Part 28

Over and above these, there is a Warrant and Scheme prepared for the Sovereign to Sign, wherein is described the Order of the Stalls of _Windsor_, as he wou’d have them stand at the ensuing Election; by the Virtue of which, the Garter is impowered to shift or remove the Plates and Atchievements of the present Knights-Companions, so that room may be made for the elect Knight, or Knights, and to fix the new Plates and Atchievements within, and over the Stalls, in such order as they are rank’d in the Scheme. As soon as the Sovereign’s Pleasure is known concerning an Installation, Garter brings to the Chancellor of the Order, the Names of the present Knights-Companions, placed in the order they then fit in their Stalls, to the intent he may present them to the Sovereign; who, upon observing the series wherein they stand already, he may easier determine how to alter and place both them, and the new elect Knights. _Anno_ 27 _Elizabeth_, the Office of the Garter being Vacant, this employ was put upon the Clarenceux, and the Sovereign’s Warrant for removal and placing of Plates and Atchievements, was delivered to him, five Days before the Installation of the Earl of _Rutland_, the Lords _Cobham_ and _Scroop_, who thereupon fixed them according to the direction given; upon what Ground this alteration and removal came to be made, and continues still in Vogue, though it was otherwise at the Institution of the Order, wherein we must have recourse to the Statutes, and the antique Practice grounded upon them: Among the Statutes, those of the Institution did ordain, That if any Earl, Baron, or Knight-Batchellor, shou’d depart this Life, he that succeeded in his Place, of what Condition or State soever, shou’d possess the same Stall which his Predecessor held before, without changing: So that it might happen for an Earl, or a Duke, to succeed a Knight, and, _vice versa_, it was thus at first constituted by _Edward_ III. _that it might be known who were the first Founders of this most Noble Order_.

Now how punctually this Article of the Statutes hath been observed, that none Chosen along time after the Institution of the Order, shou’d interrupt or change this course, we shall demonstrate, conceiving it very material to eye those Tables, yet preserved in the Chapter-House in _Windsor_, wherein are collected the Names of all those Knights-Companions who succeeded one another in each Stall, until the beginning of _Henry_ VII’s Reign.

From which Series of Succession, we shall remark how exactly the Law in this Point hath been observed, even to King _Henry_ VIII’s Reign, when it received some alteration in this Point. For we find in the Annals several Knights designed for the Stall of their immediate Predecessors, by the Honour only of Election, although prevented of Installation by Death, or other accidents; and the Statutes do not only bind him who shall chance to attain the Honour of Installation, _but him who shall succeed or come after the Defunct Knight_. First therefore we shall Instance in Foreign Kings, among whom we find _Ericus_ King of _Denmark_, to have received _Installation_ in _Henry_ V’s Reign, not according to the State and Dignity of a King, but into the Stall of that Knight-Companion whom he succeeded, _viz._ the Duke of _Bavaria_. _John_ the first King of _Portugal_, a Knight and Companion, likewise in _Henry_ V’s Time, was installed in the second Stall on the Sovereign’s Side, which belong’d to _Henry_ Duke of _Lancaster_, his first Predecessor: And to this King did succeed, in the same Stall, his Son _Edward_ King of _Portugal_, _Anno_ 13 _Henry_ VI. to whose Successor _Humphry_, _Anno_ 34, and _Casimir_ King of _Poland_ were elected, _Anno_ 28 _Henry_ VI. into the sixth Stall on the Prince’s side, at that Time vacant by the Death of the Duke _Conimbero_, whose first Founder was Sir _John Mohun_. _Alphonsus_ King of _Arragon_ and _Naples_, _Anno_ 38 _Henry_ VI. was elected into the Stall of _Don Altro Vasques Dalmedea Count d’Averence_, being the seventh on the Sovereign’s side, Sir _Hugh Courtney_ first possessing it. _Ferdinand_ King of _Naples_ and _Sicily_, elected _Anno_ 3 _Edward_ IV. was installed on the third on the Prince’s side, _Ralph_ Earl of _Stafford_ having been first installed therein. And lastly, we find _Alphonsus_ King of _Sicily_ and _Jerusalem_, being elected by _Henry_ VII. received his Installation on the Prince’s side, whose Predecessor was _Thomas Beauchamp_ Earl of _Warwick_.

