Knights of this Order in France were in one and the same hour seized on and imprisoned by the command of Philip le Bel King of France with the consent of Pope Clement the Fifth being charged with most infamous and damnable Crimes the Articles confessed are set down by Andr. Favin But in England their apprehension was on Wednesday next after the Feast of Epiphany in the first year of the Reign of our King Edward the Second Shortly after a solemn examination of their Crimes upon the Articles exhibited against them was by the special Commission of the said Pope committed to William de Grenesfeild Arch-Bishop of York and Ralph Baldock Bishop of London in the presence of the accused Templars who sufficiently answered all the objections Howbeit they were afterwards convicted in a Council held at London and all their Lands and Goods seized into the Kings hands Upon this the aforesaid Arch-Bishop very greatly commiserating the sad state and condition of the Templars within his Diocess thus left destitute of maintenance most charitably disposed of them in several Monasteries under his Jurisdiction where they were provided for during their lives Two years after many of these Knights were burnt in France nay some of the Bones of Iohn de la Tur who had been long buried were taken up and in like manner burnt Upon Munday Sennight after Easter anno 1312. in the second Session of the Council called at Vienna in Daulphine the year before this Order was by Papal Authority condemned and perpetually dissolved and in March of the following year the last Great Master Iaques de la Maule a Bourgundian burnt at Paris Their Lands Possessions and Goods by a Decree of the said Pope dated at Vienna 6. Non. Maii in the seventh year of his Papacy were annexed to the Knights Hospitallers of St. Iohn of Ierusalem except those within the Kingdoms of Castile Arragon Portugal and Majorca which were reserved to the disposition of the Roman See because they had constantly hazarded their lives in the defence of the Christian Faith and continually suffered great dangers and undergone vast expences in transmarine parts as also for five years before with exceeding great charge and signal valor had maintain'd the Isle of Rhodes against the Turkish power Thus fell this Noble Order no less famous for Martial Atchievements in the East than their wealthy Possessions in the West For according to Doctor Heylins account they enjoyed no less than 16000 Lordships in Europe and a Spanish Author tells us their Revenue was two Millions annually and had in possession 40000 Commanderies Which gave occasion to many sober men to judge that their Wealth was their greatest crime And there are several Authors remembred by Alfonsus Ciaconius who are of opinion they were falsly accused and by suborned Witnesses meerly â—pon the ambition and covetous design of Philip King of France who gaped after their Lands but nevertheless the morsel fell beside his mouth The Statutes of this Order are recorded by Favin Knights of the Order of St. Lazarus 4. We are here to note that this Order was at the first Institution only a Fraternity of Religious Monks not Ecclesiastick Knights whose Weapons in the Christian warfare were Prayers and Tears not the Military Sword And albeit the time is uncertain when they first began to be an Order of Knighthood yet it cannot be presumed to be before the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre took upon them that Military profession since to them is generally attributed the beginning of that Custom for Ecclesiasticks to make use of Arms in defence and propagation of the Christian Religion nor was there indeed occasion administred for it until the Christian Princes set on foot the Holy War in Palestine This Order then is accounted the most ancient of all others in Christendom which occasioned Pope Pius the Fifth in two Bulls given in the year 1572. to stile it Antiquissimum Charitatis Militiae Christi Ordinem but that as hath been said must be understood as an Order of Monks and before they were made Ecclesiastick Knights The Original of such their foundation being by St. Gregory Nazianzen attributed to St. Basil about the years 360. or 370. or between both viz. anno 366. about the time of Iulian surnamed the Apostate The first Institution of this Order was upon a most charitable account namely to take care of persons infected with incurable Leprosie a Disease frequent in the Eastern Countries by which Malady they became separated even from the conversation and society of men And albeit through the Incursion of Barbarians and Saracens and the injury of time this Order lay as it were extinguished for a great while yet was it revived when the Latin Princes joined together in a holy League to expel the Saracens out of the Holy Land and a famous Hospital was then erected in Ierusalem under the Title of St. Lazarus for the reception and entertainment of Lepers For in that time the Monks of this Order added Martial Discipline to their knowledge in Physick and became very skilful both at their Weapons and in feats of Arms insomuch as their services against the Infidels begat a great esteem and value with Baldwin the Second King of Ierusalem and some of his Successors and other Princes enumerated by Aubertus Miraeus in which Age this Order flourished with great lustre under the Government of a Great Master In the year of our Lord 1120. Pope Innocent the Third and after him Honorius the Third granted very great priviledges to this Order and received it under the protection of the Papal See The Knights wore a Green Cross anciently plain afterwards of eight points and Pope Gregory the Ninth prescribed the form of creating their Great Master About the year 1150 they made their Vows of Obedience Poverty and Chastity before William Patriarch of Ierusalem and submitted themselves to the Rule of St. Benedict receiving his black habit But seven years after Pope Alexander the Fourth commanded them to observe the Rule of St. Aug. and approved the donation of the Emperor Frederick who had given great Revenues in Calabria Apulia and Sicily to this Order Nicholas the Third exempted them from payment of Tythes and several of the succeeding Popes indulged them with divers priviledges These Knights were so admired and favoured by St. Lewis of France that he brought twelve of them with him out of Palestine and placed them at Boigny in the Diocess of Orleans where he established a Colledge anno Domini 1154. which as Favin affirms was acknowledged for the chief Seat of this Order in Europe In process of time the dignity of this Order sunk being suppressed by Pope Innocent the Eighth who united it to the Order of Hospitalars at Rhodes by virtue of his Bull dated anno 1490.
Roman Church and to repress the insolence of the Turks roving on the Mediterranean Sea In this Institution there are three kinds of Knights who are differenced by their Habits The first are Knights Gentlemen Laicks who wear a Mantle of White double Taffaty having great sleeves and a long train the Cordons of White Silk with Knots and Tassels of White and Blue Silk the second are Knights Gentlemen Priests and beneficed who wear the like Mantle but something shorter and both these wear about their necks in a Blue Ribbon a Cross of Gold enameled Blue The third are Knights Chaplains or Servants of Arms and their Mantle is of White Serge with strait long sleeves reaching down to the ground and Cordons of Blue Silk All these Degrees wear on the left side of their Mantles the Cross of the Order as is here described to wit of Blue Satin embrodered with Silver and bordered with Gold in the middle is a round Circle wherein is this Motto In hoc Signo vincam and within that is composed a Cipher of the Letters M and S the initial Letters of Sancta Maria crowned with a Chaplet of Flowers and Stars of Gold set over the Chaplet from the round Circle issue twelve rays or beams of Silver representing the twelve Apostles the finishings of the Cross are fashioned like Flowers de Lis and at the end of each Flower is a Star set to signifie the four Evangelists The Statutes and Rules of this Order are recorded by Andrew Favin in his Theater of Honor. The Order of the Annunciade and St. Michael the Arch-Angel or of the Christian Militia in Moravia 46. In the year of our Lord 1618. Charles Gonzaga Duke of Maniua and Nevers together with Adolph Count of Altham his Brother and Iohn Baptist Petrignan Sfortia did contrive the Institution of thâ—s Order and to extend and amplifie the same divided the World amongst them For Duke Charles took the North and West parts his Brother the Eastern part and to the other was given the South where in their own persons they were bound to found Convents and invest Knights And in prosecution of this design we find that Duke Charles began his Institution of this Order under the Rule of St. Francis in the Monastery of the Capuchins in Olmuntz the Metropolis of Moravia on Saturday the 17. of November in the foresaid year and dedicated the same to the honor of the blessed Virgin and St. Michael But what thâ— other two did in the Eastern or Southern parts of the world we have not heard Ioh. Ludov. Gothofridus gives this Title to the Order to wit Ordo Equilum Militiae Christianae Philip Brietius calls it Conceptionis Ordo Andr. Mendo Militia Virginis Annuntiatae and the Knights thereof are called by Ios. Micheli Marquez Cavalleros de la Anunciada y San Miguel Archangel en Mantua This Order was afterwards viz. the 8. of March 1619. received at Vienna by many Princes of divers Countries whose names together with the Statutes of the Order are set down by the said Gothofridus in the work above cited Iâ— was approved by Pope Paul the Fifth and the 6. of February 1624. it received confirmation from Pope Urban the Eighth From the preamble of the Statutes of this Order it appears that it had for its Basis the two chief Precepts of the Divine Law to wit to love God with our whole hearts and with all our souls and our Neighbour as our selves and the end of its Institution was to establish Peace and Concord between Christian Princes and their Subjects to release Captives and to deliver the oppressed out of the hands of the Infidels The Habit assigned to the Knights was White upon which they wore a long White Mantle and over that a shorter of Blue Silk their Buskins were of Blue and their Caps of Black Silk They bore two Crosses for the Ensign of this Order the one of Gold of eight points enamel'd Blue on the one side thereof was the Figure of the blessed Virgin bearing our Saviour in her arms and on the other the Portraicture of St. Michael treading the Dragon under his Feet This they wore about their necks in a Blue Ribbon The other Cross was made of Blue Silk and Gold in the middle whereof was the Image of the blessed Virgin surrounded with rays of the Sun holding Christ in her left arm and a Scepter in her right hand crowned with 12 Stars a Crescent placed under her feet all which were encompassed with the Cord of St. Francis and the four angles of the Cross cast forth four golden flames This Cross was embrodered on the left side of their white Mantles Touching the great Collar of this Order it was composed of fifteen Cords of St. Francis joined together with as many Stars at the lower part whereof hung at three Chainets the golden Cross above described But it seems that in the height and glory of this Order there grew some difference between the Founders insomuch that in a short time it became ruined thereby as if that notable Comet which appeared within four days after it was instituted shewed its sudden splendor and decay which occasioned Brietius to say of it That the Mahumetans for whose destruction it was instituted heard only the name and report of it CHAP. III. A BRIEF ACCOUNT OF THE Orders absolutely Military SECT I. The Order of Knights of the Round Table 1. HAving thus given some account of the Religious Orders of Knighthood that is of such whose Knights live under an Ecclesiastick Rule and according to some Religious Profession or solemn Vows we shall next proceed to those that are accounted purely and completely Military among which that of the Knights of the Round Table may for its Antiquity challenge the first place The Severall ENSIGNES of the ORDERS absolutely MILITARY mentioned in the third Chapter The Founder of this most ancient Order was Arthur King of Britain Crowned in the year of our Lord 516. at the age of 15 years concerning whom though some with unbounded fancies have strained too far in setting down his famous actions insomuch as that what really is true of him can hardly be known yet all allow him to have been a stout and successful Martialist of incredible courage and gallantry the most famous and renowned of all the British Kings and as William of Malmsbury judges right worthy to have been celebrated by true story not false Tales seeing it was he that long upheld his declining Country and even inspired martial courage into his Country-men having overcome the Saxons in twelve several pitch'd Battels I have by me an old Chronicle in Manuscript Entituled Brute or the Chronicles of England beginning at Brute and ending the sixth year of King Henry the Fifth wherein it is noted That after King Arthur had conquered divers Countries he lived
Mountagu 11. The Lord Robert Dudley 12. The Earl of Northumberland 12. The Earl of Warwick 13. Void 13. The Lord Hunsdon The 14. of May following being appointed for the Installation of Francis Earl of Bedford and Sir Henry Sidney Elected at the same time with the French King the Stalls were removed by the Soveraign's appointment and setled in the following order Elizabeth R. Â 1. The Soveraign 1. The Emperor Ferdinand 2. The King of Spain 2. Void 3. The Duke of Savoy 3. The Constable of France 4. The Earl of Arundel 4. The Duke of Holstein 5. The Marquess of Winchester 5. The Earl of Derby 6. The Earl of Penbroke 6. The Duke of Norfolk 7. The Lord Clynton 7. The Marquess of Northampton 8. The Lord Effingham 8. The Earl of Sussex 9. The Earl of Shrewsbury 9. The Lord Hastings 10. The Viscount Mountagu 10. The Lord Robert Dudley 11. The Earl of Northumberland 11. The Earl of Warwick 12. The Lord Hunsdon 12. The Earl of Bedford 13. Void 13. Sir Henry Sidney Where beside the translation of the Stranger Princes whom we shall mention a little below we see the Marquess of Winchester the Earls of Derby and Penbroke the Duke of Norfolk and the Lord Clynton were each of them seated in the next lower Stall to that they enjoyed before And by the advancement of the Lord Effingham Earl of Shrewsbury Viscount Mountagu and Earl of Northumberland each a Stall higher on the Soveraign's side and the like advance of the Earl of Sussex Lord Hastings Lord Dudley and Earl of Warwick on the Princes side the eighth Stall on the Soveraign's side and that opposite thereunto on the Princes were now filled up The Lord Hunsdon was likewise advanced from the lowest Stall on the Princes side to the twelfth on the Soveraign's and lastly the two Elect-Knights were installed in the twelfth and thirteenth Stall on the Prince's side Beside the power established upon the Soveraign's of this most Noble Order of translating Stalls when a vacancy hapned King Henry the Eighth further added this larger Prerogative That the Soveraign once in his life might if it pleased him make a general Translation of all the Stalls at his pleasure except of Emperors Kings Princes and Dukes who being setled in Stalls agreeable to their Dignities should keep their Stalls and Places if such a general Translation happened unless advanced to a higher Room and Stall In which Translation the long continuance in the Order and the praises worthiness and merits of the Knights-Companions were to be considered and remembred But this branch of the Soveraign's Prerogative in the Order was never yet made use of as we can find though that Translation an 27. H. 8. came somthing neer it perhaps lest it might raise too great animosities among the Knights Subjects forasmuch as that of translating only when there hapned a vacancy Begot great emulations which at length introduced an alteration and to which we shall pass after we have taken notice of a Clause added in the 22. Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes relating to Stranger Princes Here therefore it is to be observed that the ancient Law of succeeding in Stalls was also in relation to them whollyaltered For King Henry the Eighth upon the establishment of his Body of Statutes not only appointed those Strangers then present of the Order to be seated next himself but that all Emperors Kings and Princes should hold their Stalls after their Estates and the very next unto the Soveraign though Knights-Subjects upon vacancy became removeable at pleasure Hereupon the Emperor Maximilian the Second and after him Rudolph the Second his Son had the Princes Stall assigned them after their Election into the Order The French Kings Francis the First Henry the Second Charles the Ninth Henry the Third and Henry the Fourth were Installed in the next below being the second on the Soveraign's side And when there were more then one King at a time in the Order the second Stall on the Prince's side was assigned to him of whom the former had precedency allowed him in relation to his State and Dignity not of antiquity in the Order as it was by the King of Bohemia an 19. H. 8. The King of Spain an 8. Eliz. So also upon the same Rule and for the same Reason was somtimes the third Stall on the Soveraign's side possest by Kings as in the cases of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland an 27. H. 8. and Frederick the Third King of Denmark an 25. Eliz. And lastly we find that Princes Strangers were placed next to Kings according to their state as were the Dukes of Savoy Montmorency and Holstein an 3. Eliz. Iohn Casimire Count Palatine of the Rhine an 25. Eliz. and Frederick Prince Palatine and Maurice Prince of Orange an 11. Iac. Regis But notwithstanding these Assignments of Stalls to Strangers they were nevertheless subject to removal somtime to Stalls higher than their own upon the death of a Stranger who died possest of a superior Stall and somtimes again to others lower for the advancing a Knight of greater dignity where the upper Stalls were already fill'd else could they not be placed or hold their Stalls according to their respective States as the Statute doth enjoin nor indeed would any Stranger King since the ancient manner of succeeding in Stalls received alteration have accepted of Election into the Order unless room had been made to seat him in a Stall sutable to his Dignity Instances of Advancement in translation of Stalls are of Ferdinand Emperor of Germany who after the death of the Emperor Charles the Fifth his Brother was advanced from the second Stall on the Prince's side into the Prince's Stall an 1. Eliz. Of Philip the Second King of Spain advanced from the second on the Prince's side to the second on the Soveraign's an 2. Eliz. after the death of the French King Henry the Second Of Henry the Fourth of France advanced from the second on the Soveraign's side to the Prince's Stall an 1. Iac. R. Of Christerne the Fourth King of Denmark an 9. Iac. R. from the second on the Soveraign's side to the said Princes Stall after the death of the French King Henry the Fourth And of Christierne the Fifth King of Denmark advanced from the fourth Stall on the Prince's side to the second on the Soveraign's an 22. Car. 2. Among the Princes Strangers we find Emanuel Duke of Savoy advanced from the third on the Prince's side to the second of the same side an 2. Eliz. Iohn Casimire Count Palatine from the fourth on the Soveraign's side to the third on the â—rince's an 32. Eliz. four years after the Duke of Holstein's death Frederick Prince Palatine an 1. Car. 1. was advanced from the second on the Prince's to the second on the Soveraign's side And Henry Frederick Prince
of the Election or not It seems the Duke of Burgundy returned no answer to this Letter and therefore at the next years Feast it came again to be considered of by the Duke of Gloucester the Soveraign's Deputy for that Feast also and the Knights-Companions present and upon further debate it was thought fit that there should be those persons sent over to him with the Nomination who should desire to receive his final answer And then it appears that the Duke of Burgundy well considering the Statutes of the Order and reflecting on the Quarrels between the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Brabant his Uncle made a most plaucible excuse refusing the Election least he should be forced either dishonorably to violate the pious Constitutions of the Order or the obligations of Alliance The substance of this Excuse was afterwards represented to the Soveraign's said Deputy and Knights-Companions in a Chapter held at Windesor an 2. H. 6. who considering the reason and manner thereof the long voidance of the Stall and the strictness of the Statutes in this case vacated the former Election and proceeded to a new one which brought Iohn Lord Talbot into the room and Stall of the said Lord Clifford This is the only instance of any Stranger who after Election refused his acceptance of the Order On the contrary how desirous and earnestly solicitous some others even of the highest rank have been of admittance into this illustrious Society may appear by these few Examples Alphonsus King of Naples and Duke of Calabria did with great importunity solicit his Election into this Order and was accordingly chosen an 7. H. 7. The Black-Book of the Order mentioning the Election and Installation of Philip King of Castile saith that he not only assented to what was offered namely the honor of admittance into the Order but with much gladness and infinite thanks accepted thereof A little before we are informed how gratefully the King of Denmark an 20. H. 7. accepted of his Election And in the memorial of the Soveraign's sending his Ambassadors with the Ensigns of the Order to the French King Francis the First it is noted that he received them with such a cheerfulness of mind as the Affair required Some few years before this King was Elected Ferdinand Brother to the Emperor Charles the Fifth was chosen into the Order of whom it is said That he took it for a very high honor to be made a Collegue of this most Noble Society and that he received the Order at Norimberg in Germany to his great contentment Maximilian his Son was presented with the Habit of the Order by Thomas Earl of Sussex who giving the Soveraign an account by Letter of his reception thereof affirms that he received the Honor gladly and with manifest satisfaction Such is also the expression of Frederick the Second King of Denmark in his Letters of Procuration to the Lord Willoughby That he received the Order with as much gratitude as if it had been presented to him by the Soveraign her self But that which Erhardus Celius reporteth of Frederick Duke of Wirtemberg is beyond all who being in England and seeing the magnificence of the Castle and Chappel of Windesor was induced by the sight of the illustrious Arms and Ensigns of Honor of so many great Princes and famous Personages of this most Noble Order to wish himself one of the renowned Society Being afterwards Elected he exprest his acknowledgments of the Honor done him not only by a solemn Embassy to Queen Elizabeth but also by the great Preparations he made the vast Expences he was at and his extraordinary munificence in Rewards at his Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order which indeed were such grand testimonies of his glad acceptation of this additional flower of Honor as nothing could more fully evidence it to the World To these we may add the re-iterated sollicitations made to the present Soveraign on the behalf of Frederick Guillaume Marquess of Brandenburgh and his great impatience till his Election was past though not easily nor suddenly obtained In fine how acceptable this Honor hath been to several other Kings and Princes and what esteem and value they have set upon it may be further seen in their several Certificates sent back to the Soveraign of this most Noble Order after their Investitures with the Habit and Ensigns thereof CHAP. XV. THE Investiture of Strangers WITH THE HABIT and ENSIGNS Of the ORDER SECT I. The Time for sending the Habit and Ensigns unlimited ALbeit the Statutes of the Order do appoint and prefix a time within which the Soveraign's Letters giving notice to a Stranger of his Election ought to be sent unto him as before is shewed yet as to the sending a solemn Embassy with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order they do not limit a certain time but leave that wholly to the Soveraign's pleasure wherein his conveniency and other Interests as also those of the Elect Stranger are to be consulted and considered But nevertheless the Statutes of Institution appoint and direct that this Legation shall be dispatcht with convenient speed which must needs be interpreted with such latitude as may refer both to the Soveraign's conveniency of sending and the Stranger 's capacity of receiving And therefore we find it six years after the Election of the Kings of Aragon and Poland and the Duke of Brunswick e're we meet with the first notice of the Soveraign's determination of sending over the Habit of the Order to them For they having been Elected the 4. of August an 28. H. 6. the preparations for the intended Legation were not made until the 34. year of the same King And doubtless some cause within the limits of that conveniency allowed to the Soveraign by the foresaid Article of the Statutes or the accident of miscarriage might fall out particularly in reference to the King of Poland if not of the other because three years after the former Order for Legation had past we find new directions issued for sending the Ensigns of the Order to him But in King Henry the Eighth's body of Statutes this Clause of sending the Legation with convenient expedition is wholly omitted and the Soveraign is now unlimitted as to the time by which liberty it hath come to pass that the Habit and Ensigns have been sent over sometimes soon after the Stranger 's Election at other times not till some years after and at all times when the Soveraign hath thought fit and convenient Thus was it four years after Frederick the Second King of Denmark had been Elected before Peregrine Lord Willoughby of Ersby together with Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter and Robert Glover Somerset Herald by Order of Chapter 24. Apr. an 24. Eliz. were sent over into Denmark to present him with the Habit of the Order Maximilian the Emperor was
the same order as they go the Gentlemen-Vshers also are to go bare-headed and the Herald if present to take place next before the Knights person 4. In his Dinner on the Feast day that it be noble and his Attendance at the Table sutable and that he dine and sup alone at all times unless there happen to be a Knight-Companion with him 5. In his Offering of money that he make it not only on the Feast day in the morning but the next morning also assoon as the first sentence of the Offertory is pronounced 6. That at Evening Prayer on the Feast day and also at the Supper following he observe all things as on the Eve 7. In wearing his Habit of the Order until after Supper on the Eve and all the Feast day until supper be ended at night 8. That on the Morrow after the Feast he proceed to the Church in his Mantle only and when Divine Service is finished then to put it off at the Church door And if any thing else in the before recited Article seem short or obscure the large account in the Preparations for the Grand Feast and course to be observed in the celebrations thereof before laid down and handled will sufficiently clear and explain without the assistance of any further Comment But here we must note that though the Statutes seem not to oblige the absent Knights-Companions to hold the Ceremonies of the Feast longer than the Evening on the Feast day yet by the practice of ensuing years they were extended to the Morrow after and consequently observed by the absent Knights so long as the Soveraign and Knights-Companions performed them at Windesor or elsewhere If the absent Knight be a person of eminent Degree he is to be attended by a Herald or Pursuivant at Arms or both during the Solemnity of the Feast to adde the greater lustre thereto Thus was Prince Arthur an 15. H. 7. attended at Hereford and the like honor was designed to the Earl of Leicester when he kept the Solemnity of the Feast in the Low Countries and had been performed but that the Herald dyed before St. George's day The nature of this Officers Employment on such an occasion will partly appear out of the Instructions given by Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter pursuant to the directions of the Statute to Henry Rees alias Berwick Pursuivant at Arms the 3. of April an 1565. which were to this effect 1. That he should see a Capital Stall provided for the Soveraign though not there with a Cloth of State and before it a Carpet and Cushen with a Scutcheon of the Soveraign's Arms impaled with those of St. George fixed thereon 2. That the Knight's Stall should be decently trimmed with a Scutcheon of his own Arms fixed at the back of it and that this Stall should be placed a good distance from the Soveraign's Stall according to the largeness of the Chappel 3. That he should go before the Knight-Companion to and from the Church both on the Even of the Feast and Feast day in his Coat of Arms using such Reverence as is meet and convenient and sit on a Form before the Soveraign's Stall 4. That on the Feast day at Dinner after the second Mess shall be served up having on his Coat of Arms he shall proclaim the said Knight's Stile in French 5. And lastly when the Knight puts off his Mantle either in the Church or where Service is said then he to put off his Coat also and return home in his ordinary Apparel with him SECT III. How to be observed in case of Sickness BUT in case of Sickness and such as hath confined the absent Knight to his Bed or would not permit him with safety to go out of his Chamber the custom was to prepare a Capital Stall for the Soveraign of the Order with a Cloth of State Carpet Cushens and a Scutcheon of the Arms of the Order impaled with the Arms of the Soveraign and his Stile underneath in the Chamber where he lay as also another Stall for himself placed according to the before mentioned directions which were there to remain during the Feast In which Room also were the Divine Offices celebrated both on the Eve the Feast day and the Morrow after And if the absent Knight were so sick that he kept his Bed then was his whole Habit of the Order laid thereon during the time the rest of the Knights-Companions are enjoined to wear theirs according to the ancient Custom and Statutes and upon this account Ambrose Earl of Warwick falling ill at Greenwich when St. George's day was there celebrated an 30. Eliz. retired to his Chamber and there sat in his Robes SECT IV. In what manner the Feast hath been observed by absent Knights IN relation to the Celebrations performed by absent Knights the Black Book gives us a punctual account in a considerable Precedent namely of the Feast of St. George holden in the Palace of Hereford by Prince Arthur an 15. H. 7. he being then in the Government of his Principality of Wales and had with him Sir Richard Pool one of the Companions of the Order then his Highness Chamberlain this worthy Knight took care that all those things which the Solemnity of the Feast required and the Soveraign and Knights-Companions did observe according to the form of the Statutes and accustomed manner should be most exactly performed and indeed there was nothing intermited in the Mass in the first and second Vespers which solemn custom required should be done in Censing Fuming Proceeding and Offering aswell the Prince as the said Sir Richard but it was undertook and performed with much exactness Besides the Princes Sword was born and held before his Stall and his Herald performed his Service with all â—â—â—â—gence also the Soveraigns Herald stood all the while before the Soveraigns Stall which was adorned with accustomed Ornaments and lastly the Bishop who celebrated Divine Service had his Seat erected near to the high Altar But the publick memorials of Sir Henry Sydneys holding two several Feasts of St. George the one at Shrewsbury and the other at Ludlow is worthy of a place here since these two Corporations have caused them to be conspicuously recorded in their Town Hall and from whence I made Transcripts when I accompanied William Dugdale Esq Norroy King of Arms in his Visitation of Shropshire An. Dom. 1663. That at Shrewsbury being written in large Letters upon a pain of Wainscot over the Chimney in the Chamber of Concord in the Town-Hall is as followeth Be it remembred that in the Year of our Lord 1581. and in the 23d Year of the Reign of our most dread Soveraign Lady Queen Elizabeth the Feast of the most noble Order of the Garter was right honourably kept in the good and right renowned Town of Salop by the Right Honourable Sir Henry Sidney then Lord President of the Council established in the Principallity of Wales and Marches of
offered and an 4. Car. 1. those of the Duke of Brunswick and the Earls of Suffolk and Leicester before the King of Sweden Prince of Orange and Earl of Suffolk were installed and at all times afterwards during that pious Kings Reign the Offering of Atchievments was the first Ceremony performed on the Eve of the Feast next after the decease of a Knight though no Installation followed as were those of the Earl of Carlisle an 13. Car. 1. and of the Earl of Kelly in the 15. year of the same Soveraign But if at that time any of the Elect-Knights were introduced into the Choire before the Offering of Atchievments began they were appointed to stand there under the Stalls designed for them till that Ceremony was finished Thus the practice continued of Offering the defunct Knights Atchievments before the Ceremony of Installation began from the 9. year of King Iames until an 15. of the present Soveraign when it was performed at the time anciently accustomed for the Prince of Denmark by his Proctor Sir George Carteret and the Duke of Monmouth were both Installed before the first Vespers began and the Atchievments of Bernard de Foix Duke of Espernon and Edward Count Palatine of the Rhyne were not Offered till the Morrow after the Feast day immediately before Divine Service began so also was it observed at the Feast held an 23. Car. 2. As to the manner and order of this Ceremony among other Institutions of King Henry the Fifth it is thus appointed That as often as through the vacancy of any Stall the Swords Helms with the rest of the Atchievements ought to be Offered the Sword of the deceased Knight shall be first Offered being carried up to the high Altar by two of the Knights-Companions whom the Soveraign or his Deputy shall assign to that purpose and afterwards the Helm with the Crest and Mantlings for which we sometimes find one general word Insignia used by two other Knights-Companions named also by the Soveraign or his Deputy and this Offering is to be made for them in the order as they were Installed not as they dyed But of the Offering of a defunct Knights Banner we find no express mention till the 18. year of King Henry the Seventh at which time the Banner of the Lord Brook was Offered by Sir Edward Poynings and Sir Richard Pool his Sword by the Earl of Surrey and Lord Strange and in the last place his Helm with its Appendices by the before named Sir Edward Poynings and Sir Richard Pool But afterwards the direction for Offering this Ensign of the defunct Knights honor was taken into King Henry the Eighth's body of Statutes And note that since the Offering of the Banner was introduced it was in the order of Ceremony and according to the before mentioned Precedent to be offered first and so hath it been observed only once we find this course inverted viz. an 22. Iac. R. but upon what account there is no mention where at the Offering of the Duke of Lenox his Atchievements the Helm and Crest were offered in the first place the Sword in the second and the Banner in the third Immediately after the entrance of the before mentioned Constitution of King Henry the Fifth in the Black Book a Precedent for the order of this Ceremony doth also follow which extended it self to future times and was thus On the Morrow after the Feast of St. George an 9. H. 5. the Soveraign and Knights-Companions assembled according to custom to celebrate the Mass pro defunctis at which time the Sword of Thomas Duke of Clarence who was slain at Bougy-bridge in his return out of Anjou on Easter Eve preceding was born to the Altar and offered up by John Duke of Bedford and Humfrey Duke of Gloucester Brothers to the defunct Duke but his Helm with its Appendices were offered by the hands of the Soveraign and the said Duke of Bedford Besides this honor thus paid to the deceased Duke of Clarence there past the like at that time upon several other defunct Knights-Companions namely on Sir Iohn Grey whose Sword was offered up by Sir Thomas Erpingham and Sir Walter Hungerford and his Helm and Crest by Richard Earl of Warwick and the Lord Fitz Hugh and next on the Lord Burnell whose Sword was offered by Sir Lewis Robessart and Sir Simon Felbrig and his Helm c. by Sir Iohn Cornwall and Sir Iohn Robessart In the fourth place the Sword of the Lord Cameux was offered up by Sir Lewis Robessart and Sâ—â— Here Tank Clux and his Helm by Sir Iohn Cornwall and Sir Iohn Robessart This solemn Ceremony being finished in the order as is set down the Soveraign and Knights-Companions presently after decreed That the Rites to be observed at the Offring of Atchievements should for the future be in the foresaid manner performed The appointment of the Statute is before noted to be that the Soveraign shall nominate and assign the Knights-Companions who are severally to perform this Ceremony and so is the direction set down in King Henry the Eighth's Statutes But generally heretofore so few of the Knights-Companions have used to attend the Feasts of Installation at which time most commonly were the Atchievements of the defunct Knights offered that there hath not been much choice nay for the most part not enough for the enterchange of all the Atchievements but that those who have offered the Banner have been constrained to assist at the Offering if not of the Sword yet of the Helm and Crest Nay yet less for the Feast of St. George an 1. E. 4. was solemnized at Windesor by two Knights-Companions only viz. Viscount Bourchier the Soveraign's Deputy and the Lord Berners at which time there being the Atchievements of six deceased Knights to be offered namely the Dukes of York and Buckingham the Earls of Salisbury and Shrewsbury of Viscount Beaumont and the Lord Scales these two Knights-Companions performed the whole Ceremony according to the ancient Custom Moreover an 32. H. 6. there were but three Knights-Companions that then held the Feast namely the Duke of Buckingham Deputy to the Soveraign the Lord Sudely and Viscount Bourchier the two latter of which offered both the Sword and Helm of the Earl of Salisbury the Duke of Buckingham not enterchanging But notwithstanding these Examples at another time viz. an 8. H. 7. because the number of the Knights-Companions present at the Feast were fewer than the Statute required therefore the Offering of Atchievements was then prorogued Iohn Lord Denham then Lord Treasurer of England being President and only the Lord Scroop joined with him Again when the number of Knights-Companions present have been sufficient to perform all the Ceremony severally yet do we not observe the same anciently executed by Knights-Companions according to the series of their Stalls which is an argument that the Rule
Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers into the said Ordre and receive his Othe and install him but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order it appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf Yeven undre our Seale of our said Gartier at our Castell of Windesore the xxi day of August the xv year of our Reign NUM XXVII Another Ex Collect. I. V. Elizabeth R. ELIZABETH by the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trustly and right well-beloved Câ—zen and Counsellor Francis Earl of Bâ—dford and to our right trusty and right well-beloved Anthony Viscount Mountague Companions â—f our Noble Order of the Garter Forasâ—uâ—h as we for divers reasonable causes cannot be present at our Castell of Windesor on the 19. of June next ensuing where we have determined to have installed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cozens William Earl of Worcester and Henry Earl of Huntingdon as Knights of ouâ— said Order of the Garter We therefâ—re by these presents name constitute appoint and ordain you to be our Deputies giving you full power and authority to admit and install our said Cozens of Worcester and Huntingdon and to do and accomplish every thing which thereunto belongeth and hath been accustomed for the due admittance and installing of the said Earls of Worcester and Huntingdon willing and commanding by the tenor hereof all and every the Companions and Officers of the said Order to be to you in the executing of this our authority obeying and attending as shall appertain Given under the Seal of our saâ—d Order at our honor of Hampton-Court the 12. of June 1570. in the 12. year of our Reign NUM XXVIII Another Ex ipso Autogr. Aerar Coll. Wind. Charles R. CHARLES by the Grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and right well well-beloved Cosens and Councellors William Earl of Salisbury and Henry Earl of Holland Knights and Companions of our said Order Greeting Whereas we with you and others the Knights and Companions of our said Order assembled in a Chapter holden at our Palace of Westminster the 24. day of April being the morrow after the day of St. George last past did elect and chuse our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen Algernon Earle of Northumberland to be a Knight and Companion of our said Order And whereas we have appointed the 13. day of this present Month of May for the time of his Installation at Windesor We do therefore let you know that we have named and assigned you the said Earls of Salisbury and Holland and by these presents do name assign and appoint you two to be Commissioners for the Inâ—tallation of our said Cousin the Earl of Northumberland as aforesaid And accordingly we do hereby give unto you full power and authority not only to accept and admit him into our said Order and to take his Oath but also to do and accomplish whatsoever else is needful to be done for his full Installation according to the Statutes Rules and Customs of our said Order For which purpose it is our pleasure that you make your repair to our Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Wednesday at night being the 13. of this present May to the end that you may then proceed to the said Installation according to this our Commission Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 11. day of May 1635. and in the 11. year of our Raign NUM XXIX Another Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. PHilip and Mary c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen the Earl of Huntington and to our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton Companions and Knights of the Noble Order of the Garter Greeting Forasmuch as we with other Companions of the said Noble Order assembled at a Chapter holden at our Honour of Hampton Court the 24. of April last past have elected and chosen our right trusty and right well-beloved the Viscount Mountague to be Knight and Companion of the said Noble Order We therefore will and by the presents authorise and license you not only to accept and admit the said Viscount Mountague into the said Order and to receive his Oath and install him accordingly but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable Customs of the said Noble Order appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Yeoven under the Seal of our said Order the 12. of October the 2. and 3. year of our Raigns NUM XXX A Letter of Summons to the Commissioners appointed for Installation Ex Collect. I. V. By the Queen RIght trusty and well-beloved we greet you well and whereas we have appointed you together with our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosen and Councellor the Earl of Lincoln to be in Commission for the Installation in our Castle of Windesor of our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosens Henry Earl of Derby and Henry Earl of Penbroke being lately chosen Knights of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Wednesday the 19. day of this Moneth to the end that upon Thursday the 20. day of this present Moneth of May they may proceed to their Installations accordingly Yeven under our Signet at our Palais of Westminster the 17. day of May in the 16. year of our Reign To our right trusty and well-beloved the Viscount Mountague one of the Companions of our Order The like Letter mutatis mutandis was under the same date directed to the Earl of Lincoln joined in Commission with him NUM XXXI A Letter of Summons to an Elect-Knight for his repair to Windesor to be Installed Ex ipso Autogr. Charles R. RIght trusty and well-beloved Cousen We greet you well Whereas in consideration of your approved fidelity and extraordinary services performed by you for us We lately elected and chose you to be one of the Companions of our most Noble Order of the Garter and in token thereof did send unto you the George and Ribband part of the Ensigns of our said Order and having at a Chapter held at White-hall the 14. day of January last past appointed to celebrate the Feast of St. George at our Castle of Windesor upon the 15.16 and 17. days of April next ensuing We do hereby require you to make your repair to our Castle of Windesor so as you be there on Monday the 15. of April next by Noon that in the Afternoon of the said day you may proceed to your Installation according
Charles R. CHarles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To all Our loving Subjects of what degree condition or quality soever within Our Kingdoms and Dominions Greeting Whereas it hath been manifested unto Vs that Our trusty and well-beloved Elias Ashmole Esq Windesor Herald at Arms hath for fifteen years past applyed himself to the search and study of things relating to the Honor of Our most Noble Order of the Garter and hath at his great charge and expence of time now compleated a Book Entituled The Institution Laws and Ceremonies of the said most Noble Order collected and digested into one Body and adorned with variety of Sculpture whose pains therein as it is greatly to Our satisfaction so can We no less for his past industry and future incouragement in his further progress of these Studies but express Our good liking and approbation thereof Know ye therefore That it is Our Royal Pleasure and We do by these presents upon the humble request of the said Elias Ashmole not only give him leave and license to Print the said Book but strictly charge prohibit and forbid all our Subjects to reprint within this Our Kingdom the said Book in any Volume or any part thereof or any Abridgment of the Laws or Ceremonies therein contained or to copy or counterfeit any the Sculptures or Ingravements belonging thereunto or to import buy vend utter or distribute any Copies or Exemplaries of the same reprinted beyond the Seas within the term of fifteen years next ensuing the publishing thereof without the consent and approbation of the said Elias Ashmole his Heirs Executors or Assigns as they and every of them so offending will answer the contrary at their utmost perils Whereof aswell the Wardens and Company of Stationers of our City of London the Farmers Commissioners and Officers of Our Customs as all other Our Officers and Ministers whom it may concern are to take particular notice that due obedience be given to this Our Royal Command herein declared Given under Our Signet and Sign Manual at Our Court at Whitehall the 31. day of March in the 22. Year of Our Reign 1670. By his Majesty's Command Arlington The most High most Excellent and most Mighty Monarch Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of Greate Britaine France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraigne of the most Noble Order of the Garter 〈◊〉 Sherwin sculpsit THE INSTITUTION Laws Ceremonies Of the most NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER Collected and digested into one Body BY ELIAS ASHMOLE of the Middle-Temple Esq WINDESOR Herald at Arms. A Work furnished with variety of matter relating to HONOR and NOBLESSE LONDON Printed by I. Macock for Nathanael Brooke at the Angel in Cornhill near the Royal Exchange MDCLXXII AUGUSTISSIMO POTENTISSIMOQUE MONARCHAE CAROLO II D. G. MAGNAE BRITANNIAE FRANCIAE ET HIBERNIAE REGI FIDEI DEFENSORI ET SUPREMO NOBILISSIMI MILITARIS ORDINIS GARTERII HOS ORDINIS COMMENTARIOS HUMILLIME D. D. ELIAS ASHMOLE FECIALIS WINDESOR PREFACE IT is not to be attributed only to Custom but sometimes it 's necessary in order to the Readers greater convenience that Books are commonly recommended to their perusal by somewhat prefatory as Epistles c. the use of them being chiefly to render an account of what they contain and by a short Antipast to represent to them what they are likely to find in the Entertainment of the whole Work This consideration hath obliged me to a compliance with others and to acquaint my Reader what occasioned my engaging upon this Subject and what I have done therein As I ever had a great veneration for the most Noble Order of the Garter so must it needs be imagined that I was accordingly much concerned in the late unhappy times to see the honor of it trampled on and it self sunk into a very low esteem among us That reâ—lection put me upon thoughts not only of doing something that might inform the world of the Nobleness of its Institution and the Glory which in process of time it acquired both at home and abroad but also of drawing up in the nature of a Formulary both the Legal and Ceremonial part thereof for the better conduct of such as might be therein afterwards concerned in case the Eclipse it then waded under in our Horizon should prove of so long continuance as that many occurrences worthy of knowledge might come to be in a manner forgotten Vpon the first communication of my design to the late Reverend Doctor Christopher Wren Register of the said Order it received not only his full approbation but also his ready assistance in the use of the Annals thereof then in his custody From those and other authentick Manuscripts and Autographs particularly relating to the Order and a painful and chargeable search of our publick Records I had collected the greatest part of my Materials before the happy Restauration of his now Majesty the present Soveraign of this most Noble Order who being afterwards acquainted with what I had done was most graciously pleased to countenance it and encourage me in the prosecution thereof The Work in general contains an Historical account of the Laws and Ceremonies of the said most Noble Order but more particularly its Institution the manner and order observed in Elections Investitures and Installations of Knights the Holding of Chapters Celebration of Festivals the Formality of Proceedings the Magnificence of Embassies sent with the Habit to Stranger Kings and Princes in sum all other things relative to the Order In the illustration whereof I have inserted where they properly occur'd the most eminent and considerable Cases which have required and received discuâ—sion in Chapters the determinations thereupon becoming Rules and Laws Whence it may be observed that the Foundation and Superstructures of the Order were laid and raised upon the exactest Rules of Honor. And to supply the failer and defects of the Annals I have been forced to make use of Memorials and Relations yet such as were taken notice of and committed to writing either by some of the Officers of the Order or those of Arms during the times of their attendance on the Service of the Order and consequently of sufficient authority for me to relye on To usher in those I have given a Prospect of Knighthood in General of the several Orders of Knighthood as also of the Antiquity of the Castle and Colledge of Windesor and closed all with the Honors Martial Employments and famous Actions the Matches and Issues of the Founder and first Knights-Companions as also a perfect Catalogue of their Successors to this very present All which are adorned with variety of Sculptures properly relating to the several parts of the Work But the following Synopsis of its whole Contexture and the Heads of the Chapters will excuse a further enlargement here I shall with submiâ—sion add That this noble Subject having not been at some times
heedfully looked into some irregularities have happened on which I have made the less adnimadversion in regard it was my desire by proceeding upon what is purely derived from the Root to shew wherein the right Rule either Legal or Ceremonial hath been observed that it may still be pursued till thought â—it to be altered and as little as may be where broken to the end also that a careful distinction may be made between matter of Law and matter of Fact lest otherwise an Error may hereafter come to be vouched for a Precedent And whereas some passages may seem of little importance it is to be considered That the ensuing Discourse is limited to an account only of certain peculiar Laws and Ceremonies of Honor wherein sundry minute things occasionally falling in are not only pardoned but also allowable yea very necessary to be mentioned in regard they promote their satisfaction who are more particularly concerned therein And this will be yet the rather excusable if another thing which hath occasioned no small inconvenience be reflected on to wit The omission or negligence of many Writers in setting down Occurrences meerly upon the score of their being then fresh in most mens memories by which means Posterity hath not only been deprived of many passages whereof it would gladly have been informed but the elaborate disquisitions of both Criticks and Antiquaries have proved fruitless and of little advantage and the things themselves lye yet buried in obscurity Lastly to explicate some few Abbreviations in the Margent it is to be observed that where I cite the Annals of the Order they are thus noted Lib. N. to be read Liber Niger Lib. C. Liber Caeruleus R. Rubeus and Carol. Carolinus So also the Collections or Manuscripts of some that have been or now are Officers of Arms whose frequent quotations would otherwise have too much swell'd the Margent being thus abbreviated E. W. G. signifie Edwardus Walker Garter R. C. Cl. Robertus Cook Clarenceux W. le N. Cl. Willielmus le Neve Clarenceux W. D. N. Willielmus Dugdale Norroy A. V. W. Augustinus Vincent Windesor and G. O. Y. Georgius Owen York The rest may be easily understood E. A. THE CONTENTS Of the CHAPTERS CHAP. I. Of Knighthood in general Sect. I. Of Vertue and Honor. Page 1. II. The Antiquity of Knighthood 5. III. Of the Foundation of the Equestrian Order among the Romans 6. IV. Of the Modern Dâ—grees of Knighthood 12. V. The Etymology of Eques Miles Chevalier Ritter and Sir 17. VI. The Ensigns of the Equestrian Order among the Romans 21. VII The Ensigns and Ornaments of Knighthood among other Nations 27. VIII Qualifications for Knighthood 31. IX The various Ceremonies used at the conferring of Knighthood 36. X. Of the Dignity Honor and Renown of Knighthood 43. CHAP. II. Of the Religious Orders of Knighthood in Christâ—ndom Sect. I. Of ancient Societies analogous to the Orders of Knighthood Page 47. II. The Christian Institution of Knightly Orders 48. III. The Division of Knightly Orders into Religious and Military 49. IV. Of Ecclesiastical Foundations dependanâ— upon Military Orders 50. V. A brief account of the Religious Orders of Knighthood 51. CHAP. III. An Account of the Orders absolutely Military Sect. I. The Order of Knights of the Round Table c. Page 94. II. Of Knights in the West-Indies 124. III. The Feminine Cavaliers of the Torch in Tortosa 125. CHAP. IV. Of the Castle Chappel and Colledge of Windesor Sect. I. Of the Castle of Windesor Page 127. II. Of the Chappel of St. George 135. III. The Foundation of the Colledge within the Chappel 152. IV. Of the Dean Canons Petty-Canons Clerks and Choristers 153. V. Of the Alms-Knights 158. VI. Of other Officers of the Colledge 166. VII Of the Endowment of the Colledge 167. VIII Of the Priviledges of the Chappel and Colledge 174. CHAP. V. The Institution of the most Noble Order of the Garter Sect. I. The several Opinions touching the Occasion of its Institution Page 178. II. The true Cause asserted 181. III. The Time when the Order was Instituted 185. IV. Of the Patrons of the Order 187. V. The Honor and Reputation thereof 189. CHAP. VI. The Statutes and Annals of the Order Sect. I. Of the Statutes of Institution Page 190. II. Of thâ—se other Bodies of Statutes since established 191. III. Several Endeavours for Reforming the Statutes since the Reign of King Henry the Eighth 194. IV. Of the Annals of the Order 198. CHAP. VII The Habit and Ensigns of the Order Sect. I. Of the Garter Page 202. II. Of the Mantle 208. III. Of the Surcoat 211. IV. Of the Hood and Cap. 214. V. The Robes anciently assigned to the Queen and great Ladies 217. VI. Of Collars in general 218. VII The Collar of the Order 220. VIII Collars of SS 224. IX The lesser George 226. X. When the Habit or part of it ought to be worn 231. CHAP. VIII The Officers appointed for the Service of the Order Sect. I. The Prelate's Institution his Oath Robe and Priviledges Page 234. II. The Institution of the Chancellor's Office his Oath Robe Badge and Pension 237. III. The Register's Institution Oath Mantle Badge Priviledges and Pension 248. IV. Garter's Institution Oath Mantle Ensign Badge Priviledges and Pension 252. V. Institution of the Black Rod's Office his Oath Habit Ensign Badge Priviledges and Pension 256. VI. The Payment of the Officers Pensions upon the new Establishment 258. VII The Execution of these Offices by Deputies 260. CHAP. IX The Election of a Knight into the Order Sect. I. Of Summons to the Election Page 262. II. The Place of Assembly 264. III. The Number of Knights that constitute a Chapter 265. IV. Dispensation for want of a full Number 266. V. Of Opening the Chapter 268. VI. That Knights only present in Chapter ought to nominate 269. VII Of the Number Qualifications and Degrees of the Persons to be nominated 271. VIII Of the Scruteny and by whom it ought to be taken 276. IX The Time when 278. X. The Manner and Order of it 279. XI The Presentation of it to the Soveraign 283. XII His Considerations thereupon referring to the Qualification of each Person to be Elected 284. XIII Of other Inducements for Election 290. XIV That the Soveraign only doth Elect. 291. XV. The Scruteny ought to be entred among the Annals 292. XVI The Scruteny ought not to be viewed until it be entred 293. XVII Of Scrutenies taken yet no Election made 294. XVIII The Penalties inflicted on Knights-Companions who appear not at an Election 295. CHAP. X. The Investiture of a Knight-Subject with the Garter and George Sect. I. The Notice given to a Knight Subject of his Election 296. II. His Reception into the Chapter-house 298. III. The Ceremonies of Investiture with the Garter and George 299. IV. Of sending the Garter and George to an Elect Knight-Subject 302. V. The Manner of a Knights Investiture 308. VI. Allowances and Rewards given to Garter for his Service in
