Part 43

Of Excuses which have not been allow’d, the most remarkable is that of the Duke of _Norfolk_, and the Lord _Scales_, _Anno_ 36 _Hen._ VI. who were adjudg’d to the Penalty of the Statute, in regard the Causes alledged to excuse their absence were not approved; the latter was signed by the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_, in a Jewel to the value of twenty Marks, to be offered in the College; whereby the rigour of the _Statutes_ appears to have been more strictly executed on him, than the Duke, probably because the Lord _Scales_ was absent the Year before, and no cause thereof shewed to the _Chapter_.

In relation to the Proceedings on the absent _Knights-Companions_ neglect of sending their Excuses, we shall observe, that some of them have with difficulty been remitted, some left in suspence, and others sentenc’d, and referr’d either to the Sovereign’s pleasure, or the Punishment assign’d by Law; of the first kind we find that the Earl of _Westmorland_, _Anno_ 10 _Hen._ V. though not very well, yet had much ado to be excus’d, because he signified not the Cause of his absence, as the _Statutes_ required. So _Anno_ 12 _Car._ I. the Earls of _Derby_ and _Kelly_, having made no Excuse, were for that Omission blameable, but by the Grace of the Sovereign for that time pardon’d.

As to those who, through the indulgence of the Sovereign, (where probable cause hath induc’d it,) have not had Sentence pass’d on them presently, but were deferr’d in expectation of some satisfactory Cause to be shewed; we find in the Case of the Prince, the Duke of _Buckingham_, and five other _Knights-Companions_ absent from the Feast, held _Anno_ 18 _Hen._ VII. wherein it is registred, that _no cause of Excuse was shewed, but there was an expectation of one to be alledged_.

But as for those of the third sort, on whom Sentence hath pass’d; they have been left either to the pleasure of the Sovereign, or to those Penalties which the Law of this _Order_ inflict; of which, as also of those on whom Judgment hath pass’d, are divers Instances.

Besides these Grounds of assigning Penances, there are other Causes set down in the before recited ninth Article, of the _Statutes_ of Institution for Penances; as when the _Knights Companions_ are absent at other times, beside the Hour of _Tierce_, that is, the beginning of the first _Vespers_. Secondly, At the beginning of the Morning Service on the Feast Day. Thirdly, At the beginning of the second _Vespers_. Fourthly, During the whole Feast. And, Fifthly, at the Grand Feast next following.

For the first, admitting any _Knight-Companion_ hath failed of meeting and attending on the Sovereign at the Hour of _Tierce_, and thereupon suffered the Punishment of Non-admittance into the _Chapter-House_, and deprivation of Vote; nevertheless if at the rising of the said _Chapter_, he be not ready to proceed with the Sovereign, and other the _Knights-Companions_, into the _Choir_, to the beginning of the first _Vespers_; he ought not only to suffer the former, but this additional Penalty, that he shall not presume to Enter into his Stall at that time, but tarry in that part of the _Choir_, where the Taper-bearers are wont to stand; nevertheless before his own Stall, until the holy Offices be ended; and the Law of the _Order_ is the same in King _Henry_ V’s, and King _Henry_ VIII’s _Statutes_, only render the Place for the Delinquent Knight to stand in, to be before the Stalls in the Choiristers Places; and now how the Penalty hath been inflicted, upon breach of the Law in this particular, we shall see by the following Instances.

At the Grand Feast celebrated at _Windsor_, _An._ 21 _H._ VII. when it seems the Lord _Kildare_, Sir _Gilbert Talbot_, and Sir _Richard Goulford_, came late to the Chappel, we find this Memorandum fixt to their Names; they stood without, (before their Stalls) by the Sovereign’s Permission, or rather Command: But yet this is not all the Punishment which hath been inflicted upon the _Knights-Companions_ for this Offence; (though it be all that is set down in the foresaid Article,) for _Anno_ 25 _Hen._ VI. upon the Eve of St. _George_, the Marquiss of _Dorset_ not coming to the first _Vespers_, and being convicted of his late coming, was prohibited joining in the Nomination then made, for the Election of the King of _Portugal_, into the room of the Duke of _Gloucester_.

Offenders in the second and third Case, being such as neglect to come before the beginning of the high Mass, or the second _Vespers_, called also the _Vespers_ on St. _George_’s _Day_, have the like Punishment with the former assigned them, throughout all the Bodies of the _Statutes_; _viz._ Exclusion from their Stalls, and Station in the Choiristers Range.

