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 the Reformation of Religion here in England giving the occasion but it being within few Months repealed by Queen Mary his Sister and Successor before it received the life of Execution and not since revived we suppose it not proper to rank it in the Appendix or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
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
Domini 1650. By his Majesties command Rob. Long. We shall further add that together with the Letters signifying an Election and the Ensigns of the Order it was anciently in use to send the Book of Statutes under the Common Seal of the Order no less to a Knight-Subject than in like case to a Stranger and to the same end viz. that he might peruse and advise thereupon whether he would accept of the Election or not for so it appears by the Letters signifying Election sent to Sir Iohn Fastolf an 4. H. 6. Within a few days after his Highness Prince Rupert was Elected into this Order being then in Holland a Commission of Legation was prepared to be sent thither with the Garter and George by Sir Iohn Burrough Garter to perform the Investiture with them but Sir Iohn falling sick and dying prevented the designed Ceremony Nevertheless some while after the Prince had been in England the then Soveraign thought fit to command Sir Iames Palmer Chancellor of the Order to attend his Highness to declare the reasons why the said Commission was not sent and executed as was designed as also to deliver him the Commission it self to the intent being prevented of receiving his Installation at Windesor because that Castle continued in the possession of the Rebels it might remain with him as a memorial of this Soveraign's Princely favour and respect to his quality and merits as also for a further evidence of his admittance into this Noble Order since there was no other memorial thereof but the minutes of his Election and this Commission On Monday therefore the 14. of Ian. 1644. the said Chancellor accompanied with Dr. Chr. Wren Register and Sir Edward Walker then newly made Garter attended the Prince at his Lodgings in Oxford who having notice of their coming received them with all obliging civility and after a little pause the Chancellor made known to his Highness the Sovereign's Commands in the following Speech May it please your Highness THE Kings of England Soveraigns of the most Noble Order of the Garter ever since that honorable Foundation have thought fit not only for the reward of eminent services done by their own Subjects but also for incouragements to noble acts of Chivalry and virtue and partly for further augmentation and extention of the renown and honor of that most Noble Society have made it so estimable amongst all the Foreign Princes of Christendom that they have 〈◊〉 thought their fames sufficiently advanced till they have been taken notice of by this Princely Society and Elected into this most Noble Order of the Garter Which â—lâ—ction hath been so welcomed even to the Emperors and Kings of higâ—est degree of Renown in Europe that no tye of allyance amity or league hath proved a stronger bond of affection between this and Foreign Crowns than that of the Companionry of the most Noble Order of the Garter in which nine Christian Emperors fiâ—ty five crowned Kings and four hundred Princes and Peers having taken the Oath of homage and fealty to the King of England as their Soveraign in the said most Noble Order have already had their Names and glorious Acts registered in the Records thereof According to which Example of his Majesties Progenitors of famous memory his Majesty King Charles my Master Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter did at a Chapter held at his City of York the 20. of April in the 18. year of his Reign when though many Stalls remained vacant yet did think sit then to elect but two Knights only namely Prince James Duke of York his Son and your Highness his Nephew whom his Majesty thought worthiest to make choice of not only for your Princely descent of Blood but for his own particular interest in that noble consanguinity as being the Son of his only beloved Sister the virtuous Queen of Bohemia and for many eminent virtues besides as well heroical as moral inherent in your person And that his Majesties affection to you might be the more emphatically expressed he elected your Highness a Companion of the Order in the company of his own Son both to manifest thereby the intimateness of affection to your Highness as well as to shew Prince James his tender years a glorious pattern for his Princely imitation of valour and martial Atchievements in which choice his Majesty did not prove himself a King of Grace and Goodness only but a King and a Prophet also as if he could by his foreseeing judgment divine how happy an instrument of valour and safety you would after prove to his Crown and dignity in their greatest distresses In the conduct of whose Armies your Highness hath hitherto been so prosperous and successful that it will be my duty to truth as well as to the propriety of my Office to give a timely recordation of each particular to the Register of the Order that he may eternize the memory of your noble Acts to remain in the Records of the Order that posterity may know as well as we find what happy assistance your Princely Conduct of his Majesties Armies hath brought to his Kingdoms and Dominions Sir the Reasons and Motives of this your Election being so many it behoves me now to inform your Highness the reasons why this Commission hath not been sooner delivered unto your hand and those are that immediately upon your Election at York his Majesty commanded me to draw up a Commission of legation to Sir John Burrough Knight then principal King of Arms and Garter â—o bring the Ensigns of the Order together with the notice of your Election unto your Highness then in the Low Countries and to perform the same with all the Solemnities thereunto belonging Another Commission also under the Broad Seal of England was directed to the right Honorable the Earl of Arundel and Surrey Earl Marshall of England and to the Lord Goring his Majesties Embassador extraordinary with the States of the United Provinces to give your Highness the honor of Knighthood a Ceremony always by the Statutes of the said Order necessarily to be performed to any Elected Knight before he can be admitted to be a Companion and receive the Ensigns of the Order of the Garter But the said King of Arms then falling sick shortly after dyed and your Highness suddainly coming in person into England that Ceremony was prevented by those casualties and his Majesty at Nottingham himself performed that Office in delivering both the Garter and George unto your Highness since which time your continual employments in his Majesties Wars and your absence thereby necessarily inforced from Oxford where the Commission and Seals of the Order remained the delivery thereof was necessarily delayed till this present when his Majesties express command to me and to those Gentlemen Officers of the most Honorable Order is to deliver it now unto your Highness hands considering the place of your Instalment at the Castle of Windesor is necessarily prevented by reason
at the Entrance of the Antichamber his Lordship was received by the Duke Joyeuse accompanied with the Gentlemen of the Kings Chamber Ordinary who made two ranks from that Chamber door to the door of the Chamber Royal into the said Chamber Royal. First entred all the Gentlemen the Queen's Majesty's Servants the Lords that had received and accompanied the said Earl and Lords and the said Duke de Joyeuse accompanied the said Earl of Derby unto the Bars that stood about the haultpâ—ce or mounting floor in the said Chamber where the King stood at his Beds feâ—t accompanied with the said Barriers on his right hand with the Cardinals of Bourbon Vandosme and Joyeuse and on the left hand with the Lords the Princes of Conty the Comte de Soissons and D. Montpensier Princes of the Blood the Dukes of Nevers Delboeufe de la Joinuille de Retz Monsieur le Chancellourâ— Sier de Villequier du Bouchage de la Valette d'Antragues de la Chappelle aux Urfius Chavigny la Vivone Comte de Mauleurier Clermont Denitragues de l'Archant and other Knights of the Holy Ghost and Councellors of the â—states in great number The said Earl with the Lord Ambassador Ordinary of England only entred the said halt-space within the Barriers unto his Majesty of whom they were received with great curtesie and as amiable countenance as could be and the Earl delivered the Queen's Majesty's Letters unto the King with great reverenâ—e and then making rehearsal of that he had in charge to say the said Ambassador presented unto the King the Lord Sands and Windsore and other the English Knights and Gentlemen which all one after another mounted upon the halt-pace kissed their hands and did reverence unto the King Then the Earl took his leave and was conducted by all the Lords and Captains unto the place where they had first received him After he went to salute the Queen Mother and at the entrance into her Chamber he was received by Monsieur de Lansac Knight of the Holy Ghost and Knight of Honor unto the said Queen whom he found accompanied with her Neece the Princes of Loraine standing at her Beds head the Princes of Conde and the Dutchess of Nevers standing at the Beds feet the Dutchess of Duzez and of Retz and other Ladies and Gentlewomen in greâ—t number from thence his Lordship was conveyed to the Queen Regents Chamber and at the entrance whereof he was received by the Comte de Fiesque Knight of the Holy Ghost and her Knight of Honor finding her accompanied with the Dutchess of Montpensier and Joyeuse who stood at her Beds feet the Lady of Royden her Lady of Honor and other Ladies and Gentlewomen in great number and then returned to the aâ—oresaid Hostell de Longueville On Monday the 15 of February the King by Mouâ—eur de Mothefelon told the Lord Ambassador his mind touching the receipt of the Order that he intended to receive it on Thursday following in the Afternoon at the Augustine Friars which was done accordingly the 18 day of February an 27. Eliz. About two of the Clock in the Afternoon the Earl and Leiger Ambassador and all the other Gentlemen of their Train in Coaches were conducted from the house of Longueville where the Earl of Derby was lodged unto the house of Monsieur de Mantuliet Provost of Paris where the Earl did put on his Robes of the Garter and Clarenceux then representing the place of Garter did put on his Mantle and made ready the Kings Robes The King also with a great number of his Nobility came from the Louvre to the same house of Mantuliet for whom there was provided two Chambers in the inner Chamber over the Chimney was set up a cloth of Estate and on the left hand thereof a board covered with a rich Carpet against the end of which board the King did stand in a short Gown of rich Taffata having on either hand of him some sixteen of the greatest of his Nobility the rest abode in the outward Chamber for so was the Kings pleasure that there might be the more room and freer access for the Earl and the English Noblemen and Gentlemen all things being put in good order the King sent the Earl word by Monsieur Lamothe Fluelon and Monsieur de Rhoades Master of the Ceremonies that he stayed for him Whereupon thirty of the English Gentlemen accompanied with as many French Gentlemen proceeded two and two together up the Stairs before the Earl towards the King then marched Somerset Herald in his rich Coat of Arms bearing on his Arms the Kings Kittle Mantle and Hood after him went Clarenceux in a Robe of Crimson Sattin having on his arms a fair large Cushen of Purple Velvet and thereon the Collar of the Order of the Garter and the little Chain with the George After Clarenceux went the Earl in his Robes and the Ambassador Resident And being thus come before the King Somerset after due reverence laid the Robe he bare upon the Table that the King leaned unto so also did Clarenceux the Cushen with the Iewels thereon The Earl also being entred and having made his due reverence Clarenceux delivered him his Commission who giving the same reverently to the King he forthwith gave it to his secretary Pinart to be read according to the form Though at that time it was not read at all That done Clarenceux delivered unto the Ambassador the Garter who gave it unto the King who also kissing the same kneeling did put it about the Kings left leg the Ambassador pronouncing these words following Ad laudem atque honorem Omnipotentis Dei c. That being done Clarenceux killing the Kirtle of Crimson Velvet gave it to the Ambassador who also delivered it to the Earl and he to the King putting the same on with a Crimson Velvet Girdle whereunto was put a gilt Rapier which Girdle and Rapier was formerly provided by a Gentleman of the Kings Chamber at the doing whereof the Ambassador pronounced these words following Capito Vestem hanc purpuream c. The Kirtle being put on Clarenceux delivered the Mantle of Purple Velvet and the Hood of Crimson Velvet which the Earl put upon the King also with the assistance of the Ambassador that pronounced these words following Accipe Clamidem hanc Coelici coloris c. Lastly Clarenceux kissing the Collar of Gold gave the same also to be put about the Kings neck which was done by the Earl the Ambassador using these words following Torquem hunc in Collo deferes c. After the King was thus invested with all the Habilements of the Order as aforesaid the Earl delivered unto him first the Book of Statutes of the said Order fairly bound in Crimson Velvet and Gold Lace which Book the King gave to the Duke of Joyeuse to carry after him to the Church and lastly the small Chain with the George which was by the Earl delivered to the King which also was delivered by
