Part 20

THERE was a Seal made at the beginning of the Reign of King _Cha._ I. which being esteemed too little for the Grandure and Honour of the Sovereigns Commissions, if was afterwards Decreed in Chapter, held 18th of _April._ 13. Car. I. _That a new one should be made of a larger Size, with the accustomed Arms and Motto, and the care thereof commited to Sir_ Thomas Rowe, _Chancellor_; which Command he Executed with all due care and regard, as is manifestly evident by the nobleness of the design: One Representation being St. _George_, in Armour, adorned with a waveing Mantle, his Bever open, his Helmet plumed, holding a Shield of his Arms in his left Hand, and striking with a Sword in his right, his Body mounted on a bold Horse, Trampling over a Dragon, which Assails the Champion, the whole Figure is well contracted, and the Sun, a Rock, the Bones of devoured Men, and a Mountain in _Lointon_, in it is Circumscribed, _Magnum sigillum Nobilis Ordinis Garterij_; having the enrichments of festons between every Word placed pentagonally: The other Representation, is the Royal Garter imperially Crowned, enclosing a Shield of the Arms of St. _George_, impaling the Sovereign’s Arms, the same Bordered with Fret-work, and other Ornaments in Cartouche. In the same decree, direction was given also for a new Signet, the former being thought too big for Letters, and this was an Oval shaped so from its Impression, which was the Garter Crowned, wherein was St. _George_, and the Sovereigns Arms impaled.

IT was at the same Chapter further decreed; “That all Legations to deliver this Order to Foreign Princes, all other Acts, bearing the Stile of Commissions, all Patents of Offices and Fees, all Grants or Licences sent out of the Kingdom, should be Sealed with this Seal, which should be henceforward called the Great Seal of the Order; so also the Book of Statutes, sent to Elect Knights or Foreign Princes, being fixed to a Label of Blue Silk, and held according to antient Custom; and that all Letters concerning the Order, whether of signification of Election, or Lieutenancy, or Summons upon prorogation, or other Directions from the Sovereign, should only be Sealed with the Signet: Moreover, these Seals were appointed to be thenceforth Born before the Sovereign in all Publick Assemblies, during the Celebration of St. _George_’s Feast, or in other its Solemnities by the Chancellor of the Order, in a Purse of blue Velvet,” and Command given to Sir _Thomas Rowe_, to provid one accordingly; on the foreside of which Purse was richly Embroidred (by a Gold-Smith) with _Venice_ Gold and Silver, Gold and Silver Purls and Plates, and variety of _Naples_ Silks, the Arms of St. _George_ impaling the Sovereign, surrounded with a Garter Crowned, having a very fair Running Work, or Compartment round about it, the charge of which amounted to 13 _l._ 16 _s._ 10 _d._

BY the Statutes of Institution, it was ordained, That in case the Knights-Companions, to whose care the Sovereign did commit the Seal of the Order, should upon lawful Occasions, be absent from Court, it behoves him to leave it behind him, with some other Knight-Companion to present, to the Sovereign, to the intent it might be always in readiness; but if the Sovereign be out of His Kingdom, then the disposal of it, was commited to the Deputies, and the Signet of the Order should have a Warrant for all such Acts and Decrees as should be confirmed there.

THE distance from Court was by the Constitutions, restricted to 10 Miles, and by the Statutes of King _Hen._ VIII. to 20. upon consideration whereof we find Sir _Thomas Rowe_ Chancellor, having some occasions, _Anno_ 13 _Car._ I. to be absent above 20 Miles, tendred the Seals to the Sovereign, who was pleased to dispence with the Statutes, and permitted him to keep them nevertheless.

