Part 34

And as there is, upon admission of an elect Knight, installed by Proxy, the same ground for removal of Stalls, as in personal Installations; so the Sovereign issues out Warrants to _Garter_, some time before the Solemnity, to remove the Atchievements and Plates, as usual, and place them in the Order such Warrants direct. Anciently the Stall for an elect Knight, was assigned in the Commission issued for Installation, as in the case of Sir _Henry Inghouse_, Proctor to Sir _John Falstaff_, 5 _Henry_ V.

The rest of the Particulars to be provided against the Day of Installation, are at the Knight’s own Charge, and are agreeable with those in Personal Installations.

_Proceeding to the Chapter-House._

§ 5. The next thing to be consider’d, is the Proxies Place in proceeding to the Chapter-House, and this is immediately after the Provincial _King of Arms_, because as yet he hath not taken Possession of his Principal’s Stall; which done, it gives him a Place in his return according to its Dignity. In this Order the Proctors of the Marquiss of _Newcastle_, and the Earl of _Bristol_, proceeded (Bare-headed,) 13 _Car._ II.

And though this be the Proctor’s usual Place in this Proceeding, yet Sir _Henry Sidney_, Proctor to the Earl of _Warwick_, 5 _Eliz._ proceeded immediately before the elect Knights; which is the only instance of that kind.

Lastly, the Proctor, as in the case of an elect Knight, passes into the East-Isle, behind the High-Altar, as soon as he comes within St. _George_’s _Chappel_, while the Sovereign, Lieutenant, or Commissioners, proceed into the Chapter-House, and there reposeth himself till he is sent for in; as in the case of the Marquiss of _Newcastle_ and Earl of _Bristol_ above: But if the Proxy pass not in the Proceeding, he then goes privately to his Place, before the Proceeding sets forward.

_Transactions in the Chapter-House._

§ 6. After the Chapter is opened, the first thing done, is for _Garter_ to present the Commission or Commissions, which he carried in the Proceeding thither, as well that for the Lieutenancy, (if a Lieutenant held the Feast,) as of Installation, for admitting a Proxy, the Order of which is observed before.

The Letters of Procuration, or Deputation, are next read, after which the Proxy is sent for into the Chapter-House by _Garter_, who conducts him to the Door, and there the Commissioners, or Assistants, or Knights-Companions, receive him. But 5 _Eliz._ Sir _Henry Sidney_ exhibited his Deputation, after he was called in: Or sometimes the Proxy produces his Deputation before the Proceeding to the Chapter-House, as Sir _George Howard_, Deputy to the Earl of _Bedford_, did, 6 _Eliz._ And in such case there is no need of admitting the Proxy into the Chapter-House, but that he may stay without, till the Sovereign, his Lieutenant, or Commissioners, are past into the Choir, and he sent for thither; at which time the _Mantle_ was wont to be laid on his right Arm at the Chapter-House Door, by the Knights-Companions appointed to introduce him.

Anciently, as soon as the Proxy was admitted into the Chapter-House, and the Letters of Procuration were read, the _Mantle_ of his Principal was usually laid on his right Arm by the Sovereign’s Lieutenant, or Commissioners, and part of it spread on the Proxies Shoulders, the Escutcheon of St. _George_ lying uppermost, and the Cordons laid fair to be seen; and in this manner he bore it in the Proceeding to the Stall, where he held it till Service was ended; but ’tis now ordered otherwise, as by the direction of King _Charles_ II. that the _Mantle_ should be born on the left Arm.

But 5 _Eliz._ the Earl of _Warwick_’s Proctor had the Mantle born before him into the Choir by _Garter_, in the same manner as is usual to Knights Personally installed; and not delivered him, till he had taken the Oath; and at the delivery thereof, the Words of Admonition were pronounced by the _Register_; as it was observed to the Proxies of the Marquiss of _Newcastle_, and the Earl of _Bristol_, 13 _Car._ II.

_Proceeding to the Choir._

§ 7. The Proxy proceeds from the Chapter-House Door, between the Sovereign’s Commissioners, _&c._ But touching the Order of this Proceeding, so much has already been said, that we shall give but one Instance, _Anno_ 6 _Elizabeth_.

1. Verger. 2. Alms-Knights. 3. Officers of Arms. 4. Officers of the Order. 5. Lord _Hunsdon_, Proctor to the Lord _Cobham_. 6. Earl of _Bedford_.