this Employment 311. CHAP. XI Of Preparations for the Personal Installation of a Knight Sect. I. That Installation gives the Title of Founder Page 312. II. Of the Time and Place appointed for Installation 313. III. Of Commissions for Installation 314. IV. Letters of Summons 315. V. Warrants for the Livery of the Order 316. VI. The Removal of Atchievements and Plates ibid. VII Preparations made by the Knight Elect. 334. CHAP. XII The Personal Installation of a Knight-Subject I. Of the Cavalcade to Windesor Page 338. II. The Offering in the Chappel on the Eve of the Installation 342. III. The Supper on the Eve 344. IV. The Order in Proceeding to the Chapter-house ibid. V. The Ceremonies performed in the Chapter-house 350. VI. The Proceeding into the Choire 352. VII The Ceremonies of Installation 354. VIII The Order observed when two or more Knights are Installed in one day 360. IX The Offering of Gold and Silver 364. X. Of the Grand Dinner at the Installation ib. XI Of setting up the Knights Atchievements 367. CHAP. XIII The Installation of a Knight Subject by Proxie Sect. I. The Original Cause of making Proxies 372. II. Letters of Procuration Page 373. III. Qualifications of a Proxie 375. IV. Preparations for Installation ibid. V. Proceeding to the Chapter-house 377. VI. Transactions in it ibid. VII Proceeding to the Choire 378. VIII Ceremonies performed there ibid. IX The Grand Dinner 380. CHAP. XIV The Signification of Election to Strangers Sect. I. Within what time and in what manner Certificate is made of their Election 381. II. Of Notice given of an Election before sending the Habit. 384. III. Notice of Election sent with the Habit. ibid. IV. Certificate of Acceptation 386. V. Of an Election not accepted of 387. CHAP. XV. The Investiture of Strangers with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order Sect. I. The Time for sending the Habit and Ensigns unlimited Page 389. II. Preparations made for the Legation 390. III. The Ceremonies of Investiture 399. IV. Certificates of having received the Habit and Ensigns of the Order 432. CHAP. XVI The Installation of a Stranger by Proxie Sect. I. Touching the Choice and Nomination of a Proxie Page 434. II. The Proctor's Qualifications 437. III. His Letters of Procuration 439. IV. Of the Proctor's Reception ibid. V. The Preparations for Installation 440. VI. The Proctor's Cavalcade to Windesor 441. VII Supper after his Arrival there 442. VIII Of the Proceeding to the Chapter-house 443. IX The Ceremonies performed therein 444. X. Of the Proceeding to the Choire 447. XI The Ceremonies of Installation 448. XII The Proctor's Offering 452. XIII The Dinner 454. CHAP. XVII The Duties and Fees Payable by the Knights-Companrons at their Installations Sect. I. Touching the Fees due to the Colledge of Windesor Page 455. II. Fees due to the Register Garter Black-Rod and Officers of Arms. 458. III. Fees belonging to other of the Soveraign's Servants 462. IV. Fees payable for Strangers 463. CHAP. XVIII Of the Grand Feast of the Order Sect. I. The Grand Feast appointed to be annually celebrated on St. George's day Page 467. II. The Anniversary of St. George fixed by the Church unto the 23. of April 468. III. St. George's day made Festum duplex 469. IV. The Place for celebrating the Grand Feast assigned to Windesor-Castle 471. V. St. George's day kept apart from the Grand Feast and how then observed Ibid. VI. The Grand Feast neglected by King Edward the Sixth 473. VII Removed from Windesor by Queen Elizabeth 474. VIII Of Prorogation of the Grand Feast 475. IX Of Commissions for Prorogation 480. X. That the Grand Feast ought to be celebrated once every year 482. CHAP. XIX Of Preparations for the Grand Feast of the Order Sect. I. Of Letters giving notice of the Time and Place Page 484. II. Of Dispensations for not attending at the Grand Feast 485. III. Of Commissions of Lieutenancy and Assistance 487. IV. Warrants for the Removal of Atchievements Ibid. V. Scutcheons of Arms and Stiles Ibid. VI. Of adorning the Chappel 490. VII The furnishing of St. George's Hall 500. VIII Officers and Servants appointed to attend at the Grand Feast 502. CHAP. XX. The Order of the Ceremonies on the Eve of the Grand Feast Sect. I. Of the beginning of the Grand Feast Page 504. II. Of setting the Proceeding in order 509. III. Of Proceeding to the Chapter-house 516. IV. Of the Opening of the Chapter 519. V. Transactions in the Chapter held before the first Vespers 520. VI. The Ceremonies relating to the first Vespers 538. VII The Supper on the Eve 544. CHAP. XXI The Order of the Ceremonies on the Feast Day Sect. I. The Proceeding to the Chappel in the Morning Page 547. II. The Proceeding to the second Service 550. III. Of the Grand Procession 551. IV. The Order of the second Service 576. V. The Offering of Gold and Silver 580. VI. The Return to the Presence 587. VII Of the Dinner on the Feast Day 588. VIII The Ceremonies belonging to the second Vespers 597. IX Of the Supper on the Evening of the Feast Day 598. CHAP. XXII The Ceremonies observed on the last Day of the Feast Sect. I. Of Proceeding to the Chapter-house in the Morning Page 599. II. Of the Elect Knights Proceeding into the Choire 600. III. Of the Ceremonies performed at Divine Service 601. IV. The Diets at some of the Grand Feasts 602. CHAP. XXIII The Observation of the Grand Feast by Absent Knights Sect. I. Absent Knights enjoyned to observe the Grand Feast Page 613. II. More particular Directions for their Observation of it 614. III. How to be observed in case of Sickness 616. IV. In what manner the Feast hath been observed by Absent Knights ibid. V. Dispensation for Absence granted during life 619. CHAP. XXIV The Degradation of a Knight-Companion Sect. I. Of the Degradation of a Knight-Batchellor Page 620. II. The manner of Degrading a Knight-Companion of the Garter 621. III. Of Restauration into the Order after Degradation 622. CHAP. XXV Honors paid to Deceased Knights-Companions Sect. I. Of the Celebration heretofore of Masses for defunct Knights-Companions Page 623. II. Of fixing on the Stalls Plates of their Arms and Stiles 627. III. The Offering of Atchievements 629. IV. Of depositing the deceased Knights Mantles in the Chapter-house 636. CHAP. XXVI Of the Founder the first Knights-Companions and their Successors Sect. I. Of what Number they consisted Page 642. II. A short view of the Founder's Wars 643. III. Some account of the first 25 Knights-Companions 670. IV. A Catalogue of their Successors 708. HONI· SOIT QVI· MAL· Y· PENSE· CHAP. I. OF Knighthood in general SECT I. Of Vertue and Honor. IT hath been the Practice of all well-govern'd Kingdoms and States to encourage Merit by Reward Merit consists in the performance of some vertuous Action directed to the Publick good As Vertue is either Military or Civil so Reward is differently distributed either by Honor or Profit to the end each sort of Vertue may have
viz. Arch-Bishops Bishops Abbots Earls Barons and Knights Verstegan is of opinion that this word began to be made use of among our Ancestors as a Title of Honor from such as were admitted for their merit to be Knights to the King viz. his own Servants and Reteyners and such as were appointed to ride with or attend on him to whom our industrious Minshew agrees the Equites saith he which heretofore followed and accompanied the Emperor are in the German Tongue called Knechtes that is Servitors or Ministers But our learned Cambden is of opinion that the word Knercht was in far more ancient times used and accepted as an honorary Title and among the old Germans signified a person armed with Spear and Launce the Ensigns of their Knighthood as in after times such were among other Nations adorned with a Girdle and Belt who are since called Equites Aurati and sometimes simply Milites In the last place we think it not amiss to say something here touching the usual and accustomed English word with us added to the names of Knights viz. Sir We note then that since Titles and honorary Appellations have been in use for anciently no other Appellations were used but only the persons names the word Sire in old French was taken to signifie Seignieur or Lord and though in Latin the word Dominus hath been indifferently attributed to all Degrees of Nobility yet in the Registries of the most noble Order of the Garter it is us'd with a distinction For wherever the Names of any of the Knights Companions are recorded if he be a Baron of the Kingdom it is exprest by Dominus and his Surname only added thereunto as for instance the Lord Cameux is termed Dominus de Cameux and so others whereas a Knight Baneret or Batchelor hath his Christian Name adjoined as Sir Iohn Chandos who was one of the first Founders of this most noble Order is stiled Dominus Iohannes Chandos Sir Walter Paâ—ely another of those Founders is written Dominus Gualterâ—s Paâ—ely and so of others Now this addition Sir is properly attributed to the Names of all Knights Banerets Knights of the Bath and Batchelor Knights the words sometimes pronounced at the time when they are dubbed being with this compellation to their Christian Names Arise Sir Iohn or Sir Thomas or whatsoever else is his Christian Name and therefore is accounted parcel of their stile as among the French Messire is used in the same nature But to Knights Baronets the addition of Sir is granted by a peculiar clause in their Patents of Creation to be prefixt to their Christian Names albeit they be not dubbed Knights How it came to be first given we cannot find but Custom from former times hath continued it to ours upon the Degrees before mentioned and divers of our old English Writers have bestowed it upon the major Nobility after they had been received into the Order of Knighthood Nevertheless though it be wholly uncertain when it first began to be used with us yet our learned Selden hath observed it in an Hebrew Star of King Edward the First 's time And in the life of Saint Thomas Becket written also about that Age we meet with the Title prefixt to the Names of the four Knights there called Luther Knigths who slew the said Saint Thomas His Knyghts tho hi i husde this hi stode some stille Hi bethoghte stillelich to pay the Kyng at wille Hour that mest â—rewen wer bithoghte of one gile Sir Renaud le uz Ours and Sir Hewe de Morbile And Sir William Trati and Sir Richard le Brut. SECT VI. The Ensigns of the Equestrian Order among the Romans THE Equestrian Order among the ancient Romans was conferr'd by particular Ceremonies to wit the donation of a Horse or giving of a Ring and these were accounted the two chief and principal Ensigns and Ornaments of that Order as appears out of Pliny and other Writers and both bestowed upon the publick account The giving of the publick or military Horse was a far more ancient Ceremony than that of bestowing the Ring there being a time when only those who received the publick Horse weâ—â— of the Equestrian Order and none other and this was long before the Gold Ring was used as a mark of this Honor. For it appears out of Livy that upon Servius his Institution of the Cense and his inrolling the Knights by it he forthwith took care to pay them out of the publick Treasure Ten thousand pieces of Brass Money to buy them Horses and certain Widows were assigned to pay two thousand pieces of like money annually towards the keeping of them Therefore saith the learned Salmasius no other were then enrolled in the Equestrian Order but such as had the Equestrian Cense and to whom a publick Horse was assigned And this is further evident from this passage in Pliny That the Name to wit Equites which was heretofore saith he derived from the â—ilitary Horses now the Iudges upon the account of money viz. the Censors bestow But here instead of the word Iudices the learned Critick Iustus Lipsius is rather willing to read Indices and we find the Letters n and u are frequently mistaken by Transcribers the one for the other which indeed seems as well sutable to the meaning which the whole sentence aims at for the former part thereof declares that the Rings were the Notes or Ensigns of the middle viz. Equestrian Degree and then according to Lipsius his correction of the word the latter part runs thus that the Name which formerly the military Horses gave the Notes and Indices of wealth did afterwards to wit in Pliny's time bestow And as the donation of a Horse was the ancienter badge of Knighthood so were those to whom it was given saith Iustus Lipsius most anciently properly and alone in times past called Equites The same Lipsius reflecting on the twofold Ensigns of Knighthood among the Romans makes a dichotomy of the Equestrian Order into those who had a publick Horse and others who had none but only the honor of wearing of a Gold Ring In succeeding times when the Custom was received of electing Knights as well by bestowing of a Gold Ring as formerly had been used by the single Ceremony of giving a publick Horse yet still to those who had the Equestrian Cense then was the number of these Knights very much increased whereupon no publick Horses were afterwards assigned but unto such as were ready to enter into the military service and to fight in the Legions and then also to such persons only who were chosen out of the Body Number and Order of the Knights to wit such as to whom there had not yet any publick Horse been assigned but were only known to be of that Order by wearing of a Gold Ring Those therefore to whom the publick Horse was then assigned were thenceforth
nature we shall touch upon the occasion of founding Societies and Orders of Knighthood in the times of Christianity The grounds of their Erection were several and different though all terminated in one common end among which the principal were these that follow First a perfect and sincere love to Honor and a regard had to the prudent management and continual advancement of Military Affairs and therein chiefly to excite and promote Virtue and to confer on it a sutable Reward Such was the Design of King Arthur of Britain who being wonderfully delighted with the valiant emulation and military experience of gallant and worthy men in whose policy strength and industry he might confidently and safely rely if need required in all urgent and hazardous enterprizes enjoined such as had especially signalized themselves by their Martial Actions a freedom and familiarity not only with one another but even with himself And further to honor and reward their valour and desert he formed himself and them into a Body and Fellowship which he stiled Knights of the Round Table Upon which account also the Military Orders of the Oak in Navarr the Gennet in France the Crown Royal among the Frizons the Dove in Castile and the Bear in Switzerland took their beginning and hitherto may be referr'd the foundation of the most Noble Order of the Garter as shall appear anon Secondly it is not altogether from our purpose that the generality of Romances and several modern and heroic Poems some of which are before remembred make such frequent meâ—tion of Knights Errant riding up and down to encounter Pagans for another famous cause of erecting Knightly Orders sprung from this occasion namely the Incursions and Robberies of the Saracens and Barbarians to repel the violence and cruelty whereof to vindicate the oppressed redeem the injured and enslaved to give entertainment and relief to Pilgrims and Strangers were part of the Duties to which the Knights Hospitallers Templers and those of Saint Iames in Gallicia stood engaged by their first foundation A third reason was to fight in defence of the Christian Faith against Pagans and Infidels to propagate the Christian Territories and to promote the service of the Catholick Church which was the chief cause why the Orders last mentioned were instituted as also those other of the Holy Sepulchre Calatrava Alcantara St. Saviour of Mount Royal our Lady of Montesa of Christ in Portugal and the Sword-Bearers in Livonia And indeed these were the main inducements that engaged them and many other Orders of Knighthood instituted in the Christian world to do famous things in the cause of Religion So that their holy zeal may be said to have very far contributed to the propagation and advancement of the Christian Profession since generally the Knights of these Orders have employ'd themselves in the service of God and spent their blood in the defence of his Faith against Saracens Turks and Vnbelievers Lastly when Soveraign Princes found themselves imbroiled in Wars or dangerous Factions a fourth reason of erecting such Orders was that they might by such a Tye as the Combination of many valiant Knights into a Fraternity restore Peace quiet all Jealousies unite Affections and secure unto themselves the alliance of lasting friendship and powerful assistance both for their own and their Countries safety and defence Hereupon do the Orders of the Dragon in Hungary of the Ermin as also the Knot in Naples and of St. Michael in France seem to have been erected And to what end were the Badges of such several Orders devised but to be distributed as Pledges of remembrance that thereby the sincerity of their love who had united themselves into a Brotherhood if at any time it should grow cold might be quickned and renewed and their Friendship increased and established So that though humane occurences might occasion a distance between them as to their persons yet were these Ornaments as so many Remembrances of the Faith and Oath whereby they were contracted into one Body and consequently of the harmony of minds and affections that ought to be among them SECT III. The division of Knightly Orders into Religious and Military HAving thus briefly toucht upon some general grounds and causes for instituting Orders of Knighthood in Christendom before we proceed to a particular account of the Orders themselves it will be further necessary to acquaint our Reader that the Knights of these Orders have been more especially divided into two kinds namely Religious or Ecclesiastical and Military or Secular which division we shall likewise follow in this place beginning with the Religious for the same reasons that in all Degrees of Honor which are esteemed of an equal rank the Ecclesiastick hath been allowed to precede the Temporal But we find that there hath risen much dispute among the Canonists touching several of those which we are to marshal under the title of Religious or as generally they are called Cruciseri to wit whether they be truly and properly Religious or not The Arguments on both sides are numerous and therefore we shall refer such as are desirous of a particular satisfaction in the case to a late Treatise written by Andreas Mendo a Iesuit who hath judiciously contracted the Arguments and cited the several Authors both of the Affirmative and Negative part thinking it enough here to give this following short account thereof Those Knights who have taken upon them the three solemn and substantial Vows of Religion namely Poverty Chastity and Obedience that is 1. Not to hold or possess any thing properly or peculiarly their own nor to dispose thereof but with the licence or allowance of the Master or Chief of the Order 2. To keep themselves single chaste and undefiled with Women And 3. to submit to the commands of their Master and to the Rules and Statutes of their Order they are we say without contradiction truly and properly accounted Religious and have been numbred among Religious and Ecclesiastical persons and consequently in spiritual concerns exempt from all spiritual or other Jurisdictions except the Masters or Prelates of their own Order as are the Knights of St. Iohn of Ierusalem But such of these as have permission to contract marriage and are either married or may marry and do prosess Conjugal Chastity viz. to enjoy only their own Wives are not by some simply and absolutely called or esteemed Religious but secundum quid and improperly of which sort are those of the Orders of St. Iames Calatrava Alcantara and Montesa in Spain and many others Nevertheless others conceive these aswel truly Religious seeing they vow Conjugal though not strict and absolute Chastity and this is the opinion of most And in truth the Vow of severe Chastity is not in this case wholly discharged but only dispensed with and that of Conjugal imposed instead thereof For the Popes never changed or abolished the religious state of Knights but only dispensed with them as
to Marriage whilst in other things they made no alteration but lest them whole and entire And therefore since we observe those Knights who vow absolute Chastity and those who profess Conjugal have alike received their approbation from the Papal See and that some Knights have not been accounted Religious before such time and until their rule of living hath been confirm'd to them from thence as is noted by those of St. Lazarus after which Confirmation all that enter into any Order are subject to the particular Rule so approved of unless for good cause they be dispensed with For these reasons we shall place both under the Title of Religious or Ecclesiastical Knights in the following Discourse SECT IV. Of Ecclesiastical Foundations dependant upon Military Orders BUT the Institutions of those Orders purely Military were after a while thought too weak to continue long if not sustained by Religion and Piety and too defective without adjoining Ecclesiastical persons thereunto Therefore the Founders considering that in all Councils and Affairs there should be a concurrence of Divine assistance and Military industry began to dedicate them principally to the Honor and Worship of God or to our Saviour or to the blessed Virgin or some other of the Saints thereby to gain no less the protection and favour of the Divine goodness on the behalf of the Founders and Knights Companions of such Orders in general than its especial assistance in their Councils Affairs or particular Enterprises And this they supposed more easily obtainable by the interposition of men eminent for their sincerity piety humility and devotion set apart and appointed to say Prayers sing Psalms and perform other Ecclesiastical Duties the efficacy of Religion consisting in the Offices of the Priests for the glory fidelity peace and safety of their Kingdoms and Subjects and the good success of their Military Undertakings Hereupon some of them at their first Institutions joined sacred Orders to their Militia and made provision for Ecclesiastical persons whose assigned Duty was to undertake the spiritual warfare and spend their time in Divine Offices and Devotions at home in their several Foundations for the prosperity of those undertakings wherein the Knights Companions themselves were engaged abroad either as to the defence of Christian Religion their Prince or Country THE Severall ENSIGNES of the RELIGIOVS ORDERS of KNIGHTHOOD mentioned in the second Chapter SECT V. A brief account of the Religious Orders of Knighthood NOw come we to deliver a short account of the Religious or Sacred Orders of Knighthood to which shall succeed those that are purely and compleatly Military in both which we shall principally take notice 1. Of the Time of their Institution 2. By whom founded and 3. The Habit and Ensigns bestowed upon each of them proceeding according to the antiquity of each Order's Foundation as we can best discover it and allowing their Precedency here for that cause rather than any other But forasmuch as the Institutions of some of these Orders of Knighthood are endeavoured to be made more ancient than there is good ground to believe we have therefore thought it needless having for the most part confin'd our Discourse to the three particulars now mentioned to engage our Pen too far where 't is almost impossible to set the Chronological part right and may very possibly give an occasion of Offence We have taken in all the Orders that we could meet with though some were obscure and but short-liv'd and others for other reasons may be thought inconsiderable judging them worthy of a place here with the most famous and known seeing once they had such in the Register of Honor. Lastly where the occasion is inserted whence as is affirmed some of them took their Original and this lookt upon as fabulous and romantick We must inform our Reader that we take not upon us to justifie all that is spoken to this point but suppose we have dealt fairly and candidly with him in placing our Authorities in the Margent and there lest them to be considered of where we hope they will be of strength at least sufficient to support the Text and justifie our integrity The Order of the Knights of the Holy Sâ—pulchre in Ierusalem 1. This Order of Knighthood though not so ancient as some would make it who refer the Original to St. Iames Bishop of Ierusalem to Constantine the Great and to Charles the Great nor so late as others would have it who say this Order was founded in the year of our Lord 1110. yet is it accounted the most ancient of all those Orders which took beginning in the Holy Land and as a judicious Divine of our Nation reports was instituted in the year 1099. at such time as the Temple of Ierusalem was regained from the Saracens which account perhaps he grounded upon the date given to the ancient Statutes of this Order established at Ierusalem on New-years-day in the year aforesaid and published by Mennenius As to the person by whom this Order was founded he refers it to Philip King of France but Andrew Favin will have it to be Baldwin the First King of Ierusalem For there having been while the Saracens possest that City certain Canons regular of the Order of St. Augustine to whom they permitted the Custody of the Holy Sepulchre of our Lord and whose Convent adjoined thereunto These Canons saith he did King Baldwin make men of Arms and Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and ordained that they should nevertheless retain their White Habit and on the breast thereof bear his own Arms which were Argent a Cross Potent Or between four Crossetts of the same commonly called the Ierusalem Cross. Their Great Master was the Patriarch of Ierusalem who had power granted from the Founder to confer the Order and to receive the three Vows of Poverty Chastity and Obedience The chief Duty whereunto these Knights were obliged by their profession was to guard the Holy Sepulchre the custody whereof was peculiarly committed to them to â—ight against the Saracens and Infidels with all their power to relieve and protect Pilgrims to redeem Christian Captives to hear Mass every day to recite the hours of the Cross and to bear the five red Crosses in memory of the five wounds of our Saviour They had their Rule confirm'd to them by Pope Innocent the Third When the Christians were driven out of the Holy Land these Knights retired into Europe and seated themselves at Perugia in Italy after which by consent and permission of the Soldan the custody of the Holy Sepulchre was committed to the Franciscan Fryars The Knights then in being retained yet their white Habit but changed their ancient Arms to a double red Cross. By the Bull of Pope Innocent the Eighth dated the 28. of March 1484. they and all their Goods were annexed and incorporated to the Knights Hospitalars of St. Iohn of
after when this Order was fallen into great decay it was given unto Don Gonçalionez Master of the Order of Calatrava by King Ferdinand the Saint in the year of our Lord 1221. by whose consent they were afterwards incorporated into the Order of Calatrava Moreover in the Instrument by which Alphonso the Ninth King of Castile gave the Lands to this Order which the Knights took from the Moors the Donation saith thus To you Don Rodrigo Gonçalez Master of Monfrac of the Order of Mount-Ioy They were also called saith Favin Equites de Truxillo or de Trugillo from a City of that name where they sometime resided but this will appear by and by to be a distinct Order united afterward to the Knights of Alcantara Knights of St. John of Acon or Acres 7. Under the Patronage of this Saint was this Order erected but the Original as to time uncertain The Knights thereof exercised all Duties of Charity towards those who went on Pilgrimage to visit the Holy Land and assumed the exercise of Arms in imitation of the Knights Hospitalars whence they became ranked amongst the Religious or Sacred Orders They followed the Rule of St. Augustine and according to Favin had a black Habit assigned them upon which they wore a White Cross Pattee After the City of Acon was taken they removed into Spain and flourished in that Kingdom in the Reign of Alfonsus the Astrologer King of Castile about which time Pope Alexander the Fourth approved the Order under the conjoined Title of St. Thomas and St. Iohn of Acon This King gave unto them by his Will all the Furniture of his House and very much Money but afterward they by little and little decayed until at length they were united with the Knights Hospitalars The Ensign of their Order saith Ios. Micheli Marquez was a Red Cross like to that of the Order of Montesa in the middle whereof stood the Figures of St. Iohn and St. Thomas which differs from what Favin hath before assigned but perhaps the colour of the Cross was changed to Red after their coming into Spain Knights of St. Thomas 8. There was another Order which as may be collected from Mennenius and Ios. Micheli was distinct from the former bearing the Title of St. Thomas but A. Mendo supposeth they were rather some of those which joined themselves to the Knights Hospitalars and the rather because they wore the same Habit with the Knights of St. Iohn of Acon they also made the same Professions followed the same Rule observed the same Constitutions and were approved and confirmed by Pope Alexander the Fourth and Fifth and Iohn the 22. Their Badge was a Saltire gules yet Micheli makes it the same with that of St. Iohn of Acon wanting the Figures in the middle But Andr. Favin reports though we meet with nothing in our English Histories to back him that this Order was Instituted by our King Richard the First after the surprisal of Acon and that these Knights were of the English Nation who wore a White Habit and a Red Cross charged in the middle with a White Escallop and lastly that they had for their Patron St. Thomas Becket This gives us occasion to remember here that we have some more Honor of this kind done our Nation by Strangers if it can be called an Honor to report those things of us which want ground and authority from our own Histories and Chronicles to support them viz. That Henry of England which by the note of time afterwards mentioned must be understood of our King Henry the Second visiting the Holy places in Ierusalem but we find not that he was ever there being moved with a pious zeal by the example of the Knights of the Sepulchre Instituted the Order of Iesus Christ of the holy Sepulchre in England in the year of our Lord 1174. giving to the Knights thereof the same Rules as had those of the Holy Sepulchre in Ierusalem which Order saith the same Author was confirm'd by Pope Alexander the Third under the Rule of St. Basil. Howbeit after the Christians were driven out of the Holy Land the Knights of this Order were joined to the Knights Hospitalars But we give the less credit to this formal account because we find no mention made thereof in any of our English Writers or Records Perhaps the Relator mistook them for the Canons regular but not Knights of the Holy Sepulchre who about that time lived amongst us and of whom the Antiquities of Warwick-shire give some account Knights of St. Blase 9. These were called also Knights de Sancta Maria and founded under the Rule of St. Basil. They were Officers and Servants to the Kings of Armenia and had assigned them for their Habit Skie-colour with a Cross gold worn before their breasts Others say a Red Cross and in the middle thereof the Picture of St. Blase their Patron This Order was at the height when the Armenian Kings of the House of Luzignam kept their Court in the City of Acon Knights of the Martyrs in Palestine 10. By the pious affection of some Noblemen there was erected in the Holy Land an Hospital dedicated to the holy Martyrs St. Cosmas and St. Damianus where all acts of charity were exercised towards sick strangers Their profession also obliged them to other works of mercy towards the poor to redeem Captives taken by the Saracens and to bury the dead These Knights followed the Rule of St. Basil which was confirmed to them by Pope Iohn the 22. They wore for the Badge of their Order a Red Cross and in the middle thereof within a Circle the Figures of the Saints Cosmas and Damianus were described Mennenius informs us that Hieron Romanus had seen some of these Knights wearing for their chief Ensign a Red Cross and professing the Rule of St. Augustine which perhaps was so changed when they retired into Europe Knights of St. Katharine at Mount Sinai 11. This Order received its Institution saith Ios. Micheli in the Year of our Lord 1063. under the Title and Patronage of St. Katharine whose body is reported to be deposited in Mount Sinai and the high Altar in the Church of the Monastery there dedicated to her name erected neer to the place where she was interred The end for which these Knights were at first Instituted and the sum of their profession was to guard and keep safe the Sepulchre of St. Katharine to secure the ways for Travellers to defend and protect the Graecian Pilgrims who came thither for devotions sake and to relieve and entertain them with convenient Hospitality Their Habit was White and they lived under the Rule of St. Basil the Great making their Vows of conjugal chastity and obedience to the Abbot of this Monastery who was their Superiour or Master But when those
other persons to them instituted this Order who before they took upon them the Habit of Religion assumed to themselves the Letter Thau for the Badge or Ensign of their Order Yet Alfonsus Ciaconius makes this Order more ancient affirming that Gaston and Guind whom Baronius calls Gerin instituted it before the year of our Lord 1092. The Order of the Constantinian Angelick Knights of St. George in Greece but now in Italy 13. We shall be somewhat large in the account of this Order because we have met with little of it besides what is delivered by Ioseph Micheli Marquez a Spanish Writer in his Tesoro Militar de Cavalleria from whom And. Mendo hath collected all he saith of it as also for that it appears he was Vice-Chancellor thereof which makes us presume he might be enabled to give a fuller and more particular account of it to the world than others and to say truth the History of it set down by him is large enough Nor do we call in question the authority of his attestations from the time of Angelus Flavius Comnenus and the Confirmation given this Order by Pope Leo the First under the Rule of St. Basil which perhaps should be understood as they were Monks rather than Knights But our Author not content with an original of that Age which if granted to him will make this Institution elder than either the Knights of the Sepulchre Hospitalars or Templars and consequently high enough to be one of the first military Orders in Christendom must needs derive a formal Institution Rules and Laws from Constantine the Great and vouch for it an Inscription not mentioned by any other in the Capitol at Rome From which account of his though it appears little better than a fabulous story grounded at best upon some uncertain Tradition and in several things smelling of novelty we shall nevertheless extract what is most material to our purpose This ancient and as our Author calls it the first Military Order in Christendom took beginning from the Emperor Constantine the Great and from him was entituled the Military Order of Constantine the Emperor It was called also Angelical because the Cross with this Inscription In hoc signo vinces was shewed from Heaven to that Emperor by an Angel and thence they of the Family descended from him among whom were the Great Masters of the Order took the name de Angelis As to the description of this Cross and the form thereof Eusebius may be consulted who in the Life of Constantine not only affirms that this Emperor himself vouched the truth of this Miracle to him with an Oath but describes the Figure thereof which the Emperor gave directions to be made of Gold and precious Stones according to the Pattern he had seen in the Skie and thence-forward caused the Figure of this Cross to be carried before his Army instead of the golden Standard formerly used and to be engraven upon the Armour of the Legionary Soldiers He also reports that upon Constantines triumphal entrance into Rome after his Victory over Maxentius he erected many Crosses with Inscriptions to indear the Sign thereof into all mens affections and amongst the rest commanded his own Statue to be placed in the chiefest part of the City holding a Banner of the Cross with the following Inscription engraven below it HOC SALVTARI SIGNO VERO FOR TITVDINIS INDICIO CIVITATEM VESTRAM TYRANNIDIS JVGO LIBERAVI ET S.P.Q.R. IN LIBERTATEM VINDICANS PRISTIN AE AMPLITVDINI ET SPLENDORI RESTITVI This Order had also the Epithet Golden adjoin'd because that instead of the Collar of Gold which the ancient Emperors his Predecessors used to give in reward of Virtue and military Service this Emperor gave a Collar of Gold composed of these three Characters A x Ω at which was fastned a Cross like that which appeared to him and thereunto the Image of St. George to confirm which saith our Author there is to be seen but we much doubt in the Capitol at Rome a Marble whereon are armed Knights engraven and an Inscription speaking thus Constantine the Great Emperor after he was cleansed of his Leprosie by the means of sacred Baptism thus created Golden Knights with the Cross for defence of the Christian name He further informs us that Constantine elected fifty illustrious Grandees of his Empire to be Knights of this Order to whom he gave the Standard of the Labarum and likewise a Collar of Gold to which the Figure of the Labarum and a Cross were dependant together with several Constitutions and Laws and that he instituted this Order with the consent and approbation of Pope Sylvester As also that it was confirmed by Pope Leo the First whose Bull for assigning to the Knights thereof the Rule of St. Basil dated the 20. of Iuly anno Domini 456. Prince Alexius Angelus being then Great Master he transcribes at large That it received further confirmation and approbation from the Popes Iulius the Third Calixtus the Third Pius the Second Sixtus the Fourth Innocent the Eighth Paul the Third Sixtus the Fifth Clement the Eighth Pius the Fifth Gregory the Fifteenth and Vrban the Eighth And whilst it flourished in Greece was confirmed and augmented with large Priviledges by divers succeeding Grecian Emperors namely Leo the First Isaac Angelus anno Dom. 1191. whose Diploma this Author also gives us dated the 13. of Sept. in the year aforesaid and of his Empire the Seventh by Michael Paleologus anno 1294. by Isaac Angelus anno 1295. and lastly by Ferdinand the Second Emperor of Germany at Ratisbone anno 1630. who recommended to his Catholique Majesty the restauration of this Order because those who had been Great Masters thereof were allied to him and of the Family of Angelus Flavius Comnenus which recommendation was sent to that King by the then Great Master Don Iohn Andrea Angelo Flavio Comneno The Great Masters of this Order have their chief Seat and Convent now at Brianno a Town nigh to Venice the Dignity yet continuing in the Line of Angelo Flavio Comneno howbeit among the Priviledges granted by the Emperor Isaac Angelus one is That if the Family of Angelus Flavius Comnenus should be extinguished the Collared Knights may elect from among themselves a Great Master Among the many Prerogatives granted to this Order by the Imperial Priviledges and Papal Bulls we shall mention a few by which may be understood something of the grandeur thereof to wit that the Great Masters are Commensales Pontificum and have the priviledge of sitting at the Table with the Pope by whom they are defended and supported as Benefactors to the Church and Founders of the Lateran Cathedral in Rome They are persons of great note and authority in that they are subject to no Prince and therefore have the power of coining Money They give titles of Counts Princes and such others and of Reverend to their own Fraternity They
Alcantara make always their protestation against it and so this matter rests still undecided After this pretension of being exempted from obedience to the Order of Calatrava Benedict the Thirteenth one of the Anti-Popes changed their Badge into a Cross Flory vert in the year of our Lord 1411. and this they wore upon the left shoulder of their Scapulary for the Badge of their Order The Examination of the Candidates and in what manner they receive the Habit is related at full by Ioseph Micheli Marquez The Catholick Kings Don Fernando and Donna Isabella having about three years before obtained the Administration of the Order of Calatrava for their lives had an eye also upon this of Alcantara and therefore endeavoured that at the first time the Mastership thereof should fall vacant to gain it likewise with the like Title of Administrator to avoid several inconveniences that had hapned to the Crown of Castile when the Master of Alcantara did confederate with the King of Portugal Hereupon in the year of our Lord 1492. they made their address to Pope Innocent the Eighth that he would reserve to himself the provision of the supreme Dignity of this Order whensoever it became vacant either by the death or renunciation of the then Master Don Iohn de Cuniga or after any other manner Upon this address the Pope did accordingly reserve the disposing thereof as was desired and then gave it in Administration to the said Kings that they two should govern this Order under that Title until such time as his Holiness should provide a Master A little after Pope Innocent dyed and Alexander the Sixth succeeded who at the like supplication of these Kings confirmed and of new granted what his Predecessor had granted them before Upon which anno 1494. they treated with Don Iohn de Cuniga for the renunciation of his Mastership yet with condition to reserve to himself all the Rents of the Masters Table that he held in that part of Serena to which he consented Whereupon he resigned and surrendred his Dignity of Master of this Order into the hands of the Pope which the Bishop of Valencia received by Commission back from him and gave the Possession thereof in administration to the said Catholick Kings After this manner it was that these Kings succeeded in the Administration of the Mastership of Alcantara in the year of our Lord 1494. which they held during their lives But it was not long e're Pope Adrian the Sixth annexed this Mastership together with those other of St. Iames and Calatrava to the Royal Crown of Castile for ever as hath been before observed Knights of Trugillo or Truxillo in Spain 20. Ioseph Micheli Marquez professeth that it had been his great endeavour to satisfie himself about the Foundation of this Order notwithstanding which neither by information from the Natives of the City of Trugillo a Town situate in Estremadura in Spain nor otherwise from History could he understand when or by whom it was erected Evident it is these Knights were in being in the year of our Lord 1227. though it be unknown how long before they had their beginning But because it is found in some slight memorials of the Order of Alcantara That Don Arias Perez Gallego elected Master of that Order in the year before mentioned took Trugillo from the Moors and there placed a Fraternity or Brotherhood of Knights and Priests who lived after the manner of a Convent therefore it is presumed that they were no other than of the Order of Alcantara Now it is certain that there was a Convent and Order of the Fraternity of Trugillo but it is not so certain that these were of Alcantara It rather seems to be the opinion of Fr. Rades y Andrada that these had been some other and a distinct Order of Knighthood by it self which he collects from a Donation of Lands that King Don Alonso the Ninth gave them some years after viz. in the Aera of Caesar 1233. of the Towns of Trugillo Sancta Cruz Zuferola Canaba and Albala in which it appears that several years before the time of Don Arias there were Brothers or Knights of Trugillo It is not unlikely therefore that this Order might be incorporated into that of St. Iulian de Pereyro and by this means the Order of Alcantara pretend these Towns to be theirs which in the Reign of King Don Alonso the Ninth of Castile and King Don Fernando of Leon were taken by force of Arms from the Moors and given to the Fraternity of Knights who kept their Convent in Trugillo Hieronymus Romanus saith that these Knights were of noble descent and that no man was admitted into this Order unless he first made proof of his Gentility But there is not any Writer that gives an account what was the Ensign or Badge of their Order It is guessed by Marquez that their Institution obliged them to be neer the person of the King and upon every martial Expedition that he undertook to attend him armed and well provided maintaining always two Horses and Servants to be in readiness such for services The Order of Knights of Calatrava in Castile 21. This ancient Order of Knighthood was instituted in Castile and took beginning under the Reign of Don Sanchio the Third and appellation from the Castle Calatrava being a Frontire both of Castile and Toledo which Castle the Moors took upon their Victory over Don Rodrigo King of Spain anno Dom. 714. The word is compounded of Cala signifying in Arabick a Castle and of the Spanish word Travas which signifies Manacles Gives or Irons to fasten about the feet and wrists of Captives for with such as these the Moors lockt up and fettered the Christians whom they held Prisoners in that Castle After its recovery from the Moors who had held it above 400 years it was given by Don Alphonso surnamed the Emperor of Spain to the Knights Templars of whose virtue that Age had a great opinion to be made a Bulwark against the Inrodes of the Moors being the very Key into the Kingdom of Toledo but they no way able to hold it withdrew their Garrison and what with the Knights Templars deserting it and the approach of the Moors all others were disheartned from accepting the place although the foresaid King Sanchio Son of Don Alphonso the Emperor had caused it to be proclaimed at his Court that whosoever would take upon them the defence thereof to them he would freely give it and to their Heirs for ever At length one Don Raymond native of Barcelona formerly a Knight of great renown then Abbot of the Monastery of St. Mary de Fitero of the Cistertian Order in the Kingdom of Navarr by the advice of Diego Velasquez of the same Order being then at Court accepted of the Kings proffer and took upon him the fortifying and maintaining this Castle and
Clement the Eighth in the fifth year of the Reign of this King Iames as is manifest from several authentick testimonies collected and alledged by Alphonsus Remon in his History of this Order The end of its Institution and the Profession and Obligation of the Knights was in effect the same with that vowed by King Iames in his Captivity to wit to gather Alms and to go in person to redeem Christian Slaves who either by Piracy the chance of War or other sad accident had fallen into the hands of the Moors This work prospered so well that Pedro Nolasco being first sent into the Kingdom of Valentia to make redemption of Captives redeemed four hundred within the space of six years after the Foundation of the Order This Pedro Nolasco was by the Founder constituted the first General or Head of the Order but as concerning the person that gave the Habit to him there are these three opinions First That it was by the hands of King Iames the Founder Secondly That Rerengario Pallovasino Bishop of Barcelona gave it Thirdly That he received it from Raymond de Penafort all which our Author sets down but there determines nothing only seems inclinable to the first opinion as most rational because the King was Founder and was so called by the blessed Virgin in the Vision and for that the Order it self was at first composed meerly of Laymen and wholly military and so declared by the Popes Boniface the Eighth and Clement the Fifth Besides their Laws are in favour of those that are of this opinion and exclude out of this Act judicially Kingly all Ecclesiastical ones and by the same reason the Bishop for saith the Canon of their Law A Priest ought not to make Knights But afterwards in another place he absolutely concludes that the King himself gave the Habit to Nolasco from the evidence he exhibits out of a Letter which King Don Pedro the Fourth sent to Pope Innocent the Sixth Such a like Habit as was given to Nolasco was also prescribed to the first Knights viz. a Coat and Scapular of a common sort of coarse White Cloth Their Coat was garnished with Cordons and Ribbons wherewith they fastned it about their necks and from the upper end thereof issued a Cap that covered half their head The Monks wore their Coats and Scapulars reaching down to their feet but those of the Knights were much shorter and the form of their Coat or rather Mantle and Cap was the same as they now wear When the Government of the Order became both spiritual and temporal as well the Knights as Monks were commanded by order of Chapter to keep the manner and form of their Habit apart according to the intention of the first appointment In the time and upon request of Gulielmo de Bas the second General of this Order King Iames the Founder by his Diploma dated at Saragosa the 15. of Iuly anno 1251. granted unto him and all the Fraternity of the Order That they should wear upon their Scapulars an Escotcheon of Aragon viz. Or four Pales Gules and above that the White Cross of the Church of Barcelona in a Red Field which two Coats being joined together per Fess in one shield were so born for sometime but afterwards came to be encompassed with a Border The Knights wore their Escotcheon of Arms sixt on their Scapulars but the Monks on their Mantles and both before upon their Breasts The Founder by his Diploma dated at Valentia the 14. of March anno Dom. 1254. granted particular Priviledges to the Order which he confirmed by another royal Instrument dated at Lirida the third of March anno 1275. Besides these Royal Grants this Order received approbation from the Papal See namely from Pope Gregory the Ninth in the eighth year of his Papacy on the day of St. Anthony the Abbot who prescribed to the Master and Fraternity the Rule of St. Augustine It was afterwards confirmed by Alexander the Fourth as appears by a Bull of his wherein he granted them several Indulgences and dated at Naples the 10. of April in the first year of his Papacy These Knights professed conjugal Chastity and Obedience to their Superiors In time this Order also which was at first solely under the Government of Knights came to be as well Spiritual as Temporal and at length fell into the power of the Monks and Priests For the Knights and Priests falling at variance about the election of a General of their Order upon the death of Arnoldo Rosiniol their seventh General who died anno 1317. the Knights having chosen Berengario Hostales and the Priests Raimundo Alberto they appealed to the Pope Iohn the 22. then holding the Chair who it seems the 17. of November in the year aforesaid declared That the Order seeming inclinable to be governed after the manner of Monks he thought it convenient for them to have a Master General which should be a Priest and that for the future no Lay-man should be elected General and so determined the controversie on the behalf of the Priests This Judgment gave the Knights so great discontent that one of them being Kinsman to the Governor of the new erected Order of Montesa offered to bring over to that Society all the Knights of Merced being then threescore in number which being accepted of he did so and from henceforth they became incorporated with the Knights of Montesa So that ever since the whole Fraternity have been only Priests and no Lay or Military person among them and therefore Andr. Mendo reckons this Order among those that are extinct The Master General is also a Priest and hath his residence at Barcelona by the Decrees of Popes Clement the Fifth and Iohn the 22. Raymond de Penasort the Founder's Confessor called also Raymond of Barcelona because it was the place of his Birth who had a powerful hand in the Institution of this Order and devised the Statutes lived neer to the age of an hundred years he was canonized for a Saint and the 7. of Ianuary appointed for his Anniversary by the Bull of Pope Clement the Eighth On the 12. of Iuly anno 1664. the approbation of the Colledge passed for making the 29. of Ianuary the Anniversary of Petro Nolasco Confessor the other great assister and first General of the Order The Office appointed for that day may be seen in the Missale Romamum printed lately at Paris in the large Volume This way of Canonizing holy men by the Popes is said to have been first used by Leo the Third anno Dom. 803. who then solemnly Canonized Suibert Bishop of Werden To conclude the charitable and pious work for which this Order was erected hath been carried on from the time of its Institution and managed by the Fraternity thereof with all religious care and faithfulness very great sums of Money being