4. E. 2. That the Banerets wages by the day was four shillings the Knights two shillings and the Esquires one shilling Next unto the Knights Banerets we shall speak of Knights of the Bath which is a degree that hath the Investiture and Title of a Knight with an additional denomination derived from part of the Ceremony of his Creation It is the most received opinion that our King Henry the Fourth first instituted these Knights and true it is according to Sir Iohn Froisard He at his Coronation to adde to the lustre and magnificence of it created six and forty of them making an especial choice of such as he favoured either out of an inward affection or consideration of their service or deserts And as he designed them to attend him in the Ceremonies of his Coronation then at hand so did he retain them neerer unto his person thereby seeming to honor them with a more familiar consociation than he vouchsafed to the Knights Batchelors But if the Ceremonies and circumstances of their Creation be well considered it will appear that this King did not institute but rather restore the ancient manner of making Knights and consequently that the Knights of the Bath are in truth no other than Knights Batchelors that is to say such as are created with those Ceremonies wherewith Knights Batchelors were formerly created by Ecclesiasticks but some of them having been for a long time laid aside with us were then brought again into use and made peculiar to the Degree of Knights of the Bath and since continued to them upon some solemn and great occasion At the first view this Degree looks like a peculiar and distinct Order of Knighthood and may perhaps by some be thought more fit to be spoken of in the third Chapter rather than here But it cannot properly and justly be so accounted if we consider that they have not either Statutes or Laws assigned them nor are they in case of vacancy supplied which are the essentials of distinct Orders nor do they wear their Robes beyond the time of that occasion upon which they were created as chiefly the Coronation of Kings and Queens of England or otherwise the Creation of a Prince of Wales Duke of York and the like whereto also is to be considered that their Number hath been uncertain and always at the pleasure of the King Andrew Favin will have these Knights to be otherwise called Knights of the Crown because saith he to distinguish them from Esquires they wear upon their left shoulders an Escutcheon of Black Silk with three Crowns of Gold embroidered thereon But this is a great mistake for it is not found that such or indeed any other Badge was at any time after that manner used by them save only a Silk Lace but the Jewel worn to be known by is made of Gold containing three Crowns with this Motto Tria juncta in una and hanging down under the left arm at a Carnation Ribbon worn cross the body This leads us to the consideration of another Degree among us here in England namely Baronets who seem to be allied to Knighthood by having granted to them the addition of Sir to be set before their Names but this Title gives not the Dignity of Knighthood nor can any of them be properly stiled Knights until they be actually knighted It is a Degree but of a late erection to wit in the ninth year of King Iames and the grant thereof made only by Letters Patents under the Great Seal of England a Copy of one of which is transcribed into the Titles of Honor. This Honor is made hereditary to them and the Heirs males of their bodies lawfully begotten for ever and by a subsequent Decree of the said King precedence is granted to them before all Banerets except such as should be made by the King his Heirs and Successors under his or their Standard displaid in an Army royal in open War and the King personally present and next unto and immediately after the younger Sons of Viscounts and Barons The ground for erecting this Degree as appears by the Instructions given to the Commissioners appointed to treat about this affair was partly Martial for though themselves were not enjoined personal service in the Wars yet the motive of this Honor was a certain contribution from each Baronet to maintain thirty Foot Soldiers for three years in Ireland after the rate of eight pence a day for the defence of that Kingdom and chiefly to secure the Plantation in the Province of Vlster Their Qualifications were that at least they should be descended from a Grandfather on the Fathers side that bore Arms and had a Revenue of one thousand pounds per annum of Lands of inheritance in possession or Lands of old Rents as good as one thousand pounds a year of improved Lands or at least two parts of three to the said value in possession and the other third part in reversion expectant upon one life only held in Jointure The year after the first Patent past King Iames was pleased to adde some new Priviledges and Ornaments to this Degree namely to Knight those Baronets already made that were no Knights as also such as should be afterwards created and the Heirs males of their bodies when they attained the age of one and twenty years that the Baronets and their Descendants might bear either in Canton or in an Inescutcheon the Arms of Vlster and further to have place in the Armies of the King and his Heirs and Successors in the gross neer about the Royal Standard for defence of the same Since the Institution of Baronets in England there have been made divers in Ireland after the like form And the Knights of Nova Scotia in the West-Indies were ordained in imitation of Baronets in England by the said King Iames anno Dom. 1622. and upon a like design to wit the planting of that Country by Scotch Colonies and the Degree made likewise hereditary These later have the priviledge to wear an Orange-tawny Ribbon as a Badge of Honor to distinguish them from other Knights and it appears by a Letter from Henry Earl of Holland dated the 29. of Iune 1627. and directed to the Officers of Arms that there was some intention to move his then Majesty to declare his pleasure that all Baronets and Knights Batchelors might wear in Ribbons of several colours some Badge or Iewel to distinguish the one from the other and both from persons of inferiour quality in such sort as did the Knights of the Baeth to which end he desired their opinion touching the fitness and conveniency thereof Which Officers from precedents of the differences and marks set upon Robes belonging to several Degrees of Nobility and Honor and from the Ensigns and Ornaments of Knighthood used for distinctions sake both at home and abroad being esteemed as peculiar marks of Soveraignty in the Giver and eminent tokens of Honor in
upon this occasion was as followeth My Lord IT hath pleased the Lords Knights-Commissioners for the Garter to meet upon Thursday last the first day of this Month where in the first place I presented your Lordships Petition to his Majesty and read the Order of Reference upon it made in Chapter and offered unto their consideration the authentick Vouchers to every part sent me by your Lordship and urged your Claim as far as if it had been my own both by succession of Bishops of Salisbury in the Office of Chancellor until Henry the Eighth and of the first Grant made under the Broad Seal and of continual renewing thereof in all the Charters of Bishops since to your Lordship and all other arguments which either my wit could present or to which by sincerity and your trust I was obliged But could not induce their Lordships to view them nor to make any report upon the cause all the answer I obtained was that it was not proper for me to be the Advocate nor for them to hear where I could not be furnished with a reply on your part if they found cause to except against any part of the title and so they would not judge you by any prejudice But commanded me to signifie to your Lordship that whensoever your occasions should bring you to London or the Court that they would hear you and from you only receive the information And that when your Lordship should call upon them they would give you such an answer as the justice of your cause should merit I am sorry to write your Lordship so weak effects but I desire you to believe that I have proceeded with all faith and integrity and that I could do no more Of this proceeding I acquainted his Grace my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury who did think it fit that I should signifie to you how the business stood that you might be the better prepared against your coming to London where I shall be ready to do you all service in my power and until then will keep your Papers safe for your use Vnless his Majesty to whom I purpose to render an account of the business make a new Order for more expedition which I believe will not be done before your coming or the next Chapter In hope and desire to be of more use to your Lordship when you shall make your own Claim or in any other of your commands I shall ever rest Your Lordships most humble servant Tho. Rowe St. Martins-Lane 6. Feb. 1637. After which we find not that the Knights-Commissioners met either upon this or any other Affair relating to the Order before the Feast of St. George begun to be held at Windesor the 20. of May an 14. Car. 1. and to that being added the Ceremonies of the present Soveraign's Installation the Bishop of Salisbury thought it not convenient to interrupt any part of that great Solemnity with the consideration of this Affair and the Scotch War shortly after breaking forth and troubles growing high at home the further prosecution was laid aside and not revived until the 19. of November an 21. Car. 2. when Seth Ward now Lord Bishop of Salisbury took encouragement upon the former grounds and the Soveraign's favour to set on foot this Claim by a Petition presented in Chapter then held at Whitehall where after a full debate and consideration had of the justness of his Claim he obtained the following Decree for re-establishment of this Office on the Bishop of that See upon the first vacancy At a Chapter of the most Noble Order of the Garter held by his Majesty Soveraign and the most noble Companions hereafter named in the Red Chamber next the Bed-Chamber in Whitehall the nineteenth of November 1669. Present His Majesty Soveraign His Royal Highness the Duke of York Duke of Ormond Earl of Oxford Earl of Manchester Prince Rupert Earl of Bristol Earl of Sandwich Duke of Monmouth Officers Prelate the Bishop of Winchester Officers Register Garter Usher The Soveraign then declared That the reason of calling this Chapter was to consider of the pretensions of Dr. Seth Ward Bishop of Salisbury exhibited in a Petition concerning the Title and Claim of himself and his Successors unto the Office of Chancellor of the most Noble Order of the Garter when the same should become void the Bishop grounding the equity of his Claim upon a Charter first granted by King Edward the Fourth in the 15. year of his Reign unto Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury and his Successors for ever which Charter hath been since confirmed under the Great Seal of England by other Kings and Queens and particularly by King Charles the First of ever blessed memory hereupon the Bishop being called in and commanded to produce his proofs to make good that his pretension accordingly the Bishop humbly offered an authentique Copy of the original Charter of the said King Edward the Fourth renewed and confirmed by the said King Charles the First in the fourth year of his Reign The which being read and duly considered together with the Objections to the contrary particularly that the possession and execution of the said Office of Chancellor had been for above an hundred years commited unto Laymen notwithstanding which the Soveraign and Companions being fully satisfied with the justness of the Claim of the said Bishop grounded upon the aforesaid Charters and likewise considering that the returning of the said Office to the first Institution would be for the honor and dignity of the said most Noble Order the Soveraign thereupon with the unanimous consent of the most Noble Companions then present did Declare and Ordain That the Bishop of Sarum and his Successors for ever shall have and execute the Office of Chancellor of the said most Noble Order and receive and enjoy all Rights Priviledges and Advantages thereunto belonging immediately upon the first vacancy of the said Office Proceed we next to the Oath the Chancellor takes at his admission which we find to be the same with the Prelate's and in the like humble posture that is upon the Knee and usually administred by the Register of the Order When Sir Iames Palmer was to be admitted Chancellor 17. Ian. an 20. Car. 1. the Register moved the Soveraign That in regard his Majesty had made choice of him for that Office in place of Sir Thomas Rowe deceased and though he had long executed the same in his absence and taken the Oath as Deputy Chancellor yet being now elected Chancellor ought to take the Oath in the quality he was in The Soveraign and Knights-Companions present thought it fit to be done and thereupon the Register gave him the Oath after which being saluted by the Knights-Companions and joy given him of his new Office he went on with the business of the Chapter It is clear from the Precedent of the Soveraign's Livery of the Garter that the Chancellor's Robe was at first the same with the Prelates both
learned Selden and is to be so taken here and not as a distinct Title of a lower Degree because also we observe the Banerets ranked in all Scrutenies before King Henry the Eighth established his Statutes except one with the Knights-Batchelors not with Barons Besides this something further may be said concerning the Title of the third and lowest rank in this Classis for in the Statutes of Institution they are called Milites Bachalauri in those of King Henry the Fifth Batchelers and elsewhere Bachalauri and Bachalauri Equites which in common acceptation are all the same with Milites though thus rendred to express and manifest their difference from Knights Banerets who are of a higher Degree of Honor. And here we have an occasion given to note That there is no place in a Scruteny for any under the degree of Knights Batchellors And though three of the Nine named are appointed to be Barons and three other Earls or of a higher Degree yet must these six be such as have received the Order of Knighthood else ought not their names be either given or taken in Nomination for the Text is plain That each of the Knights assembled at the Election shall name nine Knights Thus his late Majesty of blessed memory in the sixth year of his Reign intending to chuse Iames Marquess Hamilton into the Society of this Order conferr'd the honor of Knighthood upon him immediately before his Nomination and the Annals in that place give this Remarque upon the Action and the reason for it Because by the Statutes it is provided That none should be Elected into the Order that have not been dignified with the title of Knight Yet it seems the Ceremony of Knighting the person designed for Election was not so strictly and duly observed as it ought but that sometimes this branch of the Statute was either not taken notice of or else confounded with the second Article throughout the several Bodies of the Statutes which prohibits the Choice or â—lection of any person into the Society of which we shall speak by and by as this doth the Proposal or Nomination and thereupon perhaps it was conceived that although the Nomination Election and sometimes delivery of the Ensigns of the Order were first dispatcht and past yet it was well enough if the honor of Knighthood were conferr'd afterward As it was in the case of William Earl of Derby and Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh anno 43. Eliz. where the Register notes that as soon as their Election was past and they brought into the Chapter the Earl of Derby who it seems had not been Knighted before was dubbed Knight with a drawn Sword according to Custom after which they had the Garter and George put on by the Soveraign her self In like manner Vlrick Duke of Holstein and Henry Earl of Northampton immediately after