the 2.3 and 4. of Iuly next coming York being the place the Soveraign thought most convenient to hold the Feast at but afterwards being in his Camp neer Barwick and taking into consideration the impossibility of keeping the Feast at York upon the before designed days and conferring with some of the Knights-Companions that then attended on his person he the 22. of Iune an 15. Car. 1. adjourned the same until the 8.9 and 10. of October following to Windesor at which time it was there celebrated After this the troubles and tempest of War approaching the Prorogations became more frequent and such places appointed to hold the Feast in as the Soveraign thought most convenient or had occasion to reside at Nevertheless the adjournments passed always regularly under the Great Seal of the Order and the Soveraign's Sign Manual SECT IX Of Commissions for Prorogation WE have not met with any Precedent of Commissions for Prorogation of the Grand Feast of St. George more ancient than that of the 11. of December an 12. Car. 1. left us by Sir Thomas Rowe wherein is notice taken of all the former adjournments of the Grand Feast from St. George's day preceding until that time with the reasons thereof and chiefly upon consideration had of the then spreading Sickness together with a command to the Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order to attend upon the Soveraign on the new assigned days viz. the 17.18 and 19 of April following for the celebration of the said Feast As to the substance hereof the succeeding Commissions do very neer agree yet with some small difference as first the Preambles are general and run thus Whereas upon special Reasons and other important Affairs c. except only that Commission issued the 25. of February 1637. whose Preamble being fitted to the particular occasion was this Whereas we have determined to create the Prince our eldest Son a Knight and to propose him in Election as a Companion of our most Noble Order for the more conveniency of his Installation we have thought fit to defer the celebration of the Feast of St. George c. But in the Commissions of Prorogation of the Grand Feasts dated the 19. of April and the 25. of February an 19. Car. 1. the place appointed for Celebration is omitted which defect we find in the above mentioned Precedent also Nevertheless afterwards that material part came to be inserted and first of all in that Commission of the 26. of February an 14. Car. 1. where the place being the City of York is put into the body of the Commission And when the late War drew on and consequently the Soveraign could not so well ascertain the place beforehand because of his continual and uncertain motion according as occasion and advantages offered themselves Then we observe that the Grand Feast was appointed to be kept at any such place as when the time appointed by Prorogation was neer expired should seem to the Soveraign most convenient But from the body of the Commissions the nomination of Place afterwards slided downwards into the close and shewed it self in that part where the Injunction was given for the Knights-Companions and Officers to attend upon the days before appointed being expressed either thus Wheresoever we shall then be c. or else thus at such Places as we shall timely appoint c. which later way of signification was first used in Commissions issued forth after the Soveraign came to setle at Oxford Now the most ordinary course preparatory to the issuing forth such Commissions of Prorogation hath been by the Soveraign's Declaration in Chapter or otherwise the signification of his pleasure to the Chancellor of the Order at any other time who thereupon drew up the Commission and presented it to the Soveraign for his Sign Manual and then affixed thereunto the Great Seal of the Order Nevertheless where the Chancellor was not at hand to receive the commands for adjournment immediately from the Soveraign we find his pleasure in this particular was then signified to him by some other hand with command to summon the Knights-Companions and Officers accordingly For so was it done by Sir Francis Windebanke Knight one of the Principal Secretaries of State by his Letters from Oatlands directed to Sir Thomas Row dated the 11. of September an
day following and so the whole Solemnity takes up inclusively three days And this is clear from several Articles of the Statutes wherein the course of the Ceremonies to be observed at this Grand Solemnity are set down whether performed on the Eve the Feast-day or the Morrow after And these three days together did the Soveraigns hold the Grand Feast whether they personally celebrated the same or deputed other of the Knights-Companions to that Employment the Clause in the Commissions of Deputation limiting their power either in general during the time of the Feast or in particular upon the dâ—y of St. George the day going before and that following viz. the last day of the Feast In like manner when in succeeding times Commissions of Prorogation of the Grand Feast were made use of we find the three days continuance of the â—east to be particularly mentioned in the body of those Commissions namely the day wherein by such appointment the Feast was to begin the Grand day it self and the day whereon it ended The directions given in the Statutes for the order and course of this Solemnity to begin with the Eve run â—hus Every year upon St. George's Eve shall be an assembly or meeting of all the Knights-Companions of the Order at Windesor Castle c. and the same is positively enjoined by all other Bodies of the Statutes And as the Grand Feast is generally and for the most part said to take commencement in Vigilia Sancti Georgii or as it is otherwise exprest in the Black Book in Vigilia future celebritatis or Vigiliis Divi Georgii or in Vigilia Festi So hath the time of this preceding day several other denominations given unto it in the same Register as Vesperi ante diem Sancti Georgii in Vesperiis Georgianis in Vesperiis Festi in Vesperiis Commitionum and other whiles Pridie Divi Georgii Pridie Georgianae Solemnitatis Pridie Festi Pridie feriarum Divi Georgii and sometimes Pervigilia and lastly in plain English George's Even All which signifie one and the same thing and are but various names given to the Evening of the day foregoing either that of St. George or that whereon the Grand Feast is appointed to be held by Prorogation Thus we see the Founder began his Solemnity upon the Eve of the Feast day which doubtless was in conformity to the Custom of the Church who made the Vigils and Eves part of the ensuing Festivals and as Ushers to the Grand Solemnities And because the meaning of the word and first occasion of observing also the Eves of Solemn Days or great Feasts by the Church may haply be to many unknown it will be here proper enough to give a touch upon the original of this Custom Hospinian handling this particular in his Book De origine Festorum Christianorum draweth the antiquity of Vigils out of the Epistle of Plinius secundus and the authority of Ecclesiastical Writers from the Apostles times and the next succeeding Age for saith he In the Apostles days and sometime after when the Christians durst not appear in publick because of the continual snares Treacheries and persecution of Tyrants and Enemies of their Religion they were forced to meet in the night time and early before day for the exercise of their devotion And in the first Church after the times of the Apostles when they stood not in fear of any persecution they watched and fasted in their Churches all the week before Easter or Passion-week but especially on the Eve of the Resurrection whence grew the Custom both for Christian men and Women to watch and fast on the Eves of great Solemnities in their Churches and at the Sepulchres of Saints and Martyrs And Durand gives a reason why these meetings were called Vigils because anciently in the principal Feasts two Nocturnal Offices were performed probably Watching and Praying for the People which came to the Feasts watcht all night in the Churches spending their time in the praises of God But as the best things may be abused even Virtue and Religion it self so it hapned in this religious duty as Hospinian thus further relates That forasmuch as in process of time these Nocturnal Watchings occasioned much wickedness therefore were the Women forbidden access thereto because under pretence of Prayer great abuses were oftentimes committed Whence it came that these kinds of Vigils as Durand affirms were also at length prohibited which prohibition received confirmation from Pope Innocent the Third in the year of our Lord 1210. and in the room thereof Iejunia or Fasts were appointed Nevertheless those sorts of Fasts still retained the name of Vigils as most properly implying the Duty originally enjoined And Durand further informs us that this Institution was also called Dispensatio because the Fast was put in the place of the Vigil And yet to shew the antiquity of Vigils it appears that before Christianity the ancient Greeks and Romans had the same kind of preparations to some of their grand or solemn Feasts and particularly at the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Feast of Ceres For three days before this Feast the Women were to abstain from all manner of Venery to which end they strewed Agnus castus and such Herbs under their Beds as Dioscorides speaking of that Herb testifieth Plinâ— also saith the same and much to that purpose the Scholiast of Nicander and on the third day they fasted and this kind of profestum Plautus plainly calls Vigilae where he saith Is adolescentis illius est avunculus Qui illam stupravit noctu Cereris vigiliis And this the Uncle is of that young man Who her by night at Ceres Vigils ravisht In the Temples of Isis and Aesculapius the like nocturnal Vigils were also celebrated Analogous to which were those Nocturnal Rites of Cotytto kept by the Corinthians mentioned by Suidas Hesychius and Iuvenal Talia secreta coluerunt Orgia taeda Cecropiam soliti Baptae lassare Cotytto At Athens such the Baptists Orgies were When they their publick Torches did advance And tir'd out their Cotytto in a Dance Which likewise for the same kind of abuses above mentioned were condemned by several chiefly by Eupolis an ancient Comoedian in his Baptae as the nocturnal of Bacchus by Euripides 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To Womens honors dangerous and unsafe And for this cause were the Vigils many times prohibited by the wisest of the Ancients though Heathens among whom Romulus was one who made a Law that no night Vigils should be kept in any Temple at Rome An account of their wicked and beastly Ceremonies used in the Nights and why they were likewise afterwards banished out of Rome and Italy may be seen at large in Livy But to proceed to the second Point the Hour as the Eve was appointed by the
insomuch that at the Grand Feast held at Whitehall the 22 23. and 24. of April an 8. Car. I. we find it observed That the Knights-Companions came forth attended each with a Train of Servants very richly clad But to return and enter upon the Proceeding to the end the Servants and Attendants of the Knights-Companions may be exactly marshalled the Vsher of the Hall whose duty it is to rank them ought to call for a Lift from Garter of such Knight-Companions as are to be present at the Grand Feast noted with their several places in the Proceeding for his better directions in assigning the Attendants their due places the order whereof is thus First the junior Knights Attendants proceed one before another on the left hand upon whose right hands the second eldest Knight's Attendants go in equal rank with them for this we observe to have been the general rule where the Knights-Companions proceed in pairs their Attendants go together those belonging to the senior Knight of the two on the right hand and to the junior upon their left But the order is otherwise where any of the Knights-Companions proceed single and alone which often falls out as shall be noted in its due place for then the Attendants belonging to that single Knight go two and two on both sides the way opposite one against another But when the Grand Feast is celebrated at Whitehall there the Knights-Companions Attendants are marshalled by the said Vsher on both sides the passage from the outward door of the Guard-Chamber down into the Hall taking up all the room as far as the old Chappel and because here they do not proceed in regard of the shortness of the processional way but only make a stand for the Proceeding to pass through them they are ranked in a way different from that used at Windesor nevertheless relating more especially to the order observed by their Masters which method in the Soveraign's Proceeding to the Chappel at the before mentioned Feast held at Whitehall an 8. Car. I. we find thus described The eldest Knights-Companions Servants were ranked on the right hand of the passage the chiefest of them neerest unto the old Chappel door and the second Knight being Companion to the eldest his Attendants stood on the left side the chiefest of them also next to the said old Chappel door And in case the eldest Knights Fellow or Companion be not present in this Proceeding then the eldest Knights Servants ought to be placed opposite one against another upon each side of the said old Chappel door The like order is to be taken in marshalling the Servants of the other Knights of this most Noble Order whose Companions are then absent Secondly the order of Proceeding amongst the Alms-Knights who an 1. Car. 1. had two Waiters of the Soveraign's Hall in their-Livery Coats bearing white Rods in their hands to proceed before them is in general two and two together the junior in place formost on the left hand and his next senior on his right And if sickness or other lawful impediment chance to hinder one or more of them from going in the Proceeding his junior is advanced into his place and consequently all the other juniors do in like manner alter their places and advance to the end the superior place be still-supplied according to the right rule of marshalling the singles that compose a gross Body but in this case if their Number that attend happen to be odd the Governor of the Alms-Knights goeth last of all and alone Thirdly the Verger of the Colledge hath his place next after the Alms-Knights and immediately before the Prebends of the Colledge who being habited in a Gown beareth a Silver Verge the Ensign of his Office Nevertheless heretofore when the Prehends went not in the Proceeding on the Eve of the Grand Feast the Verger proceeded first of all before the Alms-Knights for so was it observed on the Eve of St. George at Windesor an 6. Eliz. and in this manner we see it exprest in the Proceeding set forth by Marcus Gerchard Fourthly under the general Rule relating to the Alms-Knights are comprehended the Prehends of the Colledge the Pursuivants Heralds and Provincial Kings insomuch that where either of the said Kings are absent the senior Herald is advanced and goeth in breast on the left hand of him who is then present So also where any of the Heralds are wanting his next junior ascendeth into his place whereby it sometimes falls out that the senior Pursuivant is joined to the left hand of the junior Herald And if through these defects and absence the number of the Officers of Arms be odd then with this difference in the foresaid rule observed among the Alms-Knights the youngest Pursuivant goeth single by himself Touching the right of precedency between the Officers of Arms and Prebends of the Colledge in proceeding before the Soveraign and Knights-Companions we find there hath been heretofore not only some question started but the place contended for insomuch that at the Installation of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland an 34. Eliz. the Prebends took place and upon the 24. of May an 39. Eliz. at the Installation of Thomas Lord Howard of Walden and others the Prebends again endeavoured to pass between the Officers of Arms and Officers of the Orders but Charles Lord Howard of Effingham then Lieutenant to the Soveraign delivered his opinion on the behalf of the Officers of Arms against the Prebends Yet did not this so settle the order of Precedency or quiet the Prebends but that the contention again broke out an 1. Iac. R. at the Installation of the Earls of Penbroke Marr Southampton and Duke of Lenox which hapned on the ninth not second of Iuly in the foresaid year even to such a height that the Prebends Pursuivants and Heralds contended in the Proceeding but the controversie was on the next morning composed by the Lord Admiral then the Soveraign's Lieutenant the Lord Treasurer and the Earl of Worcester and the order in proceeding thus setled first that the Alms-Knights should go foremost the Pursuivants next then the Prebends and then the Heralds and Kings of Arms. And this Order in Proceeding was afterwards observed on the 2I of May an 4. Iac. R. at the Installation of the Earl of Salisbury and Viscount Bindon as also the 19. of May an 6. of the same King at the Installation of the Earls of Dunbar and Montgomery Howbeit an 9. Iac. R. and so afterwards we do not find the Pursuivants mentioned in the Proceeding by particular name nor otherwise than in this following order viz. Alms-Knights Prebends Heralds c. but it may be presumed that the Pursuivants then joined again in Body with the Heralds though for some years before divided from them by the interposition of the Prebends aswel as the Provincial Kings and all of them under the Title of Heralds
