Part 26

§ 16. _Anno_ 27 of _Eliz._ there is a remarkable Occurrence, not to be passed over; for the Earls of _Rutland_ and _Derby_, the morrow after St. _George_’s Day, were desirous to have seen the _Scrutiny_, which was committed into the Custody of the Dean of _Windsor_, to be registred, in pursuance of the before-mentioned Decree, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ but he returned a modest denial, and said, _It ought not to be seen before it was register’d_. The Earls, not satisfied with this Answer, requested the Opinions of the _Knights-Companions_, present at the Feast, on this Affair; who, upon mature Deliberation, adjudged the Point against them; and since it has been a standing Rule, that no Knight-Companion ought to see whom the other hath named.

§ 17. It hath chanced, that tho’ the _Nominations_ for _Election_ have been received, presented and perused, yet the Sovereign hath thought expedient to defer it, upon several Considerations, and principally where an intent was to keep an open Stall; but we must understand this of such _Scrutinies_ as are taken of Course, at the _Vespers_ on the Feast-day.

And the most memorable Example of this Kind, is that of the Emperor _Sigismond_, who expired in the 16th Year of K. _Henry_ VI. whose Stall was reserved Twenty One Years, and then determined, that Prince _Edward_, the Sovereign’s only Son, should fill it up, being at that time about Six Years of Age. This is the first Emperor, whose Election we find register’d in the _Annals_, being about the 7th of _May_, in the 4th Year of _Henry_ V. styled _Sigismundus Imperator Almanicus_.

And keeping a vacant Stall was sometimes given as a Reason by the Sovereign for his deferring an Election, as is plain from _An._ 13. _Car._ I. when the Scrutiny taken the Day before was read over in the Chapter-House, the Sovereign declared, _That he would receive no Man into the Order before his Son_ Charles. Whereupon all the Knights-Companions gave their Opinions, _That this Resolution was rather the effect of Justice, than Fatherly Indulgence; since they all acknowledged him, to be more a Prince by Merit, and towardliness of his Youth, than by the Fortune of his Birth_. At which the Sovereign expressed his Satisfaction no otherwise than by Silence.

And in like manner, _Anno_ 15 _Charles_ I. when the Chancellor of the Order gave up the Scrutiny to the Sovereign, he declared——_That he had a purpose to have Chosen Prince_ Rupert, _his Nephew, a Knight of the Order; but being then a Prisoner with the Emperor, he would not Elect any at that Time_; whereupon, a vacancy of a _Stall_ was reserved. It has sometimes been the Sovereign’s Pleasure to defer Elections, without expressing the Cause, as in the 13 of _Elizabeth_; though she perused the Scrutiny in Chapter, yet the _Blue Book_ informs us; That the _said Sovereign made no Election, though two Stalls were vacant_. Thus was it in the 2, 3, 11, and 12, of K. _James_ I. where no other mention is made than this; _none were admitted into the Order this Year_.

Sometimes we find these _Prorogations of Elections_ recorded, as solely done by the Will of the _Sovereign_; and at other Times by the _Sovereign_, and the approbation of the _Knights-Companions_; to the first of these we find a Memorial, in the 22 of _Elizabeth_, on the 24 of _April_; that the _Knights-Companions_ had a Message sent to their Chapter, held before Morning-Prayer; _That it was the Pleasure of the Sovereign to prorogue the Election to the following Year_. And so it was, in the 10th of _Charles_ I. though the Nomination was taken by the Chancellor, and presented to the Sovereign in Chapter, _the Sovereign did not think fit to make any Election at all_. And for a Testimony of the second, we meet with this Instance, in the 27th of _Elizabeth_; _that with the concurrent Approbation and Assent of all the Knights-Companions then assisting, the Sovereign thought fit to put off the Election to another Time_. As to the seeming difference of the _Sovereign’s absolute Authority_, and yet the _Knights-Companions Approbation_, we have cleared up that Point in the _Act of Election_; for though it is _his_ unquestionable Authority and Prerogative, to Prorogue _Elections ad libitum_, yet out of Respect, and Honour to the _Knights-Companions_, their Approbation hath been sometimes exprest.

