Part 40

But whether the Feast be held upon St. _George_’s _Day_, or any other, by Prorogation, the Sovereign’s Pleasure was usually known so long before the appointed Time, that these circular Letters issu’d out sometimes two, three, four, five, or six Months, before the assign’d Day. And in Cases where there has been farther Prorogations, Care has been taken to issue out new Commissions, in the like convenient Time, before the old were expir’d; as may be observ’d by what has gone before; that so those _Knights Companions_, who are most remote from Court, may have sufficient Time to prepare; either for Attendance, or, on just Occasion, to apply themselves to the Sovereign, for Letters of Dispensation for Absence: And farther, that the absent Knights may thereby take notice of the Day set, because such are oblig’d to hold the Feast in their own Houses, at the same Time.

Besides the Letters directed to the _Knights-Companions_; the Chancellor is likewise to write his Letters to each of the Officers of the _Order_, to give them the like notice.

_Of Dispensations for not attending the Grand Feast._

§ 2. It having been complained of by the Chancellor of the _Order_, and taken notice of by the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_, in a Chapter held at the Celebration of the Grand Feast, 13 _Car._ I. at _White-Hall_:

_That of late Years, divers_ Knights-Companions _had neglected, both their Attendance on the Sovereign at the Feast of St._ George, _or to send, under their Seals of Arms, their probable Excuses, and Petitions for Licence and Dispensation, contrary to the most ancient_ Statutes, _and their Duty._

It was therefore, among many other things, decreed, _That for the future, every Knight of the_ Order _should be bound to attend on the usual Days, or such as should be assigned by Prorogation_: But in Case of Sickness, or other important Business to retard them, they shou’d, under their Seals of Arms to the Chancellor, signify the Reasons for requiring a Dispensation for their Absence, twenty Days at least before the usual, or assigned Time, to be presented by him to the Sovereign; and on Neglect of so doing, except in sudden Accidents, should not be excused, but incur the Penalty of the _Statutes_.

And it is evident, that this way of enjoining the _Knights-Companions_ to send the Reason that prevented their Attendance, under their Seals, has been very ancient; for the _Black-Book_ records an _Order_ in _Chapter_, held at a General Feast, 1 _Hen._ VI. to this very Purpose; and enjoin’d farther, _That when such absent Knights were present at the next Feast, they should be oblig’d to give the Reason why they should not incur the Penalty of their former Absence, since the_ Statutes _enjoin it_.

In Pursuance of the beforementioned Decree, Sir _Thomas Rowe_, then Chancellor, added to those his Letters, dated 18 _May_, 1637, and directed to the _Knights-Companions_, under the Seal of the _Order_, this following Postscript.

_According to two Acts made in_ Chapter, _in the Presence of the Sovereign_, 18 April, 1637. _concerning the Neglect of the_ Knights-Companions, _in their Attendance upon his Majesty at the Feast of St._ George, _and a Command expresly receiv’d to signify so much to your_ Lordship; _I have the true Copies of the Acts themselves, it being resolv’d, in Case of Omission of your lawful and timely Excuse, under your Seal of Arms, and in Occasion of Absence, in keeping the Solemnity in your own House, that no Dispensation shall be given, but your_ Lordship _shall incur the Penalties of the ancient_ Statutes; _which are, That you shall not be permitted to the_ Chapter, _nor to your Seat, the next Year; but shall stand before it, as do the_ Choiristers: _In Procession then you shall go before, and not in your Place among the Knights, and shall Offer last; and that this Penance being done, you shall come before the Seat of the Sovereign, and ask Absolution: But if two Years successively your_ Lordship _shall omit your Attendance, or timely Suit for Dispensation, you shall pay twenty Marks, and that Sum to be doubled for every Year of such Omission, till you are reconcil’d, and pardon’d by the Sovereign, whereof I beseech your_ Lordship _to take Knowledge._

It afterwards appears, by an _Order_ past in _Chapter_, _9th October_, 15 _Car._ I. that this early Notice to be given from such of the _Knights-Companions_ as, upon the Reasons already mention’d, should be absent, was design’d chiefly in Favour of the Officers of the Sovereign’s _Houshold_, who, by knowing in due Time who should be absent, and who not, might make timely and certain Provision for the Feast.