their Election being the last day of St. George's Feast an 3. Iac. and before they received the Ensigns of the Order had the dignity of Knighthood conferr'd on them by the Soveraign So also in the case of the Earl of Suffolk an 3. Car. 1. which the Red Book of the Order taking notice of saith that as soon as it was understood that the Earl had not received the Order of Knighthood before the Soveraign immediately drawing his Sword Knighted him which was not done till after his Election and Investiture with both the George and Garter Thus also did the Ceremony of Knighthood succeed the â—lection of his sacred Majesty the present Soveraign the 21. of May an 14. Car. 1. For after he had been Elected and the Ensigns of the Order placed upon him and that the two senior Knights the Earls of Penbroke and Montgomery and of Arundel and Surrey were intreated by the rest of the Knights-Companions to present his Highness to the Soveraign in the name of all the rest to be initiated into the Title and Dignity of a Knight-Batchelor he was conducted by the said Earls his Supporters into the Presence Chamber in Windesor Castle where before the Chair of State he most solemnly received the Order of Knighthood from the Soveraign his late Majesty of blessed memory To honor which Knighthood and the memory thereof four of the chief Nobility then present were also Knighted namely the Earls of â—ssex Saint Albans and Elgin and Viscount Grandison the first of them being conducted from the great Chamber to the Soveraign's State between two Batchellor Knights Sir Frederick Hamilton and Sir Robert Huniwood the second by Sir Roger Palmer Knight of the Bath and Sir Henry Mildmay the third by Sir Iohn Meldram and Sir William Withrington and the fourth by Sir Iohn Harpur and Sir Iohn Lucas Afterwards the Law in this point began again to be more rightly understood and by that time his Royal Highness the Duke of York came to be Elected which was on the 20. of April an 18. Car. 1. being the last day of the Feast of Saint George then celebrated at the City of York the Soveraign appointed and accordingly conferr'd the honor of Knighthood upon him the day before which he received upon his knees being first conducted into the Presâ—â—e Chamber between two of the Nobility who were also Knights namely the Marquess of Hertford and Viscount Grandison In honor and memorial whereof there were also four Noblemen Knighted at that time the Earl of Carnarvan supported by Sir William Killegrew and young Sir Arthur Ingram the Lord George d' Aubigne sapported by Sir William Howard and Sir Peter Wyche the Lord Iohn Stewart by Sir Peter Killegrew and Sir Capell Bedell and the Lord Bernard Stewart by Sir Edward Savage and Sir Heâ—ry â—lount And thus Prince Edward Count Palatine of the Rhine and George Duke of â—uckingham being designed by the present Soveraign to be admitted into this most Noble Order were both first Knighted at Saint Germans in France an Dom. 1649. and afterwards had the Ensigns of the Order sent unto them by the hands of Sir Edward Walker Garter who in right of his Office invested them therewith Nevertheless in the case of his Highness Prince Kupert who had the honor to be Elected with his Royal Highness the Duke of York an 18. Car. 1. His want of Knighthood became no impediment thereunto being then a Prince in another Country viz. Count Palatine of the Rhine and Duke of Bavaria and might therefore justly claim the priviledge to come within the rule of Foreign Princes mentioned a little lower But herein also the Soveraign to come as neer to the intention and observance of the Statute as he could where there was a possibility to do it and the honor also would be well accepted by the Prince thought it requisite by Commission under the great Seal of England to impower Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey and George Lord Goring late Earl of Norwich both being then in Holland
Investiture where the Soveraign and several of the Knights-Companions being assembled Garter was sent out for the Prince then at the Earl of Bath's Lodgings in the matted Gallery and thence usher'd him into the Lobby between the said Gallery and the Withdrawing Room where he was received by the Earls of Lindsey and Manchester and conducted between them into the Chapter Garter preceding them and after three obeysances they brought him up to the Soveraign Among Knights-Subjects we find the Lord Burghley and Lord Grey were conducted an 14. Eliz. to the Soveraign by the Lord Clynton and Earl of Bedford and Robert Earl of Essex Thomas Earl of Ormond and Sir Christopher Hatton present at Greenwich an 30. Eliz. when their Election passed were severally led into the Chapter the first of them between the Earls of Worcester and Penbroke the second between the Lord Hunsdon and Lord Grey of Wilton and the third between the Earl of Leicester and Lord Burghley and as soon as they were brought up before the Soveraign with all Reverence and Humility they fell upon their knees In like manner an 4. Iac. R. Robert Earl of Salisbury proceeded up to the Soveraign's Throne between the Earls of Nottingham and Dorset and Viscount Bindon between the Earls of Suffolk and Northampton And an 22. Iac. R. the Earl of Arundel and Surrey and Earl of Kelly took William Earl of Salisbury between them and presented him to the Soveraign So also in the Reign of his late Majesty of blessed memory it is remembred that the Earl of Northampton was conducted to his receipt of the Garter in the Chapter-house at Windesor between the Earls of Penbroke and Montgomery an 4. Car. 1. and the Earls of Danby and Moreton being Elected also at the same place an 9. Car. 1. the former of them was conducted to the Soveraign by the Earls of Penbroke and Arundel and Surrey and the latter by the Earls of Salisbury and Carlisle And when the present Soveraign appeared upon his Letter of Summons at the Chapter held in the Withdrawing Chamber in Windesor Castle to receive his Investiture two of the senior Knights viz. Philip Earl of Penbroke and Montgomery and Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrâ—y were sent forth to conduct him in who ushered by the Black Rod brought him between them up to the Soveraign The Duke of Monmouth being Elected at a Chapter held in the Withdrawing Room at Whitehal the 28. of March an 15. Car. 2. Garter was immediately sent to him in the Soveraign's Bedchamber who being met at the door the Earls of Lindsey and Manchester Garter the Black Rod joining himself to him in the Room pass'd to the lower end of the Room before the Duke and the two Knights-Companions whence they proceeded up to the Soveraign with three Reverences Lastly at the Election of Iames Duke of Cambridge in the same Room at Whitehall 3. Dec. an 18. Car. 2 Garter was also sent fort into the Bedchamber to acquaint him that the Earl of Manchester and Duke of Monmouth wâ—re apointed by the Soveraign and Chapter to bring him in thither That done the said Knights-Companions arose and went to the Duke whom meeting at the Bed-chamber door they took their compass about the rest of the Knights-Companions then standing and brought him between them Garter and Black Rod preceding from the lower end of the Room close before the Soveraign SECT III. The Ceremonies of Investiture with the Garter and George THE Knight-Elect being thus introduced and brought to the Soveraign having first with all reverence bowed himself before him it was usual heretofore to make a short gratulatory speech in acknowledgment of so great an evidence of the Soveraign's royal bounty and the Knights-Companions respects The substance of such an address we find coucht in that speech made by Sir Nicholas Carew after he had been conducted into the Chapter-house at Windesor to receive his Investiture an 28. H. 8. who first giving infinite thanks both to the Soveraign and the whole Society for that they had vouchsafed to receive him into the honor of this most illustrious Order being a person in his own esteem most unworthy thereof in the next place profest That whereas he was preferred in this choice before many others much more deserving than himself it was not to be attributed to his merits or any thing by him performed but meerly to the Soveraign's bounty and the favour of the Knights-Companions present towards him The bestowing of so singular an honor being thus thankfully acknowledged the Ceremony of Investiture with the two principal Ensigns of the Order begins first with the Garter as the most ancient and chiefest Ensign and next with the George but the further Investiture with the Habit and other the Ornaments of this Order are to be compleated at the time of the Elect-Knights Installation at Windesor Now the manner and order in the aforesaid Investiture was anciently as followeth first the Elect-Knight set his left foot upon a Stool and then one of the Knights-Companions by the Soveraign's appointment as his Substitute buckled the Enobled Garter about his left leg and this is to be seen in Picture in the margent of an old Draught of the Combats of Sir Iohn Astley set forth in the Antiquities of Warwickshire where the said Sir Iohn's Investiture with the Garter is represented after the aforesaid manner But of late times the Elect-Knight kneeled on his right Knee whilst this Ceremony was performed during which the words of Admonition or Signification at this part of the Investiture are to be read The Forms of Admonition anciently used at the Investiture of Knights-Subjects are inserted in the Appendix but that particularly relative to the putting on the Garter is entred in King Henry the Eighth's Book of English Statutes and is as followeth Sir the loving Company of the Order of the Garter hath received you their Brother and Fellow and in token of this they give and present you this present Garter which God grant that you receive and wear from henceforth to his praise and glory and to the exaltation and honor of the said Noble Order and your self Afterward it was decreed in a Chapter held at Windesor the 5. of August an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. to this effect That not only the same Advertisements and Admonitions which were wont to be given to Strangers at their Investitures should be likewise given to Knights-Subjects that in time to come should be Elected and Installed but also that among the Knights-Companions there should not be any Investiture differing either in Ceremony or Habit. Hereupon the foresaid words of Admonition at putting on the Garter were left off and those used at the Investiture of Strangers given and continued to Knights-Subjects the English Version of which may be seen at the end of the said English Statutes which thence we have transcribed
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
and the honor they derived from it some have thought fit to transmit the memory to Posterity by Medâ—ls with Inscriptions relating thereto Such were those of Gold and Silver which Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg caused to be made having on one side his Effigies and on the other the Arms of Studtgard his chief City and over them the imperial Eagle crowned some of which were preserved and others disperst abroad for a perpetual commemoration of that solemn act of his Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order So also those made by Charles King of Sweden at his Investiture emblematically pointing out the happy concord setled between the Crowns both of this and that Kingdom being copied out and here inserted What is wanting in the course of the Solemnity on the day of Investiture may be supplied from the large account we shall give of the Ceremonies on the Eve and Feast-day of St. George from whence many things may be transferr'd to their use who shall be employed abroad upon the Like Legations Yet for their sakes whose curiosity will like a more particular account of the Solemnities in Foreign parts we have thought fit to insert here the Relations of some eminent Investitures wherein several passages may seem remarkable enough while drawn together in a continued Narrative but perhaps would not appear so if taken asunder nor indeed can divers minute things in some kind worthy of knowledge be precisely referr'd to those few heads we have chosen to discourse of without too much straining A Relation of the manner of investing the French King Henry the Third with the Habit and Ensigns of the most Noble Order of the Garter An. Dom. 1585. HEnry Earl of Derby appointed by her Majesty Ambassador to Henry the Third French King and to invest him with the Order of the Garter took his leave of the Queen's Majesty at Greenwiche the 20. of January an 27. Eliz. and with him such Gentlemen as were present were admitted to kiss her Highness hand Mr. Cook Clarenceux appointed to attend in that Voyage in place of Garter whose room was void and Robert Glover Somerset Herald likewise appointed to that Iourney On the 26. of January the Earl with his Train passed from London to Gravesend where taking Post-Horses they rid to Sittingborne and from thence to Dover where they embarqued and landed at Callis on the first of February on the third of February the Earl with his whole Train went from Callis to Boloigne to Bed where they were very well entertained On the fourth of February they rid to Monstreuil on the fifth to Abbevil where they were met with 150 shot of Hacquebusiers On the sixth they took their Iourney to Amyens being by Monsieur Crevecoeur accompanied with 100 Gentlemen and best Citizens met half a Mile without the Town that night the said Crevecoeur presented the Earl with great store of very large and good Fresh-water Fish and the Town with Wine of divers sorts and the day following being Sunday the said Crevecoeur invited the Earl to Dinner which Dinner was highly commended after Dinner the Earl with his Train went to Breteuil to Bed the next night to Cleremont where they stayed Tuesday and Wednesday the tenth of February he went to Luserche on the eleventh to St. Dennis where by the way he was met by Sir Edward Stafford her Majesties Ambassador resident with the French King who brought with him divers Gentlemen of England to the number of thirty horse and so accompanied him to St. Dennis where they kept Company all the day following being Friday On Saturday his honor made his Entry into Paris about two or three of the Clock at Afternoon there being of the Lord Ambassadors Train more than two hundred horse and mid-way between St. Dennis and Paris there met with them sent from the King the Duke of Montpensier a Prince of the blood the Lords Chauigny le Chapelle Comte de Lude de Pienne de Malicorne de la Mothefelon who had sometimes been Ambassador Leiger in England D'estree d'Abin de Fontaines de Cornusson the Marquess of Curton the Comte de Grignan all Councellors to the Council and Knights of the Holy Ghost the Duke of Iremonille the Counts of Brisac de Creance Sancerre and of Lazure with a great number of Lords and Barons Gentlemen of the Chamber