§ 3. THE Registers Oath, Mantle, Badge, Privileges and Pension, fall next under our consideration; he was one of the three, Constituted at the Institution of the Order, under the Title of _Registrator_ and _Registrarius_, and so is called in the Statutes of King _Hen._ V. elsewhere in the Books of the Order, _Scriba_ and _Actuarius_. What were the first Registers, names we cannot discover, till the Reign of King _Hen._ V. But it may be presumed, they were Canons of _Windsor_; because this Office was at first assigned to one of that College; besides the Registers from the Reign of King _Henry_ V. to the beginning of King _Henry_ VIIIth Reign, were also Canons of this College, among whom was _John Coningham_, (and the first found called so) as the Fragments of a Glass Inscription in _Clare_ Church near _Windsor_, where he was Rector, attests. The first Dean of _Windsor_, Constituted Register of the Order was _John Vesey_, Anno 8. _Hen._ VIII. many of whose Successors in this Deanry, have since been admitted; nevertheless, as they were Canons not Deans of _Windsor_, and tis not improbable the Deans were Elected to this Office, as being enabled to support the Reputation of the Registership, with the Revenue of his Deanry, better than any of the Canons, with the addition of the Pension. But at a Chapter held at _Whitehall_, the 22d of _April_, 11 _Car._ I. The Sovereign thought it convenient that the Office of Dean and Register should concenter in one and the same Person, as formerly, and therefore commanded this his Pleasuer to be Enrolled among the Annals of the Order, that so it might pass in the future Times, from Example into Rule.

BY the Constitutions of the Office, a secular Person is made capable of it, no less than an Ecclesiastick, how be it, _He is to be a Man of singular integrity_, eminent quality, a Knight, and signalized for Experience and Learning; but if an Ecclesiastick, then must he be a Person of consummate Erudition, _a professor of Divinity or Law, either Canon, or Civil_, and a Dignitarian in some Cathedral Church, or else a Canon at _Windsor_.

THE substance of his Oath in the Statute of the Institutions was, _That he should enter upon the Registry, with all Fidelity, the Scrutinies, Elections, Penalties, Reconciliations, and all other Acts relating to the Order_, to which was added, that he shall faithfully Discharge his Duty in all things. But in King _Hen._ VIIIth Days, the Oath enjoyned him, differs nothing from that of the Prelates and Chancellors.

AT his Admission, he takes this Oath Kneeling, while the Prelate used to pronounce the Words as _Anno_ 1 _Mar._ 5. and 6. _Ph._ and _Mar._ but in his absence, as _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ the Chancellor administred it. _Anno_ 4. _Car_. I. the Prelate, Chancellor, and Register, took their Oaths at one time, and then it was thus Ordered; first the Register took it Kneeling between the Sovereign’s Knees, the Black Rod holding the Evangelists, and the _Garter_ read the Words out of the black Book; this done, the Register read the Words of the Prelates Oath, when he was Sworn; and in the last place, did the like to the Chancellor; after this manner did Garter read the Words to the Registers, admitted 11 _Car._ I. and 12 _Car._ II. We cannot trace the Habit this Officer had assigned him at the Erection of the Order; but it afterwards appears, that his Allowance was the same with the Chancellors, consisting of 5 Yards of Woollen Cloth, and 3 Timber of Minever gross, equalent to what those Knights-Companions had allotted, who were under the degree of an Earl: The Habit he is pourtrayed in, at a proceeding of King _Hen._ VIIIth Reign, shews it to be Ecclesiastical, a black Gown, a Surplice over that, reaching to his Ancles, and thereon a Mantle of Furs; but the Constitutions of his Office restricted him to none, wherein there seems a defect, since they have assignd Habits to the Garter, and black Rod. Notwithstanding by a Draught of the Officers in their ancient Dress, it is plainly demonstrable to be a Mantle, somewhat of a Russel colour, Faced with a Pane of blue, whereon is Embroidred a Flower-de-luce Crowned Gold, then another Pane red, thereon a Lyon Passant gardant Crowned Gold, and so they are alternately placed to the bottom; to this Mantle belong Cordons of Silk, blue and yellow.

SINCE that time, not only the Registers, but also Garters and Black Rods, Robes, underwent some Alterations; for by a Decree in Chapter, called at St. _James_, _Jun._ 1. 4 and 5. _Ph._ and _Mar._ these Officers were assigned Mantles of crimson Satin, Lined with Taffaty, and a Scutcheon of St. _George_’s Arms, Embroidred on the left Shoulder, but not encircled with a Garter, having the same Buttons and Tassels as were appointed to the Prelate and Chancellor; the proportion of Satin assigned to each Mantle, was 14 Yards, and as many Yards of white Taffaty.

AND tho’ the Registers Mantle was _Ann._ 27 _Eliz._ composed of the preceeding Materials, and had like Trimming, yet they agree not in their Proportions, here being allowed 18 Yards of crimson Satin, and but 12 of Taffaty; from hence these Mantles continued immutable until the 20th of _Feb._ 13 _Car._ II. when there Issued a Warrant to the Master of the great Wardrobe, to prepare for this Officer, as also for Garter, and the Black Rod, for their Liveries Mantles of scarlet Satin, each containing 18, and 10 Yards of white Taffaty for Lining, but consonant in all other Punctilio’s with the former; yet why the colour was altered, is not expressed.

