Part 46

§ 2. In Case of Sickness, if the absent Knight was only confin’d to his Chamber, the Custom was to prepare a Capital Stall for the Sovereign, in the Chamber where he lay, and another Stall for himself, placed according to the before-mentioned directions, to remain during the Feast; in which Room Divine Offices were celebrated. And if the absent Knight was so Sick as to keep his Bed, then his whole Habit of the _Order_ was laid thereon; and upon this Account _Ambrose_, Earl of _Warwick_, falling Ill at _Greenwich_, when St. _George_’s _Day_ was there celebrated, _Anno_ 30 _Eliz._ retir’d to his Chamber, and sat in his Robes.

_In what manner the Feast hath been observ’d by absent Knights._

§ 3. Of this, the _Black-Book_ of the _Order_ gives a very considerable Precedent; Namely, the Feast of St. _George_ held at the Palace of _Hereford_, by Prince _Arthur_, 15 _Hen._ VII. being then in his Government of the Principality of _Wales_; and had with him Sir _Richard Pool_, one of the _Knights-Companions_; where every thing, according to the form of the _Statutes_, was duly observed. The Prince’s Sword was born before his Stall, and the Service performed by his _Herald_ with great exactness. Likewise the Sovereign’s _Herald_ stood all the while before the Sovereign’s Stall, which was adorned with accustomed Ornaments; and the Bishop, who performed Divine Service, had his Seat erected near the High _Altar_.

There are other Instances, as particularly those observed by Sir _Henry Sidney_, at _Shrewsbury_ and _Ludlow_, 23 and 24 Queen _Eliz._ which were very remarkable.

As to the observation of the Feast, by a Knight beyond Sea, there is an Instance in _Robert_, Earl of _Leicester_, Lieutenant for Queen _Elizabeth_, Governor, and Captain General of the united Provinces, and there celebrated the Feast, 1586. He had an Escutcheon of the _Order_, impailed with the Sovereign’s Arms, fixt to the front of his House, so also to the back of her Stall in the Church, and his own Arms at the back of his own Stall.

He proceeded on Horse-back to the Church, a Pursuivant riding before him, wearing a King of Arms’s Coat; who, after Sermon, proceeded before him to the Offering; which he made for the Sovereign and himself; Service being ended, he returned to his Lodging, and dined with great Solemnity.

_Dispensations for Absence granted during Life._

§ 5. Sometimes Dispensations for Absence have been obtained for Life, upon the Petite of the _Knights-Companions_ setting forth their Age and Infirmity: An Instance of which, we find was granted to the Lord _Dacrees_, 26 _Hen._ VIII. and the Earl of _Derby_, 14 _Car._ I. and the Lord _Musgrave_; but both with this Restriction; that the absent should be obliged to send to _Garter_ for his Escutcheons, at the same time that he sent his Excuse, and Petite for Dispensation; and should solemnly keep in his own House the Feast, with all the sacred Rites and Ceremonies, in his Robes, and other Ornaments, if Health permit; and in Case of Sickness, upon his Bed, according to the ancient _Statutes_.

This Act was thought of so great Importance to be observed, that the Chancellor was ordered to transcribe it, and send it to each of the _Knights-Companions_; acquainting them at the same time, with the Penalties they should be liable to, if they neglected the least Punctilio. And the like was again observed, and repeated to them, before the Feast of the ensuing Year.

CAP. XXIV.

_The Degradation of a_ Knight-Companion.

§ 1. The Ensigns of the _Order_ are not to be withdrawn from a Knight, during Life, unless Guilty of some of those Marks of Reproach, set down in King _Henry_ VIII’s _Statutes_, _viz._ Heresy, Treason, or Flying from Battle: It has sometimes been found, that Prodigality has been made a fourth Point, where a Knight has so wasted his Estate, as to be incapable of supporting his Dignity. The Pretence for divesting _William_, Lord _Paget_, 6 _Edw._ VI. was, his not being a Gentleman of Blood, both by Father and Mother. But Felony comes not within the compass of this _Statute_, as not being expresly mentioned among the Reproaches there Summ’d up; and so it was adjudged in a _Chapter_, 14 _Jac._ I. in the Case of _Robert_, Earl of _Somerset_, then lately condemned for that Fact, whereon his Hatchments were not removed.

