and right well-beloved Cousin and Councellor the Marquess of Winchester our high Treasurer of England NUM LXXXI A Warrant for Delivery of the Collar and George to Edward Prince Palatine Ex lib. vocat The Book of Warrants in the Iewel-house Charles R. OVR will and pleasure is that you deliver to the use of our entirely beloved Cousin Edward Prince Palatine one of the Companions of our most Noble Order of the Garter one Collar of Gold containing 26 Garters with Red Roses enamelled in the midst of them and 26 Knots the Collar weighing 30 Ounces Troy weight As also one rich George on horseback with a Dragon to be fastned and pendant thereto And for so doing this shall be your Warrant Given under the Signet of our said Order at our Court at Whitehall Z this 17. of June in the 13. year of our Reign By his Majesties the Soveraign's special command De Vic. To our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Talbot Master of our Jewel-house NUM LXXXII A Warrant for the Delivery of the Collar George and Garter for Charles King of Sweden Ex eod Lib. Charles R. WHereas we have named and appointed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor Charles Earl of Carlisle our Ambassador extraordinary to our good Brother the King of Sweden and our trusty and well-beloved Henry St. George Esq one of our Officers at Arms to invest our said good Brother lately Elected Knight of our most Noble Order of the Garter with the whole Habit Ensigns and Ornaments of the same These are to will and require you to deliver unto our said Cousin and our said Officer at Arms or to either of them the great Collar George and Garter and what other things you may have provided on our former Warrant for that occasion And this with a Note under their or either of their bands mentioning the particulars to be delivered by you and acknowledging the Receipt of them shall be your sufficient discharge Given under our Signet Manual the 29. of November 1668. By the Soveraign's special command De Vic. To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Gilbert Talbot Master of our Jewel-house and our other Officers of the same NUM LXXXIII A Warrant for Delivery of the Collar George and Garter for Iohn George Duke of Saxony Ex Libro praed Charles R. WHereas we have named and appointed our trusty and well-beloved Sir Thomas Higgons Knight our Envoye extraordinary into Germany and Tho. St. George Esquire one of our Officers at Arms to carry to and invest our dear Cousin the Elector of Saxony late Elected Knight of our most Noble Order of the Garter with the whole Habit Ensigns and Ornaments of the same These are to will and require you to deliver unto the said Sir Thomas Higgons and Tho. St. George or to eitehr of them the great Collar George and Garter and what ever other things you may have provided on our former Warrants for that occasion And this with a Note under their or either of their bands mentioning all the particulars so delivered by you and acknowledging the Receipt of them shall be your sufficient discharge Given under our Signet manual this 29. of November 1668. By the Soveraign's special command De Vic. To our trusty and well-beloved Sir Gilbert Talbot Master of our Jewel-house and our other Officers of the same NUM LXXXIV A Receipt given to the Iewel-house upon delivery of the Ensigns of the Order for Charles King of Sweden Ex Lib. vocat The Day-Book in the Iewel-house p. 321. DEcemb 31. 1668. Delivered unto Henry St. George Esq one of his Majesties Officers at Arms by virtue of his Majesties Sign Manual bearing date the 29. of November last past viz. Imprimis 1 Onix George of the Order set round with 38 large Rose Diamonds 4 smaller Rose Diamonds on a Loop to the said George Also one Garter of the Order set with 202 Rose Diamonds in the Letters 6 between the words and 24 about 4 Ilot boles Also on the Buckle of the said Garter 11 great Rose Diamonds and 10 small ones and on the Tabb 3 large Rose Diamonds and 23 smaller Also one Collar and George of the Order Gold enamelled weight 30 ounces 10 penny weight 6 grains with three Cases of Crimson Velvet fringed with Gold Lace All which is acknowledged to be received by me Hen. St. George NUM LXXXV Another Receipt given for the Ensigns of the Order sent to Iohn George Duke of Saxony Ex Lib. vocat The Day-Book in the Iewel-house p. 324. FEbr 26. 1668. Delivered to Sir Thomas Higgons according to his Majesties Warrant bearing date the 29. of Novemb. 1668. Imprimis One Collar of the Order of the Garter consisting of 21 Roses and 21 Knots poize 30 ounces 16 penny weight As also one rich Aggot George set about with 32 rich Diamonds and three Sparks in the Ring Also a rich Diamond Garter all the Letters of Diamonds and at the Buckles end 9 fair Faucet Diamonds and at the Loop end 9 very fair Faucet Diamonds and -8 smaller Diamonds Also one enamelled George poize one Ounce All these I have received out of his Majesties Iewel-house with Cases to them Tho. Higgons NUM LXXXVI A Warrant to provide Necessaries for Transportation of the King of Sweden's Robes Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. THese are to pray and require your Lordship that you cause to be provided with all speed these Necessaries following for the Transportation of the King of Swedens Râ—bes and other things belonging to the Order of the Garter namely one pair of fine Holland Sheets of two breadths and a half and three ells long Two Trunks for the packing up and transportation of the Robes Collar and Georges and two Sweet Bags of Taffaty to lay amongst the said Robes for the doing whereof this shall be your Lordships Warrant Whitehall this 27. of April 1627. To the Right Honorable the Earl of Denbeigb Master of our Great Wardrobe NUM LXXXVII A Warrant to provide several particulars for the Investiture of the Duke of Saxony Book of Warrants in the Grâ—at Wardrobe commencing at Michaelmas 1667. fol. 25. THese are to signifie unto your Lordship That it is his Majesties express pleasure That you do provide or cause to be provided in part of the Habit of the most Noble Order of the Garter which his Majesty is now sending unto the Elector of Saxony Knight Elect of the said Order and towards the furnishing of the Officer of Arms who is to go upon that Employment both with a Robe for himself and such other necessaries as are to be used for his Majesties honor and service on that occasion the following particulars One Black Velvet Cap and Feather such and of the same fashion as the Knights of the Order do wear on St. George's day when the Feast is kept and solemnized One Girdle and Hangers of Crimson Velvet One large Cushen of Blue and Purple Velvet with Buttons Fringe