THE Register seems to have been represented with a Scrowle in his Hand, for his Badge, and by the proceedings in Queen _Elizabeth_’s Reign, Pictured with a Book, both proper Symbols of his Office. In Dr. _Christopher Wren_’s Registership, the Sovereign Commanded him to cover the red Book of the Order with crimson Velvet, and assigned for the Garter, two Pens in Saltire, interlacing the Garter above with these two Letters _C R_ Crowned, all being richly Embroidred, (as also the Border) with _Venice_ Gold and Silver, and various colours of _Naples_ Silk, by _Harrison_ the Sovereign’s Embroiderer, with a Clasp, in Imitation of the Garter, surrounding the Representation of St. _George_, which cost 12 _l._ 17 _s._ 6 _d._ This Book he was Ordered to bear before his Breast, on all Solemn Occasions when he wore his Mantle, and for his better Convenience, he made a Belt and an Ouch to hang it by.

SO high a Regard had the Sovereigns of this Order, not only to this Officer, but likewise to Garter and Black Rod, that they took them into a particular Protection, and by the Constitutions of their Offices granted them, “That they, their Goods and Servants should severally remain under the Safe-guard of the Sovereign; and if any Injury or Violence should chance to be offered them either by Subjects or Forreigners, whensoever they should exhibit their Complaint to the Sovereign, either himself or the Knights-Companions should afford them Justice; but if the adverse Party should refuse to submit his Cause to the Sovereign, then the Sovereign and Knights-Companions should shew themselves so far inclinable towards these Officers, as to be ready to allow them all favour, countenance, _&c._” consistent with Justice and Equity.

UPON the strength and Security of this ancient Privilege, to avoid the prolongation of a Law Suit, Dr. _Christopher Wren_ Register, Petitioned the Sovereign in Chapter, held at _Whitehall_, the 19th of _April_, 13 _Car_. I. against one _Thornhill_, who under Pretence of Digging for Salt-Peter, had so Undermined his Pigeon-house, Built on the Rectory of _Knoil Magna_ in _Wiltsh._ that it fell down; and upon reading of the Petition, it was resolved by the Sovereign, and Knights-Companions, “That they would consider the Grant in the Constitutions, and, until it was farther declared, the Chancellor of the Order should have Power upon Information of any rigour upon Controverse begun in any other Court, to write Letters under the Signet of the Order, that all vexation against them should be superseded until Information of the cause were given to and determination in the Cause resumed by the Sovereign, or leave of him obtained to Proceed.” After this it is set down, that _Thornhill_ was Summoned before the Lords Commissioners of the Navy, and his negative Answer given in, and represented to the Sovereign in another Chapter, conven’d the 4th of _October_ ensuing; whereupon it was ordered, “That the Chancellor should write to the same Lords Commissioners, and another to the Earls of _Pembroke_, _Arundel_ and _Dorset_, three of the Knights-Companions, to Empower them, that they or any three of them, should cause the said _Thornhill_ to be brought before them, and likewise write to any of the Inhabitants of _Knoil_, to view and testifie the Truth, to hear any further proof on the behalf of either Party, and to give Sentence according to Justice, that so a tedious Suit of Law might be prevented, and the Dignity of this most noble Order protected.” These Commands of the Chancellor being Executed, and Certificates returned from the Country, the Knights Companions, in a Chapter held the 23th of _May_, 14 _Car._ I. were moved to peruse them; but before they could meet, _Thornhill_ fled, and the Prosecution of this business ceased. Upon the same footing was it, that the said Dr. _Wren_ obtained from King _Cha._ I. His Gracious Protection for himself, Servants, and Estate, literally expressed in the late War, _as the Violaters of that Order would answer this our contrary at their Peril, Dated at_ Oxford, _under the Signet of this our Order the_ 12th _Day of_ Dec. _in the_ 19th _Year of our Reign_.