_Anno_ 1 _Hen._ VI. We observe the Lord _Willoughby_ noted to be absent upon the Eve of the Grand Feast, but present on the Day; and consequently he incurred no further Penance than what his absence on the Eve drew on him; the Earl of _Derby_, _Anno_ 18 _Eliz._ coming too late to the first Morning Service on the Feast Day, did for some short time undergo the same Penance, but soon after, upon Dispensation from the Lieutenant, went up to his Stall.

There are several other Instances; and besides the aforesaid Defaults, he is likewise to undergo the same Penalties, when the Grand Feast is prorogued, or celebrated at any other Place than _Windsor_.

But if he offend in all, and have no reasonable or allowable Excuse for his absence, he is then prohibited entering his Stall at the next Feast, and to pay ten Pounds, to be employed towards the Ornaments of the College; and sometimes the former Penance has been inflicted for late coming to Divine Service.

The fourth degree of Offence is yet greater than any, and the variety of Penances are heightened. If a _Knight-Companion_ shall neglect coming to the Grand Feast, and have no allowable reason; he shall not at the Feast held the ensuing Year be permitted to enter his own Stall, but stand below it; he shall walk alone by himself before three Crosses, which, in ancient time, were born in the Grand Procession: When the Grand Procession returns to the _Choir_, he shall stand in the Place aforesaid, till the time of the Offertory; he shall Offer last by himself, and then humbly approach the Stall of the Sovereign, or his Deputy, and there desire Absolution. But there is no Instance that these Rigours were put in Execution, though many have offended in this kind.

Lastly, The _Statutes_ enjoin; That where a _Knight-Companion_ remains within the Kingdom, and shall be Guilty of an Omission two Years together, he ought to be so long interdicted his Stall, till he have offered a Jewel at St. _George_’s _Altar_, to the Value of twenty Marks; and thenceforward every Year in which he shall be guilty of the same Omission, the Penalty to be doubled, till he is pardoned: The most memorable Case in the Prosecution of a Contempt, was against the Earl of _Arundel_, 14 _Edw._ IV. who for being absent two Years together, was Mulct forty Marks; and continuing his Contempt the next Year, was fined the Sum of eighty Marks.

Touching the Necessity, and Power, of the Sovereign’s constituting a Deputy; it was provided for at the Institution of the _Order_; the Sovereign being then engaged in the Wars of _France_, thought it reasonable that Provision should be made by the _Statutes_, for to depute some Person in his stead.

When therefore such Occasion happened, a Commission was made out to one of the _Knights-Companions_, some reasonable time before the approach of the Feast; so that none of the ancient Ceremonies might be omitted, or any Impediment happen through his absence; and such Deputy hath usually been one of the chief of the _Order_, in Authority, Eminence, or Birth. The first so made was, _John_ Duke of _Bedford_, 7 _Hen._ V. and the reason thereof given, in the _Registrum Chartaceum_, is, because the Sovereign was then employed in the Wars in _Normandy_.

And though the Title given by the _Statutes_ to this Officer, be not particularly mentioned in the _Blue-Book_, where it speaks of the said Duke’s holding the Feast of St. _George_ that Year, but rather implied in the Words _Regiæ Sublimatis locum implevit_; yet in the _Registrum Chartaceum_ it is expresly set down, and the said Duke there styled, _Depute de l’Ordre de Jaritiere_. Sometimes he has been styled, _Deputatis Ordinis, & præses clarissimæ Ordinis_, &c.

About the beginning of the Reign of King _Henry_ VIII. the Title of _Locum Tenens_, or Lieutenant, began to be taken up, and has, for the most part, continued in all succeeding Times; and the other Titles of Deputy, President, and Vicegerent, laid aside. As to the Business of this Officer, sufficient has been said already. As an Essential Honour to his Place, he has from ancient Time had some of the _Knights-Companions_ assigned for his Assistants; the first mention of which is in the _Registrum Chartaceum_, 8 _Hen._ VIII. The Number of these Assistants were in those times uncertain; at the time aforesaid they were 4. 21 _Hen._ VIII. 3. and 32 _Hen._ VIII. we find but two; which Number has been a constant Rule ever since, except once, _viz._ the last of _Hen._ VIII. They were always appointed in _Chapter_, and have Letters of notice sent them thereof: But neither the Lieutenant, nor Assistants, can be Chosen two Years together, except the Sovereign should please to be present at the Day or Feast; and after it was Decreed, 23 and 24 _Hen._ VIII. that this Indulgence should extend to the term of three Years.

