Part 45

First, (After the Preparations made for the Offering, as aforesaid,) he descends from his Stall with the usual Reverences, and goes to the Steps ascending the Sovereign’s Stall, and there stands a while; then making his double Obeysance, he proceeds towards the _Altar_ (the Officers of the _Order_ going before him,) with one other Reverence in the middle of the _Choir_, and another at the first _Haut Pas_ of the _Altar_; the Carpet and Cushion is spread and laid for him, as is for the Sovereign, and the Offering also given in the same way, and the Lieutenant kneeling puts it in the Bason, and returns to the Sovereign’s Stall in the same Order, _&c._ he came; where standing a while again before it, he makes a Reverence towards it, and then goes up into his own Stall, where (if it fall out that the Lieutenant is not the _Senior_ Knight,) he stays to receive the Reverences of all the _Knights-Companions_ his _Seniors_, as they go up to Offer, and when his own turn comes to Offer, he descends with a double Reverence, and proceeds up with his Fellow, (if present) and Offers for himself in his own Place, but his Train is then let down, the Carpet, _&c._ taken away, and only two Officers of Arms (but none of the _Order_) proceeds before him, and when he has Offer’d, he returns to his Stall.

But it seems, 7 _Jac._ I. that _Garter_ alone, on the Feast Day, brought up the Prince, then the Sovereign’s Lieutenant, when he came to Offer for himself, which Service ought to have been performed by _Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_, which was an oversight in _Garter_; as likewise his bringing down at the same, the _Knights-Companions_ out of their Stalls to Offer, before the Epistle and Gospel were Read, contrary to the usage of former times; by which they were kept a tedious time waiting below in the _Choir_, before the Offering began. But 11 _Jac._ I. the Prince was brought up by _Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_, when he came to Offer, and not by _Garter_. When the Lieutenant hath Offered for himself, he returns to the lower end of the Stalls, and passes to his own, where having paid the usual Reverences, he enters it, and is ready to receive the Reverences of all the other _Knights-Companions_.

As soon as the Sovereign, or his Lieutenant, is returned to his Stall, the two Provincial Kings pass down into the middle of the _Choir_, where making Reverences jointly to the _Altar_, and next to the Sovereign, _Clarenceux_ turns himself to the _Senior_ Knight, and makes him a third Reverence, while _Norroy_ at the same Instant does the same to the next _Junior_ Knight, and so both, as an intimation of their going up to Offer; then each King retires a little backward toward the Stalls: In the mean time, the two _Senior_ Knights draw near together, and making double Reverences, _Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_ step forth, and pass up before them, till they arrive near the Prelate; (or if the _Senior_ Knight be without his Opposite, then he is brought up single,) then making their Reverences, first towards the _Altar_, next to the Knights, _Clarenceux_ retires to the right side, and _Norroy_ to the left, waiting for the return of the Knights, who are kneeling on the uppermost _Haut Pas_ of the _Altar_, making their Offering. Which humble Ceremony of kneeling, not being heretofore used, was fixed by a Decree of 4 _Car._ I.

The _Knights-Companions_ Offerings are both of Silver and Gold, which is receiv’d by two of the Prebends, or by one Prebend and one Chantor, anciently by one Chantor only, when the Offering is at _Windsor_; but by the Dean of the Chappel, when at _White-Hall_. The Offering being made, the _Knights-Companions_ rise, and forthwith divide themselves, _Clarenceux_ conducting the _Senior_ Knight to the lower end of the Stalls on the Sovereign’s side; and _Norroy_ the next _Junior_ Knight, to the lower end of the Stalls on the Prince’s side; and at parting make their Reverences, and return to their Stations before the _Altar_. The Knights, at their Entrance into the Stalls, make their double Reverences together, and then pass on to their own; where making the like Reverences, they take their Seats.

But if any Stranger King be present at the Offering, he does not retire to his Seat, by the lower end of the Stalls, but along the _Choir_, as does the Sovereign, the same way he proceeded up: So did the King of _Denmark_, 4 _Jac._ I.