in so great renown that many worthy Knights came from all parts to his Court as to a Seminary of military Discipline to give evidence of their valour in the exercise of Arms. This gave him occasion to select out of these and his own Subjects a certain number some say 24. of the most valiant Knights whom himself being chief he united into a Fellowship or Order and to avoid controversie about priority of place when they met together at meat he caused a Round Table to be made whereat none could be thought to sit higher or lower than another and thence they were called Knights of the Round Table At the upper end of the great Hall in Winchester Castle I remember to have seen a large Round Table hang against the wall called King Arthurs Round Table and affirmed by the Inhabitants who had taken up the report upon vulgar Tradition to have been as ancient as that Kings time but it carried no very great show of antiquity to a judicious eye however it seemed to have been set up either in the room of one more ancient or else by some who were perswaded there was once such an Order of Knights which had been denominated thence This old Monument was broken to pieces being before half ruined through age by the Parliaments Soldiers in the beginning of the late unhappy War because looked upon as a relique of Superstition as were those little gilded Coffers with Inscriptions that did preserve the bones of some of the Saxon Kings and Bishops deposited by Bishop Fox in the top of the Walls on both sides the upper part of the Quire of the Cathedral Church of that City though guilty of nothing but the crime of reverend Antiquity Into this noble Society of Knights were admitted not only Britains but also Strangers of other Nations who out of a desire of glory came over hither to make proof of their sufficiency in the exercise of Arms with the British Knights and the general qualifications for Election were that they should be persons of Nobility and Dignity renowned for Virtue and Valour and admirably well skill'd in the knowledge and use of Arms. The place where the Founder first Instituted this Order saith Sir Iohn Froisard was at Windsor and those other of note where he and his Knights usually assembled were Carleon in Monmouthshire Winchester and Camelot in Somersetshire and the time of the year for their meeting was Whitsontide The Articles of their profession are set down by Sir William Segar which are in number twelve and if any be desirous to read the Names of the first twenty four Knights he shall not only have them from Monsieur Boisseau in his Promptuaire Armorial but of 129 more of this Order elected in seven following Chapters nay more then that the formal blazon of all their Arms but these particulars may be justly ranked with what is fabulous in King Arthurs story We read not of any Badge peculiarly assigned to these Knights though Ios. Micheli in allusion to their Title takes upon him to give the Figure of a Round Table furnished with Cloth Bread Salt Knives Bottle and Bowl but we have not authority enough to follow him However it gives us occasion here to acquaint our Reader that King Arthur himself is reported to bear a Shield called Pridwen whereon was painted the Image of the blessed Virgin his Sword and Launce also were not without their names for the one it seems was called Caliburn the other Irone or Rone It is not remembred by any that this Order survived its Founder but rather that it extinguished at his death for it is related that most of those Knights whom he had drawn from several Countries and advanced to a Companionship with himself bore him company in death and perished in that fatal Battel of Kamblan or Cambula now Camelsford in Cornwal where though he killed Mordred his Enemy upon the place yet being sorely wounded he survived him but a short time and dyed in the year of our Lord 542. It may add some reputation to King Arthurs Round Table if we here note that the like Round Table grew into great estimation and request shortly after the Norman Conquest and continued long with us being ordinarily set up at the grand martial Exercises called Hastiludes Tilts or Turneaments permitted by King Stephen and much encouraged by King Richard the First for the delight of men inclined to military actions and increase of their skill in the management of Arms and for the same end and purpose as King Arthur made use of it no less than in memorial and remembrance that he had erected an Order of Knighthood denominated therefrom those times being throughly perswaded of the truth of that story Besides it is recorded that Roger Mortimer Earl of March held the celebration of the Round Table consisting of an hundred Knights and as many Ladies with Tilting and Turneaments at Kenelworth Castle in Warwick-shire anno 7. E. 1. and that King Edward the Third having designed to restore the Honor of the Round Table held a Juste at Windsor in the 18. year of his Reign but there is an old Manuscript Chronicle that hath these words King Edward in his nineteenth year first began his Round Table and ordain'd the day annually to be kept there at Whitsontide and this meeting in truth occasioned the Foundation of the most noble Order of the Garter as shall be noted by and by But it was thought fit sometimes and upon divers accounts to forbid these kind of Assemblies upon very great penalties as in particular anno 16. H. 3. at Shrewsbury when the King went to meet Llewalyn Prince of Wales called in the Record Prince of Aberfraw and Snowden and afterwards at Walden in the 36. year of the said Kings Reign and at many other times The Order of the Oak in Navarre 2. The Kingdom of Navarre being opprest by the Moors the Inhabitants were forced to seek deliverance by Arms to which end though they had raised a great Army yet were they destitute of an experienced Commander at length Don Garcia Ximenes of the blood of the Gothes who had formerly retired from the world to a solitary and religious life was perswaded to relinquish the same and take upon him the Command of the Army As he was marching out of the City to encounter the Moors in the year of our Lord 722. there appeared to him from the top of an Oak the sign of the Holy Cross adored by an infinite number of Angels Proceeding on he gave battel to the Moors and having gained a remarkable Victory the people elected him their King and upon this occasion he became the first King of that Country Some few days after in thankfulness to God for this great Victory he instituted this Order investing therewith even all the Nobles of his Kingdom whom he
obliged to defend the Christian Faith and acknowledge Obedience to his Successors Kings of Navarre He ordained the Habit of the Order to be White and the Ensign thereof a plain Red Cross set on the top of a green Oak which gave the Title after the same manner as it appeared to him but time hath darkned this Order not only in its heroick actions but laudable Foundation since we find no further memorial of it The Order of the Gennet in France 3. To preserve the memory of that famous Battel fought neer Tours anno Christi 726. or as Mennenius margins it about the year 738. where 385000 Sarâ—cens and Moors together with their General Abdiramo fell by the conquering Sword of Charles Martel and to reward those who had behaved themselves valiantly in that action the said Charles instituted an Order of Knighthood under the Title of the Gennet The great number of rich Gennet Furs anciently esteemed among them the most excellent though since the Ermine hath gained a better value as also of the Creatures themselves alive taken among the Spoils of that Victory giving him occasion to bestow that name upon his new erected Order But others not improperly impute the reason of this appellation to a kind of neat shap'd Horses of which not unlikely a great part of the Founders Cavalry might consist The Knights saith Favin were sixteen whose Collars were made of three Chains of Gold interwoven or linked with Red Roses at the end of which Collar hung a Gennet of Gold Black and Red sitting on a flowry bank all enamell'd with variety of Colour and Art And in further honor of this Institution the Founder not only renewed the â—se of Gold Rings so peculiar of old to the Equestrian Order among the Romans but caused them and all other Ornaments of this Order to be engraven and wrought with the Effigies of a Gennet This is accounted by Favin the first Order of Knighthood among the French which is to be understood of a distinct Order acknowledged by a particular and peculiar Title and continued in glory until the institution of the Order of the Star some say but till the Reign of St. Lewis after which time it was laid aside But though Favin be thus particular as to the Institution of this Order and the occasion thereof the exact number of Knights and especially in assigning a Collar with the Ensign hanging at it sutable to the mode of later times yet some other of his Countrymen wanting the assurance and authority of ancient Writers to back them are not confident enough to perswade the world that there was ever any such The Order of the Crown Royal among the Frizons 4. The erection of this Order is referred to Charles the Great Son of King Pepin in the year of Christ 802. which more fully appears in his pragmatical Sanction then dated at the Lateran Palace in Rome and instituted out of a design to honor and reward those among the Frizons who had behaved themselves valiantly in his Armies against the Sesnes or ancient Saxons or as others say against the Lombards in subduing that Kingdom and to stir up and encourage others to emulate their virtue This Order was so called from the Ensign appointed to the same namely an Imperial Crown embroidered with Gold which the Knights used to wear upon the breasts of their Habit and to perpetuate this Militia he ordained that the Governor of that Country whom they then called Potestat should confer the same upon such as had followed the Armies of France as well in Italy as Germany for five years together at their own expence by which means the Emperor was served at a less charge The Knights were invested with the Military Belt and a box on the Ear of which we have spoken in the first Chapter The Order of the Dog and Cock in France 5. The Institution of this Order of the Dog and Cock is generally attributed to the Family of Montmorency in France and it is more particularly affirmed by Robertus Caenalis to have been erected by the first Christian of that Family called Protochristianus Archibaro which causeth us to bring in this Order here neer to the Age he lived in but to say truth as to the Institution it self or to the time thereof there is not any more certain or more satisfactory account than that anciently this Family carried a Dog the Embleme of fidelity and sincerity upon their Helmet for a Crest and that Peter Montmorency was a Knight of the Order of the Cock which Bird was called by the Ancients the Bird of Mars But some make two distinct Orders of this and after that of the Dog they say another Order viz. of the Cock was also Instituted whose Collar had the Comb of a Cock pendent thereat the Motto being Vigiles howbeit afterwards both these Orders came to be united and hereupon the Ensign was then the Effigies both of a Dog and Cock joined together Moraeus relates that Burchard Montmorency appeared at the Court of Philip the First King of France attended with many Knights and all of them like himself adorned with Collars of Gold composed of Stag-heads whereat hung the Figure of a Dog whence we may presume that it had some relation to the more ancient Order of which this was the Badge or Ensign The Order of the Thistle in Scotland 6. Iohn Lesley Bishop of Ross reports that a bright Cross appeared from Heaven in fashion of that whereon St. Andrew suffered Martyrdom to Hungus King of the Picts but Favin saith to the Scots whom Achaius King of Scotland sent to his assistance the night preceding the Battel with Athelstan King of England or rather of Denmark to whom King Alured had given the Kingdom of Northumberland over whom Hungus prevailing bore the Figure of that Cross at all times after in his Ensigns and Banners and from this time and occasion hath the like bearing thereof been religiously observed by all succeeding Kings of Scotland Hence also it is believed saith Mennenius that the Equestrian Order of St. Andrew vulgarly called of the Thistle took beginning To this agrees the relation which I received from Sir Charles Areskin now Lyon King of Arms in Scotland through the favour of the Right Honorable the Earl of Lauderdail who adds that after this Victory obtained which was as he saith anno 819. but according to George Buchanan Achains dyed 9 years before King Hungius and Achaius Confederates against Athelstan went in solemn Procession bare-footed to the Kirk of St. Andrew to thank God and his Apostle for their Victory promising that they and their Posterity in time coming would ever use in their Ensigns the Cross of St. Andrew whensoever they undertook any warlike Expedition which custom not only remained among the Picts but is still among the Scots to this
Vrsus of the Theban Legion who was martyr'd before the Temple of the Sun at Soleurre in Switzerland as also of St. Gall from the name of the Patron of the place where it received Institution This Order continued among the Switzers till they became a Common-wealth and then the Castles and strong holds of the Noblemen and Gentry of the Country being dismantled the use thereof was wholly laid aside The Order of the Broom Flower in France 11. Saint Lewis King of France saith Favin instituted this Order to honor the Coronation of Margaret his Queen eldest Daughter of Berengâ—rius Count of Provence anno Dom. 1234. The Habit appointed for the Knights were Cassocks of White Damask and Violet Chaperons the Collar was composed of Broom Flowers of the native colours interlaced with Flowers de Lis hanging thereat a Cross Florence Gold to which was added this Inscription Exaltat humiles the Founder accounting it the Symbol of humility As to the number of the Knights it was not made certain by the Founder but wholly depended on the will of the Sovereign This Order continued to the death of King Charles the Fifth Notwithstanding all that Favin thus relates the Saincte Marthe's are of opinion for the reason before noted that neither this St. Lewis nor the before mentioned King Robert nor King Charlemain did ever institute any Military Order of Chevalry And Mennenius reports that Charles the Sixth is said to have been the Founder of the Knights of the Broom Flower if this be true the Order will want many years of that antiquity which Favin bestows upon it Peter Bellay rather thinks this later Institution not to have been any Order of Knighthood but a Company of young Esquires the Sons of Noblemen who attended King Charle's person as a Life-Guard or as Esquires of the Body and were oftentimes imployed to interpret the messages of Embassadors from foreign parts The Order of the Ship and double Crescent in France 12. Mennenius acknowledgeth that of old there was such an Order in France erected in honor of the great atchievements that Nation did by Sea but by whom it was founded or at what time doth not appear from him Yet Favin is full in both for he affirms that the before mentioned St. Lewis after the Institution of the Broom Flower erected this likewise for animating the Nobility of France by this new prize of honor to accompany him in his Voyage into Africa 1269. The Collar was interlaced with double Escallops of Gold and double Crescents of Silver interwoven and fastned together with double Gold Chains at which the Figure of a Ship was pendent in an Oval of Gold This Order continued in France after the death of St. Lewis no longer than those Knights lived who were admitted thereinto by him but it was retained by Charles Brother of the said St. Lewis and by him setled in Sicily where it remained in request with his Successors until the Kings of Aragon gained that Kingdom Knights of St. James in Holland 13. Albertus Miraeus from an old Dutch Register called Register der Ridderscap or the Register of the Order of Knighthood informs us That Florentius Earl of Holland and Zeland and Lord of Friseland in the year 1290. bestowed the Ensigns of his Order of St. Iames in the Hall of his Palace at the Hague upon twelve of his principal Nobility whose names he sets down among whom the second in rank is Lancelot Lord Hamilton then Embassador from the King of Scots The Knights of this Order were invested with a Collar of Gold or military Belt of Silver and gilt adorned with six Escallops whereat was appended the Picture of St. Iames the Apostle All the Knights Shields whereon were painted their proper Arms were delivered to Iohn Paypaert Herald of Holland and by him hung up in the great Hall of the Palace at the Hague in perpetual memory and testimony of this Institution Order of the Swan in Cleveland 14. If ever there was an Order there under that Title it hath been very ancient and long since laid aside yet Favin says the Princes of Cleve have born the Swan for their Order Devise Crest and Supporters to preserve the memory of the Knight of the Swan the Romance of whose Adventures he also sets down and further reports that Charles Gonzaga of Cleve Duke of Nivers and Retelois had it in design to re-establish this Order peculiar to the House of Cleve The Knights of Jesus at Rome 15. The Popes of Rome as they are Lords Paramount of St. Peters Patrimony are Temporal Princes upon which account to honor the Nobles principally of that Territory and others they have erected and established certain Orders of Knighthood as well Religious as Military but all of them Stipendaries to the Papal See Of the former sort we have spoken before in the last Chapter but this being esteemed a Military Order we therefore place it here It was instituted by Pope Iohn the 22. at Avignon in France anno 1320. and much augmented by Paul the Fifth The Knights wear for the Badge of this Order a plain Cross gules inclosed within a Cross Patee Or hanging at a Gold Chain In the Month of Ianuary 1668 9. Pope Clement the Ninth created three of the Ambassadors from the Catholick Cantons in Switzerland with the accustomed Ceremony himself putting on their Gold Chains with the Ensigns appendant and the Captain of his Guards girding their Swords about them Order of the White Eagle in Poland 16. The information we have of this Order is from Favin also who saith that Ladislaùs the Fifth King of Poland instituted the same to honor the marriage of his Son Casimire the Great with Anne Daughter of Gedimir Duke of Lithuania in the Month of February in the year of our Lord 1325. The Ensign hereof was a White Eagle crowned The Order of Knights de la Banda in Castile 17. This Order of Knights called de la Banda was erected by Alphonsus the Eleventh King of Leon and Castile in the City of Victoria anno 1332. but Favin from Antonio de Guevara saith it was in the City of Palencia anno 1330. and Sansovin in Burgos anno 1368. For this King considering that he had to do with many Enemies could find no better way to secure himself than by erecting this Order and constituting himself Master thereof which he did a little before his Coronation Shortly after saith Mennenius to wit anno 1332. the Solemnity of this Order was celebrated in the City of Burgos where on the Eve thereof in the Monastery of St. Mary Royal each of the Candidates was conducted by the King to the Altar and having there laid down his Arms spent the whole night in watching and Prayer The next day after Mass he was invested with a Red military Belt or a Ribband of four fingers broad
the Senate sees fitting and for asmuch as the Senate is a representation of the whole Common-wealth and that the Creations of these Knights are confirmed by publick Decrees it is taken that the Knights of their creating are of greater Dignity than those made by the Duke When the Creation is in a full Colledge whether it be by the Senate or the Duke only the Collar and Medal is bestowed at the publick Charge but when by the Duke privately then upon his particular expence These Knights wear the Honor among other Titles of Dignity as I have seen it inscribed about the Effigies of Sir Daniel Heinsius thus DANIEL HEINSIVS D. MARCI EQVES ILLVSTR. HOLLANDIAE ORDINVM HISTORICVS POLITICVS ET HISTORIARVM PROFESSOR BIBLIOTHECARIVS ACADEMIAE ET SECRETARIVS And among those other Titles given to that famous Mathematician and Astrologer Sir Andrew Argoll that of his Knighthood by this Title is also thus inserted ANDREAS ARGOLVS D. MARCI EQVES ET IN CELEBERRIMO LYCEO PATAVINO PROFESSOR MATHEMATICVS The Order of Seraphins in Sweden 20. In the year of our Lord 1334. Magnus the Fourth King of Sweden in imitation of other Christian Princes who had established Military Orders instituted this of the Seraphins or Seraphick Knights otherwise surnamed of Iesus in memory of the Siege laid to the Metropolitan City of Vpsala The Collar of this Order was composed of Seraphins and Patriarchal Crosses the former of Gold enamelled Red the later also of Gold but without any enamel At the end thereof hung the Image of Christ in an Oval Favin saith it was this Cipher IHS composed of three Letters and signifying the name of Iesus and in point four Nails But elsewhere 't is said to be the Figure of the blessed Virgin Mary and to make the thing yet more uncertain another tells us it was a Patriarchal Cross that hung thereat The Order of the Sword and Military Belt in Sweden 21. We find mention made of another Order of Knights in Sweden called of the Sword and Military Belt whose Collar consisted of Swords and Belts conjoyn'd the Symbols of Justice and Love the Swords somewhat bending towards the point and so joined point to point round into a Circle But by whom or when this Order was instituted we are not yet informed The Order of the Knot in Naples 22. When Lewis King of Hungary design'd a War against Ioane Queen of Naples he undertook an Expedition into Italy not so much to deprive her of her Kingdom as to revenge the death of his Brother Andrew whom as 't is reported Queen Ioane his Wife had commanded to be strangled After many troubles and three years of War they came to an accord the first of April anno 1351. and the 26. of May following with the consent of Pope Clement the Sixth the Queen and Lewis Prince of Tarentum were crowned King and Queen of that Realm and that same day in memory of such a happy Peace and to take away all suspitions and enmities the Prince instituted this Order of Knights into which entred threescore and ten of the illustrious Lords in blood of Naples and some other Strangers The Habit he appointed was White and for the Orders chief Ensign he gave a Knot the Embleme of Love and Friendship intermixt with Gold and as the like Institutions in that Kingdom commonly ended with the death of their Founders so this Order expired in a short time The Order of Knights of the Annunciade in Savoy 23. Ame the Sixth of that name Earl of Savoy surnamed Conte le Verde instituted this Order under the Title of the Collar in the year of our Lord 1362. in honor of the 15 Divine Mysteries of the Rosary Andrew Favin on a mistaken ground calls it the Order of the Snares of Love in regard as he alledgeth the Founder had received of his Lady the favour of a Bracelet made of the Tresses of her hair knit or plaited in Love-knots and that the four Letters afterward interlaced by the Founder within such like Love-knots should signifie Frappés Entrés Rompés Tout But Francis Capre Councellor and Secretary of State to the present Duke of Savoy who hath given an account of the Institution together with the several restaurations of this Order from the Records thereof preserved in the Charter-house in Pierre Chastle appointed at the time of the Foundation for the Seat of the Order confutes this error of Favin and with him several others who have unwarily swallowed down the same mistake Mennenius and Miraeus take not the least notice of its denomination from the Collar but call it the Order of the Annunciation in Savoy But it is cleer enough from the Founders last Will and Testament bearing date the 27. of February anno 1383. and from what Capre and Guichenon alledge as also from the Statutes of Ame the Eighth that at the time of the Foundation it was called the Order of the Collar under which name it continued till the time of Charles the Third surnamed le Bon Duke of Savoy when and not before it had bestowed on it the Title of the Annunciation from the Picture of the History of the blessed Virgin Mary by him first made appendant to the Collar in the year 1518. The Founder appointed the number of his Knights reckoning himself the Chief and Sovereign for one to be fifteen among whom we find Sir Richard Musard an English Gentleman recorded agreeable to the number of the before mentioned Divine Mysteries but in the additional Statutes made by Ame the Eighth first Duke of Savoy anno 1434. and by Duke Emanuel Philibert 1568. there is a permission given to augment their number by adding five to the former fifteen but the Soveraigns have not always been confin'd to this number Besides the Institution of this Order the Founder erected and founded the Chartreuse of Pierre Chastle in Bugey wherein were entertained 15 Priests and they obliged to celebrate every day 15 Masses to the honor of the 15 Joys of the blessed Virgin to the Souls health of him his Predecessors and all who had been were or should hereafter be Knights of this Order So that the resemblance of this Institution with the foundation of this religious house is some argument that the Order as well as the House were founded upon a religious and pious not amorous or wanton account At Pierre Chastle were the Ceremonies observed and the Chapters held by the Sovereign and Knights until the time that Charles Emanuel First of that name Duke of Savoy exchanged it and some other places for the Marquisate of Saluces upon the Treaty of Peace concluded at Lyons 17. Ian. 1607. and then the Anniversary of the Feast and celebrations of the Order being fixt to the Feast-day of the Annunciation of our Lady were translated from hence first to the Church of St. Dominick at
that Saint This King appointed a White Habit for the Knights and prescribed laudable Constitutions to the Order but because he setled no Revenue thereupon the splendor thereof ceased at his death nevertheless he obtained the end for which it was instituted Knights of St. Anthony in Hainolt 27. Albert of Bavaria Earl of Hainolt Holland and Zeland designing an Expedition against the Turks and Moors instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1382. The Ensign thereof was a golden Collar wrought after the fashion of an Hermits Girdle at which hung a walking Staff and a little golden Bell. The Order of the Porcupine in France 28. Monsieur Lewis of France Duke of Orleans instituted this Order in the year 1393. to honor the Baptism of his eldest Son Charles by Valentina his Wife Daughter to Iohn Galeas Duke of Millan and made choice of the Porcupine for his Devise with this Epigraph Cominus Eminus not only out of the high hopes he conceived of this Child but also to intimate something of revenge against Iohn Duke of Burgundy his mortal Enemy no less than self-defence against all his designs and assaults of which this Animal is a proper Emblem Paradine Mennenius and Micheli make Charles the Son of this Monsieur Lewis the Founder anno Dom. 1430. in imitation or emulation of Philip Duke of Burgundy Founder of the Order of the Golden Fleece but Favin strengthens his foresaid relation from the authority of one Hennotin de Cleriaux an Herald who attended the forementioned Christning in his Heralds Coat and set down an account of the Institution by Monsieur Lewis together with the names of the Princes Lords and Gentlemen on whom he then bestowed his new erected Order their number being 25 including the Founder The Habit assigned to the Knights were Surcoats of Violet Velvet and over them Mantles of Watchet Velvet lined with Carnation Satin The Collar was formed of Gold Chains at the end whereof hung a Porcupine of Gold upon a little enamelled hillock of Grass and Flowers which Creature was also embroidered on the Knights Belts The Order of the Lilly in Aragon 29. According to Hieronymus Zurita this Order was instituted by Ferdinand King of Aragon called the Infant of Antiquera in the year of our Lord 1403. and dedicated to the honor of the blessed Virgin The Collar was composed of Bough-Pots fill'd with White Lillies interlaced with Gryphons and as Hieronymus Romanus reports was vulgarly called La Orden de la Terraca o de las Azucenas ò Iarra de S. Maria which is as much as to say The Order of Lillies or the Vessel of St. Mary Favin gives it under the Title of the Looking-glass of the blessed Virgin Mary in Castile instituted as he saith in honor and memory of a Victory which this King Ferdinand had obtained in that Kingdom against the Moors anno 1410. to wit seven years after the time assigned by Zurita for the foundation The Founder transplanted this Order with him into Aragon 1413. when he received the Crown of that Kingdom and where it continued under the Sons of this King but no longer The Order of the Dragon overthrown in Hungary 30. The Emperor Sigismond surnamed the Glorious for the many Battels he gained over the barbarous Nations in defence of the Christian Religion having greatly laboured the peace of the Churches of Hungary and Bohemia and by his Travels into England France and Spain to invite those Princes to join with him in that his Enterprise brought the same to pass by the Council of Constance out of extream joy at the accomplishment thereof instituted this Order in the year of our Lord 1418. for defence of the Christian Religion and to crush all Hereticks and Schismaticks that should arise which Order in short time became of high esteem not only throughout Hungary but Germany also The Knights wore daily for their Ensign of Honor a Green Cross story on solemn days a Scarlet Cloak and on the Mantlet of Green Silk a double Chain of Gold Micheli saith a Green Ribbon at the end of which hung a Dragon dead with broken Wings in the posture of being overcome the Symbol of Heresie vanquished and the whole enamelled with variety of Colours proper But this Order continued not long for it almost expired with the Founder Peter Beloy President of Tholouse affirms he had seen a Diploma dated anno 1413. purporting that Basilius Colalba Marquess of Ancona was admitted into this Order in these very words Te quem manu propria militiae cingulo societatis nostrae Draconicae ac Stolae seu amprisiae charissimi fratris nostri Regis Aragoniae insignivimus c. Equites Tufini in Bohemia 13. We find but a bare mention thereof made by Mennenius and that it was erected in the Kingdom of Bohemia or else both in Bohemia and Austria but he doth not in the least inform us either of the cause of its Institution the Badge of the Order or to what the Title refers The two first of these particulars Ios. Micheli supplies but as to the third we cannot give so perfect an account as we would yet we remember to have read somewhere that this Order had its name from Toca a Cap or Coif The Arch-Dukes of Austria saith he were Founders of this Order which they instituted to ingage their Subjects in the defence of the Christian Religion and expulsion of the Turks and those they called Hereticks out of their Dominions for having about 200 years maintained a War with vast and excessive charge by erecting this Order and bestowing upon the Knights thereof all that they gained in War towards their supportation they very much eaâ—â—d themselves in their Military Expences and indeed this proved so great an encouragement to them that in a few years performing service wheresoever their Chiefs commanded them to ingage they cleared their Provinces almost of both Turks and Schismaticks The Ensign of this Order was a plain Green Cross and the Habit of the Knights Red. This and the following Order saith the same Author were under the Rule of St. Basil and profest conjugal Chastity and Obedience but we see not from what ground he alledges this for if so then ought we to have placed it among the Religious rather than Military Orders these being absolute notes and marks thereof But inasmuch as we elsewhere find that Albert the Emperor adorned Moyses Didacus de Valera in Spain a Knight of known and approved courage with the Ensigns of his three Orders viz. of the Dragon as he was King of Hungary of the Tusin as King of Bohemia and with the Collar de la Disciplinas as Duke of Austria it is hence manifest they were all compleat Military Orders of which this Emperor was Soveraign or Chief for no man can be admitted into
in a Red Ribbon alone The Founder ordained four Officers to attend and serve the Order after the manner declared in the Ordinances for their Instructions annexed to the Statutes namely a Chancellor a Treasurer a Greffier or Register and a King of Arms called Toison d' Or. Lewis the Eleventh of France refused to accept of this Order because his Predecessors were not accustomed to receive the Orders of their Subjects for such were the Dukes of Burgundy accounted who held that Dutchy and other Seigniories in homage leige to the Crown of France Albeit the Emperors of Germany are descended from Philip Arch-Duke of Austria Duke of Burgundy and Count of Flanders nevertheless the power of conferring the Order is lodg'd in the Kings of Spain only the Title of Head and Soveraign being solemnly resigned by the Emperor Charles the Fifth to his Son King Philip the 25. day of October anno Dom. 1556. in the Royal Chappel at his Palace in Bruxelles and the Collar taken from his neck and with his own hands put over his said Sons shoulders in the presence of divers of the Knights at which Ceremony he used this form of words Accipe Fili mi quem è Collo meo detraho Tibi praecipuum Aurei Velleris Torquem quem Philippus Dux Burgundiae cognomine Bonus Atavus noster Monimentum fidei sacrae Romanae Ecclesiae esse voluit hujusce Institutionis ac Legum ejus fac semper memineris Afterwards though Philip the Second King of Spain invested the Infanta his Daughter Isabella in the Dominion of the Low Countries upon the Contract of her marriage with the Arch-Duke Albert of Austria yet he retained to himself and Successors Kings of Spain and Dukes of Burgundy the honor of being Chief of this Order in which Crown it remains to this day The Statutes ratified under the Founders Seal the 27. of Nov. 1431. are printed in the Iurisprudentia Heroica together with those other additions and alterations which were since made by his Successors So also are the Priviledges granted to the Knights by the Founder his Son Charles and Maximilian which received confirmation from King Philip the Second anno Dom. 1556. The Names of the first 24 Knights and their Successors to the number of 450. are there also registred together with a Catalogue of the Chancellors Treasurers Registers and Kings of Arms and lastly a Figure of a â—â—â—ght vested in the Habit may be there likewise seen The Original and Foundation of this Order is written at large in French by William Bishop of Tournay Abbot of St. Bertin and second Chancellor to the Order in a Treatise of his called The Golden Fleece dedicated to Charles Duke of Burgundy Son to the Founder and printed at Troyes in the year of our Lord 1530. In this Work the Author treats of two manner of Golden Fleeces viz. first of Iason's Fleece of which he useth the testimony of Eustathius to assert it for a true History and by it represents the noble Virtue of Magnanimity demonstrating several Virtues appertaining to the state of Nobility Secondly of Iacobs Fleece viz. the party-coloured and streaked Fleece by which he sets forth the Virtue of Iustice which Virtue principally appertaining to Kings Knights and noble persons moved the heart of Duke Philip to institute this Order under it comprehending the Virtues of both the other Fleeces The Order of St. George at Genoa 35. The Republick of Genoa have an Order of Knighthood among them dedicated to the honor of St. George their titular Saint and Patron it was instituted by Frederick the Third Emperor of Germany and the Knights thereof are called Knights of St. George at Genoa The Ensign is a plain Cross Gules and worn by the Knights at a Chain of Gold about their neck The Dukes of Genoa are Chiefs thereof and in regard their Dignity lasts but two years the Order is much impaired through the inconstancy and alteration of times The Order of the Croissant in France 36. Rene or Renatus descended of the second Line of the House of Anjou King of Ierusalem and Sicily c. Duke of Anjou Count of Provence c. erected this Order under the denomination of the Croissant or half Moon in the City of Anjou anno Dom. 1464. But the Saincte Marthe's make it 16 years older by placing the Institution in the year 1448. Ios. Micheli reports that Charles King of Sicily and Ierusalem was the first Institutor anno 1268. in the great Church at Messina in Sicily on the day of St. Lewis King of France but he by mistake confounds this Order with that of the double Croissant instituted by St. Lewis in France and after his death retained and setled in Sicily by the said King Charles his Brother The end wherefore King Rene founded this Order is noted to be in honor of God support of the Church and exaltation of Knighthood Over which he declared himself and his Successors Dukes of Anjou and Kings of Sicily Chiefs He also chose St. Maurice Knight and Martyr for Patron and held the first Ceremonies in the Church of Angiers dedicated to his name The Symbol which the Knights wore on the right side of their Mantle was a golden Crescent whereon in red enamel was this word L'oz signifying in the opinion of Peter Mathieu L'oz en Croissant whereby they were encouraged to search after the increase of valour and reputation At this Crescent was fastned as many small pieces of Gold fashioned like Columes and enamelled with red as the Knights had been present in Battels Sieges of Towns Cities or Castles which gave due intimation to all men of their valour shewed in martial services for none could be adopted into this Order unless he had well mâ—â—ited in some of these kinds The Knighâ—â— who were 36 in number but the Saincte Marthe's say 50 did wear for the Habit Mantles of red or Crimson Velvet and a Mantlet of White with the lining and Surcoat of the same The Order of the Ermine in Britagne 37. In the year of Christ 1450. Francis the First of that name Duke of Bretagne in memory of his Grandfather Iohn surnamed the Conqueror or else in imitation of other Princes of the bloud in France founded this Order consisting of 25 Knights and thereupon also new-built his Castle of the Ermine He ordained the Habit to be Mantles of White Damask lined with Carnation and the Mantlet of the same The great Collar to be of Gold composed of Ears of Corn in Saltir bound above and beneath with two Circles of Gold in imitation of the Crown of Ceres hereby noting the care of Husbandry which the ancient Counts and Dukes of Bretagne had as also the fertility of that Province and hence is this Order otherwise called of the Ears of Corn. At the end of this
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
with this Order â—he sends the Jewel accompanied with her Letter which serves instead of a personal Investiture Among many others admitted thereinto were Vladislaus Sigismundus late King of Poland Carolus Gustavus late King of Sweden and Adolphus Iohannes his Brother also Iohn George Duke of Saxony the Lantgrave of Hesse several German Princes the Count Montecuculi General of the Horse to the Emperor Don Antonio Piementelli de Parada Envoye Extraordinary from the King of Spain as also divers great Lords of the Court of Sweden and of our Nation Sir Bulstrode Whiteloke to whose friendly civility we are obliged for the foregoing Account SECT II. Of Knights in the West-Indies IF after all these we take some prospect of those Martial Honors bestowed in the West-Indies which the Europeans commonly call by the Title of Knighthood as having some resemblance to it from the nature of the Ceremonies used at the entrance and admittance into that Dignity and the end for which they were bestowed we shall find they properly enough deserve mention here The Mexicans gave the first place of Honor to the profession of Arms and therefore on such as had performed valiant services in Wars they bestowed great recompence and gave them sundry Priviledges which none else might enjoy Valour and Courage were with them the steps by which a man of mean extraction ascended to high dignity and honor and therefore the chief of their Nobility commonly sprung from the Camp Among whom Moteçuma set Knighthood in highest splendor ordaining certain Military Orders with several Badges and Ensigns The most honorable among the Knights were those that carried the crown of their Hair tied with a little Red Ribbon having a rich Plume of Feathers from which did hang branches and rolls of Feathers upon their shoulders They carried so many of these rolls as they had done worthy deeds in War The King himself was of this Order as may be seen in Capultepec where Moteçuma and his Sons are represented attired with those kind of Feathers cut in the Rock There was another Order of Knighthood which they called of the Lyons and Tygers these Knights being commonly the most valiant and most noted in the Wars and always bore with them their Badges and Armories Other Knights there were as the Grey Knights not so much respected as the rest they had their Hair cut round about the ear They went to the Wars with Ensigns like the other Knights yet not armed but to the Girdle while the most honorable were armed all over All Knights might carry Gold and Silver wear rich Cotton use painted and gilt Vessels wear Shoes after their manner but the common people only earthen Vessels neither might they carry Shoes nor attire themselves but in a gross Stuff called Nequen Every Order of these Knights had their Lodging in the Palace noted with their Ensigns the first was called the Lodging of the Prince the second of Eagles the third of Lyons and Tygers and the fourth of Grey Knights They of the Province of Cinaola an Inland part near new Mexico created their Knights by giving a Bow then setting them to encounter a Lyon or some other wild Beast the death of which was accounted the life of their Gentility The Inguas Lords of Peru in their solemn Feasts at Cusco dedicated their Children to Honor by adorning them with Guarras or Ensigns They pierced their Ears whipt them with Slings anointed their Faces with Blood and all in sign that they should be true Knights to the Ingua Those of the blood royal in Peru before they received the Degree of Knighthood pass'd through sundry probations but chiefly they performed some Military Exercises and managed the Lance Dart and other Arms. The manner and order of tryal of their skill and courage was both rigorous and severe as abstaining from all things for seven days except a little raw Corn and Water then being heartned again their running of Races afterwards one day holding out another besieging a Fort then Wrestling Leaping Shooting Slinging throwing the Dart and Lance exercising in all Weapons of War and enduring to be beaten on the hands and legs with wands all these things tending to discover whether they could bear the hard adventures of War or not which tryals if they could not manfully suffer they were rejected and denyed Knighthood Next followed the Circumstances and Ceremonies of their Creation as boaring a hole in the Ears putting on gallant Shoes as also Breeches which before they might not wear adorning their heads with Flowers and an Herb that none else might use and lastly giving an Axe into their hands All which Mr. Purchas having set down at large we thought it less needful to be more particular These Knights are by Mennenius called Oreiones from the Spanish word Orejas which signifies flap or loll-eared and in Latin Auriculares either from the Leaf which they carried hanging in their Ears or as Ios. Micheli saith for that they were only to negotiate and treat of great Affairs with the Emperor and had his ear at all times To these we shall add the account we have of an Order of Knights in Iapan intituled Mengoras part of them are called Bonzoes living in Fraternities as do our religious Brotherhoods in Europe Some of these relate to their Temples and have the charge of their Idols and the service appertaining to them others are Knights and follow the Wars accepting pay from any Lord that imploys them Of this Order there are found to be about 30000. who in many things bear parallel with the Religious Knights in Europe They prosess Chastity with such severity that into their Cities no Woman may enter They have the Rule given them over those Kingdoms which they conquer and are very rich some of them having not less than 60000 Duckets per annum Revenue Every day they make and present five Arrows to the publick Armory which is a very prudent provision in regard no man is sensible of the charge and thereby they find themselves well provided upon all occasions SECT III. The Feminine Cavaliers of the Torch in Tortosa AND now in close of our Discourse of the Orders of Knighthood give us leave to bring up the rere with a memorial relating to Feminine Valour and of the later Age for we shall not need to instance in the Amazons of old whose fame in Arms is so generally known since some of that Sex having acquired honor and renown by their personal courage and valiant exploits have had bestowed on them the priviledge of living after the manner and in the esteem of Knights The Example is of the noble Women of Tortosa in Aragon and recorded by Ioseph Micheli Marquez who plainly calls them Cavalleros or Knights or may I not rather say Cavalleras seeing I observe the words Equitissae and Militissae formed from the Latin Equites and Milites
Mass-Money and the whole profit of the Bedrolls of Ikelington Nevertheless to pay the King and his Successors in the Court of Augmentation for the Rectories of Aberguille Talgarthe and Mara the Chappels of Llanbadock and Llanpenysaunt 4 l. 2 s. 8 d. in the name of Tenths and for all Rents Services c. of the other Rectories c. 48 l. 7 s. 4 d. annually at Michaelmas Furthermore within all these premisses the King by the said Letters Patent granted to the Dean and Canons Court Leets or Views of Frankepledge and to have Fines and Amerciaments Free-Warrens Waifs and Felons Goods and all other Profits Commodities Liberties Emoluments and Hereditaments whatsoever All which Rectories Tithes Pensions Rents c. before mentioned and all other Gifts and Grants in the possession of the Dean and Canons anno Iac. Reg. 2. were confirmed and made good and effectual in Law to them and their Successors by Act of Parliament that year The 2. of August preceding the Grant made by King Edward the Sixth a Rental pass'd under the hand of Sir Edward North Chancellor of the Court of Augmentation containing the particular charges issuing out of the aforesaid Rectories c. whereunto certain Articles were annexed and according to which the said Deed of Conveyance from the King was drawn The ancient rate of these New Lands in the Kings Books was 661 l. 6 s. 8 d. per annum but according to the improved Rents to wit as they were then turn'd over to the Colledge was 812 l. 12 s. 9 d. out of which improved value as appears by the Articles now mentioned 160 l. 2 s. 4 d. was yearly allowed them in satisfaction of the Lands past over to King Henry the Eighth and 600 l. per annum for accomplishment of his Will but the remaining sum viz. 52 l. 10 s. 5 d. was reserved in lieu of Tenths to be yearly paid into the Court of Augmentation howbeit this last reserved sum was not agreed unto by the Dean and Canons to be so paid because the Charges issuing out of the Lands were greater than were expressed in the Rental And we find that shortly after the Rents of the Parsonage of St. Germans the Rectories of Northam Ilsington Icklington Ambrosbury Stapleford and Vrchefount the Prebends of Alcanings and Vrchefount being part of the New Lands were received and accounted for according to the old rate in the Kings Books to wit 162 l. 13 s. 4 d. per annum by the Steward of the Old Lands in recompence for the Lands conveyed to King Henry the Eighth and out of which they paid a yearly surplusage of 2 l. 2 s. 1 d. this sum together with the Rents of the rest of the New Lands being upon the said improvement accounted to be 597 l. 17 s. 11 d. made in all 600 l. per annum and this was paid by the Dean and Canons for some time towards building the Alms-Knights Houses as is before remembred Thus stood the Lands accounted for till the setlement made by Queen Elizabeth for the disposition of the whole Revenue which then was accounted to the Colledge but at the value entred in the Kings Books upon which setlement the Queen appointed the Dean and Canons to convert the Rents of these New Lands from time to time to such uses and intents and in such manner and form as she had set down in a Book signed with her Sign Manual and annexed to an Indenture bearing date the 30. of August in the first year of her Reign made between Her on the one part and the Dean and Canons on the other part By which Indenture the Dean and Canons Covenant for themselves and Successors to distribute and employ at all times for ever the Rents and Profits of these Lands in such manner as in the Book is declared and appointed and to observe and keep all the Ordinances Rules and things whatsoever contained therein which on their part and behalf is limited and appointed to be performed and executed according to the true meaning of the same And if the Dean and Canons or their Successors should omit any thing to them appointed to be performed by the said Ordinances Rules and Statutes then for every such default they are to abide such Order as shall be made by the Queen her Heirs or Successors or by any of the Knights-Companions of the Order as by her or her Successors should be thereunto appointed  l. s. d. In this Book the Total of the Revenue reckoned at the ancient value amounts to 661 06 08 The Annual charge and disbursements to the Colledge therein set down is 430 19 06 And so Remains 230 07 02 Which Remainder hath been and is assigned and employed for payment of Tenths to the Crown Vicars and Curates annual stipends Officers-Fees Reparation of the premisses and for the relief of the Dean and Canons and their Successors in maintenance and defence of the said Lands And to the end the Queen might know how the Revenue of these New Lands was disposed of she also Ordered That her Lieutenant and the Knights-Companions should annually at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor see the just account thereof how the Income was expended and the payments made and that one of the Officers of the Order should from time to time yearly put her Lieutenant in mind thereof Which Order was renewed in a Chapter of the Garter held April 24. ann Iac. Reg. 21. and the Chancellor of the Order appointed to be the Remembrancer and in obedience thereunto the Account of these New Lands which begins annually at Lady-day as that of the Old Lands doth at Michaelmas was afterwards exhibited in Chapter and in particular that Account presented by the Dean of Windesor and submitted to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions consideration the 6. of November anno 9. Car. 1. was referr'd to the perusal and inspection of the Knights-Commissioners appointed at the same Chapter to consult the Affairs of the Order SECT VIII Of the Priviledges of the Chappel and Colledge IN the last place the Priviledges of both are to be considered which we shall divide into Ecclesiastical and Temporal Touching the first it appears by a Bull of Pope Clement the Sixth dated at Avignion the 12. of February in the 9. year of his Papacy That at the desire of the Founder this Pope exempted the Chappel Colledge Canons Priests Clerks Alms-Knights and Officers of the Colledge from all ordinary Jurisdiction Dominion and Superiority of Archbishops Bishops Archdeacons and all other Iudges and Officials and received them within the protection of the Papal See And further granted That the Custos for the time being should have Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over the Canons Priests Clerks Alms-Knights and Officers and their Successors as also the Cure of their Souls notwithstanding any Papal Constitution Statutes Customs whether Provincial or Synodical or other whatsoever to the contrary Willing nevertheless
nor give credit to any thing they receive from it And yet hath it so fallen out that many learned men for want of reflection have incautelously swallowed and run away with this vulgar error whereupon it hath come by degrees to the vogue it is now in Of the same spinning with the former is another Tradition and no less uncertain That the Queen being departed from King Edward's presence to her own Lodgings he following her soon after hapned to espy a Blue Garter lying on the ground thought to have slipt from her Leg as she went along whilst some of his Attendants passed by it as disdaining to stoop at such a trifle but he knowing the Owner commanded it to be taken up and given to him at the receipt whereof he said You make but small account of this Garter but within few Months I will cause the best of you all to reverence the like And some think that the Motto of the Garter was the Queens answer when the King asked her what men would conjecture of her upon losing her Garter in such a manner But both these Relations are remote from truth and of little credit nevertheless they give us opportunity to note here That it hath thus fared with other Orders of Soveraign Foundation and an Amorous instead of Honorable Account of their Institution hath by some been untruly rendred For instance that of the Annunciade Instituted some few years after this of the ennobled Garter concerning which though Andrew Favin hath given it an amorous original yet have we in the third Chapter from better authorities cleared his mistaken account thereof Nor hath it hapned otherwise with the Order of the Golden Fleece even that also hath met with the same fate and the Institution reported to have risen from an effeminate ground for it is said that its Founder entring one morning into the Chamber of a most beautiful Lady of Bruges generally esteemed his Mistress found upon her Toilet a Fleece of low Country Wooll whence some of his Followers taking occasion of sport as at a thing unusually seen in a Ladies Chamber he as is reported of King Edward the Third upon such another occasion vowed that such as made it the subject of their derision should never be honored with a Collar of the Order thereof which he intended to establish to express the love he bore that Lady There is a third opinion grounded on a Relation having an aspect to time before King Edward the Third's Institution which is reported of King Richard the First and is this that while his Forces were employed against Cyprus and Acon and extreamly tired out with the tediousness of the Siege He by the assistance and mediation of St. George as imagined was inspired with fresh courage and bethought himself of a new device which was to tye about the legs of a chosen number of Knights a Leathern Thong or Garter for such had he then at hand whereby being put in mind of the future glory that should accrue to them with assurance of worthy rewards if they overcame they might be ronzed up to the behaving themselves gallantly and stoutly in the Wars much after the manner of the ancient Romans among whom were various Crowns with which for several causes Soldiers were adorned to the end that by those encouragements all sluggishness being shaken off the virtue and fortitude of their minds might spring up and appear more resolute and vigorous It further continues in the same Preface That after a long interval of time and divers Victories obtained by him the said King returning into his Country determined with himself to institute and setle this most noble Order of St. George on whose patronage the English so much relied But admit this though we are to note it is only a Relation put down in the Preface of the Black Book but not any part of the Annals of the Order nor can it plead higher antiquity than the Reign of King Henry the Eighth because written a little after the time he reformed and explained the Statutes of the Garter all this we say admitted and that King Richard the First did make use of this devise in the Holy Land as a signal or distinction of a party going out upon some warlike exploit yet that he thence took occasion to frame a distinct Order of Knighthood afterwards there is not the least mention nor any ground to imagine So that all the advantage can be made of it is that as Doctor Heylin affirms we may warrantably be perswaded this occasion much heightned the reputation of that Saint among the English by which means in process of time the most heroick Order of the Garter came to be dedicated to him and not that it any way contributed to the Institution of it SECT II. The true Cause asserted THus far of the conjectures of others concerning the Institution of this most noble Order now come we to unfold the true occasion thereof We affirm then that King Edward the Third had no reflection either upon a Ladies Garter or King Richard's Leathern Thong when he first designed the Institution but that it did proceed from a much more noble cause to wit that this King being a person of a most absolute and accomplisht virtue gave himself up to a prudent management of Military Affairs and being ingaged in War for the recovery of his right to the Kingdom of France in the prosecution of which enterprise he had great use of the stoutest and most famous Martialists of that Age did thereupon first design as being invited thereto by its ancient same the restauration of King Arthur's Round Table which he exhibited with magnificent Hastiludes and general Justs to invite hither the gallant and active spirits from abroad and upon discovery of their courage and ability in the exercise of Arms to draw them to his party and oblige them to himself And conceiving no place more fit than Windesor upon Newyears-day anno 1344. he issued out his Royal Letters of Protection for the safe coming and return of Forreign Knights their Servants and what belonged to them that were desirous to try their valour at the solemn Justs by him appointed to be held there on Munday after the Feast of St. Hillary next following which that year happened on the 19. of Ianuary and these Letters of safe conduct continued in force until the Octaves of the Purification of our blessed Lady ensuing being in the 18. year of his Reign At the time appointed he provided a great Supper to begin the Solemnity and then Ordained that this Festival should be annually held there at Whitsontide and immediately after these first Martial Exercises were over to the end better accommodation might be provided for the Knights that should afterwards come thither he caused to be impress Carpenters Masons and Carriages for erecting a particular building in the Castle and therein placed a Table