In the second Place, if we descend to Foreign Princes, it is remarkable, that _William_ Duke of _Gueldres_, elected by _Richard_ II. was installed in that which Sir _John Beauchamp_ possessed, and _William_ Earl of _Holland_, _Haynalt_, and _Zealand_, in that which appertained to Sir _John Chandos_. _Philip_ Duke of _Burgundy_, in the Time of _Henry_ V. into the Stall of Sir _John Clifford_. And _Anno_ 28 _Henry_ VI. _Henry_ Duke of _Brunswick_ was elected into the Duke of _Suffolk_’s Stall.

And as the Statute was carefully observed, with reference to the Election and Installation of Foreign Princes, so no less in relation to the Princes of the Blood at Home; among whom let us observe, in the third Place, the ranking the Sons of the Founder of this most Noble Order; where we see _Lyonel_ Duke of _Clarence_ his third Son, to have been installed in the sixth Stall on the Sovereign’s side, whose immediate Predecessor was Sir _John Beauchamp_: In like manner _John_ of _Gaunt_, Duke of _Lancaster_, his fourth Son was installed in the seventh Stall on the Prince’s side, having Sir _Thomas Holland_ for his Predecessor and a Founder: His fifth Son _Edmund Langley_, Duke of _York_, possess’d the Stall Sir _Hugh Courtney_ did before: And the sixth Son, _Thomas Woodstock_, Duke of _Gloucester_, enjoy’d the Stall Sir _John Grey_ did before: This Rule was likewise observed strictly in relation to the Sons of King _Henry_ VII.

If we review the aforesaid Tables, we shall find, that as the Knights-Companions of higher Dignity assumed the Stalls, (when they became vacant) though often of the lower sort, so some of the inferior rank among them have had the Honour to be installed in Seats of a superior Class, and this by the virtue and due of the Law.

Amongst these Knights-Companions we shall enumerate Sir _Philip la Vache_, a _Gascon_, who, in the Reign of King _Richard_ II. was first installed in the Prince’s Stall, (being vacant by the Death of _John_ of _Gaunt_,) though afterwards removed to the third Stall on the Sovereign’s side. Sir _Nicholas Sarnesfield_, Standard-bearer to the Founder, who succeeded _Hugh_ Earl of _Stafford_, and after him Sir _William Arundel_, immediate Successor to Sir _Nicholas_, were both installed in the second Stall on the Sovereign’s side: As likewise Sir _John Robsart_, Sir _Gilbert Talbot_, and Sir _John Grey_, _&c._ were installed in the second or third Stalls on the Sovereign’s side.

These Instances already asserted, are sufficient to manifest the Usage and Practice, how the Knights-Companions have succeeded in the Stalls of their immediate Predecessors, down to the Reign of _Henry_ VIII. and was consonant and agreeable to the ancient Law of the Order.

But we are to observe, that tho’ each Knight was, by the before-mentioned Article, constituted to succeed his immediate Predecessor, in the Stall void by his Death, yet there’s an exception as to that of the Prince of _Wales_. This Stall is the first on the left Hand, at the entrance into the Choir of St. _George_’s _Chappel_ at _Windsor_, and wherein _Edward_ the Black Prince was installed; from this Stall does the whole range of Stalls on the same side take their Denomination, and to which the Prince of _Wales_, as soon as he is elected into the Order, hath a due Title. Though this Stall _de Jure_ appertains to that Prince, yet heretofore, when the Sovereign had no Heir, then was it for the present disposed to some other Knight, otherwise a defect in the full Number of Knights-Companions would have ensued.

The first that obtained that Honour, (besides the Prince of _Wales_,) was _John_ of _Gaunt_, Duke of _Lancaster_, decreed him by K. _Richard_ II. who never had Issue, and removed from the seventh Stall thither. But the first Companion that happened to be installed in it, was Sir _Philip la Vache_ just mentioned, which was a great Honour done to one of his Rank: But it fell to him by the then Law of the Order, being elected into the Room of the said Duke, who died possessed of it. But King _Henry_ IV. coming to the Crown, and his eldest Son being created Prince of _Wales_, laid claim to the Stall by Virtue of that Statute, and had it assigned to him. Nevertheless, that the former Possessor might suffer as little diminution as might be in the Honour of his Session, he was removed no lower than to the Stall which King _Henry_ IV. lately held, when he was Earl of _Derby_.

Upon the Death of _Henry_ IV. _Henry_ V. being Sovereign, Sir _John Dabrichcourt_ supplyed the vacancy, and was installed therein; and he dying in the fifth Year of that King possess’d thereof, his Plate continues in that Stall to this Day, and the Emperor _Sigismond_ succeeds Sir _John Dabrichcourt_ in the Prince’s Stall.