The Ceremonies of the two _Senior_ Knights Offering being finished, the two _Senior Heralds_ observing their last Reverences, pass down into the _Choir_, in the same manner as did _Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_, to bring up the next two _Senior_ Knights to Offer, who use all the same Ceremonies, and are conducted back in like manner to the _Altar_; and so of the other, brought up by the two next _Senior Heralds_; _Clarenceaux_ and _Norroy_ beginning again, if there are more Knights than the _Heralds_ in one Course supply; and after them the _Heralds_ again, till the whole is ended: And here it may be noted, that where any Knight goeth single to Offer, he hath nevertheless two _Heralds_ to attend him.

Touching the Offerings themselves, made in the Chappel of _Windsor_, they belong of right to the Dean and Prebends, being conferr’d on them by the _Statutes_ of the College: And ordained also, that the _Chantor_ should see them receiv’d, and faithfully kept; and at the end of every Month, or Weekly, if the College required it, give an Account of what was receiv’d: All which was confirmed by King _Edward_ III. the Bishop, Dean, and Chapter of _Salisbury_, to whose Jurisdiction the College of _Windsor_ belongs; and also by the Bishop of _Winchester_, Prelate of the _Garter_, 1352. But Dr. _Montague_, Bishop of _Winchester_, at the Feast at _Windsor_, 21 _Jac._ I. challenged a right to the Offerings; and Bishop _Andrews_ did _de Facto_ both receive, and keep the Offerings, whenever he officiated at _Windsor_. But on complaint of the Dean and Prebends of _Windsor_, this matter was referred to the Chapter; yet we do not find that any final or positive Determination was ever made to the time of the Restauration, from which time the right of the Dean and Canons has never been disputed, and the _Statutes_ have duly taken Place.

What has usually been offered, either in Gold or Silver, we shall see by the Account given in by the Bishop of _Winchester_, 4 _Car._ I. at St. _George_’s _Feast_ at _Windsor_, _September_ 24.

The whole Offering of the eight Knights, is four Pounds fifteen Shillings, _viz._ in Gold ten Shillings each, and in Silver two; excepting the Lord Steward, whose Offering in Silver was only one Shilling; besides the Sovereign’s _Bezant_ redeemable.

The Offerings on the twenty fifth Day.

His Majesty’s Offering in Gold one Pound, and in Silver ten Shillings.

The eight _Knights-Companions_ the same as the Day before; the whole, besides the King’s _Bezant_, eleven Pounds.

When all the Knights have offered, and are returned to their Stalls, the Chancellor of the _Order_ makes his Reverences; and after him, the _Register_, _Garter_, and _Black-Rod_, theirs together, and take their Seats: Next, the Carpet being rolled up by the Groom and Page of the removing Wardrobe, the _Provincial Kings_, _Heralds_, and _Pursuivants_, and last of all the Alms-Knights, make their Reverences, and pass into the _Choir_, where they remain till the Prelate has finished the second Service; who, conducted by the Serjeant of the Vestry, comes down from the _Altar_ with his accustomed Reverences to his Seat. After whom, the two Prebends are brought down by the Virger, who making their usual Reverences take their Seats.

_The Return to the Presence._

§ 6. Immediately after, all prepare to pass out of the _Choir_, and to proceed back to the Presence Chamber, which is done in every particular as it is in the return of the Sovereign from the first _Vespers_.

The Proceeding passes on through the South-Door of the Chappel, and here the Trumpets are taken in, and placed before the Alms-Knights, and sound all the way to the Guard Chamber; at which time the Drums and Fifes begin to beat and play. Thence the Proceeding passes into the Presence Chamber, whither it ought to go, before the Sovereign pass into the great Hall to Dinner; and here the _Knights-Companions_ take their usual Stands; and after the Sovereign’s Salutation, and their Reverences, the Sovereign retires into the Privy Chamber, and the Knights likewise retire till Dinner is ready.

_Of the Dinner on the Feast Day._

§ 7. As soon as the Sovereign hath notice given him, that the first Mess is set on the Table, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ come out of the Privy Lodgings into the Presence Chamber, attended by the Officers of the _Order_, and seat themselves in the same manner, as at the Supper on the Eve of the Feast: The Musick sounding whilst the said Mess is carrying up; which is in the following Order.

Four Serjeants at Arms, two and two. The Comptroller. The Treasurer. The Sewer. The Messes carried up by the Pensioners. Master of the Houshold. Cofferer. A Clerk Comptroller. A Clerk Comptroller. Second Clerk of the Kitchin. Chief Clerk of the Kitchin.