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
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
and two Then the Cap and Feather carried by Mr. St. George's Son Next Mr. St. George carrying the rest of the Habit and the Ensigns of the Order Then Sir Thomas Higgons After him the Duke of Saxony in his Surcoat his Sword girt about him On each side and closing the Rere were his Guard of State richly habited with Partizans in their hands the Staves covered with Blue Velvet and set thick with gilt Nails In this manner they passed through divers stately Rooms entertained with several sorts of Musick until they came to the great Room where there was also excellent Musick of several sorts with Kettle-Drums and Trumpets placed in a high Gallery at the lower end which entertained them as soon as they entred In this Room was two States of Crimson Velvet the one at the upper end for the Soveraign with a Chair and a Foot-stool and an Escotcheon of the Soveraign's Arms within a Garter having his Stile underneath set over the Chair the other on the side of the Room on the right hand of the Soveraign's State for the Duke with an Escotcheon of his Arms within a Garter and his Stile underneath and on the left hand two Chairs the one for Sir Thomas Higgons the other for Mr. St. George Being entred this Room as they passed from the lower end three obeysances were made to the Soveraign's State going up then the Duke going to his State and there standing Mr. St. George placed the Robes on a Table on the Duke 's right hand which being done Sir Thomas Higgons and Mr. St. George did go to their Chairs opposite to the Duke's on the left hand of the Soveraign's State making their obeysances to it as they passed by then the Duke sate down and they did the like Then being entertained with Musick for a little while they rose from their Seats and making their obeysances as before to the Soveraign's State as they passed by it and repaired to the Duke who standing up they placed themselves on each side of him being in this posture Mr. St. George took up the Commission and holding it in his hand Sir Thomas Higgons made a Speech to the Duke relating to the Antiquity and Nobleness of the Order declaring how many Emperors Kings and Foreign Princes had been Companions thereof since its institution and in relation to the election of his Electoral Highness of the splendor and greatness of his Family c. which having ended Mr. St. George gave the Commission to Sir Thomas Higgons who presented it to the Duke which he caused to be read with a loud voice by his Secretary and then received it again and delivered it to Mr. St. George After this Mr. St. George took the Garter and with the assistance of Sir Thomas Higgons buckled it about the Duke's left Leg then they put on the Mantle the Hood upon the right shoulder and last of all the Collar and George Thus being fully invested Mr. St. George spoke to the Duke as followeth Ayant investi vostre Altesse Electorale avec tous les habits les autres ornaments du tres-noble Ordre de la Iartiere Je souhaite toute sorte de prosperité de grandeur de longue vie au tres-hault tres-puissant tres-illustre Prince Iean George le Second par la grace de Dieu Due de Saxe de Iuliers Cleves des Montz Archimareschall Prince Electeur du Saint Empire Landgrave de Thuringe Margrave de Misnie de la haute basse Lusâ—re Burgrave de Magdeburg Conte de la Marche Ravensperg Seigneur in Rauenstein Chevalier du tres-noble Ordre de la Iartiere which being ended the Trumpets and loud Musick sounded The Musick ceasing Sir Thomas Higgons congratulated his Electoral Highness's Investiture whereupon one of his Council made a Speech in Latine declaring his Electoral Highness's great obligation to the King of Great Britain how highly he esteemed the Order and his Majesty's particular kindness to him c. and concluded with his thanks to Sir Thomas Higgons and Mr. St. George Then Mr. St. George took the Cap and Feather and presented it to the Duke which he put on and they returned in the same order as they came to the Chamber from whence they brought him Mr. St. George's Son bearing his Train and there they left him and retired being attended to their Apartments by the Duke's Servants About half an hour after the Duke sent his Servants again for them they found him in the same Room where they left him in the Habit of the Order and in the same manner as before they passed to the Room where the Duke's Dinner was upon the Table and they dined with him that day the Duke wearing the Habit of the Order and Mr. St. George his Robe After Dinner they attended him back to the same Room and there took their leaves and departed Vpon Sunday the 18. of April the Duke 's chief Chamberlain came to Sir Thomas Higgons first and after to Mr. St. George and presented each of them with a Chain of Gold and the Electors Picture set in Diamonds hanging at it and also to each of them a Bason and Eure he also presented Mr. St. George's Son with a little Iewel of Diamonds and invited them to Dine with the Duke and the Master of the Ceremonies presented all their Servants On Monday the 19. of April Sir Thomas Higgons and Mr. St. George took their leaves of the Duke to return for England and dined that day with him and that Evening the Duke's Secretary brought them a Proxie under the Duke's hand and Seal to the Earl of Bath to be installed for him at Windesor The next morning being Tuesday the 20. of April Sir Thomas Higgons and Mr. St. George having before hired a Boat to carry them down the River of Elbe to Hamburgh the Dukes Coaches and Servants attended them to their Boats and there all but two of them took their leaves of them those two that remained had laid in provision and attended and defrayed them by the Dukes command as long as they travelled in the Dukes Territories which was within two German Miles of Magdeburgh and there they took their leaves Sir Thomas Higgons and Mr. St. George parted at Hamburgh the former to go for England by the way of Holland the other by shipping Vpon Sunday the 16. of May Mr. St. George arrived first in England and that day Fortnight Sir Thomas Higgons and when Mr. St. George kissed his Majesties hand at his return he was pleased to confer the honor of Knighthood upon him with the same Sword the Duke of Saxony gave him By way of Corollâ—ry to the present Section it will be necessary to give an account of those Transactions relating to this most Noble Order which past during the interval of the late Rebellion and Usurpation The present Soveraign by reason of his frequent removals from several places beyond the Seas where his rebellious Subjects had forced him to