attempted something towards their reformation and in reference thereto the 14. of May in the 9. year of his Reign Decreed That Commissionary Letters should be made forth to the Earls of Nottingham Worcester Pembroke and Northampton whereby power should be given them to examine the Registers and other Monuments which pertained to the Order and where any thing should be found obscure to make it cleer where contrariety appeared fitly to reconcile it yet with no endeavour of innovating any thing but an intention of renewing all things as neer as might be to the first and most ancient Institution of the Order Saving always power to himself as Soveraign of the Order to add or change any thing according to the occasion as it should seem agreeable to his prudence for the honor of this most Noble Order What was done hereupon appears not but some few years after this Affair was revived and the following Commission issued forth Iames R. JAmes by the grace of God King of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our Right trusty and Right well beloved Cousiâ—s and Councellors Charles Earl of Nottingham and Edward Earl of Worcester and to our right trusty and right well beloved Cousin Henry Earl of Southampton and to our right trusty and right well beloved Cousin and Councellor Thomas Earl of Arundel and to our right trusty and right well beloved Cousins Philip Earl of Montgomery and Robert Viscount Lisle Knights and Companions of our said Order Greeting Whereas ever since our coming to the Crown of this our Realm of England We have had a special care to maintain and uphold the dignity and honor of our most Noble Order of the Garter whereof we are Soveraign as to the world hath well appeared both by our careful observation at all due times of all the Ceremonies and Solemnities belonging to the same and also by the choice we have made of Noble and Worthy persons whether Princes of Forreign Nations or Subjects of our own Kingdoms to supply the places which have been void of that Society Now forasmuch as We are not ignorant that in all humane Constitutions there may be not only Ambiguity suffering doubtful Interpretation but also defect for which addition is requisite the same best appearing in time which is the producer and tryer of truth We have therefore thought fit out of the knowledge and experience we have of your understanding and wisdom and the confidence we repose in your faithfulness and sincerity being men of honor and Knights and Companions of our said Order to nominate you six and to appoint you or any four of you to take an exact view of all the ancient Statutes and Articles of our said Order And do give unto you or any four of you full power and authority to call before you all such persons whether Officers of our said Order or others as can give you light or information concerning the same and after a serious consideration thereof had by you all or four of you We will and require that you set down in writing what in the said ancient Statutes and Articles you shall conceive meet to be explained and what to be added whereby our said Noble Order may be made more famous and illustrious that the same being presented to us the Soveraign and the Society at a Chapter holden may be resolved on in part or in all to be put in execution if to us it shall seem so good Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 26. day of April in the sixteenth year of our Reign c. Notwithstanding the powers and directions given by this Commission the progress in this business was very slow paced but towards the later end of his Reign the Earls of Worcester Montgomery Arundel Surry and Leicester four of the six Commissioners above-named having had divers meetings and debated several things represented to them did at a Chapter holden at Whitehall the 19. of May anno Iac. Regis 20. present to the Soveraign certain Articles subscribed with their hands which for the Honor of the Order they thought necessary to be observed By the first of which they endeavoured to provide for a further progress and advance of the same in proposing that every year a Commission from the Soveraign should be given or continued to such Knights of the Order as in Chapter should be thought fit to consider of all things to the Order belonging and that the year following an account by the Knights in Chapter should be given of their proceedings by virtue of the said Commission This with 8 other Articles were confirmed by the Soveraign and twelve of the Knights-Companions the 22. of May following in a Chapter held at Whitehall And so happily and effectually went this work forward that on the Feast-day of St. George held at Windesor in the ensuing year the said Earl of Worcester being then the Soveraign's Deputy for that Feast with ten Knights-Companions more did agree to eight other Articles most of them concerning the Alms-Knights which the next morning were approved of by the Soveraign and that day before the celebration of Divine Service by the Soveraign's Deputy and Companions assembled in the Chapter-house the observation thereof was also Decreed And now to come neerer even to the Reign of his late sacred Majesty King Charles the First of ever blessed and glorious memory who while it lay in his power was and much more would have been had not the angry Fate of our late times opposed the greatest Increaser of the Honor and Renown of this most Illustrious Order He I say taking into his princely thoughts all things whatsoever which carried any shew or probability of adding lustre thereunto designed and endeavoured the most compleat and absolute Reformation of any of his Predecessors And first at the Solemnity of St. George held at Windesor the 6. day of October in the 6. year of his Reign He commissionated nine of the Knights-Companions namely the Earls of Molgrave Pembroke and Montgomery Arundel and Surry Salisbury Carlisle Dorset Holland Berkshire and Suffolk with command to assemble four times in a year to consult and handle the Affairs of the Order All these but the Earls of Molgrave and Dorset met at Whitehall the 2. of Ianuary following where some few things were considered of This Commission was seconded by one more ample about three Months after and directed to the before-named Knights-Companions or to any 8 7 6 5 or 4 of them thereby impowring them to meet consult and take an exact view and to peruse all the Statutes and Ordinances of the Order as well such as were established in the beginning as such as had been since made by Explanation or Addition and to consider advisedly whether any thing had been Ordered that had brought Doubt or Ambiguity or did stand in need
of Alteration or Amendment To the end that if upon mature deliberation by them there should appear any contrariety or other defect by want of plain expression or other omission which were fit by the Soveraign to be supplied for the augmentation of the Honor of the Order that then in such case He the Soveraign might upon return of their Proceedings resolve of some general Declaration in Chapter to reform and reduce into one body all the Statutes and Ordinances thereof that the same being compiled and setled in a perfeâ—t form might be so delivered over to posterity cleered and freed from all future questions and doubts We see here the largeness of this noble design Nevertheless not any thing was done upon this Commission though it stood in force even from the 6. to the 13. year of this Soveraign's Reign but where the neglect lay appears not though it may not untruly be conjectured by that which follows At the Feast of St. George celebrated by Prorogation at Whitehall for the year 1636. upon the 17 18 and 19. days of April anno 1637. divers humble Petitions for Reformation and Renovation were presented to the Soveraign the said 18. day of April by the Chancellor and them also read some of which more especially tending to the honor of the Order were accepted and decreed by the Soveraign and the rest referred and transmitted to the Knights-Commissioners before mentioned The first of those Decrees which at this time past was to revive and renew the powers given in the former Commission and thereupon a new Commission dated the 7. of May then following issued under the Great Seal of the Order having the same Preamble with the former Commission and was directed to the Earls of Molgrave Derby Pembroke and Montgomery Arundel and Surrey Kelley Salisbury Dorset Holland Berkshire Suffolk Lindsey Exceter Marquess Hamilton Duke of Lenox the Earls of Danby Moreton and Northumberland or to three or more of them to meet and consult of any matter concerning the Statutes or Honor of the Order These Knights-Commissioners were likewise armed with all the powers given in the foresaid Commission dated anno 6. Car. 1. Unto which was added for the better effecting the Soveraign's royal care That three or more of them should meet at the Soveraign's Court and begin to execute the said Commission in Whitson-week next ensuing attended and assisted by the Chancellor of the Order and all or any other Officers or such of them as they should call and find serviceable And being met and assembled to have power to hear propound and debate whatsoever should be presented or that they should conceive conducible to the honor and perfect establishment of the Order And to prepare all matters of such their consultation to be presented unto the Soveraign at the next Feast of St. George and so successively at every Chapter to be held by the Soveraign therein to receive his full determination approbation and royal assent with further power to adjourn from time to time after the first opening and reading of the said Commission their meetings to such places and days as to them should seem most convenient Now who would think that after so noble a designation of the Soveraign after his care to send forth a second Commission with augmentative powers after his earnest recommending this Affair to their diligence his pressing their dispatch for the speedy accomplishment of his Royal Intentions and lastly his expecting from them an account of their Transactions at or before the celebration of the next Feast these honorable persons who were Companions of so noble and honorable an Order and at their admission sworn to advance the honor of the same no less than to defend and maintain it should need a Spur to so worthy a design But it was so For although the foresaid Commission was opened and read at the Court at Whitehall the 30. of May following in the presence and session of the Earls of Pembroke and Montgomery Salisbury Holland Marquess Hamilton and Duke of Lenox Commissioners and Companions of this most Noble Order yet I find the then Chancellor Sir Thomas Rowe in an account of that day's proceedings by Letter dated the fourth of Iune 1637. and directed to Dr. Christopher Wren then Regiter of the Order whose attendance was on that day excused sadly profess That it was as much as he could do to procure and draw together five of the Knights-Companions to open and read the Commission and this also in haste quasi in transitu and all that was done was to appoint another meeting at the Court in Midsommer-week then next ensuing and to lay a charge upon the Chancellor to prepare matter to wit Propositions and Observations upon the Statutes fit for their Consultation against that time according to the tenour of the Commission And elsewhere he makes this ingenuous acknowledgment That he found such difficulty to procure meetings and a certain non-chalance in every one as if it were but a ceremonious Affair and so few hearty in it that he feared he and the Officers should wait to little purpose And so indeed it fell out for albeit he attended the said Knights-Commissioners in Midsomer-week according to the appointment at their last sitting yet there was nothing done save only the adjourning of their meeting to London Some little and but little progress was afterwards made in this Affair at another meeting at White-hall the 8. of February following where three of the said Knights-Commissioners were present namely the Earls of Berkshire Lindsey and Northumberland who Ordered That the Chancellor Register and Garter should prepare an abreviation of the Statutes and reduce every thing of one-head into an act to avoid confusion And this being the half of what they then did caused this Expression to fall from the Pen of this worthy Chancellor in another Letter to the Register of the 24. of Nov. 1637. There is little hopes of the Knights they never meet or to no purpose though I am tired with solicitations Finally the first of February after another assembly of seven of the Knights-Commissioners was held also at Whitehall in whose presence a few things were debated but little concluded and further than this sitting can I not trace the prosecution of this noble design and intendment of the late Royal Soveraign all the following years of his Reign but that here it slept in silence and neglect SECT IV. Of the Annals of the Order AND because the several Orders and Decrees occasionally made in Chapters being of good authority and binding to the Knights-Companionâ— and Officers with many other Historical and Ceremonial matters relating to the Order lye disperst throughout the Annals thereof it will be requisite here to give some account of those Books wherein they are so recorded because we shall make frequent use of them in the progress of our Discourse The first of these in order of time
into their consideration the Affairs of the Order which tender when they declined he proposed that it might be examined by the Prelate but that not being liked by them on consideration that the Register was obliged under an Oath to deal faithfully in his Report it was Decreed That the said Annals should be recorded in the said Book without any further examination Besides the above-mentioned particulars there were materials of another nature ordered to be collected both from the Chancellor of the Order and Garter Principal King of Arms to be digested by the Register and entred also upon Record for whereas one part of the Chancellor's duty was to set forth and declare every year in Chapter at the Feast of St. George the renowned and praiseworthy Acts of the Knights of this Order as many as had so merited and as for those who had deserved the contrary to make relation also of their scandalous and disgraceful actions the Register was to take these in writing and record them for a memorial of their honor or shame never to end And it is part of the duty of Mr. Garter diligently and industriously to make enquiry after the valiant fortunate and renowned Acts both of the Soveraign and the rest of the Knights-Companions which having learnt he is to make a true and faithful relation of them to the Register to be by him entred upon Record for a perpetual memorial But we find very little of this hitherto done and how sparingly inserted the Annals themselves are but too evident Witnesses Nevertheless the present Garter Sir Ed. Walker hath drawn up a faithful account of the noble Actions and Characters of the Knights-Companions beginning with Thomas Earl of Strafford and continuing it down to his Son which he delivered to Dr. Ryves the now Register for the use afore directed Among the Articles established at the Feast of St. George anno Iac. Regis 21. the last is That the then Register of the Order should compose a Book wherein should be orderly transcribed the form and manner of all the Solemnities Ceremonies and Processions which were accustomably used at the Feast of St. George and celebration of the Order as also of taking down and offering the defunct Knights Atchievements to the end the Knights-Companions upon recourse to it might have full information thereof But after much enquiry we have not heard that such a Book was drawn up by him or any of his Successors And that some course should be taken for the safe custody and preservation of the Annals of the Order such was the worthy care of the foresaid Knights-Commissioner that the said 22. of May anno Iac. Regis 20. it was Ordained That a secure and certain place within the Castle of Windesor should be provided and appointed in which all Acts concerning the Order should be kept and to which every Knight-Companion at all times might have access And further That upon the remove or after the death of the Register of the Order the Book containing an account of all such acts as had been Registered and there reserved should be delivered to one of the Knights of the Order The second of these Books is called the Blue Book and so called from the colour of the Cover being fairly bound in Blue Velvet It begins with the first year of Queen Mary and ends at the 18. year of King Iames. The third being bound up in Red Velvet goes therefore under the name of the Red Book it takes commencement where the Blue Book ends and contains like Acts and Entries with the former it ends in the 14. year of King Charles the First of ever blessed memory having first given a full account of the Ceremonies performed at the Installation of the present Soveraign And as to a great part of this Book may I justly and without flattery say and to the honor of that right Reverend Prelate Doctor Wren the late Lord Bishop of Ely let it be remembred that from the Institution of this most Noble Order until he was chosen into the Office of Register the Annals of the Order were at no time recorded by a Pen neer so judicious or eligant whose excellent Patern his worthy Brother and Successor into that Office Doctor Christopher Wren who most freely and readily communicated to me what materials he had to encourage my first design and entrance upon this Work hath exactly copied in its following leaves The fourth and last Book commenceth anno 1640. wherein the Annals are continued down to the beginning of the year 1670. according to the English Account by the learned pains of Dr. Brune Ryves the present Register of the Order And in a Chapter held at Windesor the 16. of April anno 13. Car. 2. it was Decreed That there should be two of these Books made the one penn'd in Latin to remain with the Register at Windesor and the other in English to be kept at Whitehall and called Registrum Aulicum THE Account drawn up of the Founder and first Knights-Companions of this Noble Order we designed for the next Chapter but for some considerable reasons cannot bring it in here nevertheless we intend it to usher in the Catalogue of their Successors and join them together in the last Chapter where our Reader is hence he cast his eye thither may read it in due Order Of what materials this principal Ensigâ— was at first made we have not yet found nor is it described by any before Pâ—lydore â—irgile and he but in general as to the ornamental part of it to wit That it was adorned with Gold and precious Stones and had a Buckle of Gold at the end wherewith to fasten it about the Leg. But doubtless it was also wrought with rich Embroâ—dery and thereon the Symbolical word or Motto was raised with Gold Pearl and sundry sorts of Silks as may be guessed from the Garters anciently placed on the left shoulder of the Knights-Companions Mantles and these other little embroidered Garters wherewith their Surcoats and Hoods were heretofore adornâ—d which we shall describe by and by But touching those made in the last Age we have received more particular satisfaction for we find that the Garter sent to Emâ—nuel Duke of Savoy ann 1 2. Phil. Mar. was set with Letters of Goldsmiths Work the Buckle and Pendant of the same and on the Pendant a Ruby and a Pearl hanging at the end The Garter made for Francis the Second anno 6. Eliâ— was richly wrought with Letters of Gold garnished with Stones the Buckle and Pendant weighing three Ounces and a half and half quarter was richly set with Rubies and Diamonds The French King Henry the Fourth had a Garter of Purple Velvet embroidered with Letters of Gold garnished with Diamonds and Rubies and the Garter of Christierâ— the Fourth King of Denmark was embroidered with Gold and Pearls But that Garter sent to Gustâ—vus
began likewise to be cut thereon insomuch as even until these days the Garter is to be seen thus represented upon all the Monumental Portraictures of those who were since Companions of this most Noble Order And albeit this Princely Ensign of the Order was at first designed for an Ornament to the left Legs of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions yet was not its use confined only thereto but extended to some other particulars For in the next place it was and that ancienly also made use of to incircle the Scutcheon of St. George's Arms worn by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions on the left shoulder of their Mantles who within a short time after took it to surround each of their proper Coats of Arms which usage their Successors in this most Noble Order have retained as a peculiar priviledge but not permitted to any other except the Prelate of the Garter their principal Officer The first Example which hath occurr'd to our view is the before mentioned Monument of Sir Simon Burley where on the front towards the head is a Scutcheon of his Arms impaled with his first Wives set within a Garter wanting the Impress but another having the same impalment placed below the Feet is surrounded with a Collar of SS of the fashion with that about his neck The Monument also of Ioane Wife to Ralph Nevill Earl of Westmerland Daughter to Iohn a Gaunt Duke of Lancaster who died on the Feast-day of St. Brice anno 1410. raised on the South side of the Quire in the Cathedral Church of Lincolne hath the Arms of Nevill impaled with those belonging to the said Ioane incircled with a Garter And by these two among other Examples it appears to have been the usage about those times to surround Scutcheons of Arms and other Devices with a Collar of SS also for so on this great Ladies Monument is there such a Collar fashioned like that of Sir Burley's placed about a square whereon what was painted doth not now appear Another ancient instance is that Scutcheon viz. Sable three Ostrich Feathers Argent surrounded with the Garter set up in the Glass Windows of Greenwich Church in Kent by Humfry Duke of Gloucester and supported with a Greyhound and an Antilope It is said that these three Feathers were the Badge of King Henry the Fourth which he had from Iohn a Gaunt Duke of Lancaster his Father who bore them for his Device as might be seen not long since in the North Window against his before mentioned Monument in St. Paul's London and placed in a Field Sable as here but the Pens were powdred with Ermyns for a difference from the Prince's Feather The King likewise so also the House of Somerset gave the White Ostrich Feather for a Device but all the difference lay in the Pen for the Kings Pen was Or the Princes Argent the Duke of Lancasters Ermyn and the Duke of Somersets Compony Argent and Azure The Arms of Sir Lewis Robsort Lord Bourchier one of the Knights of this Order Elected in the Reign of King Henry the Fifth are to be seen painted within a Garter on each side his Monument in St. Paul's Chappel in Westminster Abbey Afterwards we find at the Interment of Richard Duke of York Father to King Edward the Fourth slain at the Battel of Wakefield that every corner of the Majesty Scutcheon set over the Image of the defunct had a Scutcheon of the Arms of France and England quarterly and four Angels Gold holding the Arms within a Garter In like manner some of the Scutheons prepared for the Funeral of Iohn Viscount Wells who married Cicely third Daughter to King Edward the Fourth and died the 9. of February anno 14. H. 7. were surrounded with the Garter and so were others having his Ladies Arms of both Metal and Colour At the Interment of Thomas Duke of Norfolk in Thetford Abbey who dyed anno 16. H. 8. there was provided a Shield of his Arms within a Garter and a Coronet set over it A Target also of the Arms of George Earl of Shrewsbury within a Garter was born at his Funeral anno 33. H. 8. It was the custom begun with us about the Reign of King Henry the Seventh when the Obsequies of any Forreign Prince were celebrated here in England to paint the Scutcheon of such Princes Arms within the Collar of that Order whereof he was Soveraign or a Fellow-Companion for instance At the Obsequies of the French King Charles the Eighth celebrated in the Cathedral of St. Paul's London the Scutcheons of the Arms of France were placed within the Collar of the Order of Saint Michael of which he was Soveraign At each end of the Hearse when the Obsequies of Iohn King of Portugal were kept in St. Paul's Cathedral there was among others one great Scutcheon of his Arms within the Collar of the Golden Fleece wrought with Metal upon Wax in regard he was one of the Knights of that Order The Obsequies of the Emperor Charles the Fifth being performed in Westminster Abbey the 22. and 23. days of December anno 1558. there were ten great Scutcheons compassed with Garters to shew he was a Fellow and Knight-Companon of this Order And upon the same account where any Forreign Princes were not only Soveraigns of one Order but Companions of another their Herses were garnished with Scutcheons of their proper Arms surrounded with the Collars or principal Badges of both those Orders Hereupon we find at the Obsequies of Francis the First the French King celebrated the 19. of Iune in St. Paul's Londâ—n anno 1. E. 6. the Herse was adorned with the Scutcheons of the Arms of France placed both within the Garter of St. George and Collar of St. Michael's Order in regard he had been a Fellow of the one and Soveraign of the other At the Obsequies performed for Henry the Second of France on the 9. of September anno 1. Eliz. in St. Paul's also there were some Scutcheons of his Arms incircled both with the Garter and Collar of the Golden Fleece he having been a Knight-Companion of both these Orders under the Joysts was a Majesty Scutcheon of Black Taffaty of this Kings Arms within a Garter crowned with an Imperial Grown This Scutcheon was garnished in eight places with eight Rundles and therein his Impress Donec totum impleat Orbem with three Crescents and two D's of the Roman Letter linked back to back and in several other places of the Herse were fastned other Scutcheons of his Arms within this principal Ensign of the Garter King Henry the Eighth was first of the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order who introduced into his Great Seal the Scutcheon of his Arms incircled within a Garter as may be seen placed on either side of his Portraicture sitting in his Royal Throne Since his Reign all succeeding Soveraigns have born their Arms within the Garter not only in their Great and Privy
Cloth Anno H. 6. the Soveraign's Gown or Surcoat was made of Scarlet and so was that sent to the King of Portugal in the 13. year of the same King Anno H. 6. the Soveraign had White Cloth and of like Colour were the Surcoats provided for 20 Knights-Companions in the year of his Reign Afterwards the before mentioned four Colours began to be laid aside and others brought into use for the Surcoat sent to Iulianus Medices in the Reign of King Edward the Fourth was Purple Velvet And by the Soveraign's Warrants entred in the great Wardrobe towards the latter end of the Reign of King Henry the Eighth and since it is manifest the Surcoats of the Soveraign and all the Knights-Companions were Crimson Velvet Nor was this Colour altered in the Surcoat though the late Soveraign restored the Mantle to its first and ancient Colour an 12. Car. 1. It is evident that in provisions of Surcoats made for the Knights-Companions against one and the same Feast there hath been some difference in the Quantity of the Cloth allowed for we find an 34. E. 3. the Earls of Stafford Warwick and Suffolk as also Sir Thomas Vghtred had then allowed for each of their Surcoats 6 Ells of Cloth perhaps the tallness of their stature required it when the other 15 Knights-Companions were allowed but 5 Ells being the same quantity put into the Soveraign's Surcoat at the same time The Dukes of Holland and Clarence an 1. H. 5. with the Earl of Arundel were allowed 8 Ells of Cloth apiece the Dukes of Bedford Gloucester and York the Earls of Westmerland and Warwick the Lords Grey Fitz-Hugh and Roos 6 Ells apiece the Earls of Dorset with six Barons and five Knights-Batchellors but 5 Ells apiece Afterwards when the number of Ells of Cloth Garters and Furrs came to be ascertained for each Degree all the Knights-Companions even the Prince of Wales were stinted to a certain allowance of 5 Ells of Cloth But since Velvet came into use the allowance for Surcoat and Hood as appears by the Soveraign's Warrants hath been eighteen yards that is while the Surcoat reached down to the feet but now it being the fashion to wear it shorter the allowance is but ten yards The length of the now Soveraign's Surcoat is one yard and a half and of the sleeve one yard wanting a Nail In the last place the ornamental Trimmings of these Garments especially at the time of Instituting the Order are worthy observation for they were then and for a long time after garnished or powdered all over with little Garters embroided with Silk and Gold Plate in each of which was neatly wrought the Motto Honi soit qui mal y pense Besides the Buckles and Pendants to these small Garters were Silver gilt Of these embroidered Garters there were laid upon the first Surcoat and Hood made for the Founder no less than 168. In King Richard the Second's Reign the little Garters that adorned the Surcoats of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions were wrought in embroidery upon Blue Taffaty with Cyprus and Soldat Gold and Silk of divers Colours and the Letters Gold And as the Soveraign was not limited in the proportion of Cloth or Velvet for his Surcoat no more was he confined to a certain number of Garters wherewith to adorn it nor do I find that any of the Knights-Companions were until the Precedent of the Livery of the Garter was setled For an 1. H. 5. the Dâ—kes of Holland and Clarence the Earl of Arundel the Dukes of Bedford and Gloucester had each of their Surcoats adorn'd with 120 Garters but the Duke of York and the rest of the Earls Barons and Knights-Batchelors wore but 100. The setlement in the Precedent of the Livery was made in relation to the Degrees of honor of each Knight-Companion according to which they had an allowance of a greater or lesser number of Garters that is to say A Duke 120 Garters A Marquess 110 Garters An Earl 100 Garters A Viscount 90 Garters A Baron 80 Garters A Baneret 70 Garters A Knight-Batchellor 60 Garters About the Reign of King Henry the Sixth the Soveraign's number of Garters did not much exceed those which the Founder allowed to himself at the Institution for the Surcoat and Hood of the said King took up but 173. and the King of Portugal an 13. H. 6. 120 Garters But this manner of adorning these Garments grew at length quite out of fashion perhaps when Cloth was altered to Velvet and the plain Surcoat hath to this day continued in use In the second place it is to be noted that all these Surcoats whilst made of Cloth were lined with Fur of one and the same kind to wit with Bellies of pure Miniver only the Soveraign's were purfled with Ermyn and of these it seems a like proportion was at first allowed to all the Knights-Companions viz. 200 Bellies Yet in the Reign of King Richard the Second some difference began in the allowance to the Knights-Companions for a Baron and all Degrees upward had the same allowance of 200 Bellies but the Degrees under a Baron only 120. Howbeit an 1. H. 5. the Barons were equalled to the Knights-Batchellors for all Degrees above a Baron were allowed a Fur of 200 Bellies but the Barons and Knights Batchellors Furs were only of 120 Bellies Afterwards by the Precedent of the Garter there was another Proportion set the Prince a Duke a Marquess an Earl had each of them 5 Timber of pure Miniver allowed to a Surcoat but the Viscount Baron Baneret and Batchelor Knight but 3 Timber apiece In time these Furs also were laid aside and then the Surcoats came to be lined with White Sarcenet to which in Queen Elizabeth's Reign White Taffaty succeeded and that still continues What became of these Surcoats heretofore seeing the Knights-Companions had new ones every year appears from this Note entred in the Black Book of the Order That on the Eve of the Feast of St. George the Knights wore to Vespers the Soveraign ' s Livery or Surcoats used by them the preceding year which after that night they did not wear for the new Surcoats were first worn on the Feast-day but the Ensigns and Ornaments of this kind were afterwards disposed of to the use of the Colledge SECT IV. Of the Hood and Cap. THE Hood comes in the next place to be spoken of which in King Henry the Eighth's Statutes and the Black Book of the Order is called Humerale but in the Rolls of Accounts in the Soveraign's great Wardrobe Capucium In the French it is Chaperon a word used in the Statute an 1. Ric. 2. c. 7. and also retained in an old English Draught of Henry the Eighth's Statutes that seems to have been prepared for the view of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions at their solemn meeting in Chapter
be done for the honor of the Order which was appointed to be held at London about Alhollantide after but what was then or after done doth not appear and the unhappy War coming on this matter wholly slept SECT VI. Of Collars in general THE Collar is an Ornament not of late but ancient invention and certainly could we not deduce its antiquity very high yet the wonderful consent of most Nations therein would sufficiently plead for it since such a consent can scarce be found unless in things most ancient As to its Antiquity the Author of the first Book of Sacred Writ setting down the Ornaments bestowed by Pharaoh on Ioseph mentions the Collar to be one and of Gold that being the Metal whereof it was in all times ordinarily made And it may be inferr'd the use of it in that was the same as in this Age viz. to be worn about the neck in regard Pharaoh put it about Ioseph's Neck Again the Draught of that most ancient Hierogliphical Table reserved of old in the Temple of Isis in Aegypt and most happily conserved till of late years when though it unhappily perished at the sacking of Mantua by the Spaniards an 1630. yet was fortunately set forth before in Picture by Laurentius Pignorius doth evidence the great antiquity of this Ornament among them for there are to be found incircling the Necks of the Images of Isis and Osiris such like Collars in a manner extending to their shoulders Their workmanship seems curious being intersected with various lines and divided with Tablets and precious Stones The Collar became first and principally famous among the Romans for having given a Surname of perpetual memory to one of the chiefest Families in Rome derived unto it from T. Manlius Torquatus who fought with a Champion of the Gauls neer the River Anio Anno V. C. 392. and having vanquished him cut off his Head then pluckt off his Collar and bloody as it was put it about his own neck Livy saith the Soldiers when they presented him to the Dictator were heard to Surname him Torquatus and from him that honorable name descended to his Posterity In further memory of this gallant action and to shew the original of this Surname the representation of the Collar of this Gaul is found stamped upon some Roman Coyns in particular that referring to L. Torquatus Consul with L. Cotta An V. C. 688. which we have here inserted to the end its fashion may be the better known And we shall herewith note that when one of another Tribe became adopted into this Family he also did assume this Badge of Honor as may be seen in another Coyn relating to D. Iunius Silanus sometime Pretor of Macedonia adopted into the Manlian Family of the Torquati though the fashion of the work be somewhat differing from the former In eldest times none but Kings and Princes wore Collars and therefore their first use seems to be a note of Dignity and Power as is evident out of Daniel where is noted that the Assyrian Kings used this Ornament Afterwards men famous for wisdom excelling in Counsels and thereby beneficial to their Country had Collars bestowed on them for tokens of Reward and this is plain as in the Example of Ioseph so likewise from the Proclamation of Belshazzar King of Babylon among the Rewards proposed to him that could read and interpret the Writing on the Wall But the Collar was bestowed as a Reward also upon those whose famous actions and military enterprises merited well and rendered them deserving of eminent recompences though otherwise persons of no great or extraordinary note Thus the Romans among the Dona Praemia Militaria those solemn Rewards wherewith they honored Virtue which upon occasion of merit and desert they bestowed among such of their Commanders and Soldiers as had gallantly exposed their lives to dangers for the service of that Common-wealth and no less to excite others to like performances than to recompence the deserving for great services done among these we say Collars were of the number and the honor of receiving them thought worthy to be preserved for the notice of Posterity in Marble Inscriptions of which sort there are many collected by the industrious Gruter out of whom for a specimen of this kind we have transcribed this that follows M. LICINIO MVCIANO c. DONIS DONATO ob vir TVTEM ET FORTITVDINEM BELLO DACICO AB IMP. TRAIANO CORONA VICTRICI PVRA HASTA TORQVIBVS ARMILLIS PHALERIS c. This custom of bestowing Collars as a peculiar Reward for military and memorable services was continued down to and used by the later Emperors as the learned Budaeus observes And we read of Investing a Knight of the Sepulchre with a Collar at his Creation where assoon as the Ceremony of his Ordination is finished the Padre Guardian kisseth the new made Knight and puts about his neck according to the manner of Ancients a Golden Collar with a Cross hanging thereat Most fitly therefore have the Soveraigns of Military Orders added this Ornament of the Collar to their Habit and bestowed it on the Fellows and Companions many of whom have meritoriously deserved it upon account of those ancient qualifications Wisdom and Valour SECT VII The Collar of the Order HEreupon also in addition to the Ensigns and Ornaments of this most Noble Order of the Garter there was instituted a Collar composed after a peculiar manner exactly relative to the name and title of the Order to the wearing of which the Soveraign obliged both himself and Knights-Companions and His and their Successors This Collar was Ordained to be Gold 30 ounces Troy weight but not above howbeit that Collar sent to Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden weighed 34 ounces and a quarter and that belonging to the late Soveraign King Charles the First 35 ounces and a half which after his Sufferings coming into the hands of Thomas Harison sometime called Major General Harison was by him delivered to the Trustees for sale of this Kings Goods who Anno 1649. sent it to the Mint with the Regalia here particularized to set the Stamp on work for the first Gold that the upstart Common-wealth coyned viz. The Imperial Crown weighing 7 l. 6 ounces enriched with 19 Saphirs 3 of which were exceeding large 232 Pearls 58 Rubies 28 Diamonds and 2 Emeralds The Queens Crown weighing 3 l. 10 ounces 1 half enriched with 20 Saphirs 22 Rubies and 83 Pearls An ancient Crown weighing 2 l. 1 ounce enriched with one fair Diamond valued by the Trustees who rated such things far beneath their worth at 200 l. 13 other Diamonds 10 Rubies 1 Emerald 1 Saphir valued by them at 60 l. and 70 Pearls which Stones and Pearls weighed 3 ounces The Globe or Orb weighing 1 l. 5 ounces 1 quarter Two Coronation Bracelets adorned with 3 Rubies Ballas and 12 Pearls weighing an ounce in all 7 ounces 1 quarter
for sudden chances the owners living were anciently committed to the Custody of the Black Rod as we find it granted by Letters Patent to Iohn Athelbrig with the grant of that Office and fell after the death of the Owners to the Dean and Canons of Windesor being then reserved either for publick use of the Knights-Companions when they casually came to Windesor or else sold sometimes to the Heirs of the Deceased or other Knights-Companions who succeeded in the Order as that of Charles the Fifth was to the Earl of Bedford and that of the Constable of France lent to the Earl of Warwick an 7. Eliz. which appears from the Accounts of the Chanter of the Colledge in the Reigns of King Henry the Fourth King Henry the Fifth King Henry the Eighth Queen Elizabeth and King Iames who in all times answered the full benefit thereof to the Colledge as being a certain and unquestionable due to the Dean and Canons and this they have accordingly had and enjoyed And yet we find some of the Colledge made over bold with the Robe of Sigismond the Emperor and sold it while he was yet alive But the Archbishop of York who as Chancellor of England was Visitor of the Colledge upon a Visitation made by him shortly after viz. the 22. of February anno 1431. kept the Money from being distributed among those who had sold it and reserved the dividend to the Dean and Canons who should happen to be of the Colledge at the time of that Emperors death and withall commanded for the future under pain of Excommunication That no Dean and Canon should presume to withdraw or aliene any of the Knights-Companions Mantles while he was alive but the same asmuch as possible should be well decently and faithfully kept and preserved But we are informed that the before mentioned Statute was altered anno 9. Eliz. and a new one made to this effect That the Knights-Companions should be bound by Oath to take care by their Wills that after their decease all the Ornaments which they had received should be restored the Robes to the Colledge and the Jewels to the Soveraign that gave them We come in the last place to the times of wearing the Collar of the Order with the Great George thereunto appendant which is not only enjoined to be worn as part of the Habit at the Grand Feasts and Feasts of Installation but also at other times when not any of the rest of the Habit saving the Garter is appointed to be worn as in special at the principal and solemn Feasts of the year and other Feast days to which a particular Order in Chapter anno 4. Eliz. thus directs The Holy days and Sundays within the twelve days Saint Matthias day Holy days in Easter week Saint Marks day Saint Philip and Iacobs day Holy days in Whitson week The Feast days of St. Peter St. Iames. St. Bartholomew St. Matthew St. Luke St. Simon and Iude. St. Andrew and St. Thomas Besides these the Soveraigns and Knights-Companions have been accustomed to wear this Noble Ensign upon the Aniversary of the Soveraign's Coronation of the Gunpowder Treason and now lately on the present Soveraign's Birth day So also heretofore upon some occasional Ceremonies not relative to the Order as when a Knight-Companion hath been created into Titles of Dignity and Honor he had the Collar of the Garter added to his Investiture as appears in the case of Henry Stafford created Earl of Wiltshire anâ—o 1. H. 8. And at a Chapter held the twenty second of May 1622. it was Ordained That such Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order as should afterwards assist at the Funeral of any Knight-Companion should wear the Collar apert at the said Funeral and it was so observed by the Dukes of Ormond and Richmond the Earls of Manchester and Sandwich at the solemn Funeral of his Grace George late Duke of Albemarle Howbeit the custom is otherwise as to wearing the Garter that principal Ensign of the Order for though it be enjoined to be worn especially at the Grand Feast and all times of entring into St. George's Chappel or holding of Chapters yet doth not this imply that it may be left off at all other times as may the rest of the Habit for indeed it ought daily to be worn both by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions And therefore was it Decreed even at the Institution of the Order That if any of the Knights-Companions should in publick be found without his Garter and that the same was not buckled about his Leg in deoent and usual manner upon challenge thereof he should presently pay a Noble to the Dean and Colledge of Windesor By King Henry the Eighth's Statutes the Fine was raised to a Mark the same to be paid forthwith after challenge made by any of the five Officers of the Order or as before by the Dean of Windesor beside which Fine the Knight lies liable to a check But the Article in the Statutes of Institution being pen'd too strictly and without any exception the several occasions of military or necessary affairs discovering the inconvenience King Henry the Fifth admitted of a qualification and in case of riding with Boots Ordained That it might suffice if the Knight-Companion wore some Ribband or Silk Lace to represent the Garter nevertheless in this very Article there is a Proviso added That no Knight-Companion should enter into Chapter without his Garter buckled about the Leg. To conclude King Henry the Eighth's Statutes provide that the Gold Chain whereat the Lesser George in that Age hung should be worn all other days of the year except the principal and solemn Feasts whereon the Great Collar was Ordained to be worn and except in time of War Sickness or long Voyage in any of which cases it should suffice the Knight-Companion concern'd to wear only a Silk Lace or Ribband with the Image of St. George thereat and the Blue Ribband having since succeeded in place of the Gold Chain the Injunction of this Statute extends to it in all particulars CHAP. VIII THE Officers APPOINTED FOR THE SERVICE OF THE Order SECT I. The Prelate's Institution his Oath Robe and Priviledges TO give increase and augmentation to the Honor of this most Noble Order the Founder constituted certain Officers namely a Prelate Register and Vsher to whom he assigned several and particular duties Some of his Successors added the Chancellor and Garter upon the same account and all of them sworn to be of the Council of the Order Among these the Prelate and Chancellor are usually called the principal the other three the inferior Officers of the Order known and distinguished by the Robes or Ensigns of their peculiar Offices The ancient Habits and Ensigns assigned to the Officers of the Order The present Habits Ensigns and Badges belonging to the Officers of the Order The Prelate is the first
to refer the examination thereof to some others That thereupon such course may be taken for the restoring and preserving of the right of the said Church herein either for the present or future time as your Majesty in your Princely wisdom shall find agreeable to honor and justice And the Petitioner according to his duty shall pray for your Majesties long happy and glorious Reign To the substance of this Petition it was objected 1. That the Great Seals of England did not work within or upon the Statutes and Rules of the Order of the Garter 2. That no Grant could prescribe or limit the present Soveraign it being a Fundamental Law within the Order Suprema Lex was Supremi voluntas 3. That it did not appear by the Records of the Order that the place of Chancellor was any otherwise conferred upon Richard Beauchamp Bishop of Salisbury than quam diu Regiae celcitudini complaceret So as the free disposition thereof did remain with the Soveraign To the first It was answered by way of exception as to the Grant of Offices forasmuch as the power of the Great Seal of England was anciently took into and became legal within the Order in like Cases and not any Patent for an Office from the Institution of the Order unto that time had past under the Seal of the Order but under the Great Seal of England and in particular the Office of Chancellor as was manifest enough from their Enrolments For besides the first Grant made by King Edward the Fourth when the Office came afterwards into the hands of Lay-men from the Patent granted to Sir William Cecil to that made to Sir Thomas Rowe all past under the said Great Seal which had not been done if any legal defect had been therein To the second it being so as was objected it thence appeared that the Soveraign was as much at liberty to restore this Office to the See of Salisbury as continue it to secular Dignities To the third What was alledged out of the Records of the Order related only to the time of delivering the Seals to Bishop Beauchamp but when afterwards the Office was erected by Letters Patent it was then granted to him during life Something was replied from the Judges opinions given in this case an Iac. Regis 6. but the Soveraign thought it was not then well considered to permit the Chapter Acts of this Order which hath Statutes and Rules of its own and wholly independent from other Laws to receive construction and determination from the Measures and Rules of our Common-Law and therefore notwithstanding what had been objected against the Bishops Claim the Soveraign was pleased justly to pronounce That he ought to be heard and to that purpose gave the Chancellor order to signifie unto him that he should prepare and set down in writing a brief of the Vouchers and Proofs of his Pretentions in verification of his Petition and send them to the Chancellor to be delivered to the Knights-Commissioners appointed for the Affairs of the Order to consider of them and present them at the next Chapter to the Soveraign who would therein take such Order as was conformable to his most impartial and untainted Justice The 4. of October after in a Chapter held at Windesor during the Feast of St. George the Chancellor represented the said Bishop's Petition with the Vouchers to his Pretensions which the Bishop exhibited no otherwise than as Inducements and humble Motives for restoring the ancient right of the Church of Salisbury and perpetually re-uniting the Chancellorship of the Order to that See if it should seem agreeable to his Will Wisdom and Justice But the Knights-Commissioners having not to that time met the business was again referr'd to them to be considered prepared and abreviated for the Soveraign's consideration and final judgment All which the Chancellor by Letter thus signified to the Bishop Right Reverend and my very good Lord I Mâ—y have justly incurred the censure of your Lordship either of want of manners or prevarication that I have not given you an account of the trust you pleased to repose in me and that I so willingly undertook both out of true respect I bear to your Lordship and duty and service to the Church whose cause you solicite but I hope your goodness will acquit me of any of these crimes and be pleased to take my just excuse that I deferred only to give you a more certain answer than yet I am able â—â— left a longer delay might endanger the good opinion which I desire to preserve with â—ou you may be pleased to know that at the last Chapter of the Order held in October at Windesor I represented your Lordships Petition and all the several Vouchers and verifications of your demand and pretension but his Majesty having not leisure at that time to enter into a full debate did refer it to the Knights-Commissioners standing for the Order both to consider and to deliver their opinions and to make report to him at the next Feast reserving to Himself the final judgment Of this I have made a Record and registred it in the Acts of the Order for continuance of your Claim I have since solicited the Knights-Commissioners often to meet upon it and other occasions of the Order but hic labor hoc opus I cannot procure them till after the Term when I beseech you to believe that I will be a faithful Remembrancer and Advocate of your cause and that as soon as I can get any resolution I will thereof render you an account and if they will do nothing therein I will again bring it to his Majesty In this business I cannot omit to let you know the care of his Grace my Lord Archbishop of Canterbury in your behalf who doth often call upon me and if you please to take notice thereof to him and to desire him to move his Majesty to command some of the Knights to meet and to hear it it will procure both a quick and effectual dispatch and there shall be of my part no manner of omission to testifie to your Lordship both my reverence to your person and desire to deserve of you the name of Your Lordships most humble servant Tho. Rowe St. Martyns-Lane 29 Nov. 1637. Nor was this worthy Chancellor unmindful of his promise for the next time the Knights-Commissioners sat which was the first of February following at Whitehall He to their considerations presented the foresaid Petition Claim and Vouchers to be heard by them according to the former Order But it was their opinion That unless the Bishop were himself present it would be labour lost and that they could not conclude in the cause without hearing his own Reply And therefore they entred not into the debate but Ordered the Chancellor to write a Letter to his Lordship that whensoever he came up to London he should be heard personally and his reasons considered and to the Soveraign represented The Letter