to be absent from the Grand Feast an 30. H. 6. without shewing any allowable cause they were adjudged to the certain and deserved penalties of the Statutes against the next Feast And the said Duke being again absent the very next year and also the Lord Hastings They were both adjudged to certain Penalties as daring to be absent without sufficient cause shewn Besides these grounds for assigning Penances already mentioned there are upon a few other causes set down in the before recited ninth Article of the Statutes of Installation other Penances appointed that is to say if the Knights-Companions be absent at other times beside the hour of Tierce which if we were strictly tied to pursue the series and order of time would fall out to be spoke of a little hence Nevertheless having had occasion to discourse so much already of this subject it will become further beneficial to the concerned Reader to bring all the Injunctions which are included in the said Article and muster up the Penalties for breach thereof in view together nor will this anticipation at all interrupt our method or become improper for this place if well considered and therefore we shall proceed with them here The Knights-Companions are further punishable if they are absent at any of the times here spoken of viz. First at the beginning of the first Vespers Secondly at the beginning of the Morning Service on the Feast day Thirdly at the beginning of the Second Vespers Fourthly during the whole Feast And fifthly at the Grand Feast next following For the first admitting any Knight-Companion hath failed of meeting and attending on the Soveraign at the hour of Tierce and thereupon suffered the punishment of non-admittance into the Chapter-house and deprivation of Vote nevertheless if at the rising of the said Chapter he be not ready to proceed with the Soveraign and other the Knights-Companions into the Choire to the beginning of the first Vespers he ought not only to suffer the former but this additional penalty That he shall not presume to enter into his Stall at that time but tarry in that part of the Choire where the Taper-bearers are wont to stand nevertheless before his own Stall until the holy Offices be ended And the Law of the Order is the same in King Henry the Fifth's and King Henry the Eighth's Statutes only they render the place for the delinquent Knight to stand in to be before their Stalls in the Choristers places And now how the penalty hath been inflicted upon breach of the Law in this particular we shall see by the following instances At the Grand Feast celebrated at Windesor an 21. H. 7. when it seems the Lord Kildare Sir Gilbert Talbot and Sir Richard Goulford came late to the Chappel we find this Memorandum fixed to their names They stood without before their Stalls by the Soveraign's permission or rather command But yet this is not all the punishment which hath been inflicted upon the Knights-Companions for this offence though it be all that is set down in the foresaid Article for an 25. H. 6. upon the Eve of St. George the Marquess of Dorset not coming to the first Vespers and being convicted of his late coming was prohibited joining in the Nomination then made for thâ— Election of the King of Portugal into the room of the Duke of Gloucester Offendors in the second and third case being such as neglect to come before the beginning of the high Mass or the second Vespers called also the Vespers on St. George's day have the like punishment with the former assigned them throughout all the Bodies of the Statutes viz. Exclusion from their Stalls and station in the Choristers range An. 1. H. 6. we observe the Lord Willoughby noted to be absent upon the Eve of the Grand Feast but present on the day and consequently he incurred no further penance than what his absence on the Eve drew on him The Earl of Derby an 18. Eliz. coming too late to the first morning Service on the Feast day did for some short time undergo the aforesaid penance but soon after upon Dispensation from the Lieutenant went up to his Stall In like manner an II. Car. 1. the Earl of Exceter came not to the Chappel in the morning of the Feast day till after the Grand Procession and so the Penance for his tardiness should have been according to the Statutes stare Paviamento but upon consideration of his age and the soul weather whereby it was occasioned the Soveraign permitted him to enter into his Stall And though absence at these times also be occasioned by Sickness or some unexpected accident yet notice is to be given thereof to the Soveraign or his Lieutenant For instance the Lord Burghley falling ill was absent from the first Morning Service on the Feast day an 37. Eliz. but upon notice given thereof with the consent of the Lieutenant and Knights-Companions he obtained leave of absence The Earl of Dorset an 15. Car. 1. the Grand Feast being then celebrated at Windesor suddenly falling ill before Evening Prayer on the Feast day besought the Soveraign to excuse his attendance for the present but the next morning being recovered he attended the Soveraign with the rest of the Knights-Companions to the Chapter-house The Penances inflicted upon any Knight for the foresaid defaults he is in like manner to undergo if he happen to offend in the like kind when the Grand Feast is prorogued from St. George's day in what place soever it be celebrated But if he offend in all and have neither license nor reasonable or allowable excuse for his absence he is then prohibited entring his Stall at the next St. George's Feast where ever it be kept and moreover to pay as a pecuniary mulct 10 l. to be employed towards the Ornaments of the Colledge And we find the former kind of Penance to have been inflicted upon Late Comers to Divine Service as well upon the Morrow after the Feast day as on the Eve or Feast day it self For the Earl of Lindsey coming into the Chappel on the morrow after the Feast held at Whitehall an 8. Car. 1. after the Soveraign was entred he suffred the punishment of standing before his Stall a while until the Soveraign signified his license that he might ascend thereinto In like Manner the Earl of Northumberland coming somewhat late unto morning Service on the last day of the Feast held by prorogation at Whitehall the 17.18 and 19. days of April an 13. Car. 1. did undergo the assigned Penance of standing beneath his Stall in the middle of the Choire but upon the gracious permission of the Soveraign he was soon admitted thereunto But touching the fourth degree of offence as it is far greater than any yet named so are there variety of Penances appointed to expiate the fault and therefore if any Knight-Companion shall be
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 Registers and from the Commissions themselves For instance The before recited Deputations made to Iohn Duke of Bedford an 4. H. 6. is said to be done by a sufficient Commission delivered unto him under the Common Seal of the Order So an 8. H. 6. Humfry Duke of Gloucester c. was deputed by a certain Commission signed by the Soveraign under the Common Seal And for holding the Feast an 1. E. 4. Viscount Bourghier was also Deputed by the Soveraign By a fit and suâ—â—icient Commission So also the Earl of Essex an 14. E. 4. by the authority of the Soveraigns Commission In like manner an 18. E. 4. The Lord Dudley was assigned by vertue of the Soveraigns Commission to observe the yearly Feast of St. George and to perform all things according to custom It may be further observed that the Commissions of Lieutenancy as ancient as the Reign of King Henry the Eighth are said in the close to issue forth under the Seal of this most Noble Order So was that to the Duke of Norfolk an 17. H. 8. And also that other to the Marquess of Exceter an 20. H. 8. which runneth thus Yeoven under the Seal of Our Garter c. and according to the Modern expression Given under the Seal c. These Commissions of Lieutenancy an 14. Eliz. and the six following years run under the title of Letters Patent and are so called in the Blue Book but how justly is to be questioned For in one of these Commissions made to the Earl of Lincoln an 15. of the said Queen the conclusion is the same with those other Commissions of like nature of former years viz. Yeoven under the Seal of Our Order at c. and wanteth that Clause or conclusive period from which such instruments as we are informed derive the name of Letters Patent to wit In cujus rei testimonium has liter as nostras fieri fecimus Patentes Again an 12. Eliz. and for seven years after we observe from the said Blue Book that this Officer was made with the consent of all the Knights-Companions a Phrase much like that used elswhere touching the Election of Knights as hath been before taken notice of But if duely examined we shall find this expression of no more strength to entitle the Knights-Companions to a joynt power with the Soveraign for the constituting of a Lieutenant than the other is to make them Coelectors where though something requisite to the obtaining of their consent may seem to be implied in the aforesaid words yet we conceive those expressions were used by the Register as of his own choice rather than such as the Law of the Order will allow of The Dignity of this Officer as he represents the Soveraign's person and supplies his place is very great Which that we may the better set forth we shall distinguish the Honors annexed to this eminent Place as they are essential and necessarily consequent thereto or personal that is such as may additionally be conferred upon him at the pleasure of the Soveraign That this Officer as an essential Honor to his Place hath from ancient time had some of the Knights-Companions assigned him for his Assistants during the whole Feast is evident enough throughout the Registers yet the first mention of Assistants as to the Title particularly given unto such persons we find in the Registrum Chartaceum in the Decree made at a Chapter called at Eltham on St. George's day an 8. H. 8. wherein after the Anniversary of the Grand Feast had been appointed to be observed at Windsor upon the 25. of May then next ensuing and the Marquess of Dorset nominated the Soveraign's Lieutenant the Earl of Essex the Lord de la Ware the Lord Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell were appointed Assistants to the said Marquess Another instance in the same Register concerning the celebration of the Grand Feast at Windesor the following year upon the 10. day of May the Earl of Arundel being appointed Lieutenant affirms that the Lords de la Ware and Monteagle and Sir Thomas Lovell and Sir Henry Marney were also appointed Assistants to the said Earl The number of Assistants were in those times uncertain here above we see they were four Anno 21. H. 8. we find but three and afterwards an 32. H. 8. they were reduced unto two which number following times exceeded not except once and that was the last year of the aforesaid King when there were three appointed These Assistants were always appointed in Chapter when the Lieutenant himself was Nominated and afterwards had Letters of notice sent to each of them from the Soveraign requiring their repair to Windesor a Transcript whereof see in the Appendix of which form have we seen several other Letters sent upon the same occasion to each of the Assistants after they had been appointed to the said Service And as before we have noted in the case of Lieutenants themselves it hath sometimes chanced that others were afterwards upon occasion put in the places of those first named so here amongst the Assistants it hath in like manner hapned for the Lord Poynings an 8. H. 8. by the Soveraign's Commission was appointed Assistant to the Lieutenant in the room of the Earl of Essex who had been before nominated And the Earl of Rutland being named one of the Assistants an 22. H. 8. was afterwards excused by the Kings Letters whose place the Lord Montjoy executed So an 29. H. 8. the aforesaid Earl of Rutland falling sick after the time of his nomination and before the approach of the Feast day the Earl of Sussex was substituted Assistant in his place And sometimes a Quorum of Assistants have been nominated as an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. in case some of them should be absent for the Lord Pagit the Lord Clynton the Lord Howard of Effingham and Sir Edward Hastings having been appointed Assistants to attend the Lieutenant at the following Feast it is added that at least any two of them who at that time were neerest to the Kings Court should be there present to assist the Soveraign's Deputy according to his Majesties pleasure as the Custom and their duty obliged Another Honor essential to the Dignity of the Lieutenant is that the Soveraign layes an Injunction upon the rest of the Knights-Companions then present to yield Assistance and Obedience to him in all things as if himself were personally present For so is it enjoyned by the Commission to the aforesaid Iohn Duke of Bedford And generally all Forms of Commissions since close with such like Injunctions of Obedience in the execution of the Soveraign's Authority To these Honors before spoken of we might add some other of the like nature viz. that this great Officer possesseth the Soveraigns Place in all Proceedings and at the Table that he hath his Train carried up that a Reverence is given
him by the Knights-Companions an essay taken for him of the Offering and offereth with Carpet and Cusheon but these we reserve to speak of at large by and by In reference to personal Honors though generally all Lieutenants sit in their own Seats in the Chappel we find the Marquess of Northampton had assigned to him a higher Stall than his own during the whole Festivity of St. George For in the Chapter held on the Eve an 3. Eliz. the Celebration of the day of St. George being that year observed at Whitehall the Soveraign decreed that the foresaid Marquess during only the time of his Deputation should take the Stall of the Earl of Shrewsbury then lately deceased Now the Marquesses own Stall was at that time the eight Stall on the Princes side but that which the Earl of Shrewsbury then lately possest was the fourth on the same side and next below the Duke of Holstein whose Seat was the lowest among the Stranger Princes then alive To conclude it seems in time the Duty incumbent on both the Lieutenant and his Assistants grew so burthensom that the Soveraign took their attendance and charge into consideration and therefore in their favour decreed at a Chapter held on St. Georges day at Greenwich an 19. H. 8. That the Knights-Companions Appointed or Deputed Lieutenants or Assistants to be present or to keep the Feast of St. George in the Colledge of Windsor one year should not be Appointed or Deputed to be present or to keep it the year next following unless the Soveraign should please to be present at the day or Feast And to the same effect though briefly is this Decree recorded in the Black Book But more large and particular is it thus entred in one of the MS. now remaining in the Office of Arms. Memorandum That the Soveraign of the Order King Henry the Eighth our Soveraign Lord by the advice of the Knights of the said Order the 19. pear of his most noble Reign by vertue of a Chapitre holden at his Manor of Greenwich the 23. day of April Ordained and enacted by Acte of Chapitre that all such Knights of the Order from thenceforth which should be appointed by his Highness to be his Lieutenant or Deputy at the Feast of St. George kept at his Castle of Windesor and all such other Knights as was to the said Lieutenant Attendant and Assistant at that time should for the next year ensuing be clearly discharged and excused for their attendance at the said Castle unless any Knight of the Order upon his own devotion would be at the said Feast of St. George at Wyndesor then be to be there at pleasure Nor was that yet thought a sufficient indulgence to the Lieutenant and Assistants to be absent from the next Grand Feast and therefore the said Ordinance was afterwards an 23. 24. H. 8. extended to the space of three years from and after the said Feast And herewith we are to note That this Officer always held the Feast at his peculiar charge and cost and gave liberal Rewards to Garter and for his Scatcheons as also to the Officers of Arms the Gentlemen-Vshers the Alms-Knights the Vshers and Grooms of the Chamber the Clerks of the Kitchin the Harbinger and Groom-Porters with the rest of the Soveraign's Servants Waiters of several Offices in the House to the Choristers the Vergers c. that kept the Robes and the Sexton even to those who made clean the Seats and laid the Cusheons And because all things relating to the Feast were set forth with exceeding State and Nobleness which was commonly every year augmented each Lieutenant striving to outvie his Predecessor in magnificence and liberality his Expences became very great In consideration whereof the aforesaid Priviledge was granted that so by a Licence of Non-attendance for the three following years the Persons who had undergone the charge and trouble of these Offices might be in some measure eased Nevertheless the generous Lord Fitz Williams was so far from taking advantage of this indulgence that he was one of the Assistants to the Soveraigns Lieutenant for the six years next ensuing the Decree past an 19. H. 8. SECT VI. The Ceremonies relating to the first Vespers WE have now finished our Discourse upon the Particulars managed in the first Chapter held on the Eve of St. George which being broke up the Soveraign and Knights-Companions do immediately proceed from the Chapter-house into the Choire to hear Vespers In handling and describing the Ceremonies relating thereunto we shall consider first those performed before the Vespers begin secondly the Course of Divine Service and lastly those used after it is ended Wherein we shall be particular and exact not only in regard the State thereof is both solemn and sacred but because the same Order of Ceremony is to be repeated so often as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions enter the Chappel or depart thence or go up into or come down from their Stalls First then we are to presuppose that the Officers of Arms Prebends of the Colledge and Alms-Knights having attended in the North Isle of the Chappel during the sitting of the Chapter do now upon the rising and coming forth of the Soveraign Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order put themselves into Rank and continue the Proceeding through the passage and Guard made by the Knights-Companions Attendants and the Soveraigns Band of Pensioners from the Chapter-house door along the said North Isle and so to the West door of the Choire in like manner and order as they did proceed from the Chamber of Presence to the Chapter-house The Organs then beginning to play and continuing on till Vespers begin When the Alms-Knights be arrived at the West Door they first enter in a whole Body while the rest of the Proceeding makes a short stand and pass forwards near to the middle of the Choire where they make a joynt and low obeisance first towards the Altar next all turning about by the left hand to the Soveraign's Royal Seat then still turning from the right to the left hand they ascend the Pas's even to the Rails set before the Altar and forthwith divide themselves flanking on each side the Juniors standing nearest to the Rails and at such a spacious distance that the Altar may be discerned by all that follow in the Proceeding when they draw near to make their Reverences Assoon as the Alms-Knights have made their obeisance the Prebends of the Colledge enter in a whole body also and having turned on the left hand and made the like double obeisances in the middle of the Choire they divide themselves and take their Seats every one in their Order The Seats appointed for them at this Solemnity and at other times when any of the Knights-Companions are present in the Chappel is in the lower range of Seats and so ordered by King Henry the Eighth's Statutes albeit
singly But the place appointed for all but the two senior Knights-Companions to enter into and come out of their Stalls is the middle entrance or that at the East end of the Stalls which of them fall out to be next below each Knight's respective Stall to avoid the trouble and inconvenience of passing before any of their senior Companions The Knights-Companions being all seated the Prelate and Chancellor of the Order pass into the middle of the Choire and having made double Reverences return to their Form and sit down After them doth the Register Garter and Black-Rod pass thither there make their Reverences and then sit down on their Form in the order as they proceeded As touching the Soveraign's other Attendants we have observed that the Nobleman who carries the Sword retires before the Soveraign's Stall a little on the right hand and the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold if not a Knight of the Order and the Vice-Chamberlain on his left until the Soveraign give them leave to sit down the Clerk of the Closet stands at the Soveraign's right hand but the young Noblemen that carry up the Soveraign's Train and the Gentleman of the Robes sometimes repose themselves upon the Steps going up to the Soveraign's Stall This great Ceremony of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions entry into the Choire and taking their Stalls being finished preparation for the Vespers begin in reference to which the Prelate ascends to the Altar it being appointed among other things relating to the duty of his Office That Whensoever the Soveraign should think fit to keep the Solemnity of St. George at Windesor he should be obliged to be present to celebrate divine service which if he purposely omitted it is there provided that for such omission he should be fined 20 Marks to the Colledge to be laid out upon the Reparations that are there to be made unless he alledge to the Soveraign and the Knights-Companions some reasonable and just cause of his being absent And therefore in case of Vacancy of the See of Winchester Sickness or other lawful occasion for absence the Soveraign hath dispnesed with this penally and appointed some other Bishop to officiate for him The Proceeding to the Altar on this occasion is in manner following First the Serjeant of the Vestry makes a double Reverence then comes before the Prelate and makes a single one to him who thereupon ariseth from his Seat and the Serjeant proceedeth before him into the middle of the Choire where standing a little on the one side the Prelate there makes a double Reverence and from thence passing forward after the Serjeant and having ascended the uppermost Haut-pas before the Altar he makes one single Reverence towards the same and so goes to the North side of it In his ascent to the Altar he hath sometimes made three double Reverences viz. one before his Seat a second in the middle of the Choire and the third on the first Haut-pas and after these the single one above the Haut-pas's all in a direct line before the Altar After the Prelate hath arrived at the Altar the two Provincial Kings Heralds and Pursuivants leaving their forementioned Station join together and pass along the Choire until the Kings come neer to the Form whereon the Register Garter and Black-Rod sit where all making their double Reverences together they divide themselves again on each side and there stand Lastly the Alms-Knights come down into the Choire in a Body and there make their joint double Reverences and then take their Chairs The like in every thing is performed in the Chappel at Whitehall and other places where the Solemnity of the Feast is observed where because the Alms-Knights are absent the Pursuivants at Arms ascend neerer the high Altar than when they are at Windesor that there may be room enough for the rest of the Officers of Arms to stand in rank yet so that the Provincial Kings stand not further from it than the lowermost Haut Pas to avoid pressing upon the Junior Knights All these Ceremonies being finished and the several Degrees in the Proceeding duly placed the Choire resembling the coelestial Spheres where the Soveraign of this most Illustrious Order sits as Sun among the Planets and Stars the Divine Office is begun by the Prelate in a most solemn manner which is now celebrated according to the Order of the Book of Common Prayer established by the Acts of Parliament made an 1. Eliz. 14. Car. 2. being the same appointed in the Rubrick for the Evening of the 22. day of April or for the Evening of such other day whereon the Feast by Prorogation hath been celebrated Where sometimes to shorten the Ceremony the Prelate hath omitted the Confession and Absolution and began with the Pater Noster and frequently instead of the Magnificat or Nunc dimittis or one of them some choice-composed Anthems are sung to the Organ and after proceeding on with the Creed and the rest of the Prayers in the accustomed order to that of St. Chrysostom before which in the Reign of King Iames was the following Prayer used throughout the Feast O Lord save our King And mercifully hear us c. Almighty and most merciful Father we humbly beseech thee in the Name of thy Son Christ Jesus our Lord and Saviour to direct and endue King James our most worthy Governour with the continual aud plentiful grace of thine holy Spirit that as be is anciently and rightly descended from the valiant and prudent Princes of this Realme the first Founders and Creâ—ors of this most noble Order of the Garter So be may abound and excell in all things acceptable to thee namely in the maintenance of piety peace justice and unity to the support of good Learning relief of the poor and oppressed and grant most gracious Lord that all the Noble men of this Realm especially such as be Companions of this most honorable Order may be truly deboted to godliness balour and bertue in such sort that God may be thereby the better honored their Soberaigne serbed the Common-wealth secured and the memorial of their well-doing remain to their posterity And that we all may live and dye in thy faith and fear and walk in these good works which thou hast appointed us through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen O Lord long preserve James our King and all the Companions of this most noble Order of the Garter Amen Next follows the Prayer of St. Chrysostom and last of all the Blessing After the pronouncing of which at the Feast of St. George celebrated at Windsor in the 15. year of the present Soveraign there was an Anthem composed for the present Solemnity sung to the Organ and other Instrumental Musick placed in the Organ loft and this was the first time that Instrumental Musick was introduced into the said Chappel When the Vespers are ended the Prelate goes to the middle of the
