Part 30

And because a single Coat was not conceived to stand fair enough in a Banner of this proportion, the Sovereign hath been pleased to grant a new Coat, to bear in Quarters his Paternal one, if he wanted it; as King _James_ I. did to _Robert Carr_, Viscount _Rochester_; to whose Paternal Coat he first added a Lion Passant, Gardant Or, in the dexter Part, as an especial Gift of his Favour, and then invented a new Coat, to be born in Quarter therewith, _viz._ Quarterly Or and Gules, a Lyon Rampant Sable over all, _June_ 8. _Anno_ 9 _Jac._ I.

These Banners of Arms are fixed to the End of long Staves, painted in Oil, formerly of the Colour of the Wreaths, but now Red; their Ends are put into Sockets of Iron, well fixed in the Wall, directly over the _Knights-Companions_ Helms and Crests, and frequently lined with Fustian to preserve them.

There is moreover to be provided a Copper Plate Gilt, whereupon are engraved, the Escutcheon of the Knights elect Arms in Colours Enamilled, with his Quartering, Helm, Crest, and Supporters, and underneath, his Style and Titles of Honour, encircled with a Garter. Which Plate the Garter usually takes Care to provide, and is to be fixed on the back of the Knights Stall, assigned for his Installation.

A Velvet Cushion is likewise to be provided, to carry the Knight’s elect Mantle, Collar, Hood, and Book of Statutes, before him, in the Progress into the Choire, in order to his Installation. At the Installation of the Lord Treasurer _Weston_, and the Earls of _Exeter_ and _Lindsey_, who were installed, _Anno_ 6 _Car._ I. the materials and garnishing of these Cushions are recited severally, to contain one Yard and a Half of Crimson Velvet, one Ell of rich Taffety for their Lining, four Yards of Fringe, and four great Tossels.

Lastly, There have frequently been made ready a convenient Number of Lodging Escutcheons of the elect Knights Arms, invironed with a Garter, and his Stile and Titles placed underneath; it having been an ancient Custom, for the Knights to distribute these Escutcheons at the Inns, in their Passage to, and at _Windsor_, as a Memorial of their Installation.

What falls under the Care of the Garter to prepare and make ready, the Expence sometimes has been cast up, and the Account stated and defraid before-hand; by which means, he was in a better capacity to furnish out the Ceremony, for so did the Earls of _Shrewsbury_ and _Cumberland_, _Anno_ 34 _Eliz._

Besides these mentioned to be prepared and provided either by the Chancellor of the Order, or the Garter, the Knight elect must take care of other Affairs more particularly relating to himself and his retinue; such as are Apparel, the Number of his Attendants and Servants, with their Cloaths and Liveries, his Coach and Saddle Horses, both for himself and them, with other material Circumstances, to set off his Cavalcade and Proceeding with greater Pomp and Gallantry. The Provisions for Dyet at _Windsor_ (if the Feast be kept at the elect Knight’s Charge and Expence,) are to be considered of, and very often some Clark of the Sovereign’s Kitchin is to be consulted, in the management of that Affair.

The Hall or Room where the grand Dinner is to be kept, as well as the Chapter-House and Chappel, ought chiefly to be decked and adorned with rich and sumptuous Furniture, against this Solemnity, over and above what is commonly used. The Hall or Dining-Room is to be set off with rich Hangings; and if the Sovereign or his Lieutenant hold the Feast, there must be placed a Cloth of State at the upper End of it. The Chapter-House is also to be hung, and a rich Carpet spread upon the Table, set about with Velvet Chairs and Cushions; and because in the late Times of Rebellion and Plunder, this Place was not exempt, and nothing was found there upon the Restauration; King _Charles_ II. in a Chapter convened the 1st of _January_, _Anno_ 14th of his Reign, caused Directions to be given to the Master of the Wardrobe, to provide Velvet for Chairs, to furnish the Chapter-House, and Cushions to be used in the Choir of St. _George_’s _Chappel_, which accordingly were prepared against the following Feast.

Against the Installation of _Philip_, King of _Castile_ and _Leon_, _Anno_ 22 _Henry_ VII. The Table in the Chapter-House was covered with Cloth of Gold, and the Forms with Baudkin; before the Sovereign was laid a Cushion of Cloth of Gold, whereupon a Crucifix lay, and the Evangelist turned open to a place of the Cannon, with several Tapers burning on either Side. At the upper End of the Table, towards the Right Hand, was set a Chair for the Sovereign, under a golden Canopy, with Cushions of Cloth of Gold, and on the Left Hand a Stool with like Embellishments, for the King of _Castile_.

