Part 42

The Lord _Hunsdon_. Void. The Lord _Robert Dudley_. The Viscount _Mountague_. The Lord _Loughborow_. The Earl of _Shrewsbury_. The Earl of _Sussex_. The Lord _Howard_ of _Effing._ Void. The Earl of _Westmorland_. The Marquiss of _North._ Void. The Lord _Clynton_. The Duke of _Norfolk_. Void. The Earl of _Pembrook_.

Thus four _Knights-Companions_ proceeded alone, in regard the Stalls opposite to them were void, the three first being absent, and the last void by the Death of the Earl of _Huntington_; and to avoid all disputes in relation to Precedency, King _Henry_ VIII. Decreed, in the sixteenth Year of his Reign; _That each_ Knight-Companion _should take Place, in Procession, Station, or sitting at the Table, thence forward, as he had his Seat or Stall in the Choir, and not according to the Degree of his Birth or Condition, unless the Sovereign was pleased that any should be made Choice of, according to the Nobility of his Family, to sit at the end of his own Table, or perform any other thing by the by_.

The Proceeding among the Officers of the _Order_ differeth from all before spoken of; for, being five in Number, the three inferior Officers (when all present,) March in a breast, and (of later Times,) the _Register_ in the middle, _Garter_ on his right Hand, and the _Usher_ of the _Black-Rod_ on his left.

After these three Officers, the two superior proceed together, the _Prelate_ on the Right, and the _Chancellor_ on the left; and after, the Officers of the _Order_ follow the Sword, which is carried immediately before the Sovereign. In the beginning of Queen _Elizabeth_’s Reign, it was born by some of the Barons, but of later Times it hath been conferr’d on Persons of higher Rank, as _Anno_ 4 _Car._ I. on the Earl of _Dover_; _Anno_ 9 _Car._ I. on the Earl of _Danby_; and _Anno_ 13 _Car._ II. on the Lord Viscount _Mordant_, then Constable of the Castle of _Windsor_; and at this Time ’tis usually born by none under the Degree of an Earl.

The Sovereign’s Place in the Proceeding, _& notandum quod superior Ordinis tempore Processionis in dicta Capella transibit retro totam Sociarum Comitivam_; which though the _Statute_ mentions here to be performed at the Grand Procession, yet it refers to all those times the Sovereign proceeds to, or from, no less than within the Chappel. In ancient Time, the Sovereign (if he were at _Windsor_, to celebrate the Grand Feast,) proceeded to the Chappel in Person, as well on the Eve, as on the Feast Day. Queen _Elizabeth_ being the first who went not to the Chappel on the Eve of the Feast, unless we except King _Henry_ VI. who, by reason of Sickness, was necessitated to make a Deputy in his stead: The aforesaid Omission of Queen _Elizabeth_, was first occasioned through Indisposition of Health, though she afterwards, without that necessity, did not comply, as in the 18, 25, 29, and 31 Years of her Reign, which gave occasion to King _James_ to make Deputies at those three Grand Feasts he Celebrated at _Windsor_; and the like did King _Charles_ I. in the first Year of his Reign; but in the fourth Year of his Reign, the ancient Custom (for many Years intermitted,) was restored, and the Sovereign (making no Lieutenant,) proceeded to the Chappel, not only on that Eve, but always observed it afterwards, as did King _Charles_ II. in all the Grand Feasts he held, and is now observed.

It will be necessary to take notice, that the Proceeding begins from the Presence Chamber, call’d in the _Statutes_ the Great Chamber; a Scheme whereof, on the Eve of the Grand Feast, is here exhibited.

The Attendants on the Knights-Companions. Alms-Knights. Virger of the Chappel. Prebends of _Windsor_. Officers of Arms. Knights-Companions. Black-Rod. Register. Garter. Chancellor. Prelate. The Sword. The Sovereign. Train-bearers. Captain of the Pensioners. Pensioners.

To the foregoing Proceeding have been occasionally receiv’d some Persons of Quality, and others Eminent in Place and Degree; (though their Offices do not particularly relate to this most Noble _Order_,) but are admitted by reason of their requisite Attendance on the Sovereign, in his Proceedings on all Occasions.

On St. _George_’s _Eve_, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ the old Ambassador of _Sweden_, accompanied by the Earl of _Hertford_, went in the Proceeding to the Closet at _White-Hall_, next after the Train-bearers, and immediately before the Ladies Attendants on the Sovereign; and the next Morning, when the Sovereign proceeded to the Chappel, the new Ambassador of _Sweden_ went in the same Place.