Some few Years before King _Henry_ VI. died, he had a Son Born; and though the Emperor _Frederick_ was elected into the Order, _Anno_ 35 _Henry_ VI. yet was that Stall reserved for the Prince, (though he never possess’d it) and the Emperor 37 _Henry_ VI. was installed by Proxy in the Duke of _Somerset_’s Stall, then lately deceased.

In _Edward_ IV’s Reign, the right of this Stall returned again to _Edward_ his Son, the Prince of _Wales_, and in _Henry_ VII’s, to Prince _Arthur_, but upon his Death, to _Maximilian_, Son of _Frederick_ King of the _Romans_, and after Emperor, enjoyed it. So did the Emperor _Charles_ V. (his Grandchild,) in regard there was no Son as yet Born to the Sovereign.

But Prince _Edward_ being Born, while the Stall was possessed by _Charles_ V. it chanc’d likewise that the King of the _Scots_ died, which caus’d King _Henry_ VIII. to reserve his Stall for that Prince, although he never had Possession of it, or was elected into the Order, though we find him once registred in a Scrutiny. King _Henry_ VIII. dying, Prince _Edward_ became, both by Inheritance and Succession, Sovereign of this most Noble Order.

From this Time, to the eighth Year of King _James_ I. there was no Prince of _Wales_, who finding the Prince’s Stall vacant, at his entrance upon the English Throne, did in a Chapter in the first Year of his Reign, advance the French King _Henry_ IV. from the second Stall on the Sovereign’s side, into it; and appointed Prince _Henry_ to be installed in that King’s void Seat, where he continued till _Anno_ 3 _Jac._ I. that _Christierne_ IV. King of _Denmark_, came to be installed by Proxy, and the Prince was moved lower to make way for him, though he was Senior both by Election and Installation. _Anno_ 9 _Jac._ I. upon the Death of the French King, not the Prince, whose Right it was, since he was created Prince of _Wales_, but the said King of _Denmark_, was translated to the vacant Stall; and hereupon Prince _Henry_ was returned again to the second Stall on the Sovereign’s side, which he enjoyed as long as he survived, and upon his Death, Prince _Charles_ was removed into it, and there remained all King _James_’s Reign.

When King _Charles_ II. came to be installed, the Sovereign finding him prevented from assuming the Prince’s Stall, the King of _Denmark_ being yet alive, assigned to him the second Stall on the Sovereign’s side, (wherein himself sat whilst Prince of _Wales_,) and where hitherto his Plate remains as a fixed Memorial of his Installation therein.

Although it has been made apparent, that the _Knights-Companions_, at their Election or Installation, succeeded the immediate _defunct Knight_ in his Stall, yet we may observe, that sometimes after Installation, as an especial signal of Favour and Indulgence, the Sovereign hath been pleased, though very rarely, to advance a _Knight-Companion_ to a higher Stall than that wherein he was first placed; and though there be no such Permission granted by the Law of the Order, yet we find _John_ of _Gaunt_, Duke of _Lancaster_, removed from the seventh Stall on the Prince’s side, to the Prince’s Stall it self, and it’s said to be done by the Decree of the Sovereign and the _Knights-Companions_. And no doubt but as this was done by so good Authority, and so upon no less enducements to the Sovereign, and the whole Society. We shall here mention a few of these extraordinary Cases. _William Henalt_, Earl of _Ostervant_, was advanced by King _Richard_ II. from the eleventh Stall on the Sovereign’s side, to the Duke of _Britain_’s, being the second on the Prince’s side. _Humphry_ Duke of _Gloucester_, in the Reign of King _Henry_ VI. was removed from the eleventh Stall on the Sovereign’s side, to the second on the same side; and _Richard Nevil_, Earl of _Warwick_, by the Consent of the _Knights-Companions_ in Chapter, _Anno_ 39 _Henry_ VI. was translated to the Duke of _Buckingham_’s Stall; the Lord _Bonvil_, to the Lord _Scales_’s Seat; Sir _Thomas Kyriell_, to the Place of the Earl of _Shrewsbury_; and the Lord _Wenlock_, to the Stall of Viscount _Beaumont_. But King _Henry_ VIII. thinking it requisite for the Sovereign of this most Noble Order, to be impowered by a General, how to Act that at Pleasure, which the former Sovereigns did not, but by the Power of particular Acts, or Orders, in the Chapter; after he had confirmed the ancient Law of succeeding in the Stall of the immediate Predecessor, and not to suffer an alteration without the Sovereign’s Licence, in the next Article he established this Privilege upon Himself and Successors: _That if there were any Place or Stall void, the Sovereign, at his own Pleasure, might Advance and Translate any Knight of the Society into the void Stall, so that it were higher than that, wherein he sate before_.

