during the Reigns of Queen _Elizabeth_, and King _James_ I. and
especially that of _Robert_, Earl of _Salisbury_, and _Thomas_,
Viscount _Bindon_, _May_ 21st, _Anno_ 4 _Jac._ I. who arrived at
_Windsor_ honourably accompanied, with a great appearance of Nobility,
Knights, and Gentlemen of Figure.
But the Fate of this Solemnity, much like that glorious Body of the
Sun, (whose Lustre at such times it strove to outshine) had now and
then its interpositions, and intermitting Clouds, at other times long
Nights, and the Splendor and Glory thereof but struck the Sight now and
then; when the Pleasure of the Sovereign grew auspicious, or the Honour
of the Order became fixed upon more generous Spirits. But to speak
impartially, there may grow an Excess in such Solemnities, even to
Shame and Surfeit; and the best Cure to prescribe for it, is a long
Abstinence. Nor was this Festival at all Times free from this
Distemper, but then a quick Application of the Sovereign’s soon
rectified it by taking away the Cause, and prohibiting Excess in their
Attendants.
For this reason it was that King _James_ I. observing those Excesses
the elect Knights run into upon this Occasion, and willing to cheque
the growing Inconveniencies, at the Installation, of _Francis_, Earl of
_Rutland_, Sir _George Villars_, Kt. (afterwards Duke of _Buckingham_)
and the Viscount _Lisle_, _Anno_ 14 of his Reign, _forbid Livery Coats,
for saving Charge, and avoiding Emulation_; and shortly after, in a
Chapter at _White-Hall_, _Anno_ 16. with the Consent of the
_Knights-Companions_ then assembled, to put some restraint upon the
Number of Attendants, decreed, _That every of the Knights-Companions
should have fifty Persons to attend him unto the Annual Solemnities of
the Order, and no more_.
In the Installation of _William_, Earl of _Northampton_, _Anno_ 5
_Car._ I. we find this stinted Number encreased to fourscore, who began
his Cavalcade to _Windsor_, from _Salisbury_ House in the _Strand_, and
certainly wou’d have exhibited a more glorious Show, had not a
continual Rain for three Days space impeded him. Nevertheless, that
what he designed with so much Splendor and Gallantry might out-live the
accident of foul Weather, the Order of it shall be inserted here.
_The Order of riding to the Installation of_ William,
_Earl of_ Northampton, _20th of_ April, 1629.
1. Trumpets, whose Banners were of Damask, and had the Earls Arms, with
his Crest and Supporters environed with a Garter.
2. The meanest of his Servants; as Grooms and Yeomen, in Blue Coats,
two and two.
3. His Lordship’s other Servants, in Blue Coats; as Gentlemen,
Esquires, and Knights, two and two.
4. Two Secretaries; Mr. _Ralph Goodwin_, and Mr. _Francis Merosse_.
5. Steward, Mr. _Cuthbert Ogle_.
6. Comptroller, Mr. _William Goodwyn_.
7. Two Pages.
8. His spare Horse, led by the Gentleman of his Horse.
9. His Chaplain to distribute his Alms.
10. Pursiuvants at Arms, two and two.
11. Gentleman Usher, Mr. _Walter Thomas_, Bareheaded.
12. The Senior Herald covered.
13. The Earls of _Berkshire_, _Northampton_, and _Salisbury_.
14. Noblemen in their Places, two and two.
15. Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemen, which accompanied him.
16. The Commissioners Servants.
17. Other Noblemens, Knights, Esquires, and Gentlemens Servants.
_Henry_ Earl of _Danby_, and _William_ Earl of _Morton_, being to
receive the Honour of Installation, _Anno_ 10 _Car._ I. disposed
themselves for their more commodious Passage, and the Peoples View; one
was at _Warwick House_ in _Holbourn_, and the other at _Dorset House_
in _Salisbury-court_, and made their Progression severally through the
Streets to _Hyde-Park_, each having two Noblemen to support him, with
their Footmen in rich Coats on either side them.
