What order of election, and what estatutes were prescribed vnto the
elected at this first institution, as yet I can not exactlie
vnderstand; neither can I learne what euerie prince afterward added
therevnto before the six and thirtith yeare of king Henrie the eight,
and third of king Edward the sixt: wherefore of necessitie I must
resort vnto the estate of the said order as it is at this present,
which I will set downe so brieflie as I may. When anie man therefore
is to be elected (vpon a roome found void for his admission) into this
fellowship, the king directeth his letters vnto him, notwithstanding
that he before hand be nominated to the same, to this effect. Right
trustie and welbeloued we gréete you well, asserteining you, that in
consideration aswell of your approoued truth and fidelitie, as also of
your couragious and valiant acts of knighthood, with other your
probable merits knowne by experience in sundrie parties and behalfes:
we with the companions of the noble order of the Garter, assembled at
the election holden this daie within our manour of N. haue elected and
chosen you amongst other to be one of the companions of the said
Order, as your deserts doo condignelie require. Wherefore we will that
with conuenient diligence vpon the sight herof, you repaire vnto our
presence, there to receiue such things as to the said order
apperteineth. Dated vnder our signet at our maner of N. &c. These
letters are the exemplification of certeine, which (as it should
séeme) were written An. 3. Edwardi sexti at Gréenewich Aprilis 24,
vnto the earle of Huntingdon, & the lord George Cobham your lordships
honorable father, at such time as they were called vnto the aforesaid
companie. I find also these names subscribed vnto the same.
Edward duke of Summerset vncle to the king.
The marq. of Northhampton.
Earle of Arundell L. Chamberleine.
Earle of Shrewesburie.
L. Russell lord priuie seale.
L. S. Iohn lord great master.
Sir Iohn Gage.
S. Anthonie Wingfield.
Sir William Paget.
[Sidenote: Admission.]
Being elected, preparation is made for his installing at Windsore (the
place appointed alwaies for this purpose) whereat it is required that
his banner be set vp, of two yardes and a quarter in length, and thrée
quarters in bredth, besides the fringe. Secondlie his sword of
whatsoeuer length him séemeth good. Thirdlie his helme, which from the
charnell vpwards ought to be of thrée inches at the least. Fourthlie
the crest, with mantels to the helme belonging, of such conuenient
stuffe and bignesse, as it shall please him to appoint.
Item a plate of armes at the backe of his stall, and crest with
mantels and beasts supportant, to be grauen in the mettall.
Item lodging scutcheons of his armes, inuironed with a garter, and
painted in paper or cloth of buckram, which when he trauelleth by the
waie are to be fixed in the common Ins where he dooth lodge, as a
testimonie of his presence and staies from time to time as he did
trauell.
Item two mantels, one to remaine in the college at Windsore, the other
to vse at his pleasure, with the scutcheon of the armes of S. George
in the garter with laces, tasselets, and knops of blue silke and gold
belonging to the same.
Item a surcote or gowne of red or crimosine veluet, with a whood of
the same, lined with white sarcenet or damaske.
Item a collar of the garter of thirtie ounces of gold Troie weight.
Item a tablet of S. George, richlie garnished with precious stones or
otherwise.
Item a garter for his (left) leg, hauing the buckle and pendant
garnished with gold.
Item a booke of the statutes of the said order.
Item a scutcheon of the armes of S. George in the garter to set vpon
the mantell. And this furniture is to be prouided against his
installation.
[Sidenote: Installation.]