As to those admitted on the Account of their Offices, is the Lord Chamberlain, (though not a Knight of the _Garter_,) and is allowed Place somewhat behind, on the right Hand of the Sovereign, and the Vice Chamberlain on the left.

The Dean of the Sovereign’s Chappel at _White-Hall_ attends when the Proceedings are thither, going a little behind the Sovereign towards his left Hand; next goes the Clerk of the Closet, then the Master of the Robes, as also one of the Masters of Requests, and then the Gentlemen of the Robes.

_Of the Proceeding to the_ Chapter-House.

§ 3. Having under the precedent Head, treated at large of the Rank and Place of all those that pass in the Proceeding, wherein all are Bare-headed, except the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_: I now come to the Place whither the Proceeding is directed.

The first Solemn Action on the Entrance of the Grand Feast, which the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ are obliged to perform, is to Celebrate a _Chapter_, to which end it hath been most usual for them to proceed from the Presence Chamber, _every one in their due Place and Order_; first to the _Chapter-House_, to consult of things of course; and next into the _Choir_, to hear Divine Service; which has been the constant Custom from the Reign of King _Henry_ V. as many Examples, recorded in the Registers of the _Order_, evidence.

As this Custom of holding a _Chapter_ on the Eve of the Grand Feast, was constantly observed when celebrated without Prorogation; so also hath a _Chapter_ been in like manner held before _Vespers_, on the Eve, at such time as the Feast Day of St. _George_ only hath been observ’d, when (for any cause) the Anniversary of the Grand Feast receiv’d Prorogation: As for Instance, _Anno_ 1 _Mary_, a _Chapter_ was held at the Mannor of St. _James_’s, on the _Vigil_ of St. _George_, before the first _Vespers_; whereunto is fixt this Note, _ut moris est_; and the Grand Feast for that Year receiv’d Adjournment, until the coming of _Philip_, then Prince (after King) of _Spain_.

In like manner, though the Celebration of the Grand Feasts were removed from _Windsor_, and observed at other Places, yet this usual Custom of holding a _Chapter_ on the Eve, was always practised; after which the proceeding to Evening Prayer succeeded, as is manifest by several Testimonies from the _Registers_.

The publick processional way to the _Chapter-House_ at _Windsor_, used Time out of Mind, led from the Presence Chamber through the Cloister, and the great Gate of the King’s Lodging, to the upper Ward of the Castle, thence through the middle Ward, and part of the lower, to and through the Passage, between the East End of the Chappel and _Tomb-House_; and thence into the _Chapter-House_, Situate on the North East Corner of St. _George_’s _Chappel_.

But the Sovereign hath sometimes thought fit to wave this publick processional way, and pass along the private way, which leads from the King’s Privy Chamber, down the Stairs into the Terrace, _viz._ through that stately Walk lying on the North side of the Castle, and entring again at a Door, heretofore made through a part of the Castle Wall into one of the Canons Lodgings, adjoining to _Winchester Tower_, (now made up) went thence through the Cloisters, proceeding in the Order before shewed.

We shall close this Head, with observing, that though the Proceedings to the _Chapter-House_ or Chappel, on the Eve of the Feast, have most commonly been on Foot; yet have they been also on Horse-back, on extraordinary Occasions, as _Anno_ 3 _Hen._ VII. at which Time several Ambassadors being arrived here from Foreign Kings and Princes, they and many of the Nobility of this Kingdom, with the King’s Council, the two Archbishops, the Bishops of _Lincoln_ and _Ely_, and the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench, repaired also thither; and on the Eve, the Sovereign, accompanied with the _Knights-Companions_, rode from the upper Quadrangle down to the College. The Queen and the King’s Mother rode in a Chair, covered with rich Cloth of Gold, drawn by six Coursers finely Harnass’d, and twenty one Ladies, habited in Crimson Velvet, rode on white Palfries: Sir _Roger Cotton_, Master of the Queen’s Horse, led her Horse of State, whereon was a Saddle of Cloth of Gold, and three Crowns of Silver gilt; as soon as they alighted, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ proceeded to the _Chapter-House_, and thence to Evening Song, which ended, they return’d in the Order they came.