When a _Knight-Companion_ is found Guilty of any of the Offences mentioned in King _Henry_ VIII’s _Statutes_, he is usually degraded at the next _Chapter_, of which the Sovereign gives the _Knights-Companions_ previous notice; and then commands _Garter_ to attend such of them as are appointed to go to the Convict Knight, who, in a solemn manner, first takes from him the _George_ and _Ribbond_, and then his _Garter_. And at the ensuing Feast of St. _George_, or sooner, if the Sovereign appoint it, publication of his Crimes and Degradation is made by _Garter_.

Next, _Garter_, by Warrant to that purpose, takes down his Atchievement, on which Service he is vested in his Coat of Arms, and the Officers of Arms standing about him, the _Black-Rod_ also present; First _Garter_ reads aloud the Instruments of Degradation, after which one of the _Heralds_, who is placed ready on a Ladder set to the back of the Convict Knight’s Stall, at the Words _expelled, and put from among the Arms_, takes his Crest, and violently casts it down into the _Choir_, after that his Banner and Sword; and when the Publication is read out, all the Officers of Arms spurn the Atchievements out of the _Choir_, into the Body of the Church, first the Sword, then the Banner, and last of all the Crest, so out of the West Door, thence to the Bridge, and over into the Ditch; and thus it was done at the Degradation of _Edward_, Duke of _Buckingham_, 13 _Hen._ VIII. Their Plates are likewise taken down from their Stalls and carried away.

Degradation not being alone thought sufficient, it was debated in _Chapter_, 32 _Hen._ VIII. whether the Names of such _Knights-Companions_ as were convicted of Treason should remain in the _Registers_, or be razed out: Where the Sovereign determined; That wheresoever the Actions or Names of such Offenders should be found, these Words [_Vah Proditor_] should be Written in the Margin; by which means the _Register_ wou’d be preserved fair, and not defaced with razures or blots.

In the close of this Section we may observe, that some _Knights-Companions_, who have suffered Degradation, have lived to be restored thereto; being re-elected, and re-invested, and their Atchievements set up again, by the Indulgence of the next Reign; as were the Lord _Paget_’s, 1 _Mar._ and the Marquiss of _Northampton_, 1 _Eliz._ as likewise the Duke of _Norfolk_, 1 _Mar._

CAP. XXV.

_Honours paid to deceased_ Knights-Companions.

1. As to the first part of this Section, the celebrating Masses for defunct _Knights-Companions_, I think it very little material here; that Ceremony altering with the Form of Religion, became wholly disused, 32 _Hen._ VIII. at which time, in a _Chapter_ then held at _Westminster_, the following Decree was made.

_That everyone of the_ Knights-Companions, _in lieu of the said Masses, should, for the future, after the Death of any of their Brethren, according to the Rates of their Degrees hereafter mentioned, and immediately upon Demand of the_ Register, _and Dean of_ Windsor, _or one of them, pay the several Sums following._

_l._ _s._ _d._ The Sovereign 8 06 8 A Stranger King 6 08 4 The Prince 5 16 8 A Duke 5 00 0 A Marquiss 3 16 0 An Earl 2 10 0 A Viscount 1 01 8 A Baron 1 13 4 A Knight-Batchelor 0 16 8

The Monies so collected, (called _Obiit Monies_) were by the said Decree appointed to be distributed in Alms-Deeds, _as the Reparation of High Ways_, _the Relief of the Poor, &c._ The receipt and disbursements of these Sums were committed to the care of the Dean and Register.

Mr. _Ashmole_, has made this addition in his Library, which it will not be out of our way to observe, for the information of those who may be desirous to know how the Point then stood; that not withstanding the aforesaid Order in _Chapter_, made the 24th of _May_, _Anno_ 32 _Hen._ VIII. for changing the Number of Masses usually Sung for defunct Knights, into a pecuniary Rate, according their degrees; the Prayers for Souls departed, both by private Persons, as also by the Clergy, in Masses and Exequies; nay farther, to give Alms to others, and to pray for them, was continued by the Church of _England_ several Years beyond that space; for in a Book, entituled the _Institution of a Christian Man, &c._ made by the Clergy of _England_, as appears by the Subscriptions of the Archbishops, Bishops, and others of the Clergy to the Preface; dedicated by them to King _Henry_ VIII. and printed by _Thomas Bartelet_, the King’s Printer, _Anno_ 1537. _cum Privilegio_, the Article of Purgatory is there set down.