When anie knight is to be installed, he hath with his former letters,
a garter sent vnto him, and when he commeth to be installed, he is
brought into the chapter house, where incontinentlie his commission is
read before the souereigne, or his deputie, and the assemblie present:
from hence he is lead by two knights of the said order, accompanied
with the other of the nobilitie, and officers toward the chappell,
hauing his mantell borne before him, either by a knight of the order,
or else the king at armes, to whome it secondarilie apperteineth to
[Sidenote: Mantell.]
beare it. This mantell shall be deliuered vnto him for his habit,
after his oth taken before his stall, and not before: which doone, he
shall returne vnto the chapter house, where the souereigne, or his
deputie, shall deliuer him his collar, and so he shall haue the full
[Sidenote: Stall.]
possession of his habit. As for his stall, it is not giuen according
vnto the calling and countenance of the receiuer, but as the place is
that happeneth to be void, so that each one called vnto this
knighthood (the souereigne, and emperours, and kings, and princes
alwaies excepted) shall haue the same seat, which became void by the
death of his predecessor, howsoeuer it fall out: wherby a knight onlie
oftentimes dooth sit before a duke, without anie murmuring or grudging
at his roome, except it please the souereigne, once in his life onelie
to make a generall alteration of those seats, and to set each one
according to his degrée.
Now as touching the apparell of these knights, it remaineth such as
king Edward, the first deuiser of this order left it, that is to saie,
euerie yeare one of the colours, that is to say, scarlet, sanguine in
grain, blue and white. In like sort the kings grace hath at his
pleasure the content of cloth for his gowne and whood, lined with
white satine or damaske, and multitude of garters with letters of
gold.
The prince hath fiue yardes of cloth for his gowne and whood, and
[Sidenote: A timber conteineth fortie skins, peltes, or felles.]
garters with letters of gold at his pleasure, beside fiue timber of
the finest mineuer.
A duke hath fiue yardes of woollen cloth, fiue timber of mineuer, 120
garters with title of gold.
A marques hath fiue yards of woollen cloth, fiue timber of mineuer,
110 garters of silke.
An earle fiue yardes of woollen cloth, fiue timber of mineuer, and 100
garters of silke.
A viscount fiue yardes of woollen cloth, fiue timber of mineuer, 90
garters of silke.
A baron fiue yardes of woollen cloth, three timber of mineuer gresse,
80 garters of silke.
A banneret fiue yards of woollen cloth, thrée timber of mineuer, 70
garters of silke.
A knight fiue yards of woollen cloth, thrée timber of mineuer, 60
garters of silke.
The bishop of Winchester chapleine of the garter, hath eight and
twentie timber of mineuer pure, ninetéene timber gresse, thrée timber
and a halfe of the best, and foure & twentie yards of woollen cloth.
The chancellor of the order fiue yards of woollen cloth, thrée timber
of mineuer pure.
The register of the order fiue yardes of woollen cloth, three timber
of mineuer pure.
And this order to be holden generallie among the knights of this
companie, which are six and twentie in number, and whose patrone in
time of superstition was supposed to be S. George, of whome they were
also called S. Georges knights as I haue heard reported. Would to God
they might be called knights of honor, or by some other name, for the
title of saint George argueth a wrong patrone.
[Sidenote: Installation.]
Furthermore at his installation he is solemnelie sworne, the maner
whereof I haue thought good also to annex, in this maner. You being
chosen to be one of the honorable companie of the order of the Garter,
shall promise and sweare vpon the holie euangelies by you bodilie
touched, to be faithfull and true to the kings maiestie, and to
obserue and kéepe all the points of the statutes of the said order,
and euerie article in them conteined, the same being agréeable and not
repugnant to the kings highnesse other godlie procéedings, so far as
to you belongeth & apperteineth, as God you helpe, &c. And thus much
haue I thought good to note touching the premisses.
[Sidenote: Estatutes.]
As touching the estatutes belonging to this order they are manie, and
therefore not to be touched here. Howbeit if anie doubt doo arise
aboue the interpretation of them, the king who is the perpetuall
souereigne of that order hath to determine and resolue the same.
Neither are anie chosen therevnto vnder the degree of a knight, and
that is not a gentelman of bloud and of sound estimation.
[Sidenote: Gentleman of bloud.]
And for the better vnderstanding what is meant by a gentleman of
bloud, he is defined to descend of thrée descents of noblenesse, that
is to saie, of name and of armes both by father and mother.
[Sidenote: Degrées of reproch.]