Lastly, We observe that this Officer always held the Feast at his peculiar Cost and Charge; and gave liberal Rewards to _Garter_, and for his Escutcheons, as also to the Officers of Arms, Gentlemen-Ushers, Alms-Knights, and to all the several Waiters and Attendants employed in the Ceremony.

_The Ceremonies relating to the first_ Vespers.

§ 6. The first _Chapter_ held on the Eve of St. _George_ being finished, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ immediately proceed from the _Chapter-House_ to the _Choir_, to hear _Vespers_. The Officers of Arms, Prebends, and Alms-Knights, having attended in the North-Isle of the Chappel, do now put themselves in Rank, and continue the Proceeding from the _Chapter-House_ Door, along the said North-Isle, to the West Door of the _Choir_; in like manner as they did from the Presence Chamber, to the _Chapter-House_: The Organs then beginning to play, and so continue till _Vespers_ begin.

When the Alms-Knights arrive at the West-Door, they first enter in a whole Body, while the rest of the Proceeding makes a short stand, and pass forward near the middle of the _Choir_, where they make a joint and low Obeysance; next, all turning about by the left Hand, to the Sovereign’s Seat; then still turning from the right, to the left Hand, they ascend the _Haut Pas’s_, even to the Rails set before the _Altar_; and forthwith divide themselves, flanking on each side, the _Juniors_ nearest the Rails.

This done, the Prebends enter in a Body also, and having made the like Obeysances in the middle of the _Choir_, divide themselves, and take their Seats; which, by King _Henry_ VIII’s _Statutes_, are appointed in the lower range of Seats, between, but not in, the Stalls of the _Knights-Companions_. While the Prebends are entering their Seats, the Pursuivants, Heralds, and Provincial Kings of Arms, in a Body, likewise enter the _Choir_; and after due Reverence, pass up to the _Altar_, and join the Alms-Knights; though anciently some difference was in this Ceremony.

Afterwards, the two _Junior Knights-Companions_ enter, passing on till they come near their own Stalls, and there make their Reverences, and then divide, and take their stands directly before their Stalls; and so of the rest of the _Knights-Companions_.

Next to the _Knights-Companions_, the _Black-Rod_, _Garter_, and _Register_, enter in a Breast, who, proceeding to the middle of the _Choir_, make their Obeysances, and then pass to their Form, placed on the South-side of the _Choir_, before the Sovereign’s Stall, and stand before it. After them, the Chancellor and Prelate in the like manner, stand before their Form, placed near the Sovereign’s Seat: And for these Forms, whereon the Officers of the _Order_ sit in the Chappel, there is a special Decree for the allowance of them, entered at the end of the Constitutions of their Offices.

Last of all the Sovereign enters, (having the Sword born before him, but his Band of Pensioners stay at the _Choir_ Door, to keep off the Crowd,) who, coming to the Steps which ascend the Royal Seat, makes a Reverence toward the Altar, and then takes Place therein, before he makes a second Reverence.

When the Lieutenant, in the Sovereign’s absence, proceeds to the first _Vespers_; as soon as he enters the _Choir_, and comes near the Sovereign’s Stall, he stands and makes a little pause there; then doing his Reverences, after he has again stood a while, before he ascends his own; where being arrived, he makes the double Reverence a second time, and then sits down.

And now to placing the _Knights-Companions_ in their Stalls: _Garter_, as soon as the Sovereign, or his Lieutenant, is placed, makes again the usual Reverence in the middle of the _Choir_; then turns to the _Senior_ Knights, and doth his Reverence to each of them; whereupon, at one Instant, they make their double Reverences below, where they stood, and strait ascend at the first, or western Entrance, that goes to the side Stalls; where being arrived, they make again their double Reverences, and then seat themselves. But when the Sovereign’s Lieutenant is present, each Knight adds a third Reverence to him, both when they ascend to, and descend from, their Stalls; and so likewise do all Persons, who pass in the Proceeding, add to their double Reverences so often as there is occasion to make it, after such time as the Lieutenant is entered his Stall; and so long as he continues therein, both on the Eve, the Feast Day, and the Morrow after.