Upon Notice sent by the Chancellor, to the _Knights-Companions_, as aforesaid, if any of them should happen to be any way indispos’d, or have other lawful Excuse for not repairing to Court, and attending the Feast, they may acquaint the Chancellor therewith, whose Duty it is to represent it to the Sovereign, and thereon to procure his Letters of Dispensation for their Absence, if the Sovereign consents.

Which Letters are to be convey’d by _Garter_, or carry’d by whomsoever he shall appoint; for which there was a Fee by the Mile allowed him, by the following _Order_, past at a Meeting held by the _Knights-Commissioners_, for regulating Points relating to the _Order_, 13 _Car._ I.

_Whereas it having anciently been the Office of_ Garter, King _of_ Arms, _to disperse and send Letters of Prorogation, Dispensation, and other Commands of the Sovereign, to the absent Knights, which in many Cases must be chargeable, it was this Day order’d, That if he should send any Act of Favour or Dispensation to any Knight, absent from his Majesty’s Court, or four Miles from the City of_ London, _he to whom such Dispensation should be sent, should pay his Servant or Messenger, for every Day’s Travel, as much as is allow’d and paid any other Messengers of his Majesty’s House or Chamber._

Variety of Occasions and Accidents, as Grounds to move the Sovereign, and Inducements to obtain his Dispensation, are extant in several Letters sent to Sir _Thomas Rowe_, when Chancellor, on the aforesaid Injunctions, decreed 13 _Car._ I. but they all agree in the Causes we have mentioned.

_Of Commissions of Lieutenancy._

§ 3. Touching the third particular, and preparing Commissions of Lieutenancy, in such Cases where the Sovereign cannot personally celebrate the Feast; as also Commissions for those whom he thinks fit to appoint for his _Assistants_, the Reader is referr’d to the Head in the next _Chapter_, under which there is an Account of constituting a _Lieutenant_; and here only observe, that the Chancellor is to draw up these Commissions, and attend the Sovereign for his Hand, and after to pass them under the Great Seal of the _Order_.

_Warrant for the Removal of Atchievements._

§ 4. If there be Occasion for Removal of any of the _Knights-Companions_ Atchievements, at the Grand Feast, which indeed has seldom happen’d, unless an Installation were celebrated at the same time, then does the Chancellor obtain the Sovereign’s Warrant, directed to _Garter_, for the Performance thereof: But of this we have already said sufficient, under the Head of Preparations made for Personal Installations of a _Knight-Companion_.

_Escutcheons of Arms and Stiles._

§ 5. Heretofore, when the Celebrations of St. _George_’s _Day_ were kept at any other Place besides _Windsor Castle_, it was thought most necessary to provide large Paper Escutcheons; wherein were Marshalled the Arms and Quarterings of the Sovereign, and each _Knight-Companion_, in Metal and Colour, encompass’d with a _Garter_; and thereon Crowns, Caps, or Coronets, peculiar to each Dignity, with their Stiles and Titles fairly printed underneath, (but without Crests or Supporters,) to be set on the Back-side of their Stalls, on the Eve of the Feast: But the Sovereign’s Arms were impaled with those of St. _George_, over which an imperial Crown was plac’d, and these, (in Defect of the Plates and Banners, set over their Stalls, in the Choir of St. _George_’s _Chappel_ at _Windsor_,) did serve for Directions for the _Knights-Companions_, that, by the view of them, they might the more readily and certainly know their proper Stalls.