In St. _George_’s _Chappel_, the High Altar is to be richly adorned with Plate, the Sovereign’s Stall with a Canopy, and other usual Ornaments, and the Stalls of the _Knights-Companions_ present at the Ceremony, with Velvet Cushions. As to the Furnishing of other Places in the Castle of _Windsor_, on so solemn an Occasion, we shall relate the Account of the Ceremony of the Installation of the King of _Leon_ and _Castile_, just now mentioned. The Words are these:

#To wit of the gret rich Cobbord, which continually stode in the gret Hall, which was all guilt Plate, or of the gret and rich Beds of Estate, Hangings of rich Cloth of Gold, or of the rich and sumptuous Clothes of Arras, with divers Clothes of Estate, both in the King’s Loggings, and in the King of# Castile’s #Loggings, so many Chambers, Haulls, Chappels, Closettes, Galleries, with odir Loggings, so richly and very well appointed, with divers odir things, that I suffice or cannot discern, and as I suppose few or none that there were, that ever saw# Castell #or odir Loggings, in all things so well and richly appointed, and the great continual fare, open Houshold, so many Noble Men soo well appareilled and with soo short Warnying, heretofore, as I think hath not been seen.#

CAP. XII.

_The Personal Installation of a Knight-Subject._

§ 1. Formerly the Knights elect proceeded from _London_ to their Installation at _Windsor_, in the nature of a Solemn and stately Cavalcade, which was performed on Horse-back, with the greatest Grandeur, and exceeding Pomp, whether we refer to the great Number of their Honourable Friends, who, on gallant Coursers, rode along with them; or the multitude of their own Attendants well mounted, the magnificence of whose Apparel, Jewels, Gold Chains, rich Embroideries, and Plumes of Feathers, of their Lord’s Colours, struck Amazement, and even dazled the Eyes of the Spectators.

Equivalent to this Pompous Show was the Feast, which contained in it all manner of Stateliness and Plenty, as well of Provision, as other Incidents that might increase its Glory, in which the elect Knights, who kept it at their own Expence, strove not only to out-vie their Predecessor, but to Excel one another; That all Embassadors and Strangers esteemed it one of the goodliest and noblest Sights, that was to be exhibited in Christendom.

But to make the splendor of the Cavalcade no less conspicuous to the City of _London_, than to the Town and Castle of _Windsor_, the Knights elect have taken up their Lodgings, sometimes in the _Strand_, sometimes in _Salisbury-Court_, in _Holborn_, or within the City; and for intent they chose to pass through some Eminent Streets, that the People might the better Survey them, and receive the greater Satisfaction. To illustrate which Matter, we shall descend to some Particulars.

_Anno_ 34 _Eliz._ _Gilbert_, Earl of _Shrewsbury_, in order to his Cavalcade, was lodged in Mr. _Gresham_’s House, (now known by the Name of _Gresham-College_,) whence he Rode through the City, accompanied with many of his Honourable Friends, and a numerous and gallant Train of Attendants and Servants, to _Charing-Cross_, where he met _George_, Earl of _Cumberland_, (his Companion elect) and thence both Rode together towards _Windsor_; within a Mile or two of which Place, Garter King of Arms met them, and Marshalled their Attendants in Order; and then the elect Knights proceeded with their gallant Train through the Town into the Castle in this Order.

1. Trumpets, two and two. 2. Gentlemen in Blue Coats and Gold Chains. 3. Gentlemen of Note. 4. Garter. 5. Gentlemen Ushers. 6. The two elect Knights, Earl of _Ormond_, and Baron of _Effingham_; with their Footmen about them. 7. Noblemen, Knights, and Gentlemen of Quality. 8. All their Servants in the Rear.

Custom and Peace contributed to make the Cavalcades more glorious, during the Reigns of Queen _Elizabeth_, and King _James_ I. and especially that of _Robert_, Earl of _Salisbury_, and _Thomas_, Viscount _Bindon_, _May_ 21st, _Anno_ 4 _Jac._ I. who arrived at _Windsor_ honourably accompanied, with a great appearance of Nobility, Knights, and Gentlemen of Figure.

But the Fate of this Solemnity, much like that glorious Body of the Sun, (whose Lustre at such times it strove to outshine) had now and then its interpositions, and intermitting Clouds, at other times long Nights, and the Splendor and Glory thereof but struck the Sight now and then; when the Pleasure of the Sovereign grew auspicious, or the Honour of the Order became fixed upon more generous Spirits. But to speak impartially, there may grow an Excess in such Solemnities, even to Shame and Surfeit; and the best Cure to prescribe for it, is a long Abstinence. Nor was this Festival at all Times free from this Distemper, but then a quick Application of the Sovereign’s soon rectified it by taking away the Cause, and prohibiting Excess in their Attendants.