There are also foure degrées of reproch, which may inhibit from the
entrance into this order: of which the first is heresie lawfullie
prooued, the second high treason, the third is flight from the
battell, the fourth riot and prodigall excesse of expenses, whereby he
is not likelie to hold out, and mainteine the port of knight of this
order, according to the dignitie thereof. Moreouer touching the
[Sidenote: Apparell.]
wearing of their aforesaid apparell, it is their custome to weare the
same, when they enter into the chappell of S. George or be in the
chapter house of their order, or finallie doo go about anie thing
apperteining to that companie. In like sort they weare also their
mantels vpon the euen of S. George, and go with the souereigne, or his
deputie in the same in maner of procession from the kings great
chamber vnto the chappell, or vnto the college, and likewise backe
againe vnto the aforsaid place, not putting it from them, vntill
supper be ended, and the auoid doone. The next daie they resort vnto
the chappell also in the like order, & from thence vnto diner, wearing
afterward their said apparell vnto euening praier, and likewise all
the supper time, vntill the auoid be finished. In the solemnitie
likewise of these feasts, the thirtéene chanons there, and six and
twentie poore knights haue mantels of the order, whereof those for the
chanons are of Murreie with a roundell of the armes of S. George, the
other of red, with a scutcheon onelie of the said armes.
[Sidenote: Sicke or absent.]
If anie knight of this order be absent from this solemnitie vpon the
euen and daie of S. George, and be inforced not to be present either
through bodilie sicknesse, or his absence out of the land: he dooth in
the church, chappell, or chamber where he is remaining, prouide an
honorable stall for the kings maiestie in the right hand of the place
with a cloth of estat, and cushions, and scutchion of the garter, and
therein the armes of the order. Also his owne stall of which side
soeuer it be distant from the kings or the emperours in his owne
place, appointed so nigh as he can, after the maner and situation of
his stall at Windsore, there to remaine, the first euening praier on
the euen of S. George, or thrée of the clocke, and likewise the next
daie during the time of the diuine seruice, vntill the morning praier,
and the rest of the seruice be ended: and to weare in the meane time
his mantell onelie, with the George and the lace, without either
whood, collar or surcote. Or if he be so sicke that he doo kéepe his
bed, he dooth vse to haue that habit laid vpon him during the times of
diuine seruice aforesaid.
[Sidenote: Offering.]
At the seruice time also vpon the morrow after S. George, two of the
chiefe knights (sauing the deputie of the souereigne if he himselfe be
absent) shall offer the kings banner of armes, then other two the
sword with the hilts forwards, which being doone the first two shall
returne againe, and offer the helme and crest, hauing at each time two
heralds of armes going before, according to the statutes. The lord
deputie or lieutenant vnto the kings grace, for the time being, alone
and assisted with one of the chiefe lords, dooth deliuer at his
offering a péece of gold, and hauing all the king of armes and heralds
going before him, he so procéedeth to the offering. When he hath thus
offered for the prince, he returneth with like solemnitie vnto his
stall, and next of all goeth againe with one herald to offer for
himselfe, whose oblation being made, euerie knight according to their
stals, with an herald before him procéedeth to the offering.
[Sidenote: Buriall.]
What solemnitie is vsed at the buriall of anie knight of the Garter,
it is but in vaine to declare: wherefore I will shew generallie what
is doone at the disgrading of one of these knights, if through anie
grieuous offense he be separated from this companie. Whereas otherwise
the signe of the order is neuer taken from him vntill death doo end &
finish vp his daies. Therfore when anie such thing is doone,
promulgation is made therof after this maner insuing.
[Sidenote: Disgrading.]