We have not met with any Memorial of this Usage, that reacheth higher than _Anno_ 21 _Hen._ VII. when the Sovereign, holding the Day of St. _George_ at _Cambridge_, _King’s College Chappel_ was furnish’d with Escutcheons of the _Knights-Companions_ Arms; but to shew the Use was ancient, there is this Note put into the Memorial, [as was Yearly accustomed,] _Anno_ 22 _Hen._ VIII. the Sovereign being at _Windsor_ on the Eve of St. _George_, appointed the Service of the Church to be celebrated in his Chappel, in the upper Quadrangle of _Windsor Castle_; and there being present with him thirteen _Knights-Companions_, each of them had set over their Heads an Escutcheon of their Arms.

This Manner the Stalls were afterwards solemnly establish’d, and enlarged to absent Knights, by an _Order_ of _Chapter_, held at _Greenwich_, _Anno_ 3 _Edward_ VI. wherein the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ agreed, that from thenceforth every Stall, upon St. _George_’s _Eve_, should have an Escutcheon of the Arms of them which are absent, as well as those that were present, at their several Costs and Charges:

But this cannot be understood of the Stalls situate in the Chappel of St. _George_ at _Windsor_; for besides, that we have met with no ancient Account of any such Custom in that Place, we find a Memorial, rather implying the contrary; when Queen _Elizabeth_, in the sixth Year of her Reign, held the Feast of St. _George_ upon its proper Day, at _Windsor Castle_; namely, that there was no Escutcheons of the _Knights-Companions_ Arms set up there, but only the Plates; and without all doubt, had it been the Usage to fix Escutcheons in the Choir of that Chappel, as at other Places, they would not at that time especially have been omitted; because then the Sovereign appear’d upon an extraordinary Occasion, and where many things were added to heighten the Glory of that Grand Feast, by Reason the Peace between _England_ and _France_ was to be proclaimed at this Festival, in the Presence of the _French_ Ambassador, and was accordingly done with great Solemnity on St. _George_’s _Day_ in the Morning, at the East-Entrance in the lower Ward of the Castle, at the top of the Hill towards St. _George_’s _Chappel_; and to which Place the Sovereign, in her whole Habit of the _Order_, (the _French_ Ambassador being near her,) with the five Officers of the _Order_, and _Knights-Companions_ before her, and before them the Officers of Arms and Trumpets, proceeding in a stately and well order’d Cavalcade; and after _Clarenceux_, King of Arms, had ended the Proclamation, they continu’d the Proceeding thence to the Chappel, in the same State and Order.

As to the Practice and constant Usage of setting up Escutcheons of Arms, since _Anno_ 3 _Edward_ VI. and at such time as St. _George_’s _Day_ was held elsewhere than at _Windsor_, we have seen Variety of Testimonies.

The Care of ordering and providing of which belong’d to _Garter_; but the Sovereign of the _Order_ was at the Charge, (notwithstanding the said Order, _Anno_ 3 _Edw._ VI.) which heretofore we see was paid out of the Treasury in the _Exchequer_; and since the Establishment of 1200 _l. per Annum_, (settled by the late Sovereign King _Charles_ I. to discharge the ordinary and extraordinary Expences of the _Order_,) the Allowance issu’d thence, and was paid by the Chancellor of the _Order_; but now the Charge is plac’d upon _Garter_, he having an Allowance therefore included in the Augmentation of his Pension, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ II.

We find Privy Seals to have issu’d as high as the fifteenth of Queen _Elizabeth_, for the Annual Allowance of 7 _l._ for Escutcheons imploy’d for the Use aforesaid, and that the Price some time before was about that rate; for the three and twenty Escutcheons, provided against St. _George_’s _Feast_, _Anno_ 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._ came to 6 _l._ 1 _s._ and 8 _d._ and those five and twenty set up the following Year, 6 _l._ 11 _s._ and 8 _d._ some Differences then also being in the Work, which enhanc’d the Price, _viz._ those provided for Princes, at 6 _s._ and 8 _d._ a Piece, and each of the rest at 5 _s._