THIS Officer by the Constitutions hath a Pension of 50 _l._ _per Annum_, or proportionable in Fees, Offices, or other Emoluments; and _Ann._ 1. and 2 _Ph._ and _Mar._ the same numerical Pension was conferred on _Owen Oglethorp_, Dean of _Windsor_, out of the Exchequer, until some Ecclesiastical Preferment of like value should devolve on him. The same was confirmed to Dr. _Maxey_, by Decree in Chapter, 16 _Jac._ I. and afterwards to Dr. _Beaumont_, by Letters Patent, under the Great Seal of _England_, 20 _Jac._ I. but there needed no Allotment of Lodgings at _Windsor_ to this Officer, as there was to the rest, since both the Canons and Dean were provided of Houses belonging to their Ecclesiastical Dignities within the College, at the Erection of the Order.

§ 4. THE _fourth Officer of the Order is Garter_. He Was ordained by King _Henry_ V. with the advice and consent of all the Knights-Companions, who for the Honour of the Order, was pleased he should be the principal Officer within the College of Arms, and chief of the Heralds. The Services enjoyned him, relating to the Order, were in preceding Times, performed by the _Windsor_ Herald of Arms, an Officer created with that Title by K. _Edward_ III. much about the time of his Erecting this Order, and an Annual Pension of 20 Marks, payable out of the Exchequer, by Letters Patent for Life, which was confirmed by King _R._ II.

SIR _William Brugges_ was the Person first created Garter, and called in the Institution of his Office, _Jartier Roy d’armys des Anglois_, but elsewhere stiled _Willielmus Brugges, alias Dictus, Gartier Rex Armorum_. This Sir _William_ became a great Benefactor to St. _George_’s Church at _Stamford_, and in the Windows of the Chancel caused to be Represented King _Edward_ III. with his twenty five Knights-Companions kneeling, Habited in their Mantles and Surcoats of Arms, but now much shattered and defaced; _John Smert_ his Successor had this Office conferred on him by Letters Patents, under this Title _Rex Armorum de Garteria_, and _John Wrythe_ was stiled _Principalis Heraldus, & Officiarius inclyti Ordinis Garterij, Armorumq; Rex Anglicorum_, but Sir _Gilbert Dethick_ leaving out _Heraldus_ joyned _Principalis Rex_, which still continues.

IN the Constitutions of his Office he is called _Garterus, Rex Armorum Angliæ_, whom the Sovereign and Knights-Companions have decreed to be a Gentleman of Blood and Arms, of unspotted Reputation, and Born within the Kingdom of _England_; besides as King _Hen._ V. did before, so doth King _Hen._ VIII. declare that he shall be chief of all the Officers of Arms, dependant upon the Crown of _England_.

THE substance of his Oath administred by the Register at his admission, whilst he humbly kneeleth at the Sovereign’s Feet, in the Chapter House; is,

1. _To yield Obedience to the Sovereign, and Knights-Companions._

2. _To keep Silence, and not disclose the Secrets of the Order._

3. _To make Signification of the Death of each Knight-Companion._

4. _To execute all things faithfully committed to his Care._

5. _To enquire diligently after all the noble Acts of the Knights-Companions, and certifie them to the Register._

6. _To be faithful in the exercise of his Office._

AND such an Oath Sir _Christopher Barker_ took at a Chapter held at _Greenwich_ 28 _Hen._ VIII. when he was made Garter.

AS for a particular Habit, we do not find any inserted in the Great Wardrobe, whence it is presumed, he was at first distinguished from the rest of the Officers of the Order, by his Coat Embroidred with the Sovereign’s Arms, like as the Provincial King’s then wore. But after the Constitutions of the Officers were Established, there was assigned him a Habit or Mantle in all respects, resembling the Register, (saving that the Ground whereon the Lyons and flower-de-luces were Embroidred, was entirely Red) and this to be wore only at the publick Solemnities of the Order. Queen _Mary_ Commanded it to be made of crimson Satin, and so it remained till the Restoration, when the Colour was altered to scarlet.

THIS Officer is appointed to bear a white Rod or Scepter at every Feast of St. _George_, the Sovereign being present, gilded at both ends, and at the top the Arms of the Order impaling the Sovereign’s Arms pourtray’d on an oblong Cube Crowned, but no directions are given in the Constitutions for this Crown, nor for that Ducal one on his Head wherewith his Effigies has been represented, and yet at all great Solemnities is never used that we can discover. There was assigned him by Queen _Eliz._ a Badge of Gold to be worn daily by him and his Successors, before the Breast, in a gold Chain or Ribband, and thereon Ennamelled the Sovereign’s Arms, Crowned with an Imperial Crown, and both surrounded with the Garter: But Sir _Edward Walker_ when made Garter, obtained the Sovereign’s leave to Impale therein St. _George_’s Arms, with those of the Sovereign’s, which Badge is alike on both sides.