Be it knowne vnto all men that N.N. knight of the most noble order of
the Garter, is found giltie of the abhominable and destestable crime
of high treason, for he hath most traitorouslie conspired against our
most high and mightie prince souereigne of the said order, contrarie
to all right, his dutie, and the faithfull oth, which he hath sworne
and taken. For which causes therefore he hath deserued to be deposed
from this noble order, and fellowship of this Garter. For it may not
be suffered that such a traitor and disloiall member remaine among the
faithfull knights of renowmed stomach & bountifull prowes, or that his
armes should be mingled with those of noble chiualrie. Wherefore our
most excellent prince and supreme of this most honorable order, by the
aduise and counsell of his collegues, willeth and commandeth that his
armes which he before time hath deserued shall be from hencefoorth be
taken awaie and throwne downe: and he himselfe cleane cut off from the
societie of this renowmed order, and neuer from this daie reputed anie
more for a member of the same, that all other by his example may
hereafter beware how they commit the like trespasse, or fall into such
notorious infamie and rebuke. This notice being giuen, there resorteth
vnto the partie to be disgraded certeine officers with diuerse of his
late fellowes appointed, which take from him his George, and other
inuestiture, after a solemne maner.
And hitherto of this most honorable order, hoping that no man will be
offended with me, in vttering thus much. For sith the noble order of
the Toison Dor or golden fléese, with the ceremonies apperteining vnto
the creation and inuestiture of the six and thirtie knights thereof:
and likewise that of saint Michaell and his one and thirtie knights,
are discoursed vpon at large by the historiographers of their owne
countries, without reprehension or checke, especiallie by Vincentius
Lupan. lib. 1. de Mag. Franc. cap. de equitibus ordinis, where he
calleth them Cheualliers sans reproche, and thereto addeth that their
chaine is commonlie of two hundred crownes at the least, and honour
thereof so great, that it is not lawfull for them to sell, giue or
laie the same to morgage (would to God they might once brooke their
name, Sans reproche, but their generall deling in our time with all
men, will not suffer some of the best of their owne countries to haue
that opinion of them) I trust I haue not giuen anie cause of
displeasure, briefelie to set foorth those things that apperteine vnto
our renowmed order of the Garter, in whose compasse is written
[Sidenote: * Some think that this was the answer of the quéene,
when the king asked what men would think of her,
in loosing the garter after such a maner.]
commonlie, [*]"Honi soit qui mal y pense," which is so much to saie,
as, "Euill come to him that euill thinketh:" a verie sharpe
imprecation, and yet such as is not contrarie to the word, which
promiseth like measure to the meter, as he dooth mete to others.
[Sidenote: Bannerets.]
There is yet an other order of knights in England called knights
Bannerets, who are made in the field with the ceremonie of cutting
awaie the point of his penant of armes, and making it as it were a
banner, so that being before but a bacheler knight, he is now of an
higher degree, and allowed to displaie his armes in a banner, as
barrons doo. Howbeit these knights are neuer made but in the warres,
the kings standard being vnfolded.
[Sidenote: Esquire.]
Esquire (which we call commonlie squire) is a French word, and so much
in Latine as Scutiger vel armiger, and such are all those which beare
armes, or armoires, testimonies of their race from whence they be
descended. They were at the first costerels or bearers of the armes of
barons, or knights, & thereby being instructed in martiall knowledge,
had that name for a dignitie giuen to distinguish them from common
souldiers called Gregarij milites when they were togither in the
field.
[Sidenote: Gentlemen.]
Gentlemen be those whome their race and bloud, or at the least their
vertues doo make noble and knowne. The Latines call them Nobiles &
generosos, as the French do Nobles or Gentlehommes. The etymologie of
the name expoundeth the efficacie of the word: for as Gens in Latine
betokeneth the race and surname: so the Romans had Cornelios, Sergios,
Appios, Curios, Papyrios, Scipiones, Fabios, Æmilios, Iulios, Brutos,
&c: of which, who were Agnati, and therefore kept the name, were also
called Gentiles, gentlemen of that or that house and race.
Moreouer as the king dooth dubbe knights, and createth the barons and
higher degrees, so gentlemen whose ancestors are not knowen to come in
with William duke of Normandie (for of the Saxon races yet remaining
we now make none accompt, much lesse of the British issue) doo take
their beginning in England, after this maner in our times. Who soeuer
[Sidenote: Lawiers students in vniuersities.]
[Sidenote: Physicians.]