§ 18. When any Knight-Companion hath received a Summons, to appear at a Chapter of Election, and doth wilfully refuse, or withdraw himself, he was to be mulct a Mark for his Disobedience, which King _Henry_ VIII’s Statutes inlarged to twenty Shillings, payable to the Dean and College of _Windsor_, to pray for defunct Souls. And at his next appearance in Chapter, he was to remain kneeling in the midst of them, before the Sovereign, or Deputy, till he was restor’d to their Favour: Yet upon a just Cause signified to the _Sovereign_ some time before, under the Seal of his Arms, he was excused, if it was found just and feasible; if not, it was rejected, and he remained Punishable.

And for greater Caution, this Clause was formerly inserted, in the _Letters of Summons_; where, after the Time and Place for Election was certified, and command given to observe both, the Letter concludes thus, _et se estre ny poues nous Signifies soubz, &c._ and if it cannot be accomplished, that is, if the Knight-Companion could not meet at the time assigned, to perform what the Statutes oblige, he should then _signify to the Sovereign, under his Seal, the cause of his Impediment; so that he might perceive by his Excuse_, whether it was worthy of Acceptance, or he in Fault or not.

CAP. X.

_The_ Investiture of a Knight-Subject _with the_ Garter and George.

IF the Knight chance to be at _Windsor_, that is newly Elected, or wheresoever the Chapter is held, after the Sovereign hath signified his Pleasure in the Election of the Person, the _Garter_ is immediately dispatched out of the Chapter, to give him the Intelligence; as is apparent upon the Choice of the Lord _Howard_, and Sir _Henry Marney_, _Anno_ 2 _Henry_ VIII. who was dispatched from the Chapter, to conduct them to the _Sovereign’s_ Presence, to be invested with the principal Ensigns of the Order, the _Garter_ and _George_.

And as _Garter_ hath been accustomed to signify in Person the _Election_ of a _Knight_, in like manner an Election is _signified_, by the Letters of the _Sovereign_, when he is pleased (for the greater Honour of the Person) to weave by verbal Notice: In such Cases, it’s the _Chancellor’s_ Office to draw up the _Letters_, and they are to pass, both under the _Sovereign’s Sign Manual_, and Signet of the Order. Such a particular mark of Distinction and Honour was conferr’d on our Sovereign of _Blessed Memory_, _King Charles_ II. Sir _John Burrough Garter_, carrying the Letter.

_Charles Rex_,

“Our most dear and entirely beloved Son, having, to our great Comfort, seen and considered the ripeness of your Youth, and conceived joyful and pregnant Hopes of your manly Virtue, in which we are assured you will increase, to your own Honour, both in Prowess, Wisdom, Justice, and all Princely Endowments; and that the Emulation of Chevalry will, in your tender Years, provoke and encourage you, to pursue the Glory of Heroick Actions, befitting your Royal Birth, and our Care and Education. We with the Companions of our most Noble Order of the Garter, assembled in Chapter, holden this present Day, at our Castle of _Windsor_; have Elected and Chosen you one of the Companions of our Order. In Signification whereof, we have sent unto you, by our Trusty and Well-Beloved Servant, Sir _John Burrough_ Knight-Garter, and our principal King of Arms, these our _Royal Letters_, requiring you to make your speedy repair unto us, to receive the Ensigns of our most Noble Order, and to be ready for your Installation, upon the 21st Day of this present Month. Given under the Signet of our Order, at our Castle of _Windsor_, the 20th of _May_, in the 14th Year of our Reign, 1638.”

_To our dearly beloved Son Prince_ Charles.

This is the only Instance we have met with, where a Letter was sent to an Elect Knight, and he at the same time present at Court; but when an Election is confirmed, and the Person remote from the Court, then the general Tenure of the Letter is, both to signify his Election, and Summon him to his Investure, with the Garter and George, as was performed by the Earl of _Derby,_ and Sir _Edward Strafford_, to King _Henry_ of _France_.

But where the Sovereign is pleased to mention particular Services, to recommend the Election of a Knight, the Preamble of the Letter is worded accordingly; and as this is a Case not very frequent, it will not be amiss to exemplify it in the Choice of Sir _John Falstoff_, where the Letter runs thus—_We considering the virtuous Fidelity you have shown, and the honourable Exploits you have done, in the Service of our thrice renowned Father, and that in our Service also, you (as many others) have given Proof of that Honour, and these Deserts, wherewith God hath endowed you, always suffering, as is the part of a good Subject, the Pains and Toils of War, for the vindicating and maintaining of our just Right, Claim, and Title, have Chosen you one of our Companions of our Order._

When the Letter barely signifies Election, that is, when the Sovereign does not design a present investure with the Garter and George, but defers it till he takes Possession of his Stall, the Day of his Installation is inferred towards the end of the Letter; and upon his appearance at _Windsor_, so soon as he appears in the Chapter-House, the Garter is first buckled about his left Leg, then follows his Investure with the rest of the Ornaments of the Order, and lastly his Installation. And this was the Case of _Henry_ Earl of _Northumberland_, _Anno_ 29 _Henry_ VIII. whose Investure of the Garter was deferr’d till his appearance at _Windsor_, and then the whole Ceremony was performed at once.