the said Chancellor is to precede And to the end publick notice may be taken hereof and the respects known that is due to that place His Majesty hath commanded an Entry thereof to be made in the Register of the Order And is pleased that the Earl Marshal of England shall likewise cause the same to be entred in the Office of Arms. And to the end the place belonging to the Chancellor of the Exchequer may be certainly known we have thought fit to transcribe hither so much of the Decree and Establishment of King Iames made the 20. of May in the 10. year of his Reign as will evidence the same And his Majesty doth likewise by these presents for Himself his Heirs and Successors Ordain That the Knights of the most Noble Order of the Garter the the Privy Councellors of his Majesty His Heirs and Successors the Master of the Courts of Wards and Liveries the Chancellor and Under-Treasurer of the Exchequer Chancellor of the Dutchy the Chief Justice of the Court commonly called the Kings Bench the Master of the Rolls the Chief Justice of the Court of Common Pleas the Chief Baron of the Exchequer and all other the Judges and Barons of the Degree of the Coife of the said Courts now and for the time being shall by reason of such their honorable Order and employment of State and Iustice have place and precedency in all places and upon all occasions before the Younger Sons of Viscounts and Barons and before all Baronets c. The foresaid Constitutions appoint the Chancellor of the Order an Habitation within the Castle of Windesor like as hath the Prelate and that is the South-west Tower in the Lower-Ward of the Castleâ—hence â—hence called the Chancellors-Tower It appears the possession thereof had been for some time in the hands of others and therefore in a Chapter held at Whitehall the 5. of November an 5. Car. 1. It was decreed to be restored unto Sir Francis Crane then Chancellor of the Order and after his decease to descend to his Successors in right of this Office These Constitutions also Ordained That this Officer should have the like Diet and Liveries in the Soveraign's Court as were allowed to the Prelate At the erection of this Office the Chancellor had no Pension allowed him towards defraying his charge in the Execution thereof nor until the Constitutions relating to the Officers were established but thereby is setled on him a Pension of 100 l. per annum in consideration of his Employment or else an allowance proportionable in Fees Offices or other Promotions over and beside his Lodgings in the Castle and Liveries at Court But as to Fees or Perquisites there are none due to this Officer and for that reason he hath not only the foresaid Pension but all his disbursements touching the Affairs of the Order allowed him even to Paper Wax and Wafers and indeed those persons who formerly enjoyed this Office have thought it much below them to accept either of Fee or Gratuity for any thing done within the Order and so that truly noble person Sir Thomas Rowe sometime the worthy Chancellor of this Order out of an extraordinary sence of Honor affirmed in a Letter to Doctor Christopher Wren Register upon the tender but his refusal of some Gratuity That his Office was an Office of Honor and not of Fees and that he had alwâ—ys excepted against Fees for the disbursements of the Soveraign's Money Though he acknowledged some had given his Clerk a small Gratuity for the bare Ingrossing of an Alms-Knights Patent but nothing further And because the Custody of the Seals of the Order belong to this Officer before we leave this Section it will be here the fittest place to say something concerning them It appears by the Statutes of Institution to have been then agreed That there should belong to this most Noble Order a Common Seal This is confirmed by the Statutes of King Henry the Fifth and since called the Great Seal of the Order The use of this Seal is declared to be to seal not only the Original Statutes appointed to remain perpetually within the Treasury of Windesor Colledge as also those Copies of which each Knight-Companion is obliged to have one in his keeping but likewise all Letters of Licence to any of the Knights-Companions desirous to purchase Honor abroad and all Mandates and Certificates relating to the Order After what manner this first Seal was designed or what was engraven thereon we yet could never find Polidore Virgile tells us That when the Founder of the Order had made choice of St. George for its Patron he represented him armed mounted on a Horse bearing a Silver Shield and thereon a Red Cross. But whether St. George thus designed was engraved on the first Seal or only a Scutcheon of his Arms as in after times is not certain But this Author notes that the Founder clothed his Soldiers in White Iackets or Coats and on their Breasts and Backs sowed Red Crosses parallel to the Arms anciently assigned to St. George as also to the Kingdom of England placed under his Patronage which Arms the Soveraigns of this Order have ever since advanced in their Standards both by Land and Sea But besides this Common Seal King Henry the Fifth in the 9. year of his Reigâ— Instituted a Privy Signet in case weighty Affairs should occasion the Soveraign to go out of this Kingdom The use whereof was to set to all Acts made by the Soveraign beyond Sea to difference them from those of his Deputies here in England King Henry the Eighth's Statutes ordain the making both of a Common-Seal and Signet and direct that the Arms of the Order should be engraved upon each of them The Common-Seal used in his Reign we have seen and represented in the inserted Plate under the Number I the Signet being designed after the same manner but less The use of this Seal was continued as appears from several Commissions of Lieutenancy that have come to our hands until the Reign of King Iames and then altered to that Draught placed under number II There was a like Seal made at the beginning of the Reign of King Charles the First which being judged too little for the honor of the Soveraign's Commissions it was afterwards Decreed in Chapter held the 18. of April an 13. Car. 1. That a new one should be made of a larger size with the accustomed Arms and Motto and the care thereof left to Sir Thomas Rowe the then Chancellor and it appears he executed this Command with all due consideration by the nobleness of the design exhibited under the Number III In the same Decree direction was given for making a new Signet the former being thought too big for Letters this also was effected by the said Chancellor and represented under the number IV It was at the same Chapter further Decreed
of April an 15. Car. 2. Sir Edward Walker now Garter represented to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions by Petition That the annual Pensions of the Installed Knights then in arrear for one year amounted to 94 l. 13 s. 04 d. according to the proportions last above decreed whereof the Soveraign's part he being to pay for all Stranger-Knights was at that time 32 l. 13 s. 4 d. And therefore humbly prayed that his Majesty would please to grant him and his Successors to receive in lieu not only of the said Pensions from Himself and Knights-Companions both Strangers and Subjects but for quitting his right and just pretence to his annual Pension of 50 l. to his allowances for preparing Scutcheons and removal of Atchievements 100 l. per annum out of the yearly Revenue setled and assigned to the use of the Order This Petition the Soveraign was pleased to refer to a Committee of the Knights-Companions namely the Duke of Albemarle the Earls of Lindsey Manchester Sandwich and Strafford who being attended by Garter and consideration had upon the Proposals contained in the Petition they humbly offered their opinions to the Soveraign to grant him the said 100 l. per annum in lieu of what he offered to quit and thereby he should not only gratifie him by preserving the interest of his Office in a more certain way than it was but be freed from those small payments for Strangers and other yearly Charges the Petitioner pretended unto as also exempt the Knights Subjects from the payment of their annual Pensions Shortly after the Chancellor Register and Garter attended the Soveraign with the Report which he approving of ordered the Chancellor to pay unto Garter and his Successors the said annual sum of 100 l. which he accordingly performed and for testimony thereof signed the ensuing Declaration I Henry de Vic Knight Chancellor of the most Noble Order of the Garter do certifie and declare That upon certain Proposals made by Sir Edward Walker Knight Garter Principal King of Arms to the Lords Commissioners for the Affairs of the said Order It was certified by a Writing under their said Lordships hands dated the 26. May 1663. That in lieu of all Fees and Salaries in the said Proposals contained the said Sir Edward and his Successors Garters and Principal Kings of Arms shall be paid by me and my Successors in the said Office of Chancellor of the Garter the sum of one hundred pounds by â—he year out of the Revenue of the Order with which Writing having attended the Soveraign his Majesty was pleased to conform unto it and to direct in his Commission unto me under the Seal of the Order to pay and issue the said one hundred pounds accordingly to the said Sir Edward Walker Garter In witness whereof I have set my Hand and Seal to this present Certificate this 5. August 1664. De Vic. Canc. Touching the Duty of this Officer in general it is to perform or cause to be done what business soever relating to this Order the Soveraign or Prelate or Chancellor shall enjoyn him to do but his duty in particular is dispersedly set down in the following Discourse under such heads to which it properly relates SECT V. Institution of the Black Rod's Office his Oath Habit Ensign Badge Priviledges and Pension THis Officer was instituted by the Founder of this most Noble Order but whether so soon as the Institution of the Order doth not yet appear Howbeit within a few years after viz. the 13. of April in the 35. year of his Reign he granted to William Whitehorse Esq for life Officium Hostiarii Capellae Regis infra Castrum de Windesore with a Fee of twelve pence a day out of his Exchequer An. 3. H. 4. This Office is called Officium Virgarii comitivâ— de la Garter infra Castrum Regis de Windesore and under that title was then granted to Thomas Sye with the Fees and Profits thereunto belonging In the Patent granted to his Successor Iohn Athilbrigg an 1. H. 5. we observe it called Officium Virgarii sive Ostiarii c. Afterwards it hath this Title Officium Virgae-baiuli coram Rege ad Festum Sancti Georgii infra Castrum Regis de Windesore And ever since it hath past in Patents by the name of Virgae-baiulus Virgarius or Nigri-virgifer But in the Constitutions of his Office he hath given to him the title of Hostiarius and these qualifications put upon him That he be a Gentleman of Blood and Arms born within the Soveraign's Dominions and if he be not a Knight at his entrance upon the Office he ought then to be Knighted As Garter was declared the Principal Officer of Arms so was the Black Rod for the honor of the Order appointed the Chief Vsher in the Kingdom And as he is so and frequently called Gentleman Vsher of the Black Rod so we shall wave as we did in the account of Garter's Office all things appertaining to his Imployments other than what directly relate to this most Noble Order In a Chapter held at Whitehall the 13. of February an 6. Car. 1. it was Decreed That the Office of Black Rod should from thenceforth successively as soon as the same should become void Iames Maxwell Esquire then enjoying the Office be annext to some one of the Gentlemen Ushers daily-waiters whom the Soveraign should appoint This was obtained upon the Petition of the Gentlemen Vshers daily-waiters seconded by the Lord Chamberlain the Earl Marshal and divers others of the Knights-Companions as appears from another Petition of theirs presented to the Soveraign in Chapter held at Oxford the 17. of Ian. an 20. Car. 1. But it seems some years after this Decree past viz. an 1642. the Lord Lenerick Secretary for Scotland had on Mr. Maxwell's behalf obtained the Soveraign's hand to a Warrant for passing Letters Patent under the Great Seal of England for two lives his own and Mr. Thayne's and the longest liver of them whereby the Soveraign's intention signified in the foresaid Decree to the Gentlemen-Vshers was frustrate of which they complaining in this last mentioned Chapter the Soveraign and Knights-Companions then present in regard this later Grant was not only repugnant to the preceding Decree and the Great Seal surreptitiously gained but ought to have pass'd the Seals of the Order to be made authentical according to a Decree made an 20. Car. 1. Ordered That Peter Newton Esquire should be presently sworn into this Office Which was then done in the presence of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Nevertheless shortly after the present Soveraign's happy return viz. 14. Ian. 1660. the said Peter Newton being deceased the Gentlemen-Vsherâ— daily-waiters petitioned the Soveraign in Chapter for the void place which being read the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Ordered That the Petition should be shewed to Mr. Thaine and he to be heard in the next Chapter what cause he could alledge why
a Chapter held the 18. of April an 13. Car. 1. the Soveraign tatified his Royal Assignation and increased his gracious bounty to the sum of 1200 l. per annum setling it for the uses aforesaid in a Perpetuity for ever and making it payable out of the Customs in the Port of London but to be received by the Chancellor of the Order for the time being as Treasurer of this Money of which he should be obliged to render an acâ—ount to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions yearly at St. George's Feast And in pursuance of this Ratification was pleased to give his Attorney General directions to draw up a Book for his Royal Signature to warrant its passing under the Great Seal of England The further care of which Affair being committed to Sir Thomas Rowe then Chancellor he readily undertook it and on the first of February following at a meeting of the Knights-Commissioners impowered to consider of matters touching the honor of the Order gave them an account that the same was dispatch The Letters Patent bearing Teste at Westminster the 23. day of Ianuary preceding He then also presented their Lordships with a List of the ordinary Fees and Charges of the Order upon consideration of which it was thought fit That there should issue out a standing Commission to the Chancellor under the Great Seal of the Order to warrant the yearly Payments and he to be discharged according as the said Patent had provided Hereupon a Commission was drawn up which past the said Great Seal the 3. of May an 14. Car. 1. whereby the Soveraign declared his will and pleasure and impowered the Chancellor to pay out of the said annual Revenue of 1200 l. all and every the yearly and ordinary Fees Pensions Sallaries and other Payments usually paid to any the Officers of the Order Alms-Knights or others who do their yearly duty and service any way unto the Order appertaining either by Charter Grant or Assignation under the Seal or Signet of the Order or by any other lawful way whatsoever and in particular  l. s. d.  To Himself as Chancellor 100 0 0 per annum To Register of the Order 50 0 0 per annum To Garter Principal King of Arms. 50 0 0 per annum To Vsher of the Black-Rod 30 0 0 per annum To Thirteen Alms-Knights 237 5 0 per annum Total 467 5 0  All which yearly Pensions are thereby appointed to be quarterly paid that is to say at the four usual Feasts in the year As also any other annual and usual charge to any other inferiour Officer or Servant for their service or attendance And all these upon account thereof to be made and given and Acquittances to be produced for the receipt to be presented to the Soveraign or so many of the Knights-Companions as he should depute in Chapter to take liquid and allow the disbursments under their hands in writing for the Chancellor's discharge By virtue of the foresaid Letters Patent Sir Thomas Rowe and in his absence beyond Sea Sir Iames Palmer Deputy Chancellor received out of the Soveraign's Receipts of Subsidies Customs and Imposts the 1200 l. per annum out of which they paid the annual Pensions above mentioned under the notion of certain and ordinary charges as also such as came within the compass of uncertain and extraordinary Expences some of which as we can collect from the Accounts of the said Chancellor and Deputy Chancellor they falling within the disbursments of their time were such as these Mantles when the Soveraign pleased to bestow them on the Knights-Companions Plate for the Altar in St. George's Chappel at Windesor Embroidery of the Purse for holding the Seals Removal of Atchievements and Plates against Installations Scutcheons set up at St. George's Feast Privy Seals and Fees disburst for receiving the 1200 l. per annum Fees for Installation of Forreign Princes and Stranger-Knights Parchment used in Dispensations and Prorogations Blue Wax for the Seals of the Order By all which may be guest what other particulars ought to be accounted Extraordinary Charges towards the discharge whereof this annual sum was to be employed as far as it would go to ease the Expences of the Great Wardrobe formerly charged with Provisions of the Order both for Forreign Embassies and Expences at home And when Sir Thomas Rowe was sent Ambassador to Ferdinand the Third Emperor of Germany he paid over to the said Sir Iames Palmer upon the Soveraign's Warrant dated the 4. of May an 14. Car. 1. the sum of 600 l. then resting in his hands of the said annual Receipts which he adding to the growing Income disbursed in ordinary and extraordinary Expences In reference to the manner of the Chancellor's passing his Account as is directed by the said Commission we find it thus done by Sir Iames Palmer he humbly moved the Soveraign in a Chapter held the 10. of October an 15. Car. 1. That it would please him and the Knights-Companions to view the disbursments made for the Expences of the Order which thereupon being examined by the Knights in the Soveraign's presence the same were found agreeable to the directions of the Commission and the Payments justified by the Acquittance of every Officer to whom any Fee was due no payment having been made but the Soveraign's hand was first had to authorize the same All which being seen and allowed the Account wherein his disbursments exceeded his Receipts 37 l. 13. s. 10 d. was esteemed just and allowed by the subscription of the present Soveraign then Prince the Earls of Penbroke and Montgomery Salisbury Holland Berkshire Duke Hamilton and the Earl of Northumberland SECT VII The Execution of these Offices by Deputies THough all the Officers of the Order are strictly obliged personally to attend the duties of their several Places yet in case of sickness absence out of the Kingdom or other lawful or emergent cause the Soveraign hath pleased to dispence with their attendance and appointed other to officiate in their stead who on such occasions wear the Robe of that Officer for whom they serve So also in case of Vacancy The absence of the Prelate from the Grand Feast celebrated at Windesor an 31. H. 6. is noted in the Black Book to have been upon just cause and the Bishop of Bangor was appointed to celebrate Divine Service in his stead who the next morning celebrated Mass pro defunctis The following year his place in these Religious Duties was supplied by the Bishop of Salisbury as also an 36. 37. H. 6. And at all times of the Prelates absence since the Soveraign hath appointed which of the Bishops should officiate for him The Office of Chancellor hath been executed by Deputy also to this may first be referred a passage in the Black Book where Doctor Taylor hath the Title of Vice-Chancellor Of later times when Sir Thomas Rowe was employed upon the
or the like particulars referring to Election are commonly consider'd of on the Feast day in the Chapter held immediately before Vespers wherein it is most usually Ordered That the Scruteny shall be taken in the said Chappel that following Afternoon and so was it Decreed on St. George's day anno 5. E. 6. viz. That the Elections of Knights should be taken that Evensong and in the Chappel After this the Chancellor begins to collect the Knights-Companions Votes and this is frequently termed the taking of a Scruteny To the full understanding the nature of this Action and Ceremony we shall proceed to certain considerations preparatory thereunto beginning with what concerns the Nomination of the Persons to be proposed to Election SECT VI. That Knights only present in Chapter ought to Nominate THE Nomination of those persons proposed to the Soveraign's Election belongs only to such of the Knights-Companions as are present in Chapter when the Scruteny is taken for therein not only all the Bodies of the Statutes are positive but Entrances to that purpose are made in sundry places of the Annals insomuch that from the Institution of this most Noble Order it hath not been otherwise used that we can collect And it is observable that anno 26. Eliz. the Feast of St. George being celebrated at Greenwich the Earl of Warwick and Lord Burley Lord Treasurer of England fell both ill of the Gout upon the Feast day which occasioned their absence at Evening Prayer whilst the Scruteny was taken whereupon we find their indisposition of body and absence noted in that Scruteny instead of and in those peculiar places where their Nominations should else have been entred had they been present at the taking thereof And beside this we meet with an observation made upon the same occasion by Robert Cooke Esquire then Clâ—renceux King of Armsâ— That as for those Knights-Companions who happen to be absent when the Scruteny is taken although this absence be occasioned by accident of sickness or with the Soveraign's license nevertheless in regard of this their absence at that very time their Votes may not be received Those Knights-Companions that come late to the Chapter lose also the priviledge of giving their Votes for that time which so hapned to Prince Rupert and the Earl of Strafford at the Chapter held for the Election of Iames Duke of Monmouth in the Privy-Chamber at Whitehall the 29. of March an Dom. 1663. Now though none of the absent Knights-Companions can give a Proxy to Vote or otherwise send their suffrages into the Chapter or Chappel there to pass in Nomination yet anciently about the Reigns of King Henry the Fifth and King Henry the Sixth when divers of the Knights-Companions were frequently employed in the Wars of France and consequently so strictly obliged to their several Commands that they could not personally attend the celebration of the Feast of St. George at Windesor it was usual for the Commander there in chief with consent of those Knights-Companions to make a formal Certificate or Presentment but not to pass it by way of Nomination or Vote for that the Law of the Order did not permit to the Soveraign of the Order or his Lieutenant and Knights-Companions assembled at the Feast of such persons famous for martial Valor and Virtue with an account of their notable services and atchievements attested by other persons of honor also as were at that time and in that Kingdom employed in the Soveraign's service and seemed worthy the honor of Election to the end that famous and deserving men might be preferr'd to so noble a Dignity Which manner of Recordation we having most happily lighted upon among the Collections made by the great industry of William Dugdale Esquire now Norroy King of Arms and esteeming it to carry the just reputation both of authority for informing us of this custom and of antiquity for the hand of that time cannot without injury to its due worth omit My Lord the Duc of Bedford remembrith as by the Statutes of the Diver of the Gartice the Election of the Stalls voyde be saith in the voyce of the Brethren and of the Fellowship beyng at the tyme at the Fest in the presence of the Soverain or hys Deputy Yt thinkyth to my said Lord that for hys acquital to Knighthood yt fytteth hym to give in knowledge to the Kyng Soverain of the Ordre and to his Fellowship of the same Ordre the great honours of the notable Knights that from tyme to tyme exercyseth and have exercysed in Knighthood and especially in the service of their Soveraign Lord and of such notable Knyghts as my Lord of Bedford for the tyme remembreth hym of he hath by the advyce of them of the Fellowshyp of the Order being now in France in the Kyngs service and givyng in charge to the said Garter Kyng of Arms of the Order to shew theyr â—ames to the Kyng and to expound part of theyr Deeds Acts and of theyr worthynesse First to expose the honour of Sir John Radeclyff that hath contynowed all the tyme of the victorious Kyng that last dyed whom Chryste absolve at the first landing of hym at Quies-de Caux where the sayd Radeclyff receyved the order of a Knyght and after continowed the Seige of Hareflew And after with my Lord of Excester at the Battaile of Vallemont and of Quies-de Caux And also sythen the deth of the sayd victorious Kyng Radeclyff being Seneschall of Guyen hath brought by hys labour in Knyghthood to hys Soveraign Lord's obeysance within the Duchie of Guyen many dyverse Cities Towns and Fortresses And in especial deserved great and notable merits at the Seige of the City of Bazates whych Seige was accorded appointed and set day of Battaile and of Rescous the whych day was kept and houlden with great power on both sydes and under Banners displayed the Enemyes doubtyng to fyght wyth Radeclyff required hym of apoyntment they to depart under saufe conduit from the said feild the whych saufe conduit he graunted them for the term of eight days like as they required The honour and the empruise rested in the sayd Radeclyff and to hys hygh meryte for incontynent followying was delyvered to hym the reddyssion and possession of the sayd Cytty of Bazates And also the sayd Radeclyff was at the Battaile of Assincourt and hath contynowed and exercysed the Armys the space of xxviij Wynter unreprothed And in the tyme of his Esquierhood was at the Battaile of Shrewsbury and at the Journey of Husks wyth the Lord Grey at the discomfiture and taking of Owenson Syr Thomas Ramston Syr William Oldegall Syr Rauff Butler Syr Ro. Harlyng Syr Gilbert Halsall Item my Lord the Duc of Bedford beseecheth the Kyng Soveraign of the Order to have also for recommendyd to his good grace and highnesse other of his Subjects and Servants now being in hys service in his Realme of France whych hath doon and yet doth take great
should be free from all reproach and of untainted reputation and according to those of King Henry the Fifth are to be the best and most sufficient Knights and freest from reproach that the Nominators know To the same purpose speaks the Exemplar entred in the Black Book Such as are fittest and whom they who Nominate believe to be free from ignominy and dishonour And to this Act of Nomination belongs part of the second Article in Henry the Eighth's Statutes That no Knight-Companion should name any Person whom he thinks or esteems in his Conscience to have upon him any spot of Reproach But on the contrary in another place of the same Statutes it is provided that they be nominated and proposed out of the number of the most worthy and select Knights How tender the Knights-Companions were in ancient time of infringing the Statutes in this particular is manifest from a notable passage which fell out an 39. H. 6. at a Scruteny taken the 8. of February in the Bishop of London's Palace where Iohn de Foix Earl of Kendall a Gascoigner by birth which makes the Example more eminent where a Stranger became so tender of the honor of the Order not being acquainted with the quality and merit of Knights and honorable Persons among us so well and sufficiently as to name such whom he was confident were irréprehensible and without blemish forbore to nominate any person at all And certainly seeing the Statutes put very considerable qualifications upon the Deputies and Proxies made choice of for the Installation of Strangers as shall be discourst of in its proper place much more caution and regard ought to be used and had both in the Nomination and Election of Knights into this so Illustrious Society 3. Touching the third point the Statutes make indifferently capable of being Nominated or Elected either Knights-Subjects or Strangers Free Princes or their Subjects and it was so even at the Institution upon the first choice where among the 25 Elected Knights 23 of them were Subjectâ— among whom we reckon Piers Capdall de la Buche but Sir Sâ—ncâ—io dabricâ—â—â—â—rt and Sir Henry Eme were both born Strangers and Subjects to other Princes And thus was it practised not only in the remaining part of the Founder's Reign and during the Reigns of three of his Successors as appears in the Catalogue of Knights elected in their times but also ever since as is more particularly and fully evident from the Scrutenies taken and entred throughout the Annals of the Order Of those who were admitted into this Noble Order by Election we shall in the last Chapter give an account in a compleat Catalogue of them Here we think it sufficient to insert the Names of such as having not been Elected are not to be forgotten out of this very respect that by their standing Candidates in Elections into this Order have the fame of being mentioned in the principal Register of Honor now in the Christian world Giving a List not of all for that were too numerous but only those of eminent quality in Foreign parts with the time when the Scrutenies were taken that transmitted them to our hands A Catalogue of some Strangers who have been Nominated yet not Elected Franciscus Sforza dux Mediolâ—ni 28. H. 6. Franciscus secundus dux Britanniae 13.14.15.22 E. 4. Henricus quartus Rex Legionis Castillae 14. E. 4. Matthias Corvinus Rex Hungariae 19.22 E. 4. Fredericus sâ—cundus Dux Austriae 22. E. 4. 1. R. 3. Philippus quartus Dux Burgundiae 14. H. 7. Franciscus Maria Dux Vrbini 1.2 H. 8. Vladislaus Secundus Rex Hungariae 1.2.6.8 H. 8. Christianus secundus Rex Dâ—niae 6.8 H. 8. Dux Barrye 8. H. 8. Comes Galaciae 8. H. 8. Alphonsus Dux Ferrariae 13.15 H. 8. Lodovicus secundus Rex Hungariae 13.14.15 H. 8. Maximilianus Sforza Dux Mediolani 14.15.16 H. 8. Marchio Piscarae 17. H. 8. Iohannes tertius Rex Portugalliae 17.18.26.28 H. 8. Marchio Mantuae 18. H. 8. Carolus Burbonus Dux Vandosme 24. H. 8. Guilielmus Dux Clivensis 32. H. 8. Dux Bavariae 32. H. 8. Dux Alvae 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Dux Medinae Coeli 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Comes Fereae 1. 2. Ph. Mar. Franciscus secundus Rex Galliae 1. Elizab. Franciscus tertius Comes Palatinus 10.11.12.13.16.17 Eliz. Augustus Dux Saxoniae 11. Eliz. Alphonsus secundus Dux Ferrariae 13. Eliz. Dux Andegavensis 13.22.23.24 Eliz. Rambrith de Walsey 25. H. 6. Iohannes de Voynada 25. H. 6. Dominus Grabazenby 24. H. 8. Dominus Humers 24. H. 8. Dominus Iohannes Mounte 24. H. 8. Dominus Harmibolt 24. H. 8. Dominus Boysy 24. H. 8. 4. In the fourth place they are not in a capacity of Nomination who are known to have taken contrary part against the Soveraign or as the Exemplar entred in the Black Book more largely than any of the Statutes express such as are not his Adversaries or Abettors or willing defenders of his Adversaries But concerning such we no where observe they had room in the Scrutenies all Knights-Companions having been more wary and discreet than by Nominating a known or publick Enemy to put either disrespect upon the Soveraign or offer violation to the Statutes 5. In the fifth and last place concerning the Degree Rank and Dignity of the Nine Knights propounded to Election the Statutes of Institution appoint That they be first three Earls or persons of greater dignity secondly three Barons and thirdly three Knights or as it is in Henry the Fifth's Statutes trois Contes ou de greigneur estat trois Banerets trois Batchelers These Degrees are to be ranked in three Classes and they distinguished by three Divisions all comprehending the three Degrees aforesaid As touching the first of these Divisions whereas all other Bodies and Exemplars of the Statutes make positive mention of Earls only taking in nevertheless the higher Degrees though not named the Statutes of Henry the Eighth express themselves in this point somewhat more amply than the rest by mentioning in the first Class Dukes Marquesses and Earls or persons superiour to these in Degree wherein the highest Dignities are included In this place we may properly observe the different Title viz. Baneret that Henry the Fifth's Statutes but now mentioned hath given us instead of Baron and not only in this Article but in all other where there is occasion to speak of Barons nevertheless the Record intends by it to signifie no other than the very same Degree namely a Baron For albeit a Baneret who had his name a Vexillo from the Banner was usually taken to signifie a Degree of Honor next beneath that of Baron both heretofore and in later times as may be collected from that famous establishment made on the behalf of the younger sons of Viscounts and Barons yet formerly among our Records it is found to be a Synonimy to Baron and so clearly made out by our most
Car. 1. the Annals say That the Soveraign recreated himself with the melody of Evensong during which the Chancellor collected the Votes of the Knights-Companions But in some other places the time of this Action is delivered more limited to a precise time or some particular part of Evening Prayer As an 26. and 27. Eliz. Whilst the Choire sung the service And the like an 14. Iac. but an 4. Car. 1. while the Anthem was sung after the second Lessâ—n but more frequently after the first Lesson as in the 2. and 9. years of King Charles the First while the Anthem was singing or during the Anthem of the blessed Virgin called the Magnificat and which is all one with than an 14. Car. 1. viz. assion as the first Lesson was read or at the first Lesson which is there remembred to be the usual part of the service in which the Nomination ought to begin SECT X. The Manner and Order of it AFter what manner the Knights-Companions Votes ought to be collected when the Scruteny is taken in the Choire if we have recourse to the celebration of Saint George's day at Greenwich an 28. H. 8. entred into the Black Book of the Order we shall be informed from the then Register That he used his diligence in going to and fro from one side to the other to demand and redemand the Suffrages from the Knights Companions according to the variety and order of their Stalls which like course and proceeding we find recorded in eisdem terminis to have been observed by the Chancellor anno 24 Eliz. And without question was generally thus performed at other times for in other places of the Annals it is mentioned to be done de more after the usual manner as an 5. Eliz. or juxta Ordinis Constitutiones according to the Ordinances and Decrees of the Order as anno 26. Eliz. That the Officer who collects the Nominations ought to begin at the youngest Knight-Companion and so proceed upward towards the eldest doth plainly appear from the order mentioned to be used in the 2. and the 20. years of Queen Elizabeth as also an 15. Car. 1. But to give the Reader a more particular account of this Ceremony with its circumstances as it was performed in his late Majesties Reign of blessed memory and doubtless long before though it hath not been our good hap to meet therewith in scriptis it was as followeth First the Officer arose and went into the middle of the Choire directly over against his own Seat where he made two Reverences first towards the high Altar and next to the Soveraign thence he proceeded up the Choire neer the hault pace against the Stall of the Iunior Knight-Companion and there made like Reverences This done he went up to the Stall of the said Iunior Knight and with a single Reverence to him only demanded whom he pleased to Nominate which having taken making to him a second Reverence he descended into the Choire and thence passed to the next senior Knight on the other side unless by reason of the vacancy of that Stall he sate on the same side with the Iunior and received his Nominations From the second Knight-Companion he again crossed the Choire to the third and in like manner he ascended according to the seniority of the Knight-Companions present always crossing the Choire where there was occasion until he arrived at the senior Knight-Companion and having thus received all their Nominations he returned into the middle of the Choire and after usual and accustomed Reverences took his Seat This method and order of collecting the Votes as to the general and in the Choire ought likewise to be observed when they are taken from the Knights-Companions in Chapter they being ranked in due order on each side the Table according to the seniority of their Elections and position of Stalls in the Choire the Officer who gathers them beginning with the Iunior and thence orderly ascending to the Senior Knight-Companion concerning which more need not be said than is before delivered And that it may be understood in what form every Knight-Companion ranketh the Names of those Persons he proposeth and how each Classis is distinguished and divided the following Scruteny will fully enough declare it being taken the 12. day of May an 13. H. 6. upon the vacancy of one Stall hapning by the death of Sir Heer Tanke Clux a German by birth and is the first Scruteny we find marshalled among the Annals of this most Noble Order   Nominabant   Principes Barones Equites Dux Exoniae Ducem Norfolciae Dominum Lovell Dominum Tho. Stanley Dux Exoniae Ducem Warwici Dominum Audley Dominum Ioh. Holland Dux Exoniae Comitem Oxoniae Dominum Dudley Dominum Ioh. Steward Marchio Suffolciae Ducem Norfolciae Dominum Lovell Dominum Iacobum Fenys Marchio Suffolciae Comitem Devoniae Dominum Audley Dominum Ric. Woodvyle Marchio Suffolciae Comitem Oxoniae Dominum Foix Dominum Andream Ogard Comes Salopiae Ducem Warwici Dominum Audley Dominum Rogerum Fenys Comes Salopiae Ducem Norfolciae Dominum Dudley Dominum Thomans Stanley Comes Salopiae Comitem Oxoniae Dominum Foix Dominum Thomam Kiriell Dominus Sudeley Ducem Norfolciae Dominum Foix Dominum Rogerum Fenys Dominus Sudeley Ducem Warwici Dominum Lovell Dominum Iacobum Fenys Dominus Sudeley Comitem Devoniae Dominum Audley Dominum Gulielm Bonevile Dominus Willoughby Ducem Warwici Dominum Wells Dominum Thomam Kiriell Dominus Willoughby Ducem Norfolciae Dominum Lovell Dominum Io. Montgomery Dominus Willoughby Comitem Oxoniae Dominum Laware Dominum Rob. Shotesbroke Dominus Scales Ducem Warwici Dominum Foix Dom. Edm. Hungerford Dominus Scales Comitem Oxoniae Dominum Clyfford Dom. Guliel Beauchamp Dominus Scales Comitem Devoniae Dominum Laware Dom. Andream Ogard Dominus Johannes Fastolph Ducem Norfolciae Dominum Boucer Dominum Ro. Hungerford Dominus Johannes Fastolph Ducem Warwici Dominum Audley Dominum Rob. Roos Dominus Johannes Fastolph Comitem Oxoniae Dom. Grey Ruffyn Dom. Andream Ogard Dominus Johannes Beauchamp Ducem Warwici Dominum Foix Dominum Rogerum Fenys Dominus Johannes Beauchamp Comitem Devoniae Dominum Lovell Dominum Iacobum Fenys Dominus Johannes Beauchamp Comitem Oxoniae Dominum Audley Dominum Robertum Roos Here may be observed how each Knight-Companion hath his own Name prefixed to those Persons for whom he gives his Vote to the end it may be known and remembred by whom the Knights-Candidates are Nominated and these are ranked in three several Divisions The first contains the Degrees of Earls Marquesses Dukes Princes Kings and Emperors howbeit at a Scruteny taken an 24 H. 6. in a Chapter held at Brainford Albro Vasques Dalmadea who immediately following is styled Comes Averentiae is by mistake ranked but in the second division among the Barons and twice among the Knights in the Votes of the Marquess of Suffolk and Earl
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
of the possession thereof by the Rebels and no other memory but your Election and this Commission remains upon Record But his Soveraign Majesty is so desirous to invest you and the Prince his Son in the full priviledges of the said Order and society that assoon as a competent number of Knights can be assembled to make a Chapter his Majesty determines to consult of a course how the Instalment at Windesor may if possibly it can be dispensed with that rather than you should be deprived longer of the full enjoyment of all rights of Installation his Majesty is fully determined to make ordinary rules of Ceremony and Order to give place to extraordinary Examples of merit and fidelity already so amply performed by your Highness to his Crown and dignity which is the sum of what his Majesty hath commanded me to present unto your Highness which he desires you to take in good part till the rest can be performed At the ending of this Speech Sir Iames Palmer presented the Commission to the Prince who gave this Majesty many humble thanks for this gracious Message and acknowledged his Majesties favours far beyond his desert but promised he would study to be more worthy by his actions than in return of words with many thanks to the Chancellor and the other Officers of the Order for their pains whereupon they took their leave and the Chancellor went immediately to his Majesty and rendered him an account of this Employment SECT V. The Manner of a Knight's Investiture IN ancient time it was part of the Ceremony belonging to the Investiture with the Garter of an Elect-Knight whether a Stranger or Knight Subject to give him an Oath which we find called The Oath in such cases accustomed to be taken and was to this effect that the Knight should well and faithfully keep and observe so far as God should enable him all that was contained in the Statutes of the Order But we find not of late that the taking such an Oath at performing this Ceremony hath been imposed upon any but Foreign Princes of which anon It is also observable that an 4. H. 6. a particular Commission issued to the Earls of Warwick Salisbury and Suffolk with power to any two or one of them to receive this Oath from Sir Iohn Fastols upon his Investiture And this was besides the Oath which his Proctor was afterwards to take at Installation as is manifest out of the Letters of Procuration whereby the said Sir Iohn Fastols gave to his Procter license to take on his behalf such Oath as should be required at the time of his Installation As to the Ceremony and manner of Investing a Knight-Elect with the Garter and George albeit we have discourst thereof before we nevertheless think it necessary to subjoin two or three considerable Instances as most proper to this place When Philip Prince of Spain an 1. Mariae had these Ensigns of the Order sent him the Soveraign joined Garter King of Arms with the Earl of Arundel to perform the Investiture who upon notice of his arrival on the Coast of England set forward on their journey to Southampton where on Friday the 20. of Iuly they took Water and meeting the Prince before he landed entred his Barge and gave him notice of his Election in a short speech which being ended Garter having the Garter in his hand kissed it and so presented it to the Earl who forthwith fastned it about the Princes Leg in like manner Garter presented the Earl with the George hanging at a Chain of Gold who put it also about the Princes neck The Ceremony of Investiture being thus performed the Prince came on shore at Southampton and on the uppermost stair there were ready attending his landing the Marques of Winchester Lord high Treasurer of England with divers other Lords the Prince gave the Lord Williams his White Staff and made him Lord Chamberlain of his Houshold and Sir Anthony Brown Master of his Horse presented him from the Queen a Horse with a Footcloth of Crimson Velvet richly embroidered with Gold and Pearls having the Bridle and all other Furniture sutable whereon he rode to the Cathedral and after Prayers to the Lodgings prepared for him Touching Garter's Investiture of the Earl of Warwich at Newhaven in France the first of May an 5. Eliz. it was as followeth First Garter repairing to the Earls Lodgings put on his Mantle in the next Chamber to the Earls and thence proceeded into the Earls Chamber where having made three Reverences he buckled the Garter about his left leg and next put on the George and Ribband about his neck reading to the Earl the words of Signification appointed to be pronounced at the Investiture which done Garter retired into the Room where he had put on his Mantle and there disrobed himself and so the Ceremony ended And it seems to have been a custom about these times for the Nobility and others the Allyes or Friends to the Elect-Knight to send unto him by Garter several Garters and Georges as tokens of congratulation for the Honor he was at this time to receive which so soon as the Investiture was finished and Garter returned from putting off his Robe he delivered unto him with the particular services and respects of those his Friends who had so bestowed them for such we find to have been sent by Garter and presented to the aforesaid Earl of Warwick at New-haven and to the Lord Scroop at Carlisle an 26. Eliz. At Garter's return to Court he is obliged to deliver an account to the Soveraign how he hath discharged his employment and therewith by special directions from the Elect-Knight also present the highest thanks he can express as well to the Soveraign as the rest of the Knights-Companions for honoring him with a reception into so illustrious an Order We shall close this Section with a brief account of the Investiture of his Highness the late Duke of Gloucester at the Hague on Easter-day in the morning being the 14. day of April 1653. in reference to which Ceremony there was provided 1. A Garter with the Motto to be tyed about his left Leg. 2. A George in a Ribband to put about his Neck 3. An embroidered Cross of St. George within a Garter and Star to be sowed on the left shoulder of the Dukes Cloak 4. A Velvet Cushion whereon the Ensigns and Ornaments of the Order as also the Letter signifying his Election were to be laid Moreover for the honor of the Order and his said Highness Sir Edward Walker Garter humbly proposed as followeth That he might be assisted by two or four Knights in performing his duty That his Highness the Duke might receive the Ensigns of the Order in the Presence Chamber of the Princess Royal or in his own accompanied with the Queen of Bohemia her Highness Royal and some other persons of Honor and Quality That his
Knight Subject either with Letters to signifie his Election or the Garter and George wherewith to invest him and this is commonly proportioned according to the length or shortness of the Journey The allowance for that Journey which Sir Gilbert Dethick Garter made into the Counties of Lincolne and Cumberland by the Soveraign's command given in Chapter first to the Earl of Rutland and next to the Lord Scroop an 26. Eliz. appears to have been 20 l. Besides the Soveraign's allowance to Garter he hath been accustomed to receive honorable gratuities and rewards from the Elect-Knight himself after the Investiture performed and these have usually been proportioned according to the esteem of the honor he receives and his particular inclinations to Garter and the service done by him Among whom we find the Earl of Arundel an 17. H. 8. gave to Thomas Wriothesley Garter 10 l. in Angelotts being then at his Mannor of Dawnley and Ralph Earl of Westmerland elected at the same time with the said Earl of Arundel then at Myle-end 6 l. 13 s. 4 d. But the Earl of Northumberland an 23. H. 8. gave Garter for the verbal certifying him of his Election 4. l. though he went no farther than the Chapter-house door Lastly an 26. Eliz. the Earl of Rutland honorably rewarded Garter at Newark and the Lord Scroop gave unto him 30 l. in Gold a Velvet Cloak and a Gallaway Nag and to William Dethick York Herald who then went along with Garter to Carlisle 10 l. But since these times the Knights-Elect have greatly enlarged their Gratuities to Garter for his service upon this occasion CHAP. XI OF Preparations FOR THE Personal Installation OF A KNIGHT SECT I. That Installation gives the Title of Founder THE Installation or Inauguration of a Knight of this most Noble Order consists in a conjunction of many Ceremonies and contains the most solemn part of those whereby so great an honor is conferr'd indeed that which compleateth all the rest And till this great Ceremony be duly and solemnly performed the person Elected hath not the honor of being reckoned among the number of Founders but barely passes for an Elect Knight and no other For the express Text is That in case a Knight Elect dye before his Installation he shall not be named one of the Founders And the reason is there given forasmuch as he hath not had the full possession of his state and in this point do the other Bodies of the Statutes agree Howbeit assoon as the Ceremonies of Installation are compleatly finished the Knight is unquestionably vested in full possession of all the Honors and Priviledges belonging to a Founder of this most Noble Order But to quicken each Elect Knight who is either a Subject to the Soveraign or resides within his Realm and consequently in a more ready capacity of receiving Installation then one remaining in Foreign parts to the full attainment of his honor or otherwise to wave what hath been conferr'd on him by the Act of Election the compass of one year after such his Election is allowed him by the Statutes for Installation albeit for sooner speeding thereof the Statutes do as well appoint him to use all convenient diligence otherwise his Election is ordained to be absolutely nul and void Nor can any thing hinder but that the Soveraign may then freely proceed to a new Election unless the Elect-Knight send or produce an excuse for such delay sufficient and fit to be accepted by the Soveraign or his Deputy and the whole Society or that the Soveraign himself think fit to defer the Ceremony of Installation for some longer time For which cause when certain Articles concerning the honor of the Order had been prepared by the Soveraign's Lieutenant and ten Knights-Companions approved by the Soveraign and in a Chapter held 24. April an 21. Iac. R. ordered to be observed one of them was for hastning the Installation after a Knight had been Elected nevertheless with this Exception unless for some special cause the Soveraign should think fit to defer the same until the Eve or day of Saint George next following the time of Election SECT II. Of the Time and Place appointed for Installation THE Feast of Installation hath not been hitherto fixed to any certain time but always rested in the pleasure of the Soveraign to assign a convenient day which hath been obtained either upon the sute of the Knight-Elect or some other of the Knights-Companions whose favour and esteem with the Soveraign was best able to prevail Such a one do we find the Lord Burghley an 35. Eliz. partly in regard he had been Lieutenant at St. Georges Feast immediately preceding and partly by reason of his being Lord Treasurer of England who on the behalf of the Earls of Shrewsbury and Cumberland obtained the 19. of Iune in the foresaid year to be appointed for the day of their Installation It sometimes fell out that though the day for Installation was set down nevertheless upon some extraordinary occasion intervening it hath been protogued to a further and more convenient time for the Soveraign's Affairs and the most remarkable instance is that an 3. 4. Ph. Mar. when the Earl of Sussex the Lord Grey and Sir Robert Rochester Knights Elect had their Installation together with St. George's Feast prorogued to the 10. of May in the year aforesaid But many and urgent affairs relating both to the King and Queen hapning about that time not only the Grand Feast but the Solemnity of their Installations were in a Chapter held the 3. of the same Month prorogued to the 5. of December following and on the last day of October preceding were they again prorogued to the first Sunday after Twelf-day in case the King should not return into England before the said 5. of December After all this on the 5. of Ianuary following the Grand Feast was prorogued a fourth time to the 20. of February next coming Nevertheless it was then Ordered that the Earl of Sussex one of the three Elect Knights should be forthwith Installed which was performed on the 8. of the same Ianuary And the 6. of February following the Lord Grey also obtained an appointment for his Installation and that was celebrated the 20. of April ensuing but we do not find that Sir Robert Rochester ever received that honor But though the time of Installation be arbitrary and uncertain yet hath the place been from the Institution of the Order fixt as an essential Priviledge only to the Soveraign's free Chappel of St. George in the Castle of Windesor within whose Choire stand erected the Soveraign's and Knights-Companions Stalls and under its sacred Roof their Banners and Atchievements are set up as Monuments of their high deservings and so great honor For albeit the celebration of the Grand Feast of St. George hapned to be withdrawn from Windesor by a Decree past an
9. Eliz. nevertheless the Feast of Installation was therein excepted and appointed to be solemnized at that place And this was again provided for among the before mentioned Orders an Iac. Regis 21. to wit That after an Election made of a Knight of the Order his Installation should be performed at Windesor according to the ancient Custom and Statutes of the Order When therefore the Soveraign hath been pleased to prefix a certain day for Installation in order to this great Solemnity several things are necessarily to be prepared as namely 1. a Commission to admit and install the Elect-Knight 2. Letters to each of the Commissioners and the Elect-Knight for their repair to Windesor 3. Warrants for the Soveraign's Livery 4. a Bill or Warrant for the removal of Stalls and Atchievements all which are to be obtained from the Soveraign under his Sign manual by the Chancellor of the Order and 5. lastly the Knights own Preparations among which his Atchievements are to be got in readiness for setting up so soon as he is Installed SECT III. Of Commissions for Installation IN the first place we are to note that no Elect-Knight can be Installed unless by the Soveraign of the Order himself or being present by such of the Knights-Companions whom he shall verbally authorize or if absent by his Commission drawn up in writing and past under the great Seal of the Order directed either to his Lieutenant or Knights-Commissioners We have met with but one Instance where the Soveraignâ—ath â—ath been pleased to honor a Knight by performing the Ceremony of Installation himself and that was in the case Philip King of Castile and Leon an 22 H. 7. yet it is probable enough that Sigismond the Emperor and anciently some other Foreign Princess of eminence and dignity might receive Installation from other of the Soveraigns though no memorial thereof hath been transmitted to us As to the Soveraign's verbal appointment we shall mention it by and by But in reference to Installation by Commission we shall speak of it here For it was Ordained by the Statutes of Institution That in case the Soveraign should be absent out of the Kingdom at the time of Installation of any of the Knights so that he could not personally perform those things his Office obliged him to it should be lawful for him to constitute as his Deputy in this affair whomsoever of the Society he should think fit and he to have power and authority in the Soveraign's name to perform and execute those things which it would have been his own part to have done had he been present By virtue of this Article the Soveraign's Deputy or Lieutenant in his absence performed the Ceremony before the Reign of King Henry the Eighth which was usually done at the Feast of St. George for the Celebration of which he had another Commission but in the Commission given out for Installation formerly the Lieutenant was first named and the Knights-Companions appointed for his Assistants at the said Feast were joined with him in the Commission for Installation to assist in that Ceremony also but of later times the Commission hath pass'd to the Lieutenant alone King Henry the Eight enlarged the powers given by the former Statutes to a Deputy to two or more of the Knights-Companions that should exercise the same by the Soveraign's Letters of Commission And therefore by the liberty and priviledge of this Article whensoever after the Soveraigns did appoint an Installation at other times of the year than at the Feast of St. George they then delegated their authority to such of the Knights-Companions as were thought most fit to perform this great Ceremony And the very next year after making this Statute we find such a Commission issued to the Marquess Dorset and Earls of Devonshire and Kent to Instal the Lord Ferrars of Chartley the substance of which hath been ever since and is yet retained though the form hath received some little Variation as may be seen by two other Commissions immediately following in the Appendix The particular powers granted by the Commissioiners are these to accept and admit the Knight Elect into the Order to receive his Oath and to Instal him and the general power is to do and accomplish every thing which belongeth to his due Admittance and full Installation as to the Statutes and laudable Usageâ— Rules and Customs of this Order appertaineth We shall only add this observation out of the Commission given to the Marquess Dorset and the Lord Cobham an 5. E. 6. for Installation of the Lord Darâ—y which else is the same verbatim with former Commissions that in the last clause of general power the word Vsage is put down instead of the words Statutes and laudable Customs which were generally inserted in the more ancient Commissions perhaps as restraining the Ceremonies of Installation to such as were in use about that time when many Ceremonies accustomably used were forborn not what the Statutes and laudable Customs of formerly days had appointed and pracâ—ised Howbeit shortly after these words were restored to the Commissions of Installation as appears from a and Lord Clynton an 2. 3. Ph. Mar. for the Installation of Anthony Brown Viscount Mountague SECT IV. Letters of Summons BEsides the Commission impowering the Soveraign's Lieutenant or Knights-Commissioners therein named to Instal the Elect-Knight it hath been usual for the Soveraign upon the Chancellors motion to issue out Letters of Summons under his privy Signet but of late under the Signet of the Order both to the Commissioners for Installation and to the Elect Knights Those to the Commissioners are directed severally to each nominated in the Commission the effect whereof is to give them notice of the Installation and to require their repair to Windesor against the day therein assigned to the end the Elect Knight might proceed to his Installation a Precedent whereof is also added in the Appendix But at the Installation of Algernon Earl of Northumberland an 11. Car. 1. a Clause to this purpose is inserted into the Commission it self Those directed to the Elect Knight pass likewise under the Soveraign's Sign manual and Signet of the Order by which he is required to repair to Windesor Castle at a certain day therein prefixt to proceed to his Installation according to the Statutes of the Order and of this kind we have also inserted a Form in the Appendix Where note that if there be two or more Knights appointed to be Installed on the same day the like Letter is sent to each of them the difference being only in the direction Besides these Letters sent from the Soveraign the Chancellor in case the Soveraign afford his presence in his Circular Letters to the Knights-Companions for their repair to the Feast of St. George gives them also intimation of the designed Installation And if the said Feast be held either by the Soveraign or his