King _Henry_ VIII. in the eleventh Year of his Reign, at three a Clock in the Afternoon, with all the _Knights-Companions_, in the Habit of the _Order_, proceeded from the Presence Chamber in _Windsor-Castle_, till they came to the Quadrangle, where they took their Horses, and rode according to their Stalls, not according to their Estate, next before the King, and thence rode to the middle Door of the Chappel, and there alighted, and proceeded without the _Choir_ to the _Chapter-House_; there are other Examples, but these may suffice.

_Of the opening of the_ Chapter.

§ 4. The Proceeding being arriv’d at the Entrance into the Chappel, first the Attendants on the _Knights-Companions_ divide themselves as they enter, beginning at the outward Door, and Flank on each side the North Isle of the Chappel, and so toward the West Door of the _Choir_, making a stand along the Isle for the _Alms-Knights_, _Virgers_, _Prebends_, and _Officers_ of _Arms_, to pass through them, who go on towards the said West Door; and when the _Junior Knights-Companions_ are entred into the Chappel, the Proceeding makes a stand, while all the _Knights-Companions_ following turn aside on the right Hand into the _Chapter-House_, next the Officers of the _Order_, and lastly the Sovereign; but the Nobleman that carries the Sword, the Train-bearers, Pensioners, _&c._ stay without the _Chapter-House_ Door in the North Isle; none being admitted in but the Sovereign, the _Knights-Companions_, and the Officers of the _Order_; who being all entred, the Door is shut by the Gentleman Usher of the _Black-Rod_, and every Person severally takes his due Place and Station, whereupon the _Chapter_ immediately opens.

In what Manner and Order the Sovereign, _Knights-Companions_, and Officers of the _Order_, are ranked, at the holding of a _Chapter_, is describ’d, _Anno_ 11 _Hen._ VIII. when the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ consulted in the _Chapter-House_, on the Reformation and Explanation of the _Statutes_ of the _Order_.

The Sovereign, on his Entrance, proceeded to the midst of the North-end of the Table; the _Knights-Companions_, whose Stalls in the _Choir_ were on the Sovereign’s side, took the right Hand of the Table, and those of the Princes side the left; then the Prelate of the _Order_ came and stood on the Sovereign’s right Hand, at the corner of the Table; _Register_ and _Garter_ were at the lower end, and _Black-Rod_ kept the _Chapter-House_ Door on the inside. The Chancellor of the _Order_ is not there mention’d, (as not being present) yet his Place is on the Sovereign’s left Hand of the Table.

If the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ arrive at the _Chapter-House_ so late, that the Business necessary to be done cannot be discuss’d, without putting off the Celebration of _Vespers_, beyond the Canonical Hour; it hath been usual to adjourn the Debates till the next Morning, as was done _Anno_ 14 _Car._ I.

_Transactions in the_ Chapter _held before the_ Vespers.

§ 5. When the _Chapter_ held before the _Vespers_ is opened, and no Adjournment given thereto, all things are then to be provided for, which concern the Honour and Dignity of this most Noble _Order_.

The matters of course are; first, Swearing, and admitting Officers; secondly, Debating about the _Knights-Companions_ then absent, and either dispensing with, or inflicting Penalties on them; and thirdly, Constituting or appointing an Officer, to carry on the State and Solemnity of the Feast in the Sovereign’s absence. But other Particulars that are occasional, cannot so well be brought within Rule, as being wholly accidental.

As to the first, the Officers of the _Order_, soon after the _Chapter_ is open’d, take their respective Oaths, in Order to perform the Duty of their several Places, during the Session of the _Chapter_, and thenceforward, as is evident from several Examples, but one may suffice, from a _Chapter_ held at _Windsor_, _Anno_ 4 _Car._ I. whereat Dr. _Neal_, Bishop of _Winchester_, was Sworn Prelate; Sir _Francis Crane_, Chancellor; and Dr. _Mathew Wren_, Bishop of _Ely_, Register.

It hath sometimes happened, that some of the Officers of this _Order_ have been Sworn at other Times, as at _Chapters_ next ensuing their Nomination and Choice, wherein the Administration of the Oath is one of the first things done.

Touching the second particular debated in _Chapter_, _viz._ the dispensing with, or punishing absent Knights; it is to be considered, that the _Statutes_ of the _Order_ enjoin all the _Knights-Companions_ to be present at the Celebration of the Grand Feast: that is, those that are within the Kingdom, or elsewhere; although the Service of St. _George_, according to the Rites of the Church, be not celebrated, as on the Service of the Day whereon that of St. _George_ has fallen, _viz._ _Good-Friday_: But with this Limitation, _so that they be in a capacity, or may conveniently repair thither_.