The Sovereign, the Prince of _Wales_, and Stranger Kings and Princes, have accustomably had, at these Times, Majesty Escutcheons set up over each of their Stalls; but the rest of the _Knights-Companions_, Lodging Escutcheons only; and we have seen an Account of some Majesty Escutcheons prepar’d for every St. _George_’s _Feast_, from 1613, to 1619; to wit, one for the Sovereign, another for the King of _Denmark_, a third for the Prince of _Wales_, and a fourth for _Frederick_, Count Palatine of the _Rhine_, at 6 _s._ and 8 _d._ a piece; but so many _Knights-Companions_ as attended the Sovereign at those Feasts, had each a Lodging Escutcheon, at 2 _s._ and 6 _d._

From the Marshalling of Arms, quarter’d in the _Knights-Companions_ Escutcheons, and ordering their Stiles, (printed always in _French_) there are several things no less useful than worthy of Observation; for, first, though the Plates of Arms and Quarterings, fix’d in each _Knight-Companion’s_ Stall at _Windsor_, continue there without Alteration, or very seldom chang’d from that Order wherein they were Marshall’d at that Time of their Installation; yet these Escutcheons and Stiles Annually set up, do admit of frequent Alteration, as there is Occasion; either by adding more Quarterings, altering the Stiles, or amending any thing that is amiss.

For Instance: Whereas the Duke of _Savoy_, before 5 _Eliz._ bore _Gules a cross Argent_, it was then alter’d into five Coats; that is to say, in the first Quarter, _Westphalia_, _Saxe-Moderne_ and _Angria_; in the second, _Chablais_; in the third, _Aouste_, and the fourth as the first; and over all, in the middle, the aforesaid Escutcheon of _Savoy_.

When the Lord _Hunsdon_ was install’d, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ he had twelve Coats of Arms, thus Marshall’d in his Plate; four, four, and four; the first _Carey_, the second _Spencer_, the third _Somerset_, the fourth _Bullen_, the fifth _Ormond_, the sixth _Hoo_, the seventh _Rochford_, the eighth _Seyntomer_, the ninth _Malmains_, the tenth _Wichingham_, the eleventh St. _Leger_, and the twelfth _Hangford_; but _Anno_ 7 _Eliz._ his Escutcheon receiv’d an Addition of four other Coats, _viz._ _Beuchamp_, _Warwick_, _Berkley_, and _Gerard_, and they were inserted next to _Somerset_, the third Coat in this said Plate.

But on the contrary, where _Ambrose_, Earl of _Warwick_, had twenty one Coats put into his Plate, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ and they Marshall’d in this Order, five, five, five, and six; namely, first _Sutton_, second _Paganell_, third _Grey_ of _Ruthin_, fourth _Hastings_, fifth _Quincy_, sixth _Malpas_, seventh _Somery_, eighth _Valence_, ninth _Talbott_, tenth _Warwick_, eleventh _Beauchamp_, twelfth _Berkley_, thirteenth _Lisle_, fourteenth _Gerard_, fifteenth _Guilford_, sixteenth _Houlden_, seventeenth _West_, eigthteenth and nineteenth _Quarterly de la Ware_ and _Cantilupe_, twentieth _Mortimere_ of _Wigmore_, and twenty one _Greely_; at the Feast of St. _George_ held at _White-Hall_, _Anno_ 9 _Eliz._ his Escutcheon contain’d but sixteen; _viz._ four, four, four, and four; namely, first _Sutton_, second _Paganell_, third _Somery_, fourth _Malpas_, fifth _Grey_ of _Ruthin_, sixth _Hastings_, seventh _Valence_, eighth _Ferrers_, ninth _Quincess_, tenth _Chester_, eleventh _Talbott_, twelfth _Beauchamp_, thirteenth _Warwick_, fourteenth _Berkley_, fifteenth _Gerard_, sixteenth _Lisle_: So that there were seven Coats taken out of the former; namely, _Guilford_, _Holden_, _West_, _de la Ware_ and _Cantilupe_, _Quarterly Mortimere_ and _Greely_, and two added, _viz._ _Ferrers_ and _Chester_.