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
Adolphus King of Sweden did excel all others bestowed by former Soveraigns for richness and glory each Letter of the Motto being composed of Diamonds A particular Inventory whereof taken the 24. day of May anno 14. Car. 1. when delivered by the Soveraign's Command to the custody of the Dean and Chapter of Windesor to be preserved there in memory of that famous King we here exhibit it being the transcript of that Counterpart signed by Doctor Christopher Wren then Dean of Windesor and seven Canons of that Colledge upon the receipt thereof Vnder the Letters of the Garter Small Diamonds on the lower side 52 Item on the upper side of the Garter of Small Diamonds 52 In the Letter H Diamonds small 10 In the Letter O Diamonds small 12 In the Letter N Diamonds small 11 In the Letter I Diamonds small 4 The first stop Diamond 1 In the Letter S Diamonds small 11 In the Letter O Diamonds small 12 In the Letter I 4 In the Letter T Diamonds 10 The Stop 1 In the Letter Q Diamonds 13 In the Letter V 9 In the Letter I 4 The Stop 1 207 In the Letter M Diamonds small 11 In the Letter A Diamonds small 10 In the Letter L Diamonds small 6 The Stop 1 The Letter Y Diamonds 6 The Stop 1 The Letter P 10 The Letter E 9 The Letter N 11 The Letter S 11 The Letter E 9 85 In the first Button Diamonds 6 In the second 6 In the third 6 In the fourth 6 In the Star of longer Diamonds 7 Small Diamonds 31 In the Chapes border Diamonds of a bigger size 32 In the Cross four faucet long Diamonds and four three square faucet Diamonds 8 One large Diamond long and fauce◠encompassed with seven square Diamonds and faucet 8 In the Buckle one faucet table Diamond in the end and twenty seven in the compass and tongue 28 In the Hinge of the Buckle one soul square Diamond and eleven other faucet and square Diamonds 12 88 Total of the Number 411 This rich Garter being for greater security buried in St. George's Chappel at the beginning of the late War was discovered by Cornelius Holland and fetch'd thence by Iohn Hunt Treasurer to the Trustees for sale of the late Kings Goods and sold by them to Thomas Beauchamp their then Clerk The Garter which his said late Majesty wore upon his Leg at the time of his Martyrdom had the Letters of the Motto composed likewise of Diamonds which took up the number of 412. It came into the hands of Captain Preston one of the late Usurper's Captains of Horse from whom the said Trustees re-received it and sold to Mr. Iohn Ireton sometimes Lord Mayor of London for 205 l. But since the happy Restauration of the present Soveraign Mr. Ireton was summoned before the Commissioners impowered by a Commission under the Great Seal of England to enquire after the Crowns Plate Iewels c. of the said late Soveraign which had been concealed or imbezeled and being charged with the buying the foresaid Royal Garter and not denying it Composition was offered him according to the direction of the Commission as in all other like cases where any thing could not be had in kind but he refusing the offer the Kings Attorney General proceeded against him in an Action of Trover and Conversion in the Court of Kings-Bench which coming to trial in Trinity Term 〈…〉 upon a full hearing a Verdict was given for the King against the said Iohn Ireton for 205 l. and 10 l. Costs of Suits The Motto of the now Soveraign's Royal Garter is set with Diamonds upon Blue Velvet and the borders wrought with fine Gold Wire the Diamonds which frame the Letters of the Motto are Rose Diamonds much of a bigness but those which make the Stops table Diamonds and the number which set each Letter are as followeth In the Letter H small rose Diamonds 10 In the Letter O 12 In the Letter N 11 In the Letter I 4 The first stop Diamond 1 In the Letter S 9 In the Letter O 11 In the Letter I 4 In the Letter T 8 The Stop 1 In the Letter Q 12 In the Letter V 9 In the Letter I 4 The Stop 1 In the Letter M 13 In the Letter A 10 In the Letter L 6 The Stop 1 In the Letter Y 8 The Stop 1 In the Letter P 9 In the Letter E 9 In the Letter N 12 In the Letter S 8 In the Letter E 9 In each of the four Ilot holes six little Diamonds 24 In the Buckle two very large Diamonds four somewhat lese three less than they and four small Diamonds 13 In the Tab three very large Diamonds six a little lesser one somewhat less four smaller Diamonds two less than they and fourteen small Diamonds 30 Total 250 The Hinge of the Buckle is pure Gold and thereon the Soveraign's Picture to the breast curiously cut in flat-stich crowned with a Laurel and vested in the Military Habit worn by the first Roman Emperors The Tab or Pendant is also Gold and on the back side thereof engraved a Saint George on Horseback encountring the Dragon The order of placing the Diamonds on the Buckle Tab and about the Ilot holes may be seen in the Draught which with the rest of the Noble Ornaments that make up the whole Habit and Ensigns of the Order exactly taken from the particulars themselves is placed at the beginning of this Chapter This Noble Ensign the Garter was at the Foundation of the Order appointed to be worn on the left Leg a little beneath the Knee and so hath the usage in all time since continued And its apparent that the manner of placing this Garter on the left Leg of the Knights-Companions Sepulchral Portraictures was very early brought into use seeing in that Alablaster Figure of Sir William Fitz Waren who died a Knight-Companion of this Noble Order in the five and thirtieth year of the Founder's Reign lying with his Lady on a raised Monument in the North side of the Chancel of Wantage Church in Berkshire and yet to be seen with his Surcote of Arms upon the breast the resemblance of his Garter but without any Motto is carved upon its left Leg. In like manner is the Garter represented on the left Leg of the Alablaster Portraicture of Sir Richard Pembridge elected Knight of this most Noble Order in the Founder's Reign and in the room of Sir Thomas Vfford whose Monument is erected in the South side of the Cathedral Church of Hereford below the Pulpit and encompassed with a Rail of Iron Spikes The next Monument in time whereon we have seen the Garter so represented is that made for Sir Simon Burley beheaded anno 1388. and raised in the North wall siding the Quire of St. Paul's Cathedral London almost over against the Monument of Iohn a Graunt Duke of Lancaster Thence forward the usage became more frequent and then the Motto