these did accompany the Earl of Derby unto Hostell de Longuevill sometime called the Hostell of Anjou there was his Lordship with the other Lords and Gentlemen lodged where was three Tables very sumptuously furnished for them all of the Kings cost the one Table in the great Chamber for the Lords and Gentlemen Servants to her Majesty the other in the Hall for the Earl of Derby's Gentlemen and a third in a Gallery beneath for Gentlemens Servants besides livery into every Chamber both of Wax Wood Wine and such like in as great plenty as could be desired On Sunday the said Earl betwixt the hours of two and three in the Afternoon went from his Lodging by a Postern through the Garden accompanied with the said Lords de la Mothefelon de Curton and Grignan together with others and and found the Captains of the Regiment of the Kings Guard making two ranks on either side of the streets beginning from the Postern to the Louvre Gate who welcomed â—im in the Kings behalf without the Gate of the said Louvre he was received by the Lieutenant of the great Provost of France and his Archers at the Louvre Gate by the Sire de Montigny Captain thereof to his Majesty and his Archers which Archers together with those of the great Provost made two ranks from the said Gate of the Louvre to the foot of the Stairs from which foot his Lordship was received by the Sire de Pardillon the French Lieutenant of the Switzers of the Kings Guard which from the foot of the said Stairs to the door of the Hall made two ranks for his Lordships passage at the entrance of the Hall his Lordship was received by the Sire de Chasteau Viaux Knight of the Holy Ghost and Captain of Archers of the Kings Guard who likewise from the said door unto the door of the Antichamber made two ranks from the door of the Antichamber his Lordship was received by Sire de Combault Knight of the Holy Ghost Chief Master de Hostell to his Majesty and by his Gentlemen Waiters and there in the said Antichamber all the said Earl of Derby's Officers and Gentlemen wearing Liveries were appointed to stay and the Queens Servants that proceeded next went still forward at the Entry of the Chamber of Estate his Lordship was received by the Sire de Lenoncourt Knight of the Holy Ghost chief Escuier of the Kings â—scurie and the other Escuiers of the Escuire together with the Lieutenant of the hundred Gentlemen of his Majesty who made two ranks from that Chamber door to the Chamber of Audience every of them having Halberts in their hands
him to the Duke of Joyeuse These Duties thus performed the King standing invested with his Robes and the â—arl likewise by him the Ambassador for and in the name of the Earl for want of the Language used a Speech to this effect Sir we rejoice greatly to see your Majesty now invested into this honorable Society and Order of the Garter desiring of God that long and most happily you may wear and use the same to his Glory and the advancement of your own greatness equal with all your Predecessors being right well assured for so hath her Majesty commanded my Lord to say unto you that if her Highness and the residue of the Knights of this Order certainly had understood of the day and time of this your Majesties reception of the same both she and all they would not have failed in their Robes to celebrate this day in token of the honor and prosperous success they wish unto your Royal Person When the King had thus received the Order and was invested as aforesaid he proceeded to the Church of the Augustines some 15 or 20 score off to Evensong being about 4 of the Clock the way being all railed in with Timber and gravelled with fine Sand and guarded on each side with the Kings several Guards that the Train might not be troubled in proceeding The body of the Church was hanged with rich Arras and all the Choire of the same Church and Stalls with Cloth of Gold At the entry of the Choire was erected two Cloths of State one for the Queens Majesty and that was over the Stall on the right hand of the same Choire and the other for the French King and that was over the Stall next unto the Queens Majesty on the left hand within these two States royal were affixed the Arms of these two Princes viz. over the Queens Stall the Arms of England and France quarterly and over the Kings Stall the Arms of France both within the Garter and set in Frames of Wood richly gilt The Earls Stall was about eleven Stalls beneath her Majesties and on the same side whereon was also affixed the Earls Arms within the Garter and his Stile fairly written under them directly before the Queens Cloth of State was placed a Form covered all with Cloth of Gold for Mr. Clarenceux to sit upon during the time of Evensong At the right side of the Altar within the same Choice was made a place of bords Sâ—affoldwise two yards high from the Ground covered with rich Carpets and hanged with Cloth of Gold whereon was placed the Queen Mother and Queen Regnant with other Ladies and great Princes and directly on the other side against them was another place made and erected whereon stood the Popes Nuntio with the Cardinals and all the Ambassadors that then were in Paris All things being thus put in Order at the Church and all persons placed therein according to their Degrees the King proceeded thither in this sort following First Trumpets and Drums Then thirty English Gentlemen accompanied by the Kings especial order and care with thirty French Gentlemen of equal or better degree Then the Lord Windesor with a French Lord. Then the Lord Sands so also accompanied Then Serjeants at Arms with their Maces Then Somerset Herald at Arms. Then Clarenceux Then the Ambassador Leiger Sir Edward Stafford And then the Earl of Darby Chief Commissioner After him followed the King his Train being born by a Brother of the Duke of Joyeuse being a Gentleman of the Kings Privy Chamber And after the King came the Princes of the Blood Royal. Then Dukes Marquessâ—s Earls and other Noblemen Note That the King had especially ordered that for her Majesties special Honor none should that day proceed before him but English and such French as were ordered to go with them and his own Nobility to wait behind him Note also that all personages of the Order of the Holy Spirit went next to the King in their Cloaks of the Order and Collars of Gold about their necks of the same Order the person of the King was guarded all the way by a number of Gentlemen Pensioners with their Pool-axes in their hands In this order the King with his Train entred the Church and in the entring in of the Choire Somerset Herald in his rich Coat of Arms made his three Reverences the first towards the Altar as it was formerly agreed upon before by the Lord Ambassadors Secondly towards the Queens Stall Thirdly towards the Kings Stall And after him Clarenceux entring the same Choire did the like Then the Ambassador Leiger then the Earl which done the said Earl went before his own Stall and there stayed till the King had taken his Stall Royal and then the Earl making his Reverence as before went up into his Stall After him the Ambassador Leiger did the like and went into the Stall next beneath the Earl towards the High Altar Then Clarenceux having made the like Reverence sat him down on his Form placed as aforesaid directly against the Queen's Stall where he remained till the Choire began to sing Magnificat At which time he stepped forward into the midst of the Choire and there making his three Reverences as aforesaid turned himself to the Earl and Leiger Ambassador then the Ambassador came forth of his Stall and making his three Reverences followed Clarenceux over the Choire towards the King and there stayed afore the Kings Stall until Clarenceux returned and fetched the Earl unto him who making his three Reverences came also with Clarenceux before the King to the right side of his Stall where standing Clarenceux delivered the Oath fairly written in Parchment and Letters of Gold which by the Earl was laid before the King to be Signed the Ambassador Leiger being ready to have read it but that the King said it needed not because he was privy to it before who taking it in his hands received of his Secretary Pinart a Pen with Ink and therewith did subscribe his Name only by the Name of Henry which done he gave the same unto the said Secretary to have the Privy Seal put thereto which was done accordingly and the next day delivered to Clarenceux After the King had thus taken his Oath as aforesaid the Earl and the Ambassador with Clarenceux before them returned back to their Stalls not omitting three Reverences and there remained till the end of Evensong at which time the King standing up in his Stall being ready to depart all the other Strangers Ambassadors presented themselves before him with words of special Congratulation to whom he gave several thanks and answers and so departing out of the Church in the same order as he came thither he returned again to the House of Mantuliet where in the same Chamber as he had put the Robes on he put them off and after some speeches with the Earl and Ambassador some Quarter of an Hour or thereabouts he departed with his Nobility over the Water to the Louvre
done him the most noble service in that Expedition did select of them the number twenty five and gave them Blue Garters embroidered and buckled under the Knee with this Motto Hony soit qui mal y pense as a caveat to avoid the emulation of other who might perhaps presume they had deserved as much honor as others Now the question may be asked said the Prince why a Garter rather than any other thing should be made an Order It is to be answered said I that at that time most men especially men of Arms wore their Boots close up gartered and buckled with thongs of Leather under their Knees a Custom yet used of some men for the strengthening of their Leg so with divers other trivial questions the Dinner was spent and ended and I with due thanks and humble salutations took my leave Tuesday morning I delivered the Robes of the Order to the Master of his Wardrobe and on Tuesday in the Afternoon I with my Sons and Mr. Lennard kissed his Excellencies hands and took our leave who most princely thanked us for the pains we had taken to do him honor Wednesday in the morning I was presented with four Chains one for my self of the value of 240 l. sterling two Chains for my Sons the third for Mr. Lennard being all lesser in value than those which I had received of Grave Maurice by 130 l. The Ambassador Lord Carleton had a standing Cup with a Cover of 500 l. being of pure Gold The same day in the Afternoon I gave Rewards to the Chastellain and his Wife with the Servants of the House and taking my leave that night of the Ambassador with whom I supped I took my Iourney on Thursday in the morning by Water to Delf where I hired two Waggons to transport me to Maisland Sluce where I took shipping for England in the same Merchants Ship that brought me thither Friday morning the first of June we set sail and on Saturday in the Afternoon we all safely arrived at Gravesend thanked be God Tuesday following I went by Coach to Oatlands and delivered my Letters to the King from the Prince of Orange and the Lord Ambassador Carleton making a brief relation of the performance of our Employments which it was his Majesties pleasure I should do A Relation of the Investiture of Charles the Eleventh King of Sweden with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order drawn up by Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald Charles the Eleventh King of Sweden c. being elected into the most Noble Order of the Garter at a Chapter held by the Soveraign and Companions of the said Order the 18. day of June 1668. The Right Honorable Charles Earl of Carlisle c. was by the Soveraign appointed his Ambassador extraordinary to the said King and Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald was commanded to attend the Ceremony of his said Majesty's Investiture in the place of Garter Principal King of Arms. Being furnished with all Necessaries for this service as the Robes Collar George Garter c. and having received his Majesty's Commission under the Seal of the said Order they set sail from Greenwich in the Anne a Yaght belonging to his Royal Highness the Duke of York on Friday the 5. of February 1668. and landed at Rotterdam on Sunday the 7. of the said Month from whence they proceeded on their journey to Stockholme first to Hamborough and then to Lubeck where my Lord Ambassador having received command from the King to go for Denmark they took shipping at Framond the Port of the said City on Saturday the 20. of March and landed at Copenhagen on Monday the 22. of the said Month. After same 10 days there in which time his Lordship dispatched his business in that Court they again imbarqued themselves in a Frigat of the King of Denmark's and arrived at Stockholme on Saturday the 10. of April being Easter Eve where his Excellency continued some weeks incognito till the arrival of his Train and Equipage Saturday June the 5. the Countess of Carlisle landed at Stockholme and about a week after arrived the Ship with my Lord Ambassador's Goods and Retinue Wednesday the 7. of July my Lord Ambassador made his Entry into Stockholme and on Saturday the 10. of the said Month had his publick Audience of the King Monday the 26 of July my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George at a private Audience delivered their Credentials concerning the Garter and his Majesty of Sweden received the lesser George Thursday the 29. of July was appointed for his Majesty's publick reception of the whole Habit of the Order which Ceremony was performed as followeth Abouth three of the Clock that Afternoon my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were by two principal Senators Count Neile Brahe and Count John Steenbook the Master of the Ceremonies with the King's Coaches Pages and Footmen all in new Liveries with many Officers and Cavalier conducted to the Castle being come into the great Court they were met at the Stairs foot where they alighted by several of the King's Servants and so conducted up to certain Rooms where the Robes c. were deposited having been sent thither that morning here my Lord Ambassador for a while reposed himself whilst Mr. St. George made ready the Robes c. and put on his Mantle and having now notice that his Majesty was come into the Great Hall they proceeded thither Mr. St. George bearing the Robes c. on a Velvet Cushen At the entrance into the Hall they were met by the Rix-Marshall Count Gabriel Oxenstiern having in his hand a long Staff of Silver gilt and conducted to the upper end of the Room which was inclosed within a Rail and Ballister Here stood the King in a Suit and Cloak of Cloth of Silver with a large Plume of White Feathers in his Haet under a State of Crimson Velvet fringed with Gold to the back of which said State was affixed an Escotcheon of his Majesty's Arms within the Garter and his Stile underneath on the King 's right hand was erected a like State for the Soveraign with an Escutcheon of his Arms and his Stile also underneath with a Chair and Footstool Opposite to the King of Sweden's Chair was placed a Chair like in all things to that of the King 's for my Lord Ambassador and on the left hand of my Lord Ambassador was a Chair set for Mr. St. George and near it close to the Rails was a little Table to lay the Robes on On the King of Sweden's left hand at a good distance near the other end of the Rails sate the Queen under a lesser State of Cloth of Silver the haut-pas was covered with Turkie Carpets as was also all the ground within the Rails where stood the Regents and the rest of the Senators all in Cloaks and Bands as is used at their Dyets and most solemn Assemblies with Chairs behind them The whole Room was hung with Tapestry having a great number