The _Knights-Companions_ being all seated, the Prelate and Chancellor pass into the middle of the _Choir_, and having made double Reverences, return to their Forms, and sit down. And after them, in the same manner, the _Register_, _Garter_, and _Black-Rod_, proceed.

As to the Sovereign’s other Attendants, the Nobleman who carries the Sword retires before the Sovereign’s Stall, a little on the right Hand; and the Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold, if not a Knight of the _Garter_, and the Vice Chamberlain, on the left, till the Sovereign give them leave to sit down. The Clerk of the Closet stands at the Sovereign’s right Hand, but the young Noblemen, that carry up the Sovereign, and the Gentleman of the Robes, sometimes repose themselves on the Steps going to the Sovereign’s Stall.

This being done, preparation for _Vespers_ begin; in reference to which, the Prelate ascends the _Altar_, it being the Duty of his Office, which if he omits, he is fined twenty Marks, to the use of the College, unless he give sufficient reason for his absence; in which Case, or on the vacancy of the See of _Winchester_, the Sovereign hath sometimes appointed another Bishop to Officiate for him. The Proceeding to the _Altar_, on this occasion, is as follows.

First, The Serjeant of the Vestry makes a double Reverence, then comes before the Prelate, and makes a single one to him; who thereon arises from his Seat, and the Serjeant proceeds before him into the middle of the _Choir_, where the Prelate makes a double Reverence; and passing forward after the Serjeant, and having ascended the uppermost _Haut-pas_ before the _Altar_, he makes one single Reverence toward the same, and so goes to the North side of it.

After which, the two _Provincial Kings_, _Heralds_, and _Pursuivants_, leaving their fore-mentioned Stations, join together till they come near the Forms of the _Register_, _Garter_, and _Black-Rod_; where, making their double Reverences, they divide again on each side, and there stand.

Lastly, The Alms-Knights come down into the _Choir_ in a Body, and there make their joint double Reverences, and then take their Chairs; all which being finished, Divine Service is begun by the Prelate.

The like Solemnity is observed at any other Place, as well as at _Windsor_; where, because the Alms-Knights are absent, the Pursuivants at Arms ascend nearer the _High-Altar_ than when they are at _Windsor_; but this occasions little Variation.

When the _Vespers_ are ended, the Prelate goes to the middle of the _Altar_, and with great Reverence makes an Obeysance; and thence, with the Serjeant before him, descends to the middle of the _Choir_, where he makes his double Reverences, and so returns to his Seat; whereupon all make ready to pass out of the _Choir_, which is performed in much the same manner, and with the same State, as they proceeded thither; and the Servants and Attendants of the _Knights-Companions_ are marshalled in the same Order as they were at the beginning of the Proceeding, that the whole Procession may again pass through them.

The Alms-Knights having entered the Guard Chamber, spread themselves on each side thereof; the Prebends pass through them, and fall off on either side the Room to the Presence Chamber Door.

Then the _Pursuivants_, _Heralds_, and _Provincial Kings_, proceeding through the Lane made by the Alms-Knights and Prebends, enter the Presence Chamber, and fall off on either side toward the Stall, the King’s standing uppermost.

Then enter the _Knights-Companions_, and place themselves on each side of the State, in such Order as they sat in their Stalls, the eldest nearest the State; but those whose Companions are absent, stand alone; after whom follow the Officers of the _Order_, disposing themselves conveniently near the State.

Lastly, The Sovereign passes to the Step before the State, where, being arrived, he turns toward the _Knights-Companions_, who make their Reverences jointly to him, and he thereon puts off his Cap, and re-salutes them; which done, the Sovereign and they withdraw into the Privy Chamber till Supper time.

But in Queen _Elizabeth_’s Reign, when the Feast of St. _George_ was held at _White-Hall_, or _Greenwich_, and the Sovereign, as was usual with her, proceeded no farther on the Eve to _Vespers_, than to the great Closet, the ordinary way, and thence sent her Lieutenant into the _Choir_. Then, in such Case, when _Vespers_ were ended, the Lieutenant returned from the _Choir_, through the great Hall, and so back to the said Closet, and stood at the Door thereof, attending the Sovereign’s coming forth; from whence they all proceeded before her into the Presence-Chamber, and there the Ceremony, for that time, ended.