§ 2. If the elect Knight be at hand, where the Chapter is convened, and the Garter hath been sent to make known to him the Honour, and Conduct him into the _Chapter-House_, to receive the Garter and George, before they break up, Intimation being given of his approach, the Sovereign sends out two of the Knights-Companions to meet him, who, after a mutual Salute, Conduct him between them, to the Presence of the Sovereign, Garter going before them. Thus was _Ubrick_ Duke of _Holstein_, _Anno_ 3 _Jac._ I. introduced into the Chapter, between Prince _Henry_, and the Earl of _Dorset_, and _Christian_ Duke of _Brunswick_ _Anno_ 22 _Jac._ I. between _William_ Earl of _Pembrook_ and _Philip_ Earl of _Montgomery_, to receive the Garter and George. The 6th of _November_, _Anno_ 14 _Charles_ II. _Christian_ Prince of _Denmark_ being elected at a Chapter held at _White-Hall_, and then absent, the Garter King was dispatched next Day by the Sovereign, to inform him, and to desire his Presence the next Day, that he might receive his Investure; which accordingly was done, being conducted between the Earls of _Lindsey_ and _Manchester_ into the Chapter, Garter preceding them, and after three Obeysances, they brought him up to the Sovereign. Among Knights-Subjects, we find the Lord _Burley_, and the Lord _Grey_, were conducted to the Sovereign by the Lord _Clynton_, and the Earl of _Bedford_, _Anno_ 14 _Elizabeth_, _cum multis aliis_. _Anno_ 4 _Jac._ I. _Robert_ Earl of _Salisbury_ proceeded up to the Sovereign’s Throne, between the Earls of _Nottingham_ and _Dorset_. In the Reign of King _Charles_ I. the Earl of _Northampton_ was conducted to receive the Garter in the _Chapter-House_ at _Windsor_, between the Earls of _Pembrook_ and _Montgomery_. And when King _Charles_ II. appeared, upon his Letter of Summons, at the Chapter held in the withdrawing Chamber in _Windsor Castle_, to receive his Investure, two of the Senior Knights, _viz._ _Philip_ Earl of _Pembrook_ and _Montgomery_, and _Thomas_ Earl of _Arundel_ and _Surry_, were sent out to Conduct him in, who brought him between them unto the Sovereign, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod going before.

The Duke of _Monmouth_ being elected at a Chapter held in the withdrawing Room at _White-Hall_, the 28th of _March_, _Anno_ 15 _Charles_ II. Garter was immediately sent to him in the Sovereign’s Bed-Chamber, who being met at the Door by the Earls of _Lindsey_ and _Manchester_, both the Garter and the Black Rod passed to the lower End of the Room before the Duke and the two Knights-Companions, whence they proceeded up to the Sovereign with three Reverences. At the Election of _James_ Duke of _Cambridge_, in the same Room at _White-Hall_, (_December_ 3. _Anno_ 18 _Charles_ II.) Garter was also sent forth into the Bed-Chamber, to acquaint him that the Earl of _Manchester_, and the Duke of _Monmouth_, were appointed by the Sovereign and Chapter to bring him in thither; that done, the aforesaid Knights-Companions arose and went to the Duke, whom meeting at the Bed-Chamber Door, they took their compass about the rest of the Knights-Companions, (then standing) and brought him between them, from the lower End of the Room, close before the Sovereign, the Garter and Black Rod proceeding.

§ 3. The Knight elect being thus introduced to the Sovereign, bows with all Reverence, and formerly a short gratulatory Speech was the vogue, that set forth his acknowledgment of his Sovereign’s Royal Favour, and the grateful Respect he bore to the Knights-Companions for his Election.

_Anno_ 28. _Hen._ VIII. we find Sir _Nicholas Crew_, after he had been conducted into the Chapter-House at _Windsor_, to receive his Investiture, thus to address himself: giving _infinite Thanks both to the Sovereign and whole Society, for that they had vouchsafed to receive him into the Honour of this most illustrious Order, being a Person in his own Esteem most unworthy thereof_: In the next Place professed, _That whereas he was preferred in this Choice before many others, much more deserving than himself, it was not to be attributed to his Merits, or any Thing by him performed, but meerly to the Sovereign’s Bounty, and the Favour of the Knights-Companions towards him_.