at Windesor an 11. H. 8. for it carries the date of 29. of May in that same year on which day that memorable Chapter was held for Reforming and Explaining the Statutes of the Order Hoods were anciently worn for defence of the Head against the inconveniences of weather c. but in later times Caps and Hats have supplied their place How they were then worn and sat upon the Head may be observed in that Plate which exhibits the Portraictures of the first Founders of the Order standing compleatly robed As also with some variety of fashion in succeeding times in the Pictures of William Beauchamp Lord Bergaveny Richard Earl of Warwick Humfry Earl of Stafford and Iohn Duke of Norfolk Yet is not the Hood quite laid aside since still kept hanging down the back almost like a Pilgrims Hat as if put in hopes being so ready at hand that it may again be restored to its former use This Hood was Ordained and is yet retained as part of the Habit of this most Noble Order And though neither it nor the Surcoat is remembred in the Statutes of Institution or in either of its Exemplars nor doth King Henry the Fifth's take notice of it yet is it of equal antiquity with the rest of the Habit as appears from several places before cited out of the Rolls of the great Wardrobe and Henry the Eighth's Statutes have made special observation of it as part of the Habit for there the Mantle Surcoat Hood and Collar are called the whole Habit of the Order Nay before this time mention is made of it in the Black Book anno 22. H. 7. where at the Investiture of Philip King of Casâ—ile the Mantle Kirtle Hood and Collar are exprest to be the whole Habit wherewith he was invested The form of this part of the Habit is perfectly described in the Plate at the beginning of this Chapter It was heretofore and now is generally made of the same materials with the Surcoat and consequently of the same Colour Moreover it was anciently trim'd and garnished with a proportion of little embroidered Garters lined with Cloth of a different colour and such as would best set off to view but now with Taffaty as is the Lining of the Surcoat of all which mention is made in those authorities cited before and relating to the Surcoat As to the Cap which in use and place succeeded the Hood we shall briefly say thus much That it hath been and yet is made of Black Velvet lin'd with Taffaty but the fashion hath several times varied for in the Reign of King Henry the Eighth the Cap was flat as appears in a Proceeding of that Soveraign and the Knights-Companions fairly limned in the Black Book of the Order In Queen Elizabeth's time it was a little raised in the head as may be seen in another Proceeding in her Reign which hereafter follows But in King Iames his Reign they were much more high crown'd and the present fashion is shewn in our before mentioned Plate This Cap hath been usually adorned with Plumes of white Feathers and Sprigs and bound about with a Band set thick with Diamonds so was that Cap provided for the Installation of the present Soveraign And sometimes the Brims have been tackt up with a large and costly Jewel It seems the custom of wearing Caps and Feathers at the grand Solemnities of the Order had for some time about the beginning of King Iames his Reign been neglected and thereupon in a Chapter held the 13. of April an 10. Iac. Regis this laudable usage was re-established To all these may be fitly added the Cross of the Order encompassed with a Garter which by King Charles the First was Ordained to be worn upon the left side of the Soveraign's and Knights-Companions Cloaks Coats and Cassocks when they did not wear their Robes The Order for which we shall here insert Charles R. WHereas the Robes concerning the Order first having the same ordinary use which Cloaks have at this time and now are worn only at the Feast of St. George Installing of Knights and holding of Chapters so that the Arms of the Garter not being daily worn thereon may be thought an omission whereby the Order doth receive some diminution of honor contrary to the intention of the Founder King Charles out of his princely desire by all due means to advance the honor of the said Noble Order at a Chapter holden at his Palace of Westminster on the 27. day of April in the 2. year of his Reign of Great Britain the same day being by Prorogation appointed for the day and Feast of St. George for that year His Majesty with eleven Knights of the Order viz. Edward Earl of Worcester Lord Privy Seal Robert Earl of Sussex William Earl of Pembroke Lord Chamberlain of his Majesties House Philip Earl of Montgomery Francis Earl of Rutland George Duke of Buckingham Lord high Admiral of England William Earl of Salisbury James Earl of Carlisle Edward Earl of Dorset Henry Earl of Holland Captain of his Majesties Guard and Thomas Earl of Berkshire hath Ordered and and Ordained That the Knights and Companions of the Order and the Prelate and Chancellor of the same shall after three months next ofter the date before mentioned of the said Order wear upon the left part of their Cloaks Coats and Riding Cassocks at all times when they shall not wear their Robes and in all Places and Assemblies an Escotcheon of the Arms of St. George that is to say a Cross within a Garter not enriched with Pearls or Stones that the wearing thereof may be a testimony apert to the World of the honor they hold from the said most Noble Order Instituted and Ordained for persons of the highest honor and greatest worth And it seems it was not long after e're the Glory or Star as it is usually called having certain beams of Silver that spread in form of a Cross was introduced and added thereunto in imitation as is thought of the French who after that manner wore the chief Ensign of the Order of the Holy Ghost being the resemblance of a Dove irradiated with such like beams And whereas some allow this Symbol of the Holy Ghost to be properly enough surrounded with a Glory like as are the representations of the Heads of our Saviour and his Apostles by a general consent among Painters yet censure it altogether improper for a Garter to be so adorned let them consider that King Edward the Fourth encompassed his White Rose with the like Glory whereof both the Stone-work and Wood-work of St. George's Chappel in Windesor Castle afford divers instances and then there will be found something of Precedent for it long before Institution of the Order of the Holy Ghost as also of its application to other no less than sacred things But this King assumed this Devise upon the Sun's appearance like three Suns which suddenly united together into one immediately