Order and the ancient Practice Thus stands the Law for setlement of Stalls at this day And whereas the Stall commonly called the Prince's Stall was and had been long void the Soveraign by the advice of the most Noble Companions present in Chapter the said 19. of November was pleased to order That the present King of Sweden should by his Proxie be placed in that Stall and his Atchievements hung up thereon accordingly in convenient time All which being done as this Order directed the Stalls at the Feast of St. George celebrated an 23. Car. 2. were ordered in the following manner 1. The Soveraign 1. The King of Sweden 2. King of Denmark 2. Duke of York 3. Prince Elector Palatine 3. Prince Rupert 4. Prince of Orange 4. Prince Elector of Brandenburgh 5. Prince Elector of Saxony 5. Duke of Ormond 6. Duke of Buckingham 6. Duke of Newcastle 7. Earl of Bristol 7. Prince of Tarente 8. Count Marshin 8. Earl of Sandwich 9. Earl of Oxford 9. Duke of Richmond 10. Earl of Strafford 10. Duke of Monmouth 11. Duke of Albemarle 11. Void 12. Void 12. Void 13. Void 13. Void SECT VII Preparations made by the Knight Elect. HAving in the preceding Section laid down the ancient Law of succession into void Stalls and of Translation from one Stall to another with several instances both while such removals were at the Soveraign's pleasure and after when they became confin'd to the regular course now observed and having also discourt concerning those things which are to be prepared for the Installation of a Knight Subject on the Soveraign's part and for which his Warrants and Letters issue forth as is before shewed at large we come now to consider what is further to be prepared for the Knight Elect at his own charge against the day of this great Solemnity and they are chiefly these which follow 1. A Mantle or upper Robe with its appurtenances 2. A Collar of the Garter and Great George 3. A Cap of black Velvet adorn'd with Plumes 4. An Helm Crest Mantlings and Sword 5. A Banner of his Arms. 6. A Plate of his Arms and Stile 7. A Cushen to carry his Robes and Collar upon 8. Lodging Scutcheons We do not find that the Mantle of the Order was anciently bestowed by the Soveraign upon Knights Subjects as was the Kirtle or Surcoat nor indeed of late unless now and then as a peculiar favour for seeing the Injunction for returning the Mantle upon the death of a Knight-Companion is restrained to such only on whom the Soveraign should vouchsafe to bestow them it is thence evident that the Soveraign is not obliged to give the Mantle at all nor to all but only where himself pleaseth But it appears that the Soveraign always bestowed the Mantle together with the rest of the Habit upon Strangers after he had Elected any of them into the Society of the Order And when the whole Habit was sent over by Garter to the King of Portugal an 13. H. 6. the Mantle Surcoat and Hood were accompted for together in the Accompts of the Great Wardrobe and the like hath been done in all such cases since Howbeit of late times the Soveraign as an especial mark of favour hath been pleased now and then to give a Knight-Subject the Mantle also as did King Iames to Iames Marquess Hamilton an 21. Iac. R. and King Charles the First to Theophilus Earl of Suffolk an 4. Car. 1. to William Earl of Northampton an 5. Car. 1. and an 14. Car. 1. Sir Iames Palmer by this Soveraign's direction paid for the Velvet and Taffety of the Earl of Kelly's Mantle and Surcoat to Sir Peter Richaut and put it upon the Accompt of extraordinary charges of the Order Besides which the present Soveraign as a mark of like favour caused 17 Mantles with the usual Liveries of Surcoat and Hood to be provided against the Grand Feast of St. George an 13. Car. 2. which were bestowed not only among the new Elect Knights but the three senior Knights-Companions also namely the Earls of Salisbury Berkshire and Northumberland for which see the Warrant in the Appendix But the Elect Knight being otherwise to provide the Mantle at his own charge directions may be had in the Chapter of the Habit and Ensigns of the Order as to all the materials for making thereof The Collar of the Order with the Great George is to be provided by the Elect Knight unless where the Soveraign is pleased to bestow the Mantle and in such case he also bestows the Collar and then a like Warrant issues to the Master of the Iewel-house as did for providing the 17. Collars an 13. Car. 2. The Black Velvet Cap mentioned and described before and therefore needless to speak of it here is also to be provided at the charge of the Knight Elect. Likewise the Helm and Crest with Mantlings thereunto belonging also a Sword and Girdle usually called within the verge of this Order the Atchievements of a Knight-Companion are to be got in readiness by the care and direction of Garter but at the Elect Knights cost all which are to be set over his Stall assoon as his Installation Fees are paid This honor that every Knight-Companion should have his Helme Crest and Sword hung up over his Stall in the Chappel of St. George at Windesor is particularly provided for in all the several Bodies of Statutes and are ordained to remain there during the lives of the possessors in memory or as a Token or Mark of Honor of him that bears them and a testimony of the defence of the Church as the Oaths of Military Orders require The Helms used for this purpose and upon this occasion are made of Steel large and fair and of a more than ordinary proportion they are likewise for the most part of two sorts the one appointed for Soveraign Princes and framed open with large Bailes or Bars the other for Knights Subjects whose Vizors are made close About King Henry the Eighth's Reign the Knights Subjects Helms were parcel gilt with fine Gold in Oyle wrought with Rabeskys and other works and burnished with fine Gold But in Queen Elizabeth's Reign and since it hath been the Custom to gild their Helms all over placing St. George's Arms in the middle before the Vizors The Mantlings that hang down on either side the Helm which with the Wreath are in some places called Appendixes are all of Tissue or Cloth of Gold and heretofore lined with Sarcenet but in Queen Mary's Reign they began to make use of White Satin for of such were the Linings to the Mantlings of Anthony Brown Viscount Montague and William Howard Lord Admiral At the bottom of these Mantlings hang a pair of gilt knobs burnished with Gold from which issue Tassels of either Gold or Silver according as is the metal in the Knights Coat Armour mixed
themselves to the Stranger-Prince in the accustomed manner of Ambassadors and deliver the Soveraign's Letters Missive with all due reverence The Ambassador therewithall signifying after some short general Complement from the Soveraign how his Master and the honorable Society of the Garter in respect of his renowned prowess valour virtues c. and for to establish and augment the amity which is betwixt them hath Elected him into the most renowned Order of St. George and that the Soveraigns do never Elect any Stranger but such as they do most highly honor and therefore desires that it may be accepted as a true testimony thereof to which end the Soveraign hath sent him over and his Herald there present to perform the Ceremonies due thereunto But of late when through the Soveraign's multitude of Affairs in particular the late Soveraign while engaged in the Wars or suddenness of the occasion they have had no convenience for the present to send a special Commission of Legation with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order to any Stranger They therefore thought fit at such time as they sent their Letters signifying Election to Commissionate their Agent residing in that Princes Court and Garter Principal King of Arms to deliver part but the two chief and most peculiar of the Ensigns of this most illustrious Order namely the Garter and George pendent at a Blue Ribband to the Elect Stranger deferring the solemn Legation till a further and more convenient time The first Precedent we have met with in this kind was an 10 Iac. R. when Sir Ralph Winwood and William Seagar Esq Garter afterwards Knighted were Commissionated to deliver only at the present the Garter and George to Maurice Prince of Orange the rest of the Habit being intended to be presented afterwards in their due time And this was so done within five days after his Election that Ceremony being dispatcht on the 19. of December in the foresaid year and the Soveraign's Letter 's of notice and the Commission both bearing date the 24. of the same month In like manner were the Garter and George only sent over to Charles Prince Palatine of the Rhyne and presented to him by William Boswell then Esq the Soveraign's Agent in Holland and Iohn Philpot Esq Somerset Herald an 9. Car. 1. So the late Soveraign by reason of the many disturbances occasioned by the unhappy War with the Long Parliament could not conveniently send over to William Prince of Orange and Bernard de Foix Duke of Fspernon other Ensigns of the Order than the George and Garter And lastly during the present Soveraign's aboad in Foreign parts it was the general practice in regard the whole Habit could not with conveniency be provided nor the Ceremonies of Investiture fully performed to present the Elect-Knight in confirmation of his Election whether he were a Stranger or Subject with the Garter George Ribband and sometimes a Saint George's Cross irradiated within a Garter to be fixt on the left shoulder of their Cloaks or upper Garments of which we shall speak more largely in the following Chapter SECT IV. Certificate of Acceptation AFter that the Soveraign's Letter signifying Election hath been delivered by the Ambassador and the Elect-Stranger doth readily accept the Order and thereupon is desirous to have it confirmed to him he is obliged by the Statutes to return to the Soveraign a Certificate of such his acceptance and desire of ratification And we observe that before this additional Clause made by King Henry the Eighth this ceremonious course had been of ancient time practised and both expected from and observed by the King of Denmark who having been Elected an 6. H. 5. was an 8. of the same King taken notice of for not returning before that time an answer whether he would accept of the honor of the Order or not And it appears that before the next St. George's Feast in the following year he sent over to the Soveraign his ready acceptance both of the honor of his Election as also of the Ensigns of the Order and thereupon directions were then given for his Installation by his Proxie the Lord Fitz-Hugh But for an instance after the said additional Clause we have one remarkable enough in the preamble of the Soveraign's Credential Letters to the Duke of Savoy an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. sent together with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order in which it appears that the Soveraign having given him notice of his Election into this most Noble Order he had returned back his cheerful and ready Acceptance of and singular satisfaction in the said choice and therefore cordially wisht that it might attain its due effect In succeeding times it was thought necessary in case where the whole Habit of the Order was sent over to a Stranger together with the Soveraign's Letters signifying his Election to make a provisional Decree which pass'd the 18. of April an 13. Car. 1. That Garter and all others whom it pleased the Soveraign jointly to commissionate with him should be most punctually careful that they delivered not the Ensigns of the Order into the hands of any such Prince till they were fully satisfied by his Letters Patent of his kind and grateful acceptance thereof or in case of refusal to forbear their presentation And that care was taken for the due observation of this Decree even in such case where only the Garter and George were sent appears from the Instructions of the 4. of March an 19. Car. 1. sent to Sir William Boswell Knight he being appointed by the then Soveraign to present those two principal Ensigns of the Order to William Prince of Orange the said Soveraign's Son in Law where among other things he is expresly commanded to take a Testimonial from the said Prince of his kind acceptation thereof before he should deliver those Ensigns of honor to him The like Clause for demanding of a Certificate of willing and grateful Acceptance of the Order we also find to have been inserted in those Instructions under the same date for the delivery of the Garter and George to Bernard Duke of â—â—ernon SECT V. Of an Election not accepted of THat there hath been a non-acceptation of this honor by the person Elected appears in that single case of Philip the Second Duke of Burgundy who having been Elected by King Henry the Fifth then in France into the Stall of the Lord Clifford slain at the Siege of Meux in Brie had not an 1. H. 6. sent his answer whether he would have his Election confirmed It was therefore concluded on at the Feast of St. George held at Windesor in the foresaid year by Humfry Duke of Gloucester then Deputy to the Soveraign having therein the unanimous consent of the Knights-Companions present to send Letters to the said Duke Elect by which he might be entreated to give his Resolution whether he would accept
to the French King Henry the Third he received a hundred Marks beforehand When any of the Heralds were sent in Garter's place the same allowances were made them as if Garter had gone in person for we find the sum of 30 s. a day allowed to Henry St. George Esq Richmond Herald sent with the Earl of Carlisle to Charles King of Sweden whither he began his Journey the 5. of February an 21. Car. 2. As also to Tho. St. George Esq Somerset Herald sent with Sir Tho. Higgons to the Duke of Saxony upon the like Employment the 27. of February following As concerning the allowance to such Officer of Arms not joined in but appointed to attend any of these Legations it was as followeth If he were a Herald his allowance was the moyety of what was given to Garter to wit heretofore 5 s. per diem for his Dyet and the like sum for the Soveraign's Reward in toto 10 s. per diem And if a Pursuivant at Arms was sent on this Employment his allowance was half as much per diem as an Herald had Agreeable hereunto was the allowance given to Chester Herald and Rouge Dragon Pursuivants in the Embassy to the French King Henry the Second an 5. E. 6. and there called the old Rate So also to Somerset Herald in the Voyage to Frederick the Second King of Denmark and to the same Herald when he attended the Legation to the French King Henry the Third and likewise in that Embassy to Henry the Fourth of France Moreover the Herald or Pursuivant had also a proportionable part of their daily allowances advanced beforehand to fit them for their Journey like as Garter had as in the foresaid Legation to Henry the Third Somerset Herald an advance of an hundred Nobles Over and above the before mentioned allowances to Garter for Diet and the Soveraign's Reward he hath also an allowance for Postage both outward and homeward of himself and his Servants and Transportation of the Habit of the Order and other things necessary for the Voyage and of this because there can be no estimate made beforehand whereby to ascertain any allowance for the same it hath been usual to insert a Clause in the Soveraign's Warrants including the allowances for these things to be such as Garter upon his return should in a Bill of particulars subscribed with his hand signifie to the Treasurer and Chamberlains of the Exchequer to have been disbursed by him The Warrant to furnish Garter or the Herald with Post-horses from place to place is commonly had from the Lords of the Privy Council or Secretary of State as likewise for convenient Shipping for the Transportation of himself Servants Trunks and other necessaries when he passeth over Sea either before or after the Lord Ambassador and is not provided for in his Ship SECT III. The Ceremonies of Investiture THE Ceremonies observed at a Prince's Receipt of the whole Habit and Ensigns of the Order are highly solemn whether we consider the manner of Investiture performed by the Soveraign's Ambassadors or the Festivity and Triumphs added by the new Invested Stranger and therefore that nothing may hinder a full prospect into the state and magnificence of both we shall handle the same at large and give such instances thereof as may illustrate so great a Solemnity First then the Commissioners joined in the Legation after their arrival at the Elect-Stranger's Court and receiving notice of their first Audience are to present themselves in the accustomed manner of Ambassadors Garter or his Deputy going in breast with the chief in the Legation if there be only himself joined in the Commission with the Lord Ambassador and in that place is it remembred that William Segar Esq Norroy King of Arms sent in the place of Garter did proceed with the Earl of Rutland at their first audience before Christian the Fourth King of Denmark Being arrived neer the Elect-Stranger they present the Letters certifying Election or their Credential Letters from the Soveraign and after some short general Complement delivered from the Soveraign of the Order by the chief Ambassador in the Legation he further makes known how that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter have elected him into that most renowned Society for the reasons which are commonly laid down in the Preamble of their Commission and which he ought then to repeat further acquainting him that the Soveraign doth never Elect any Stranger into the said Society but such as he doth most highly honor and respect and therefore desires him that he would accept of it as a true testimony thereof to which end he adds that the Soveraign hath sent him over together with Garter Principal King of Arms or his Deputy to perform the Ceremony of Investiture And this is the substance of his address for the general representation of his Affair But more particularly in this first speech he is to prosecute the method and order laid down in his Instructions concerning which we have some light from those given to the Earl of Shrewsbury upon his Embassy with the whole Habit of the Order to the French King Henry the Fourth which were as followeth First you shall let the King understand that the King who was first Institutor of this Order did principally dedicate the same to Noble persons remarkable for extraordinary valour and command in martial Affairs and as both We and Our Predecessors have usually bestowed it upon personages of highest Estate and dearest unto Us so both these respects concurring in this Election of him as that Prince whose preservation we have ever held most dear and who liking personal valour and experience hath gotten to himself the greateâ— reputation by the same that ever any Prince hath done in Europe we have had no small desire long ere this time to possess him of this further pledge of our perfect amity being one of the greatest signs of honor wherewith we can honor any Prince and therefore do desire him to make no other judgment of the protraction of the same hitherto but that his own uncertainties of residence in regard of the continual actions of War wherein he is daily engaged hath given us cause to think it would have come unseasonably unto him when now that the Treaties and other Circumstances seem more fitting we assure our self that it shall be received with that sure measure of good will and kindness wherewith we offer it and as we take our self honored by such and so choice a Companion so can no Prince go before Vs in Our true and perfect obligation to the rights of all happiness in all his Fortunes After the formality of this first address is over and that the Stranger hath by his answer accepted of the Election and consented to the reception of the Order then doth the Ambassador immediately deliver to him the Book
like Reverence towards the Soveraign's State deposites there the Ensigns of the Order The Lord Ambassador follows and makes his Reverence towards the Soveraign's State and after turning to the Stranger-Elect and doing him Reverence he or some other fit person thereto appointed delivers himself in a short but grave and learned Oration In which he not only sets forth the praises of the most illustrious Order and of the King the Soveraign thereof his Majesties hearty affection and good will appearing in this Action but also the virtues the memorable and praise worthy Actions of the Elect-Stranger to whom the Habit and Ensigns of the Order are sent neither are his Ancestors if happily any of them have attained and enjoyed the honor reputation and dignity of this Order to be pass'd over in silence whereby his heart already sufficiently of it self breathing impatience and desire may be so much the more inflamed with an earnestness to obtain the honor and favour of this so great a dignity He adds beside that the Soveraign having well weighed these and the like things in his mind and maturely advised thereof with his Knights-Companions they were perswaded and well satisfied in themselves to nominate and chuse him before others to the end that he might both himself be honored by the choice of such a person and also thereby give an encrease and addition of Lustre to those renowned actions and virtues which already were a chief ornament unto him Lastly he points towards the Ensigns of the Order which he declares to have been sent by the Soveraign out of great love and singular affection to dignifie him therewith as to a person unto whom he wisht as well and honorably as to any other Prince whatsoever and withall intreats him kindly to accept of and wear them in remembrance of the Soveraign and his Order This or the like Oration being ended the Ambassadors present their Commission of Legation to the hands of the Elect-Stranger who delivers it to his Secretary and he publickly reads it At the before mentioned Investiture of the French King Henry the Second the Bishop of Ely one of the Commissioners in the Legation made the Speech to which the Cardinal of Loraine returned answer in the said Kings behalf with all thankful acknowledgments of the honor of the Order And when Henry the Third of France received the Habit of the Order Sir Edward Stafford the Soveraign's Leiger Ambassador performed this service After the Commission is read Garter presents the Oath fairly written which is administred to the Elect-Stranger where if any exceptions were before made and admitted they must be here rehearsed as we find it directed in the Instructions given for the Investiture of Iames the Fifth King of Scotland But the Oath was not taken by the French King Henry the Third till after his Investiture and in the Augustine Fryers Church in Paris which being before prepared and written on Parchment in Letters of Gold the said King there signed it by the subscription of his name Henry and then delivered it to his Secretary to have his Privy Seal put to it So also was the Duke of Wirtemberg an 1. Iac. first Invested in his great Hall at Studtgard and then proceeded to the great Church where he took the Oath The Ceremony of the Oath being finished Garter takes from off the Cushen the Garter and having kiss'd it presents it to the Lord Ambassador who kneeling down puts it with all Reverence about the Stranger 's left leg being assisted by Garter and therewithall Garter pronounceth these words of Signification Ad laudem atque honorem Omnipotentis Dei intemeratae Matris ejus Sancti Georgii Martyris cinge Tibiam tuam hoc insigni Subligaculo circumferens in augmentum honoris tui in signum ac memoriam illustrissimi Ordinis nusquam oblivioni daturus aut omissurus quod eo moneris ut valeas inquam velis in justo bello quod solùm inibis stare firmitèr agere fortitèr feliâ—iter omnino vincere This being said Garter next takes the Surcoat and delivers it with the Ceremony of a Kiss to the Lord Ambassador who after the Elect-Stranger hath put off his Cloak or upper Garment and Sword puts it upon him in this manner First the Lord Ambassador begins at the Stranger 's right arm and Garter or the Leiger Ambassador if present assists at the left shoulder The Stranger being thus vested with the Surcoat both the Lord Ambassador and Garter gird his Sword about him with a Velvet Girdle of the same colour at the doing whereof Garter saith these words Capito vestem hanc purpuream ad incrementum honoris in signaculum Ordinis accepti quâ munitus non vereberis pro fide Christi libertate Ecclesiae pro jure oppressorum atque indigentium necessaria tuitione sanguinâ—m etiam fundere nedum fortitèr ac strenuè dimicare After this Garter takes up the Mantle and Hood which having in like manner kissed he delivers to the Lord Ambassador who invests the Stranger therewith and lays the Hood upon his right shoulder the Train being given into the hands of some noble Personage to be born up Garter also pronouncing these words Accipe Clamidem hanc Coelici coloris in Signum Clarissimi hujus Ordinis in augmentum etiam honoris tui rubeo Clypeo Dominicae Crucis uti cernis insignitam ut cujus virtute semper ac vigore protectus per Hostes tutus abeas eos ubique superare valeas pro clarissimis deniqueâ—â—ritis post egregiam hanc hujus temporis militiam ad aeterna veréque triumphalia gaudia pertingas And in the last place Garter takes up the Collar and with a Kiss also presents it to the Lord Ambassador who placeth it about the Stranger 's shoulders at which part of the Investiture Garter uttereth these words Torquem hunc in Collo deferes ad augmentum honoris in signum quoque clarissimi Ordinis à te suscepti cum imagine sanctissimi Martyris Christi Militis Georgii cujus praesidio suffultus Mundi hujus tà m prospera quà m adversa sic pertranscas ut animae pariter ac corporis hostibus hic strenue devictis non temporariae modo Militiae gloriam sed perennis victoriae palmam denique recipere valeas Amen As soon as this Ceremony of Investiture is finished the Lord Ambassador congratulateth the new invested Stranger in the Soveraign's name and in the name of all the Knights-Companions and then delivers to him his Velvet Cap adorned with White Plumes and next the Book of Statutes By the Instructions drawn up for the Investiture of Iulianus de Medicis and Iames the Fifth King of Scotland though the form of the words of Admonition and Signification are therein more briefly coucht it may be observ'd that this was the ancient series and order of Investiture and
began my Iourney and arrived at Hamborough the Monday following being the 23. I stayed there from Monday till Thursday in the Evening and then I departed with the Messenger of Berlin On Monday morning I came to Spanda a good Town where there is the strongest Fort I ever saw of four Bulwarks environed by the River Sprey and a Morass towards Berlin from which place the Elector hath caused the Wood to be felled that he might see this Fort from his Castle at Berlin At 11 of the Clock that day I arrived at Berlin here I lodged my self in the Burgomasters house a good Inn and that Afternoon sent for one Mr. Roe an English-man but an old Servant of the Electors Family to him in general I made my self known and desired his advice for my addresses he presently went and acquainted the Electors Marshal with my Arrival who presently informed the Elector and so I had answer if I sent to the Marshal the next day at 10 of the Clock I should understand his Highness pleasure accordingly I sent and the Marshall returned me answer that at 11 his Highness would send a Gentleman to conduct me to the Court and accordingly there came his Carver in one of his Highness Coaches to conducâ— me thither where when I was arrived I was brought through two or three Rooms the Guards standing in order in the first and Gentlemen in the rest by the Gentleman to the Electors Anti-Chamber there his Chamberlain received me and brought me into his Highness â—ed-chamber to whom I presented my self in the best posture I could and briefly gave him an Accompt of my Employment and delivered him his Majesty's Letter which he presently opened and read and in few words of great respect acknowledged his Majesty's favour After that I delivered him her Majesty the Queen of Bohemia's Letter which he received with great demonstration of affection and then returned to discourse with me about the time and manner of receiving the Order Hereupon I having prepared a Paper of all things necessary that so I might do my best for his Majesty's honor and service I presented it unto his Highness which he presently gave to Monsieur Scurein one of the chief of his Council and the only person besides his Chamberlain then present to read which he did and it gave the Elector so full satisfaction as he proposed to receive the Order the next day being Wednesday but I being weary and besides other particulars being to be advised I put it off till Thursday so I took my leave of his Highness for that instant and the Surintendant being Hofmaster to the Electrix brought me to her Apartment to wait upon her to whom I likewise delivered her Majesty's Letter she received me with great favour and told me her Mother had given her notice of my coming so after some questions of the young Prince of Orange the Princes Royal c. I took my leave and was conducted into his Highness Dining-Room where the Dinner being on the Table he presently appeared leading his Mother who with her Brother the Palatine of Zimerne his Lady with a Son and Daughter came to this Court few days before The old Electress seeing me present with high civility seemed as if I should apply my self unto her hereupon I briefly told her that I was assured had her Majesty the Queen of Bohemia known I should have found her there I should have had the honor to have brought her Letters from her Majesty which she took in good part so she placed her self with her Sister-in-Law her Daughter-in-Law the young Electress her Sister the Princess Katherine and the young Princess of Zimerne on the outside of the Table in the interim the Elector the Duke of Zimerne and his Son washed the Chamberlain giving the Towel then the Gentleman gave water to the Ladies so they took their places at a long Table at the end sat the Dutchess of Zimerne and the old Electress on the inside of the Table the Electress the Princess Katherine and the young Princess of Zimerne on the outside sate the Duke of Zimerne then the Elector then stood the Carver and below sat the young Prince of Zimerne and below him the Chamberlain opposite to the young Prince and next to his Sister I was placed beneath me the Master of the House to the Old Electress and then at the end sate the Electors Master of his Horse and another The Table was excellently served having at the first course 20 Dishes of gilt Plate covered with Silver and the Plates the same so was the second course and at the third the Banquet was served in in as many standing scalloped Cups gilt At the second course the Elector began to me his Majesty's Health and a while after the Duke of Zimerne the Queen of Bohemia's and these were all the Healths past at the Table so as to my great joy instead of drinking after the German mode I rose from Table thirsty Dinner being done his Highness and the Ladies returned into her Highness Chamber in the interim I stayed in the Dining-Room where the Marshal came and told me his Highness had given order I should be lodged neer the Court at his Stables and should have a Coach to wait upon me to come to Court that Evening and so constantly while I stayed I excused the first at least till the next day and the last for that time and so returned to my Lodging The next day after Dinner I went into the Electress Room with the Elector and presently the old Electress applied her self to entertain me and did so neer an hour Then I took my leave of her and the Elector for that time and was brought by one of his Gentlemen to my new Lodging at the Stables where after a large half pace at the top of a Stair I was brought into my Stove hung with good Arras at the upper end were two large round Tables the one covered with a Carpet of Crimson Velvet fringed with Gold the other of Cloth of Gold on which stood a great Silver Bason and Ewer out of that Room I went into my Bed-Chamber hung with silk Hangings the Bed was of Cloth of Gold Damask and the Counterpart of riâ—h Cloth of Gold and Chaâ—rs of Crimson Velvet towards Evening I was sent to to know whether I would sup at the Court or there I desired the last at my Lodging in regard I was to deliver the Garter the next day So in the Evening Wax Candles were brought me in great Silver Candlesticks and Wine and Beer in two great standing gilt Cups and then eight or ten Dishes of meat in Silver Dishes and the Table being covered with rich Damask Linen the meat was brought by six or eight Footmen and a Page of the Electors to wait upon me towards the end of Supper five or six Plates of Sweet-meats were set on the Table and so the Supper ended The next morning being Thursday the 3. of April
Church phrase the Nativity of his Patron so as to the place wherein to perform its Solemnities he made choice of that of his own Nativity the Castle of Windesor and appointed the observation of this Grand Festival in a solemn manner and with due Ceremonies to be celebrated there which for a long time after was inviolably observed either upon the very day by the Church made sacred to St. George or else upon some other appointed by Prorogation not long after for which way of Prorogation allowance was given by the Statutes of the Order and of which the Registers are full of instances SECT V. St. George's day kept apart from the Grand Feast and how then observed HOW this Noble Order spread its roots and flourished from its first plantation to the time of King Henry the Fifth we can give no account since the Annals thereof are wanting unto his Reign certain it is that then it was of a considerable growth but afterwards the Civil Wars towards the end of King Henry the Sixth's Reign caused it to stand at a stay Under the benevolent aspect of King Edward the Fourth it seemed to recover and whilst King Henry the Eighth reigned to have attained a greater height than at any time before But though the several Branches of the Order received some augmentation from the favourable influence of this last mentioned Soveraign yet the principal to wit the Grand Festival began to flag by a removal of the observation of St. George's day from Windesor the place particularly appointed for it and a prorogatory celebration of the Grand Feast to other times By which means the honor of that princely Seat and the advantages accrewing by the performance of the Solemnities there were diverted to those other places whereto the observation of St. George's day was translated The Article of the Statutes causing this great alteration and which clashed so much with the design of the first Institutor may be seen in the Appendix where it is manifest that when the Soveraign saw occasion to prorogue the celebration of the Grand Feast he might legally do it but when he did so 't is there also evident that the day of St. George was nevertheless ordained to be duly observed singly by it self in what place soever the Soveraign if within this Realm should then reside Windesor hereby being not excluded It further implies the sacred Rites and Offices to be performed with sundry other concerns of the Order for besides the particulars therein innumerated we may observe thence this general clause that what other urgent Affair soever relating to the Order should offer it self to be performed the same might be treated of and receive dispatches in the Chapter held where the Soveraign then should be as fully as if he were at Windesor Castle So that hence forward all things began to be ordered both on the Eve the Day of St. George and the Morrow after with full as great state all Affairs as legally dispatched and all Ceremonies as magnificently performed except that of Offring up of Atchievements which is peculiar and local to the Chappel of St. George in Windesor Castle as could be observed at the Grand Festival it self And how by virtue of this Article and with that Ceremonies St. George's day was held when the Grand Feast was prorogued to some further time is evident from a full and ample Precedent an 22. H. 8. now remaining in the Office of Arms. For albeit the Soveraign with thirteen Knights-Companions were at Windesor upon the 22.23 and 24. of April that year yet did they at that time observe only the Feast day of St. George with the Eve and Morrow after but deferred by Order in Chapter the celebration of the Grand Feast unto the 8. day of May ensuing the Memorial whereof follows The King went not to the Chapter before the first Evensong but immediately to his Stall viz. in the Chappel of the Soveraign's Lodgings in the Upper Ward of the Castle of Windesor not in the Chappel Royal of St. George The Bishop of London Lord Cutberde Tunstall elect of Duresme did the Divine Service and at Magnificat he and the Dean first censed the Altar and after the King both the high Altar and the Altar which was made before the King were richly garnished with Images and over garnishments of Gold and Silver and Gilt c. The Evensong the King returned to his and his Grace and the Knights of the Order were served of the void c. And on the Morn at 9. of the Clock to be at Matyns which was done above the Ordinary the King ordained in the honor of St. George a right noble Procession whereat was 35 Copes of rich Cloth of Gold after the Procession the King went immediately to his Stall and High Mass and offered as accustomed That done Dinner and 4 of the greatest Estates sat at the kings boards end And the residue sat all along at the two Tables all on the one side as accustomed and before Evensong the King went to his Closet to the Chapter and appointed the Duke of Suffolk to be his Lieutenant at the Feast which was appointed to be kept the eight day of May then ensuing accompanied with the Earl of Rutland the Lord Sandys Lord Chamberlain Sir William Fitz Williams Memoramdum That the low Evensongs that were said before the King were of St. George Also the first low Mass in the morning song by the Lord George Grey of Dorset two oder Masses of the day of the which Lord John Longland Bishop of Lincolne sang the third Mass the fourth low Mass was of Recordare and was appointed that the high Mass done the Mass of Requiem should begin Thus here we have 1. The attendance of the Knights-Companions upon the Soveraign 2. the Chapter which accustomably was held on the Eve of the Feast implied by observing that the Soveraign went not unto it 3. The Ceremonies at the first Vespers 4. The Morning Service on St. George's day 5. The Grand Procession 6. The Solemn Offring 7. The Grand Dinner 8. The Chapter held before the second Vespers 9. The day for celebrating the Grand Festival appointed And 10. The Mass of Requiem on the morrow after St. George's day celebrated SECT VI. The Grand Feast neglected by King Edward the Sixth BUT King Edward the Sixth assuming the Soveraignty of this Noble Order the days became more gloomy in as much as during his Reign there was no Anniversary of St. George kept at Windesor by a Grand Festival Under what churliâ—h Fate this noble place then suffered we cannot guess other than the common calamity of that Age wherein most Ceremonies solemn or splendid either chiefly such as related to Divine Services came under the suspicion of being superstitious if not idolatrous Insomuch as at a Chapter held at Greenewich upon the 22. day of April in the second year of his Reign an abolition being intended of all
hapned near to Easter as it was an 22. H. 8. St. George's day falling upon Saturday in Easter-week the Soveraign then at Windesor celebrating the day there though the Grand Feast was prorogued to the 8. of May following wherefore the Service of the Feast of Easter and not of St. George was celebrated on the Vigil in the Chappel above in the upper Quadrangle next St. George's Hall not in the Colledge but the low Evensongs said before the Soveraign were of St. George In like manner an 38. H. 8. Good Friday falling upon the 23. of April the day used to be kept sacred to St. George the Service together with the Ceremonies wont to be performed to the honor of God and in memory of St. George were prorogued to Sunday the 3. of May being Low-Sunday and the Service of the day took place So reverend a regard was anciently had for the Feasts appointed by the Church to be kept holy and the Vigils thereof as also to the Divine Service ordained to be celebrated thereon that this Feast of St. George was by King Henry the Fifth's Statutes expresly prohibited to be held if through the Prorogations aforesaid it should chance to fall out upon the 24. and 25. days of April But in all other Rolls and Copies of these Statutes that have come to our view we find the 26. day of April added to this place and so afterwards in King Henry the Eighth's Statutes which was very requisite because otherwise the second Vespers of St. Mark might from the first Vespers of St. George receive interruption With these the like Prohibition was enjoined if the Feast fell upon the last of April the first second third and fourth of May in honor of the double Feast of St. Philip and Iacob and of the Feast of the Invention of the Cross of our Lord Iesus Christ for which cause in the 9. and 10. years of King Henry the Eighth the celebration of the Grand Feast was prorogued to the 10. and 16. days of May at Windesor which were the Sundays next following the Feast of the Invention of the holy Cross in those two years So likewise if it fell on the Feasts of the Ascension and Penticost Thus far in reference to these enumerated Festivals did the Statutes of the Order provide as also where the case might fall within the compass of any other solemn Feast ordained by the Church when the first or second Vespers thereof might through such Prorogations be hindred or disturbed which were for ought we find until the time of our Reformation of Religion begun by King Edward the Sixth duly observed But since upon passing the Act of Parliament before mentioned for singling some few days out of those many that were before kept holy there hath been no due observation given to these Injunctions but that the Grand Feast of St. George hath by Prorogation been celebrated upon any of them indifferently the Feast of Easter only excepted And in this case of Easter after such time as the Statutes were new modelled by King Henry the Eighth the time for Prorogation of the Grand Feast was left more arbitrary so also when it fell out upon any Fish or Fasting-day even at the Soveraign's pleasure and therefore since then when the said two Feasts hapned to concur the adjournments have pass'd but for some few days As for instance St. George's day an 18. Eliz. fell upon Easter-Monday and thereupon the Soveraign appointed a Chapter to be held in the Privy Chamber at Whitehall on Easter Eve wherein it was Ordered That the Feast of St. George should be adjourned until Tuesday the 24. of April being Tuesday in Easter week and by this appointment the very day celebrated by the Church for that of St. George became the Eve to the Grand Feast and was so observed by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Of later times viz. an 12. Iac. R. when St. George's day fell upon Easter-Eve the celebration thereof was deferred until Thursday then next following Lastly his late Majesty of ever sacred memory being a great restorer of the ancient Solemnities and Discipline of this Order punctual even in circumstances of Honor and extraordinary tender of infringing any of the Statutes having prorogued the Feast of St. George from the 8.9 and 10. days of February in the 18. year of his Reign to the 18.19 and 20. days of April following at the City of York and the time falling out to be within 15 days of Easter although he might by the power of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes and those Precedents before recited have kept the same upon the days designed Nevertheless without a particular Dispensation drawn and made authentick by the Great Seal of the Order and his own Royal Signature would not proceed to the Ceremonies of that celebration We come now to the second sort of Prorogations which are meerly arbitrary and wholly dependent upon the Soveraign's pleasure yet warranted sufficiently from the words Causa postulante set down in the beginning of the Fourth Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes as also by the great latitude given unto the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order out of compliance with their urgent Affairs in the 8. Article following quo Supremus volet prorogabitur But we observe that long before the making this Statute something of like nature had been practised and the Grand Feast prorogued at the pleasure of the Soveraign the day of St. George being nevertheless observed albeit the Registers render not the cause To manifest which we shall instance in a few Examples The first thing memorable in this kind of which any Record is extant is that an 5. H. 5. when about the 18. of August neer 4 Months after St. George's day the Soveraign then ingaged in War with France having reduced to his obedience the not inconsiderable Town of Caen and made the Duke of Clarence Governour thereof took order as far as the present exigency of Affairs would permit to have the Feast of St. George there celebrated and with great solemnity created 15 Knights into the Order So an 22. E. 4. the Soveraign with the rest of the Knights-Companions kept all the Solemnities of the Order in St. Paul's Church London and dined in the Bishop of London's Palace at which time he received from the Pope a Sword and Cap of Maintenance and albeit the mention of St. George's day occur not expresly in the place whence we have this account nevertheless observing both out of the Black Book and the Registrum Chartaceum that the Grand Feast it self was by the Lord Matrevers held at Windesor within few days after St. George's day that very year viz. the 29. of April Therefore these Solemnities at St. Paul's may most probably be thought to have been observed upon the very day of St. George for they
Soveraign of the Order was at the charge notwithstanding the said Order an 3. E. 6. which heretofore we see was paid out of the Treasury in the Exchequer and since the establishment of 1200. l. per an setled by the late Soveraign King Charles the First to discharge the ordinary and extraordinary expences of the Order the allowance issued thence and was paid by the Chancellor of the Order But now the charge is placed upon Garter he having an allowance therefore included in the augmentation of his Pension an 15. Car. 2. We find Privy-Seals to have issued as high as the 15. of Queen Elizabeth for the annual allowance of 7 l. Scutcheons employed for the use aforesaid and that the price sometime before was much about that rate for the three and twenty Scutcheons provided against St. George's Feast an 1 2. Ph. Mar. came to 6 l. 1 s. 8 d. and those five and twenty set up the following year to 6 l. 11 s. 8. d. some difference then also being in the work which inhanced the price viz. those provided for Princes at 6 s. 8 d. a piece and each of the rest at 5. s. The Soveraign the Prince of Wales and Stranger Kings and Princes have accustomably had at these times Majesty Scutcheons set up over each of their Stalls but the rest of the Knights-Companions Lodging Scutcheons only and we have seen an account of four Majesty Scutcheons prepared for every St. George's Feast from 1613. to 1619. to wit one for the Soveraign another for the King of Denmark a third for the Prince of Wales and a fourth for Frederick Count Palatine of the Rhyne at 6 s. 8 d. a piece but so many Knights-Companions as attended the Soveraign at those Feasts had each a Lodging Scutcheon at 2 s. 6 d. From the marshalling of Arms quartered in the Knights-Companions Scutcheons and ordering their Stiles printed always in French there are several things no less useful than worthy observation for First though the Plates of Arms and Quarterings fixed in each Knights-Companions Stall at Windesor continue there without alteration or very seldom changed from that order wherein they were marshalled at the time of their Installation yet these Scutcheons and Stiles annually set up do admit of frequent alteration as there is occasion either by adding more Quarterings altering the Stiles or amending any thing that is amiss For instance Whereas the Duke of Savoy before 5. Eliz. bore Gules a Cross Argent it was then altered into 5 Coats that is to say in the first quarter Westpahliâ— Saxe moderne and Angrie in the second Chablais in the third Aouste the fourth as the first and over all in the middle the foresaid Scutcheon of Savoy When the Lord Hunsdon was installed an 3. Eliz. he had 12 Coats of Arms thus marshalled in his Plate 4 4 and 4 the first Carey the second Spencer the third Somerset the fourth Bullen the fifth Ormond the sixth Hoo the seventh Rochford the eighth Seyntomer the ninth Malmains the tenth Wichingham the eleventh St. Leger and the twelfth Hangford But an 7. Eliz. his Scutcheon received an addition of four other Coats viz. Beauchamp Warwick Berkley and Gerard and these were inserted next to Somerset the third Coat in his said Plate But on the contrary where Ambrose Earl of Warwick had 21 Coats put into his Plate an 5. Eliz. and they marshalled in this order 5.5.5 and 6. namely 1. Sutton 2. Paganell 3. Grey of Ruthin 4. Hastings 5. Quincy 6. Malpas 7. Somery 8. Valence 9. Talbott 10. Warwick 11. Beauchamp 12. Berkley 13. Lisle 14. Gerard. 15. Guilford 16. Houlden 17. West 18. and 19. quarterly de la Ware and Cantilupe 20. Mortimere of Wigmore and 21. Greely at the Feast of St. George held at Whitehall an 9. Eliz. his Scutcheon contained but 16. viz. 4.4.4 and 4. namely 1. Sutton 2. Paganell 3. Somery 4. Malpas 5. Grey of Ruthin 6. Hastings 7. Valence 8. Ferrers 9. Quincy 10. Chester 11. Talbot 12 Beauchamp 13. Warwick 14. Berkley 15. Gerard. and 16. Lisle So that here was seven Coats taken out of the former namely Guilford Holden West de la Ware and Cantilupe quarterly Mortimere and Greely and two added viz. Ferrars and Chester But the greatest and most frequent variations are in the Stiles and Titles of Honor set under the Scutcheons and these relate unto and are occasioned principally from their attaining or resigning of Offices or Dignities We find that the Stile set under the Scutcheon of Ferdinand the Emperor at St. George's Feast an 1. 2. Ph. Mar. was as followeth Du tres-hault tres-excellent tres-puissant Prince Ferdinand par la grace de Dieu Roy des Romaines de Hungarie Bohemie Archiduc d' Austrie Duc de Bourgoigne c. Chevalier du tresnoble Ordre de la Iarretiere But an 5. Eliz. in the said Emperors Stile the Titles of King of Hungary and Bohemia were left out because Maximilian his Son had a little before obtained and at that time enjoyed both those Kingdoms In the Reign of Queen Elizabeth the Stiles of Philip King of Spain who while Queen Mary lived was Co Soveraign of this most Noble Order run thus Du tres-hault tres-excellent tres-puissant Prince Philip par la grace de Dieu Roy d' Espaigne des Deux Cicels Ierusalem Arch-Duc d' Austriae Duc de Bourgoigne Millan Brabant Comte de Hapsburge Flanders and Tyroll Chevalier du tres-noble Order de la Iarretiere But at the Feasts of St. George an 28.29 and 30. Eliz. the Title of Catholick Prince was also given him viz. Du tres-hault tres-excellent tres-puissant Catholique Prince Philip c. And till an 26. Eliz. we observe the Title des Deux Cicils were continued to him but an 28. Eliz. and so forward the word Deux was omitted nevertheless an 36. Eliz. that word is again added but withall we find this marginal note entred over against the said Stile This was forbidden to be set up at Greenwich the 22. of April an 1594. If we proceed with a few instances relating to Knights-Subjects we shall find that among them there hath hapned the most frequent alterations and almost every year some additions or omissions In the Duke of Norfolk's Stile an 3. Eliz. the Lieutenantship of the North was omitted In the Earl of Rutlands at the same Feast President of the Council in the North was added The Marquess of Winchester an â— Eliz. caused the Title of Bâ—ron of St. Iohn to be omitted because his eldest Son then bore that honor In like manner was the Title of Lord Strange left out of the Earl of Derby's Stile an 4. Eliz. in regard his Son was then so called and a Baron of Parliament As to these and such like particulars a multitude of Examples might be cited but let these suffice