[Sidenote: Capteins.]
studieth the lawes of the realme, who so abideth in the vniuersitie
giuing his mind to his booke, or professeth physicke and the liberall
sciences, or beside his seruice in the roome of a capteine in the
warres, or good counsell giuen at home, whereby his common-wealth is
benefited, can liue without manuell labour, and thereto is able and
will beare the port, charge, and countenance of a gentleman, he shall
for monie haue a cote and armes bestowed vpon him by heralds (who in
the charter of the same doo of custome pretend antiquitie and seruice,
and manie gaie things) and therevnto being made so good cheape be
called master, which is the title that men giue to esquiers and
gentlemen, and reputed for a gentleman euer after. Which is so much
the lesse to be disalowed of, for that the prince dooth loose nothing
by it, the gentleman being so much subiect to taxes and publike
paiments as is the yeoman or husbandman, which he likewise dooth beare
the gladlier for the sauing of his reputation. Being called also to
the warres (for with the gouernment of the common-wealth he medleth
litle) what soeuer it cost him, he will both arraie & arme himselfe
accordinglie, and shew the more manly courage, and all the tokens of
the person which he representeth. No man hath hurt by it but himselfe,
who peraduenture will go in wider buskens than his legs will beare, or
as our prouerbe saith, now and then beare a bigger saile than his boat
is able to susteine.
Certes the making of new gentlemen bred great strife sometimes amongst
the Romans, I meane when those which were Noui homines, were more
allowed of for their vertues newlie séene and shewed, than the old
smell of ancient race, latelie defaced by the cowardise & euill life
[Sidenote: * Sic.--qu. de_p_endants?]
of their nephues & defendants[*] could make the other to be. But as
enuie hath no affinitie with iustice and equitie, so it forceth not
what language the malicious doo giue out, against such as are exalted
for their wisdomes. This neuerthelesse is generallie to be reprehended
in all estates of gentilitie, and which in short time will turne to
the great ruine of our countrie, and that is the vsuall sending of
noblemens & meane gentlemens sonnes into Italie, from whence they
bring home nothing but meere atheisme, infidelitie, vicious
conuersation, & ambitious and proud behauiour, wherby it commeth to
passe that they returne far worsse men than they went out. A gentleman
at this present is newlie come out of Italie, who went thither an
earnest protestant, but comming home he could saie after this maner:
Faith & truth is to be kept, where no losse or hinderance of a further
purpose is susteined by holding of the same; and forgiuenesse onelie
to be shewed when full reuenge is made. Another no lesse forward than
he, at his returne from thence could ad thus much; He is a foole that
maketh accompt of any religion, but more foole that will loose anie
part of his wealth, or will come in trouble for constant leaning to
anie: but if he yéeld to loose his life for his possession, he is
stark mad, and worthie to be taken for most foole of all the rest.
This gaie bootie gate these gentlemen by going into Italie, and hereby
a man may see what fruit is afterward to be looked for where such
blossoms doo appéere. I care not (saith a third) what you talke to me
of God, so as I may haue the prince & the lawes of the realme on my
side. Such men as this last, are easilie knowen; for they haue learned
in Italie, to go vp and downe also in England, with pages at their
héeles finelie apparelled, whose face and countenance shall be such as
sheweth the master not to be blind in his choise. But least I should
offend too much, I passe ouer to saie anie more of these Italionates
and their demeanor, which alas is too open and manifest to the world,
and yet not called into question.
[Sidenote: Citizens and burgesses.]
Citizens and burgesses haue next place to gentlemen, who be those that
are free within the cities, and are of some likelie substance to beare
office in the same. But these citizens or burgesses are to serue the
commonwealth in their cities and boroughs, or in corporat townes where
they dwell. And in the common assemblie of the realme wherein our
lawes are made, for in the counties they beare but little swaie (which
assemblie is called the high court of parlement) the ancient cities
appoint foure, and the boroughs two burgesses to haue voices in it,
and giue their consent or dissent vnto such things as passe or staie
there in the name of the citie or borow, for which they are appointed.