Earls of Manchester and Strafford conducted to the Offering by Clarenceux and Norroy And it is to be noted that where any Knight hath his opposite Companion absent he goeth up to Offer singly and alone and so returneth nevertheless with two Heralds before him as may also be seen by the precedent Scheme who conduct him to the lower end of the Stalls and there with a joint Reverence take their leave In this solemn Ceremony the order wherein the Knights-Companions Offer is always according to the Dignity of their Stalls wherein they sit for they obtain the honor and title of Seniority according as their Stalls stand in Order nearer to the Soveraigns Stall As touching the Offerings themselves which the Soveraign and Knights-Companions do at any time make in the Chappel at Windesor they of right belong to the Dean and Prebends of that Colledge having been conferred on them by the Statutes of the Colledge And it was also Ordained that the Chantor should see that all the Offerings there made should be received collected and faithfully kept and at the end of every Month or weekly if the Colledge required it give a faithful account of what was so received By which it appears that they were not only given to the Dean and Prebends but care was also taken by whom they should be received and when an Account should be rendered All which was confirmed by King Edward the Third by the Bishop and Dean and Chapter of Salisbury to whose Jurisdiction the Colledge of Windesor doth belong and also by the Bishop of Winchester Prelate of the Garter the last Day of November 1352. Nor do we find but that in pursuance of these Statutes the Dean and Prebends of the said Colledge have constantly enjoyed them until Dr. Mountague came to be Bishop of Winchester and Prelate of the Order who it seems challenged a right to the Offerings which he had received at the Feast of St. George celebrated at Windesor an 21 Iac. Reg. Whereupon in a Chapter held on the last Day of the said Feast the Dean and Canons made their complaint against the said Prelate for not only receiving the Knights-Companions Offerings but for detaining them as also the Soveraigns and Princes Offerings Of which the said Prelate being demanded by the Soveraigns Lieutenant and Knights-Companions present in the said Chapter he acknowledged and further answered that he had left them in the hands of the Subdean of the Chappel tanquam in deposito But the Chapter being ready to rise the matter was not then further debated but referred to the next Feast Bishop Andrews did also de facto both receive and keep the Offrings whensoever he as Prelate Officiated at Windesor but his Executors to avoid Suit compounded for them It appears by the Red Book of the Order upon Complaint of the Dean and Prebends of Windsor in a Chapter held the 24. of Sept. an 4. Car. 1. that power was given to the Knights-Commissioners of the Order to determine this contention about the Offering and withal it is there noted that Bishop Neyle the then Prelate himself also desired that a Chapter might determine the matter But we have not met with any account of what these Commissioners so impowred did though by an Expression in the same Book an 5 Car. 1. one would guess as though the thing had been determined against the Prelate For an Offering having been then made in the Chappel at Windesor and the Soveraigns Offering received by the Bishop of Norwich that Officiated for the Prelate and the Knights-Companions Offering by the two Prebends who assisted at the Altar it is added That what was Offered fell according to Law of the place to the share of the Dean and Prebends And yet it appears that the controversy was not ended since by a subsequent Order of Chapter 6 Oct. an 6 Car. 1. the matter was again referred to the nine Knights-Commissioners of the Order or any four of them who were to hear both Parties and make their Report that so the same might receive a determination But here also it is immediately noted That the next Morning the Prelate nequid nimis denique suae sententiae tribuere videretur voluntarily delivered to the Dean 9 l. 4◠that sum being the moity of the Offerings he had received from the Soveraign and Knights-Companions The next Feast after held at Windsor viz. 4. Oct. an 7 Car. 1. the controversy was again resumed and after some arguments urged by the Prelate and answered by the Register it was Decreed that the Dean should attend the Knights-Commissioners at their next sitting with the Statutes and other Grants to the Colledge and that from them the controversie should be determined After this there is another Memorandum made in the same Register which informs us that the Prelate by the hands of the Chantor delivered all the Offerings received at the Feas◠an 9 Car. 1. to the Canons upon condition of restitution if it chanced they should be adjudged to him and not to the Canons And whether any final determination was afterwards made herein we have not hitherto found But since the return of the present Soveraign the Offerings received at the Feast of St. George at Windesor an 13 Car. 2. were divided between the Dean and Canons resident the Prelate not disputing the right And now that we may see what hath ordinarily been Offered in Gold and Silver this following Account of the Offring received by the Bishop of Winchester attested under his hand and delivered to the Dean and Prebends of Windesor will give us some Information Sept. 24.1628 The Offring at St. Georges Feast at Windesor besides the Kings Offring of the Bezant not yet redeemed  l. s. d. The whole Offring of the eight Knights 04 15 00. Viz. in Gold in Silver  s. s. The Lord Steward 10 01. Lord Chamberlain 10 02. Earl of Kellie 10 02. Earl of Salisbury 10 02. Earl of Dorset 10 02. Earl of Holland 10 02. Earl of Suffolk 10 02. Earl of Berk-shire 10 02.  04 15 00. The Offrings on Thursday the 25 th Day  s. s. His Majesties Offrings 20 10. Lord Steward 10 01. Lord Chamberlain 10 02. Earl of Kellie 10 02. Earl of Salisbury 10 02. Earl of Dorset 10 02. Earl of Holland 10 02. Earl of Suffolk 10 02. Earl of Berk-shire 10 02.  06 05 00.  l. s. d. The sum of both besides the Kings Besant unredeemed is 11 00 00. Of which given to Mr. Cotton who waited at the Altar by me 5 s. for the rest I am answerable R. Winton When all the Knights-Companions have Offered and are returned to their Stalls then doth the Chancellor of the Order make his Reverences and after him the Register Garter and Black Rod theirs together and take their Seats Upon this the afore-mentioned Groom and Page of the removing Wardrobe roll
durant strenuos quosdam Equites ex hiis qui vobiscum modo militant in socios Clarissimi vestri Ordinis assumere dâ—crevit ex consensu Commilitonum aliorum qui nunc isthic assunt idque nobis significare non refugit nos isthâc ipsâ voluntate vestrâ Commilitonum assensu subnixi quia nolumus ut quisquam per nos aut in Curiâ nostrâ privetur co fructu qui percipi possit saltem dum spectet ad salutem Animae si subitò contingeret obire quod fere fit hiis qui variis belli â—asibus agitantur Dominum Joannem Gray Dominum Johannem Robertsak Dominum Boucer virtute Literarum in quibus procuratores sibi nominârunt in sedes suas Windesori permisimus introduci ne si per bellorum infortunia quibus eos isthic quotidiè videmus objectos ante plenam possessionem interirent Missarum suffragiis destituerentur sicut quosdam nuper id quod dolemus nimiâ morâ praeventos intelleximus Rursum quia de tali procuratorio minus cantum in Statutis esse perpendimus in eo facto non parùm haesitavimus verùm nimio favore potiùs quam arciè severéque Statutorum observationi condonatum iri sperantes libenter in partem pientiorem uti est visa concessimus In quo tamen vestrae nos gratiae correctionique submittimus si quid in hâc ipsâ re delinquimus modo quo possumus humilimo supplicantes ut prudentissima Majestas vestra omnem abhinc scrupulum è Statutis auferatâ— absolutè pronunciet quid hîc posthà c fieri oporteat Vt Equities videlicet vestri cum celsitudine vestrâ vel in bellis vel alibi missu vestro commorati meritis exigentibus codem privilegio quod exteris in electione receptionéque sui per Procuratores est concessum congaudere possent vestro tamen in omnibus Iudicio semper salvo serenitatem autem vestram cum insigni victoriâ celebrÃque triumpho plená conservatae multitudinis Commilitii gloriâ reducat in Regnum ibi diuturnae pacis bono perfrui concedat ille Rex Regum Christus Jhesus qui Capitales hostes nostros sub vexillo Crucis edomuit moriendo devicit Windesori ab Arce vestrâ Kalendis Maii. NUM XLV A larger Letter to the same purpose Registrum Chartac fol. 6. b. VIctoriosissime Princeps metuendissime Domine Humilimâ Recommendatione praemissâ de magnificis vestris Regalibus guerrarum victoriosis eventibus gratiosis corundem auctori qui suo sub munimine vobis totiens contulit feliciùs triumphare obsequiosâ mente gratiarum referimus actiones vestrae Regiaae celsitudini insuper omnimodas reddentes odas debitas eò magis quò valemus quòd nostro minimo bumilimoque motivo de Militibus per vestram Regiam pietatem durantibus vestris bellicis exercitiis creandis interim in Milites Societatis Ordinis Garterii per Procuratores more exterorum installandis Aures vestrae magnificentiae Regalis dirigere voluistis ad tantam exauditionis gratiam ut Regiam vestram benevolentiam ad hoc unanimum assensum Commilitonum Ordinis vestro lateri Regio quà m strenuè assistentium nobis licèt indignis significare decrevistis Ad effectum quòd concors assensus ille nostro motivo mediante vim futuris temporibus statuti contineret super cujus significationis gratiâ virtute assensûs Dominum Willielmum Philipp per procuratorem suum sufficientèr constitutum installavimus Dominos verò Johannem Grey Johannem Robofarde virtute Literarum suarum missivarum in quibus suos solummodo nominarunt Procuratores Dominum de Boucer virtute Literae cujusdam deprecatoriae per Dominam Comitissam de Stafforde Deputato transmisso promisimus installari eò potiùs quod de sufficientiâ procuratorii hujusmodi in Statutis expressè non cavetur ac praecavere volentes ne per dubiosa infortunia guerrarum quibus ipsos in vestrâ Regali praesentiâ indies exponi perpendimus de tam meritoriis suffragiis huic annexis prae defectu plenitudinis sui juris relicti prae nostrâ vacillatione sub dubio privari possent seu veriùs eisdem carere quod absit prout jam tardè contigit quod dolentèr referimus prae nimiâ morâ praepotentis viri ante plenitudinem morte praeventi Piè sperantes nobis potiùs de vestro favore nimio pardonari quà m de severâ strictâ observatione Statutorum in hâc parte laudari ex condigno pensatis circumstantiis ac animis praesumentium super quo tamen humiliùs inclinati quo minùs peritè egimus veniam petimus omnimodè vestrae Regiae correctioni nos penitùs submittentes supplicantes devotiùs quò valemus quatenus omnimodum incertitudinis scrupulum in praemissis Regia celsitudo dignetur de cetero cautiùs abolere ac nostri praetextu motivi statuere ut finguli subditi vestri Milites activis suis meritis exigentibus in hanc eligendi commitivam qui vel in vestrâ praesentiâ Regali seu alibi extra Regnum dummodo ex mandato inibi militaverint Regali pro perpetuo gaudere valeant privilegio nobili exterorum Regali vestro judicio meliori in omnibus semper salvo Et serenitatem Regiae celsitudinis cum Coronâ victoriae servatâ strenuâ procerum multitudine cum bono pacis faelicitèr reducat ad Regnum invictissimus Rex ille qui in suo sanguine nostros dignatus est inimicos mortales sub vexillo Crucis moriendo devincere NUM XLVI Sir Grey's Letter Missive to Sir Iohn Lisle his Proctor Registrum Chartac fol. 6. A mon trescher bien ame Monsieur Jehan Lisle WOrchipful Sir I grete you wele desiryng to here c. And wete ye that the Kyng of his gracious Lordshippe God yelde him hase chosen me to be onne of his Brethrene of the Knyghtes of the Gartier And I hase chosen you to be myne Attourney to take my Stalle in my name what tyme that my Lorde of Bedforde c. And I pray you that ye wille do so moshe for me at this tyme as I may do thyng to your plesaunz in tyme comyng c. Writen before Roone the xi day of November John Grey NUM XLVII The Countess of Bristol's Deprecatory Letter Ex ipso Autogr. SIR PResuming from what I have been told of former times that my Husband the Earl of Bristol with many others being by his Majesties appointment to be installed Knights of the Garter at Windsor the next moneth he may receive that honor by Proxie at my request and nomination on his behalf because himself is at present beyond the Seas my desire to you hereby is that acquainting his Majesty herewith you would be pleased with his Soveraign permission and approbation to appear and act at that Solemnity in quality of my Lord's Proxie according to the accustomed forms in such cases wherein I assure my self you will perform a very acceptable service to my Lord and