The Sovereign hath most frequently sat alone, though sometimes heretofore he hath been pleased to admit some of the _Knights-Companions_ to sit at the Table with him; but this Honour has not been offered to any of them since the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_. As soon as the Sovereign is placed, the _Knights-Companions_ put on their Caps, and remaining covered, retire against the Tables prepared for them; where Water is brought them by a Gentleman of Quality; and having washed, they all sit down.

The Order of passing to their Seats at the Table, 19 _Car._ II. and so appointed to be observed for the future, was after the following manner. First, The Duke of _York_ entered the Rails at the upper end of the Table, and passed down the hither side, to the lower end, and thence to the bench-side to his Place: In like manner followed all the other Knights, according to the Seniority of their Stalls, as it is ordained they shall sit, and not according to their Estates or Dignities, (except the Sons of Stranger Kings, Princes, and Dukes,) and all on the right Hand, or farther side of their Table, not one against another, but two and two at a Table to a Mess, and those whose Opposites are wanting to sit alone, and have a whole Mess. Their Meat being usually brought up by the Yeomen of the Guard; and are attended by some of the Gentlemen Pensioners, and others of the Sovereigns Servants, two to each Table.

It appears that anciently the Officers of the _Order_ had a Table allowed them in the great Hall, and sat covered in the Sovereign’s Presence; but on the Eve of the Feast, 10 _Car._ I. it was ordered in _Chapter_, That they should be at their Choice, to keep the Feast privately by themselves, or sit uncovered where the Sovereign dined. Whereupon, from that time, they forbore sitting in the Hall, or where else the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ sat. It likewise appears, that the Officers of Arms did anciently sit in St. _George_’s _Hall_, at a Table joined to that, at which the Officers of the _Order_ sat.

Before the Entrance of the Sovereign’s second Course, he stands up and drinks to the _Knights-Companions_, (and so it is remembred to be done by _Phil._ and _Mar._) they standing all the while uncovered, till they have all pledged him: Which done, the Officers of Arms make themselves ready, at the lower end of the Hall, to proceed up in the following _Order_.

Garter. Clarenceux and Norroy. Heralds two and two. Pursuivants two and two.

And so altogether make their Reverence to the Sovereign, and proceed near the side of the Knights Table, till they come to the middle of the Hall, where, after another Reverence made, they go still forward; and when _Garter_ has passed about two Yards beyond the Knights Table, and come near the _Haut Pas_ ascending the Sovereign’s State, they make the like Reverence again jointly. Then _Garter_ with a loud and audible Voice cries Largess thrice, though anciently but twice.

Upon _Garter’s_ beginning to cry Largess, all the _Knights-Companions_, unless Kings and great Princes, if any be present, stand up uncovered, till he has made an end; (which Custom, it seems, 7 _Car._ I. had been discontinued for some time.) Then _Garter_ proceeds, and Proclaims the Sovereign’s Stiles and Titles of Honour, first in _Latin_, after in _French_, and lastly in _English_; he and the Officers of Arms making a Reverence between; and at the end join altogether in crying Largess thrice, and then all make Reverence together.

Hereupon, sometimes the Treasurer of the Houshold puts the Sovereign’s Largess, which is ten Pounds in Gold, into _Garter_’s Hat; and this is afterwards divided among the Officers of Arms, according to Custom. But _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II. the _Black-Rod_ put the Largess into _Garter_’s Hat. This being finished, all the Officers of Arms retire about three Yards backward, keeping their Faces towards the Sovereign, and there make a Reverence, and so a second, and thence retire out of the Hall to Dinner.

This Ceremony ended, the Sovereign’s second Course is brought up; first the Serjeants at Arms, next the Treasurer and Comptroller of the Houshold, next the Sewer, then the Gentlemen-Pensioners, bearing the Messes; then the Cofferer and Master of the Houshold, the two Clerks of the Green-Cloth, the two Clerks Comptrollers, and lastly the two Clerks of the Kitchin, habited in their Gowns, and their Caps in their Hands. And after the Sovereign’s Table is compleatly furnished, the second Course is served up to the Knights Table by the Yeomen of the Guard, in such Order as was the first.

But where any _Knight-Companion_ happens to be installed at this Grand Feast, and is present at Dinner, then _Garter_, and the Officers of Arms, proceed in Order, (after they have proclaimed the Sovereign’s Stile,) from the lower end of the Hall, till they come before the new installed Knight’s Mess, and there _Garter_ cries Largess once, and Proclaims his Stile in _English_ only; and then retires to Dinner.