But the greatest and frequentest Variations are in the Stiles and Titles of _Honour_, set under the Escutcheons, and these relate unto, and are occasioned principally from their attaining or resigning of Offices or Dignities.

We find that the Stile set under the Escutcheon of _Ferdinand_ the Emperor, at St. _George_’s _Feast_, _Anno_ 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._ was as followeth.

_Du tres hault tres-Excellent & tres-Puissant Prince, Ferdinand, par la grace de Dieu, Roy des Romaines, de Hungarie, & Bohemie, Arch-Duc d’Austrie, Duc de Burgoigne_, &c. _Chevalier du tres-Noble Ordre de la Jarretiere._

But _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ in the said Emperor’s Stile, the Titles of King of _Hungary_ and _Bohemia_ were left out; because _Maximilian_ his Son had a little before obtain’d both those Kingdoms.

In the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, the Stiles of _Philip_, King of _Spain_, who, while Queen _Mary_ lived, was Co-Sovereign of this most Noble _Order_, run thus:

_Du tres Hault tres-Excellent and tres-Puissant Prince Philip, par la grace de Dieu, Roy d’Espaigne, des Deux Cicels & Jerusalem, Arch-Duc d’Austriæ, Duc de Burgoigne, Millan, & Brabant, Compte de Hapsburghe, Flanders, & Tiroll; Chevalier du tres-Noble Ordre de la Jarretiere._

But at the Feasts of St. _George_, _Anno_ 28, 29, and 30 _Eliz._ the Title of Catholick Prince was also given him.

The Instances relating to _Knights-Subjects_ are very many; there having been almost every Year some Additions, or Omissions.

In the Duke of _Norfolk_’s Stile, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ the _Lieutenantship of the North_ was omitted. In the Earl of _Rutland_’s, at the same Feast, _President of the Council in the Council in the North_, was added. The Marquiss of _Winchester_ caus’d the Title of Baron _St. John_ to be omitted, because his eldest Son bore that Title, and was a Baron of Parliament.

It may be further observed, that a Stranger elect (having receiv’d the _Habit_ and _Ensigns_ of the _Order_,) hath been allow’d the Honour of having an Escutcheon of his Arms set on the back of that Stall design’d for him, notwithstanding he has not been install’d.

_Of Adorning the Chappel._

§ 6. The Chappel where divine Service is celebrated, at the Time of the Grand Feast; whether it be that of St. _George_’s at _Windsor_, or elsewhere, as the Sovereign is pleas’d, hath at all Times been adorn’d with rich Furniture; the Care and Oversight whereof at _Windsor_, is committed to the Dean of the College, but at other Places, to the Dean of the Chappel.

The _Altar_, by the Gift of pious Benefactors, was adorned with Vessels, sumptuous both for their Materials and Workmanship; but _temp. Hen._ VIII. and _Edw._ VI. most of them were dispos’d of, so that King _James_ I.· taking notice that very little Plate, and other Ornaments, were belonging to the Chappel, was pleas’d to make some Provision for the adorning thereof, which was at length effected by the free Contributions of the Knights themselves.

For at a _Chapter_ held at _White-Hall_, 16 _Jac._ I. it was decreed, that every _Knight-Companion_ should give to the Use of the _Altar_, in the said Chappel, a piece of _Plate_ of the Value of 20 _l._ at the least.