the ennobled Garter to the end a manifest distinction should thereby appear between the Knights-Companions and others of the Nobility and Knights who according to the fashion of those times wore large Gold Chains the ordinary Ensign of their Knighthood And thus the wearing the Medal or Jewel usually called the Lesser George to distinguish it from the other George worn at the Collar of the Order was first enjoined and hath since been constantly so used This George was for the most part made of pure Gold curiously wrought by the hand of the Goldsmith but we have seen divers of them exquisitely cut in oniâ—'s as also in Agats and therein such happy choice of the Stones that by joining thereto the Workmans skill in designing and laying out the Figures to express the History the natural tincture of the Stones have fitted them with Colours for Flesh Hair and every thing else even to admiration In this Jewel is St. George represented in a riding posture encountring the Dragon with his drawn Sword By the last Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes this George is allowed to be enriched and garnished at the pleasure of him that wears it as is the great George which for the most part hath been curiously enamelled and the Garter about it set with Diamonds in the best order either art or invention could devise And of what weight and bigness these lesser Georges formerly were may be judged from that sent to the French King Charles the Ninth being an ounce and a half and half quarter weight The variety of Workmanship shown in those Gold Chains whereat this Jewel hung was usually great and the Artists upon all occasions express much ingenuity and skill in them according to the fancy or pleasure of the persons for whom they were made But within a short time wearing the lesser George in Silk Ribbâ—nds as well as Gold Chains was indifferently used and at pleasure so were the Symbols of Forreign Orders as appears from sundry Coyns and Medals but the Colour of these Ribbands at their first use were Black as is noted of those belonging to the Georges wherewith Iohn Dudley Viscount Lisle the Lords Saint Iohn and Parr were invested an 35. H. 8. and in the Pictures of several Knights-Companions about that time both painted in Oyl and limned with Water Colours the Ribbands of their Georges are visibly Black That small Chain whereat hung the lesser George sent to Emanuel Duke of Savoy an 1. 2. Phil â—amp Mar. was formed of twelve pieces of Gold in every of which were set three small Diamonds and of twelve other like pieces wherein were three Rubies and twenty four Pearls It appears by a Letter sent from Sir Richard St. George Knight Clarenceux and the Heralds of Arms to Henry Earl of Holland dated the 10. of Iuly 1627. that the Blue Ribband had some years before been added to the Ornaments of the Order And 't is said that Robert Earl of â—ssex being in France and observing the Jewels of the Order of St. Michael and St. Esprit worn in Blue Ribbands upon his return did occasion the altering those Ribbands whereat the George hung into that Colour And I have seen the Picture of Queen Elizabeth drawn towards the end of her Reign wherein was represented the Lesser George hanging before her Breast at such a Blue Ribband It was not long e're this Colour grew into great estimation with the Soveraign and Knights-Companions the rather for that it was the ground of the Garter and colour of the Mantle of the Order And toward the later end of King Iames his Reign because the Colour of the Ribband had not been peculiarly exprest in any Article of the Statutes and the Blue or Sky Colour used for some years past it was Decreed That for the future it should always be of a Blue Colour and no other nor in time of mourning for any of the Knights-Companions of what Degree soever should the Colour be changed The ordinary manner of wearing this Ribband in time of peace was till of late about the neck down to the middle of the Breast where the lesser George hung but now for the more conveniency of riding or action the same is spread over the left shoulder and brought under the right arm where the Jewel hangs But where the Pictures of the Soveraign or any of the Knights-Companions are drawn in Armour there even to this day the George is represented as fixed at a Gold Chain instead of the Blue Ribband and worn about the neck not brought under the right arm which also was so exhibited in the three pound pieces of Gold stamped at Oxford by the command of his late Majesty of ever blessed memory King Charles the First whereby he published to the world that the true and just occasion of his taking up Arms in the late War was to maintain the Protestant Religion the Laws of the Land and the Priviledge of Parliaments And in like manner is the Gold Chain represented in a Medal of Charles Count Palatine of the Rhyne now senior Knight-Companion of this most Noble Order Among those rich and invaluable Jewels and other choice Curiosities of his said late Majesty which came to the hands of the Trustees appointed for sale of his Goods there were several of these lesser Georges sold by them to the foresaid Thomas Beauchamp the particulars whereof how low they were valued and for what sold appears thus from the Book of Sales  Valued at Sold for A George containing 161 Diamonds which came from the Countess of Leicester and was discovered by Cornelius Holland 60 00 00 71 02 00 A George cut in an Onix with 41 Diamonds in the garnish 35 00 00 37 00 00 A small George with a few Diamonds 8 00 00 9 00 00 A George with 5 Rubies and 3 Diamonds and II Diamonds in a Box. 10 00 00 11 00 00 A George cut in a Garnet 7 00 00 8 00 00 Total 120 00 00 136 00 00 The George which his said late Majesty wore at the time of his Martyrdom was curiously cut in an Onix set about with 21 large Table Diamonds in the fashion of a Garter On the back side of the George was the Picture of his Queen rarely well limn'd set in a Cafe of Gold the lid neatly enamel'd with Goldsmiths work and surrounded with another Garter adorned with a like number of equal sized Diamonds as was the foreside A Draught of this Jewel in three parts open and shut we have exhibited to the Readers view among the Ensigns of the Order at the beginning of this Chapter Nor will it be unfitly here remembred by what good fortune the present Soveraign's lesser George set with fair Diamonds was preserved after the defeat given to the Scotch Forces at Worcester an 4. Car. 2. Among the rest of his Attendants then disperst Colonel Blague was one who taking shelter at Blore-pipe