But in the Reign of King _James_ I. when the Supper on the Eve, as also the following Meals, were prepared in the Banquetting-House, the Sovereign’s Lieutenant frequently returned from the Closet, by the Lobby, to the said Banquetting-House, instead of going to the Presence; and passing up the State, gave an End to the Ceremony till Supper time: And so we find it observed in the 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 16 of that King.

When the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ are retired, they are not to put off any part of their Robes till Supper is over, for that is prohibited by the _Statutes_, not only to those who do not Sup, as well as those who do. And hereon, 19 _Car._ II. the Sovereign having a mind to take the Air, went into _Hide-Park_, after he had taken leave of the _Knights-Companions_, the Dukes of _York_ and _Monmouth_, and the Earl of _Oxford_ being with him, but all in full Robes, and so returned to Supper.

_The Supper on the Eve._

§ 7. When the Sovereign is pleased to Sup publickly, on the Eve of the Feast at _Windsor_, the Supper has been always prepared in St. _George_’s _Hall_. The usual Place at _White-Hall_, was heretofore in the Presence Chamber; of later times, the Banquetting-House; and at _Greenwich_, either the Presence, or the Council Chamber; where the Sovereign, or his Lieutenant, were always present. But when the Feast of St. _George_ was celebrated at _York_, 17 _Car._ I. the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ marched after the first _Vespers_, to a House prepared for that purpose, and supped there.

But if the Eve of the Feast fell out on a Fasting Day, as it did 22 _Hen._ VIII. and 11 _Jac._ I. the Supper was always omitted; and the Sovereign, with his Lieutenant, and _Knights-Companions_, were served of the Void only.

Nor does the Sovereign, when he Sups publickly, pass privately to the Place; but as soon as notice is given that the first Mess is set upon the Table, he presently enters the Presence Chamber, whence the Officers of the _Order_, and of Arms, the _Knights-Companions_ in their full Robes, for so the _Statutes_ expresly direct, having put themselves into their usual Order, proceed before him to St. _George_’s-_Hall_: Where being entered, the _Pursuivants_, _Heralds_, and _Provincial Kings_, fall off all upon the right Hand, opposite to the _Knights-Companions_ Table, the _Junior Pursuivants_ standing toward the lower End of the Hall. Then the _Knights-Companions_ passing up beyond them, formerly divided themselves on either side, according to the Decree, 16 _Hen._ VIII. and made a stand, each taking Place, according to the Order of their Stalls. But at the Feast held at _White-Hall_, 19 _Car._ II. the Sovereign directed that they should stand all on the right Hand side, facing the Table.

Next, the five Officers of the _Order_ follow, who ascending beyond the _Senior_ Knight, retire on the right Hand: After them the Sovereign, and the Officers of Arms, all doing him Reverence as he passes by: Who passing up to the _Haut-pas_, before his own Table, turns himself to the _Knights-Companions_, and putting off his Cap, they return their Reverences jointly to him.

The Sovereign sitting down to Supper, is first served by Water by some Nobleman; then Grace is said by the Prelate; then is the _Senior_ Knight conducted to his Table by two Officers of _Arms_, and so the rest in Order, to the Tables appointed them. Whereupon the Officers of the _Order_, and of Arms, retire out of the Hall to Supper.

If a Lieutenant be constituted, he proceeds to Supper in full Robes, and in the same Order as doth the Sovereign, and sits alone at the Sovereign’s Table, yet on the left Hand of the Cloth of State, being served in all Points with Water, and by a _Cup-bearer_, _Carver_, and _Sewer_, as the Sovereign himself is.

When Supper is ended, and the Banquet taken away, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ proceed back in the same Order they came to the Presence Chamber, where the Sovereign, or his Lieutenant, standing on the Step before the Cloth of State, Salutes them as before; and then appoints the Hour and Place for the _Knights-Companions_ to attend him the next Morning: The like, if the Supper be provided in any other Place besides the Presence Chamber, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ proceed back thither, because the Ceremony ought to end there, as has always been the Custom. And if the Supper be prepared in the Presence Chamber, they then take their Leave in the same Room, there being no occasion to proceed farther.

If any of the _Knights-Companions_ accompany the Sovereign, or his Lieutenant, to his Lodgings, they then go after, not before him, in regard the State of that Night’s Service ended in the Presence Chamber; and after they have retired to their Lodging, they have Permission to Unrobe.