The conferring of so singular an Honour, being thus thankfully own’d, the Ceremony of Investiture begins; the _Garter_ first takes place, as the most ancient and chiefest _Ensign_, and then the _George_; but the compleat Investiture is not performed until the Elect Knights are installed at _Windsor_. Formerly the manner of robing of them was performed on this wise: First, the Elect Knight set his Foot upon a Stool, and then one of the Knights-Companions, by the Sovereign’s appointment, as his Substitute, buckled the enobled Garter about his left Leg, as may be seen in the _Antiquities of_ Warwickshire, in an old Draught of the Combats of Sir _John Astley_, who was inrolled in this illustrious Body, and is so represented. But of later Date, the Elect Knight kneeled on his right Knee, whilst this Ceremony was performed, in which space the Words of _Admonition_ and _Signification_, at this part of the Investiture, were read. The _Admonition_, upon the buckling of the Garter, in the _English_ Statutes of K. _Hen._ VIII. is set down on this manner:

_SIR,_

_The loving Brethren of the Order of the Garter, have received you their Brother and Fellow; and in Token of this, they give and present you this present Garter, which God grant that you receive and wear from henceforth to his Praise and Glory, and to the Exaltation and Honour of the said Noble Order, and your self._

Afterwards it was decreed, at a Chapter held at _Windsor_, the 5th of _August_, _Anno_ 1 _&_ 2 _Phil._ and _Mary_, to this effect: ‘That not only the same Advertisements, which were wont to be given to Strangers at their Investitures, should be likewise given to Knights-Subjects, that for the future should be elected and install’d; and with a farther Proviso, ‘That among the Knights-Companions there should not be any difference either in Ceremony or Habit.’

Hereupon the aforesaid Tenure ceased to be used upon the fixing of the Garter, and one Form remained at the Investiture of Strangers and Knights-Subjects, which is pronounced by the Chancellor, if the Sovereign or his Lieutenant be present, otherwise by the Register.

“To the Laud and Honour of Almighty God, his immaculate Mother, and St. _George_ the holy Martyr, tye or gird your Leg with this noble Garter, wearing it to the increase of your Honour, and in Token and Remembrance of this most noble Order; remembring that thereby you being admonished and encouraged, in all just Battels and Wars, which only you shall take in Hand, both strongly to fight, valiantly to stand, and honourably to have Victory.”

But against the Investiture of K. _Charles_ II. the Words of the Signification being better weighed and considered, were thus methodized:

“To the Honour of God Omnipotent, and in Memorial of the blessed Martyr St. _George_, tye about thy Leg, for thy Renown, this noble Garter; wear it as the Symbol of the most illustrious Order, never to be forgotten or laid aside; that thereby thou may’st be admonished to be couragious; and having undertaken a just War, into which only thou shalt be engaged, thou may’st stand Firm, valiantly Fight, and successfully Conquer.”

The Princely Garter being thus buckled on, and the Words of the Signification pronounced, the Elect Knight is brought before the Sovereign, who puts about his Neck the _George_, pendant at a Sky-colour’d Ribband, at which part of the Ceremony, the Admonition used at the adorning of an installed Knight with the Collar of the Order, (only changing the Word Collar for Ribband) is pronounced; but were alter’d upon the Occasion assign’d before.

“Wear this Ribband about thy Neck, adorn’d with the Image of the blessed Martyr, and Soldier of Christ, St. _George_; by whose Imitation provok’d, thou may’st so overpass both prosperous and adverse Adventures, that having stoutly vanquished thy Enemies, both of Body and Soul, thou may’st not only receive the Praise of this transient Combat, but be crown’d with the Palm of eternal Victory.”

Greater Respect is conferr’d upon foreign Princes, who receive their Election here, than abroad; because the Sovereign most usually performs the Investiture himself; as was solemniz’d upon _Philip_, King of _Castile_, when the Sovereign took the Garter from the King at Arms, and fixed it on his Leg, and Prince _Henry_ fasten’d the Buckle.

Queen _Elizabeth_ her self buckled the Garter about the Leg of _John Casimier_, Count Palatine of the _Rhine_, and hung about his Neck a Gold Chain with the _George_ at it. And the like Honour did King _James_ I. confer upon the Duke of _Holstein_, in the 3d Year of his Reign.