_Ceremonies performed in the Choir._

§ 8. The Proceeding having entered the Choir, the Commissioners, _&c._ conduct the Proxy into the lower Stall, directly under that designed for his Principal, where the _Register_ reads the Words of the Oath, while the Proxy, laying his Hand on the Book, repeats them after him, and Kisses the Book: And this Oath his Deputation impowers him to take, in the Name of his Principal; the Form of the Oath having no difference from the Oath taken Personally by an elect Knight.

The Oath being taken in this solemn manner, the Proctor is led up to the Stall of his Principal, where both the Knights, who conducted him into the Choir, first take the _Mantle_, and lay it on his Arm, next laying their Hands on him, in the Name of his Lord and Master, from whom he received his Deputation, set him down therein: And so the Ceremony of Installation being fully ended, the Service of the Church begins.

If the Installation be performed in the Morning, there is an Offering of Gold and Silver; at which time the Proxy in his turn comes from his Principal’s Stall, and stands before it, and when the Sovereign, or the Lieutenant for him, and for himself, or else the Commissioners, and the rest of the Knights-Companions present, have offered, then the Proxy (being joined to the Knight, sitting in the opposite Stall, if present at the Solemnity, and having two Officers of Arms before them,) proceeds to the High Altar, and there offers both Gold and Silver; and then returns, and takes his Stall as the rest do. In this manner the Earl of _Warwick_’s Proxy, joining with the Earl of _Northumberland_, installed at the same time, proceeded to the Offering, 5 _Eliz._ As likewise the Proctor to the Earl of _Bedford_, with the Lord _Hunsdon_, 6 _Eliz._

The Ceremony of the Offering being finished, the Service of the Church goes on, which being over, the Proceeding returns in the same Order it came to the _Chapter-House_, except, that now the Proxy takes his Place according to the Dignity of his Stall. But in regard the _Statutes_ expresly declare; That after the Proxy hath been admitted to his Principal’s Stall, he shall neither wear the _Mantle_, nor have any Voice in Chapter, nor enter there in the absence of him that sent him; so that it was the ancient Practice to take off the _Mantle_ from his Arm at the _Chapter-House_ Door, in his return from the Choir, and delivered to the _Verger_ of the Chappel, though sometimes to the _Sexton_, at other times to _Garter_, also to the _Black-Rod_, who hath taken it from off the Proxies Arm, and carried it into the Chapter-House; this done, the Proxy retires privately out of the Proceeding to his Lodging.

It appears however, but by what indulgence is not mentioned, that though _Garter_ took the _Mantle_ from Sir _Henry Sidney_, 5 _Eliz._ at the Chapter-House Door, on the Evening he returned from Installation; yet the next Morning he rode in the Procession to the Chapel, the Celebration of the Feast of St. _George_ continuing, with the _Mantle_ on his right Arm; and having entered the Choir, took his Principal’s Stall, bearing likewise the Mantle in the grand Procession, at the Offering of Money, and during Divine Service, and from the Chappel to the Castle to Dinner: And the like in the Afternoon of the said Day, he rode on Horse-back in the Proceeding to the Chapter-House Door, but there the _Mantle_ was taken from him, and laid within upon the Table, whilst he retired into the East-Isle of the Chappel, and at the rising of the _Chapter_, it was again delivered to him, whence he proceeded in his Principal’s Place to the second Vespers.

Next Morning, the _Lieutenant_, and _Assistants_, having ended the Chapter, the _Mantle_ was again laid on his Arm, and in that manner he passed to his Principal’s Stall, and afterwards offered, as on the Feast Day. The Morning Service ended, the _Lieutenant_ and _Assistants_ returned to the Chapter-House Door, where they put off their _Mantles_, and at the same time the _Sexton_ of the College receiv’d the Mantle from him.

_The Grand Dinner._

§ 9. At Dinner the Proxy sits with the Lieutenant or Commissioners, and takes Place where his Principal should sit if he were present; and this was so observed at the Installation of the Earl of _Warwick_, 5 _Eliz._

The Stile of the Knight installed by Proxy, is proclaimed in _French_, or _English_, in the usual Form and Place, as 25 _Hen._ VIII. at the Installations of the Earls of _Beaumont_ and _Newblanke_, by their Proxies; for they were Knight-Subjects, though not to the Sovereign, and therefore not improper to be made use of as an Instance. To conclude, the Proctor is to take care that the Atchievements and Plate of his Principal are set up in their proper Places, which appears not only from the ancient Letters of Procuration, but also by Commissions of Installation, which appoint that the Sovereign’s Deputy should receive from the Proctor his Principal’s Helm and Sword, (for there is no mention of the Banner till afterwards,) and place it over his Stall.