Their Gentlemen Ushers rode Bareheaded, and before them the Officers of
Arms wearing their Coats, and their Servants in blue Coats and
Cognizances, (as was the ancient Mode,) were all led on by Trumpets.
The rest of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen followed after each
Knight’s elect Troop, according to their Rank and Quality foremost. The
Proceeding of the Earl of _Morton_, was Marshalled in this manner.
1. Trumpets, two and two.
2. Grooms in Coats, two and two.
3. Yeomen, two and two.
4. Gentlemen, two and two.
5. Secretaries.
6. Stewards.
7. Gentleman of the Horse.
8. Pages.
9. Four Officers of Arms.
10. Gentleman Usher bare.
11. _Lancaster_ Herald covered.
12. Earl _Morton_, supported between two chief Lords.
13. Foot-men on each side, in rich Coats.
14. Noblemen and Gentlemen, according to their Degrees.
At _Slough_, (two Miles on this side _Windsor_,) they all made a stand,
and being again placed in Order, they proceeded to _Windsor Castle_,
where, alighting in the lower Court, the Knights elect were conducted
to their several Apartments.
The last Cavalcade this Age has beheld, was exhibited by _Algernoon_,
Earl of _Northumberland_, _May_ 13. _Anno_ 11 _Car._ I. from _Dorset
House_ in _Salisbury-court_, toward _Windsor_; nor was it the least in
Pomp and Glory: Eight and forty Gentlemen preceeded, then came the
Pages, being Earls Sons, _viz._
1. Mr. _William Herbert_, Mr. _John Herbert_, Mr. _Philip
Cecil_, Mr. _Algernoon Sidney_.
2. Heralds at Arms, two and two.
3. Mr. _Blundeville_, Gentleman Usher, Bareheaded.
4. _Norroy_ King of Arms.
5. Marquiss of _Winchester_.
6. The Earls of _Northumberland_ and _Kent_.
And somewhat behind him, the rest of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen
in order; they had Priority according to their Quality, Riding two and
two, and the Coaches closing up the Troop.
There was a publick Cavalcade designed from _Somerset House_ in the
_Strand_, to _Windsor Castle_, when King _Charles_ II. was to have
been installed, which though it proved Abortive, yet ought not to
be omitted, by reason of the Chancellor’s Letter to each
_Knight-Companion_, to make Preparation to attend him thither.
_May it please your Lordship_,
“The King’s Majesty, Sovereign of this most Noble Order of the Garter,
having determined to Create the Prince his Eldest Son Knight, and to
propose him in Election, to be a Companion of his Order; for the better
Conveniency of his Installation, hath prorogued, by a Commission under
the Seal of his Order, given the 25th of _February_, now remaining in
my Custody, the Celebration of the Feast of St. _George_, from the 22,
23, and 24 of _April_ next, whereon it shou’d have been Solemnized,
unto the 21, 22, and 23 of _May_, immediately ensuing; and thereby
given Command to all the _Knights-Companions_, and Officers of this
Order, that they should attend his Royal Person, at his Palace of
_White-Hall_, upon those Days appointed. In discharge of the Duty of my
Place, and by special Order, I do signify unto your Lordship his
Majesty’s Will, and that it is his Pleasure, for the more Honour of the
Prince, and the Noble Feast of his Election and Installation, that your
Lordship shou’d be attended with your Servants and Retinue, according
to solemn Custom, and be prepared to Accompany his Higness, from
_Somerset House_ in the _Strand_, unto the Castle of _Windsor_, upon
the 18th of that Month, and assist at the Ceremony and Feast of his
Installation, upon the Day following: Praying your Lordship that you
would be pleased to take knowlege hereby, both of the Time and Place
designed, and of the Sovereign’s Order, I humbly rest,”
_In all due Obedience,_
_and Observance,_
Thomas Rowe.
St. _Martin’s-lane_,
_Feb._ 27. 1637.