In the last Place comes in the Banquet, brought to the Sovereign’s Table by the Pensioners, in the same Order as the Messes; (only in Place of the Clerk of the Kitchin, the Chief Clerk of the Spicery waits,) and the Banquet for the _Knights-Companions_, by the Yeomen of the Guard.

Dinner being ended, the _Knights-Companions_ rise first, and having washed, place themselves a little below the State, in their usual Order, and make their Reverences to the Sovereign. After which, the Sovereign hears Grace said by the Prelate, then Water is brought in the usual way, and the Sovereign washes: Which done, the Knights making again due Reverence to the Sovereign, he puts off his Cap, and salutes them, and then proceeds as usually to the Presence Chamber, with the Knights and Officers of the _Order_ before him, _&c._

In like manner does the Sovereign’s Lieutenant proceed from the Presence to the Hall, or such other Room where the Dinner is prepared, only his Place at the Table is a little on the left Hand the Cloth of State, or at the end of the Table: And after Dinner, he returns to the Presence in the same Order as the Sovereign does.

_The Ceremonies belonging to the second_ Vespers.

§ 8. The usual time for Proceeding to the _Chapter-House_, hath usually been about four a Clock in the Afternoon, but sometimes not before five, by reason of the length of the Dinner. The Proceeding is as at other times; and when the Sovereign and Knights have made a Cavalcade of it on the Eve, or on the Feast Day, the same has been observed at the Proceeding to the second _Vespers_.

It has been customary to hold a _Chapter_ before the second _Vespers_, for the regulation of the Affairs of the _Order_. When the second _Vespers_ are ended, the Proceeding passes out of the _Choir_ in the very same Order as at the first _Vespers_; but _Anno_ 15 _Car._ I. it happening to be late ere the second _Vespers_ ended, the Sovereign did not go to the Presence Chamber, but proceeded directly to the great Hall to Supper by Torch Light.

_Of the Supper on the Evening of the Feast Day._

§ 9. It has not been frequently known, that the Sovereign hath supped publickly in St. _George_’s _Hall_ on the Feast Day; but when it happens, as 14 _Car._ I. the Proceeding thither, and return, are in all respects performed as at the Supper on the Eve. And if the Sovereign’s Lieutenant hath on this Night supped publickly, then it was in the Presence Chamber, where he sat alone at the Sovereign’s Table, as at other times.

CAP. XXII.

_The Ceremonies observed on the last Day of the Feast._

_Of the Proceeding to the Choir._

§ 1. The manner of Proceeding to the _Chapter-House_ is performed in the same manner as it was on the Eve of the Feast; and differs only in this Point; that then the Sovereign and Knights are obliged by the _Statutes_ to proceed in full Robes; here, by the Indulgence of King _Henry_ VIII’s _Statutes_, all are dispensed with, except the upper Robe or Mantle: And as then the Image of St. _George_ was worn Pendant at the Coller of the _Order_, now a blue Ribbond sufficeth; and instead of a Cap and Feather, only their ordinary Hats.

It was the ancient Custom to Celebrate a _Chapter_ in the Morning of the last Day of the Feast, before the Sovereign proceeded to the Chappel, chiefly to make Election of Knights, where any Stall is void; which has sometimes been held, when the Sovereign did not go to the Chappel, in the Privy Chamber, and then the Lieutenant, waving the _Chapter-House_, proceeds straight on to the Chappel, and enters at the South Door.

_Of the elect Knights proceeding into the_ Choir.

§ 2. Where an Election has been made of a Person then present at Court, he is called into the _Chapter-House_ by _Garter_, according to the usual manner; and having been invested with the _George_ and _Garter_, he usually passed in the Proceeding to the Chappel, whether it were from the _Chapter-House_, or Presence Chamber; and in this ordinary Apparel, always bare-headed; the Place allowed him in the Proceeding being between the _Knights-Companions_ and the Officers of Arms: But if two Knights have been elected, they then proceed together, before the _Knights-Companions_. At his Entrance into the _Choir_, the elect Knight is placed by _Garter_, next before the lowest Stall; or if there be two elected, and both proceed to the Chappel, they are placed in the two lowest Stalls; where they are to stand all Service time, unless upon Licence to sit, as they have sometimes obtained.