account of these sacred Offrings and Gifts should be made and preserved in the Chapter-house at Windesor The Book designed for this purpose is now with his Majesty being a large thin Folio in Vellom wearing this Title Σ Î¥ ΠΘ Ε Ω Memoriae Veritati Virtuti Sacrum Altare liberae Capellae Regiae Sancti Georgii Martyris infra Castrum Regale Windesoriense Amplissimis donariis Deo Opt. Max. per Augustissâ—mum Supremum Honoratissimos Commilitones Nobilissimi Ordinis à Periscelide dicatis recentèr adauctum Describit humilimus Ordinis illius Servus Scriba C. Wren Decanus Windesoriensis An. Dom. 1637. It contains the Orders made in Chapter the 24. of November 1625. the 24. of Septemb. 1628. the 6. of Octob. 1630. with the Commissionary Letters which thereupon issued and the Order of the 13. of February following together with the Names of all the Knights-Companions present at each Chapter After these follow the Arms and Quarâ—erings very fairly limn'd in Metal and Colour within a Garter over each a Coronet sutable to the dignity of the person and underneath are entred the Stiles of all the Knights-Companions who were of the Order an 1625. or admitted after to the time of making the Book as also the sum which each Knight paid to the Register But as to any account of Plate provided upon the Soveraign and succeeding Knights-Companions Contributions there is none though probably intended to fill up the many blank leaves that followed The first that presented his Offring was Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey Earl Marshal of England therein giving the rest a noble example by a delivery of his 20 l. into the hands of the Dean of Windesor So that a competent sum being afterwards collected and the money decreed by King Henry the Eighth to pious uses instead of celebrating the Obits of deceased Knights added thereunto by Order of Chapter all was wholly employed towards Plate for the foresaid Altar To hasten the payment of these Contributions the Dean and Canons deputed William Ryley then Blue Mantle Pursuivant afterward Lancaster Herald at Arms to collect the Moneys to be raised both upon the Order of the 6. of October an 6. Car. 1. and also upon the Obits and for his pains therein he was allowed 2 s. in the Pound But notwithstanding all his diligence and sollicitation it appeared to the Chapter held at Windesor the 6. of November an 9. Car. 1. that there were several of the Knights-Companions and the Executors of others yet in arrear and to the end the same might be speedily collected there was set in the said Chapter a penalty in the nature of a nomine poenae of twenty shillings a Month to be levied upon those who should longer delay the payment thereof And now at length a considerable sum having been collected the work began to be set on foot and the Workman made choice of was one Christian Van Vianan of Vtrect a man excellently skill'd in chasing of Plate and to give him due praise in this undertaking he discovered a rare ingenuity and happy fancy as the skilful did judge while the Plate was in being and the designs of each piece yet to be seen among the present Soveraign's rare collection of Draughts and Sketches can sufficiently manifest The agreement with him made by the forementioned Earl Marshal Sir Francis Windebanke and Sir Francis Crane then Chancellor of this most Noble Order was at 12. s. the Ounce Whereupon 24. Apr. an 10. Car. 1. the Soveraign gave command under the Signet of the Order to pay unto him 600 l. by way of impress towards making the Plate after the receipt of which he forthwith disposed himself to the work And before the Month of Iune 1637 he had finished and made ready for the use of the Altar nine pieces of Plate which the 3. of Iuly following were delivered into the Chapter-house at Windesor Sir Thomas Rowe then Chancellor Doctor Stokes Lieutenant for the Dean Doctor Some Doctor Elly and Doctor Collens then Canons of the said Colledge being present the particulars whereof with their weight here follows  ounce d. weight Two little Candlesticks chased and gilt for Wax Candles 92 06 Two Chalices with four Patens 113 1 Two great Candlesticks neat for Tapers 553 15 Two little Basons 251 15 One great Bason 210 00  1220 17  l. s. The value at 12 s. the Ounce came to 732 10 Besides nine Cases 9 10  742 00 Of which he received by way of impress 600 00 The rest being 142 00 was paid unto him by Doctor Stokes the foresaid 3. of Iuly   But notwithstanding all the foresaid care taken by the then Soveraign to promote the work and a subsequent Order passed in Chapter the 18. of April an 13. Car. 1. commanding the Chancellor to signifie the Soveraign's commands for due payment of the Obits and other sums due according to the Statutes yet were some of the Knights so visibly backward in their payments That at a Chapter held the 14. of Iune following when the first parcel of Plate before mentioned was finished an account being given by the Chancellor to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions of 784 l. received upon the two Orders aforesaid and that 774 l. thereof had been disbursed there appeared to be 389 l. not undemanded but unpaid and which the Dean of Windesor could not receive some of the Knights-Companions deferring and others refusing c. although there had not wanted diligence both in taking several journies and giving many sollicitous attendances at London This Affair being thus represented to the Soveraign and Knights-Companions present in Chapter their names being also read over who were in arrear it was thereupon Ordered That the Chancellor should write in the Soveraign's name a peremptory Letter to every Knight-Companion so behind in payment to command present satisfaction and signifie in case of omission the Soveraign's displeasure which very much hastned the bringing in of the Arrears a Copy of which Letter here follows My Lord I Am commanded to put your Lordship in mind of two Statutes of the most Noble Order of the Garter whereof you are a Knight and Companion the first being one of the Foundation that every Earl should pay 50 s. to the Treasury in Windesor for pious uses upon the death of any Knight and Brother of the Order and that the money being unpaid one whole year should be increased one third part as a Fine or mulct the other made in a Chapter the sixteenth year of King James of blessed memory and confirmed by three several Acts of the first fourth and sixth years of his Majesty now happily reigning That as well all the Knights of the Order then living as all that should be chosen and admitted then after should give and paâ— 20 l. to the use and ornament of the Altar and Chappel of Saint George in
Windesor according to which Constitutions there having lately been made divers pieces of rich Plate presented and consecrated in that Chappel to the neer value of 800 l. the Dean of Windesor and Register of the Order being by Statute Collector of such moneys received and disbursed did bring in his full account unto his Majesty the Soveraign and the Knights of the Order at the Solemnity of the Feast of Saint George for this year held by prorogation upon the 2.3 and 4. of October upon the view whereof your Lordship being found behind and not having paid the sums expressed in the inclosed paper with the Reasons how they did grow due taken out of his accompt in writing it was resolved in full Chapter and registred among the Acts of the Order that those several sums should be called for and collected before the next Feast In pursuance whereof I then received command from his Majesty with the approbation and consent of all the Knights then assembled to signifie to your Lordship under the Signet of the Order the Soveraign Will That you make present payment of your arrearages and to deliver it unto the bearer hereof who is appointed Collector for this service which if your Lordship shall delay or refuse to do being only the observance of the Statutes to which you are obliged both in honor and by your Oath I have also express order to return your answer and to signifie to you the displeasure of his Majesty of all which respects I am confident your Lordship will be most tender And so I humbly take my leave Your Lordships in all due observance Tho. Rowe St. Martyns-Lane 9. Nov. 1637. And yet notwithstanding all these Injunctions in the List of the Knights-Companions who ought to have paid the Earls of Somerset Sussex and Marr were at last returned insolvent All this Plate was treble gilt and thereon were the Scripture Histories rarely well designed and chased and especially the great Bason and the Covers of two Books hereafter mentioned for I find the said Van Vianan complaining that he was a great loser at the rate agreed upon so much and so good work had he bestowed on them above the rest Upon the 22. day of Iuly after the delivery of this Plate into the Chapter-house order was given by the Soveraign to the Chancellor to remove and carry the afore recited parcels to Croyden or Lambeth wither the Dean of Windesor or some of the Prebends should also go there to be consecrated by his Grace Doctor Land the then Archbishop of Canterbury and from thence they to see it returned and safely delivered into the Treasury of the Dean and Chapter of Windesor But they went not thither according to the appointment for this solemn and sacred action was deferred till the next Feast of St. George celebrated at Windesor wherein at a Chapter held the 2. of October in the year aforesaid the said Plate was ordered to be offered the next morning at the Altar and there to be consecrated to God and his Service for ever by the Prelate of the Order And because the whole Ceremony was performed with great veneration and all due reverence his late Majesty being a high promoter of Ecclesiastical decency and holy discipline we think fit to present it here at large On the 3. day of the said Month of October being the Feast day held by Prorogation at Windesor-Castle in the time of the Second Service at the Versicle Let your light so shine before men c. Walter Bishop of Winchester then Prelate standing before the middle of the Altar read certain select Verses out of the Old Testament concerning the dedication of Solomons Temple and the Riches thereof the first of which was taken from the 35. Chapter of Exodus ver 4. the second being the 21. versâ— of the same Chapter and the third taken out of the second Chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel verse 11. and afterwards fitted himself for the Offring At which time the Soveraign descended from his Throne as in the manner of Offring and thrice bowed down towards the Altar worshiping and adoring God in the middle of the Choire and so past to the Degrees of the Altar where humbly kneeling did present and offer to God the before mentioned great Bason devoutly saying Part of thy bounty to us O Lord Almighty I offer to thee and to thy Service The Offring was forthwith received by the Prelate and set upon the Altar which done every one of the Knights-Companions present after the example of this holy King in their due ranks and single did offer his piece of dedicated Plate with the same words and in like manner And that their ordinary Offring of Gold and Silver might not be interrupted or omitted all the Knights-Companions at the time of offring the Plate made the same in another Bason held by one of the Prebends Every of these holy Vessels being thus offred and decently placed upon the Altar the Prelate with his hand touched every piece severally as on God's part receiving them and after made the following Prayers of Consecration and Benediction O Lord God Heavenly Father we thy most humble servants do earnestly entreat thee that thou wilt graciously vouchsafe to accept these sacred Offrings by thâ— hands of our most gracious Soveraign Lord King Charles and the most honorable Companions which are here present dedicated to thee Grant me beseech thee and cause that whatsoever is this day offered unto thee may be preserved from all profane use and may for ever abide consecrated to thy service through Iesus Christ our Lord. Amen Let us bless thee our most glorious Lord God for that it hath pleased thee to put into the heart of our most gracious Lord Charles and of these Princes to dedicate these oblations to thy service Regard we beseech thee from the Highest Heavens and power out thy blessings upon the head of his most gracious Majesty Bless him in his Royal Person in hiâ— most gracious Queen Mary in the most illustrious Prince Charles and in all the rest of the Branches of the Royal Stock Bless we pray thee all those whose donations offered to thee we have here this day received Let thy blessing fall down as the dew of Heaven upon them and upon their posterities and upon all things which they have from thee and grant that by the holy and debout use of these things which are here offered the glory of thy name may ever he proclaimed and thy Majesty may by these our due observances be exalted through Iesus Christ our Lord Amen These sacred Ceremonies being compleated the Soveraign and Knights-Companions marched to the great Hall to Dinner But to make some further addition to the Glory of this Altar his Majesty that now is at the time of his Installation into this most Noble Order being the 22. of May 1638. offered two large gilt Water-pots chaced with Histories
also weighing 387 Ounces 10 penny weight wrought all by the hand of that ingenious Artist the before mentioned Christian Van Vianan which amounting at 12 s. the Ounce to the sum of 232 l. 10 s. besides 2 l. 16 s. for the Cases and his journey to Windesor in toâ—â— 235 l. 6 s. Od. was paid by Warrant from the Soveraign dated the 20. of November 1638. These sacred Vessels were afterwards delivered by Indenture one part remaining with the Chancellor and the other with the Dean and Chapter of Windesor to be kept for the service of the Altar And yet the bounty of this pious Soveraign King Charles the Martyr rested not here he thought the Altar was not with all these sufficiently furnished and therefore finding by an Account rendered by the Chancellor in Chapter the 23. of May 1638. that there had been collected upon the afore-mentioned Letter of the 9. of November 1637. sent from the Chancellor 137 l. 4 s. more to the end it might be also employed in further addition towards this so pious a work and so religious a design the said Money was by Sir Philip Palmer then Deputy Chancellor immediately given to the said Christian Van Vianan by way of impress for the providing of more Plate for the use also of the said Altar and the 25. of March following a Warrant issued under the Soveraign's hand and Signet of the Order for the advancing 200 l. more to the said Van Vianan for finishing this additional Plate bespoken by the Soveraign as aforesaid which sum was paid unto him the 27. of March following The Plate made upon the last advance was two great Candlesticks weighing together 471 Ounces on the foot of the one was excellently chaced the Histories of Christ's preaching in the Mount and on the other those of the lost Groat and Sheep Two Covers for Books both weighing 233 Ounces the one for a Bible contained the Histories of Moses and the Tables David and the Ark on the one side and on the other Christs preaching on the Mount the sending of the Holy Ghost and St. Paul falling from his Horse The otâ—â—r Cover was for the Common-Prayer having the Angel of Incense on the one siâ—â— and the King healing the Evil the manner of our Preaching and Christning on the other and two great Flaggons whereon were the Histories of Christ's Agony and Passion weighing 268 Ounces all being Silver gilt And now if we sum up the number weight and value of all the before mentioned parcels of Plate wrought by the said Van Vianan for the service of the Altar we shall find them to be 17. pieces weighing 3580 Ounces 7 Penny weight and amounting with some other small Charges to the sum of 1564 l. 6 s. These last mentioned Parcels were finished against the Feast of St. George held at Windesor the 8.9 and 10. days of October 1639. upon the last day of which Feast in the time of the Second Service the Knights-Companions descended from their Stalls and Offred the same at the Altar and thereupon after the usual manner and with the accustomed words were they consecrated by the Prelate of the Order and the 19. of November following delivered to the custody of the Dean and Canons of Windesor And doubtless this pious King would have bestowed much more in honor of this sacred place had not the late unhappy times drawn on an Age indeed so wicked that the most solemn dedication to God could not protect these holy Vessels from prophane hands for a Generation rose up who would have us think they did God good service when they stript his Church of all that the piety of our Ancestors for his sake had endowed it with and among other sacred places this Chappel of St. George received not the least share of misfortune For on the 23. of October 1642. Sir Iohn Seyton having that day seized on Windesor Castle for the Parliament one Captain Fog came immediately to the Colledge and demanded the Keys of the Treasury but not finding the three Key-Keepers he caused a Smith to make strong Bars of Iron who with them brake down the stone jaums forced open two doors and carried thence all the aforesaid rich chased and other Plate made sacred and set apart for the service of God except two double gilt Chalices weighing 62 Ounces and two double gilt Flagons weighing 98 Ounces one half an action to be stigmatized with an indelible Brand About the end of May following not long before the Recess of the Colledge Collonel Ven then Governor of Windesor Castle for the Parliament was instant with the Dean of Windesor and the Officers there that he might see what Goods were in the Chapter-house and Vestiaries which having viewed he within a few days after demanded all the Keys and kept them saying The Charge of them as well as of the Castle lay on him and he would keep them How he afterwards disposed of the Ornaments and rich Goods hitherto safely deposited there for holy uses and service of the Chappel I cannot tell but this I can assure that the Inventory following is a perfect transcript from the Copy thereof made by the hand of Doctor Chr. Wren the late reverend and worthy Dean out of the Colledge Book and by him delivered to me of all the particulars Collonel Ven so possest himself of A Memorial of the Goods and Monuments belonging to the King's Majesty's Free Chappel and Treasury at Windesor Imprimis 6 Long Cushens of Cloth of wire Gold fringed and tasseled sutably Item 2 other long Cushens of Cloth of Gold interwoven with tufted Flowers of Crimson Velvet fringed and tasseled sutably Item One other long Cushen of Cloth of Gold backt with Blue wrought Velvet fringed and tasseled Gold and Blue Item 4 Long Cushens of rich wrought Velvet Blue fringed and tasselled sutably Item 8 Cushens of wrought Velvet Azure upon a yellow ground bottomed sutably Item The Hangings of the head of the Choire 12 foot deep of Crimson Velvet and Gold Item The great Bible ruled covered with Purple Velvet with thick Silver bosses double gilt strung with Blue Ribband fringed with Gold Item Another large Bible imbossed Item 13 Rich Copes embroidered and wrought in Gold Item 2 Rich Copes of Wire-Gold Item A Pulpet-Cloth and long Cushen of Crimson tusted Velvet interwoven with Gold Item Another larger Pulpet-Cloth Crimson Damask interwoven thick with Flowers de Lis Portcullices Roses and Crowns of Gold Item The Blue Velvet Robe of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden embroidered with the Garter Pearl and Gold with the strings and Tassels sutable Blue and Gold Item 4 Other rich Robes of Purple Velvet with like Embroideries Strings and Tassels Item 2 Large Pieces of Cloth of Gold never used designed for State Cloths given out of the Wardrobe to the Colledge Item A large Carpet of Wire-Gold for the Communion Table Item A large Cushen of the
and sometimes Officers of Arms. And though at the Grand Feast held by Prorogation on Sunday the 14. of September in the said 15. year of King Iames it is noted that the Prince being then the Soveraign's Lieutenant proceeded to Morning Service on the Feast day with the Alms-Knights Heralds Prebends and Officers of the Order before him from which manner of expression it may perchance be supposed that the Heralds went at that time next after the Alms-Knights and before the Prehends nevertheless elsewhere we find them on the Eve of the foresaid Feast ranked in this following order The Alms-Knights The Prebends The Officers of Arms. The Knights of the Order c. And doubtless they proceeded in the same order to the Chappel on the next morning notwithstanding what is before said to the contrary those expressions being interwoven with the general account given of the Ceremonies of the whole Festival and more subject to mistake where the Relation of the Proceeding is carried on in a continued Discourse than where ranked as is before exhibited in particular lines and in the order and form of a Proceeding Besides we no where meet with any Order or Decree nulling the foresaid determination made an 1. Iac. R. which placeth the Prebends before the Heralds Finally to give an end to the disputes in this point we find that upon the Eve of the Feast held at Windesor the 23.24 and 25. of November an 1. Car. 1. the Prebends proceeded next before the Pursuivants and the Pursuivants immediately before the Heralds and Provincial Kings that is to say all the Officers of Arms except Garter whose place is elsewhere proceeded in one entire Body together which order we find to be the same in all Proceedings after that we have met with and was so observed at the Grand Feast held at Windesor an 13. Car. 2. and ever since But to proceed All the before mentioned Attendants wait in their several stations till the hour of Tierce when the Soveraign having the Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order before him and his Train carried up passeth towards the Presence Chambers notice of whose coming being given the Band of Pensioners make the accustomed Guard and Passage along the Presence-Chamber the seniors standing towards the Lobby door within which Guard on either side do the Officers of Arms place themselves Upon the same warning the Yeomen of the Guard clear a like passage from the Presence-Chamber door along the Guard-Chamber unto its outward door for the Proceeding to pass through At the Soveraign's approach one of the Gentlemen-Vshers attending with the Sword of State the point resting upon the ground delivereth it to such one of the Nobility not being a Knight of the Order whom the Soveraign as an honorary favour hath before nominated to bear it from thence before him in all the Proceedings of the Feast during which action the Knights-Companions proceed forward and being entred the Presence-Chamber flank on each side the State with some small distance between them and there make a stand The Soveraign being also entred passeth to the step before the State the Nobleman who beareth the Sword and the five Officers of the Order retiring a little on his right hand and then turning himself towards the Knights-Companions standeth there a while until they have made their Reverences unto him which being performed he re-saluteth the Knights-Companions by putting off his Cap. This done the Soveraign putteth his Cap on again whereupon every of the Knights-Companions put on theirs and immediately rank themselves according to their due place on both sides the State For the right understanding whereof we are in the fifth place to note that the order and method wherein the Knights-Companions are ranked if they be all present is two and two together the junior formost on the left hand for that is his place in all Proceedings But where any of them be absent the Rule is different from that appropriate to the before mentioned Degrees for although it be recorded that upon the Eve of the Grand Feast held at Windesor an 7. H. 5. The Knights-Companions went together in order into the Chapter-house and Choire Yet this being exprest but in general terms how it ought to be understood will more fully appear from the particular directions given for the order of the Knights-Companions proceedings in King Henry the Eighth's Statutes where the Law directs each Knight-Companion to proceed alone at such time as his Fellow who possesseth the Stall opposite unto him is absent but the order of such Proceeding will by a Scheme be made more evident The Proceeding of the Knights-Companions present on the Eve of St. George to the Closet at Whitehall an 3. Eliz. The Lord Hunsdon The Lord Robert Dudley The Lord Loughborow Void The Viscount Mountague The Earl of Shrewsbury The Earl of Sussex Void The Marquess of Northampton The Lord Clynton Void The Lord Howard of Effingham The Earl of Westmerland Void The Duke of Norfolk The Earl of Penbroke In this Proceeding there are four Knights-Companions who proceeded alone first the Lord Hunsdon then being the junior Knight because the Lord Grey his Fellow on the right hand was in this Proceeding absent and consequently his Stall became Void Secondly the Earl of Westmerland in regard the Earl of Rutland his left hand Companion was then also warting Thirdly the Marquess of Northampton whose right hand Fellow the Lord Pagit was likewise absent and lastly the Earl of Penbroke because the Stall opposite unto him was then void by the death of the Earl of Huntington And to avoid all questions and disputes touching precedency of the Knights-Companions among themselves at Feast Installations Chapters or other occasional meetings relating to the Affairs of the Order and to setle an indisputable rule for them to observe it was in the 16. year of the said King Henry the Eighth Decreed in affirmation and explanation of the foresaid Article of the Statutes that Each Knight-Companion should take place in Procession Station or sitting at the Table thenceforward as he had his Seat or Stall in the Choire and not according to the degree of his birth or condition unless the Soveraign were pleased that any should be made choice of according to the Nobility of his Family to sit at the end of his own Table and perform any other thing by the by And this is the Law which setled the precedency among the Knights-Companions Sixthly the manner of Proceeding among the Officers of the Order differeth from all before spoken of for being five in number the three inferiour Officers when they are all present march in breast and of later times in this following order The Register in the middle Garter on his right hand and the Vsher of the Black-Rod on his left But we find the form and course of Proceeding among these three Officers hath anciently been observed otherwise and therein we
into the Indies concerning the King of Siam's annual Procession in October both by Land and Water through his principal City seated in an Island on the River Menam to one of his Chief Mosqueys the greatness whereof deserves particular relation and is thus set down by him In the head of this Procession march about 200. Elephants each of them carrying three Armed Men then come the Musick consisting of Hoboyes Tabours and Cimbals next come about a thousand men compleatly Armed divided into several Companies that have their Colours and Banners Next to these follow the Noblemen of the Kingdom on Horseback and amongst them many with Crowns of Gold upon their heads each attended with a Train of fourscore or a hundred persons on foot Betwixt these Noblemen and the Life-Guard march two hundred Souldiers Japoneses all very well appointed who go immediately before the Horses and Elephants which are for the Kings Life-Guard their Harness is adorned with Buckles and studs of Gold set with Diamonds and other precious stones The Servants who bear the Fruits and other things for the Sacrifice march before certain Grandees of the Kingdom whereof one bears the Kings Standard the other the Sword of Justice These walk on foot immediately before the King who sits mounted on an Elephant in a Chair of Gold The Prince his Son or some other Prince of the bloud followeth next after him and then comes the Queen and the Kings other Women on Elephants but not to be seen as being in certain wooden Closets guilt The rest of the Houshold and six hundred of the Guard follow in the Rear which by this means consisteth of fifteen or sixteen thousand persons As to their Procession upon the River the Order following is observed First in the head of this Fleet passeth about two hundred Noblemen each in his several Barge where they sit in a gilt Cabin and each Barge is rowed by three or fourscore slaves Then follow four Barges assigned for the Musick and next follow about fifty Banks of State each having fourscore or fourscore and ten Rowers and after these come ten other gilt Barges in one of which the King is seated in a Throne of Gold attended by divers Noblemen all upon their knees before him and amongst them one of the chiefest Grandees who bears his Standard The Prince followeth after him in another Barge with his Train and after him comes the Queen and the Concubines each in their Barges apart and lastly in a great number of other Barges follow the Houshold Servants and the Guards so as this Procession consists of twenty five or thirty thousand persons Together with this great Ceremony the ordinary Proceeding of the King of Iapan either on Horseback or on Mens shoulders in a Palanquin related by the said Mandeslo as also by Fr. Caron in his description of Iapan may be fitly remembred Whether we regard the numerous Train and Attendants or the manner or order thereof all of them marching with such gravity and so orderly that there is not only any one man to be seen out of his Rank but a man hears not so much as a word spoken which may well deserve our wonder and admiration There is in the Soveraigns Privy Lodgings at Whitehall the order of the King of Gulcandale his Ordinary Proceeding when he goes abroad set forth in Figures about a foot long it is of that Countries manner of Painting and an extraordinary piece of Oriental Rarity being sent thence to Sir Martin Noell Knight and by him presented to his now Majesty But we may not yet take leave of the Grandeur of these Oriental Princes in relation to these pompous shows before we have referred our Reader to Conraed Krammer's description of the magnificent and unparralleld Proceeding of the Deyro who indeed is the true Prince of Iapan when he past from his own Court in the City of Meaco to the Emperor of Iapans Palace in the same City on the 25. of Oct. 1626. which is to be seen at large Printed in English at the end of the foresaid Description of Iapan nor may we omit this That the preparation for the said Emperors usual progress from Iedo his present Imperial City to Meaco the former Metropolis and as yet the Court of the Deyro being 125. Dutch Miles to visit the said Deyro which happens once in 5. or 7. Years takes up a whole Year before the Orders are given out on what Day and with what Train every man shall go And to draw somewhat nearer Europe the State and Pomp among the Turks however barbarous enough in other things yet in these Ceremonies are exceeding regular and stately as may be seen in the Grand Seigniors Cavalcade to Sancta Sophia cut in Copper Plates by Peter van Aelst as also in the order of his Ordinary Cavalcade etched by Anthony Tempest But enough of these We now come to give some Account of the Gallantry of our Christian Princes in this particular Among whom the Triumphal Entry of Maximilian the First Emperour of Germany into Noremburg is excellently well design'd and cut in Wood by Hans Brossehaemer The Entry of the Emperour Charles the Fifth and Pópe Clement the Seventh into Bononia in Italy an 1530. in Order to his being Crowned King of Lombardy there is graved in 40. Copper Plates with large Figures excellently well designed by Nicholaus Hogenbergus Io. August Pastorius in his Acta Publica hath exactly described the solemn Cavalcade of the present Emperor Leopold his Entry into the City of Francfort upon the Mayn the 19. of March 1658. where the 18. of Iuly in the same Year non sine difficultate invidiâ tandem unanimi Octoviratus consensu he was Elected Emperor of Germany and the first of August following had his Inauguration solemnized there also The Order of this Gallant show is to be seen cut in brass by Gasper Merian in a thin Folio Printed at Franâ—fort the same Year In the same Acta Publica are also described at large the several Entrances into that City of the Electors of Mentz Tryers Collen the Duke of Saxony Count Palatine of the Rheyne as also the Deputies or Substitutes of the two other Electors Bavaria and Brandenburgh and the order of each Cavalcade is likewise particularly set forth in Copper Plates cut by the said Gasper Merian and collected together in the foresaid Book We could here insert the particulars of divers other solemn Cavalcades exhibited upon like occasions but we are unwilling to dwell longer upon them since many of them are to be met with Here in England it hath been the ancient usage for our Kings and Queens the day before their Coronation to ride from the Tower through the City of London in a most noble and magnificent Equipage they being at those times attended on by all the Nobility Officers of the Houshold and a gallant and splendid
Train Among these Proceedings the order and pomp of that magnificent and numerous Cavalcade of the present Soveraign from the Tower to Whitehall the day before his most happy Inauguration is worthy observing in that his Majesties Entertainments described by Mr. Ogilby together with the sumptuous Arches which then adorned the Streets and how well that ingenious Artist Mr. Weneslaus Hollar hath merited both in designing and etching the same is obvious to every ingenious Eye Besides these relating to the Inauguration of Princes many other solemn and particular occasions have been honored with sumptuous Cavalcades such was that of our King Henry the Eighth when he entred Boulogne and is to be seen in the Soveraign's Gallery in Whitehall being painted by a Disciple of Hans Holben Such was that brave Cavalcade of the late Duke of Florence celebrated at his Nuptials which together with the Scenes and other Representations were etched by the most excellent Iames Callot an Artist of incomparable skill and fancy in things of that kind So also that of Lewis the Fourteenth the French King with his Queen Maria Theresa of Austria into Paris the 26. of August 1660. shortly after their marriage which was as full of splendor and magnificence as could be devised But among these and indeed above all none ought more deservedly to be celebrated than that which passed through London upon the 29. of May 1660. a day since made venerable amongst us to posterity upon the safe and most happy return of the present Soveraign to his Crown and Kingdom to the unconceivable joy of all his loyal Subjects In the last place touching those Cavalcades made at the reception of Ambassadors we have met with two and those very solemn ones described at large in the foresaid Acta publica of I. A. Pastorius namely the entrance of the French and Spanish Ambassadors into Francfort that upon the 19. of August 1657. this upon the 24. of March 1658. when the Election was to be made of the present Emperor both which are likewise cut in Copper Plates by the before mentioned Gasper Merian Adam Olearius in his Voyages and Travels of the Ambassadors from the Duke of Holstein to the great Duke of Muscovy as also to the King of Persia makes mention of such Cavalcades they being ordered according to the manner of those Countries with very great Ceremony Namely that of the Turkish Ambassadors entrance into Musco 17. Sept. an 1634. he being met with 16000 Horse besides the persons who made up the Cavalcade Likewise that of the Duke of Holstein's Ambassadors entry into the same City 14. Aug. immediately before-going As also the entrance of the same Duke's Ambassador into Ispahan in Persia the 2. of Aug. 1637. To conclude the Cavalcade of the Polish Ambassador upon his Reception into Rome an 1633. was a most magnificent Ceremony it being made publick in Aqua Fortis by the incomparable hand of Stephen della Bella a Florentine And now to come within the Verge of the Order of the Garter we shall here present to the Readers view some few yet stately Cavalcades made upon the Soveraigns entrances not only into Windesor Castle but other places upon account of its Grand Solemnities and of which we have happily met with these following Memorials The 20. Year of King Henry the Seventh the Feast of St. George was celebrated at Baynards Castle in London and the Soveraign being at the Tower on the Eve Proceeded thence on Horseback to St. Paul's Church to Vespers in the following Order First all the Noblemen aftir their Estates and Degrees then the Officers of Armes next before the Knyghts of the Ordre then the Knyghts of the Ordre ryding in theyr Gownes of the Garter only with their Collers without Mantells whych Lyvery is of crymosin velvet lyned with whyte next following them the Byshopp of Winchestre Prelate of the Ordre then the Ambassadors then the Secretary and Aulmoner then Gartier Kyng of Armes of the Ordre the Maior of London beryng the Mace rode on the left hand of the Kyngs Cote then the Sword borne by then the Kyng Soverain of the Ordre then followed the Prince and after certaine Nobles and then the Garde all on foote the Aldermen and all the Craftys of London standying in theyr Lyveries in places accustomed And when the Kyng came to the West Dore of Powles he did on his Mantell and all the Knyghts did on theyrs and so entryd the Church where somewhat within the Church there was ready the Byshopp which dyd the Divine Service with the Deane and Chanons c. where they sensed and receyved the Kyng as accustomed and from thens proceeded to the Queere and entred their Stalls and there herd Evensonge and aftir Evensonge the Kyng with the odyr Knyghts rode to Baynards Castle his Logging wher hys Hyghness remayned that nyght The 16. of April in the following Year the Soveraign began his Pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Blessed Lady of Walsingham and took Cambridge in his way thither where he arrived the 22 of the same Month and was in this manner received First the Maior with hys Brederen rode to meet the Kyng two or three mylle owt of the Towne Also Mr. Molory then Shereff of the Shire bore his rodd and gave hys attendance and as he approached nere the Unyversyte within a quarter of a mylle ther stode first all the four Ordres of Freres and aftir odir Religious and the King on Horsbacke kyssed the Crosse of everyche of the Religious and then ther stode all along all the Graduatts aftir their Degrees in all their Habitts and at the end of them was the Unyversyte Cross wher was a Forme and a Cushin c. as accustomed where the Kyng dyd alight and there the Byshopp of Rochestre Doctor then beyng Chaunceller of the Unyversyte accompanied with odir Doctors sensyd c. the Kyng and aftir made a litle Proposition and welcomed hym and then the Kyng took hys Horse ageyn and rood by the Blackfriers thoroughe the Towne to the Queens Colledge wher hys Grace was at that tyme lodgged and ther rested the space of a Houre and then did on hys Gowne and Mantell of the Gartier and all odir Knyghts of the Ordre there beyng present gave their attendance in the Habit of the Ordre as apperteyneth and roode from the Kyngs Logginge to the Chappell of the Kyngs Colledge whych was for the same cause ready appointed with Scochins c. as ys yerely accustomed The Byshopp of Rochestre beyng there Chaunceller did the Divine Service both the Even the Day both at Mattens c. and sang the Mass of Requiem on the Morrow With these we shall remember the same Soveraigns noble reception of Phillip King of Castile at Windesor on Saturday the 31. of Ianuary next ensuing the foresaid Feast where he was Installed Knight of this most noble Order the 5. of February following which we find thus
West door of the Chappel in remarkable pomp and order proceeded about the bounds of the Church-yard that is as is elsewhere of the same Procession more particularly exprest from the Choire through the middle Ile or Nave of the Chappel out at the West door down to the Castle Gate so through the passage into the Cloyster and by the Chapter-house door again into the Choire To which purpose doth the Red Book briefly describe the passage of the Grand Procession an 4. Car. 1. and yet more particularly the Grand Procession celebrated at Windesor in the 15. year of the present Soveraign's Reign passed down the Middle I le of the Chappel through the West door and so along the lower Ward of the Castle neer unto the Castle Gate from whence ascending towards the Alms-Knights old Lodgings unto and through the passage between the East end of the Chappel and the Tomb-house into the Cloyster it entred into the Chappel by the door neer the Chapter-house and from thence proceeding down the North Isle unto the West door and up through the aforesaid Middle I le it re-entred the Choire But when the Soveraign hath pleased to shorten this great Ceremony which either through his indisposition of health as an 22. Iac. R. when being so extreamly taken with the Gout that he was carried during the Grand Procession in a Chair or upon other like occasion he has sometimes done then the Grand Proceeding hath passed out at the East door of the Chappel and going through part of the Church-yard hath entred the Chappel again at the South door and so into the Choire or else through the South door and returning by the Cloyster at the East end of the Chappel hath passed thence to the West door then up the Nave and so ascended again into the Choire as an 6. of the same King Moreover upon foulness of Weather the Grand Procession hath been celebrated within the coverture of the Chappel as an 1. Car. 1. But more fully for the same cause abundance of Rain doth the Register observe that an 9. Car. 1. it pass'd from the Choire to the West door of the Chappel whence turning to the left it proceeded through the South I le and coming about by the East door descended at length by the North I le again to the West door and thence through the Nave of the Chappel it returned into the Choire And this Processional way was in like necessity made use of both by the Duke of Norfolk the Soveraign's Lieutenant for the Feast holden an 5. Eliz. as also by the present Soveraign an 13. Car. 2. And because it is necessary to know which is the way where the Grand Procession hath usually passed in other places honored with the celebration of the Feast of St. George aswell as the Castle of Windesor it will be requisite here to describe the same and set them down and first we shall shew how it lies at Whitehall the whole passage having been both formerly and of late strewed with Rushes upon this occasion Here the Grand Procession sets forth from the middle of the Choire as in all other places and so on to the outward Chappel door thence through the Hall and the left entrance of the Skreen towards the Thames then to the Hall Porch and so along on the right hand of the great Court sometimes called the Vtter or outwardmost Court of the Palace as an 2.3.5.7 and 26. Eliz. and 10. 11. Car. 1. towards and beyond the Signet Office then turning on the left hand towards the Court Gate and yet on the left hand on that side of the Court which formerly lay towards the Terrace but now neer the covered Walk it passeth in at the Hall Porch and enters the Hall at the right entrance of the Skreen and thence into the old Chappel and so into the New Where note that in all solemn Processions where the return is to the same place the regular turning is on the left not right hand and this the present Soveraign well understood when at the Grand Feast held at Whitehall an 19. Car 2. the Foot Guards having made a Lane on the left hand of the great Court along by the covered walk for the Proceeding to pass through and a great part of the Proceeding had gone that way so soon as the Soveraign came to the steps descending into the Court for by reason the Hall was shut up being imployed for Masks and Scenes the Proceeding passed from the Chappel up Stairs into the Guard-Chamber and so into the Court He discovering the Error caused all to come back and proceed on the right hand of the Court towards the Hall Porch and Signet Office and make their return upon the left hand according to the right rule of turnings in solemn Proceedings At Greenwich we find the Grand Processional way an 20. Eliz. led out of the Chappel through the Hall beneath the Skreen and thence going round about the 2 d. Court came in at the South Door in the upper end of the Hall and so along the Hall again into the Chappel And when the Feast was celebrated at the City of York an 17 Car. 1. The Grand Proceeding passed out of the Choire and marched round the inside of the Church only and then returned back into the Choire as it is usually observed at Windesor in rainy weather Once viz. an 20 H. 7. the Grand Procession was solemnized in St. Pauls Church London of which the Black Book of the Order gives but this short account The most Illustrious Soveraign of the â—arter solemnly made his Procession in St. Pauls Church London But an old memorial calls this the Grand Procession and notes it to pass about the Church as the Custom was to which solemnity there flockt as great a multitude of People as had been seen in that Church at any time before Lastly The way through which the Grand Procession passeth wheresoever Celebrated is fenced in by the Yeomen of the Guard and the Knights-Companions Attendants and Servants who standing on both sides make a spatious Lane for it to pass through and keep off the Crowd from pressing upon it The third consideration relating to the Grand Procession is the Order and Manner thereof and herein as to particulars the more ancient times afford us very little light Nevertheless that the same hath been Celebrated even from the Institution of the Order as part of those Ceremonies used to set forth the solemnity of St. Georges Feast we have collective Evidence enough and that not only at Windesor but other places where the Anniversary of St. George hath been kept and observed To proceed then What the Order of this Ceremony anciently was may be collected from that which an Old Relator saith where he sets down the order of the solemn Procession made the 29. of May an 5 H. 8. namely that it
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
alone and have a whole Mess allowed to each of them Their meat is usually brought up by the Yeomen of the Guard and are attended by some of the Gentlemen Pensioners and others of the Soveraign's Servants two to each Table And now to descend to the Officers of the Order who though they sit not at this day in the great Hall at Dinner yet anciently it appears they had a Table allowed them there For first the Black Book rendring an account of the magnificent Feast of St. George held at Windesor an 3. H. 7. and having spoken somewhat of the Soveraign's splendid and sumptuous Table as also of that of the Knights-Companions placed on the right side of the Hall â—it tells us that a little beneath the said Knights-Companions there sat on both sides the Table the Dean the Register of the Order the Prebends the Choire and Alms-Knights The said Register informs us further that at the Table set in the middle of the Hall sat the Lord Bothville Ambassador from the King of Scots the Lords Edmond of Suffolk Grey Morley Latimer La Ware and Barness a little beneath whom sat the Choire of the Soveraign's Chappel At another Table on the left hand side of the Hall sat the President Kussemburg with the Ambassadors of the King of the Romans and the Duke his Son over against whom on the other side sat the Lord Malpart Ambassador from the Duke of Britagne the Lord Housey and others Knights Esquires and Officers which had given their attendance at the high Mass. Moreover at the Feast holden at Windesor an 11 H. 8. we meet with an account of several other Tables set in St. Georges Hall beside those of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions For on the Southside opposite to the Knights-Companions Table was a Table placed for the Lord Steward at which then sat certain French Gentlemen being Hostages of France accompanied with Earls and Lords and none at that Board under the Degree of a Lord. At the second Table of the said Southside sat the Dean of Windesor Doctor Vescy Register of the Order the Abbots of Towerhill and Medemenham who that Morning read the Epistle and Gospel and the Choire or Chappel And at the West end of the same Table which was all joined together as far as to the Choire sat the other Officers of the Order as Register Garter and Vsher of the Black Rod accompanied with the Legaâ—s Brother and four other Strangers and beneath the Strangers sat divers Knights next to them sat the Officers of Arms then several other Gentlemen filled up the Table unto the Chappel adjoining to the Hall the residue of Officers sat in the Chappel at divers Tables In the eighth year of King Charles the First the Dinner being then prepared in the Banqueting-House at Whitehall we find a particular mention of a Table for the Officers of the Order and in what part of the Room it was then set namely on the right hand side of the Banqueting-house over against the Table of the Knights-Companions who all sat after the manner of the Knights-Companions on the further side of the Table having their Meat brought and served up to them by the Yeomen of the Guard and some of the Soveraigns-Servants And at the Soveraigns command signified by the Treasurer of the Houshold they sat covered all Dinner while the Prelate and Register in their four cornerd Caps and the other three in their Hats So also at the next Great Feast viz. an 9 Car. 1. at Windesor these Officers Dining in the Great Hall sat covered but not till such time as the Soveraign by the Treasurer of the Houshold had given command for it And though it was by the Soveraigns command that they sat covered at this time also yet the following Afternoon it was moved against in Chapter as a thing unfit to be permitted because some of the grand Nobility always served the Soveraign at this Feast uncovered and therefore not sitting that the Officers being all of far lower Degree excepting the Prelate should sit with their Hats on Whereupon it was Ordered That it should be referred to the further consideration of the Knights-Commissioners Afterwards we find it was Ordered in Chapter on the Eve of the Feast an 10 Car. 1. That these Officers should be at their choice either to keep the Feast privately by themselves or sit uncovered where the Soveraign Dined They thereupon thence forward forbore sitting in the Hall or where else the Soveraign and Knights-Companions sat and at the Grand Feasts celebrated at Windesor since the present Soveraigns Happy Return they had their Messes served up into the Chappel at the end of St. Georges Hall and there Dined By what is before spoken touching the order of sitting at Dinner an 11. H. 8. it appears that the Officers of Arms did then also sit at a Table in St. Georges Hall which joined to that where the Officers of the Order also sat And among the memorials of the Feast held an 19 Eliz. it is noted that on the Eve thereof the Heralds had at Supper their allowance as accustomed viz. 16 Dishes of Meat at the first course and 8. at the second A little before the Soveraigns second course is sent for all the press of People which throng towards the Knights-Companions Tables out of curiosity to behold them sitting at Dinner and observe their Services are to be removed away towards the side Tables whereby a place may be left spacious enough for the Soveraign to take all the Knights-Companions in view which being done the Soveraign stands up and drinks to them and so is it remembred to be done by King Philip and Queen Mary they standing all the while uncovered and which they do altogether till they have pledged him And immediately before the said course is brought in the Press is again removed from the Knights-Companions Table to make another spacious lane from the lower end of the Hall up to the State At which lower end the Officers of Arms assemble and there make themselves ready to proceed up in the following Order Garter Clarenceux and Norroy Heralds two and two Pursuivants two and two Having put themselves in the foresaid Order they altogether make their Reverence to the Soveraign and proceed near the side of the Knights-Companions Table until they come to the middle of the Hall where after another Reverence made they go still forward and when Garter hath passed about two yards beyond the Knights Table and come near the Haut Pas ascending the Soveraigns State they jointly make the like Reverence again Then Garter with a loud and audible voice crys Largesâ— thrice though anciently but twice Upon Garters beginning to cry Largess all the Knights-Companions except Kings and Great Princes if any be present stand up uncovered so did the
the same one of the Companions of the same Order the Arms of the Soveraign and others Kings Princes and Nobles then Installed in the said Noble Order were fixed in the Church of the same Town during the Service and Ceremonies belonging to the same Order Be it further remembred that at that time then was Elected but not Installed these Princes following Rudolphus the 2d of that name Emperor of the Romans King of Hungary and Bohemia Arch-Duke of Austria Henry the 3 d. French King Christian King of Denmark and the most Noble Prince John Casimire Duke of Bavaria and Palatine of the Rhien then being Bailiffs William Jones and William Hering who together with the Chieftains of the several Companies of that good Town did in most decent sort attend upon the said Lord President during the said Feast together with the Aldermen and Bailiffs Peers in their Scarlet Robes and other Chieftains In the Gallery of the New-House at Ludlow are yet remaining the several Scutcheons of those Knights-Companions which were set up in the Chancel of St. Lawrence Church in Ludlow in the 24. Year of Queen Elizabeth when the Feast of St. George was solemnized there before which the following memorial is also fairly written Be it remembred that in the Year of our Lord God and in the 24 th Year of the Reign of the most Excellent and Famous Princess Elizabeth by the Grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland The Feast of the most antient and most Noble Order of the Garter was honourably kept in the Town of Ludlow at the usual days for keeping of the said Feast by the Right Honourable Sir Henry Sydney Knight Lord President of the Council established in the Principallity of Wales and Marches of the same and one of the Companions of the same Order The Arms of the Soveraign and all the Princes and Nobles being Companions of the same Noble Order and Enstalled were fixed in the Church of the said Town and there remained during the Ceremonies And be it further remembered that before the same Feast there were Elected and not Enstalled these Princes whose names follow Rudolphus the Second Emperour of the Romans King of Hungaria and Bohemia Arch-Duke of Austria Henry the Third the French King Christian King of Denmark and the most Noble Prince John Casimire Duke of Bavaria and Palatine of the Rhien manifestly fixed in the Church then Bailiffs in their own persons did honour the Feast with their attendance Moreover the Town of Ludlow to shew their due respects to Sir Henry Sidney and readiness to contribute to the Triumphs of this Solemnity met and drew up the following Order which we found entred in the Town Register 10 th day of March 1581. an 24 Eliz. IT is agreed upon by this Assembly that Mr. Bayliffs shall call before them the six persons undernamed of their Brethren as soon as conveniently may and they all to confer and lay down a place how my Lord President shall be gratified by the Town towards the keeping of St. George's Feast if it be kept here and the said Bayliffs and their Associates have Commission upon their meeting to call afore them at convenient time two out of every Occupation in the Town and confer with them how the charges may be levied and the same two to be of this Company or other of the best sort of every occupation Thomas Blashfield Richard Farr Thomas Cauland William Poughnell Richard Rascoll Thomas Langford Richard Bayly In pursuance of which we also found there was delivered out of the Treasury to Mr. Bayliffs the very same day 10 l. and the 18 of April fol. 10 l. 19 s. 2 d. more towards defraying the charges of such Preparations as the said Town made upon that solemn occasion As to the manner used at the observation of the Feast by a Knight beyond Sea we have an instance in Robert Earl of Leicester Lieutenant for Queen Elizabeth Governour and Captain General of the United Provinces who kept the Celebration of St. Georges Feast in the Netherlands An. Dom. 1586. of which we have met with these broken Memorials He had a Scutcheon of the Order impailed with the Soveraigns Arms fixt to the front of his House so also upon the back of her Stall in the Church and his own Arms at the back of his Stall He Proceeded on Horseback to the Church William Seager then Portcullis Pursuivant at Arms by his appointment riding before him wearing a King of Arms Coat which Iohn Cocke Lancaster Herald both of them imployed to attend the said Earl had brought over thither for that days service but it seems he dyed a little before St. Georges Day After Sermon Portcullis proceeded before him to the Offering which the Earl made for the Soveraign and returned and stood a little while before the Soveraign's Stall and then Offered for himself which done he returned by the lower end of the Desk to his own Stall with his due obeysances Service being ended he returned to his own Lodgings and there dined At the second Course Portcullis went up before it between the Gentleman Usher and proclaimed only the Soveraign's Stile and retired during which Proclamation the Earl sitting at a Table alone on the left hand of the State and divers eminent persons who sat at a side Table stood up and were bare The Soveraign's Trencher was laid under the State and the whole Service performed to that with due Reverence by divers of her Servants there present and the Earl took his meat therefrom as by the by Lastly a learned Scotch Historian takes notice that King Iames the Fifth having been honored not only with the Order of the Garter by King Henry the Eighth but next with that other Order of the Golden Fleece by the Emperor Charles the Fifth and not long after of St. Michael by the French King Francis the First kept the several Feasts of the Patrons of those Orders with great Solemnity an 1534. And to signifie to the several Soveraign's as also to proclaim to the world the great account he made of those Honors he not only adorned himself on those solemn Festivals with the Ensigns of each Order but fixed on the Gates of his Palace at Lithgoe his Royal Arms encompassed with the Collars of each of them together with that of St. Andrew Patron of the Kingdom of Scotland SECT V. Dispensation for Absence granted during life SOmetimes upon special favour of the Soveraign and where Age or Infirmity of any of the Knights-Companions hath been made known to him by Petition they have obtained Letters of Dispensation for absence not only from the Feast approaching of which we have before discoursed but also during life Such indulgence was granted to the Lord Dacres an 26. H. 8. and to the Earl of Derby an 14. Car. I. both which Precedents we have thought fit to insert in the Appendix The like with that to