or Stone-Gallery do twelve Gentlemen of the Privy-Chamber attend with a rich Canopy of Cloth of Gold who when the Soveraign approacheth receive him under it and bear it over his head until he arrivâ— at the Choire Door of St. George's Chappel and this Canopy is carried over the Soveraign only in the Morning of the Feast Day not in the Afternoon nor on the Eve nor the Day after the Feast The Processional way to the Chappel is the same they traversed on the Eve if the Soveraign and Knights-Companions march to the Chapter-House first for anciently it was the Custom to hold a Chapter in the Morning of the Feast Day either before Mattins and sometimes when Mattins was finished before the Grand Procession set â—orward This course received interruption in Queen Elizabeths time during which no Chapter was held in the Morning but in the 26. 31. 38. years of her Reign and then only for admitting of some of the Officers of the Order But the time of holding this Chapter was restored by King Charls the First who several times held it before the first Service began as in the 5. 14. 15. Years of his Reign But if no Chapter be at this time held then as soon as the Proceeding comes near to the Chappel instead of entring the passage between the East end of the Chappel and King Henry the Eighth's Tomb-House as it doth on the Eve because the Soveraign goes first to the Chapter-House it proceedeth straight on to the South Door of the Chappel and thence into the Choire Yet the present Soveraign An. 15. of his Reign appointed the whole Proceeding to pass by the said South Door along the Southside of the Chappel and then to enter in at the West Door which was then and since so observed When the Alms-Knights are come to the West Door of the Choire they enter and pass up above the steps to the Altar in the very same manner and Order as is at large described and mentioned to be observed upon the entry of the Proceeding into the Choire on the Eve of the Feast Then do the Prebends take their Seats and The Officers of Arms pass to the Haut Pas's of the Altar After this the Knights-Companions proceed and stand before their Stalls The Officers of the Order before their Forms and The Soveraign ascends his Royal Seat as also The Knights-Companions their Stalls Then the Prelate conducted by the Serjeant of the Vestry goes up to the Altar The Officers of Arms descend into the Choire and lastly The Alms-Knights retire to their Seats All which being done the Prelate begins the Morning Service wherein he proceeds according to the order prescribed in the Book of Common Prayer save only that the first Lesson being made proper to the Festival is taken out of the 44 Chapter of Ecclesiasticus This solemn Proceeding to the Chappel in the Morning of the Feast day is and hath been most usually performed on Foot nevertheless sometimes heretofore the Soveraign and Knights-Companions have proceeded on Horseback to enlarge the state and gallantry of the show For it is remembred that an 16. E. 4. the Feast of St. George being then celebrated at Windesor the Soveraign and Knights-Companions rode to the Chappel on Horseback to hear Mass that morning and with them also rode the Queen the Lady Elizabeth the King's Daughter and the Dutchess of Suffolk the King's Sister the Lady Marchioness Mountague the Marchioness Dorset and divers other Ladies in Gowns embroidered with Garters concerning which Habit we have already spoken So also an 3. H. 7. on the Morning of the Feast-day did the Soveraign and Knights-Companions proceed on Horseback to Matins with equal splendor or rather more glorious than on the Eve to the first Vespers For the Knights-Companions were vested in Surcoats of White Cloth embroidered with Garters the Livery of the new year the Kings Courser was trapped with a Trapper of St. George of white Cloth of Gold and the Lord Berners bare the King's Sword his Courser being trapped with St. Edward's Arms. This Proceeding was augmented by the presence of the Queen and the Kings Mother attended with a splendid Train of Ladies and others that waited on them themselves being attired in the Livery of the Order and their Horses most richly accoutred with Foot-Cloths Trappings and all other Furniture correspondant in like State as on the Eve Again in the 20 year of the same Soveraign who then held the Feast of St. George at Baynards Castle in London he proceeded on Horseback to St. Paul's Church in like order as on the Evening before where he heard Matins And King Henry the Eighth at the Feast held at Windesor in the 11. year of his Reign rode with the Knights-Companions about eight a Clock in the morning down to the Colledge to hear Mattins in like manner as on the Eve and alighted at the South door of the Chappel The like did King Philip an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. And Queen Elizabeth in the sixth year of her Reign proceeded also on Horseback to the Morning Service in her whole Habit of the Order Lastly an 6. Eliz. the Soveraign in the whole Habit of the Order the French Ambassador riding neer her and all the Knights-Companions with the Officers of the Order and Officers of Arms proceeded on Horseback to the Chappel on the Morning of the Feast-day And in like manner did the Soveraign's Lieutenant at the same Feast ride to the first and second Vespers and to the Morning Service the day after the Feast It was a Custom begun by Queen Elizabeth and used when she celebrated the Feast of St. George either at Whitehall or Greenwich for the Soveraign's Lieutenant and the Knights-Companions in full Robes attended with the Officers of the Order and of Arms to meet in the Presence-Chamber about 9 a Clock in the Morning of the Feast day and thence to proceed as they did the Evening before through the Guard-Chamber down into the Great Hall and thence into the Chappel where they took their Stalls as on the Eve after which Morning Prayer according to the order established in the Church of England was begun and continued so far as the Letany and this was called the first Service which done they all descended from their Stalls in the accustomed order and proceeded back to the Presence in the same manner and by the same way as they went to the Chappel and there waited the coming of the Soveraign before whom they proceeded a second time to the Choire where the Letany and Grand Procession begun called the second Service at which the Soveraign was usually present but never at the first Service And the first memorial that we have met with of this double proceeding to the Chappel in the Morning of the Feast-day is recorded in
of Silk and Gold rich Cloth of Gold or Cloth of Tissue and to sute with both it is sometimes called Vmbrella aurea Vmbraculum aureum or Canopium vel Coelum portatile auri to which there are affixed 6 Golden Staves wherewith it is supported The persons appointed to carry the Canopy an 11. H. 8. were 4 Knights of the Body when 4 other Knights bore 4 Wax Tapers but since they are the Gentlemen of the Soveraign's Privy Chamber in Ordinary who at the time of the Feast are in waiting Concerning whom there is this mention made in the Blue Book an 26. Eliz. The Soveraign was pleased to follow the Grand Procession certain persons being placed already at the Choire door who wear to bear the Canopy woven of Gold and Silk for her to walk under In her Reign there were not above 6 appointed for this service but of later times they have been increased to double that number the first mention whereof that we have met with is an 8. Car. 1. The most usual place at Windesor where the Canopy bearers attend to receive the Soveraign when he enters upon the Grand Processions is at the Choire door yet once we find they received him without the outer door of the Chappel and they who bear it make a stand when the Soveraign returns to the same place where they received him while he passeth from under the same into the Choire to his Royal Stall At Windesor the Canopy is aswell used when the Soveraign descends from the Presence Chamber in the Proceeding to the Chappel on the Feast day in the Morning as during the time of Procession but at Whitehall it is carried over the Soveraign's head during the time of the Grand Pâ—â—cession only In this solemn Proceeding and at all other times of Publick Proceeding during the continuance of the Feast the Soveraign hath the long Train of his Mantle carried up by several of the young Nobility appointed to this Service concerning which we shall observe That this Custom of holding up the Train is a very ancient kind of honor and derived some think from the Roman Emperors others from the Popes Cardinals and Bishops who as they used to kneel down to offer at the Altar or perform any other part of Divine Service had the end of hindermost part of their Stoles or long Robes held up behind from the ground by their Arch-Dâ—aecons in token of great veneration and honor But what Erhardus Cellius affirms as more peculiar to our purpose is this That as Kings have anciently been accounted Priests so King Edward the Founder of this most Noble Order ordained this sacerdotal honor of the Train to be added to the Habit of the Order Which Ceremony of carrying up the Train as it hath been anciently afforded to Kings both in England France and elsewhere so at length it was drawn down into use by great Personages of both Sexes at grand Solemnities Assemblies Marriages c. whereof the foresaid Author gives sundry Examples A description of the Train together with the manner of bearing it up as of the Fashion and Figure wherein it then shews it self is also given us by him for speaking of the Duke of Wirtemberg's Train that was carried up according to the English Fashion at his solemn reception of the whole Habit of the Order of the Garter he takes occasion to tell us that this Appendix or Supplement trailing from the hindermost part of his Mantle is commonly called Syrma as being in the likeness of the Tail and Wings which Nature hath given for ornament to the Peacock The Lady Isabell Daughter to the French King Henry the Second when she was married by Proxy to Philip the Second King of Spain an 1559. had her Train carried up from the ground by Mary Queen of Scotland who had been lately married to the Dauphin of France and two other young Ladies Sisters of the Bride This being premised the Persons together with their quality who have had the honor to bear up the Soveraign's Train at the Grand Festival or other solemn Assemblies relating to this most Noble Order fall in now to be spoken of they being appointed by the Soveraign and notice thereof sent unto them by the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold to the end they may give their attendance accordingly The ancientest Example we have met with of performing this Service in relation to the Solemnities of the Order is that of an 21. H. 7. at the Installation of Philip King of Castile when the Soveraign's Train as he went to make his Offring at the high Altar was born up by one of the Canons of the Colledge Queen Elizabeth had for the most part her Train carried up by great Ladies when she proceeded to the Closet at Whitehall on the Eve of St. George and in particular by the Lady Marchioness of Northampton in the third year of her Reign an 4. by the Dutchess of Suffolk an 5. by the Dutchess of Norfolk an 6. by the Lady Margaret Clifford Wife to the Lord Strange in the 7. and 9. years by the Dutchess of Somerset an 8. by the Countess of Rutland and an 10. on the Eve of the Grand Feast by the foresaid Dutchess of Suffolk At other times this service hath been performed by persons of honor both men and women together as on the Grand Feast day an 19. Eliz. the Earl of Oxford bore up the Train of the Soveraign's Robe and the Countess of Derby that of her Kirtle But an 5. Eliz. the Dutchess of Norfolk carried up the Train both of the Robe and Kirtle Sometimes the said Soveraign had her Train carried up by the Register of the Order as on St. George's day an 2. 3. Eliz. But of late times young Noblemen have performed this Office the most honorable person going on the right hand as an 3. Car. 1. the Duke of Lenox and Earl of Caernarvon an 8. Caer. 1. Visc. Grandison the Lord Wentworth and the Lord Carew of Leppington So 8. Oct. an 15 Car. 1. the Duke of Buckingham and his Brother with the Lord Buckhurst and Lord Cavendish Assistants have been usually appointed to those honourable personages who carried up the Soveraign Train and in this quality an 18. Eliz. the Earl of Oxford Lord High Chamberlain of England assisted the Countess of Derby which service the Vice-Chamberlain had before discharged for many years together viz. in the 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 and 10 th Years of Queen Eliz. and since the Gentleman of the Robes for so did Mr. Kirke an 8 9 11 Car. 1. The place of the Assistant in the Proceeding is upon the left hand of the Train-Bearers This honor of bearing up the Train hath been in like manner afforded to Stranger Kings at such times as they have
there facing their Table make a stand and the rest of the Knights-Companions coming up after do in like manner make a stand according to their seniority the senior neerest the State through which Lane the Officers of the Order proceed conducting the Soveraign till he draws neer to the State and then do the said Officers retire as did the former part of the Proceeding on the side opposite to the Table the Soveraign in the mean time passeth on to the State and there turning himself about receiveth the Reverences of the Knights-Companions and re-salutes them as usually After this the Soveraign yet standing directly before the State hath Water brought him up with three Reverences by the Noblemen assigned to that service the Lord Chamberlain if he be not a Knight of the Order otherwise the Vice-Chamberlain going before them for so did the Earl of St. Albans at the Grand Feast an 23. Car. 2. so also did Sir George Carteret an 19. Car. 2. But an 3. H. 7. some of the Knights-Companions served the Soveraign with Water And to be more particular in the Ceremony of the Soveraign's washing it is noted an 2. Eliz. that the Earl of Arundel held the Towel the Earl of Pembroke the Water the Earl of Derby and Marquess of Winchester Assistants the Bason and the Earl of Derby gave the Soveraign the Assay of it Again an 7. of the same Queen the Duke of Norfolk held the Towel the Earl of Derby received it the Earl of Sussex brought the Water and the Earls of Northumberland and Shrewsbury Assisted all these being Knights of the Order In like manner also is the Soveraign's Lieutenant served with Water before Dinner but not by any of the Nobility of which there are many Examples among the rest that an 3. Eliz. when Sir Tho. Berenger gave him the Water kneeling and Sir Radcliff the Towell as also an 7. Eliz. when Sir Nicholas Poynes brought him the Towell and Sir Tho. Berenger the Water When the Soveraign hath washed the Prelate of the Order says Grace being assisted with some of the Soveraign's Chaplains an 7. Eliz. the Register of the Order assisted him and an 9. Eliz. the Bishop of Rochester then the Soveraign's Almoner Grace being said the Soveraign sits down in his Chair placed in the middle of his Table under the State for there is the most honorable Seat and the place where the State is held And here we have occasion to offer to the Readers view a draught of the old Wooden Chair said to be the Founders yet remaining in St. George's Hall at Windesor in which the Soveraigns heretofore sat at Dinner Most usually the Soveraign sat alone though sometimes heretofore he hath been pleased to admit some of the Knights-Companions to sit at his Table with him For instance in a few Sigismond the Emperor when he received a Personal Installation at Windesor at the Grand Feast held there an 4. H. 5. it is remembred that the Soveraign out of great civility offered the chief place at the Table to him which hitherto the King as Soveraign had retained in the Chappel and in all the Proceedings which whether the Emperor accepted of it or not is not clear enough expressed in the Black Book but we have met with an ancient memorial which is more particular and faith that at Dinner the Emperor kept the State that is sat in the middle and another that saith the King sat on the Emperors right side and the Duke of Bedford the Lord Chancellor the Bishop of Duresme on the Emperors left hand the Duke of Briga and another Duke of the Emperors Train sat both on the Soveraign's side and all of them on one side of the Table Moreover an 11. E. 4. the Soveraign then keeping the Feast at Windesor the Prelate of the Order sat on his right hand and the Duke of Gloucester and Earl of Essex on his lest So an 3. H. 7. the Prelate sat alone on the Soveraign's right hand at the end of the Table And in the 24. year of the same King who then celebrated the Feast at Greenwich there sat with him at the Boards end the Dukes of Norfolk and Suffolk the Marquess of Exceter and the Lord Stephen Gardiner Prelate of the Garter It is also noted that at the Feast held at Windesor an 11. H. 8. only the Lord Richard Fox then Prelate sat on the right hand of the Soveraign neer to the Boards end being served with his Carver Sewer and Cupbearer Mess Course and Service as the Soveraign had In which place sat also the Bishop of Winchester an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. And an 22. H. 8. four of the greatest States being Knights-Companions sat at the Soveraign's Table and the residue of the Knights at their own An. 2. Eliz. the Soveraign admitted the Earls of Arundel and Derby together with the Marquess of Winchester to her Table who sat at the end thereof on the left hand and the following year the Duke of Norfolk the Marquess of Northampton and Earl of Arundel sat also at the Tables end So an 7. Eliz. the Duke of Norfolk and Marquess of Winchester and an 9. the Earls of Arundel and Pembroke whilst the other Knights-Companions sat at their own Table But this favour and honor was not afforded to any of the Knights-Companions since her Reign no not at the Installation of the present Soveraign though a Ceremony carried on with designed indulgence and honor but we find him then placed at the same Mess with the senior Knight at the upper end of the Knights-Companions Table Assoon as the Soveraign is sat down the Knights-Companions put on their Caps and remaining so covered forthwith retire against the Tables prepared for them where standing a while Water is brought to them and they also wash there being to each pair a Bason and Ewer and a Towel allowed which are brought in by Gentlemen of quality and having washt they all sit down The order of passing to their Seats at the Table an 19. Car. 2. was on this manner and appointed so to be observed for the future first his Highness the Duke of York entred within the Rails at the upper end of the Table and so passed down the hither side to the lower end and thence up along the Bench side to his place in like manner followed all the other Knights according to the seniority of their Stalls for it is ordained that they shall sit in that order not according to their Estates or Degrees except the Sons or Brethren of Stranger Kings Princes and Dukes who shall keep their placeâ— or rooms after their Estates and all on the right hand or further side of their Tables not one over against another two and two at a Table to one Mess. But those whose Companions are wanting sit