and Tassels of the like coloured Silk and Gold Fine Holland Sheets to fold the Habit in Two Trunks to carry them One Mantle for Garter or the Officer of Arms that goes in his place to officiate upon that occasion The said Mantle to be made up of 18 yards of Scarlet Sattin and 10 yards of White Deux Caps Taffaty to line the same and to have an embroidered Scutcheon on the left shoulder and Laces and Tassels of Silk and Gold alike in every respect unto that Mantle which Garter wears upon St. George's day and at the Chapters of the Order One Scutcheon with the King's Arms in a quarter of the Order and a handsome gilded Border or Frame Two other Scutcheons without arms having only the Garter about them to put in them the Elector of Saxony's arms in a handsome gilded Frame And these shall be your sufficient Warrant dated at Whitehall this 17. of July 1668. E. Manchester To the Right Honorable Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of his Majesties Great Wardrobe and to the Officers of the same NUM LXXXVIII A Warrant for the Habit of the Order and other Necessaries to be used at the Investiture of Charles King of Sweden Ibidem fol. 29. b. Charles R. OVR will â—nd pleasure is That you prepare or cause to be prepared for the King of Sweden now Knight Elect of our Order of the Garter the whole Habit of our said Order together with a Mantle for the Officer of Arms whom we shall appoint to go therewith and all other Necessaries as you had them specified in a Warrant lately directed unto you for the Habit to be sent to the Elector of Saxony and besides one yard and half of skie colour Velvet wherewith to cover two Statute Books of the Order And for so doing this shall be your Warrant Given under our Sign manual this 30. of August 1668. By the Soveraign's special Command De Vic Chancellor of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen and Councellor Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of our Great Wardrobe or in his absence to his Deputy NUM LXXXIX A Warrant for allowance of Dyet and Reward to Garter in a Legation with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. By the King TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well willing and commanding you that of such our Treasure as remaineth in your custodie to our use ye deliver to our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alià s Garter Principal King at Arms attending by our commandment upon our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor the Lord Marquess of Northampton in his Embassage to our good Brother the French King ten shillings by the day for his Dyet and also by way of our Reward ten shillings by the day amounting in the whole to twenty shillings by the day and to allow him for the Posting and Transportation both outward and homeward as well of himself and his train as also of certain Robes of our Order and other things necessary for that Voyage such sums of Money as by his Bill subscribed with his own hand he shall signifie unto you to have employed in that behalf as also further to allow him for the Dyet of Chester Herald after the old rate that is to say five shillings by the day and five shillings in reward by the day and for the Dyet of Rougedragon Pursuivant two shillings and six pence by the day and two shillings six pence in reward also by the day and also for their posting Moneys according to the tenor aforesaid beginning the 28. of April last past until the return of our said right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor And these our Letters shall be your Warrant sufficient in that behalf Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the eleventh of May in the fifth year of our Reign E. Somerset W. North. J. Bedford J. Warwick E. Clinton Jo. Gate To our trusty and well-beloved Councellor Sir William Cavendishe Knight Treasurer of our Chamber NUM XC Another Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. Elizabeth R. ELizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England c. To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer greeting We will and command you of such Treasure as iâ— or shall come into the Receipt of our said Exchequer to deliver or cause to be delivered to our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter Principal King of Arms attending by our commandment upon our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex in his Embassy now to our good Brother the Emperor the sum of 10 s. by the day for his Dyet and also by way of our Reward other 10 s. by the day amounting in the whole to 20 s. by the day the said allowance of 20 s. by the day to begin 7 days before his arrival at the Sea side when he shall pass over the Seas in his Iourney and so to continue until his return unto our presence upon the end of his Voyage Willing you further for his better furniture in this Iourney to advance unto him beforehand his said Dyets and Rewards after the rate of 20 s. by the day for two Months And also to allow unto him upon his return for the posting and transportation both outward and homeward of himself and his men and for certain Robes of our Order and other things necessary for his Voyage such sums of Money as by his Bill subscribed with his own hand he shall signifie unto you to have been by him disbursed in that behalf And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in that behalf Yeven under our Privy Seal at our Mannor of Richmond the 14. day of June in the ninth year of our Reign To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer NUM XCI Another for like Allowances to Garter and Somerset Ex Collect. A. V. W. ORder is taken this present of Anno 1582. that of such the Queens Majesties Treasure as remaineth in your custody you shall make payment unto Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter Principal King of Arms and to Somerset Herald of Arms the sum of Clix l. in full payment of a Bill of CCiv l. signed by them for their Dyets Rewards Transportations and Posting Charges going with the Lord Willughby of Eresby to Frederick the Second King of Denmark and in their return again according to a Privy Seal granted unto them for the said Allowances Dated at Grenewich the 28. day of June Anno 24. of the the Queens Majesties Reign And these shall be your sufficient Warrant for the payment thereof Written the said day and year To our loving Friends Mr. Stoneley and the four Tellers of the Queens Majesties Receipt NUM XCII A Privy Seal for like Allowances to Clarenceux and Somerset Ex Collect. A. V. W. Elizabeth R. ELizabeth c. To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer greeting
to attend the performance of the Ceremony to be used in this service the sum of 30 s. by the day for his constant entertainment in our said service to commence from the day of his departure from our presence And that you also advance and pay unto the said Thomas St. George or his Assigns in part of the said allowance of 30 s. by the day the sum of 150 l. of lawful Money of England which said several sums of 3 l. by the day and 30 s. by the day are to be continued unto them unto the day of their return unto our presence respectively and to be received without account impress or other charge to be set upon the said Sir Thomas Higgons and Thomas St. George or either of them their Executors Administrators or Assigns for the same And we also direct that such further allowance be made unto the said Sir Thomas Higgons for his extraordinary expence in this our service as you our Commissioners of our Treasury now being or our Treasurer under-Treasurer and Commissioners of our Treasury for the time being shall think fit and that such allowance be likewise made for the extraordinary expence of the said Thomas St. George in our service as shall be thought fit and approved by one of our Principal Secretaries of State And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Palace of Westminster the fifteenth day of August in the 20. year of our Reign NUM XCVII A Warrant for Post-horses c. for Garter's use Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. WHereas the Bearer hereof William Seagar Garter Principal King at Arms is upon some special occasions concerning his Majesties service to make his speedy repair into the Low Countries and in his Iourney to the Sea side shall have need of Post-horses for himself and others employed in that service and when they come to the Port of their embarquing shipping for transportation These are therefore in his Majesties name to will and command you and every of you to whom it may appertain to see the said William Seagar furnished from place to place with six able and sufficient Post-horses And likewise also to give your assistance for getting of convenient shipping for their transportation and to suffer them quietly to imbarque together with such Trunks and other necessaries as they shall have use of without lett hindrance or other molestation hereof you may not fail as you will answer the contrary From the Court at Whitehall this 30. of December 1612. J. Northampton J. Suffolk E. Worcester E. Wotten Juâ— Caesar. E. Zouch C. Edmonds To all Mayors Sheriffs Justices of Peace Vice-Admirals Customers Comptrollers Searchers Officers of the Ports Post-masters Bailiffs Constables Headboroughs and all other his Majesties Officers and loving Subjects to whom it may appertain NUM XCVIII A Warrant for Post-horses for Somerset Herald Ex Collect. A. V. W. WHereas there is appointed to attend on the Earl of Derby for her Majesties service into France Robert Glover alias Somerset one of the Heralds of Arms who is to repair with all diligence unto the Port of Dover there to embarque with the said Earl of Derby These are to will and require you and in her Majesties name strictly to charge and command you and every of you to whom it shall appertain to see him provided of four good and able Post-horses for himself his Servants and Câ—rriages with a Guid from place to place unto Dover aforesaid and at his return likewise from thence to the Court as also of all such other things necessary as he shall require at your hands for the better accomplishing of his Voyage at prices reasonable and accustomed in her Majesties like services Whereof fail you not as you will answer to the contrary at your perils From the Court at Grenewich the 20. of January 1584. To all Mayors Sheriffs Justices of Peace Bailiffs Constables Headboroughs and to all other her Majesties Officers and loving Subjects to whom it may appertain and to every of them NUM CI. Instructions given to the Soveraign's Ambassadors sent with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to Iulianus de Medicis Brother to Pope Leo the Tenth Ex Collect. Iac. Waraei Eq. Aur. FIrst the due recommendation and presentation of the Kings Letters with a brief Oration to be made touching the land of the said Order of the King Soveraign of the same and also of the virtues and notable deeds of N. that shall receive it And after the proposition so said to present their Commission and cause it openly to be read where they shall require him to make his Oath as followeth Ego Julianus Dei gratia c. honorificentissimi ac approbatissimi Ordinis Garterii Miles Confrater electus Iuro ad haec Sancta Dei Evangelia per me corporaliter tacta quod omnia singula Statuta Leges Ordinationes ipsius dignissimi Ordinis bene sincere inviâ—labiliter observabo ita me Deus adjuvet haec Sancta Dei Evangelia Which Oath given Sir E. P. shall deliver the Garter unto him and cause the same in good and honorable manner to be put about his Leg the said Doctor so saying audibly these words following Ad lauden honorem summi atque Omnipotentis Dei intemeratae Virginis Matris suae Mariae ac gloriosissimi Martyris Georgii hujus Ordinis Patroni circumcinge tibiam tuam hoc Garterio ut possis in isto bello firmiter stare fortiter vincere in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris Which thing so done the said Sir E. P. shall deliver unto the said I. the Gown of Purple Colour and cause him to apparel himself with the same the said Doctor so saying these words following at the doing over of the same Accipe vestem hanc purpuream quâ semper munitus non verearis pro fide Christianâ libertate Ecclesiae oppressorum tuitoine fortiter dimicare sanguinem effundere in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris And then following the said Sir E. P. shall cause the said I to do upon him the Mantle of Blue Velvet garnished with the Scute and Cross of Saint George and the Doctor so saying these words Accipe Clamidem coelestis coloris Clipeo Crucis Christi insignitam cujus virtute atque vigore semper protectus hostes super are praeclarissimis tuis meritis gaudia tandem coelestia promereri valeas in signum Ordinis augmentum tui honoris And when the said I shall be so apparelled with the Ornaments aforesaid the said Sir E. P. shall put the Image of Saint George about his neck the Doctor so saying these words Imaginem gloriossimi Martyris Georgii hujus Ordinis Patroni in collo tuo deferas cujus fultus praesidio hujus Mundi prospera adversa sic pertrauseas ut bostibus Corporis animae devictis non modo temporalis militae gloriam sed
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 Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms which Ensigns we do hereby will and authorise you tâ— wear assuring you when it may conveniently be done you shall have all other Ceremonies and additions incident to the same fully perfected And we no way doubt but that you by your Noble Virtues Courage and endeavours in militâ—ry actions and your affection and fidelity to us will shew your self worthy thereof and that you will faithfully and with honor serve and assiâ—â— us in all our just and warlike enterprises aâ— becomes a Companion of so Noble an Order Given at the Castle of Saint Germain's en lay 〈◊〉 19. day of Semptember in the first year of 〈◊〉 Reign 1649. NUM CIV A Letter authorising Edward Counâ— Palatine of the Rhyne to use the Ensigns and stile himself Knight of the Garter as if he had been installed Ex Collect. E. W. G. Charles R. CHarles the Second by the grace of God â— and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right dear and entirely bâ—loved Cousin Edward Count Palatine of thâ— Rhyne Duke of Bavaria Greetings We haviâ—â— duly considered the eminence of your birth your near relation to us in blood and the great hopeâ— and expectation that we have of your courage affection and inclination to serve and assist us were pleased upon Sunday the 19. of September past to send unto you the George and Ribband part of the Ensigns of the said most Noble Order of the Garter by our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms together with our Letters declaring that we had chosen you Fellow and Companion of the said most Noble Order and authorising you to wear the same And having since duly considered that it is not possible at present to have all other the additions and Ceremonies fully perfected we have as Soveraign of the said Order thought it fit tâ— dispence with the same and do therefore hereby further will and authorise you to wear and use the Garter or Ribband on your left Leg the Glory or Star of Silver embroidered with St. George's Cross within a Garter upon your Cloak and upper Garments as likewise the great Coller of the Order upon such days us are accustomed to use the Garter about your Arms and to stile your self Knight and Companion of the said most Noble Order of the Garter as fully as if you had been installed in our Castle of Windesore where when it shall please God to restore us to the possession thereof you shall formally be invested and recieve the Habit and all other the above recited Ornaments of the said most Noble Order Given at our Court in the Castle Elizabeth in our Island of Jersey this sixteenth of October in the first year of our Reign 1649. NUM CV A Letter signifying Election c. sent to Count Marchin Ex praef Collect. Charles R. CHarles 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 St. George called the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved John Gaspar Ferdinand de Marchin Earl of Graville Marquess of Clairmont d' Antrague Baron of Dunes Marchin Mezers and Modane Captain General for the service of his Catholick Majesty and