CAP. XIV.

_The Signification of Election to Strangers._

_Within what time, and in what manner, Certificate is made of their Election._

§ 1. In regard that Strangers elect, are for the most part Sovereign Princes, whole Affairs obliged them to abide in their own Dominions, and very rarely permitted them to receive Personal Installation, it was thought fit to allow them several Privileges, by the Founder of this most _Noble Order_, and principally, that of giving previous and timely Notice of their Elections, and convenient time of consideration for Acceptance; affording Investiture in their own Countries, and permitting their Installations to be performed at _Windsor_ by their Proxies or Deputies.

It was therefore by the _Statutes_ ordained: That when any such should be chosen into the _Order_, they should be certified of their Elections by the Sovereign; and besides, that, at his Charge, the _Garter_ should be sent over to them, with the _Mantle_ and _Statutes_ of the _Order_, Sealed with the common Seal; so that they might have notice, at least within four Months from the time of Election, to the end they might advise and determine with themselves, from the Tenor of the _Statutes_, whether they would receive the Honour of this most _Noble Order_.

In Pursuance of these Directions, it became customary for the Sovereign, when he sent his Letters, to send also, and that by way of solemn Embassy, the Habit and Ensigns of the _Order_, with a Book of the _Statutes_; and in case the Election were accepted, Investiture might be received before the return of the Persons, by whom the Habit was sent. As upon the Elections of _Edward_, King of _Portugal_, at the Feast of St. _George_, 13 _Hen._ VI. the Duke of _Urbin_, 14 _Edw._ IV. and several others.

The right of bearing these Letters signifying Election, and returning the Strangers Answer, belongs to _Garter_, by the Constitutions of his Office. And though Certificate of Election was to be made within four Months from the time of Election, yet King _Henry_ VIII. added this necessary Clause: _That when the Sovereign had any great or high Impediment, he might defer certifying the Election till a more convenient Time_. As may be seen in the case of _Frederick_ III. Emperor of _Germany_, in the time of _Henry_ VI. who having been elected 35 of that King, had not Letters sent him to signify it till the next Year. It likewise appears, that Letters to the same Effect were then likewise dispatched to the King of _Arragon_, the Duke of _Brunswick_, and King of _Poland_, who had been elected eight Years before.

And yet we find it recorded, that the _Habit_ and _Ensigns_ of the _Order_ were sent by special Ambassadors to all three, 34 _Hen._ VI. two Years before: But perhaps this ought to be understood of their being but then design’d, and ordered to be sent, and on second Thoughts might be stopped, or if sent, by some accident might have miscarried; otherwise it seems needless to have sent other Letters to give notice of their Election two Years after: But to clear this matter, we after find a second mention of sending the _Habit_ and _Ensigns_ to the King of _Poland_, 37 _Hen._ VI. by which it is demonstrable, that the first Embassy took no Effect.

It does not appear that King _Hen._ VIII. or any of his Successors, ever made use of that Liberty granted by the aforesaid Article of his _Statutes_, for deferring the significatory Letters of Election beyond the time appointed by the _Statutes_ of Institution, as we find by the many Instances of that kind. _Francis_ the first King of _France_ was elected _October_ 21. 19 _Hen._ VIII. and was installed the 25 _January_ following; so that ’tis plain, the Letters of Notice must needs have been dispatched within the limited Time. _James_ V. of _Scotland_, who was elected 20 _Jan._ 26 _Hen._ VIII. had notice of Election immediately sent him; and _Hen._ II. of _France_, having been elected 24 _April_, 5 _Edw._ VI. had Letters of Signification sent him in _May_ following; and so in all Examples since. And when King _Charles_ II. elected any Stranger whilst he was Abroad, Letters of Signification were sent them immediately after.