therewith the Ceremonies of this Grand Feast take ending Heretofore when the Feast was held at Whitehall the Soveraigns Lieutenant and Knights-Companions were accustomed to put off their Mantles without the Chappel-Door assoon as they returned from Morning Service But an 13 Car. 1. at the finishing of this Morning Service the Proceeding went back before the Soveraign to the Presence-Chamber so also an 19 Car. 2. and in like manner an 17 Car. 1. it marched before the Soveraign in order from the Cathedral Church in York to the Soveraign Palace before they put off their Mantles SECT IV. The Diets at some of the Grand Feasts WE were unwilling to interrupt the Course of the Ceremonies relative to this Grand Feast with what some will esteem perhaps improper if not trivial nevertheless since others judge it may contribute to the setting forth the Grandeur and Magnificence of it if the particulars of the Diets be made known we shall add for Corolary an account of some of them here An Ordinance for the King the Queen and the Knights of the Garter at Windesor for Saturday Supper and Sunday Dinner the 28. and 29. days of May an 11. Reg. Henrici Octavi Saturday Supper Sunday Dinner first Course first Course Canell Soppus to Potage A George on Horseback Organs of Ling Standerd Chikins in brewel Salmon Calver Pestel of Hert for gr sh. Pyke in Erblade Capons in Erblade Plece Cignets Bremes mar Carpes of Venison Cunger gr Capons of halt gr Solles in solemsauce Herons Moletts in grave Pyke in Latum sawce Tenches in Gresell sawce Salman Calver Carpe in sharpe sawce A made Dish Creves mar Pies of Paries Dowsetts desire Custard planted with Garters Tart covered A Tart closed with Arms.  Fritor Lion  Prewne Orangs  Vno eq per pero  Leche Second Course Second Course Mainemâ— Royal. A Sotelte Halebut in engrailed Iely Ypocras Fresh Sturgion Kind Kid. Base Fesants Sowre Moletts Brewes or Mewes Bremes aque dulc Godwits Perches in soyle Birds of the Nest. Eliis gr rost Chikens Chines of Salmon r. Peions Porpos in Armor Rabets Creves dozen Peres made Orangs bak Sturgion r. Tart melior Creves dd Leche Cumforte Quales  Venison in past  Tart party  Orangs bak  Leche For the Knights Dinner on Sunday First Course Second Course Chikins in brewel Iely Yppocras Pestels or gr schare Kyd or Lambe peru Capon in Erblade Fesaunts Cignets or Green-Geese Quales Carpis of Venison or Veal Chikins Herons or Gullys Pigeons Pyke or Lampre p. Rabets Salmon Calver Sturgion r. Pies of Paris Creves dd Custard Plancyd Venison in past Fryttors Tart party  Bawdrets or Orangs bak  Leche This Fare followeth the Knights at the second Table First Course Second Course Potage A Viande Gr. Schare Lambe Capon boiled Chikins or Pigions Green Geese Venison bak or Tart. Veal rosted Creves dd Pies or Custard Leche or Frittor Lampre pr.  Frittor or Leche  This Fare is for the first Hall First Course Second Course Potage A Viand Gr. Schare Lamb. Capon boiled Chikins or Pigions Green Geese for 12 or 16 Mess. Venison bak Veal Leche or Frittor Pies or Custard paru  Frittor  Waste to be given by the great Officers Cxx Mess. Beef Veal Geese and Capon Waste to be dealt at Gate viz. CCCC Mess. Beef Veal and Bakemeats Venison or other This course for giving Waste was continued until an 12. Car. 2. that the Purveyances and Provisions for the Kings Houshold were taken away by Act of Parliament A Proportion made for the foresaid Feast of St. George Beef 24 Moulton 92 Veales 74 Pykes 24 Lampre pr. 240 Cygnets 3 doz Green Geese 18 dd Herons 8 dd Fesants 4 dd Brewz or Gullys 6 dd Goddwitts 5 dd Birds of the Nest 200. Pigeons 50 dd Chikins 52 dd Rabits 36 dd Capon of gr 12. Capon k. 8. dd Capon cos 16. dd Hens 40. dd Kyds 14 Lambs Sukkers 14 Lambs gr 96 Young Cranes 3 doz Dottrells 5 dd Quails 15 dd Creme 16 gall Crude 60 g. Milk 60 g. Butter and Eggs plenty  Peacocks with their Tails Pastry 16 Creme 24 g. Crude 80 g. Milk 76 g. Aples 200. Oranges 300. Butter to serve the said Feast  Eggs to serve the said Feast   l. s. d. The charge of the whole came to 431 03 09 For the Feast of St. George held at Whitehall on Munday the 22. and Tuesday the 23. days of April in the 19. year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord King Charles the Second An. Dom. 1667. The Supper for the Soveraign on the Eve being Munday night was prepared and set upon the Table in the Banqueting-House two by two beginning at the East end of it and the rest of the Dishes were set upon the other Dishes as Rinders in the middle  First Course  1. Ducklings boyled xij 21. Petty Paties 2. Veal Arago 3. Salmon boyled j. case 22. Rabbits fryed xij 4. Pidgeon Pye 5. Green Geese xij 23. Sallet 6. Gammon Bacon with iiij Pullets greatcourse 7. Pike with Prawns Cockles and Oysters 24. Capon good per Sallets iiij 8. Bisk Pigeons xij 9. Venison Pye 25. Rabbits marrionated 10. Chines Mutton and Veal iij. 11. Chickens boyled xij 26. Hashed Sallet 12. Hens with Eggs hasht vj. 13. Carps Great iij. 27. Cold Sparagraâ—s 14. Oyster Pye 15. Tongues and Vdders iiij 28. Pickled Sallets 16. Capons boyled ij 17. Kid j. case 29. Sweet breads Arago 18. Pullet a Granow iiij 19. Beatilia Pye  20. Capons fat v.  Second Course  1. Veal Soust ij 21. Tongues iiij 2. Salmon col 3. Pullets Great vj. 22. Leich 4. Tongue Pye 5. Ducklings xij 23. Anchovis Caveare and pickled Oysters 6. Leverets vj. 7. Lobsters vj. 24. Eggs of Portugal 8. Chickens fat xij 9. Pheasants with Eggs vj. 25. Blamange 10. Skerret Pye 11. Partridges xij 26. Creame Pistache 12. Turky Chicks xij 13. Crabs buttered vj. 27. Sparragrass 14. Tarts sorts 15. Gammons Bacon ij 28. Ielly 16. Pigeons tame xij 17. Chickens marrionated xij 29. Prawnes 18. Lamprey Pye 19. Pullets Soust vj.  20. Sallet Four Mess of Fare served to Supper on the Eve to the Knights-Companions Tables viz. one to the Duke of Yorks Table and three to the other six Knights then present and one Mess of the same fare to the Prelate and the other Officers of the Order First Course Second Course Capons boyled ij Pullets great vj. Wildboar Pye Gammon Bacon ij Kid j. case Ducklings xij Carpes great iij. Carpes Soust ij Chicken Pye frosted Partridges viij Gammon Bacon with 4. Pullets great Lamprey Pye Oyster Pye Bisk of Shelfish Turkey Chicks xij Venison Pye Prawnes Bisk Pigeons xij Pidgeons tame xij Tongue and Vdders iiij Tongues iiij Pike great Chickens fat xij Capons fat iiij Tongue Pye Turkey Pye Rabbets xij Jegot Multon ferst Anchovis Caveare and pickled Oysters Veal Arago  Green Geese x. Leich Beatilia Pye
the same order as they go the Gentlemen-Vshers also are to go bare-headed and the Herald if present to take place next before the Knights person 4. In his Dinner on the Feast day that it be noble and his Attendance at the Table sutable and that he dine and sup alone at all times unless there happen to be a Knight-Companion with him 5. In his Offering of money that he make it not only on the Feast day in the morning but the next morning also assoon as the first sentence of the Offertory is pronounced 6. That at Evening Prayer on the Feast day and also at the Supper following he observe all things as on the Eve 7. In wearing his Habit of the Order until after Supper on the Eve and all the Feast day until supper be ended at night 8. That on the Morrow after the Feast he proceed to the Church in his Mantle only and when Divine Service is finished then to put it off at the Church door And if any thing else in the before recited Article seem short or obscure the large account in the Preparations for the Grand Feast and course to be observed in the celebrations thereof before laid down and handled will sufficiently clear and explain without the assistance of any further Comment But here we must note that though the Statutes seem not to oblige the absent Knights-Companions to hold the Ceremonies of the Feast longer than the Evening on the Feast day yet by the practice of ensuing years they were extended to the Morrow after and consequently observed by the absent Knights so long as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions performed them at Windesor or elsewhere If the absent Knight be a person of eminent Degree he is to be attended by a Herald or Pursuivant at Arms or both during the Solemnity of the Feast to adde the greater lustre thereto Thus was Prince Arthur an 15. H. 7. attended at Hereford and the like honor was designed to the Earl of Leicester when he kept the Solemnity of the Feast in the Low Countries and had been performed but that the Herald dyed before St. George's day The nature of this Officers Employment on such an occasion will partly appear out of the Instructions given by Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter pursuant to the directions of the Statute to Henry Rees alias Berwick Pursuivant at Arms the 3. of April an 1565. which were to this effect 1. That he should see a Capital Stall provided for the Soveraign though not there with a Cloth of State and before it a Carpet and Cushen with a Scutcheon of the Soveraign's Arms impaled with those of St. George fixed thereon 2. That the Knight's Stall should be decently trimmed with a Scutcheon of his own Arms fixed at the back of it and that this Stall should be placed a good distance from the Soveraign's Stall according to the largeness of the Chappel 3. That he should go before the Knight-Companion to and from the Church both on the Even of the Feast and Feast day in his Coat of Arms using such Reverence as is meet and convenient and sit on a Form before the Soveraign's Stall 4. That on the Feast day at Dinner after the second Mess shall be served up having on his Coat of Arms he shall proclaim the said Knight's Stile in French 5. And lastly when the Knight puts off his Mantle either in the Church or where Service is said then he to put off his Coat also and return home in his ordinary Apparel with him SECT III. How to be observed in case of Sickness BUT in case of Sickness and such as hath confined the absent Knight to his Bed or would not permit him with safety to go out of his Chamber the custom was to prepare a Capital Stall for the Soveraign of the Order with a Cloth of State Carpet Cushens and a Scutcheon of the Arms of the Order impaled with the Arms of the Soveraign and his Stile underneath in the Chamber where he lay as also another Stall for himself placed according to the before mentioned directions which were there to remain during the Feast In which Room also were the Divine Offices celebrated both on the Eve the Feast day and the Morrow after And if the absent Knight were so sick that he kept his Bed then was his whole Habit of the Order laid thereon during the time the rest of the Knights-Companions are enjoined to wear theirs according to the ancient Custom and Statutes and upon this account Ambrose Earl of Warwick falling ill at Greenwich when St. George's day was there celebrated an 30. Eliz. retired to his Chamber and there sat in his Robes SECT IV. In what manner the Feast hath been observed by absent Knights IN relation to the Celebrations performed by absent Knights the Black Book gives us a punctual account in a considerable Precedent namely of the Feast of St. George holden in the Palace of Hereford by Prince Arthur an 15. H. 7. he being then in the Government of his Principality of Wales and had with him Sir Richard Pool one of the Companions of the Order then his Highness Chamberlain this worthy Knight took care that all those things which the Solemnity of the Feast required and the Soveraign and Knights-Companions did observe according to the form of the Statutes and accustomed manner should be most exactly performed and indeed there was nothing intermited in the Mass in the first and second Vespers which solemn custom required should be done in Censing Fuming Proceeding and Offering aswell the Prince as the said Sir Richard but it was undertook and performed with much exactness Besides the Princes Sword was born and held before his Stall and his Herald performed his Service with all â—â—â—â—gence also the Soveraigns Herald stood all the while before the Soveraigns Stall which was adorned with accustomed Ornaments and lastly the Bishop who celebrated Divine Service had his Seat erected near to the high Altar But the publick memorials of Sir Henry Sydneys holding two several Feasts of St. George the one at Shrewsbury and the other at Ludlow is worthy of a place here since these two Corporations have caused them to be conspicuously recorded in their Town Hall and from whence I made Transcripts when I accompanied William Dugdale Esq Norroy King of Arms in his Visitation of Shropshire An. Dom. 1663. That at Shrewsbury being written in large Letters upon a pain of Wainscot over the Chimney in the Chamber of Concord in the Town-Hall is as followeth Be it remembred that in the Year of our Lord 1581. and in the 23d Year of the Reign of our most dread Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Feast of the most noble Order of the Garter was right honourably kept in the good and right renowned Town of Salop by the Right Honourable Sir Henry Sidney then Lord President of the Council established in the Principallity of Wales and Marches of
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
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
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
in Sweden was sworn a Gentleman of the Soveraign's Privy-Chamber extraordinary After the Chapter was ended the Soveraign commanded the Iewels to be delivered to the Master of his Iewel-house and the Robes to be sent to the Dean of Windesor to be deposited there Notwithstanding which Command yet was not the Mantle brought thither till the Instalment of the present Soveraign at which time by order in Chapter and the Soveraign's liberal donation not only the Mantle but the Garter Collar and Great George of the foresaid King the value whereof we have before noted were ordered to be committed to the custody of the Dean and Chapter of Windesor and accordingly then brought down from the Court in the Castle by Mr. Iosee Mr. Maxwell and some others belonging to the Soveraign's Bed-Chamber and delivered to them to be laid up in their Treasury for a perpetual memory of that renowned King who died in the field wearing some of those Iewels to the great renown of the Order and as a true martial Prince and Companion thereof The Diamonds set in the Garter and George at the humble request of Doctor Christopher Wren the then Register were Ordered to be viewed and numbred by Sir Iames Palmer Deputy Chancellor which being done an Inventory was made the 24. of May following and a Duplicate thereof being drawn the one part was signed by the Dean and Prebends which remained with the Deputy Chancellor the other by the Deputy Chancellor and left in the Treasury with the Jewels the number upon the great Garter and George amounting to 498 Diamonds And in the Floor of the said Treasury did these Iewels remain hid there by the said Register till about the beginning of March an 1645. that Colonel Ven the then Governor of that Castle took them thence and it should seem they were afterwards delivered unto Colonel Whitchcott who succeeded him in that Government for I find that Mr. Iohn Hunt Treasurer to the Trustees appointed by the Long Parliament for Sale of the late Kings Goods did receive them from the hands of the said Colonel Whitchcott CHAP. XXVI OF THE Founder THE FIRST Knights-Companions AND THEIR Successors SECT I. Of what Number the Institution consisted THE main part of our design relating to the Institution Laws and Ceremonies of the most Noble Order of the Garter is now brought to a period what else we intend with the end of our journey lies now within our prospect and concerns the Founder the first Knights-Companions and their Successors For King Edward the Third having Instituted the said Order and set down Rules and Statutes for the government and regulation thereof he next resolved to Elect from among the flower of his own Chevalry 25 noble and valiant Knights who together with himself should make up the number of 26. for of so many doth the Order by his appointment consist and indeed that Age furnished him with large choice of gallant men made famous by martial Exploits performed in the Battels of Sluce Crescy and Durham The first that he Elected into this Noble Order was Edward his eldest Son who had already in part deserved and afterwards obtained the title of a valiant and renowned Prince and the rest of those accomplished Collegues were these that follow and thus placed in their Stalls On the Soveraign's side On the Prince's side 2. Henry Duke of Lancaster 2. Thomas Earl of Warwick 3. Piers Capitow de la Bouch. 3. Ralph Earl of Stafford 4. William Earl of Salisbury 4. Roger Earl of March 5. Sir Iohn Lisle 5. Sir Bartholomew Burghersh 6. Sir Iohn Beauchamp 6. Sir Iohn Mohun 7. Sir Hugh Courtney 7. Sir Thomas Holland 8. Sir Iohn Grey 8. Sir Richard Fitz-Simon 9. Sir Miles Stapleton 9. Sir Thomas Wale 10. Sir Hugh Wrottesley 10. Sir Nele Loring 11. Sir Iohn Chandos 11. Sir Iames Audeley 12. Sir Otes Holland 12. Sir Henry Eam 13. Sir Sanchet Dabrichcourt 13. Sir Walter Paveley We once intended a full and entire History of the Lives of these Noble Founders and to that purpose made a large and chargeable Collection out of the Records in the Tower of London and elsewhere of all that we could find worthy to be remembred of them in which we spent most part of the years 1657.1658 and 1659. But this our design being afterwards represented to the present Soveraign and Knights-Companions by the late Chancellor of the Order through the wrong end of the Perspective we thereby received so great discouragemement as caused us to wave it and indeed resolved wholly to lay it aside Nevertheless upon other thoughts here being a proper occasion we are content to let in a glimpse of what may be improved to a far greater light and from that stock of Collections drawn out some few things relating to the Founder and first 25 Knights-Companions particularly their Honors Martial Employments famous Exploits Matches Issues and Death therein laying down only matter of Fact and Materials for History without deductions or observations All which we shall deliver with the plainness there found being unwilling to add other Rhetorical flourishes lest we might withal cast some blemish upon the native beauty of Truth And in this undertaking the Reader may see what Furniture though it lye disperst our Publick Records will afford for History and how plentifully our own may be supplied and improved if pains were taken therein for what is hitherto made publick hath been collected chiefly out of old Annals and they filled with few things but such as were very obvious nay the Annalists themselves for the most part residing in Monasteries too often by ass'd with Interest and Affection to Times and Persons But on the contrary in our publick Records lye matter of Fact in full truth and therewith the Chronological part carried on even to days of the Month. So that an industrious Searcher may thence collect considerable matter for new History rectifie many mistakes in our old and in both gratifie the world with unshadowed verity SECT II. A short view of the Founder's Wars TO begin then with the Founder the most Noble King Edward the Third He was eldest Son of King Edward the Second and Isabel Daughter to Philip the Fourth King of France whose Sons Lewis Philip and Charles all Kings of France one after another dying without Issue Male this Prince challenged the Crown of France as the next Heir male to it He was born in Windesor Castle the 13. day of November being Monday next after the Feast of St. Martin the Bishop in Winter and the day of St. Brice Bishop and Disciple of St. Martin in the year of our Lord God 1312. an Astrological Scheme of whose Nativity hath been long since painted in Glass in one of the Windows of the Prebends Lodgings at Windesor belonging to the Reverend and Worthy Divine Doctor Hever late one of the Canons of that Colledge Whence it appears that he