But to proceed. This charitable distribution, in a _Chapter_ held at _Greenwich_, 5 _Edw._ VI. was enlarged to the relief of the Poor in the Town of _Windsor_, and other Towns, Villages, and Places, at the discretion of the Dean of _Windsor_. And though the said Decree was confirmed by King _Edward_ VI. Queen _Mary_, and Queen _Elizabeth_, yet for many Years, the Collection of these _Obiit_ Monies was neglected; till in 9 _Car._ I. the Earl of _Portland_, out of his great Generosity, as well as his Zeal for restoring so pious a Work, reiterated to the Sovereign the ancient Decrees made in this Case. Whereupon it passed in _Chapter_, that the same should be revived, and for ever continued; and that the same should begin for the five Knights, whose Atchievements were offered at that Feast, _viz._ the King of _Sweden_, the Elector Palatine, the Earls of _Northumberland_, _Banbury_, and _Rutland_. And as to Stranger Princes, it pleased the Sovereign to express himself, _That as by the_ Statutes _they are left_ to perform these Payments by themselves, if they wou’d; so, if it were not done by them, that both then, and for the future, the same should be paid by the Sovereign himself.

Afterwards, all the Sums of Money, to be collected by Virtue of this Decree, together with the _Knights-Companions_ Duties, at their first Entrance in the _Order_, were employed toward providing Plate for the _Altar_, within St. _George_’s _Chappel_, which is already treated of.

_Of fixing on the Stalls Plates of their Arms and Stiles._

§ 2. The next thing provided for by the _Statutes_ of Institution, was the deceased Knight’s Honour; in regard of which, it was ordained, _That when any one of the first Founders should die, there should be in Metal an Escutcheon of his Arms, with his Helm, or Crest, fastened at the back of his Stall, for a Mark of Honour to him that bore them_. And in like manner, _that their Successors should have a like Escutcheon fixed on the back of their Stalls_; and to difference them from those of the first Founders, they were appointed to be made somewhat less, and to be placed a little underneath them. But this Article relates only to the _Knights-Companions_, not to the Sovereigns of the _Order_; nor do we find that any of them had Plates of their Arms and Stiles set upon the back of their Stalls, in manner as is before prescribed to the rest of the _Knights-Companions_.

King _Henry_ VIII. in his Body of _Statutes_, alters this Article in three particulars; first, as to the setting up their Plates, which he appoints not to be after their Deaths, but within, after the Installation of every _Knight-Companion_; secondly, as to the nature of the Metal, that it may be such as the Knight shall please himself: And lastly, as to the size, though he also restrains the _Knights-Subjects_ to a lesser than those of the first Founders; yet he gives liberty to the _Knights-Strangers_ to use their Plates and Fashions at Pleasure. As to the first of these, it has been pretty duly observed; and indeed the second, of making them of Copper; but the last, _viz._ the size, has been very little regarded; for the very Plates of those Knights who were soon after installed, and thence downwards, are larger than those of the first Founders.

In tract of time, many of these Memorials were, by sacrilegious Hands, taken away, which King _Charles_ I. taking notice of, and desirous to put a stop to a Mischief not in his Power to prevent, and to preserve the Remembrance of the precedent _Knights-Companions_; commanded the Dean of _Windsor_ to describe the Stiles of those that remained in a Book, which he accordingly did, and deposited the same in the College: But what became of this Book, could not be afterwards discovered; so that the most that could be done, was to draw the Arms, and Copy out the Stiles, engraven on the Plates then remaining; from whence the following Observations may be made.

First, That for many Years after the Institution of the _Order_, the Plate whereon the Shield was engraved, bore no other Inscription, than the deceased Knight’s Name, set at the Foot thereof, under the Escutcheon of his Arms. Afterwards, the chief Title of Honour began to be added, though now and then, in the first and elder times, both were omitted, as also their Crests. But about the beginning of King _Henry_ VIII’s Reign, not only the Knight’s chief Title, but all other his Titles and Dignities, whether Honorary, or Officiary, were drawn together in one Inscription, concluding with that of Knight of this most Noble _Order_; and which, about the same time, the _Knights-Companions_ used to insert, in all their publick and private Instruments of Writing; a Custom observed by the Knights of other Sovereigns _Orders_ Abroad.

At first the _Knights-Companions_ gave their Paternal Coats of Arms, singly and without any Quarterings; but toward the beginning of _Hen._ V. they began to add their Quarterings, as appears from the Escutcheons of _Hugh_, Lord _Burnel_, who died 9 _Hen._ V. Sir _Lewis Robessart_, and others. Yet was not the same generally used, but left to the Pleasure of the _Knights-Companions_.