_Of notice given of an Election, before sending the Habit._

§ 2. Here it is to be observed, with how much caution, more than the former, the Statutes of King _Henry_ VIII. Ordain, _to send Letters that signify Election, and the Book of Statutes only at first_; but not the _Garter_ and _Mantle_, till the _elect Stranger_, having had time to consult the Statutes, certifies his acceptance of the _Order_; and then, and not before, it is Decreed to send a solemn Embassy with the whole Habit, _George_, and _Collar_: And consonant to this, the Practice hath sometimes been. As in the case of _Henry_ II. King of _France_, 5 _Edw._ VI. _Emanuel_, Duke of _Savoy_, 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._ and in that of _Frederick_, Duke of _Wirtembergh_, to whom Queen _Elizabeth_ sent Letters soon after his Election, and he returned Thanks, and Acceptation, by his two Ambassadors, who received Promise of sending the whole Habit soon after; however, the same were not sent during her Life.

_Notice of Election sent with the Habit._

§ 3. When the Sovereign hath been well assured of the _elect Stranger’s_ acceptance, the same Embassy (as anciently before adding this Clause,) dispatched both Ceremonies. The Sovereign’s Letter signifying Election, being first presented, together with the Book of Statutes, and an acceptance declared, then within few Days, the whole Habit of the _Order_ was solemnly delivered.

And thus it was directed soon after the Election of _James_ V. King of _Scots_, to the Lord _William Howard_, sent on that Embassy; and in like manner, at the Election of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, 1 _Jac._ I. to the Earl of _Rutland_ sent on that Embassy. As also to _Gustavus Adolphus_, King of _Sweden_, and _Henry_, Prince of _Orange_, within two Months, their Elections following on _April_ 24. 3 _Car._ I. and the date of the Commission for delivering the Order being on _June_ 24. following.

_The manner and order of the delivery of these Letters, signifying Election, when the Habit is sent, is thus._

“First, The Ambassador and _Officer of Arms_ having notice given them of the first Audience, present themselves to the _Stranger Prince_, in the accustomed manner of Ambassadors; and delivering the Sovereign’s _Letters Missive_, with all due Reverence, the Ambassador, after some short general Compliment from the Sovereign, signifying that his Master, and the Honourable _Society_ of the _Garter_, in respect of his renowned Prowess, Valour, Virtues, _&c._ and to establish and encrease the Amity that is between them, hath elected him into the most Noble _Order_ of St. _George_; and that Sovereigns do never elect any Stranger, but such as they highly Honour; and therefore earnestly desires it may be accepted as a true Testimony thereof: To which end the Sovereign hath sent him over, and his Herald there present, to perform the due Ceremonies.”

But this Commission of Legation hath sometimes been obstructed by the multitude of Affairs lying on the Sovereign’s Hands, particularly in the Time of _Car._ I. when engaged in that unnatural Civil War; so that when they sent their Letters of Signification, it was thought fit to Commissionate their Agent, or Resident at the Prince’s Court, and _Garter_ Principal _King of Arms_, to deliver part; but the two chief and most peculiar _Ensigns_ of the _Order_, _viz._ the _Garter_ and _George_, deferring the solemn Embassy till a more convenient Season. The first Precedent of which kind, was 10 _Jac._ I. when Sir _Ralph Winwood_, and _William Seagar_, Esq; _Garter_, were Commissioned to deliver only, for the present, the Garter and George, to _Maurice_, Prince of _Orange_, five Days after his Election; and so to _Charles_, Prince Palatine of the _Rhine_, 9 _Car._ I. and to _William_, Prince of _Orange_, and the Duke _de Espernon_, the same Reign. And so likewise during the unhappy Exile of King _Charles_ II. it was usual, for want of more conveniency, to present the elect Knight, in confirmation of his Election, whether he were _Stranger_, or _Subject_, with the _Garter_, _George_, _Ribband_; and sometimes a St. _George_’s _Cross_, radicated within a _Garter_, to be fixed on the left Shoulder of their Cloaks, or upper Garments. But these things after returned into their proper Channel, as we may see in several cases since, of which we need not instance more, than that of the present Sovereign, and his Royal Highness the Prince: The former at a Chapter of the most Noble _Order_, held at _Kensington_, 18 _June_, 1701. 13 _Will._ III. was elected, and on the 21 _June_, the Sovereign, by Commission under the Great Seal of the _Order_, constituted the Earl of _Macclesfield_, and _Gregory King_, Esq; _Lancaster Herald_, (then Deputy Garter King of Arms,) to carry the _Habit_ and _Ensigns_, and to invest his then Electoral Highness therewith. The next Day after their arrival, at a private Audience, his Electoral Highness received the _Garter_ and _George_, with the usual Formalities; and two Days after, _viz._ 24 _August_, was solemnly invested with the whole Habit of the _Order_. On 13 _March_ following, 1702-3. he was installed at _Windsor_ by his Proxy _Charles_, Lord _Mohun_, with the accustomed Ceremonies. The same _Order_ was observed at the Election of his Royal Highness the Prince, 4 _April_, 5 Queen _Anne_; when the Lord _Halifax_, and _John Vanbruge_, Esq; _Clarenceux_ King of _Arms_, (in the room of Sir _Henry St. John_, Knight Garter,) were Commission’d to carry the _Habit_ and _Ensigns_. They had their first Audience, on this occasion, of the Prince, the 31 _May_, who afterwards received the Garter and lesser George, and on 2 _June_ following, was invested with the whole _Habit_ and _Ensigns_ of the _Order_.