This Decree was confirm’d, _Anno_ 6 _Car._ I. the Dean and Canons of _Windsor_ being impower’d to demand and receive the Sums of Money, as above, which they were to bestow in Plate for the Use of the _Altar_; and accordingly they agreed for the Quantity of Plate hereafter mention’d, which was deliver’d, _Anno_ 1637. _viz._

_Ou._ _Dr._ Two little Candlesticks chas’d and gilt, for } Wax Candles } 092 06 Two Chalices, with four Pattens 113 01 Two great Candlesticks, neat for Tapers 553 15 Two little Basons 251 15 One great Bason 210 00 -------- _l._ _s._ The Value at 12 _s._ the Ounce, came to 730 10 Besides nine Cases 009 10

But to make some farther Addition to the Glory of this _Altar_, King _Charles_ II. at the time of his _Installation_, offer’d two large gilt Water-pots, weighing 387 Ounces ten Peny Weight, amounting, by the excellent Workmanship, to 12 _s._ the Ounce, and to the Sum of 232 _l._ 10 _s._ Some sacred Ceremonies were perform’d at the Consecration of this Plate, not very necessary to be spoke of here. But all these, with the other Goods and Monuments belonging to the King’s free Chappel and Treasury at _Windsor_, were rifl’d and taken away by the Parliament Army. King _Charles_ II. therefore, after the Restauration, _Anno_ 1667, by the Consent of the _Knights-Companions_, did levy and collect, and by his own Bounty furnish’d the Chappel again with the following Plate:

_A Pair of gilt Flaggons, bought with Money collected from the_ Knights Companions, 150 _Ounces._

_A Pair of wrought Flaggons, with great Bellies, having the Figure of St._ George _on Horseback on the Cover_, &c. _bought with the_ Knights _Money_, 414 _Ounces._

_One small Bason._ 25 _Ounces and an half._

_A Pair of plain gilt Chalices and Covers, bought also with the_ Knights _Money_, 163 _Ounces and a quarter._

_A large Embost Bason, with the Figure of_ Mary Magdalen _washing our Saviour’s Feet_, 198 _Ounces._

_A Pair of large Taper Candlesticks_, 264 _Ounces._

At the Charge of the College.

_A Pair of large Basons gilt and emboss’d, given by her Royal Higness the Dutchess of_ York, 305 _Ounces._

_A plain gilt Corporas, the Gift of Sir_ Richard Fanshaw, 24 _Ounces._

_A double gilt Chalice, the Gift of the Lady_ Mary Heveningham, 33 _Ounces._

As to the Adorning, and Furniture of the Chappel, ’tis very sumptuous; the particulars being not so very material, I shall here omit them.

_The Furnishing St._ George’_s_ Hall.

§ 7. The Care of making ready and furnishing St. _George_’s _Hall_, or any Place, either there, or elsewhere, set apart for the Grand Dinner, is committed partly to the Gentlemen Ushers of the _Black-Rod_, and partly to the Sovereign’s Surveyer-General of his Works, both by Warrant from the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold: They cause to be prepar’d the Tables, and set in order the rich and costly Furniture.

_Officers and Servants appointed to attend the Grand Feast._

§ 8. The principal Officers of the Grand Feast are serv’d by Noblemen, whom the Sovereign appoints, and are put in a List, Sign’d by the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshould, and deliver’d to the _Black-Rod_, who gives them Notice some convenient time before the Feast, that they may the better perform the Duty of their several Places; of what Quality they usually are, will appear by the following List.

Those that gave their Attendance at the Grand Feast, _Anno_ 14 _Car._ II. when the Sovereign was install’d, were,

For the Sword, The Earl of _Northampton_. The great Bason, The Earls of _Bedford_, _Hertford_, _Clare_, St. _Albans_, and the Lord _Herbert_ of _Ragland_. The Cup-bearer, The Earl of _Essex_. The Carver, The Earl of _Carlisle_. The Sewer, The Earl of _Dover_. The Surnap, The Earl of _Elgin_. The Ewer, The Earl of _Devonshire_. The Train, The Lords _Russel_, _Herbert_, and _Cranborne_.

The Gentlemen of the Sovereign’s Privy-Chamber in waiting bear the Canopy, and the Sovereign’s Officers and Servants following, (having notice from the Lord Chamberlain,) give their Attendance; as appears by the List of those appointed to give their Attendance at _Windsor_, _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II.