_Of the Ceremonies performed at Divine Service._

§ 3. In this Morning Service, before the Reformation of our Church, the Mass of _Requiem_ was solemnly Sung, for the Souls of the _Knights-Companions_, and all faithful Souls departed, which was provided for by the _Statutes_. As likewise, that all the Knights should be present thereat, unless upon License obtained, or special Case to the contrary. At this Celebration, was the deceased Knights Atchievements also offered with solemn Ceremony; of which we shall speak presently.

Another Ceremony belonging to the Service of this Morning, is the Offering of Gold and Silver, which (when the first Sentence of the Offertory has been pronounced,) is again performed by the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_; the Ceremonies being the same, in all particulars, as are observed at the like Offering on the Feast Day.

Divine Service being ended, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ frequently proceed to the _Chapter-House_, and there put off their Mantles, and therewith the Ceremonies of this Grand Feast determine.

CAP. XXIII.

_The Observation of the Grand Feast by absent Knights._

_Absent Knights enjoined to observe the Grand Feast._

§ 1. Having shewn with what Magnificence and Ceremony the Feast of St. _George_ has been, and ought to be observed; as also how strictly the _Statutes_ oblige the _Knights-Companions_ to appear annually thereat; and what severe Penalties they are liable to, if absent, except on reasonable Cause of Absence. Yet lest the Honour might receive diminution, from too small an Appearance at its publick Solemnities; it was farther at the Institution of the _Order_ Decreed: _That none of them should depart the Kingdom, without first acquainting the Sovereign, and obtaining his special Leave and License_; nevertheless the Sovereign granted them License to go beyond Sea, before the rest of his Subjects, if they were dispos’d to undertake any Military Expedition, from whence any Glory of Knighthood might be hop’d for.

It was then by the eleventh Article also ordained; (on whatsoever occasion the Absence might be,) _That wheresoever any of the_ Knights-Companions _resided, during the said Feast, they should wear their Mantles of the_ Order, _from the Hour of the first Vespers on the Eve of St._ George, _till the second_ Vespers _on the Feast Day were finished; as they should have done, had they been present in Person, with the Sovereign or his Deputy, during the whole Celebration of the Feast; (in case they were not deprived of their Liberty) the Prorogation of the Feast notwithstanding_.

King _Henry_ VIII. observing the Custom of these Celebrations began to be neglected, in the eleventh year of his Reign, enlarged the Law in this particular, explaining the said eleventh Article. He declar’d and enjoin’d the wearing of the whole Habit on the Eve of St. _George_, if the _Knight-Companion_ were not under restraint. Then he enumerated the times for wearing it; to wit, on the Eve, at all times of Divine Service, Dinner and Supper; unless in case of War, Sickness, or other just impediment; when it was sufficient, if the absent Knight did wear the _Garter_ and _George_, either in a Gold Chain, or Silk Ribbond.

And when the same Sovereign, about three Years after, made a general Reformation of the _Statutes_, he enjoin’d the absent _Knights-Companions_ (unless under restraint,) to prepare a Capital Stall in the Church or Chappel where he design’d to hear Service, to the Honour of the Sovereign; in which should be set up the Arms of the _Order_ within a _Garter_; and also to erect another Stall, as far in distance (according to the proportion of the said Church or Chappel,) from the Stall of the Sovereign, as is the absent Knights Stall in the Castle of _Windsor_, and therein place his own Arms: And should wear the whole Habit of the _Order_, and hear Divine Service, such as the Church ordained for the said time; as well on the Eve and Morning, as on the Afternoon on the Feast Day. He is likewise to do Reverence towards the _Altar_, in the Honour of God, and after towards the Stall erected for the Sovereign, at his coming in and going out of the said Church or Chappel, and, as often as he should pass before the said Stall. But Emperors, Kings, Princes, or Electors, are excepted, who may place their Seats and Stalls as they think fitting.

This Decree is still in full force, and we shall only further observe, that it has been usual for the absent Knight to perform the same Ceremonies as near as may be to what is observed at _Windsor_, and to be attended with a convenient Number of Gentlemen before him, well habited, with the Officers of his Houshold, _&c._ who, according to their Degrees, proceed two and two together bare-headed; and that he Dines and Sups alone at all times, unless a _Knight-Companion_ be with him.

_How it is to be observed in Case of Sickness._