an Altar to be therein erected and dedicated to that Virgin He further granted to those Nuns and their Successors 20 l. per annum out of the Issues of the Town and County of Berwick until Lands to that value should be conferred upon them to the end that annually on the Eve and day of St. Margaret for ever they should commemorate the goodness of God for his so prosperous success On the Morrow after this great Victory the King had the Town and Castle of Berwick surrendred to him and on the 19. of Iune in the following year did Edward Baliol King of Scots make Homage and Fealty to him at Newcastle as to his Superior and Chief Lord of the Realm of Scotland who then granted to the King and annexed to the Crown of England for ever the Counties next adjoining to England namely Berwick Roxbourgh Peples and Dunfres the Towns of Hadington and Gedworth with the Castle and Fortress of Silkirke Etherick and Gedworth By the assistance which King Edward afforded to Edward Baliol he gained the most part of Scotland nevertheless divers Castles refused to surrender which occasioned the King to make another expedition thither and about Allballontide he arrived at Newcastle upon Tyne and thence marched into Scotland towards the end of November and at Christmass entred Ethrick Forest but the Scots were fled whereupon having prosecuted his design as far as he thought good he returned into England The next year he raised new Forces and himself from Carlisle and Edward King of Scots from Berwick both entred Scotland on the 12. of Iuly burning and wasting the Country on both sides beyond the Scottish Sea This Expedition brought the Earl of Atholl and divers of the Scotch Nobility to a Submission upon which the King came back into the Northern parts where he wintered and kept his Christmass at Newcastle About Twelfth-tide he was provided to pass again into Scotland when Ambassadors from the Pope and King of France found him at Berwick ready to enter that Kingdom and by their earnest sollicitation about Candlemas obtained of both Kings a Truce till Midlent following but no Peace ensuing Edward King of Scotland and divers of the English Nobility at Whitsontide entred Scotland again and finding St. Iohns Town slighted by the Scots they fortified it Shortly after this King Edward followed them thither and thence passed with his Army unto Elgen in Murrey and Innerness In his return he took Aberdeen and burnt divers Towns and destroyed the Country About which time the Earl of Cornwal entred Scotland also and destroyed the Western parts and met the King his Brother at St. Iohns Town where the King stayed not long but marched to Striveling built the Fortress called the Pile and returned home About the Feast of St. Luke he marcht again with a fresh Army into Scotland and repaired Bothuill-Castle and returned into England before Christmas leaving Edward King of Scots at St. Iohns Town setled in the Government of that Kingdom The Affairs of Scotland being thus quieted for some years gave King Edward the leisure to look towards France which Kingdom afterwards became the Scene of all his Martial Glory For Robert d' Artois Earl of Beaumont in France being discontented at the Sentence wherein Philip King of France had given the Earldom of Artois from him to Maud Countess of Burgundy let fall some dangerous words and they being laid hold on forced him to fly into England where he was kindly received by King Edward who after he had been here sometime afforded him the use of the Castles of Guilford Wallingford and Somerton whensoever he pleased to retire thither for his recreation and afterwards assigned him 800 l. per annum for his support the one moiety to be received out of the Revenues of certain Priories Alien seised into the Kings hands and the other moiety out of his Exchequer Soon after his coming over he advised the King to set on foot his claim to the Crown of Franceâ— whereto the King was willing enough to hearken and to be perswaded by him but the Affair being of so great concern his Council advised him to take the opinion of his Father-in-Law the Earl of Henault before he attempted any thing therein Hereupon a Comet with long and terrible streams ushering in this grand Affair he employed thither with all privacy Henry Burghersh Bishop of Lincolne with two Banerets and two Doctors to gain him to his party with all other persons of note as they should find inclinable to assist the King who laying before the Earl King Edward's pretensions to the Crown of France he not only approved of his design but advised the King to contract other Alliances and gain to his party some of his neighbouring Princes thereabouts The PORTRAICTVRES of King EDWARD the 3. with the first 2â— KNIGHTS COMPANIOS in the HABIT of the ORDER and SVRCOATS of their ARMES In April following a like Commission was issued to Henry Bishop of Lincolne William Earl of Salisbury and William Earl of Huntingdon and they immediately dispatcht into Flanders where they found business so well prepared by the Commissioners before named that by the 24. of May ensuing they had fully engaged divers of the Nobility and others in Henault Geldres and the Marquisate of Iuliers to appear in the Kings assistance against the French and withall setled the proportion of Men and Arms each of them were to furnish the King with in that Service together with the stipends and wages to be paid them in lieu thereof This done the said Bishop went to Gaunt and there won so much upon the humour of Iaques Dartuell that he gained him also to the Kings party Within a few days after Renaut the Second Earl of Guildres and Zuitphen who had married Leonora the Kings Sister and William Marquess of Iuliers Husband to Ioane Sister to Queen Philippa entred into the Association and next Rupert Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria signed an Agreement at Frankeford whereby he obliged himself to assist the King for the recovery and maintenance of his Inheritance against all persons whatsoever except Lewis the Emperor his Uncle which several Contracts made by the foresaid Ambassadors with these Princes were confirmed by the King under the Great Seal of England the 26. of August following Between this Emperor and the King and their Heirs past also an Union and Confederacy which obliged them to use all their power particularly against Philip de Valois who carried himself as King of France and his Successors in that Kingdom for the recovery and defence of their Honors Inheritances and Possessions The 13. of Iuly was Iohn Duke of Loraine Brabant and Lemburgh retained for the King and with the assent of the Emperor was the Confederation made with Lewis his eldest Son there stiled Marquess of Brandenburgh Count Palatine of the Rhyne Duke of Bavaria
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
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
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
to Richard Earl of Arundel Admiral of the West-parts to arrest 13. stout Ships each of 80. Tun Burthen at least to bring them to Bristol before the Octaves of Easter for the passage of this Lord his men at Arms and Archers into that Country After a years enjoyment of this great Office he became desirous to resign it and to that purpose made an address to the King who sent directions to the Earl of Derby to confer with him about his continuance in it to which if he could not be perswaded to consent then he gave the Earl power to take his resignation and substitute some other fit person in his room to hold it during the Kings pleasure This Spring Iohn de Valois Duke of Normandy laid Siege to Aiguillon of which Town this Lord was Governor and then within it and though the Earl of Derby relieved him yet had the Duke so strongly intrenched himself that he could not raise the Siege so that it was continued by the Duke to the Decollation of St. Iohn Baptist in August at which time being called away to assist King Philip his Father against King Edward who had entred France with a puissant Army he raised his Siege Upon which the Lord Stafford sallying out of the Town fell upon his Rear cut off a great part of it and having joined his to the Kings Forces he had given him a Command in the Van of the Army under the Prince at the Battel of Cressy And after the Victory was sent with Sir Reignold Cobham and 3. Heralds to view the slain who made report of 11. great Princes 80. Bannerets 1200. Knights and above 30000. Common Souldiers When Calais was surrender'd he was one of those appointed to take possession of it for the King and had many fair Houses given him in that Town to place Inhabitants in Shortly after the rendition the Cardinals of Naples and Cleremont mediated a Peace between both Kings whereupon this Lord with Reignold de Cobham Io. Darcy and Robert de Bourghcher were nominated by the King to treat of a Peace or Truce between them their Subjects Allies and Adherents And for his good Services done to the King in France He gave him a Pension of 600. Marks for life out of the Customs of London and St. Butolphs The King also bestowed on him as a gift 573 l. towards his expences in his service beyond Sea He was with the King in the Encounter with Sir Geoffry Charney at Calais And went into Goscoigne with the Earl of Lancaster and other Lords to stop the Progress of the Duke of Normandy made there with his Army And growing more and more in the Kings favour by his meritorious Services he advanced him to the Dignity of an Earl and for the better support of that Honor and towards the defraying of his charge in attending the King with certain men at Arms both in Peace and War he granted him a Pension of 1000. Marks per Annum during life out of his Customs in London till he could settle on him the said annual sum in Lands or Rents The next day he was constituted the Kings Lieutenant and Captain in the Dukedom of Aquitaine and parts adjacent and the 3 d. of April following the King gave him power to appoint a Seneschal of Gascoigne and a Constable of Bordeaux and these to be such persons as he should think fit to enjoy those Offices during the Kings pleasure The next year the King empower'd him by a Commission to treat and agree with all persons of what Kingdom Nation or Degree soever upon a firm friendship and mutual assistance between the King and them and to retain them against all men to agree with them upon Fees Wages and rewards to receive security from them and give the like to them and what he did herein the King obliged himself and his Heirs to observe and perform Being ready to take another Journey into Gascoigne a Writ issued to Thomas Beauchamp Earl of Warwick Admiral towards the West to arrest all Ships of 50. Tuns and upwards for this Earls passage thither and to bring them to Sandwich by Quindena Trinitatis following and upon his Entry into that Country he defeated the French that sallied out of the Fortress of Gagent and among them was taken seven Knights of the Star An. 29. E. 3. he went over with the King to Calais at the latter end of Summer and marched along with him in pursuit of King Iohn as far as Heyden And an 33. E. 3. he attended him in his Voyage into France which terminated with the Peace agreed on at Bretigny near Chartres Two years after he was designed for Ireland in the Company of several other persons of Quality upon the Kings Service But after this Voyage being much broken with Age and wasted with Sickness he became uncapable of publick Employments This Noble Lord Married Margaret Daughter and Heir of Hugh de Audeley Earl of Gloucester and Margaret his Wife who died the 7. of September an 21. E. 3. and by whom he had Issue Ralph his eldest Son who married Maud Daughter of Henry de Lancaster Earl of Derby but died about 21. E. 3. Hugh who succeeded him in his Earldom and Sir Richard Stafford Knight Beatrix the Wife of Maurice fitz Maurice Earl of Desmond Ioan of Iohn Charleton Lord Powes and Margaret of Iohn Stafford Patron of the Church of Bromhall in Staffordshire He died the last of August an 46. E. 3. and lies buried at Turnbridge in Kent 7. William Montacute Earl of Salisbury THis Earl was Son unto William Montacute first Earl of Salisbury of that Family and Katherine one of the Coheirs of William Lord Grantson He was born the Morrow after Midsummer day an 2. E. 3. for at the Death of his Father found to be the 30. of Ianuary an 18. E. 3. he was 15. years old the Midsummer before The 24. of May an 20. E. 3. the Wardship of his body was committed to Iohn de Somerton and Thomas Waryn until Christmass following and then renued till Whitsontide and thence till Michaelmas ensuing and being within Age he attended the King in that memorable expedition into France an 20. E. 3. So also did his younger Brother Iohn He was in the Sea Fight against the Spaniards near Winchelsey an 24. E. 3. and going into Gascoigne in the retinue of the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. he obtained Letters directed to the Seneschal there with Command that he should not be sued or molested for any of his own or Ancestors debts during the space of two years An. 33. E. 3. he attended the King in his Royal expedition into France and from that time to the 43. of Edward the Third we find little mention of his Martial employments
William Mountacute first Earl of Salisbury and Sister to William Earl of Salisbury one of the first Founders of the Garter whose Will bears date the first day of November an Dom. 1378. in which she appoints her body to be buried in the Conventual Church of the Holy Trinity in the Priory of Bistleham vulgarly called Bysham Mountagu in Berkshire where an 1381. she was accordingly interred He dyed at Rovery in Burgundy the 26. of February an 34. E. 3. as the King was upon his march in those Countries and his body afterwards brought into England was buried at Wigmore with his Ancestors 9 Sir Iohn Lisle SIR Iohn Lisle was the Son of Robert Lord Lisle first summond to Parliament an 5. E. 2. by the Title of Robert de Lisle de Rubemont and of Margaret the Daughter of Peverell His Father Robert being disposed to give to him 400 Marks per annum of Land to serve the King with 6 men at Arms in his War the King to gratifie the said Robert and the better to support his Son granted that the said Robert might give him his Mannor of Harwood with its appurtenances in Yorkshire with other Lands to the annual value of 400 Marks during his life but afterwards to return to the said Robert and his Heirs and some years after his Brother Robert released to him and his Heirs all his right in the said Mannor and in the Advowson of the Church there Being thus provided for he attended the King in his first Voyage into France by the way of Flanders an 13. E. 3. and as Sir Iohn Froissard observes was in the Battel designed to be fought near Vironfosse Two years after he went into Aquitaine in the King's Service And the year ensuing he attended the King in Bretagne where he was one of the Commanders left at the Siege of Nants in Bretagne while the King foraged the Country and laid Siege to Dinant For his good services done the King he granted him a Pension of 200 l. per annum for his life to support his Degree of Banneret This Pension was first appointed to be paid him out of the Exchequer until a Provision of Lands or Rents to that yearly value were made for him but after there was assigned to him out of the Priory of St. Neats then of Stoke nigh Clare and of Fye to wit 120 l. per annum out of the Priory of Stoke and 80 l. per annum out of that of Eye Then 100 Marks was taken out of the Rent charge upon the Priory of Eye and laid upon the Issues of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon And lastly it came to be thus setled viz. That he should receive out of the Issues of these two Counties 200 Marks per annum and out of the issues of the Counties of Bedford and Bucks the remaining sum of 100 Marks per annum And having given him besides for like services another Pension for life of 40 l. a year out of his Exchequer also he appointed the payment of it out of the Farm of the Priory of St. Neats during the War An. 25. E. 3. the King made him Sheriff of the Counties of Cambridge and Huntingdon and granted him the Custody of the Castle of Cambridge for life He had by Maud his Wife two Sons Sir Robert Lisle Lord of Rougemont and Wilbraham whose Heir male hath now his dwelling as I am informed at Wilbraham in Cambridgshire and Sir William Lisle Lord of Cameldon and Shefford who died without Issue In the Prince's Expedition into Gascoigne an 29. E. 3. he attended him and had Command given him in the main Body of the Army But in the three days march into the Enemies Country he was unfortunately hurt with a Quarrel or Bolt shot out of a Cross-bow of which he dyed the 14. of October in the same year his Son Robert being then about 22 years of age 10. Sir Bartholomew Burghersh SIR Bartholomew Burghersh was Son to Bartholomew Lord Burghersh frequently distinguished by the Title of Senior and Elizabeth one of the Daughters and Co-heirs of Theobald de Verdon His Father was first summoned to Parliament an 1. E. 3. a person of great Council and Valour which laid a strong foundation for his Sons Honor having been several times constituted Constable of Dover and the Cinque-Ports he was also made Seneschal and Custos of Ponthieu and Monstriell Admiral towards the West Chamberlain to the King Lieutenant of the Tower of London one of the Custos's of England and frequently emploid in Embassies and by some through mistake made one of the first Founders of the Garter But among these enumerated in the preamble to the Statutes both of Institution with their Exemplars and those of King Henry the Fifth he is called Bartholomeus de Burghersh filius and Bartholomew de Burghersh le filz and so in divers places of our publick Records though we have seen some transcripts of these Statutes wherein the point hath been at the end of the Surname and filius so also le filz joined to Dom. Iohannes de Beauchamp But this was a plain mistake of the Transcriber since this Iohn was never married His first martial Service was when the King went into Bretagne an 16. E. 3. Next he went with the Prince in the Kings Expedition into France an 20. E. 3. where he staid with him at the Siege of Calais And for recompence of his Expences in this Voyage the King granted him the Custody of all the Lands and Tenements which had belonged to Iohn de Loueyne deceased till his Heir should come of Age without rendring any thing therefore The 23. year of King Edward he went along with him into Gascoigne And again thither with the Prince of Wales an 29. E. 3. and had command in the main body of the Princes Army The following year as the Prince retired from forraging the Country of Berry and was got near Romerentyne this Knight whom Froissard in several places calls the Lord Bartholomew Breches Sir Bartholomew de Bounes de Brennes and de Brunes but such mistakes are too frequent in that Author in this and other mens names as also in the names of Places was set upon by a French Ambushment but he and his Troops so gallantly behaved themselves that they kept the French in play till the Prince drew near upon the sight of whom they fled to Romerentyne pursued by the English and got into the Castle which the Prince commanded Sir Iohn Chandos to Summon but they refusing to yield after two desperate but fruitless assaults the English set it on fire which caused them speedily to surrender He attended the King in his expedition into France an 33. E. 3. and towards the end of the year an 37. E. 3.