Sometimes it happens, tho’ very rarely, for the Sovereign, out of his special Grace and Favour, to condescend to Honour a Knight-Subject this way; tho’, when Queen _Elizabeth_ was pleased to adorn the Lord _Burleigh_ with the Garter, the _Annals_ record it to be done as it were _by the by_. The same Favours she bestow’d, tho’ at different times, upon _Henry_, Earl of _Sussex_, and the Earl of _Shrewsbury_. King _James_ I. invested _Henry_, Earl of _Northampton_, with the principal Ensigns of the Order, as a Person worthy of so great an Honour: And the _Blessed Martyr_ placed both the _Garter_ and the _George_, with his own Hands, upon King _Charles_ II.

Sometimes the Sovereign hath but performed part of the Investiture, and laid his Commands on the senior Knight to do the rest. Thus, _Anno_ 13 _Henry_ VIII. the Sovereign reached out the Garter to the Marquis of _Dorset_, and commanded him to buckle it about the Leg of the Earl of _Devonshire_; which, whilst he was about, the Duke of _Norfolk_ gave him his Assistance, and the Sovereign put on the Gold Chain. At the Investiture of _Christian_, Duke of _Brunswick_, _Anno_ 22 _Jac._ I. the Sovereign put about his Neck the Blue Ribband, whereat hung the Effigies of St. _George_; and the Earls, who introduc’d him to the Sovereign’s Presence, buckled on the Garter. Thus did the Sovereign to _William_, Earl of _Northampton_, _Anno_ 4 _Car._ I. and the Earl of _Pembroke_ fasten’d the Garter about his left Leg.

This Order of Investiture began to be inverted _Anno_ 22 _Jac._ I. the _George_ and the Ribband being first put on, and the Garter last. And so was it performed when the Prince of _Denmark_, Dukes of _Monmouth_, _Cambridge_, and _Albemarle_, received their Investiture in the Reign of King _Charles_ II. The Garter, as it was the first, so is the principal and most worthy Ensign of the Order; and, in the Practice of all former Times, had always the Preference given to it. The Investiture with these two Ensigns, hath generally been performed by the two senior Knights, at the Command of the Sovereign; but always in his Presence, the Chapter sitting; but if absent, then by his Lieutenant. For, in 31 _Eliz._ the Lord _Buckhurst_ being elected at _Whitehall_, and coming to Court wholly ignorant of the Affair, and after the Sovereign was risen, (yet leaving the Chapter sitting) her Lieutenant invested him both with the _Garter_ and _George_. After the Solemnity is compleated, the elect Knight renders most humble Thanks to the Sovereign, and with due Respects salutes the Knights-Companions, who re-salute the elect Knight, and joyfully receive him into their Society. If two or more elect Knights receive this Investiture at one time, as soon as the Senior is invested, and his humble Thanks presented, he moves downwards towards the Chapter-House Door, and there stands till the next Junior Knight is invested; and if there be more, so on until the Chapter break up.

§ 4. Where a Knight-Subject, at the time of his Election, is far distant from Court, or beyond Sea, and the Sovereign determines to send him the Two principal Ensigns of the Order, the Charge of this Employ does of right belong to the _Garter_. For the Proof of which there are divers Precedents.

The Letters heretofore sent from the Sovereign, along with the Ensigns of the Order, to the elect Knights, have, for the most part, been drawn after the Form of those that certify the Election, and differs only in the last Clause, which requires the elect Knight to repair to the Sovereign: The difference lay not in the Body, but in the Direction of the Letter, which was always worded according to the Quality of the Person to whom it was sent. As to a Knight-Batchelor, the Direction was, _To our trusty and well-beloved_; and to an Earl, _Right trusty, and right well-beloved Cousin_; to a Duke, _Right trusty, and right entirely beloved Cousin_, &c.

The Forms of those Letters, sent upon like Occasions to Knights-Subjects, when King _Charles_ II. was beyond Sea, were penn’d after another Model, and contained other additional particular Clauses; as, 1. Power to wear the _Star_ of Silver about St. _George_’s Cross; 2. The Great Collar of the Order; and, 3. To style themselves _Knights, and Companions of the Order of the Garter_, in as ample a Manner, as if they had been installed at _Windsor_; with an Assurance of receiving the whole Habit there, when the Sovereign was restored to the Possession thereof.