Book though the names of special Officers are seldom set down in Chapter Acts were by virtue of this Grant continued therein and executed the Office nor doth it appear by the Records of the Order that any other person had been invested therein besides the Bishops of Salisbury until an 7. E. 6. that Sir William Cecil then Principal Secretary of State was made Chancellor concerning which more by and by If recourse be had to the Constitutions peculiarly relating to the Officers of the Order it will appear That this Office is very noble and honorable of great trust and care requiring a person of much Honor and Reputation to exercise and manage it In which regard it is therein provided that no man should be advanced to this Dignity unless he be a Prelate of the Church viz. Archbishop or Bishop or of some other such like eminent preferment therein Or if a Lay-man then to be a Knight of known Extraction expert learned and of untainted Reputation By this Clause a Lay-man no less than a Clergy-man was made capable of this Office nevertheless it amounted not to a devesting the Bishop then living or excluding any of his Successors unless it had pleased the Soveraign after making that Constitution to have passed by the Bishop of Salisbury and bestowed it elsewhere which he did not for Edmund Audeley the then Bishop some time after the establishing these Constitutions and his immediate Successor Cardinal Campeius till he went to Rome if not more of them enjoined and executed the same But upon Reformation of the Order by King Edwâ—rd the Sixth his Statutes wholly leave out the Ecclesiasticks and appoint that the Chancellors Office should be executed by a Knight qualified as before And thereupon Sir William Cecil was constituted Chanâ—ellor whose Patent bears date the 12. of April anno 7. E. 6. And here first entred a secular person though he enjoyed the Office but a while for the 27. of Septâ—mâ—er following Sir William Petres was admitted thereinto since which time until now the Chancellorship hath continued in the execution of persons of that rank and quality Notwithstanding which in a Charter granted to the Bishop of Salisbury the first of Dec an 4. Eliz. confirming the Charters of Queen Mary King Henry the Eighth and King Henry the Seventh as also in another by the late Soveraign King Charles the First 6. Mar. an reg sui 4. the forementioned Letters Patent made to Bishop Beauchamp by King â—dward the Fourth are therein recited totidem verbis and confirmed as a tacite Reservation of the right and title of the Bishop of Salisbury whensoever the favour of the Soveraign should grow propitious to that See It doth not appear that any of the Bishops of Salisbury after the Reign of King Edward the Sixth concerned themselves for recovering the Execution of this Office to their See until the sixth year of King Iames that Henry Cotton then Bishop upon the death of Sir Edward Dyer sometime Chancellor set forth by Petition to the then Soveraign That this Office belonged to him and his Successors Bishops of Salisbury and therefore humbly prayed Restitution thereof to the Church of Salisbury But before the Soveraign would determine any thing hereupon he was pleased to call the two Chief Justices and Chief Baron to advise with who were of opinion saith the Blue Book That this Office wâ—s not compleatly or sufficiently annexed to the Bishoprick of Salisbury by King Edward the Fourth But Sir Edward Cooke one of those Judges Reports the point upon which it was void to be the incertainty of the Grant for that a new Office was erected and not defined what Iurisdiction or Authority the Officer should have And yet we find elsewhere this third reason given That the Grant was in the Soveraign's disposition because the Patent was granted without Fee With one or more of these opinions the Soveraign's judgment being swayed He forthwith nominated Sir Iohn Herbert one of his Privy Council to the Chancellorship and so this Affair slept until anno 12. Car. 1. When Iohn Davenant Bishop of Salisbury Sir Francis Crane Chancellor being lately dead with all due humiliation remonstrated to the Soveraign That the Office of Chancellor was perpetually annexed to his See by the foresaid Letters of King Edward the Fourth and though in following times it had been bestowed upon Lay-men yet he humbly desired his right might be restored Whereupon at a Chapter of the Order held in the Chapterhouse within the Castle of Windesor the 5. of December in the year aforesaid the Soveraign proposed to the Knights-Companions present That though he had of his especial Grace made Election of Sir Thomas Rowe Knight for his Chancellor at that time yet having understood a Claim made by the Bishoprick of Salisbury that the place was annexed to that See He commanded the Lords-Companions of the Order to take the pretence of right into their considerations To which proposition of his Majesty the Lords humbly answered That they thought it was not their part to search for the Title of any but that if the Bishop of Salisbury did produce his Evidence and the proofs thereof he might present it in Chapter to his Majesty to be considered Upon this encouragement the Bishop prepared a Petition which was presentâ—d and read in Chapter held at the Feast of St. George celebrated at Windesor the 18. of April ensuing and here inserted To the King 's most Excellent Majesty Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter The humble Petition of John Bishop of Sarum your Majesties Chaplain in Ordinary Sheweth THat whereas your Majesties most noble Progenitor King Edward the Fourth did by Letters Patent erect and establish one Office of Chancellor of the most Noble Order of the Garter and did then also grant a Charter unto Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury and his Successors for ever that they should execute that Office in consideration that the Chappel of St. George in your Majesties Castle of Windesor was within the Diocess of Sarum and for other considerations in the said Charter specified Which Office was enjoyed by the said Richard Beauchamp and divers of his Successors in the See of Sarum according to the Charter which Charter hath also been confirmed under the great Seal of England by some other Kings and Queens since the Reign of King Edward the Fourth And was lastly most graciously confirmed by your Royal Majesty in the fourth year of your happy Reign But to the great prejudice and dishonour of the See of Sarum the use and exercise of the said Office hath been for many years discontinued from the Bishops of your Majesties said Church May it therefore please your most Excellent Majesty out of your accustomed goodness to the Church graciously to consider of your Petitioners Claim and Charter and if your Majesty shall so think fit to vouchsafe your Petitioner a hearing or
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
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