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
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
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
agreed that the pour Knyghtes shall have their Mantells of Scarlett and a scuchion of th' armes of Saynt George withoute a Garter XVII Item it is agreed that every Knyght of the sayd Company shall leave his Mantyll within the said College for any sodayne chaunses that myght happen for to kepe holde and observe all suche Ordinances Preceptes and commaundements whiche may be advysed in Chaptre by the sayd Soverayne The whiche Soverayne by the consent and agrement of vi Knightes of the said Order may at all tymes and places at his pleasure sommon and make to be kepte Chaptre for all suche causes as it shall please to the said Soverayne to name towching the said Order XVIII Item it is agreed that if it fortune that any of the said Company shulde come within ii myle of the Castell that he shall goo in if he may for the honor oâ— the place if he be nott busyed or lett by some juste cause and that he take his Mantell before he entre within the said Chappell And alsoo that he entre not in but he have his Mantyll upon tym And the Canons there beyng present for that tyme shall come to receyve hym and devotly shall bring hym into the said Chappell and if it be in tyme of Masse he shall tary and heâ—re Masse in the honor of God and of St. George and if it be at afternone he shall come in in manner abovesaid And there shall be said by the Canons De profundiâ— for all Cristen sowles and there shall offer and retourne unto his stall And yf any of the said Company ride thorowgh the Lowne and wyll not offre as it is agreed that upon his obedience for every tyme that he faileth he shall goo one myle on fote from the said Chappel unto the said place in honor of Saynt George And also for every tyme that he shall so fayle he shall gyve a grote for his Offrynge The whiche distaunce for to com nygh unto the seid Castell is two myles allonly and no more XIX Item it is accorded the xxxii yere of our Soveraign Lorde Kyng Henry the Eight by the grace of God Kyng of England and of Fraunce Defensor of the Faith Lord of Irland c. upon Seynt George's day the xxiii day of Aprill at a Chapter holden at the Paleys of Westminster by the Soveraign and the Companyons of the said Noble Order then there assembled That as sone as the deth of any of the Company of the saide Order shall be certeynly knowen every of the rest beyng no strangiers shall accordyng to the rates of their Degrees hereafter specified immediately upon a demaunde to be made for the same by the Register and the Dean or one of them to be by one of them employed in Aulmes deeds as in mendyng of High wayes or suche other works of charite as the Kyngs Majestie from tyme to tyme shall lymite and appoynte the severall somes of Money â—nâ—yng Furst the Souveraign viii l. vi â— viii d. A Kyng of another Realme vi l. xiii â— iv d. The Prince v l. xvi s. viii d. A Duke v l. A Marquess iii l. xv s. An Erie l s. A Visconte xli s. viii d. A Baron xxxiii s. iv d. A Bacheler Knyght xvi s. viii d. Of all which somes thus to be receyvyd the said Dean and Regester or eyther of them shall yerely at the Chapiter present his accompte to the Kyngs Majestie with â—is true and just declaration of the dysbursyng agayne and defraying of the same In that cause the partie whose Porcyen shall apere to be unpayde shall in the name of a Payne adde unto his former dutye another thirde parte of the same and so for every yere that he shall be behynde to pay a thredde parte more than he shuld paye if he shuld satisfye his ordinary accordyng to the rate before expressed And if the Dean or Register or any of them shall not at every suche Chapiter present the Certificate of the Receipts and Payments in fourme aforesâ—id whereby the same may apere to the Souverayn and Companyons of the Order then preâ—ent or at the leest he in whome the defawlt shall rest shall in the name of a payne contente and paye immemediatlâ— to bee employed abowte like purpose as afore the some of xâ— for every suche defaulte XX. Item it is agreed that if eny of the said Companye die that the Soverayne or his Deputie after that they shall have certification of his deth shall be bounde for to send and gyve knowledge by ther Letters to all the Felowship of the said Ordre beyng within England for to come and be with the said Soverayne or his Deputie in what place soever it be where it shall please hym to assigne convenyently within vi wekys after the certification of the death or decease of the said Knyght The which allsoo assembled or at the lest vi with the Soverayne or his Deputie abovesaid every of them that there shall be present come to the election shall name ix of the worthiest and sufficient Knyghtes withoute Reprosse that he shall knowe subjectes to the said Soverayne or others so be that they holde no contrary partie or be agaynst hym That is to witt three Dukes iii. Marquess Erles or of greater astate iii. Barons or banerettis and iii. Bachelers The whiche denominations the chief prelate of the said Order shall wryte Chat is to witt the Byshop of Wynchester for the tyme beyng or in his absence the Chaunceler or the Dean or Register or the mooste auncient Recidencer of the said College in their absence and the denomination soo done by all or vi at the leest by hym that have written shall bee shewed to the seid Soverayne or to his Deputie that then shall chose of them that be named be that shall have the moost voyces and also he that the Soverayne shall exteme to be moost honorable to the sayde Order and moost profitable to his Crowne and to his Realme And if there be any Knyght of the said Order that doth fayle for to come to the said Election if he be not lett by a juste cause and that the said cause of his excuse shewed under his seal of armes be founde by the Soverayne or his Deputie to be juste and reasonable then his excuse to be accepted and allowed and that if his cause be not juste and that he come not to the seremonies above-named it is agreed that he shall pay to the Warden of the College for to synge for hym that is departed xx s. sterling and at his nexte comyng to the Chaptre he shall be before the Soverayne or his Deputie and the company and shall knele upon the grounde in the myddes of the Chaptre untyll the tyme that he be reconsiled by the Soverayne or his Deputie and the said Companye XXI Item it is agreed that if any Knyght of the said Company shulde departe and another is chosen and electe he shall have
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
well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight Garter King of Arms Our said Order of the Garter the same to use as to this Election of you appertaineth wishing that God may increase you in virtue and honour as amply as any other that hath been Elected and placed in the same Yeoven under the Signet of our said Order at our Honor at Greenwich the 5. of May in the 26. year of our Reign To our right Trusty and Well-beloved the Lord Cobham Lord Warden of the Cinque-Ports Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM XX. A Letter signifying Election when the present Soveraign was beyond the Seas 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 c. and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin and Councellor James Marquess of Ormond our Lieutenant in the Kingdom of Ireland Greeting Whereas our Royal Progenitors the Kings of England have in all times since the institution of the most Noble Order of St. George called the Garter by our most noble and victorious Auncester King Edward the Third elected and chosen into the Fellowship thereof such Princes and other eminent persons as well Strangers as of their own Subjects as have for nobility and greatness of their births accompanied with 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 many of the Companions thereof are dead and that some others contrary to their honor and Oaths have deserted their allegiance and are no more worthy to be esteemed Companions of so noble an Order and finding how necessary it is for ouâ— service and the honor of the said Order to elect others in their places vacant who for their birth courage and fidelity may be fit to be admitted thereunto Know you therefore that we duly weighing the eminence of your birth and Family and above all the great and most extraordinary services done by you for many years past and still continued in the condition of our Lieutenant in that our Kingdom together with your singular courage and fidelity have thought it fit by our power as Soveraign of the said Order dispencing with the usual Ceremonies to elect and chuse you our said right trusty and entirely beloved Cousin James Marquess of Ormond to be Fellow and Companion of the said most Noble Order of the Garter and do herewith send unto you the George and Ribband part of the Ensigns thereof by our trusty and well-beloved Servant Henry Seymour Esq one of our Bed-Chamber in regard Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms the proper Officer is otherways employed in our service the which we do hereby will and authorise you to wear And because it is not possible at present to have all other Ceremonies and Additions incident to the same fully perfected We do further will and authorize you to wear and use the Garter or Ribband on your left Leg the Glory or Star of Silver with St. George's Cross embroidered within a Garter upon your Cloak and upper Garments as likewise the Great Collar of the Order upon such days as are accustomed to use the Garter about your arms and to style your self Knight and Companion of the said most Noble Order of the Garter in as ample manner as if you had been installed in our Castle of Windesor where when it shall please God to restore us to the possession thereof you shall formally be invested receive the habit and all other the above recited Ornaments of the said most Noble Order And We no way doubt but as you have hitherto with singular courage fidelity and ability served us so you will still continue to do the same as becomes a Knight and Companion of so Noble an Order Given at the Castle of St. Germans en laye this eighteenth day of September in the first Year of our Reign NUM XXI A Letter signifying Election sent to Sir Iohn Falstolf Registrum Chart. fol. 14. De par le Roy Souverain de l'Ordre de la Iartier NOstre ame feal nous vous saluons Et come apres le trespassement de nostre treschier feal Cousin le Conte de Westmerlande dont dieux ait l'ame que estoit un de noz Compaignons de l'Ordre de la Jartier Nous eussions ordonné que noveielle election fust fait pur avoire un autre Compaignon en son lieu come la manere si est que le contenu dez estatuz du dit Ordre le porte vons signifions que a la darrain feste de Seint George en nostre Chapitre du dit Ordre tenuz a Wyndesore le xxii jour d' Avryll darrain passé veille de la dite feste nostre Compaignie du dit Ordre esteauniz adonques au dit Chapitre Considerant tant lez hous leaux honourables services que avez de piecà faiz en service de nostre tres redounté Seigneur Pier que dieux assoille que faitez continuelement en nostre come pluseurs autres desertes d'onnour que dieux a souffert estre en vous en tollerant tousjours comme bon feal subjet lez paines travaulx de guerre pour nostre bon droit juste querelle susteiner vous a eslâ—u un de noz Compaignons du dit Ordre en lieu de nostre dit Cosin esperant que dieux vous donne tousjours grace valeur de faire toudis de bien en mâ—ulx vostre devoire pourquoy a la delivrance de cestez nouz avons chargie par noz lettres noz treschiers feaulx Cosins lez Countez de Salisbirs de Warwyke de Soulfolk qui sâ—nt noz Compaignons du dit Ordre ou l'un d'eulx de qui vous serrez plus pres quil vous monstrent delivrent lez estatuz du dit Ordre Et yceulx par vouz receux preugnent vostre serement en tel cas acoustume a faire que bien lealment tendres ferez si avaunte que Dieux vous donnera puissance tout le contenu es diz estatuz en vous baillant l'ordre de la Jartier La quelle chose faite volonz que vouz ordonnez en tout haste resonnablement possible vostre Heaulme Espee un honourable Chivalier sanz reproche en lieu de vous pour prendre vostre estalle come voz veirez que les ditz estatuz du dit Ordre le requirent Et en cas que le dit Ordre ne vondrez acceptier pour aucun cause a vouz semblant raisonable le nous certifiez dedeinz deux mois apres la doubte de cestez en ceo nais point de faute Donné a Leicestre soubz le Seall du dit Ordre
le viii jour de May. NUM XXII A Commission to take Sir Iohn Falstolfs Oath at his Investiture with the Garter Ibidem De par le Roy Souveraine de l'Ordre de la Iartier TResâ—biers feaulx Cosins Nous vous saluons sovent pour ce que a la feste de Seinte George darraine tenuz en nostre Chastell de Wyndesore nostre Compaignie de l'Ordre de la Jartier faisant alorsque Chapitre la veille de la dit Feste a eslieu nostre chier feall John Falstolt Chivalier un de nouz Compaignons du dit Ordre en lieu de nostre treschier Cosin le Counte de Westmerland dont dieux ait l'ame nous vous envoions lez estatuz de cellui Ordre enseallez du selle du dit Ordre pour lez presenter bailler au dit Monsieur John Falstolf Si voulons vous mandons que vous ou l'un de vous a qui primerement cez presentez serront monstrez ou exibecs presentez bailles audit John Falstolf lez ditz estatuz pour lez voier visiter savoir que sont tâ—nuz de faire ceux qui sont de dit Ordre Et en cas q'il accepta le dit Ordre Ressaivez son serement en tel cas accustumé à faire en luy baillant l'Ordre du Jartier en le manere accustumé Treschiers fealx Cosins dieuÌ„x soit garde de vous Donne a Leicestre soubz le Seel du dit Ordre le viii jour de May. A nos treschiers feaulx Cousins lez Countez de Warwyk de Sarisbury de Sulfolk nouz Compaignons de la Jartier a un cheseun d'eulx NUM XXIII A Warrant for allowance of Garter's Charges when sent to signifie an Election MS. 4. penes W. le N. Cl. fol. 59. THese shall be to require you of such her Majesties Treasure as remaineth in your hands to pay or cause to be paid to Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight King of Arms being sent by her Majesties Commandment to our very good Lords the Earl of Rutland in the County of Lincolne and to the Lord Scroop in the County of Cumberland to signifie unto them the Electiâ—n made of them into the Order of Knights of the Garter for his pains and charges in that voyage expended the sum of Twenty pounds and this shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf At the Court at Richmond the 10. of June 1584. T. Bromley Ch. Howard Chr. Hatton W. Burghley James Crofts Fran. Walâ—ingham Ed. Clynton To our very loving Friend Sir Thomas Heneage Knight Treasurer of of her Majesties Chamber NUM XXIV A Commission to the Soveraigns Lieutenant to Install an Elect-Knight Registr Chartac fol. 64. Henry R. HEnry the Eighth by the Grace of God King of England and of France Defensor of the Faith and Lord of Irland Souverain of the most Noble Order of the Gartier To our right trusty and right entirely well-beloved Cousin the Duke of Northfolk our Lieutenant at our Fest of the glorious Martir Saint George Patron of the said Noble Ordre our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosins the Marquess Dorset the Marquess of Exeter Th' Erle of Northumberland and our trusty and well-beloved the Vicounte Lisle the Vicount Fitz-water and the Vicount Rochford the Lord Ferrers Lord Bergaveny and the Lord Dakers Companions of the said Noble Order Greeting For as moche as we with you and other Companions have elected our right trusty and right entirely beloved Son Henry Duke of Richmont and of Somerset and Erle of Nottingham our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins th' Erle of Arundel th' Erle of Westmerland and th' Erle of Rutland Companions of the said Noble Ordre We therefore will and auctorise you by these presents that ye the said Duke of Norfolk with the assistance of such other as our said Noble Ordre be aforenamed shall not only accept and admit the said Duke and Erles into the said Ordre and receve their Othes and install them but also further do therein as to the laudable Statutes and Ordinances of the said Ordre apperteigneth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf at all times hereafter Yeven under the Seal of our said Gartier at our Palais of Brydewell the xviii day of June in the xvii year of our Reign NUM XXV Another Ex Collect. Iohannis Vincent Gen. Elizabeth R. ELIZABETH by the Grace of God Queen of England Fraunce and Ireland Defendor of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor th' Erle of Penbroke one of the Companions and Knights of the said Order by us assigned and deputed to be our Lieutenant at the Feast of the glorious Martyr St. George Patron of the saâ—d Order to be kept within our said Castell of Windesor the 4. of June next ensuing and others the Companions of the said Order that then shall be present Greeting Whereas we with others the Companions of the said Noble Order assembled at a Chapitre holden at our Palace of Westminster the xxiv day of Aprill last have elected and chosen among others our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousen the Duke of Norfolk our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen and Councellor the Marquess of Northampton our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen th' Erle of Rutland and our trusty and right well-beloved the Lord Robert Dudley Master of our Horse to be Knights and Companions of the said Order We will and by these presents authorise you not only to accepte and admit them into the said Order and receive their Oaths and install them accordingly but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable Custom and usage of the said Noble Order appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf Yeven under the Seal of our said Garter the first of June in the first year of our Reign NUM XXVI A Commission to other Knights-Companions for the Installation of an Elect-Knight Regist. Chartac fol. 61. b. Henry R. HENRY the Eighth by the Grace of God King of England and of France Defensor of the Faith and Lord of Irland Soverain of our Noble Ordre of the Gartier To our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin the Marquess Dorset And also to our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosins Th' Erle of Devon and th' Erle of Kent Companions of our said Noble Ordre Greeting Forasmâ—che as we with you and other Knights and Companions of our said Noble Ordre assembled at the Chapitre holden at our Manoir of Grenewich the xiii day of July last passed have elected and chosen Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers to be Knight and Companion of the said Ordre We therefore will and by vertue of these presents auctorise you not only t' accepte and admit the said
Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers into the said Ordre and receive his Othe and install him but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order it appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf Yeven undre our Seale of our said Gartier at our Castell of Windesore the xxi day of August the xv year of our Reign NUM XXVII Another Ex Collect. I. V. Elizabeth R. ELIZABETH by the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trustly and right well-beloved Câ—zen and Counsellor Francis Earl of Bâ—dford and to our right trusty and right well-beloved Anthony Viscount Mountague Companions â—f our Noble Order of the Garter Forasâ—uâ—h as we for divers reasonable causes cannot be present at our Castell of Windesor on the 19. of June next ensuing where we have determined to have installed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cozens William Earl of Worcester and Henry Earl of Huntingdon as Knights of ouâ— said Order of the Garter We therefâ—re by these presents name constitute appoint and ordain you to be our Deputies giving you full power and authority to admit and install our said Cozens of Worcester and Huntingdon and to do and accomplish every thing which thereunto belongeth and hath been accustomed for the due admittance and installing of the said Earls of Worcester and Huntingdon willing and commanding by the tenor hereof all and every the Companions and Officers of the said Order to be to you in the executing of this our authority obeying and attending as shall appertain Given under the Seal of our saâ—d Order at our honor of Hampton-Court the 12. of June 1570. in the 12. year of our Reign NUM XXVIII Another Ex ipso Autogr. Aerar Coll. Wind. Charles R. CHARLES by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and right well well-beloved Cosens and Councellors William Earl of Salisbury and Henry Earl of Holland Knights and Companions of our said Order Greeting Whereas we with you and others the Knights and Companions of our said Order assembled in a Chapter holden at our Palace of Westminster the 24. day of April being the morrow after the day of St. George last past did elect and chuse our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen Algernon Earle of Northumberland to be a Knight and Companion of our said Order And whereas we have appointed the 13. day of this present Month of May for the time of his Installation at Windesor We do therefore let you know that we have named and assigned you the said Earls of Salisbury and Holland and by these presents do name assign and appoint you two to be Commissioners for the Inâ—tallation of our said Cousin the Earl of Northumberland as aforesaid And accordingly we do hereby give unto you full power and authority not only to accept and admit him into our said Order and to take his Oath but also to do and accomplish whatsoever else is needful to be done for his full Installation according to the Statutes Rules and Customs of our said Order For which purpose it is our pleasure that you make your repair to our Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Wednesday at night being the 13. of this present May to the end that you may then proceed to the said Installation according to this our Commission Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 11. day of May 1635. and in the 11. year of our Raign NUM XXIX Another Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. PHilip and Mary c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen the Earl of Huntington and to our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton Companions and Knights of the Noble Order of the Garter Greeting Forasmuch as we with other Companions of the said Noble Order assembled at a Chapter holden at our Honour of Hampton Court the 24. of April last past have elected and chosen our right trusty and right well-beloved the Viscount Mountague to be Knight and Companion of the said Noble Order We therefore will and by the presents authorise and license you not only to accept and admit the said Viscount Mountague into the said Order and to receive his Oath and install him accordingly but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable Customs of the said Noble Order appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Yeoven under the Seal of our said Order the 12. of October the 2. and 3. year of our Raigns NUM XXX A Letter of Summons to the Commissioners appointed for Installation Ex Collect. I. V. By the Queen RIght trusty and well-beloved we greet you well and whereas we have appointed you together with our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen and Councellor the Earl of Lincoln to be in Commission for the Installation in our Castle of Windesor of our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosens Henry Earl of Derby and Henry Earl of Penbroke being lately chosen Knights of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Wednesday the 19. day of this Moneth to the end that upon Thursday the 20. day of this present Moneth of May they may proceed to their Installations accordingly Yeven under our Signet at our Palais of Westminster the 17. day of May in the 16. year of our Reign To our right trusty and well-beloved the Viscount Mountague one of the Companions of our Order The like Letter mutatis mutandis was under the same date directed to the Earl of Lincoln joined in Commission with him NUM XXXI A Letter of Summons to an Elect-Knight for his repair to Windesor to be Installed Ex ipso Autogr. Charles R. RIght trusty and well-beloved Cousen We greet you well Whereas in consideration of your approved fidelity and extraordinary services performed by you for us We lately elected and chose you to be one of the Companions of our most Noble Order of the Garter and in token thereof did send unto you the George and Ribband part of the Ensigns of our said Order and having at a Chapter held at White-hall the 14. day of January last past appointed to celebrate the Feast of St. George at our Castle of Windesor upon the 15.16 and 17. days of April next ensuing We do hereby require you to make your repair to our Castle of Windesor so as you be there on Monday the 15. of April next by Noon that in the Afternoon of the said day you may proceed to your Installation according
si praesentes essemus In cujus rei testimonium bas Literas nostras manu nostrâ subscriptas Sigillo dicti Ordinis Garterii communiri fecimus Datae è Regiâ nostrâ Grenewici 27. die Mensis Junii anno salutis Humanae supra millesimum quingentesimum octuagesimo secundo regni verò nostri vicesimo quarto ELIZABETHA NUM LXVIII Another for delivery of them to Henry the Third of France MS. 4. penes Arthur Com. Anglesey p. 63. b. ELizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all those to whom these presents shall come Greeting Forasmuch as the right high right excellent and right mighty Prince our right dear and right well-beloved Brother and Cozen the most Christian King Henry of France as well for his right great Nobility gifts and virtues singular wherewith God had endued him the renown whereof is dispersed and divulged throughout and that the more to augment and establish the good amity and intelligence which is between us and our said good Brother he hath been not long since by us and our felow Brethren the Knights and Companions of our Order of the Garter in our Castell of Windesore assembled chosen Knight and Companion of the same Order in place there vacant We willing and desiring affectiously the same Election to take its due effect and perfection give to understand that We trusting in the fidelities discretions and diligence of our right dear and well-beloved Cozen the Earl of Darby Knight and Companion of our said Order and of our faithful and well-beloved Sir Edward Stafford Knight our Embassador resident with our said good Brother have ordained committed and deputed and do ordain commit and depute them by these presents our Embassadors Procurators and Messengers especial And we give them power authority and especial charge to go unto our said good Brother and to present and give him from us the Garter the Mantle and other Ensigns by us presently sent unto him with all the Ceremonies and Solemnities due and accustomed to be presented given and delivered in such case And furthermore to do and dispatch all other things which unto them shall be thought necessary in that behalf even so as we our selves ought and might do if we were there in our own proper person In witness whereof we have subscribed these presents with our own proper hand and thereunto caused the Seal of our said Order of the Garter to be put Dated at our Mannor of Greenwich the xx day of January the year of our Lord 1584. and of our Reign the 27. ELIZABETH NUM LXIX Another for Delivery of them to Henry the Fourth of France Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. ELizabeth par la grace de Dieu Royne d' Angleterre France Irlande Defenseur de la Foy c. A tous ceux qui ces presents verront salut Comme le treshault tresexcellent trespuissant Prince nostre treseber tresamè frere Cousin le Roy tresebrestien Henry de France de Navarre tant pour sa treshaulte noblesse dons vertus singuliers dont Dieu l'a orné l'a renommé s'en est par tout divulguée esparse que pour tant plus augmenter establir la bonne amitié intelligence qui est entre nous nostre dit bon frere ait este n'aguares par nous nos Confreres Compagnons de nostre Ordre de la Jartiere en nostre Chasteau de Windsore assembles esteâ— Chevalier Compagnon d'icelluy Ordre en lieu là vacant voulans desirans affectucusement la dite Election sortir son deu effect perfection Sâ—â—voir faisons que Nous confians es feautes disâ—retions diligences de nostre tresâ—her bien aimé Cousin le Comie de Shrewsbury Chevalier Compagnon de nostre dit Ordre de nostre feal bien aimé Guillaume Dethick Iartier nostre premier Roy d' Armes c. d'icelluy Ordre les avons Ordonne Commis Deputé Ordonnons Commettons Deputons par ces presentes Nos Ambassadeurs procureurs messagiers especials leur donnons pouvoir authorité mandement especial d'eux trouver vers nostre dit bon frere de luy presenter donner de par nous la Jarretiâ—re Robe Manteau Collier les autres ensâ—ignes par nous presentement a luy envoyées avecques toutes les Ceremonies Solennités deuës accoustumées d'â—stre presentées baillées données en tel cas Et oultre ce faire expedier toutes autres choses que à iccux sembleront necessaires en â—â—st endroit tout ainsi que faire deburions pourrions si y estions en nostre propre personne En tesmoign de ce avons soubseserit de nostre propre main ces presentes y fait mettre le Seel du dit Ordre de la Jartiere Donné a nostre maison de Greenwich le 6. jour de Septembre L'an de grace Mil cinque cens quatre vingts seize de nostre Reigne le trente huitiâ—sme ELIZABETH NUM LXX Another for their Delivery to Christian the Fourth King of Denmark Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. JAcobus Dei gratiá Angliae Scotiae Franciae Hiberniae Rex Fidei Defensor c. Vniversis singulis Patentes hasce litteras nostras lecturis inspecturis salutem Cum multae justissime sint causae cur nos serenissimo Principi fratri consanguinco nostro charissimo Christiano Dei gratiá Daniae Norvegiae Gothorum Vandalorumque Regi Omnia benevolentie atque amicitiae Officia praestare atque honores quantum in nobis est maximos atque amplissimos tribuere debeamus ob cas causas more institutóque Majorum qui maximis principibus nobilissimis atque exemiá virtute praeditis hominibus hunc honorem semper habuerunt Regem illum propinquitate atque amicitiâ nobis conjunctissimum in corum numerum asciverimus totiusque societatis consensu elegerimus qui celeberrimo atque illustrissimo Garterii ut appellatur Ordine apud nos honorantur ideirco notum atq testatum omnibus esse volumus nos pro fide prudentiá diligentiâ Nobilissimi viri Cognati nostri Rogeri Comitis Rutlandiae itemque spectabilis viri Gulielmi Segar armigeri Regis Armorum Ordinis nobis spectatâ atque exploratâ illos assignâsse fecisse constituisse perque hasce litteras assignare facere constituere certos indubitatos Ambasciatorés procuratores Oratores nostros iisque potestatem autboritatem speciale mandatum dedisse ad praefatum Regem fratrem consanguineum nostrum proficiscendi eâ—que nostro nomine pro nobis Subligaculum Trabeam reliqua illustrissimi Ordinis nostri Garterii insignia hoc tempore à nobis ad illum transmissa deferendi tradendi atque donandi ad omnia deniquè quà m poterunt officiosissime ac religiosissime praestanda
and brotherly amity between us and our said good Sister to chuse and associate us into the Company of Knights of the same Order and for that effect hath deputed towards us our dear and well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Derby Knight and Companion of the same Order to whom and Sir Edward Stafford Knight her Ambassador resident with us she hath given power by her Letters Patents of the 20. day of January last past to present and give unto us on her behalf the Garter the Mantel and other Ensigns of the same Order which she hath sent us which they have done with the Ceremonies and Solemnities in such case requisite and accustomed For these causes liking the said Election and Association We have accepted and do accept the said Order of the Garter with honor and do promise to keep the Statutes thereof which also have been given us in writing upon the same assurance that the said Lady the Queen our good Sister hath them given Vs and the Declaration and Protestation which we have made that we be not constrained and bound unto things contrary and derogatory to our Religion Catholick Greatness and Majesty Royal and to the Statutes and Ordinances of our two Orders of the blessed Holy Spirit and of St. Michael as it is contained in the Act of our Oath which thereof we have made and given In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our hand and thereunto caused to be put our Seal Given at Paris the 12. day of March in the year of our Lord 1585. and of our Reign the 11. Henry NUM CXIX Another from Gustaâ—us Adolphus King of Sweden Sir Tho. Rowe's Iournal p. 208. GUstavus Adolphus Dei gratiâ Suecorum Gothorum Vandalorum Rex Magnus Princeps Finlandiae Dux Esthoniae Careliae Ingraeque Dominus c. Omnibus hasce literas lecturis vel audituris Salutem Quandoquidem complacuit seremissimo ac potentissimo Principi Domino Carolo Dei gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Regi Fidei Defensori fratri consanguineo amico nostro charissimo nobilissimi Ordinis Aureae Periscelidis Magistro reliquóque inclyto caetui Equitum ac Commilitonum illustrissmi bujus Ordinis in expressissimam amoris tesseram ac mutuam inter nos initam amicitiam arctioribus necessitudinis vinculis devinciendaem confirmandam Nos etiam eligere associare in Collegium Equitum bujus Ordinis atque in hunc finem Oratores Procuratores indubitatos Legatos suos constituere atque ablegare ad nos Nobilissimum virum de conclavi suo Dominum Jacohum Spens de Wormeston Equitem auraetum spectabiles viros Petrum Young Armigerum ex Nobilibus in Cubiculo presentiae suae ministrantibus unum Henricum Saintgeorgium Armigerum ex Heraldis suis ad Arma unum plenariá ipsis potestate concessâ— ac diplomate suo abunde ipsis fide adstructa munitá publico Sigillo Ordinis dato vigesimâ quartâ— Junii jam elapsi deferendi donandi atque tradendi nobis ipsum auream Periscelidem Torquem rosatum Sancti Georgii Imagunculas reliquasque vestes trabeatas in solenni harum Ceremoniarum celebratione debite requisitas a suá serenitate ad nos transmissas Idcircò haec omnia ab ipsis ritè administrata peracta agnoscimus fatemur ac praesentium Literarum tenore omnibus testatum volumus nostri electionem assumptionem in â—ujus Collegit sodalitium nobis gratissima fuisse ac fore Nosâ— Insignia Ordinis decenti cum honore suscepisse ac sancte in lâ—ges ac Statuta ejus per procuratores nostros loco ac tempore praeâ—â—itulis juraturos ea ipsâ cautione quae à suae serenitatis deputatis nobis scripto exhibita fuit videlicet Nos religioâ—è observaturos Articulos hujus Ordinis in omnibus quae Religioni à nobis professae dignitati ac Majestati nostrae Regiae nullatenus derogarent aut aliis Articulis ordinibus quos antebac suscepimus adversarentur atque hanc ipsissimam juramenti nostri sormulam esse cupimus quando solennis contestatio per procuratores nostros nostro nomine futura est quando ejus exemplar in acta referri contigerit In cujus rei testimonium praesentes propria nostrâ manu subscriptas Sigilli Regii appositione communiri jussimus Actum in Castris nostris ad Wormdit die sextá Mensis Octobris Anno supra Millesimum sexcentisimo vigesimo septimo Gustavus Adolphus NUM CXX Another from Charles King of Sweden Ex ipso Autographo CArolus Dei Gratiá Succorum Gothorum Vandalorumque Rex Princeps haereditarius Magnus Princeps Finlandiae Dux Scaviae Esthoniae Livoniae Careliae Bremae Verdae Stetini Pomeraniae Cassubiae Vandaliae Princeps Rugiae Dominus Ingriae Vismariae nèc nòn Comes Palatinus Rheâ—i Bavariae Juliaci Cliviae Montium Dux Omnibus hasce lecturis vel audituris salutem Quandoquidem complacuit serenissimo ac potentissimo Principi Consanguineo Amico Faederato nostro charissimo Domino Carolo ejus nominis secundo câdem gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Regi Fidei Defensori Nobilissimi Ordinis Aureae Periscelidis Magistro reliquoque inclyto caetui Equitum ac Commilitonum illustrissimi hujus Ordinis in expressissimam Amoris Tesseram mutuam inter nos initam amicitiam arctioribus necessitudinis vinculis devinciendam confirmandam Nos etiam eligere associare in collegium Equitum hujus Ordinis atque in hunc finem Oratores indubitatos Procuratores suos constituere oblegare Legatum suum extraordinarium Conciliarumque suum Illustrem nobis sincerè dilectum Dominum Carolum Comitem Carliolensem Vice-Comitem Howard de Morpeth Baronem Dacre de Gilisland loeum tenentem generalem in Comitatibus Westmorlandiae Cumbriae spectabilem virum Dominum Henricum St. George è primariis officialibus suis ad Arma unum vulgò Richmond Herald plenariâ ipsis potestate concessâ ac fide ipsis abunde astructâ Diplomate publico Sigillo Ordinis datoque in Palatio Alb-aulae apud Westmonasterium vicesimo nono die Mensis Novembris Anno Domini nuper praeterito Millesimo sexcentesimo sexagesimo octavo deferendi donandi atque tradendi Nobis ipsam auream Periscelidem torquem rosatum Sancti Georgii imagunculas reliquasque vestes trabeatas in solenni harum ceremoniarum celebratione debite requisitas à Majestate suâ ad nos transmissas ldcircò haec omnia ab ipsis ritè administrata peracta agnoscimus fatemur ac praesentium literarum tenore omnibus testatum volumus nosti Electionem Assumptionem in hujus Collegii sodalitium Nobis gratissimum fuisse ac fore Nosque insignia Ordinis decenti cum honore suscepisse ac sancte in Leges Statuta ejus per procuratores nostros loco ac tempore praestitutis juraturos eâ videlicet cautione Nos religiosè observaturos articulos hujus Ordinis in omnibus quae Religioni