This in Effect did vacat the ancient Law of succeeding in Stalls, though at the same Time he seem’d to Confirm it to the _Knights-Subjects_, for afterwards Translations preceeding to Installations, became so frequent, that the Right an _elect Knight_ had to his Predecessor’s Stall, was seldom enjoyed. However, hereby he confirmed a Power to gratify such of the _Knights-Companions_, as he shou’d think fit to advance, without having recourse to a Chapter; and from hence began the Custom to Issue out Warrants, under the Sovereign’s _Sign Manual_, for the Translation of Stalls, and consequently the alteration and removal of such of the _Knights-Companions Helms_, _Crests_, _Banners_, and _Plates_, who shou’d receive a higher Exaltation.

Besides the Power established upon the Sovereigns of this most Noble Order, of translating Stalls, when a vacancy happened, they farther added this larger Prerogative: That the Sovereign, 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 shou’d keep their Stalls and Places, 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 Sovereign’s Prerogative, as far as we can find, was never put in Execution, though the Translation, _Anno_ 27 _Henry_ VIII. border’d something upon it, perhaps lest it might raise too great Feuds among the _Knights-Subjects_; forasmuch as that of translating only, (when there happened a vacancy,) begot great Emulations, which at length introduced a Change, to which we shall pass, after we have taken notice of a Clause added in the twenty second Article of King _Henry_ VIII’s Statutes, relating to Princes.

It is observable the ancient Law of succeeding in Stalls, in relation to them, was wholly altered. For King _Henry_ VIII. 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 Sovereign, tho’ _Knights-Subjects_, upon vacancy, become removable at Pleasure.

For this reason, the Emperor _Maximilian_ II. and after him _Rudolph_ II. his Son, had the Prince’s Stalls assigned them after their Election into the Order; and several of the Kings of _France_ were placed in the next below, being the second on the Sovereign’s side. And when there chanced to be more than one King at a time in the Order, the second Stall on the Prince’s side was assigned him; for Precedency was measured now by Dignity and State, and not by the Antiquity of the Order; As appears from the King of _Bohemia_, _Anno_ 19 _Henry_ VIII. and the King of _Spain_, _Anno_ 8 _Elizabeth_, Princes Strangers, according to their regality, and illustrious extraction, had their Scituation next to Kings, as is manifest from the Dukes of _Savoy_, _Montmorency_, and _Holstein_, _Anno_ 3 _Elizabeth_, and _Frederick_ Prince _Palatine_, and _Maurice_ Prince of _Orange_, _Anno_ 11 _Jac._ I.

But notwithstanding these Assignments of Stalls to Strangers, they were nevertheless subject to removal, sometimes to Stalls higher than their own, upon the Death of a Stranger, who died possessed of a superior one; and sometimes again to others lower, for the advancing a Knight of greater Degree and Distinction, where the upper Stalls were already supplied; else they could not be so ranked, according to their respective Quality, as the Statutes enjoyn; nor indeed wou’d any Stranger King have accepted of an Election, unless he was placed in a distinguishable Stall, suitable to his Dignity. _Ferdinand_, Emperor of _Germany_, is an instance of Advancement in translation of Stalls; for after the Death of the Emperor _Charles_ V. his Brother, he was advanced from the second Stall on the Prince’s side, into the Prince’s Stall. And _Henry_ IV. of _France_, from the second on the Sovereign’s side, to the Prince’s Stall, and _Christierne_ IV. King of _Denmark_, _Anno_ 9 _Jac._ I.

Among Princes Strangers, we find _Emanuel_ Duke of _Savoy_, advanced from the third on the Prince’s side, to the second on the same side, _Anno_ 2 _Elizabeth_; and _Frederick_ Prince Palatine, _Anno_ 1 _Charles_ I. was advanced from the second of the Prince’s, to the second on the side of the Sovereign; likewise _Henry Frederick_, Prince of _Orange_; was advanced from the third of the Sovereign’s, to the second of the Prince’s, upon the Death of the King of _Sweden_, _Anno_ 10 _Charles_ I.

When the _French_ King _Charles_ IX. was elected, _Anno_ 6 _Elizabeth_, the superior Stalls were already filled with Strangers, and there was no Expedient left to give him the Stall the Sovereign design’d him, but by the removal of some of those _Knights-Strangers_ lower; and upon this, _Emanuel_ Duke of _Savoy_ was displaced to the third on the Sovereign’s side.