Collar hung the Mus Ponticus or Ermine passing over a Turf of Grass diapred with Flowers at the edge whereof was imbossed this Epigraph in French A Ma Vie the devise of his Grandfather Iohn by which he made known the greatness of his courage and rather than fail of his word that he would undergo any misfortune This Order took ending when the Dukedom of Bretagne became annexed to the Crown of France by the marriage of Anne Dutchess of Bretagne with Charles the Eighth and he being dead with Lewis the Twelfth both French Kings The Order of the Ermyne in Naples 38. Ferdinand the First King of Naples after the end of the War which he had with Iohn of Lorain Duke of Calabria erected this Order in the year of our Lord 1463. being moved thereunto upon the Treason intended against him by Marinus Marcianus Duke of Sessa and Prince of Rosiona his Brother-in-law who raising a confederacy against him intended to kill him when they should be together that so he might transfer the Kingdom to the Duke of Calabria But this Plot being discovered and the Duke apprehended by the King his Subjects expecting that he should have executed Justice upon him he not only forbore it but having instituted this Order of Chevalry the first of many that were invested with the Collar thereof was this his Brother-in-law whom he not only pardoned but also honored and besides whom admitted all the Noblemen of Title in the Kingdom thereinto The Collar was of Gold intermixt with Mud or Dirt to which depended an Ermyne and this Motto Malo mori quam faedari The Order of St. Michael in Naples 39. Albertus Miraeus makes this King Ferdinand Founder of another Order of Knighthood in Naples in memory of St. Michael the Arch-Angel Patron of Apulia The Habit of the Knights was a long White Mantle embroidered with Ermyns and the Collar of Gold composed of the Letters O to which was added for Symbol this Epigraph Decorum This Order is likewise taken notice of by the Author of the Iurisprudentia Heroica but perhaps it may be the same with that of the Ermyn since we observe the Habit hereof is embroidered with Ermyns and might be otherwise called of St. Michael if so be it were dedicated to his honor The Order of Knights of St. Michael in France 40. Lewis the Eleventh of France considering how much the Factions of the Nobility of his Realm had disordered his Affairs to the end he might reunite their affections to himself and confirm the same by new obligations of Honor instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1469. to which he gave the Title of St. Michael this Arch-Angel being esteemed the titular Angel and Protector of the Realm of France in reverence of whom the ancient Kings of France were wont to observe the Feast-day of this Saint with great solemnity and keep an open Court This King Lewis by the foundational Statutes of the Order which passed his Royal Assent at Amboise the first of August in the year aforesaid ordained That the number of Knights should be 36. whereof himself and his Successors were to be Chief but afterwards the number far exceeded even to 300. The Collar of this Order is composed of Scallop-shells of Gold joined one with another and double banded fastned on small Chains or Males of Gold to the midst thereof is annexed an Oval of Gold on which a rising hillock whereon standeth the Picture of St. Michael combating with and trampling upon the Dragon all curiously enamelled to which saith Mennenius was adjoined this Epigraph Immensi tremor Oceani The Habit appointed by the Founder was a Mantle of White Damask hanging down to the ground furr'd with Ermyn having its Cape embroidered with Gold and the border of the Robe interwoven with Scallops of Gold the Chaperon or Hood with its long Tippet was made of Crimson Velvet But afterwards King Henry the Second ordered That this Mantle should be made of Cloth of Silver embroidered with three Crescents of Silver interwoven with Trophies Quivers and Turkish Bows semed and cantoned with Tongues and Flames of fire and moreover that the Chaperons of Crimson Velvet should be covered with the same embroidery The grand Assembly was by the Soveraign and Knights directed according to the Statutes to be held as a solemn Festival on Michaelmas day and the place appointed for celebration of these pompous Ceremonies at the Church of Mount St. Michael in Normandy built by St. Autbert upon St. Michael's appearing to him in a Vision and liberally endowed by â—ollo Duke of Normandy and his Successors but afterwards removed to Bois de Vincennes not far from Paris There is an Herald of Arms appointed to this Order called Monsieur St. Michel whose duty is to attend the Solemnities thereof and who in most things is precedented by our Garter King of Arms. Such care and moderation was used by King Henry the Third of France when he instituted the Order of the Holy Ghost not only to preserve the honor of this Order in its full splendor notwithstanding the example of former times where the rising of a new Order hath commonly proved the setting of the old but to reform some miscarriages which had crept into it by bestowing it upon some meâ—â— and undeserving persons that he not only continued the annual Solemnities thereof and Election of Knights thereinto but also declared that neither Strangers nor the Natives of France who before are Knights of any other Order should enter into that of the Holy Ghost except those only of St. Michael The Collar of which Order is thereby made lawful to be worn with that of the Holy Ghost and usually represented within it that being esteemed the more worthy place And we are told it is now customary for those that are design'd to be Knights of the Holy Ghost to be admitted into the Order of St. Michael the Evening before they receive that Order Knights of St. Hubert in Gullick 41. Gerard Duke of Gullick and Berg or as the French call them Iuliers and Mont Instituted a Military Order in the year of our Lord 1473. in veneration of St. Hubert Bishop of Liege who died anno 727. The Statutes thereof were written in the Dutch Tongue whereunto was added a Catalogue of the Knights and their Arms to the year of our Lord 1487. But further mention of this Order or what was the Badge thereof we do not find The Order of the Elephant in Denmark 42. Observing some difference among Writers touching the Institution Collar and Ensign of this Order I was in doubt what to say till at length I haply met with better satisfaction from a Letter wrote anno 1537. by Avo Bilde Bishop of Arhusen sometime Chancellor to Iohn King of Denmark and Norway unto Iohn Fris Chancellor to King Christian the Third