But of later times, this very thing was thought of such concern, that where a Knight has been elected, who wanted Quarterings, the Sovereign has been pleased to grant him another Coat of Arms, to quarter with his Paternal Coat; that his Banner, which ought to hang over his Stall, might not seem too naked.

Soon after King _Henry_ VIII’s Accession, the Knights compassed their Shields with the Royal _Garter_, and thereon (such as were Noblemen) placed the Coronet belonging to their Dignity. As to Supporters, we observe two Places to which they are added; the one of _John Beaufort_, the first Duke of _Somerset_ of that Name, elected 20 _Hen._ VI. the other of _Anthony Widvile_, Earl _Rivers_, elected 5 _Edw._ IV. and besides these, till the Reign of King _Henry_ VIII. there is not another Example: But then it grew into common usage, as also the ingraving their peculiar Motto’s, or Devices upon the Plates.

_The Offering of Atchievements._

§ 3. A third Honour paid to the defunct Knight, is a most solemn Offering up his Atchievements at the High _Altar_; namely, the Banner of his Arms, his Sword, Helmet, and Crest, with its Mantlings; all which had been set up over his Stall at his Installation. The Ceremony of Offering these Ensigns does not appear to have been regulated at the Institution of the _Order_, but rather added as an additional Honour, by King _Henry_ V. and the manner thereof set down in the fourteenth Article of his Body of _Statutes_.

This Solemnity is local to the Chappel of St. _George_, within the Castle of _Windsor_, and not to be performed till the Sovereign has notice of the _Knight-Companion’s_ Death.

In 1 _Edw._ VI. at the Feast then held at _Windsor_, there arose a Question, whether the Atchievements of King _Henry_ VIII. which yet hung over the Sovereign’s Stall, should be taken down and offered at the Mass of _Requiem_ ensuing, or not? in regard his Banner, Sword, Helm, and Crest, with Mantles, had been offered up before, at his Interment within that Chappel. In conclusion of which it was determined, _That the said Atchievements shou’d not again be offered, but remain over the Sovereign’s Stall, for his Son King_ Edward VI. But when the Sovereigns of this most Noble _Order_ are not interred at _Windsor_, then their Atchievements are offered up the next ensuing Feast; as were those of Queen _Elizabeth_, which the _Blue-Book_ notes to be done at Morning Prayer.

As to the time for performing this Ceremony, it was ordained to be on the Morrow after the Feast, when the Mass was Sung for the Souls of the _Knights-Companions_, _&c._ and so was duly observed till the time of the Reformation, when the Mass of _Requiem_ being abolished, it was nevertheless at the Morning Service, on the Morrow immediately after the Offertory: But after Queen _Elizabeth_ had removed the Feast of St. _George_ from _Windsor_, this Solemnity was frequently dispatched in one Day, before they went out of the _Choir_; and the ancient Rule, as to the time, being thus broke, was never after restored, but generally performed the very same Morning wherein the elect Knights were installed: And though the Day was thus changed, yet the Ceremony it self was not performed till after the Installation was finished, that Solemnity having always the Precedency, till 9 _Jac._ I. when he observing how incongruous it seemed, to instal a new Knight before his Predecessor had been fully discharged of his Stall, gave Order for Offering the Atchievements of Sir _Henry Lea_, the Lord _Scroop_, and others, before the Instalment of the elect Knights.

Not long after, it was thought convenient to perform this Ceremony on the Eve of the Feast, presently after the first _Vespers_ began; and next to proceed with the Installations; whereby, as much as possible, the Stalls of the _Knights-Companions_ might be supplied, in all the rest of the Solemnities of the Feast. But if at any time, any of the new elect Knights were introduced into the _Choir_, before the Offering of the Atchievements began, they were appointed to stand there under the Stalls designed for them till that Ceremony was finished.

Thus it continued from the said 9 _Jac._ I. till the 15 _Car._ II. when it was performed at the time anciently accustomed for it; the Prince of _Denmark_, and the Duke of _Monmouth_, being both installed before the first _Vespers_ began, and the Atchievements of the defunct Knights not offered till the Morrow after the Feast Day.