For this reason it was that King _James_ I. observing those Excesses the elect Knights run into upon this Occasion, and willing to cheque the growing Inconveniencies, at the Installation, of _Francis_, Earl of _Rutland_, Sir _George Villars_, Kt. (afterwards Duke of _Buckingham_) and the Viscount _Lisle_, _Anno_ 14 of his Reign, _forbid Livery Coats, for saving Charge, and avoiding Emulation_; and shortly after, in a Chapter at _White-Hall_, _Anno_ 16. with the Consent of the _Knights-Companions_ then assembled, to put some restraint upon the Number of Attendants, decreed, _That every of the Knights-Companions should have fifty Persons to attend him unto the Annual Solemnities of the Order, and no more_.

In the Installation of _William_, Earl of _Northampton_, _Anno_ 5 _Car._ I. we find this stinted Number encreased to fourscore, who began his Cavalcade to _Windsor_, from _Salisbury_ House in the _Strand_, and certainly wou’d have exhibited a more glorious Show, had not a continual Rain for three Days space impeded him. Nevertheless, that what he designed with so much Splendor and Gallantry might out-live the accident of foul Weather, the Order of it shall be inserted here.

_The Order of riding to the Installation of_ William, _Earl of_ Northampton, _20th of_ April, 1629.

1. Trumpets, whose Banners were of Damask, and had the Earls Arms, with his Crest and Supporters environed with a Garter.

2. The meanest of his Servants; as Grooms and Yeomen, in Blue Coats, two and two.

3. His Lordship’s other Servants, in Blue Coats; as Gentlemen, Esquires, and Knights, two and two.

4. Two Secretaries; Mr. _Ralph Goodwin_, and Mr. _Francis Merosse_.

5. Steward, Mr. _Cuthbert Ogle_.

6. Comptroller, Mr. _William Goodwyn_.

7. Two Pages.

8. His spare Horse, led by the Gentleman of his Horse.

9. His Chaplain to distribute his Alms.

10. Pursiuvants at Arms, two and two.

11. Gentleman Usher, Mr. _Walter Thomas_, Bareheaded.

12. The Senior Herald covered.

13. The Earls of _Berkshire_, _Northampton_, and _Salisbury_.

14. Noblemen in their Places, two and two.

15. Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen, which accompanied him.

16. The Commissioners Servants.

17. Other Noblemens, Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemens Servants.

_Henry_ Earl of _Danby_, and _William_ Earl of _Morton_, being to receive the Honour of Installation, _Anno_ 10 _Car._ I. disposed themselves for their more commodious Passage, and the Peoples View; one was at _Warwick House_ in _Holbourn_, and the other at _Dorset House_ in _Salisbury-court_, and made their Progression severally through the Streets to _Hyde-Park_, each having two Noblemen to support him, with their Footmen in rich Coats on either side them.

Their Gentlemen Ushers rode Bareheaded, and before them the Officers of Arms wearing their Coats, and their Servants in blue Coats and Cognizances, (as was the ancient Mode,) were all led on by Trumpets. The rest of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen followed after each Knight’s elect Troop, according to their Rank and Quality foremost. The Proceeding of the Earl of _Morton_, was Marshalled in this manner.

1. Trumpets, two and two. 2. Grooms in Coats, two and two. 3. Yeomen, two and two. 4. Gentlemen, two and two. 5. Secretaries. 6. Stewards. 7. Gentleman of the Horse. 8. Pages. 9. Four Officers of Arms. 10. Gentleman Usher bare. 11. _Lancaster_ Herald covered. 12. Earl _Morton_, supported between two chief Lords. 13. Foot-men on each side, in rich Coats. 14. Noblemen and Gentlemen, according to their Degrees.

At _Slough_, (two Miles on this side _Windsor_,) they all made a stand, and being again placed in Order, they proceeded to _Windsor Castle_, where, alighting in the lower Court, the Knights elect were conducted to their several Apartments.

The last Cavalcade this Age has beheld, was exhibited by _Algernoon_, Earl of _Northumberland_, _May_ 13. _Anno_ 11 _Car._ I. from _Dorset House_ in _Salisbury-court_, toward _Windsor_; nor was it the least in Pomp and Glory: Eight and forty Gentlemen preceeded, then came the Pages, being Earls Sons, _viz._

1. Mr. _William Herbert_, Mr. _John Herbert_, Mr. _Philip Cecil_, Mr. _Algernoon Sidney_. 2. Heralds at Arms, two and two. 3. Mr. _Blundeville_, Gentleman Usher, Bareheaded. 4. _Norroy_ King of Arms. 5. Marquiss of _Winchester_. 6. The Earls of _Northumberland_ and _Kent_.