But the _French_ King was not installed, until the 16th of _January_, _Anno_ 8 _Elizabeth_, and before that it was concluded to remove the King of _Spain_ to the Duke of _Savoy_’s Stall, as void before, and to instal the _French_ King in the King of _Spain_’s, which was accordingly done; so that upon this occasion, there were four Strangers, and five _Knights-Subjects_, removed lower, to make way for the _French_ King.

The 20th of _April_, _Anno_ 2 _Jac._ I. The Duke of _Wirtemberg_ was installed in the third Stall on the Prince’s side, and the Year following advanced to a higher.

The 26th of _May_ ensuing, _Ulerick_ Duke _Holst_, had assigned unto him that Stall from which the Duke of _Wirtemberg_ was advanced: But against the Installation of _Christierne_, the fourth King of _Denmark_, the Duke was removed back to his Seat, wherein he was installed, and the Duke advanced into the vacant one. All which will appear more conspicuous, from the appointment of Stalls on these Occasions, which follow.

A remove of _Banners_ and _Plates_, at the Installation of _Frederick_ Duke of _Wirtemberg_, _Anno Jac._ I. _Reg._ 2.

_JAMES Rex._

1. _The Sovereign_ 1. _The_ French _King_ 2. _The Prince_ 2. _Void_ 3. _Earl of_ Nottingham 3. _Duke of_ Wirtemberg 4. _Earl of_ Ormond 4. _Earl of_ Dorset 5. _Earl of_ Shrewsbury 5. _Earl of_ Cumberland 6. _Earl of_ Northumber. 6. _Earl of_ Worcester 7. _Lord_ Sheffeild 7. _Earl of_ Suffolk 8. _Earl of_ Devonshire 8. _Sir_ Henry Lea 9. _Earl of_ Sussex 9. _Lord_ Scroop 10. _Earl of_ Derby 10. _Lord_ Burleigh 11. _Duke of_ Lenox 11. _Earl of_ Southampton 12. _Earl of_ Marr 12. _Earl of_ Pembrook 13. _Void_ 13. _Void_

The Order of Stalls at the Feast of St. _George_, _Anno Jac._ I. _Reg._ 3.

_JAMES Rex._

1. _The Sovereign_ 1. _The_ French _King_ 2. _The Prince_ 2. _Void_ 3. _Duke of_ Wirtemberg 3. _Earl of_ Nottingham 4. _Earl of_ Ormond 4. _Earl of_ Dorset 5. _Earl of_ Shrewsbury 5. _Earl of_ Cumberland 6. _Earl of_ Northumber. 6. _Earl of_ Worcester 7. _Lord_ Sheffeild 7. _Earl of_ Suffolk 8. _Earl of_ Devonshire 8. _Sir_ Henry Lea 9. _Earl of_ Sussex 9. _Lord_ Scroop 10. _Earl of_ Derby 10. _Lord_ Burleigh 11. _Duke of_ Lenox 11. _Earl of_ Southampton 12. _Earl of_ Marr 12. _Earl of_ Pembrook 13. _Void_ 13. _Void_

A remove of _Banners_ and _Plates_, at the Installation of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, the 8th of _September_, _Anno Jac._ I. _Reg._ 3.

_JAMES Rex._

1. _The Sovereign_ 1. _The_ French _King_ 2. _The King of_ Denmark 2. _The Prince_ 3. _Duke of_ Holst 3. _Duke of_ Wirtemberg 4. _Earl of_ Nottingham 4. _Earl of_ Ormond 5. _Earl of_ Dorset 5. _Earl of_ Shrewsbury 6. _Earl of_ Cumberland 6. _Earl of_ Northumber. 7. _Earl of_ Worcester 7. _Lord_ Sheffeild 8. _Earl of_ Suffolk 8. _Earl of_ Devonshire 9. _Sir_ Henry Lea 9. _Earl of_ Sussex 10. _Lord_ Scroop 10. _Earl of_ Derby 11. _Earl of_ Exeter 11. _Duke of_ Lenox 12. _Earl of_ Southampton 12. _Earl of_ Marr 13. _Earl of_ Pembrook 13. _Earl of_ Northampton

In this last Scheme, we find Prince _Henry_ removed from the second on the Sovereign’s, to the second on the Prince’s side, to make room for the King of _Denmark_. And tho’ the Duke _Chevereux_, _Anno_ 3 _Charles_ I. was advanced from the third Stall on the Sovereign’s side, to the second on the Prince’s side, that became vacant by the Death of the Duke of _Brunswick_; yet the Year after, upon the admission of _Gustavus Adolphus_, King of _Sweden_, he was removed two Stalls lower, and the Prince Elector Palatine one.