As to the Manner and Order of this Ceremony, among other Institutions of King _Henry_ V. it is appointed, _That as often as, through the vacancy of any Stall, the Swords, Helms, with the rest of the defunct Knights, ought to be offered, the Sword of the deceased Knight shall be first offered, being carried up to the_ High Altar _by two of the_ Knights-Companions, _and afterwards the Helm, with the Crest and Mantlings, by two other_ Knights-Companions; _and this Offering is to be made for them, in the Order they were installed, not as they died_.

But of the Offering of a defunct Knight’s Banner, we find no express mention till 18 _Hen._ VII. at which time the Banner of the Lord _Brook_ was offered: But afterwards the direction for Offering their Ensign and Banner was taken into King _Henry_ VIII’s Body of _Statutes_. And since the same were introduced, according to the foregoing Precedent, it was to be offered first, and so hath been generally observed.

By the appointment of the _Statutes_ of _Henry_ V. the Sovereign is to nominate and assign the _Knights-Companions_, who are severally to perform this Ceremony; and so is the direction in _Henry_ VIII’s _Statutes_: But since the beginning of Queen _Elizabeth_’s Reign, the Knights have generally proceeded to this Offering, according to their Seniority; and when the Course ended, then the _Seniors_ began again. There are likewise many Examples where the Sovereign’s Lieutenant has joined in the Ceremony to assist the other Knights: Nor is a Proxy, or Deputy, to be admitted to perform any part of the Ceremony, though in the Offering of Money he ought.

We shall next proceed to the Duties of the Prelate of the _Order_, the Prebends, and Officers of Arms, as their Services severally, or jointly, relate to the performance of this Ceremony. First then, the Prelate, and two Prebends, ought to proceed up to the _Altar_, immediately before _Garter_ summons down the _Knights-Companions_ to the Offering; and there stand ready to receive the Atchievements, as they are severally offered up.

It is next the Duty of the _Provincial Kings_, and _Heralds_, to conduct the _Knights-Companions_, when they proceed up to the _Altar_, bearing any part of the defunct Knight’s Atchievements. The whole Ceremony is briefly thus.

First _Garter_ rises from his Seat, and proceeds into the middle of the _Choir_, where, after his usual Obeysances, he summons the _Knights-Companions_ to descend, who come down and place themselves before their Stalls: Whereupon _Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_ (or in the absence of either, the _Senior Herald_, or of both, of the two eldest _Heralds_,) pass down from the Steps of the _Altar_ into the Body of the _Choir_; in the interim _Garter_ takes the _Banner_ of the eldest defunct Knight, and presents it, half rolled up, to the two _Senior Knights-Companions_; the two _Provincial Kings_ by this time approaching them, make their double Reverences, and after to the other _Knights-Companions_, and then stand a little aside; while the two _Senior_ Knights, having taken the _Banner_ between them, make their double Reverence, and pass up to the _Altar_, (preceeded by the Kings) bearing it with the lower end of the Staff foremost, and at the first _Haut-Pas_ make another double Reverence. The _Provincial Kings_ being arrived at the uppermost _Haut-Pas_, after an humble Obeysance, divide themselves to make way for the Knights to Offer, who forthwith raise the Point of the _Banner_ upwards, and after a single Reverence toward the _Altar_, present it upon their Knees, to the Prelate of the _Order_, who delivers it to two Canons, and they deposite it upon Cushions laid before the _Altar_. This done, the two _Provincial Kings_ conduct the Knights back into the _Choir_, who, with the usual Reverences, retire to their Stations, under (not to) their Stalls, and the _Provincial Kings_ to their, on either side the _Altar_.

Next the two _Senior Heralds_ pass down into the _Choir_, as the _Provincial Kings_ did, whilst _Garter_, taking up the Sword, presents it to the two next _Senior_ Knights, who proceed to the _Altar_ with the two _Heralds_ before them, in the same Order as before, bearing the Sword between them, and offer the same with the Pommel or Hilt upwards, and then retire as before.

In the next place, the two next _Senior Heralds_ go down as before, and the _Helm_ and _Crest_ is offered in the like manner: But the _Pursuivants_ at _Arms_ do no part of this Duty.

Heretofore we find that _Garter_ has not only begun this Solemnity, by presenting the _Banner_, but has also conducted the two _Senior_ Knights to the _Altar_, as he did 5 _Eliz._ by the _Banner_ of the Lord _Grey_; and at some other times. It was likewise the usage heretofore for the Prelate to deliver the offered Atchievements, to some of the _Heralds_, to be deposited near the _Altar_.