THERE is an House appointed for his Habitation within _Windsor_ Castle, called Garters Tower. It was by Chapter annexed for ever to the Office of Garter, and restored to Sir _William Segar_’s Possession, 2d of _May_, 1630. By the Constitution of his Office, he is to be allowed Barons Service in the Sovereign’s Court, and his Table Served next after the Dean of the Chapel, with such Liveries as of old were accustomed.

IT appears that King _Hen._ V. after his erecting this Office, died before he had settled a Pension upon Sir _William Brugges_, for supportation of his little Estate, which the Knights-Companions taking into consideration, and that he might more honourably comport himself to the Service of the Order, till the young King should come to Age, they being assembled in a Chapter, with the consent of the Prelate, decreed the said Sir _William_ to receive of each of them at every Feast of St. _George_, as is set down, _viz._

{Of the Bishop of _Winchester_ Prelate 5} {Dukes -- -- -- 5} Marks.

{Earl -- -- 6} Of every {Baron or Baronet 4} Nobles. {Knight Batchelor 2}

THE first payment was agreed to be pay’d down, and so to remain in force annually with request to the absent Knights, that for the Honour of the Order, and causes in the Instrument express’d, they would approve of their Ordinance which passed under the Seal of the Order, Dated at _Windsor_, 1422. Afterwards King _Hen._ VI. in consideration of his Services to his Father and himself, with consent of his Council, granted to the said _Brugges_, by Letters Patent, a Pension of 20 _l._ _per Annum_, out of the Fee Farm of the City of _Winchester_ during his pleasure, which Pension upon the surrender of his Patent he granted anew to him and _Agnes_ his Wife, for their Lives and the longer liver of them; and when this Office upon Sir _William Brugges_ death, was devolved on _John Smert_, _Guyenne_ herald (3 _April_ 28 _Hen._ VI.) he had the yearly Sum of 20 _l._ granted him therewith for Life out of the Exchequer: But his Successor _John Wrythe_, _Norroy_, obtained an increase of Pension to 40 _l._ _per Annum_, made payable out of the small Customs of the City of _London_; this annual Sum was afterwards confirmed to Garter by the Constitution of his Office, and an Augmentation from the then Knights-Companions additional to the Pensions granted by their Predecessors, upon the Death of King _Hen._ V.

{A Duke -- -- 4 Pounds. { {A Marquess -- 5} Of{An Earl -- -- 4} Marks. { {A Baron -- 6} {A Knight Batchelor 4} Nobles.

IN succeeding times the Sovereign thought fit to augment this Pension to 50 _l._ _per Annum_, (now payable out of the Revenue settled upon the Order,) and the Knights-Companions yet to enlarge their Sallery, which they did, (the Sovereign assenting) by the decree made in a Chapter held at _Windsor_ 13, 14, and 15. _Sept. An._ 1617. wherein it was ordained, _That their Officer Sir_ William Segar _Garter Knight, King of Arms of that Order should then, and from thenceforth have renew’d and paid unto him certain annual Fees and Pensions, anciently enjoyed by his Predecessors, with a surplus of_ 10 _l._ per Annum, _which his Majesty’s Act of Royal Bounty, hath given to his said Servant for his better support and maintenance, as also of Prince_ Charles, _Prince of_ Wales, _the Sum of_ 8 l. _and of every Duke of the Blood_ 6 l. _all other Estates_, viz. _a Duke not of the Blood_ 4 l. _a Marquess_ 5 _Marks_, _an Earl_ 4 _Marks_, _a Viscount_ 7 _Nobles_, _a Baron_ 40 s. _and a Knight Batchelor that shall be of the Order_, 26 s. 8 d. _all which said Sums of Money, according to the several degrees of their Estates, are to be paid, (continues the Decree) unto the said Garter or his assigns yearly at St._ Georges_’s Feast, or immediately after, as well by the Knights then present, as by those that shall be absent, or hereafter are to succeed in the said Order; and after the decease of the said Garter, to his Successors for ever._