And somewhat behind him, the rest of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen in order; they had Priority according to their Quality, Riding two and two, and the Coaches closing up the Troop.

There was a publick Cavalcade designed from _Somerset House_ in the _Strand_, to _Windsor Castle_, when King _Charles_ II. was to have been installed, which though it proved Abortive, yet ought not to be omitted, by reason of the Chancellor’s Letter to each _Knight-Companion_, to make Preparation to attend him thither.

_May it please your Lordship_,

“The King’s Majesty, Sovereign of this most Noble Order of the Garter, having determined to Create the Prince his Eldest Son Knight, and to propose him in Election, to be a Companion of his Order; for the better Conveniency of his Installation, hath prorogued, by a Commission under the Seal of his Order, given the 25th of _February_, now remaining in my Custody, the Celebration of the Feast of St. _George_, from the 22, 23, and 24 of _April_ next, whereon it shou’d have been Solemnized, unto the 21, 22, and 23 of _May_, immediately ensuing; and thereby given Command to all the _Knights-Companions_, and Officers of this Order, that they should attend his Royal Person, at his Palace of _White-Hall_, upon those Days appointed. In discharge of the Duty of my Place, and by special Order, I do signify unto your Lordship his Majesty’s Will, and that it is his Pleasure, for the more Honour of the Prince, and the Noble Feast of his Election and Installation, that your Lordship shou’d be attended with your Servants and Retinue, according to solemn Custom, and be prepared to Accompany his Higness, from _Somerset House_ in the _Strand_, unto the Castle of _Windsor_, upon the 18th of that Month, and assist at the Ceremony and Feast of his Installation, upon the Day following: Praying your Lordship that you would be pleased to take knowlege hereby, both of the Time and Place designed, and of the Sovereign’s Order, I humbly rest,”

_In all due Obedience,_

_and Observance,_

Thomas Rowe.

St. _Martin’s-lane_, _Feb._ 27. 1637.

When this Letter was issued out, the Sovereign intended to create the Prince Knight of the _Bath_, which Ceremonies were intended to begin at the old _Palace-yard_ in _Westminster_, upon the 21st Day of _May_, _Anno_ 13 _Car._ I. and to Solemnize the Feast of St. _George_, upon the 23d of the same Month at _White-Hall_, and to take the Scrutiny that Evening for his Election into this Order: The next Day was designed to invest him with the Garter and George, and the Day after to set forward the Cavalcade towards _Windsor_, wherein also the Knights of the _Bath_, (intended to be created with the Prince,) were to Ride with their Robes. But this Resolution being altered, stop’d the Progression of the Cavalcade, and in the room of a Knight of the _Bath_, he was created a _Knight-Batchellor_ at _Windsor_.

Formerly it was the manner for the Sovereign’s Lieutenant to Ride to _Windsor_, attended with a gallant and glittering Train, and no small Number of his own Gentlemen and Yeomen richly attired, and in every Punctilio fifty set out, as was seen in the Cavalcade of the Duke of _Norfolk_, Earl Marshal of _England_, and Lieutenant for the Sovereign, for St. _George_’s Feast, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ who had attending him twenty of his own Gentlemen and Yeomen, at the Time the Earls of _Northumberland_ and _Warwick_ were to be installed; but this was never put in Practice, but when the Sovereign appointed the Installation and the Feast of St. _George_ to be celebrated together.

The Lieutenant, and his Assistants, or sometimes the _Knights-Commissioners_, (if the Feast of St. _George_ be not then Solemnized,) being arrived in the Castle, immediately retire to their Lodgings, which for the most part have been prepared at the _Dean’s House_, whose Rooms are the fairest in the Castle, and the best fitted for Accommodation, next to those of the Sovereign’s in the upper Ward; and for the Knights elect, they were at all Times furnished with Lodgings in some of the Prebends Houses.