Therefore the next thing usually entred upon in the _Chapter_, is the Sovereign’s and _Knights-Companions_ taking notice, whether any of the Fellowship make default of coming at the Hour assign’d; and if so, they are considered under one of these Heads. First, Stranger Princes; Secondly, Late Commissioners who are arrived, or every Minute expected; and Thirdly, Such as have given notice that they cannot be present, during the continuation of the Feast: Of these Excuses of course, verbal Apologies, or Letters of Excuse, are, or may be, offered; and in case they are approved or admitted, then the Penance, which by the _Statutes_ ought otherwise to be inflicted, is admitted; all which ought to be recorded.

Stranger Princes are excused in course, on Account of their necessary Residence in their own Territories; and of their Excuses and accustom’d Dispensations, are divers Instances in the Registers of the _Order_.

As to _Knights-Companions_, who are tardy in their Journey, or being come to the Castle, fall short of the Hour, or of attending the Sovereign to the _Chapter-House_, either through negligence, or want of timely notice, or other accident; the _Statutes_ enjoin for Penance, that they be not permitted for that time to enter into the _Chapter_, but tarry without the Door, and not have Voice in any thing that shall happen to be done there, unless they can alledge a just Excuse, or render such a sufficient cause as the Sovereign, or his Deputy, shall approve of; but few defaulters have been noted of this kind.

The third sort of Delinquents, are those _Knights-Companions_ absent, not only at the Hour of _Tierce_, but are likely to be so during the whole Feast; the Proceedings relating to them, are either upon what is offered in Excuse of their absence, or determined on their neglect of making Apology for it.

Excuses for absence, are either by Letters or Word of Mouth; if by Letters, they are directed to the Chancellor of the _Order_; or else the Sovereign sends to his Lieutenant on their behalf, and both are produc’d by the Chancellor: But if Excuse be made by Word of Mouth, then are they delivered by the Sovereign himself; or on motion made by some of the _Knights-Companions_ present in _Chapter_.

The Custom of sending Letters has been very ancient: The Lord _Powis_’s Letter, under his Hand and Seal, (certifying his Indisposition of Body,) was produc’d in _Chapter_, _Anno_ 8 _Hen._ V. And the following Year the Dukes of _York_, _Norfolk_, and _Buckingham_, with the Earls of _Salisbury_, _Shrewsbury_, and _Pembrook_, Viscount _Bourchier_, the Lord _Rivers_, and Sir _John Falstaff_; being all absent from St. _George_’s _Feast_, _they declared the reason of their absence by their Messengers_. There are many Precedents of this kind, and of Letters sent from the Sovereign, directed to his Lieutenant, to accept of _Knights-Companions_ Excuses, whose absence he had beforehand dispenc’d with; we observe those Dispensations excus’d not the sending their own particular Excuses; for it is evident they were also expected, and that such allowance of absence was not Absolute, the Clause running thus: _That you [the Sovereign’s Deputy] allow these Excuses so far as are consonant to reason_. And in all other Letters of the same nature, a Clause to this Effect hath been inferred: _That as the Sovereign thought good to advertise his Deputy, that for certain Causes he had dispenc’d with their Attendance for that time; so he will’d him to accept their reasonable Excuses in that behalf accordingly_.

Secondly, The absent _Knights-Companions_ have had their Excuses frequently made by Word of Mouth, either of the Sovereign, or some other of the _Knights-Companions_, present in the _Chapter_. This Favour is done either by the Sovereign himself, if present; or by his Order to the Lieutenant, in his absence.

There have been many Examples of what hath been done in this Case, and also when the Sovereign hath not been present in _Chapter_, but hath beforehand verbally given his Deputy or Lieutenant direction to excuse the absence of several _Knights-Companions_.