_Certificates of Acceptation._

§ 4. After delivering the Sovereign’s Letter, signifying Election by the Ambassador, and the _elect Stranger_ doth readily accept the _Order_, he is obliged, by the Statutes, to return the Sovereign a Certificate of such his Acceptance, and desire of Ratification. And ’tis observable, before the additional Clause made by King _Henry_ VIII. this ceremonious Course had been the Practice of ancient Times; and both expected from, and observed by the King of _Denmark_, who having been elected, 6 _Hen._ V. was the eighth of the same King taken notice of for not returning, before that Time, an Answer, whether he accepted the Honour or no: And it appears, before the next Feast of St. _George_, he sent over his ready Acceptance, both of the Honour of Election, and of the Ensigns of the _Order_; and thereupon Directions were given for his Installation by the Lord _Fitz Hugh_, his Proxy.

But for an instance, after the said additional Clause, there is one remarkable enough, in the Preamble of the Sovereign’s _Credential Letters_ to the Duke of _Savoy_, 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._ sent with the Habit and Ensigns of the _Order_; in which it appears: _That the Sovereign having given 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 wished it might attain its due Effect_.

In succeeding Times it was thought necessary, where the whole _Habit_ was sent to a _Stranger_, together with the Sovereign’s Letters of notice, to make a provisional Decree, (which passed, 13 _Car._ I) _That Garter, and all others, whom he pleased to join in Commission with him, should be most punctually careful, that they delivered not the_ Ensigns _of the_ Order _to any_ elect Stranger, _till they were satisfied, by his_ Letters Patent, _of his kind and grateful Acceptance thereof_; or in case of refusal, to forbear their Presentation.

And the same care was also taken, where only the _Garter_ and _George_ were sent; as appears by the Instructions sent, 19 _Car._ I. to Sir _William Boswel_, then appointed by the Sovereign to present those two principal Ensigns to _William_, Prince of _Orange_; where, among other things, he is expressly commanded, _To take a Testimonial from the said Prince, of his kind Acceptation thereof, before he should deliver those Ensigns of Honour to him_: So likewise in the Institutions of the same Date, for delivery of the _Garter_ and _George_ to the Duke _de Espernon_.

_Of an Election not accepted._

§ 5. That sometimes this Honour hath not been accepted, appears in the single case of _Philip_ II. Duke of _Burgundy_, who having been elected by King _Henry_ V. then in _France_, had not, _Anno_ 1 _Henry_ VI. sent his Answer. It was therefore concluded on at the Feast of St. _George_, held at _Windsor_ the said Year, by _Humphry_, Duke of _Gloucester_, then Deputy to the Sovereign, and by, and with the unanimous consent of the _Knights-Companions_ present, to send Letters to the said elect Duke, by which he was desired to know, whether he gave his Acceptance or no? The Duke of _Burgundy_, it seems, made no Answer to this Letter: It was therefore again debated at the next Year’s Feast, and then thought fit, to send Persons over to him with the Nomination, who should press him for his final Answer. And then it appears, that the said Duke weighing the Statutes, and reflecting on the Quarrels between the Duke of _Gloucester_, and the Duke of _Brabant_ his Unckle, made a plausible Excuse, refusing the Election, lest he should be forced either dishonourably to violate the pious Constitutions of the _Order_, or the obligations of Alliance; and upon this they proceeded to a new Election.

But this is the only instance of this kind; and it hath been the constant way of all elect Strangers, not only to accept, but to receive with the highest Marks of Satisfaction, the notice of their Election, and the Investiture of the _Order_.

CAP. XV.

_The Investiture of Strangers, with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order._

_The Time for sending the Habit and Ensigns unlimitted._