_The Offering in the Chappel, on the Eve of the Feast._

§ 2. If it so chanced that the Installation was performed by Commissioners, and the Cavalcade proceeded from _London_, in the Morning of the Day preceeding the Installation, and arrived at the Castle of _Windsor_ early that Afternoon; then the _Knights-Commissioners_ have been accustomed only to put on their Mantles, and enter St. _George_’s Chappel to offer; but without the Attendance of Heralds, or any solemn Procession into the Choir, save one of the Prebends; where having placed themselves in their Stalls with usual Reverences, and heard an Anthem, they passed up to the Altar with the Verger and Garter before them, and there made their Offering, both of Gold and Silver, according to the usual Custom. As soon as _Vespers_ were finished, after the same manner they descended from their Stalls, and departed to their Lodgings; and in this case the _Knights-Commissioners_ did not lay by their Mantles till Supper was ended.

In this nature was the Ceremony of Offering (on the Eve of the Installation) performed by the Lord Admiral and Earl of _Ormond_, Commissioners for the Installation of the Earl of _Shrewsbury_ and _Cumberland_, _Anno_ 34 _Eliz._ But at the Installation of the Earl of _Rutland_, and others, _Anno_ 26 _Eliz._ the Lord _Hunsdon_ (one of the Commissioners for that Solemnity,) refused to make his Offering alone, though he arrived timely enough, on the Eve of the Feast at _Windsor_ Castle, because he wanted the Company of Viscount _Mountague_, who was a joynt Commissioner with him, that arrived not till the Morning after.

This Offering of the _Knights-Commissioners_, coming to the Castle on the Eve of the Installation, is founded upon an Article of _Edward_ III. which runs to this Effect: _That if any of the_ Knights-Companions, _being upon a Journey, shou’d accidentally pass by_ Windsor-Castle, _he is to turn in thither, in Honour of the Place, and prepare himself to enter into the Chappel to Offer; first putting on his Mantle, without which he must never presume to enter into it_; but upon Emergencies, and allowable Causes, he is to be excused.

After the _Knight-Companion_ had entered the Castle, the Canons Resident were, by the aforesaid Article, appointed to meet and recieve him, and with due Reverence conduct him into the Choir. If it was at the Celebration of High Mass, the Knight was obliged to stay and hear it, in Honour of God and St. _George_; but if he arrived in the Afternoon, he was to stay till the Canons, and the rest of the Choir, had sung the Anthem _de Profundis_, which no sooner was ended, but he proceeded to the High Altar and Offered, and returned to his Stall with usual Reverences, and then departed.

But if the _Knight-Companion_ passed through the Town of _Windsor_, and neglected to Offer at the Chappel, as often as he omitted it, he was bound, upon his Obedience, to walk a Mile on Foot to the Chappel, in Honour of St. _George_, and upon defailure, to offer a Peny, which by King _Henry_ VIII’s Statutes is inlarged to a Groat. Upon the Explication of this Article, there arose a Dispute about the just Distance intended from the Castle; and that the Knights-Companions might be sensible of the breach of the Injunction, it was thought requisite by King _Henry_ VIII. to set down a certain Bound, which in his Statutes is declared to be two Miles; within which, if any of the _Knights-Companions_ come, and do not repair to the Chappel and Offer, he is liable to the Mulct before specified.

Upon Hunting, or other Pastimes the Forest afforded, they used to send their Offering in Money to the Canons, which being received, the Knights took it for a Dispensation of the Ceremony enjoined by the Statutes.

Endeavours were used to have this Article interpreted with greater Latitude, which so far took Effect, that at a Chapter called at _Windsor_ the 10th of _October_, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ I. it was ordered, that some Expedient might be found out, to save the Knights from the Breach of their Oath, if they came within the limited Distance of the Place, and passed thence without Offering. But no farther Progress being made in that Affair, the Law stands as it did.

_The Supper of the Eve._

§ 3. The Supper, after their arrival at _Windsor_, is but in the Nature of a private Meal, and prepared for the Lieutenant (or Commissioners) or Knights elect, most commonly at the Dean’s House. _Anno_ 26 _Eliz._ on the Eve of the Installation of the Earl of _Rutland_ and Lord _Cobham_, the Commissioners supped together with such Lords and Gentlemen of Figure as came along with them; and no Nobleman had above one Servant to attend him at the Table, and the rest provided for themselves at their proper Inns. Sometimes they have been permitted to Sup in some Appartments of the Sovereign’s Lodgings; for so it was at the Installation of the Lord _Russel_, and other elect Knights, _Anno_ 31 _Henry_ VIII. and likewise of the Earl of _Shrewsbury_, and Lord _Hunsdon_, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ the Lieutenant and Knights supped in the great Chamber there, in the same Regularity that was used at other Times. And in the 34th of Queen _Elizabeth_, when the Earls of _Shrewsbury_ and _Cumberland_ were installed, all the Lords and Gentlemen supped together at one long Table set in the Council Chamber.

_The Order in proceeding to the Chapter-House._