Sir Christopher Hatton sometime before his Death commanded that his Mantle should be delivered to the Dean and Canons and accordingly it was sent to Windesor after his decease But the Mantle of Sir Henry Lea being left to the disposal of others and not sent to the Colledge hapned at length to come into the hands of Brokers and openly exposed to sale in Long-lane to the great dishonor of the Order This Decree was in after-times but slackly observed and therefore in a Chapter held at Windesor the 24. of September an 4. Car. 1. the Knights were admonished That where the Soveraign should vouchsafe to bestow upon a Knight the Mantle of the Order the said Knight should take care at his death to have it sent to the Chappel at Windesor according as the Statutes do provide But this taking little effect the same Soveraign thought fit to restore to life and vigour the Law in this particular by a Decree made in Chapter held also at Windesor the 18. of April in the 13. year of his Reign which obliged all the Knights-Companions receiving the Ensigns of the Order from the Soveraign to take care according to the obligation of their Oath that these together with the Book of Statutes should be restored into the hands of the Soveraign after their Death And a command was therewithal given That certain Books Mantles and Surcoats then lying at Whitehall should be delivered to the Register of the Order to be laid up at Windesor in honorable memory of them to whom they belonged In observation of these Decrees where the Habit or Ensigns of the Order were either wholly or in part bestowed by the Soveraign order was taken in either case to send for them in after such Knights decease Accordingly at a Chapter held the 10. day of October an 15 Car. 1. the Garter and George of the Lord Treasurer Weston being sent back was then presented to the Soveraign by whom it had been accustomed and affirmed to be all that the Soveraign had given the said Earl whereupon the same was accepted and delivered to the Dean and Chapter of Windesor to be preserved And at the same Chapter it was ordered that the Earl of Kelley's Robes and Ornaments of the Order should be sent for by the Chancellor as having been given him by the Soveraign to wit the Garter and George immediately after his Election and the Mantle and Surcoat against the Installation of the present Soveraign These former Decrees were yet thought needfull to be confirmed by the present Soveraign and therefore in a Chapter held in the Yellow-Chamber at Whitehall the 4. of Febr. 1669. it was decreed That the Mantle of each Knight-Companion so also the Book of Statutes should be sent to Windesor immediately after their Death and that the Chancellor of the Order should be obliged by Letters to their Heirs and Executors to put them in mind of sending them thither Nevertheless it is to be understood that where the Mantle hath been provided at the Knights own charge there lyes no obligation for sending it to Windesor after his decease And it appears upon the Death of Philip Earl of Penbroke and Montgomery that the Trustees for sail of the late Kings Goods having sent and made demand of his Mantle and Surcoat his Executors making it appear that they were bought with his own money of Sir Peter Richaâ—t by the then Soveraign's command signified not only to him but the rest of the Knights-Companions an 14 Car. 1. they desisted from further prosecution There is a memorable Instance in the return of the Habit and Ensigns of Gustavus Adolphus King of Sweden being sent back in a solemn Embassy from Christina Queen of Sweden his Daughter and Successor to that Crown The Reception of which having been ordered with considerable State and Ceremony will most fitly be here remembred Saturday the 18. of April an 11 Car. 1. was the day appointed for the resigning them up into the Soveraigns hands on the Afternoon of which day Iohn Baron Skiite Ambassador from the said Queen came to Whitehall and was conducted to the Council Chamber to retire himself till he was sent for into the Chapter The Chapter was upon this occasion held in the Presence-Chamber where as soon as they were set the Soveraign assigned the Earls of Penbroke and Arnudel attended by Garter and Black Rod to go for the said Ambassador who was conducted to the Chapter in the order following First the Ambassadors Followers two and two The Officers of Arms in their Coats two and two Garter carrying on a Velvet Cushion the deceased Kings Mantle Surcoat Hood Garter Collar and great George and the wearing George Earl of Arundel The Ambassador Earl of Penbroke The Ambassadors Followers and the Officers of Arms having proceeded in this order as far as the Presence-Chamber door there divided themselves on each side and made a stand Garter going before and the Ambassador between the said two Knights-Companions entred the Chapter making the usual Congies in coming up to the Soveraign Then Garter kneeling down held the Ornaments and Iewells of the Order on the Cushion whilst the Ambassador made the following Oration in Latin Serenissime Potentissimeque Rex Domine clementissime NEmini potest esse obscurum quod ab omni aevo omnibus omninò Populis Nationibus in more usu positum fuerit homines ob praeclara facta variis premiis atque honoribus afficere tum ut fortitudinem acuerent virtutem câ—nservarent tum ut robur disciplinam tuerentur Quâ quidem re procuratum videmus ut Equestris etiam dignitas inde ex hâc occasione originem ceperit postmodum per omnes ferè aetates validissimo roboris incremento aucta amplificata fuerit rit ac licèt in tantâ ejusdem copiâ varietate difficile videatur judicare quae species alteri praevalere debeat quasi palmam praeripere Siquis tamen paulò altiùs hoc ipsum ponderaverit deprehendet veterum illorum honores dignitates ac privilegia cum Garterio Ordine non esse comparanda Permitte mihi Serenissime Rex ut in Augustâ Nobili hâc coronâ Ordinis Periscelidis decora accuratiùs contempler quid mihi insuper in mandatis sit datum humilimè referam Edwardi tertii incredibilem virtutem atque fortitudinem omnis posteritas in hunc usque diem est admirata semper qui cum à vetustissimis Angliae Regibus Originem traexerit nulli veterum tum rerum gestarum gloria tum invictissimi animi magnitudine tum summae faelicitatis admiraâ—tione videtur esse postponendus ab hoc inquam Heroë laudatissimo fortissimo cum Ordo hic Garterius excogitatus sit inventus quid tanto Instituto potest esse Nobilius quid praeclarius Summa quoque dïgnitas huic Ordini ex eo aboritur quod non modò praecipuae Nobilitatis viri Potentissimi
le viii jour de May. NUM XXII A Commission to take Sir Iohn Falstolfs Oath at his Investiture with the Garter Ibidem De par le Roy Souveraine de l'Ordre de la Iartier TResâ—biers feaulx Cosins Nous vous saluons sovent pour ce que a la feste de Seinte George darraine tenuz en nostre Chastell de Wyndesore nostre Compaignie de l'Ordre de la Jartier faisant alorsque Chapitre la veille de la dit Feste a eslieu nostre chier feall John Falstolt Chivalier un de nouz Compaignons du dit Ordre en lieu de nostre treschier Cosin le Counte de Westmerland dont dieux ait l'ame nous vous envoions lez estatuz de cellui Ordre enseallez du selle du dit Ordre pour lez presenter bailler au dit Monsieur John Falstolf Si voulons vous mandons que vous ou l'un de vous a qui primerement cez presentez serront monstrez ou exibecs presentez bailles audit John Falstolf lez ditz estatuz pour lez voier visiter savoir que sont tâ—nuz de faire ceux qui sont de dit Ordre Et en cas q'il accepta le dit Ordre Ressaivez son serement en tel cas accustumé à faire en luy baillant l'Ordre du Jartier en le manere accustumé Treschiers fealx Cosins dieuÌ„x soit garde de vous Donne a Leicestre soubz le Seel du dit Ordre le viii jour de May. A nos treschiers feaulx Cousins lez Countez de Warwyk de Sarisbury de Sulfolk nouz Compaignons de la Jartier a un cheseun d'eulx NUM XXIII A Warrant for allowance of Garter's Charges when sent to signifie an Election MS. 4. penes W. le N. Cl. fol. 59. THese shall be to require you of such her Majesties Treasure as remaineth in your hands to pay or cause to be paid to Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight King of Arms being sent by her Majesties Commandment to our very good Lords the Earl of Rutland in the County of Lincolne and to the Lord Scroop in the County of Cumberland to signifie unto them the Electiâ—n made of them into the Order of Knights of the Garter for his pains and charges in that voyage expended the sum of Twenty pounds and this shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in that behalf At the Court at Richmond the 10. of June 1584. T. Bromley Ch. Howard Chr. Hatton W. Burghley James Crofts Fran. Walâ—ingham Ed. Clynton To our very loving Friend Sir Thomas Heneage Knight Treasurer of of her Majesties Chamber NUM XXIV A Commission to the Soveraigns Lieutenant to Install an Elect-Knight Registr Chartac fol. 64. Henry R. HEnry the Eighth by the Grace of God King of England and of France Defensor of the Faith and Lord of Irland Souverain of the most Noble Order of the Gartier To our right trusty and right entirely well-beloved Cousin the Duke of Northfolk our Lieutenant at our Fest of the glorious Martir Saint George Patron of the said Noble Ordre our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosins the Marquess Dorset the Marquess of Exeter Th' Erle of Northumberland and our trusty and well-beloved the Vicounte Lisle the Vicount Fitz-water and the Vicount Rochford the Lord Ferrers Lord Bergaveny and the Lord Dakers Companions of the said Noble Order Greeting For as moche as we with you and other Companions have elected our right trusty and right entirely beloved Son Henry Duke of Richmont and of Somerset and Erle of Nottingham our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins th' Erle of Arundel th' Erle of Westmerland and th' Erle of Rutland Companions of the said Noble Ordre We therefore will and auctorise you by these presents that ye the said Duke of Norfolk with the assistance of such other as our said Noble Ordre be aforenamed shall not only accept and admit the said Duke and Erles into the said Ordre and receve their Othes and install them but also further do therein as to the laudable Statutes and Ordinances of the said Ordre apperteigneth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf at all times hereafter Yeven under the Seal of our said Gartier at our Palais of Brydewell the xviii day of June in the xvii year of our Reign NUM XXV Another Ex Collect. Iohannis Vincent Gen. Elizabeth R. ELIZABETH by the Grace of God Queen of England Fraunce and Ireland Defendor of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor th' Erle of Penbroke one of the Companions and Knights of the said Order by us assigned and deputed to be our Lieutenant at the Feast of the glorious Martyr St. George Patron of the saâ—d Order to be kept within our said Castell of Windesor the 4. of June next ensuing and others the Companions of the said Order that then shall be present Greeting Whereas we with others the Companions of the said Noble Order assembled at a Chapitre holden at our Palace of Westminster the xxiv day of Aprill last have elected and chosen among others our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousen the Duke of Norfolk our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen and Councellor the Marquess of Northampton our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen th' Erle of Rutland and our trusty and right well-beloved the Lord Robert Dudley Master of our Horse to be Knights and Companions of the said Order We will and by these presents authorise you not only to accepte and admit them into the said Order and receive their Oaths and install them accordingly but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable Custom and usage of the said Noble Order appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient warrant and discharge in this behalf Yeven under the Seal of our said Garter the first of June in the first year of our Reign NUM XXVI A Commission to other Knights-Companions for the Installation of an Elect-Knight Regist. Chartac fol. 61. b. Henry R. HENRY the Eighth by the Grace of God King of England and of France Defensor of the Faith and Lord of Irland Soverain of our Noble Ordre of the Gartier To our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin the Marquess Dorset And also to our right trusty and right well-beloved Cosins Th' Erle of Devon and th' Erle of Kent Companions of our said Noble Ordre Greeting Forasmâ—che as we with you and other Knights and Companions of our said Noble Ordre assembled at the Chapitre holden at our Manoir of Grenewich the xiii day of July last passed have elected and chosen Walter Devereux Lord Ferrers to be Knight and Companion of the said Ordre We therefore will and by vertue of these presents auctorise you not only t' accepte and admit the said
other Ceremonies whereunto by the Statutes of the said Order he is bounden and for that cause hath by our special license appointed our trusty and well-beloved Sir Henry Sidney Knight sufficiently authorized as his deputy and procurer to be installed in his name and to receive his Oath and to perform all other such things and Ceremonies for him as by the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order be requisite We therefore in consideration of the premisses will and by these presents give unto you full power licence and authority not only to accept and admit the said Sir Henry Sidney to be Deputy and procurer for our said well-beloved Cousen the said Earl of Warwick and to install him in the behalf of the said Earl but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order in this case appertaineth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Yeven under the Seal of our said Order at our Palleys of Westminster the 20. day of May in the fifth Year of our Reign NUM LIV. A Letter giving notice to the Soveraign's Commissioners of the day of Installation of a Knight-Subject by his Proxy Ibidem By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousen we greet you well And whereas we have appointed you together with our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord Hastinges of Loughborow our Lord Chamberlen to be in Commission for the stallment in our Castell of Windesore of our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Grey of Wilton being lately chosen to be of the Fellowship and a Companion of our Noble Order of the Garter And forasmuch as the same Lord Grey is presently Prisoner with the French King and therefore cannot be installed in his own person Our pleasure is that he shall be installed by Sir Humfry Radclysse Knight whom we have appointed to be his Deputy in that behalf And therefore have thought good not only to give you knowledge thereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castell of Windesore so as you may be there by Tuesday at night being the 19. of this present moneth to the end that upon Wednesday next being the xx of this same moneth he may proceed to the said Installation accordingly Yeven under the Seal of our said Order at our Mannor of Greenwich the xvi of April the fourth and fifth years of our Reigns To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousen Th'Erle of Huntington Compaignion and Knight of our Noble Order of the Garter NUM LV. The Oath given to Sir Robesart's Proxy Ex Regist. Chartac fol. 5. a. MOY Thomas Barr Chivaler procureur a mon Maister Sire John Robesart eslieux d'èstre de l'honourable compaignie du Garter promete jure en lalme en nomme de mon dite Maister de loialment garder observer les pointes queconquez de lez estatutz du dite Ordre en cea que a luy pertiendra selonc le forme effecte dez estatuz susditz selonc son loial povoir NUM LVI The Oath given to the Lord Scroope's Proxy Ex Collect. I. V. YOV being Deputy and Procurer for the Lord Scroope of Bolton named and chosen to be one of the Companions of the most honourable Order of the Garter shall in the said Lords name promise and swear by the holy Evangelists by you here touched that the said Lord wittingly and willingly shall not break any Statutes of the said Order or any Article in them contained the same being agreeable and not repugnant to the Laws of Almighty God and the Laws of this Realm as for forth as unto him belongeth and appertaineth As God you help and his holy Word NUM LVII The Certificate of Election to the French King Henry the Second MS. quart penes W. le N. f. 109. b. TReshault trespuissant Prince trescher tresaymé bon frere Cousin tant si affectueusement que faire pouvons a vous nous recommendons Comme par la tresgrande noblesse prouesse aultres grandes vertus merites de vostre tresnoble personne tant approuvés que justement la fame en est par tout cognue oultre ce pour tant plus augmenter faire accroistre la bonne fraternelle amitié consederation d'entre vous nous nos Royaumes Subjects avons assemblé en deué Collegialle ancienne maniere avec les Chevaliers de nostre Ordre du Jarretiere an Chapitre tenu celebrè en nostre manoir de Greenwich le xxiv jour D'avril derniere passè avons tous ensemble d'un Commun unanime consentiment vouloir esleu choisi nommé vostre tresnoble personne au nombre de nostre dit amiable Compagnie Ordre du Jarretiere de la quelle Election il nous a semble bon vous advertir par cestes vous priant trescordiallement treshault trespuissant Prince trescher tresamé bon frere Cousin de faire cest boneur a nous toute la dite Compaignie de consentir a la dite Election en acceptant pour l'amour de nous comme par ce vous nous feres chose tres-agreable ainsi nous estimerons nostre dit Ordre d'autant plus garni decoré come entendres plus amplement par nos Ambassadeurs qui pour ceste cause sont prests a partir par devers vous Parquoy nous ne vous tiendrons ny plus long propos Ains prions le Createur treshaut trespuissant Prince trescher tresaime bon frere Cousin vous avoir en sa tressainte digne garde Excript a nostre Manoir de Greenwich le jour de May 1551. NUM LVIII A Credential Letter sent to Emanuel Duke of Savoy with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order Ex MS. 4. penes W. le N. Cl. fol. 110. TResbault tresexcellent Prince trescher bien aimé Cousin a vous bien affectucusement nous nous recommendons Comme sur l'advertissement que nous vous feismes de vostre Election icy au nombre amiable Compaignie de nos confreres Chevaliers Compaignons de nostre Ordre de la Jarretiere vous avez signifié depuis vostre bonne pronte acceptation singulier contentement de la dite Election si desirant affectueusement qu'elle pregne son den effect Nous avons prontement à ce despeché devers vous nostre tresseal bien aimé le Sieur de Clinton Say Chevalier Compagnon du dit Ordre nostre seal bien aimé Gartiere Roy d' Armes de l'Ordre avec ample pouvoir Commission non seullement pour vous presenter bailler donner de par nous la Jarretiete manteau aultres ensignes appartenantes au dit Ordre mais aussi faire tout aultre chose en tel cas accoustumé requise come ferious si nous y fussions en
and brotherly amity between us and our said good Sister to chuse and associate us into the Company of Knights of the same Order and for that effect hath deputed towards us our dear and well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Derby Knight and Companion of the same Order to whom and Sir Edward Stafford Knight her Ambassador resident with us she hath given power by her Letters Patents of the 20. day of January last past to present and give unto us on her behalf the Garter the Mantel and other Ensigns of the same Order which she hath sent us which they have done with the Ceremonies and Solemnities in such case requisite and accustomed For these causes liking the said Election and Association We have accepted and do accept the said Order of the Garter with honor and do promise to keep the Statutes thereof which also have been given us in writing upon the same assurance that the said Lady the Queen our good Sister hath them given Vs and the Declaration and Protestation which we have made that we be not constrained and bound unto things contrary and derogatory to our Religion Catholick Greatness and Majesty Royal and to the Statutes and Ordinances of our two Orders of the blessed Holy Spirit and of St. Michael as it is contained in the Act of our Oath which thereof we have made and given In witness whereof we have signed these presents with our hand and thereunto caused to be put our Seal Given at Paris the 12. day of March in the year of our Lord 1585. and of our Reign the 11. Henry NUM CXIX Another from Gustaâ—us Adolphus King of Sweden Sir Tho. Rowe's Iournal p. 208. GUstavus Adolphus Dei gratiâ Suecorum Gothorum Vandalorum Rex Magnus Princeps Finlandiae Dux Esthoniae Careliae Ingraeque Dominus c. Omnibus hasce literas lecturis vel audituris Salutem Quandoquidem complacuit seremissimo ac potentissimo Principi Domino Carolo Dei gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Regi Fidei Defensori fratri consanguineo amico nostro charissimo nobilissimi Ordinis Aureae Periscelidis Magistro reliquóque inclyto caetui Equitum ac Commilitonum illustrissmi bujus Ordinis in expressissimam amoris tesseram ac mutuam inter nos initam amicitiam arctioribus necessitudinis vinculis devinciendaem confirmandam Nos etiam eligere associare in Collegium Equitum bujus Ordinis atque in hunc finem Oratores Procuratores indubitatos Legatos suos constituere atque ablegare ad nos Nobilissimum virum de conclavi suo Dominum Jacohum Spens de Wormeston Equitem auraetum spectabiles viros Petrum Young Armigerum ex Nobilibus in Cubiculo presentiae suae ministrantibus unum Henricum Saintgeorgium Armigerum ex Heraldis suis ad Arma unum plenariá ipsis potestate concessâ— ac diplomate suo abunde ipsis fide adstructa munitá publico Sigillo Ordinis dato vigesimâ quartâ— Junii jam elapsi deferendi donandi atque tradendi nobis ipsum auream Periscelidem Torquem rosatum Sancti Georgii Imagunculas reliquasque vestes trabeatas in solenni harum Ceremoniarum celebratione debite requisitas a suá serenitate ad nos transmissas Idcircò haec omnia ab ipsis ritè administrata peracta agnoscimus fatemur ac praesentium Literarum tenore omnibus testatum volumus nostri electionem assumptionem in â—ujus Collegit sodalitium nobis gratissima fuisse ac fore Nosâ— Insignia Ordinis decenti cum honore suscepisse ac sancte in lâ—ges ac Statuta ejus per procuratores nostros loco ac tempore praeâ—â—itulis juraturos ea ipsâ cautione quae à suae serenitatis deputatis nobis scripto exhibita fuit videlicet Nos religioâ—è observaturos Articulos hujus Ordinis in omnibus quae Religioni à nobis professae dignitati ac Majestati nostrae Regiae nullatenus derogarent aut aliis Articulis ordinibus quos antebac suscepimus adversarentur atque hanc ipsissimam juramenti nostri sormulam esse cupimus quando solennis contestatio per procuratores nostros nostro nomine futura est quando ejus exemplar in acta referri contigerit In cujus rei testimonium praesentes propria nostrâ manu subscriptas Sigilli Regii appositione communiri jussimus Actum in Castris nostris ad Wormdit die sextá Mensis Octobris Anno supra Millesimum sexcentisimo vigesimo septimo Gustavus Adolphus NUM CXX Another from Charles King of Sweden Ex ipso Autographo CArolus Dei Gratiá Succorum Gothorum Vandalorumque Rex Princeps haereditarius Magnus Princeps Finlandiae Dux Scaviae Esthoniae Livoniae Careliae Bremae Verdae Stetini Pomeraniae Cassubiae Vandaliae Princeps Rugiae Dominus Ingriae Vismariae nèc nòn Comes Palatinus Rheâ—i Bavariae Juliaci Cliviae Montium Dux Omnibus hasce lecturis vel audituris salutem Quandoquidem complacuit serenissimo ac potentissimo Principi Consanguineo Amico Faederato nostro charissimo Domino Carolo ejus nominis secundo câdem gratiâ Magnae Britanniae Franciae Hiberniae Regi Fidei Defensori Nobilissimi Ordinis Aureae Periscelidis Magistro reliquoque inclyto caetui Equitum ac Commilitonum illustrissimi hujus Ordinis in expressissimam Amoris Tesseram mutuam inter nos initam amicitiam arctioribus necessitudinis vinculis devinciendam confirmandam Nos etiam eligere associare in collegium Equitum hujus Ordinis atque in hunc finem Oratores indubitatos Procuratores suos constituere oblegare Legatum suum extraordinarium Conciliarumque suum Illustrem nobis sincerè dilectum Dominum Carolum Comitem Carliolensem Vice-Comitem Howard de Morpeth Baronem Dacre de Gilisland loeum tenentem generalem in Comitatibus Westmorlandiae Cumbriae spectabilem virum Dominum Henricum St. George è primariis officialibus suis ad Arma unum vulgò Richmond Herald plenariâ ipsis potestate concessâ ac fide ipsis abunde astructâ Diplomate publico Sigillo Ordinis datoque in Palatio Alb-aulae apud Westmonasterium vicesimo nono die Mensis Novembris Anno Domini nuper praeterito Millesimo sexcentesimo sexagesimo octavo deferendi donandi atque tradendi Nobis ipsam auream Periscelidem torquem rosatum Sancti Georgii imagunculas reliquasque vestes trabeatas in solenni harum ceremoniarum celebratione debite requisitas à Majestate suâ ad nos transmissas ldcircò haec omnia ab ipsis ritè administrata peracta agnoscimus fatemur ac praesentium literarum tenore omnibus testatum volumus nosti Electionem Assumptionem in hujus Collegii sodalitium Nobis gratissimum fuisse ac fore Nosque insignia Ordinis decenti cum honore suscepisse ac sancte in Leges Statuta ejus per procuratores nostros loco ac tempore praestitutis juraturos eâ videlicet cautione Nos religiosè observaturos articulos hujus Ordinis in omnibus quae Religioni
reception de la dicte Jartiere du Collier Habit que leur est envoié par la Souverain du dit Order qu'ils auront certifié avoir le dit Jartiere Collier Habit un sufficient Depuâ—é Procureur selon l'estat de son Seigneur Maistre moyennâ—ns qu'il soit Chevalier sans reproche pour estre miâ— en sa place y estant faire son serment y estre admis par au nom de son dit Seigneur Maistre Scavoir vous faisons que nous desirans pour le respect â—ue nous portons a la Royne nostre dicte Soeur Cousine l'estime que nous faisons du dict Ordre satisfaire qu'a nous est au contenu des dits Statutes en ce que touche la dite prise de possesion prestation de serment recognoissance que pouâ— cest effect nous ne pourrons saire melleur ou plus convenable election que de vostre personne pour les bonnes louables qualitiés qui sont en vons les tesmoignages que vous avez rendus en divers occasions de vostre affection au bien avantage de nos affaires service vous avons Commis Deputé Commettons Deputons par ces presentes signées de nostre main pour vous trausporter en Angleterre vous trouver a la prochain ceremonie qui se fera du dicti Ordre pour prendre possession de nostre place en iceluy selon la forme ordinaire si besoigne est faire le serment en nostre Nom ainsi que l'ou à accoustumé de fairé gardant au surplus les solemnites en tel cas requises generalment faire tout ce que vous adviserés necessaire pour l'effect dessus ores qu'il y eust chose qui requist mandement plus special qu'il n'est contenu en ces dits presents par lesquelles de ce faire vous avons donné donnoâ—s plain pouvoir puissance authorité commission mandement special Cartel est nostre plaisir Donné a Paris le vingtiesme jour de Avrill l'an de grace mil six cent de nostre Reigne le onziesme Henry Duneuville NUM CXXIV A Precedent of a Commission for Installation of an Elect-Knight Ex lib. Nig. p. 315. HENRICUS Dei gratiâ invictissimus Rex Angliae Franciae Fidei Defensor Dominus Hiberniae Ordinis Divi Georgii supremus fidelibus ac praedilectis Cognatis nostris N. S. D. P. Quoniam intelligimus quod illustrissimus ac potentissimus Princeps N. vel Dominus aut vir inclytus N quem nuper in Socium nostri Ordinis elegimus non possit ipse commodè advenire ut in â—ollegio nostro de more in sedem suam introducatur alias ibi Ceremonias ritè perimpleat juxta quod ex Statutis ipsis obligatur ob id virum bene nobilem ac honorandum N. misit ut sedem nomine suo possideat juramentum praestet caeteraque perficiat quae Statuta requirunt Nos ideò noâ—iscum ista reputantes Volumus virtute praesentium eam vobis authoritatem addimus ut hunc procuratorem ejus ac deputatum non solùm admittere sed caetera quaeque facere valeates quae ad Statuta consuetudinesque laudabiles attinere videbuntur Et hae literae nostrae vos tuebuntur Sub Sigillo nostri Ordinis N. die Mensis N. Anno regni nostri N. NUM CXXV A Commission for the Installation of Guido Vbaldus Duke of Vrbin Ex Collect. W. D. N. HEnry by the grace of God King of England and of France and Lord of Ireland Soveraign of the Noble Ordre of the Garter To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins the Marquess of Dorset The Earl of Surrey our Treasurer of England and the Earl of Shrewsbury Steward of our Household Companions of the said Order greeting Forasmuch as we understand that the right noble Prince Gwe de Ubaldis Duke of Urbin who was heretofore elected to be one of the Companions of the said Noble Order cannot conveniently repair into this our Realm personally to be installed in the Collegial Church of that Order and to perform other Ceremonies whereunto by the Statutz of the said Order he is bound But for that intent and purpose hath sent a right honorable personage Balthasar de Castilione Knight sufficiently authorised as his Proctor to be installed in his name and to perform all other things for him to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order requisite and appertaining We therefore in consideration of the premisses will and by these presents give unto you license full power and authority not only to accept and admit the said Balthasar as Proctor for the same Duke and to receive his Oath and install him in the lieu and place and for the said Duke but also farther to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Order it appertaineth and this our writing shall be to you and every of you sufficient discharge in that behalf Given under the Seal of the said Noble Order of the Garter at our Mannor of Grenewiche the vii day of Novembre the xxii year of our Reign NUM CXXVI Another for the Installation of Emanuel Duke of Savoy Ex Collect. A. V. W. PHilip and Mary by the grace of God King and Queen of England France Naples Hierusalem and Ireland Defenders of the Faith Princes of Spain and Cicily Archdukes of Austria Dukes of Millayne Burgundy and Braband Counts of Haspurge Flaunders and Tyroll and Soveraigns of the Noble Order of the Garter To our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton and the Lord Paget Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order Greeting Forasmuch as we understand that the right high and mighty Prince and our entirely beloved Cousin Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy and Prince of Piemont c. and our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord William Howard of Effingham high Admiral of England were heretofore elected to be Knights and Companions of the said Noble Order of the Garter which Emanuel Duke of Savoy Prince of Piemont c. cannot conveniently repair unto our Castle of Windesore personally to be installed in the Collegiate Chappel of that Order and to perform other Ceremonies whereunto by the Statutes of the said Order he is bounden and for that cause hath sent a right noble personage Johan Thomas L'angusto des Contes de Stropiane sufficiently authorised as his Deputy and Proctor to be installed in his name and to receive his Oath and to perform all other such things and Ceremonies for him as to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order be requisite and appertain We therefore in consideration of the premises will and by these presents give unto you full power license and authority not only to accept and admit the said Johan Thomas L'angusto des Contes de Stropiane to be Deputy and Proctor for our said
entirely beloved Cousin the said Duke of Savoy Prince of Piemont c. and to install him in the lieu of the said Duke but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order as touching a Proctor it appertaineth And in semblable wise we will authorise and license you to admit accept and install our said right trusty and right well-beloved Counsellor the Lord William Howard of Essingham high Admiral of England and further to do for his installing as to the Statutes of the said Noble Order it belongeth And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under the Seal of our Garter at our Palace of Westminster the 29. day of January in the first and second year of our Reign 1554. NUM CXXVII Another for the Installation of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex eod Collect. ELizabeth by the grace of God c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Leicester Master of our Horse our right trusty and well-beloved the Viscount Mountague with our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Clynton our high Admiral of England Knights and Companions of our Noble Order of the Garter Greeting Forasmuch as We with other the Companions of the said Noble Order assembled did lately elect and chuse our dearest and most entirely beloved Brother the French King to be Knight and Companion of our said Noble Order and forasmuch as our said dear Brother cannot for divers causes conveniently repair to our collegiate Chappel within our Castle of Windesore and for that cause hath 〈◊〉 a right noble personage the Lord Rambouilliet one of his ordinary Chamberlains Knight of the Order of Saint Michaell and Captain of fifty ordinary men of Arms sufficiently authorised as his Deputy and Procurer to be installed in his name and to receive his Oath and to perform all other such things and Ceremonies for him as to the Statutes and Ordinances of the said Order be requisite and appertains We therefore in consideration of the premisses will and by these presents give unto you full power and authority not only to accept and admit the said Procurer but also further to do therein as to the Statutes and laudable usages of the said Noble Order as touching a Procurer it doth appertain And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in this behalf Given under the Seal of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the 14. day of January in the 8. year of our Reign NUM CXXVIII Letters of notice to the Commissioners appointed to Install the Duke of Holstein by his Proxie Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and well-beloved We greet you well and whereas we have appointed you together with our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Hastings of Loughborow to be in Commission for the Instalment in our Castle of Windesor of our dearest and most entirely beloved Cousin the Duke of Holstein by his Procurer the Viscount Hereford being lately chosen to be one of the Fellowship and Companions of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Saturday the 14. day of this moneth to the end that upon Sunday next the 15. day of this present Moneth of December he may proceed to the Installation of him by his Procurer accordingly Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the 12. day of December in the third Year of our Reign To our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Pagit of Beaudesert one of the Companious of our Order The like Letter was directed to the Lord Loughborow the other Commissioner appointed for this Installation NUM CXXIX Letters of notice to the Commissioners for Installation of the French King Charles the Ninth Ex eod Collect. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin we greet you well And whereas we have appointed you with others the Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter to be in Commission for the Installation in our Castle of Windesor of our dearest and most entirely beloved Brother the French King by his Procurer the Lord Rambouillet being lately chosen to be one of the Fellowship and Companions of our Order of the Garter We have thought it good not only to give you knowledge hereof by these our Letters but also to require you to make your repair to our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there on Tuesday next the 15. day of this present Moneth of January to the end that on Wednesday he may proceed to his Installation accordingly Given under our Signet at our Palace of Westminster the day of January in the eight year of our Reign To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Sussex one of the Companions of our Order The like Letter to the Earl of Leicester Viscount Mountague and Lord Clinton NUM CXXX A Warrant for materials for the Banner of the French King Henry the Second Ex Collect. E. W. G. By the King Edward WE will and command you that unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight aliàs Garter King at Arms ye deliver or cause to be delivered upon sight hereof without delay three yards of Cloth of Gold two yards of Cloth of Gold Tissue and 16 yards of Blue Velvet which shall be for the Banner for the Mantles of the Helmet and the lyning of the same for the Installation of Henry the French King and that you content and pay for the Stuff workmanship and the embroidering of the said Banner And these our Letters c. Given under our Signet at our Mannor of Greenwich the 10. of May in the fifth year of our Reign To our trusty and well-beloved Counsellor Sir Rauf Sadleyere Knight Master of our Great Wardrobe or to his Deputy there NUM CXXXI A Warrant to deliver Garter money to provide the Atchievements of the said King Ex Collect. W. le N. Cl. THE King's Majesty's pleasure is that of such his Treasure as remains in your custody to his Majesty's use ye deliver unto Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter King at Arms for the provision of an Helm garnished with fine Gold a Crown of Copper gilt an arming Sword and Girdle to the same and a Plate of metal with the Arms of the French King engraven which are for the Installation of the King's Majesty's good Brother Henry the French King the sum of twenty pounds and these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant in that behalf From Greenwiche the 11. of May 1551. Your loving friends E. Somerset J. Bedford E. Clinton W. Herbert W. Cecil J. Warwick W. Northt W. Paget J. Gate NUM CXXXII A Warrant
we are pleased and content to accept your reasonable excuse in this behalf And by these presents do pardon you for your absence from the said Feast at this present any Statute of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Yeoven under our Signet of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the day of April 1575. in the 17. year of our Reign To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Henry Earl of Huntington President of our Council in the City of York Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM CLXVI Another Ex Lib. Collect. W. le N. Cl. f. 54. Charles R. RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well Forasmuch as you by reason of your indisposition of health cannot be present to attend our person on the days by prorogation for this year appointed for celebrating the Feast of our most Noble Order of the Garter that is to say the 26.27 and 28. days of this moneth of April We let you understand that We are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do pardon remit and dispence with any fault you may incur thereby And do give you license to be absent at those days from the said Feast for this year any Article or Statute of our said Order to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Seal of our said Order at our Palace of Westminster the 23. day of April in the second year of the Reign of Great Britain c. To our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin Thomas Earl of Arundel and Surrey Earl Marshal of England and Knight and Companion of our most Noble Order of the Garter NUM CLXVII Another Inter Praesident Tho. Rowe Eq. Aur. nuper hujus Ordinis Cancellar Charles R. RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin We greet you well Whereas we have for divers causes prorogued the celebration of the Feast of St. George for this present year to the 17.18 and 19. days of April next following whereof according to the Customs and Rules of our most Noble Order of the Garter you have had notice and summons for your attendance upon those days from our Chancellor notwithstanding we are pleased to excuse your absence and by these presents do dispence therewith and pardon and remit any default you may thereby inincur and do give you license to be absent at those days from the said Feast for this prâ—sent year observing in your own House the Solemnities appointed by the Canons of the Order any Statute or Article thereof to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Signet of our Order at our Palace of Westminster the 24. day of February in the 12. year of our Reign NUM CLXVIII A Warrant for a Privy Seal to pay Garter for Scutcheons used on Saint George's day Ex Autogr. pen. Iohan. Vincent gen TRusty and well-beloved We greet you well and will and command you that under our Privy Seal being in your Custody ye cause our Letters to be made forth unto the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer in form following We will and command you that unto our trusty and well-beloved Servant Garter Principal King of Arms ye pay or cause to be paid in ready money upon the sight hereof without delay the sum of 6 l. 1 s. 8 d. for 23 Scutcheons by him provided for the Knights of our Order on Saint George's day last in the first and second years of our Reign whereof 4. for Princes at 6 s. 8 d. the piece and the rest at 5 s. the piece and also that ye content and pay more unto the said Garter the sum of 6 l. 11 s. 8 d. for 25. Scutcheons by him provided and set up at our Mannor of St. James in the second and third years of our Reign for the furniture of the Stalls in our said Chappel at the rate aforesaid and these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge NUM CLXIX A Privy Seal to pay Garter 7 l. per annum for Scutcheons of Arms set up on St. George's Eve Collect. W. le N. Cl. ELizabeth by the grace of God Queen of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer and Chamberlains of our Exchequer greeting We will and command you forthwith upon the sight hereof of such our Treasure as remaineth in your Custody you content and pay or cause to be contented and paid to our trusty and well-beloved Servant Sir Gilbert Dethick Knight alias Garter principal King of Arms the sum of 21 l. for Scutcheons of Arms of the Knights of our Order set up in our Chappel within our Palace of Westminster as wel on St. George's Even in the year of our Lord God 1579. as on St. George's Even in the year of our Lord God 1580. and also on St. George's Even last past and also henceforth during his life to allow him yearly 7 l. to be paid on St. George's day accordingly And these our Letters shall be your sufficient Warrant and discharge in that behalf Given under our Privy Seal at our Mannor of Greenwich the 7. day of July in the 23. year of our Reign NUM CLXX Another Ex Autogr. penes Wil. Knight CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. To the Treasurer and Under-Treasurer of our Exchequer for the time being and that hereafter shall be Greeting Whereas our late dear Father King James of happy memory deceased by Warrant under his Privy Seal bearing date the second day of July in the sixth year of his Reign of England c. did give order for the payment unto William Seagar alias Garter Knight now principal King of Arms and to any other principal King of Arms for the time being upon every Saint George Even of the sum of seven pounds for Escotcheons of Arms of the Knights of the Order of the Garter to be set up in the Chappel at Whitehall or any other place where the said Feast should happen to be solemnized on every St. George's Even and Day as by the said Warrant more at large appeareth We minding the continuance of the said yearly allowance do hereby will and command you to cause payment to be made out of such our Treasure as now is or hereafter shall be in the receipt of our said Exchequer of the said yearly allowance of seven pounds unto the said Sir William Seager alias Garter Knight now our principal King of Arms and to any other our principal King of Arms for the time being upon every St. George's Even for the Scutchions of Arms of the Knights of our Order of the Garter to be by him or them set up in our Chappel at Whitehall or any other place where the said Feast shall happen to be solemnized every St. George's Even and day And to continue the payment thereof yearly until you shall receive other directions from us to the contrary The first payment thereof to begin
and commence from the time of the last payment thereof unto the said Sir William Seager alias Garter our principal King of Arms 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 seventh day of February in the second year of our Reign NUM CLXXI. Commissional Letters for collecting the Contributions towards furnishing the Altar in the Chappel at Windesor Ex lib. vocat Frith's Regist. p. 139. CHARLES by the grace of God King of England Scotland France and Ireland Defender of the Faith and Soveraign of the most Noble Order of the Garter To all and singular whom these may concern greeting Whereas We with the Knights and Companions of our said Order in contemplation of the great want of such sacred Furniture for our Royal Chappel of St. George within our Castle of Windesor as may be suitable to the honour and devotion of the said Order have at sundry Chapters there holden advised and decreed that a joynt contribution should be made for provision of the same And particularly at a Chapter together with the Solemnity of the Feast of St. George holden upon the 6. of this present October We did again declare and constitute that We our selves would begin and that every Lord which is now of our Realm a Companion of the said Order or was at the making of our first Decree viz. Nov. 24. 1625. should give and confer towards the same as to him should be thought meet Provided that it be not under xxl. Now know ye that We have and do by these presents give Authority and Command to our Dean and Canons of our said free Chappel that they forthwith by any one of themselves or by their lawful Deputy under their Common Seal do ask and receive as well of our own Officers for our Self as of every Lord and Companions of the Order that now is of our Realm and of the Heirs Executors and Administrator of any that are deceased since the time last above mentioned the said gift and contribution And that thereof they be accountable unto Vs at our next Chapter to be holden for the said Order or at the next Session of the Lords Commissioners for the said Order which of the two shall first happen Given under the Seal of our said Order the seventh day of October in the sixth Year of our Reign of England Scotland France and Ireland c. 1630. NUM CLXXII The Soveraign's Letter to the Dean and Canons of Windesor for making use of their Lodgings at Saint George's Feast an 7. H. 5. Ex Lib. vocat Denton fol. 69. TReschers bien aymés Nous vous solvons souuent Et pour ce que grant multitude de gens tant estrongers que aultres qui seront à nostre Chasteau de Windesore à ceste prochaine solempnité la feste de Sainct George à cause de la Venue de l' Empereur du Due de Holand Nous desirons voulons que leurs gens aultres estans de nostre Compengnie ayent la plus grand favour aise que faire se pourra en aucune maniere touchant leur Logemens dedens mesme nostre dit Chasteau Pour laquelle cause vous envoyons presentement nostre bien aymé Escuier Huisser de Chambre le porteur de cestes vers nostre dit Chasteau pour yenor donner contre nostre venue Si vous prions que vous veâ—illiés bonnement souffrir nostre dit Huissier survoyer lez Logemens de vous maisons dedens nostre College de y logier autant de personnes come faire se pourra bonestement à ceste foys tout seullement pour la cause dessus dit Et ce faisons vous nous faites â—ng singulier plesir Et n'est pas nostre intention ne vouloir que par coulour de ce Vous en soyés ainsi chargiés plus avant Et nostre Signeur soit garde de vous Donné soubz nostre Signet à Lambeth le 18. jour de May l'an de nostre Reigne septieme NUM CLXXIII A Letter from the Soveraign to excuse the absence of some of the Knights-Companions from the Grand Feast Lib. Nâ—ag 174. SVpremus honorando ac pervenerando Patri suo Thomae Comiti Derb. salvere ac benè valere Quoniam ob multa variaque negotia quae nostri oneris sunt perdelectus Cognatus noster Comes Salopiae fideles ac benè meriti nobis à Consiliis Dominus Reginaldus Bray Dom. Tho. Lovell Dom. Carolus Somerset Dom. Richardus Goulford Dominus Gilbertus Talbot Socii clarissimi nostri Ordinis non possunt ipsi in Festo Divi Georgii septimo Maii celebrando interesse sed venia nostra donandi siâ—t arduis illisce rebus impediti Nos igitur biis nostris scriptis certiorem tuam nobilitatem facimus Vt has excusationes rationi consonaâ— acceptes de nulla Statutorum vi dubitaturus si contra denotare videatur cum penes nos sit ut ipsaemet leges jure regantur Richmondiae 29. Aprilis NUM CLXXIV Another Ex Collect. A. V. W. Elizabeth RIght trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well Forasmuch as our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousins and Counsellors the Earls of Arundel and Derby c. Companions of the most Noble Order of the Garter cannot for certain employments by our Commandment attend at the Feast of the glorious Martyr St. George to be holden and kept within our Castle of Windsor the 22. day of May next coming and they being by Vs dispensed with and pardoned for their absence at that time like as we have thought good to advertize you thereof so We will you to accept their reasonable excuses in this behalf accordingly any Statute of the said Order made to the contrary notwithstanding Given under the Signet of our said Order at our Palace at Westminster the 20. of May in the fifth year of our Reign NUM CLXXV Another Ms. penes Arthur Com. Anglesey fol. 122. b. Elizabeth RIght trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor We greet you well And forasmuch as our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and counsellor the Marquess of Winchester and the Earl of Derby and our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Duke of Norfolk our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord Clynton our high Admiral of England our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Marquess of Northampton our right trusty and well-beloved Counsellor the Lord Howard of Effingham Lord Chamberlain of our Houshold our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Shrewsbury our right trusty and well-beloved the Lord Hastinges of Loughborough our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Leicester our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin the Earl of Warwick our trusty and well-beloved the Lord Hunsdone
our trusty and well-beloved Sir Henry Sidney Companions of our Noble Order of the Garter cannot for certain causes to be executed and done by our Commandment be at the Feast of the Glorious Martyr St. George to be holden and kept within our Castle of Windsore the xvii day of June next coming but be by Vs pardoned of their absence from the said Feast like as we have thought good to advertize you thereof so We will you to accept their reasonable excuse in this behalf accordingly any Statutes of the said Order made to the contrary notwithstanding Given under our Seal of our said Order at our Honor at Hampton-Court the day of June in the xii Year of our Reign NUM CLXXVI A Commission for holding the Grand Feast Regist. Chartac fol. 13. b. HEnry par la grace de Dieu Roy d' Angleterre de France Souvrain de la Compagnie de l' Ordre du Gartier A tous nos Compagnons du dit Ordre Salut Comme pour certeines causes que nous movent ne pourrons estre personnelement à la Feste de Saint George prouchein venant à nostre Chastell de Wyndesore par les Estatutz du dit Ordre nous est loisible pour commetter deputer autre personne pour nous pour tenir lez Chapitres corriger redresser faire les Eleccions de lez approuver de faire toutes autres choses comme il appertendra solone la forme teneure dez ditz Estatutz Pour ce est il que nous avons commis deputé commettons deputons par cez presentes nostre trescher tresame Oncle Jean Regent nostre Royaume de France Duc de Bedford pour faire les ditz choses avec leures circumstances dependences quelconques Mandons commandons à nous dis Compaignons que en ce faisant lui obeissent entendent diligentment comme à l'ordre appartent pour cest fois Donné à Leycestre la premier jour d' Avril l'an de nostre Regne quart NUM CLXXVII Another Ibid. fol. 62. b. Henry R. HEnry the viii by the grace of God King of England and of France Defensour of the Faith and Lord of Irland To our right trusty and right entirely beloved Cousin the Marquess Dorcet Greeting Forasmuch as we for divers gret and vrgent causes may not be present at the Fest of the glorious Martyr St. George Patrone of our noble Ordre of the Gartier to be holdyn solempnised and kept in our Castell of Windesore the viii day of May next commyng We therefore by these presents name constitute appoint and ordayne you to be our Lieutenant at the said Feast Giving unto you full power and auctorite to do and accomplische every thing at the same which to our Lieutenant there in such case belongith and hath been accustumed Willing and Commanding by the tenour hereof all and every the Companions and Officers of our said Ordre to be to you in the executing of this our auctorite obeying and attending as schall apperteyne Yeven under the Seal of our sayd Garter at our Manoir of Beaulieu the xxv day of Aprill the xvi yere of our Reigne NUM CLXXVIII Another Lib. N. pag. 249. Henry R. HEnricus Dei gratiâ Rex Angliae Franciae Princeps Gualliae Dominus Hiberniae Fedei Defensor atque Illustrissimi bujus Ordinis ipse Supremus unice nobis dilecto fide probatissimo Officio erga nos suo jam undique notissimo Cognato nostro Duci Norf. salutem ac foelicitatem Nunc quoniam per multa charissime nos istinc negotia detinent ut quod optamus gloriossimi Martyris Patroni nostri festivitatem praesentia nostra non possumus honorare tuam propterea nobilitatem ad illud ipsum nomine nostro praestandum nominamus atque instituimus eam tibi dantes authoritatem quae supplenti vices nostras unquam alias assuevit jubentes itidem ut Sociorum quisquis atque Officialium tibi dum mandatum hoc nostrum facessis obediant quantum res ipsa postulabit ex nutu tuo jussuque pendeat Windesori sub Ordinis Sigillo undecimo Junii nostri Regui decimo septimo NUM CLXXIX A Letter of Notice to the Assistants of the Soveraign's Lieutenant to be at the Feast Collect. A. V. W. By the Queen RIght trusty and right well-beloved We greet you well Where we by our Commission under the Seal of our most Noble Order of the Garter have assigned and appointed our right trusty and right well-beloved Cousin and Counsellor the Earl of Arundel Lord Steward of our Houshold and one of the Companions of the said Noble Order to be our Lieutenant at the Feast of the glorious Martyr St. George to be kept within our Castle of Windesor the 18. day of May next coming for the doing of all things there as to Our Lieutenant appertaineth And have appointed you with our right trusty right well-beloved the Lord Paget of Beaudesert to be Assistants at the said Feast We have thought good not only to give you knowledge thereof by these Our Letters but also require you to make your repair to Our said Castle of Windesor so as you may be there at the said Feast accordingly Given under the Signet of Our said Order at Our Mannor of Greenwich the second day of May in the third year of Our Reign To Our right trusty and right well-beloved the Viscount Mountague one of the Companions of Our Order The like Letter and of the same Date was sent to the Lord Paget the other Assistant NUM CLXXX An Order for the fashion and materials of the Soveraign and Knights-Companions Vnder Habit. Collect. E. W. G. Charles R. IT being most certain that nothing can be more conducing to the keeping up of that Lustre and Dignity of our most Noble Order of the Garter wherein it is at this present then those very means by which it hath attained unto it constancy and immtability For these reasons having at a Chapter held at our Castle of Windesor the 16. of April last past resolved upon a review and examination of its Statutes to see if possibly length of time and change of Customs might have introduced any thing in them which might make them swerve from the ancient Rules so far as they were not unconsistent with the present Vsance We have thought it not unworthy our care to descend unto the particulars of its Clothing And thereupon having found that in what concerns the Vnder-Habits used by the Companions at the solemnizing of Instalments or the Celebration of St. George's Feast they followed too much the modern fashion never constant and less comporting with the decency gravity and stateliness of the upper Robes of the Order It was resolved in that Chapter and accordingly we ordain and enjoyn That from this time forwards the Companions shall be obliged to a certain and immutable form and fashion as well for their Under-Habits as their