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
we are pleased and content to accept your reasonable excuse in this behalf And by these presents do pardon you for your absence from the said Feast at this present any Statute of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Yeoven under our Signet of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the day of April 1575. in the 17. year of our Reign To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Henry Earl of Huntington President of our Council in the City of York Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM CLXVI Another Ex Lib. Collect. W. le N. Cl. f. 54. Charles R. RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well Forasmuch as you by reason of your indisposition of health cannot be present to attend our person on the days by prorogation for this year appointed for celebrating the Feast of our most Noble Order of the Garter that is to say the 26.27 and 28. days of this moneth of April We let you understand that We are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do pardon remit and dispence with any fault you may incur thereby And do give you license to be absent at those days from the said Feast for this year any Article or Statute of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 23. day of April in the second year of the Reign of Great Britain c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey Earl Marshal of England and Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM CLXVII Another Inter Praesident Tho. Rowe Eq. Aur. nuper hujus Ordinis Cancellar Charles R. RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well Whereas we have for divers causes prorogued the celebration of the Feast of St. George for this present year to the 17.18 and 19. days of April next following whereof according to the Customs and Rules of our most Noble Order of the Garter you have had notice and summons for your attendance upon those days from our Chancellor notwithstanding we are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do dispence therewith and pardon and remit any default you may thereby inincur and do give you license to be absent at those days from the said Feast for this prâ—sent year observing in your own House the Solemnities appointed by the Canons of the Order any Statute or Article thereof to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Signet of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the 24. day of February in the 12. year of our Reign NUM CLXVIII A Warrant for a Privy Seal to pay Garter for Scutcheons used on Saint George's day Ex Autogr. pen. Iohan. Vincent gen TRusty and well-beloved We greet you well and will and command you that under our Privy Seal being in your Custody ye cause our Letters to be made forth unto the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer in form following We will and command you that unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Garter Principal King of Arms ye pay or cause to be paid in ready money upon the sight hereof without delay the sum of 6 l. 1 s. 8 d. for 23 Scutcheons by him provided for the Knights of our Order on Saint George's day last in the first and second years of our Reign whereof 4. for Princes at 6 s. 8 d. the piece and the rest at 5 s. the piece and also that ye content and pay more unto the said Garter the sum of 6 l. 11 s. 8 d. for 25. Scutcheons by him provided and set up at our Mannor of St. James in the second and third years of our Reign for the furniture of the Stalls in our said Chappel at the rate aforesaid and these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge NUM CLXIX A Privy Seal to pay Garter 7 l. per annum for Scutcheons of Arms set up on St. George's Eve Collect. W. le N. Cl. ELizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer greeting We will and command you forthwith upon the sight hereof of such our Treasure as remaineth in your Custody you content and pay or cause to be contented and paid to our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter principal King of Arms the sum of 21 l. for Scutcheons of Arms of the Knights of our Order set up in our Chappel within our Palace of Westminster as wel on St. George's Even in the year of our Lord God 1579. as on St. George's Even in the year of our Lord God 1580. and also on St. George's Even last past and also henceforth during his life to allow him yearly 7 l. to be paid on St. George's day accordingly And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in that behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Mannor of Greenwich the 7. day of July in the 23. year of our Reign NUM CLXX Another Ex Autogr. penes Wil. Knight CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer and Under-Treasurer of our Exchequer for the time being and that hereafter shall be Greeting Whereas our late dear Father King James of happy memory deceased by Warrant under his Privy Seal bearing date the second day of July in the sixth year of his Reign of England c. did give order for the payment unto William Seagar alias Garter Knight now principal King of Arms and to any other principal King of Arms for the time being upon every Saint George Even of the sum of seven pounds for Escotcheons of Arms of the Knights of the Order of the Garter to be set up in the Chappel at Whitehall or any other place where the said Feast should happen to be solemnized on every St. George's Even and Day as by the said Warrant more at large appeareth We minding the continuance of the said yearly allowance do hereby will and command you to cause payment to be made out of such our Treasure as now is or hereafter shall be in the receipt of our said Exchequer of the said yearly allowance of seven pounds unto the said Sir William Seager alias Garter Knight now our principal King of Arms and to any other our principal King of Arms for the time being upon every St. George's Even for the Scutchions of Arms of the Knights of our Order of the Garter to be by him or them set up in our Chappel at Whitehall or any other place where the said Feast shall happen to be solemnized every St. George's Even and day And to continue the payment thereof yearly until you shall receive other directions from us to the contrary The first payment thereof to begin
our trusty and well-beloved Sir Henry Sidney Companions of our Noble Order of the Garter cannot for certain causes to be executed and done by our Commandment be at the Feast of the Glorious Martyr St. George to be holden and kept within our Castle of Windsore the xvii day of June next coming but be by Vs pardoned of their absence from the said Feast like as we have thought good to advertize you thereof so We will you to accept their reasonable excuse in this behalf accordingly any Statutes of the said Order made to the contrary notwithstanding Given under our Seal of our said Order at our Honor at Hampton-Court the day of June in the xii Year of our Reign NUM CLXXVI A Commission for holding the Grand Feast Regist. Chartac fol. 13. b. HEnry par la grace de Dieu Roy d' Angleterre de France Souvrain de la Compagnie de l' Ordre du Gartier A tous nos Compagnons du dit Ordre Salut Comme pour certeines causes que nous movent ne pourrons estre personnelement à la Feste de Saint George prouchein venant à nostre Chastell de Wyndesore par les Estatutz du dit Ordre nous est loisible pour commetter deputer autre personne pour nous pour tenir lez Chapitres corriger redresser faire les Eleccions de lez approuver de faire toutes autres choses comme il appertendra solone la forme teneure dez ditz Estatutz Pour ce est il que nous avons commis deputé commettons deputons par cez presentes nostre trescher tresame Oncle Jean Regent nostre Royaume de France Duc de Bedford pour faire les ditz choses avec leures circumstances dependences quelconques Mandons commandons à nous dis Compaignons que en ce faisant lui obeissent entendent diligentment comme à l'ordre appartent pour cest fois Donné à Leycestre la premier jour d' Avril l'an de nostre Regne quart NUM CLXXVII Another Ibid. fol. 62. b. Henry R. HEnry the viii by the grace of God King of England and of France Defensour of the Faith and Lord of Irland To our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin the Marquess Dorcet Greeting Forasmuch as we for divers gret and vrgent causes may not be present at the Fest of the glorious Martyr St. George Patrone of our noble Ordre of the Gartier to be holdyn solempnised and kept in our Castell of Windesore the viii day of May next commyng We therefore by these presents name constitute appoint and ordayne you to be our Lieutenant at the said Feast Giving unto you full power and auctorite to do and accomplische every thing at the same which to our Lieutenant there in such case belongith and hath been accustumed Willing and Commanding by the tenour hereof all and every the Companions and Officers of our said Ordre to be to you in the executing of this our auctorite obeying and attending as schall apperteyne Yeven under the Seal of our sayd Garter at our Manoir of Beaulieu the xxv day of Aprill the xvi yere of our Reigne NUM CLXXVIII Another Lib. N. pag. 249. Henry R. HEnricus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae Princeps Gualliae Dominus Hiberniae Fedei Defensor atque Illustrissimi bujus Ordinis ipse Supremus unice nobis dilecto fide probatissimo Officio erga nos suo jam undique notissimo Cognato nostro Duci Norf. salutem ac foelicitatem Nunc quoniam per multa charissime nos istinc negotia detinent ut quod optamus gloriossimi Martyris Patroni nostri festivitatem praesentia nostra non possumus honorare tuam propterea nobilitatem ad illud ipsum nomine nostro praestandum nominamus atque instituimus eam tibi dantes authoritatem quae supplenti vices nostras unquam alias assuevit jubentes itidem ut Sociorum quisquis atque Officialium tibi dum mandatum hoc nostrum facessis obediant quantum res ipsa postulabit ex nutu tuo jussuque pendeat Windesori sub Ordinis Sigillo undecimo Junii nostri Regui decimo septimo NUM CLXXIX A Letter of Notice to the Assistants of the Soveraign's Lieutenant to be at the Feast Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved We greet you well Where we by our Commission under the Seal of our most Noble Order of the Garter have assigned and appointed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Arundel Lord Steward of our Houshold and one of the Companions of the said Noble Order to be our Lieutenant at the Feast of the glorious Martyr St. George to be kept within our Castle of Windesor the 18. day of May next coming for the doing of all things there as to Our Lieutenant appertaineth And have appointed you with our right trusty right well-beloved the Lord Paget of Beaudesert to be Assistants at the said Feast We have thought good not only to give you knowledge thereof by these Our Letters but also require you to make your repair to Our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there at the said Feast accordingly Given under the Signet of Our said Order at Our Mannor of Greenwich the second day of May in the third year of Our Reign To Our right trusty and right well-beloved the Viscount Mountague one of the Companions of Our Order The like Letter and of the same Date was sent to the Lord Paget the other Assistant NUM CLXXX An Order for the fashion and materials of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Vnder Habit. Collect. E. W. G. Charles R. IT being most certain that nothing can be more conducing to the keeping up of that Lustre and Dignity of our most Noble Order of the Garter wherein it is at this present then those very means by which it hath attained unto it constancy and immtability For these reasons having at a Chapter held at our Castle of Windesor the 16. of April last past resolved upon a review and examination of its Statutes to see if possibly length of time and change of Customs might have introduced any thing in them which might make them swerve from the ancient Rules so far as they were not unconsistent with the present Vsance We have thought it not unworthy our care to descend unto the particulars of its Clothing And thereupon having found that in what concerns the Vnder-Habits used by the Companions at the solemnizing of Instalments or the Celebration of St. George's Feast they followed too much the modern fashion never constant and less comporting with the decency gravity and stateliness of the upper Robes of the Order It was resolved in that Chapter and accordingly we ordain and enjoyn That from this time forwards the Companions shall be obliged to a certain and immutable form and fashion as well for their Under-Habits as their
in Offic. Arm. H. 12. fol. 142. y Lib. C. p. 46. vide MS. f. pen. W.D.N. p. 17. b. etiam MS. in Offic. Arm. H. 12. fol. 142. z Lib. C. p. 46. vide MS. f. pen. W.D.N. p. 17. b. etiam MS. in Offic. Arm. H. 12. fol. 142. a Ex eod MS. pen. W. D. N. vide etâ—am MS. f. penes G.O.Y. p. 113 123. Collect. R. C. Cl. b Ex eod MS. pen. W. D. N. vide etâ—am MS. f. penes G.O.Y. p. 113 123. Collect. R. C. Cl. c Ex eod MS. pen. W. D. N. vide etâ—am MS. f. penes G.O.Y. p. 113 123. Collect. R. C. Cl. d Ex eod MS. pen. W. D. N. vide etâ—am MS. f. penes G.O.Y. p. 113 123. Collect. R. C. Cl. e Ex eod MS. pen. W. D. N. vide etâ—am MS. f. penes G.O.Y. p. 113 123. Collect. R. C. Cl. f Ex eod MS. pen. W. D. N. vide etâ—am MS. f. penes G.O.Y. p. 113 123. Collect. R. C. Cl. g Ex eod MS. pen. W. D. N. vide etâ—am MS. f. penes G.O.Y. p. 113 123. Collect. R. C. Cl. h Pag. 32. Illustrissimus Comes Arundel constituted the Soveraign's Lieutenant for that Feast cum reliquo Ordinis comitatu slipatus Matutinis Precibus intersuit Postea verò omnes celeberrimi Ordinis Commilitones illustrissimae Reginae dederunt operam seduli quae Sacellum est ingressa inibique Regis sedâ—â—l recepta quod reliquum erat celebritatis gratiosè peregit i MS. pen. E.W.G. k Eod. MS. l Lib. C. p. 1. m Ibid. pag. 6. n Pag. 19. o Pag. 30. p Lib. C. pag. 41.62.74.85.107.117 127. q Lib. R. p. 1. 2. an 20. Iac. R. r Lib. R. p. 1. 2. an 20. Iac. R. a MS. fol. pen. W. D. N. b MS. fol. pen. W. D. N. c MS. fol. pen. W. D. N. d MS. fol. pen. W. D. N. e MS. pen. G.O.Y. pag. 113. f This Lord and the three following Knights wanted their opposite Companions therefore went single g The year preceding the Soveraign had her Mantle born up in like manner from her shoulders by the Earl of Northumberland on the right hand and the Lord Russel on the left Ex eod MS. pag. 123. g MS. penes W. D. N. f. 3. b. h Ibid. f. 8. a. i Fol. 10. a. k MS. fol. peneâ— G. O. â— p. 123. l MS. peneâ— E.W. G. m MS. peneâ— E.W. G. n MS. peneâ— E.W. G. o MS. fol. peâ— praef W.D.N. fol. 8. b. p MS. fol. peâ— praef W.D.N. fol. 8. b. q MS. fol. peâ— praef W.D.N. fol. 8. b. * Durant de Ritibus Eccl. Cath. p. 427. a Nâ—mb c. 10. v. 13. b Cap. 10. â— 14. usque ad ver 2â— c Cap. 6. d Ver. 8. 9. e 2 Saln cap. 6. 1 Chron. c. 13. f Ver. 25. g â— Sam. c. 6. ver 5. h 1 Chron. cap. 13. ver 8. Triumphs i Exod. cap. 15. k Iudg. cap. 5. l Cap. 20. m Ver. 27. n Pancir li. rerum deperd Cap. de Triumphis o Mart. de Guichard de antiq triumph spect pag. 72. p Lib. de Vir. illustr p. 385. q Mart. de Guichard pag. 73. r Lib. 1. cap. 5. t Lib. 5. de lingua Latina u Mart. de Guichardo de antiq triumpspeâ—â— aculis pag. 21. w Lib. 2. c. 3. x M. Guich de antiq Triumph spect pag. 24. y Perot in Cornucopia fol. 74 col 1. z Salmuth in Pancir lib Rerum dâ—perd Cap. de Triumph a Lib. 2. 5. b Lib. 2. cap. 8. c Lib. 7. c. 24. d In vita Pauli Aemilii e De Bello Lybico f Sylloge Numismatum elegantiorum Edit Argent 1â—20 g Evelins Sculptura pag. 52. Transvection of the Roman Knights h Lib. 6 p. 351. i Liv. Dec. 1. lib 1. extremo vide etiam Val. Maxim m Inscript Ian Gruteri p. 133. n Lib. 33. c. 1. o Loc. citat p Dion Halicar loco cit q Vid. Hist. Aug. Veteres pag. 163. r Advers lib. 25. cap. 18. s Lib. 11. cap. 9. t Hist. Aug. Scriptores pag. 163. u Vide Gruter Inser an t Rom. p. 456. Inser 4. w Stlitibus judicandis id esi super lites judicandos x Inscr. ant Rom. pag. 1026. Inscr. 4. y Inscr. ant Rom. pag. 1026. Inscr. 4. z Lib. 15. c. 4. * In vita Aug. Cap. 38. Cavalcades a Quint. Curt. Amsterl 1650. lib. 5. pag. 95. b Quint. Curt. Amsterl 1650. lib. 5. pag. 95. c Matth. c. 21. v. 8. d 2 Kings c. 9. v. 13. e Matth. 21. vers 9. f Godw. Moses Aaron pag. 134. g Pag. 122. See also Ioâ—st Schanten's Descript. thereof an 1636. h Pag. 122. See also Ioâ—st Schanten's Descript. thereof an 1636. i Pag. 18. k Idem p. 182. l Pag. 109. m Ibid. p. 20. n Evelyn's Sculptura pag. 84. o Penes eund I. Evelyn p Evelins Sculptura pag. 70. q In Musaeo nostro r Pag. 271. s Io. Iusti Winkelmani Caesareologia p. 119. t Plate 14. u Pag 257. w Pag. 278. x Pag. 284. y Pag. 280. z Pag. 286. a Pag. 262. b Pag. 282. c Pag. 260. 263. d Pag. 21. e Ibid. p. 13. f Pag. 270. g Ex ipso Autographo h Ex alio Autogr. i Ex alio Autogr. k Ibid. l MS. penes W. le N. Cl. p. â—88 vide Lib. N. p. 182. Sic. o MS. in Offic. Armor M. 17 fol. 25. p MS. q Ex Lib. praed M. fol. 26. r MS. s MS. t MS. p. 10. 11. u Lib. N p. 307 w Regist. Char. tac fol. 9. b. Ecclesiastical Processions x Hom. 28. Sâ—â—m ad Ascen Dâ—m y Serm. 172. 173. z Lib. 7. Hist. Eccl. cap. 10. a Ruffinus li 2. c. 5. Socrat. l. 3. c. 19. Theod. li. 3. cap 9. b Collect Tho. Wriothesley Mil Garter penes W le Neve Cl. p. 3. c Collect Tho. Wriothesley Mil Garter penes W le Neve Cl. p. 3. d Collect Tho. Wriothesley Mil Garter penes W le Neve Cl. p. 3. Pag. 4. e Synod August cap. 20. cap. 23. f Lib 14. cap 2. g An. 28 30. Eliz. 14. Iac. R. h See Dr. Taylor 's Preface to his Collection of Offices 1. The time when the Grand Procession begins g MS. fol. pen. W.D.N. f. 15. a. h MS. pen. G. O.Y pag. 114 i Lib. R. p. 20. k Collect. W. le N. Cl. l Palmers Iourn p. 40. 2. The Processional way o Lib. C. p. 190. p MS. penes â— W. G. q Pag. 41. r Lib. R. p. 20. s Lib. R. p. 20. t Lib. R. p. 62. u MS. penes Edw. Fauconbridge gen w Lib. R. pag. 85. x Ex Collecâ— Io. Vincent gen y Ex Collecâ— Io. Vincent gen z Lib. Carol. pag. 29. a MS. penes G.O.Y. p. 113. 123. b Collect. W. le N. Cl. c MS. penes W. D. N. d MS. penes G.O.Y. loco