a Copy whereof was most freely communicated to me by Monsieur Cristofle Lindenow Envoye from Christian the Fifth now King of Denmark to his sacred Majesty the present Soveraign of the most noble Order of the Garter This Letter informs him of the Institution and some other particulars relating to the Order to wit That King Christian the first being at Rome whither he had travelled upon a religious account Pope Sixtus the Fourth among other Honors invested him with this Order in memory of the Passion of our Lord and Saviour and withal ordained that the dignity of Chief and Supream should be continued as a successive right to the succeeding Kings of Denmark This King founded the magnificent Chappel of the three Kings in the Cathedral Church at Roschilt four Leagues from Copenhagen where the Knights were obliged to assemble upon the death of any of their Fraternity He also admitted thereinto divers Kings Princes and Noblemen The chief Ensign of this Order was the Figure of an Elephant on whose side within a Rundle was represented a Crown of Thorns with three Nails all bloody in honor and memory of the Passion of our blessed Saviour The Knights were obliged to the performance of acts of Piety Alms Deeds and certain Ceremonies especially upon those days on which they wore the Ensigns of the Order But King Iohn set so high a value upon it that he wore them on every solemn Festival He also advanc'd the honor of this Order to so great esteem that it became accepted by both our King Henry the Eighth and Iames the Fifth King of Scotland his Sisters Son with whom the Ensigns thereof remained as a Pledge and assurance of constant and perpetual friendship with these he likewise invested divers Ambassadors Senators and noble Danes There is one Ivarus Nicholai Hertholm a learned Dane as I am informed who hath written a particular Treatise of this Elephantine Order but not yet printed The scope whereof is to shew that the beforementioned Epistle of the Bishop of Arhusen does not sufficiently make it appear that it received its first Institution when Christian the First had those many Honors conferr'd on him by Pope Sixtus the Fourth And that the Badge was an Ensign meerly Military anciently given as a memorial and incitement to the Danish Princes who took upon them the defence of Christianity against the Moors and Africans 'T is greatly presumed that this Book which we hope may shortly be published will furnish the world with many choice things relating to the antiquity and honor of the Institution Ensigns and Ceremonies of this royal Order Heretofore the Knights wore a Collar of Gold composed of Elephants and Crosses fashioned something like Crosses Ancrees Mennenius calls them Spurs at which hung the Picture of the Virgin Mary to the middle holding Christ in her arms and surrounded with a Glory of Sun-beams but they have long since laid this Collar aside and now wear only a Blue Ribbon at which hangs an Elephant enamelled White adorned with five large Diamonds set in the middle Those Elephants worn by the Knights in the Reign of Christian the Fourth had in the same place within a Circle the Letter C and in the heart thereof the Figure of 4 made to signifie Christianus quartus This Honor hath been most commonly conferr'd by the Kings of Denmark on the day of their Coronation both upon the Nobles and Senators of the Kingdom It seems Frederick the Third brought into use in imitation of the most noble Order of the Garter an embroidered Glory of Silver Purle wrought upon the left side of their Cloak or Vest on which was embroidered two Crowns within a Rundle bearing his Motto Deus providebit for such a one did Count Guldenâ— low Ambassador hither from that King wear at his residing here in England anno 1669. But we are to note that the Motto hath changed with the King for that of the present King is Pietate Iustitia and this the Knights of his Election now wear in the middle of the Circle Nevertheless all the Knights created by his Father are obliged still to continue the former Motto The Order of the Burgundian Cross at Tunis 43. Charles the Fifth Emperor of Germany and King of Spain after he had restored Mulleasses King of Tunis to his Kingdom who had been expulsed thence by that famous Pyrate Barbarossa on the day of his victorious entrade into Tunis with solemn and magnificent Pomp was apparelled in a Coat which he used to wear in Battel whereon was embroidered the Burgundian Cross and being desirous to gain the good respect of all who had served in that War was chiefly willing to adorn the Commanders that had behaved themselves valiantly in the Victory with some Badge or token of Honor as a reward and for this reason did he institute this Order in the year 1535. on St. Magdalen's day To this Burgundian Cross he added a Steel striking sparks of fire out of Flint with this Inscription BARBARIA to be the Badge or Ensign thereof And for an additional Ornament gave a Collar of Gold whereat hung the said Badge Some say this Order was instituted at ten of the Clock that day it being also the hour of Mercury in which respect the Character of that Planet is usually enamelled on the one side of the Jewel as the Burgundian Cross is on the other But it was of short continuance for it expired long since The Order of Knights of the Holy Ghost in France 44. This Order received Institution from the French King Henry the Third the first Chapter being held on the last day of the year 1578. The design thereof was chiefly to unite and tye his Nobility and Prelates more firmly to their natural obedience as also to stir up and encourage them to persevere in the Romish Religion to illustrate and adorn the state of the Nobility and to restore its ancient splendor and dignity It had its denomination from the Holy Ghost to whose power and assistance the Founder usually ascribed all his Actions and Councils advanced with most glorious and fortunate successes in remembrance that he was born on Whitsonday in the year of our Lord 1550. elected to the Crown of Poland on Whitsonday 1573. and lastly came to the Crown of France on Whitsonday 1574. The number of Knights whereof this Order was to consist is by the Statutes ordained to be one hundred besides the Soveraign or Great Master which Office and Dignity is inseparable from the Crown of France A long Mantle of Black Velvet turned up on the left side and opened on the right was also appointed for the Habit of this Order being at first embroidered round with Gold and Silver consisting of Flowers de Lis and Knots of Gold between three sundry Cyphers of Silver and above the Flowers de Lis and Knots were thickly seeded or powdered Flames of Fire This great Mantle