Lieutenant General of all our Forces both by Sea and Land in all our Dominious Greeting Whereas our Royal Progenitors and Predecessors Kings of England have in all times since the Institution of the said most Noble Order by our most victorious Ancestor King Edward the Third elected and chosen into the Fellowship thereof many Emperors Kings and Soveraign Princess and other eminent and illustrious persons as well Strangers as their own Subjects who for the nobleness of their Extraction accompanied with heroick virtues especially in Military Enterprises have been held worthy and capable thereof Whereupon we having duly considered the nobleness of your Birth and Extraction with the eminent and famous actions performed by you in the several Military Commands you have for years been employed together with your great zeal and affection to engage your self in our service and cause for the recovery of our just rights have thereupon held it fit and agreeable by some signal testimony of our favour to evidence the great value and esteem that we have both of your person merit and affection To which end these are to certifie you that we by our power as Soveraign of the said most Noble Order and by the consent of all the Companions thereof here present have elected and chosen and do elect and chuse you our said right trusty and right well-beloved John Gaspar Ferdinand de Marchin Earl of Graville c. Fellow Peer and Companion of the said most Noble Order and do herewith invest you with the Garter and George the most peculiar Ensigns of the same And because at this time some other Additions and Ceremonies incident thereunto cannot be fully performed we do hereby for the present by our Soveraign power dispense therewith and do will and authorise you at all times hence forward to wear the Garter about your left Leg the Image of St. George hanging about your Neck the Star or Glory of Silver with St. George's Cross embroidered within a Garter upon your Cloak or upper Garment as likewise to use the Garter about your Arms and to stile your self Knight and Companion of the said most Noble Order in as ample manner as if you had been formally installed in our castle of Windesor the proper place for that Solemnity we no way doubting but that by your future as well as precedent actions you will fully declare your self to be highly worthy of the honor of being Knight and Companion of so Noble an Order And these our Letters of Election and dispensation shall be to you for the same your sufficient and full authority Given under our Signet at our Court in the City of Antwerp this twenty sixth day of February 1658. in the tenth year of our Reign NUM CVI. A Warrant to Garter for delivery of the Garter and George to William Prince of Orange Ex eod Collect. Charles R. TRusty and well-beloved we greet you well Whereas we have made choice of our most dear Nephew the Prince of Orange to be a Câ—mpanion of the most Noble Order of the Garter we do hereby authorise you according to your Office to deliver unto our said most dear Nephew the said Order and our Letters with such Ceremony as is usual and as may be performed in the place where he is And for so doing this shall be your Warrant Given at the Palace Royal in Paris the 25. day of April 1653 in the fifth year of our Reign To our truly and well-beloved Sir Edward Walker
for the delivery of the Duke of Chevereux his Atchievements to Garter Ex eod Collect. Charles R. WE will and command you forthwith to deliver or cause to be delivered unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir William Seagar Knight Garter Principal King of Arms for the installation of our well-beloved Cousin the Duke of Chevereux these particulars hereafter mentioned that is to say one Helmet of Steel gilt with fine Gold his Highness Crest carved and gilt a pair of Mantles of Cloth of Gold lined with White Sattin and spotted with Ermines two Knobs and Tassels of Silk and Gold a Sword the Hilts Pomell and Chape gilt the Scabbard and Girdle Cloth of Gold a great Banner of his Highness Arms wâ—â—â—ght in Metal and in Oyl a Cushen of Crimson Velvet fringed and Tassels of Silk one Dozen of Scutcheons on Paper in Mettal of his Highness Arms within a Garter a Staff for the great Banner painted in Oyl a Plate of Copper gilt graven and enamelled with his Highness Arms to be set upon his Highness Stall at Windesore and this our Letter shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under our Signet c. NUM CXXXIII Another for the Atchievements of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden Ex eod Collect. Charles R. THese are to will and command you to provide and deliver or cause to be provided and delivered to the use of the high and mighty Prince Gustavus King of Sweden against his Installation these parcels following viz. A great embroidered Banner of his Arms of coloured Velvet enriched with Cloth of Gold and Cloth of Silver and Twist of Venice Gold Plates and Purle two yards and half of rich Cloth of Tissiue for Mantles for his Helm Scabbard and Girdle two yards of Cloth of Silver to line those Mantles two yards and half of Purple Velvet for a Cushen with Fringe and Tassels of Purple Silk and Gold to bear his Robes upon two Tassels also with Knobs gilt to hang at the ends of the Mantles an arming Sword gilt an open Helmet with a royal Crown and an Orb and Cross on the top thereof gilt with his Crest a Book of Statutes of the Order and a Plate of his Arms and Stile to be set up in his Stall at Windesore And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf NUM CXXXIV A Warrant for delivery of materials for the Atchievements of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex lib. Warr. Dorm in magno Gardrob Regis tempore Eliz. Reg. p. 364. Elizabeth R. WE will and command you to deliver to our well-beloved Servant David Smith our Embroiderer as much Blue Velvet Cloth of Gold yellow with works and Purple Cloth of Gold tissued with Silver as shall suffice for the making and furnishing of one great double Banner to be richly embroidered on both sides with the Arms of France together with the Mantle Helmet Crest Sword and Scabbard sutable to the same Banner for the installing of our right well-beloved Brother Charles the Ninth French King and that ye pay unto the said David Smith as well for his workmanship in the embroidering of the premisses as also for all such Fringe of Silk and Gold with Buttons and Tassels of like Silk and Gold and for Venice Gold and Silk for the embroidering of the premisses Given at Westminster the last day of November in the eighth year of our Reign To our well-beloved I. Fortescue Esq Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM CXXXV Another for the Atchievements of the French King Henry the Third Ex lib. Warr. particul in praed Gardrob tempore Eliz. Reg. p. 179. Elizabeth R. DEliver to our well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick alias Garter King at Arms as much Blue Velvet Cloth of Gold yellow with works and Purple Cloth of Gold tissued with Silver as shall serve to make one large Banner richly embroidered on both sides with the Arms of France to make Mantlets and cover the Scabbard also the Helmet Crest Sword and other Furniture of the same and that ye pay for the embroidering of the same Banner for Purls of Damask Gold and for Venice Gold Fringe and Passamain Lace of Gold with Silk and all other necessaries for the installing of the French King Item one Standard of Crimson and Blue Taffaty painted and gilded with our Arms and Cognisance with Gold and Silver laid in Oyl and for Silk Fringe for the same Given at Westminster the 12. of June in the 14. year of our Reign To our trusty I. Fortescue Esq Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM CXXXVI A Warrant for the delivery of the Atchievements for the Prince of Denmark Ex Collect. E.W.G. Charles R. OVR will and pleasure is that you forthwith deliver or cause to be delivered unto our trusty and well-beloved servant Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms or by his order the several particulars herewith sent and signed by him to be used and made up into Hatchments for the Installation of the Prince of Denmark lately elected a Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter and after that you cause payment to be made for the painting and making thereof according to former precedents and for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge Given c. the 12. of February 1662. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of our Great Wardrobe or to his Deputy there NUM CXXXVII A Warrant for delivery of Materials to Garter for the Atchievements of Charles King of Sweden and the Prince Elector of Saxony Book of Warrants in the Great Wardrobe commencing at Michaelmas 1667. fol. 95. Charles R. OVR will and pleasure is and we do hereby require you forthwith to cause to be provided and delivered unto our trusty and well-beloved servant Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms or to such person as he shall appoint to receive the same the several parcels of Cloth of Gold Sattin Damask and Taffaty and other Necessaries mentioned in the Bills herewith sent and signed by the said Garter to be made up into Banners and Atchievements to be hung up in our Chappel at Windesor against our next Feast of the Order which we intend to hold there in April next over the Stalls of Charles King of Sweden and the Prince Elector of Saxony who are by their Proxies to be installed there and that you cause payment to be made for the same accordingly and for your so doing this shall be your sufficient Warrant Given at our Court at Whitehall the 28. day of February 1669. By the Soveraign's special command De Vic. Canc. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Edward Earl of Sandwich Master of our Great Wardrobe or in his absence to his Deputy Ibid. fol. 95. b. Necessaries to be provided and delivered out of his Majesty's Great Wardrobe in pursuance of his
yere within xv days after Ester by reason whereof We have according to the Statutes of the noble Order of the Garter differred the solennenifacion of the same unto the xxiiii day of May next coming on wyche day we have appointed the said Fest to be kept and also deputed you to be our Lieutenant at the same We therefore woll and desire you to prepare and dispose your self soo to bée accordingly Yeven under our Signet at our Vniversitie of Cambridge the xxv day of April NUM CLX A Letter of Notice to a Knight-Companion to be present at the Grand Feast held by Prorogation Ex Collect. praef W. le N. Cl. Mary R. RIght trusty c. And having deferred the keeping of the Feast of the Glorious Martyr St. George Patron of our most Noble Order of the Garter until the coming of our most dear Cousin the Prince of Spain To the intent the said Feast might be also honoured with the Installation of our said dearest Cousin We let you wit that we have now resolved to hold and celebrate the same Feast within our Casâ—le of Windsor upon Sunday the 5. of August next ensuing Requiring you therefore to put your self in order to make your repair thither for that purpose before the same day so as you may be present at the Celebration of that Feast and all the accustomed Ceremonies thereof Wherefore we pray you not to fail Yeven under the Seal of our Order c. NUM CLXI A Letter from the Chancellor giving a Knight-Companion notice of the Prorogation of the Grand Feast Ex Lib. Collect. W. le N. Cl. fol. 46. Right Honorable WHereas his Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter for sundry causes but especially for the late Death of the high and mighty King his most dear and most entirely beloved Father which bringeth unto him cause of grief infinitely more then of triumph hath not thought meet to keep the Feast of St. George for this year on the days accustomed for the same that is to say on the 22.23 24. days of this month of April His Majesty therefore under the Seal of the said Order remaining in my Custody hath prorogued the keeping of the said Feast for this year unto the 16.17 18. days of August next Commanding all the Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order and Officers of the same then to attend his person wherein his Majesties Pleasure it is my due to make known to your Lordship which being by these performed I most humbly rest Your Lordships most ready to do you service George More 7. April 1625. To the right Honorable the Earl of Arundel and Surry Earl Marshal of England Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and of his Majesties most Honorable Privy Council NUM CLXII Another Rowes Iournal pag. 5. May it please your Lordship THe King's Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter having formerly prorogued the Celebration of the Feast of Saint George for this year from the usual days upon which it should have been solemnized unto the 8.9 10. of July following and by reason of the Contagion spread in many parts of his Kingdom from those days to the 26.27 28. of September and then also upon special consideration unto the 13.14 15. of December by Several Commissions under the Seal of his Order now remaining in my Custody His Majesty for divers and important Causes and to avoid the danger of the concourse of much people during the Infection finding it not convenient to celebrate the Feast at that designed time hath adjourned the Prorogation thereof by a new Commission to me delivered unto the 17.18 19. days of April next And thereby given Commandment to all the Knights and Companions and Officers of his Order that they should attend his Royal person upon these last appointed days Wherefore in discharge of my duty I do signifie unto your Lordship his Majesties pleasure praying your Lordship that you will be pleased to take knowledge herein of the Soveraign's Order humbly resting Your Lordships In all due Observance and Obedience Tho. Rowe Cranford 12. Dec. 1636. To the Right Honorable Iames Marquess Hamilton Knight and Companion of the most Noble Order of the Garter and my most Honored Lord. NUM CLXIII Another to the Register of the Order Ibidem pag. 3. Reverend Sir THE King's Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter having formerly prorogued the Celebration of the Feast of St. George for this presents Year from the usual days upon which it should have been solemnized by several Commissions under the Seal of his Order now remaining in my Custody and finding it inconvenient for divers important causes specially by reason of the Contagion spread in divers places of his Kingdom to hold the Feast at any of those designed times His Majesty hath pleased by a new Commission to me delivered to prorogue the last Prorogation unto the 17.18 19. of April next And thereby given Commandment to all the Knights and Companions and to the Officers of his Order that they should attend his Royal person upon those last appointed days Wherefore in discharge of the duty of my place I do signifie unto you his Majesties pleasure desiring that you will take knowledge herein of his Royal Order Your affectionate Friend to do you service Tho. Rowe Cranford 12. Dec. 1636. To the Reverend and my Worthy Friend Doctor Wrenn Dean of Windsor and Register of the most Honorable Order of the Garter One Duplicate of this was sent to Sir Iohn Boroughs Knight Garter another to Iames Maxwell Esq Black-Rod NUM CLXIV Letters of Dispensation for attending at the Grand Feast Ex Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well and forasmuch as you are as well Governor of our Town of Barwick as also Warden of our East Marshes for and anyenst Scotland and may not conveniently be spared from thence for certain Affairs there by you to be done whereby you cannot make your repair hither to celebrate with us the Feast of St. George and have thought good upon that respect to excuse your absence from the said Feast and do by these presents dispence with you for the same And therefore these our Letters shall be your sufficient discharge in that behalf Yeven under the Signet of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the day of April in the seventh year of our Reign 1565. NUM CLXV Another Ex eod Collect. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well and forasmuch as you are President of our Council established in the City of York and by reason of your charge and attendance there for our service you cannot conveniently be present with us to solemnize the Feast of our most Noble Order of the Garter the Even of Vigil of St. George next ensuing We let you understand that