It will be necessary to observe what Effect the Excuses have usually produc’d; whereinto we find the just and reasonable favourably admitted, some suspended, and divers disallowed. Those easily allow’d were, first, Sickness; (for those of the _Knights-Companions_ who have been either Sick, far spent with Age, or intent on publick Affairs, have been readily allow’d,) Secondly, The not recovery of Wounds receiv’d in the publick Service; as we meet with in the Case of Sir _William Harington_, _Anno_ 7 _Hen._ V. whom we see excus’d _for his Illness, occasion’d from his Wounds then lately receiv’d at the Siege of_ Rohan, _and elsewhere_. Thirdly, Impotency and old Age. Fourthly, Imployment in the Sovereign’s Service, either Abroad or at Home; those Abroad are necessarily excus’d, those at Home we shall be more particular to. The Earl of _Shrewsbury_, _Anno_ 22 _Eliz._ was taken up in certain Affairs, enjoin’d him by the Sovereign; the Earl of _Huntington_, 26 _Eliz._ being President of the Council of the North, his absence was for that, and several Years following, favourably excus’d; and a like Case was that of the Earl of _Danby_, _Anno_ 13 _Car._ I. who for his necessary Attendance at the Seat of Justice in _Eyre_, was excus’d waiting on the Sovereign at the Grand Feast that Year. Fifthly, _When the Grand Feast hath receiv’d Prorogation, and any of the_ Knights-Companions _have not had notice of the Day whereunto it was prorogued_. Sixthly, _When any of them have been in Captivity_; as was _Thomas_, Earl of _Salisbury_, and the Earl of _Huntington_, both Prisoners in _France_, _Anno_ 2 _Hen._ VI. Seventhly, When any of them have obtain’d the Sovereign’s Letters of Dispensation, of which sufficient is spoken before. Lastly, _Some other just and lawful Occasion_, as well as Accident, having fallen out; (not relating to those under the former Heads,) the Sovereign, on Information given in _Chapter_, hath been pleas’d to allow of; as in the Case of the Lord _Fauconbridge_, _Anno_ 32 _Hen._ VI. was readily admitted, on his pleading _the care of his Domestick Affairs, he having been lately in Prison, and had obtained leave to go and see his House and Lands in the Country_. The Earl of _Arundel_’s absence, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ I. was pardon’d, by reason of the Dutchess of _Richmond_’s Death, who died on the Eve of the Grand Feast; that so he (being the chief of her Family,) might be at Hand to advise and assist in all things conducing to the Honour of the deceased Dutchess.

And as the _Knights-Companions_ have been often excus’d for not appearing on the Grand Feast, so hath the Sovereign, on sufficient Grounds, been pleas’d to license and dispence with their departure; from the same of this is an Example, 6 _Eliz._ when the Lord _Hastings_ of _Loughborough_, falling Ill a little before the Offering on St. _George_’s _Day_, obtain’d Licence from the Sovereign to depart out of the _Choir_; and came no more abroad that Day, nor during the Feast. As also another in the Duke of _Lenox_, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ I. _The Deputy Chancellor having, by Command of the Sovereign, and in discharge of the Duty of his Office_; who being forc’d to go back to _London_, by reason of the aforesaid Dutchess of _Richmond_’s Death, had his Excuse, and the Sovereign’s Licence for departure.

We are next to consider Excuses, which, though sent in due time, yet on Debate in _Chapter_ were suspended rather than allow’d; to which Head may be referr’d that Case of several of the _Knights-Companions_, who were Members of the Lord’s House in the long Parliament. For _Anno_ 18 _Car._ I. the Deputy Chancellor having, by the Command of the Sovereign, and in discharge of the Duty of his Office, sent to each of them a Summons, for their Attendance at the Celebration of the Grand Feast, to be held for the preceeding Year at _York_; and notice thereof being given to the House of Lords, they immediately made the ensuing Order.

Die Martis 22 Maii, 1641.

_Whereas the Lord Chamberlain of his Majesty’s Houshould, and some other Lords of Parliament, Knights of the_ Garter, _have been Summoned to give their Attendance, and repair into the City of_ York, _for the Celebration of St._ George’_s Feast; who acquainting this House with the Summons aforesaid, it is this Day ordered by the Lords in Parliament, that they attend the weighty Affairs of the Kingdom discussed in Parliament, whereunto they are obliged by his Majesty’s Writ, and the Law of the Land._

Jo. Browne, Cleric. Parliament.

Whereupon the said _Knights-Companions_, before the Days appointed by Prorogation for holding the Feast, sent their petitionary Letters of Excuse to the Deputy Chancellor, wherein they profess’d their desire and readiness to attend, in Obedience of the said Summons; nevertheless pleaded the foresaid _Order_ for the Ground of their stay in _London_, and therefore desired him to obtain for them the Sovereign’s Dispensation: On producing the said Letters in _Chapter_, the Sovereign would not at that time either admit or disallow of their Excuses, but referr’d the consideration to the next _Chapter_, to be held by Prorogation.