of Scaffolds in it filled with the principal persons of quality both of the Courtand City After my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George had saluted the King Mr. St. George placed the Robes c. on the Table and having made an obeysance first to the Soveraigns State then to the King of Sweden stood before his own Chair till the King and my Lord Ambassador were both of them seated they being seated Mr. St. George sate down on his Chair until the Trumpets and Kettle Drums ceased which had beat and sounded from their first entrance in the Room all being quiet Mr. St. George arose and making an obeysance first to the Soveraign's State and then to the King of Sweden stood by the Table then the Ambassador arising began his Speech to the King which ended his Secretary delivered a Copy of it in the Swedish tongue to the Ambassador who gave it to the Lord Stein Bielk who delivered it to a Secretary by whom it was read aloud whereunto a Reply was made by the same Senator in Swedish this Reply translated into English was given by the said Senator to the Ambassador and by him to his Secretary who read it in English Then did Mr. St. George deliver the Commission under the Seal of the Order to my Lord Ambassador who presented it to the King who having received it gave it to a Secretary by whom it was read aloud The Commission being read Mr. St. George devested the King of his Cloak Sword and Belt untying also the Silk Garter on his left leg and delivered the Book of the Statutes of the Order to the Ambassador who presented them to the King then was the Garter of the Order presented to his Majesty by Mr. St. George who at the delivery pronounced the accustomed words in Latin which ended my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George did both of them buckle it on the King of Sweden's left leg in like manner was presented the Surcoat the Girdle and Hangers with the Sword the Mantle the Hood the Collar and great George last of all the Cap and Feather His Majesty thus fully invested with the whole Habit of the Order continued standing under his State whilst Mr. St. George descending from the haut-pas towards the lower end of the Rails returned and having made three obeysances as he came up proclaimed the Stile of the Soveraign in Latin French and English and afterwards the Stile of the King of Sweden in French only This being done Mr. St. George returned and stood before his Seat whilst my Lord Ambassador complemented his Majesty in a short Speech in English which was afterwards read in Swedish by a Secretary and a Reply made by the afore named Senator Stien Bielk in Swedish read in English by my Lord Ambassador's Secretary After this another Senator viz. Baron John Gyllenstiern did in a long Harangue congratulate his Majesty's Election and Investiture into this most Noble Order which ended the King my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George took their Seats again whilst the Trumpets and Kettle Drums beat and sounded being the signal for the firing 124 great Guns from the Ships of War in the River and several parts of the City and of divers Vollies of small shot from Horse and Foot purposely drawn into the Town for this occasion after they had all fired the first time they gave a second Volley which being near ended my Lord Ambassador and Mr St. George arose and making their obeisances to the King who stood in his Robes under his State they withdrew and were conducted by the afore mentioned Senators Count Brabe and Count Steenbook to the same Room from whence the Robes of the Order had been brought where Mr. St. George put off his Mantle and after a little repose my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were in the same manner conducted home to my Lord Ambassador's House About eight of the Clock that Evening my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were again brought to Court in the King's Coach by Count Torstenson and the Master of the Ceremonies to Supper where in a fair Room under a state of Crimson Velvet sate the King covered and in the Robes of the Order on his left hand the Queen and on her left hand my Lord Ambassador all under the State at each end of the Table sate two of Regents and on the other side of the Table near each end sate two of the senior Senators and between them stood two Carvers At another Table in the same Room sate Mr. St. George with the other Senators and the Officers of the Army during Supper several Healths were drank as the Soveraign's the King of Sweden's the two Queens the Duke of York's the Companions of the Order c. at each of which were fired 4 great Guns 24 being purposely planted for that service under the Wall of the Castle Supper being ended my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George having waited on the King and Queen back again in the same manner they attended them to Supper about three of the Clock the next morning they were again conducted home by Count Torstenson and tâ—â— Mâ—ster of the Ceremonies in the King's Coach and as they descended from the Castle the 24 great Guns were all fired twice over Sunday the 1. of August my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George were by Count Torstenson and the Master of the Ceremonies in the King's Coach brought to the Castle about 7 of the Clock in the Evening from whence they went with their Majesties in their Barge to see the Fireworks which had been preparing about three Months as English mile from Stockholme in honor of this Solemnity this divertisement continued about two hours and was concluded with a Banquet which ended they returned in the same manner being saluted both in their going and return with four Guns from each Ship of War in the River besides the Guns from the Fort At their landing Count Torstenson and the Master of the Ceremonies were ready to conduct my Lord Ambassador and Mr. St. George home in the same manner as they came Thursday the 19. of August Mr. St. George received his Majesty of Sweden's Letter to the Soveraign and a Certificate of his Majesties Reception of the said Order both signed by the Queen and the Regents Sunday the 22. of August Mr. St. George took his leave of the King and Queen being attended by the under Master of the Ceremonies Thursday the 2. of September Mr. St. George was presented by the under Master of the Ceremonies with a Chain of Gold and a Meddal set with Diamonds from his Majesty Saturday the 4. of September Mr. St. George began his Iourney from Stockholme to the Sound by Land and came to Elsineur the 12. of the said Month the 29. he took shipping for England and landed at Hull the 20. of October the 27. he came to London and was the next day by the Earl of Carlisle who was newly returned brought to
his Majesty in his Bed-chamber where be kissed the King's hand presented the King of Sweden's Letter to his Majesty and so concluded his Employment The Fire-works above mentioned which the King of Sweden caused to be prepared to close the Solemnity of his Investiture and manifest to the world his great satisfaction in the honor received were ordered in the following manner In the middle of the work was erected a great Pillar 52 foot high on the top of which was placed a gilt Crown 18 foot below the Crown were the initial Letters of the Soveraign 's and King of Swedens Christian Names set breast to breast and below at the Foot were placed several Military Colours both of Horse and Foot filled with Fire-works This Pillar stood in the middle of four antique Trophies filled with Fire and upon each side of the Pillar 40 foot distance from it was placed St. George on Horseback having the Dragon under his Feet of 24 foot in length and 28 in heighth and on each side of St. George two Pyramids of 36 foot high In several places of the Work were set great Wind-Pipes filled with Water for playing of Water-Balls and round the Work about 2000 Musket-Pipes 60 together in a Frame with 72 Chests in and about the Work full of Rackets 12 foot high besides 28 Chests with Swarmers in the Earth 2 foot high and above 1000 Pattroles fired by Degrees which flying high threw from them all sorts of Figures of Fire Lastly at each corner a Fire Murser which threw up all sorts of pleasant Fire-Balls and in their breaking presented several Figures A Relation of the Investiture of Iohn George Duke of Saxony with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order drawn up by Sir Thomas St. George Knight Somerset Herald John George the Second Duke of Saxony was elected into the Society of the most Noble Order of the Garter the 18. of June 1668. at a Chapter held at Whitehall and by the Soveraign and several of the Companions of the Order Sir Thomas Higgons Knight and Thomas St. George Esq Somerset Herald in the place of Garter Principal King of Arms were then appointed and ordered to carry the Garter with the Habit and other Ensigns appropriated to the Order to the said Duke of Saxony which being provided and delivered unto them on the 27. of February following they set forward from London and arrived at Dresden the 5. of April 1669. and lodged at an Inn from whence they gave notice to the Hoff Marshal of their arrival Vpon Wednesday morning about 10 of the Clock being the 7. of April the Duke of Saxony sent his Coach and several of his Servants for them to their Audience where Sir Thomas Higgons presented his Majesty's Credentials and Mr. St. George the Book of Statutes the Elector having sent to see them the day before They were conducted from this Audience by the Duke's Servants to their several Lodgings within the Castle where they remained and were entertained at the Duke's charges and attended by his Servants during their stay at Dresden Vpon the 8. of April in the morning the Duke sent a Complement to them acknowledging how sensible he was of his Majesty's great affection unto him in sending him the Order of the Garter and that he was very desirous to receive it whereupon they desired an Audience to which they were conducted about 4 of the Clock in the Afternoon by the Dukes Servants Being brought to the Duke Sir Tho. Higgons told him that he understood by his Secretary Mr. Voght his Electoral Highness was very desirous to be invested with the Order of the Garter and that thereupon he and Mr. St. George were come to present his Electoral Highness with the George and a Blue Ribband which was usually worn by the Companions of that most Noble Order before their Investiture whereupon he gave them thanks and then Mr. St. George delivered to Sir Tho. Higgons the George and by him it was presented to the Duke who having received it and viewed it a little while returned it again to Sir Tho. Higgons then he and Mr. St. George put it about his neck which being performed the Duke returned thanks and declared that he intended to be invested on Tuesday or Wednesday following whereof they should receive more particular notice Vpon the 9. of April the Duke sent to them by his Secretary to signifie that he had resolved to be invested on Tuesday following and thereupon discoursing about the Ceremonies said that his Electoral Highness had given order for the furnishing a stately Room for that occasion which he was ready to shew them but that if any part of the Ceremony were accustomed to be performed in the Church he desired that might be omitted which being by them consented unto they repaired to the Room appointed and gave directions how it should be ordered Vpon Easter-day being the 11. of April they were attended by several of the Duke's Servants to Church first and after to Dine with him Vpon Tuesday the 13. of April between 10 and 11 of the Clock in the morning the Duke sent a great number of his Servants to them to let them know he was ready to receive the Order wherupon Mr. St. George put on his Roâ—e or Mâ—ntle and having placed the Habit Collar George Garter and his Majesty's Commission upon a Blue Velvet Cuâ—hen they were conducted to a little Room appointed for that purpose where the Duke stayed for them Mr. St. George carrying the Robes and the other Ensigns of the Order which he presented to the Duke and after placed them on a Table standing by him Then Sir Thomas Higgons and Mr. St. George having first prayed the Duke's leave took off his Cloak and his Sword and Belt which the said Mr. St. George had for his Fee and after that the Blue Ribband and George which they had presented to him before which Mr. St. George delivered to one of the Duke's Servants The Duke being in this posture Mr. St. George took the Surcoat which Sir Thomas Higgons and he presented to the Duke and then put it on after that the Girdle and Hangers which they likewise girt about him having receiveâ— another Sword from the Master of his Horse Then the Duke's Secretary brought and laid upon the Table before his Electoral Highness the Letters Testimonial ingrossed in Parchment of the presenting him with the Ensigns of the Order which he there signed and being sealed by him before them they were delivered to Mr. St. George by the Duke These things being thus performed they proceeded to the great Room prepared where the principal part of the Ceremony was to be accomplished where there was a great concourse of People and towards the upper end on the right hand was a place raised where sate the Dutchess the Prince of Saxony and Princess the Princess of Anhalt and below them a great many Ladies of quality and the Ladies of the Court. First passed the Dukes Servants two