When this Letter was issued out, the Sovereign intended to create the
Prince Knight of the _Bath_, which Ceremonies were intended to begin at
the old _Palace-yard_ in _Westminster_, upon the 21st Day of _May_,
_Anno_ 13 _Car._ I. and to Solemnize the Feast of St. _George_, upon
the 23d of the same Month at _White-Hall_, and to take the Scrutiny
that Evening for his Election into this Order: The next Day was
designed to invest him with the Garter and George, and the Day after to
set forward the Cavalcade towards _Windsor_, wherein also the Knights
of the _Bath_, (intended to be created with the Prince,) were to Ride
with their Robes. But this Resolution being altered, stop’d the
Progression of the Cavalcade, and in the room of a Knight of the
_Bath_, he was created a _Knight-Batchellor_ at _Windsor_.
Formerly it was the manner for the Sovereign’s Lieutenant to Ride to
_Windsor_, attended with a gallant and glittering Train, and no small
Number of his own Gentlemen and Yeomen richly attired, and in every
Punctilio fifty set out, as was seen in the Cavalcade of the Duke of
_Norfolk_, Earl Marshal of _England_, and Lieutenant for the Sovereign,
for St. _George_’s Feast, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ who had attending him twenty
of his own Gentlemen and Yeomen, at the Time the Earls of
_Northumberland_ and _Warwick_ were to be installed; but this was never
put in Practice, but when the Sovereign appointed the Installation and
the Feast of St. _George_ to be celebrated together.
The Lieutenant, and his Assistants, or sometimes the
_Knights-Commissioners_, (if the Feast of St. _George_ be not then
Solemnized,) being arrived in the Castle, immediately retire to their
Lodgings, which for the most part have been prepared at the _Dean’s
House_, whose Rooms are the fairest in the Castle, and the best fitted
for Accommodation, next to those of the Sovereign’s in the upper Ward;
and for the Knights elect, they were at all Times furnished with
Lodgings in some of the Prebends Houses.
_The Offering in the Chappel, on the Eve of the Feast._
§ 2. If it so chanced that the Installation was performed by
Commissioners, and the Cavalcade proceeded from _London_, in
the Morning of the Day preceeding the Installation, and arrived
at the Castle of _Windsor_ early that Afternoon; then the
_Knights-Commissioners_ have been accustomed only to put on their
Mantles, and enter St. _George_’s Chappel to offer; but without the
Attendance of Heralds, or any solemn Procession into the Choir, save
one of the Prebends; where having placed themselves in their Stalls
with usual Reverences, and heard an Anthem, they passed up to the
Altar with the Verger and Garter before them, and there made their
Offering, both of Gold and Silver, according to the usual Custom. As
soon as _Vespers_ were finished, after the same manner they descended
from their Stalls, and departed to their Lodgings; and in this case the
_Knights-Commissioners_ did not lay by their Mantles till Supper was
ended.
In this nature was the Ceremony of Offering (on the Eve of the
Installation) performed by the Lord Admiral and Earl of _Ormond_,
Commissioners for the Installation of the Earl of _Shrewsbury_ and
_Cumberland_, _Anno_ 34 _Eliz._ But at the Installation of the Earl of
_Rutland_, and others, _Anno_ 26 _Eliz._ the Lord _Hunsdon_ (one of the
Commissioners for that Solemnity,) refused to make his Offering alone,
though he arrived timely enough, on the Eve of the Feast at _Windsor_
Castle, because he wanted the Company of Viscount _Mountague_, who was
a joynt Commissioner with him, that arrived not till the Morning after.
This Offering of the _Knights-Commissioners_, coming to the Castle
on the Eve of the Installation, is founded upon an Article of
_Edward_ III. which runs to this Effect: _That if any of the_
Knights-Companions, _being upon a Journey, shou’d accidentally pass
by_ Windsor-Castle, _he is to turn in thither, in Honour of the
Place, and prepare himself to enter into the Chappel to Offer;
first putting on his Mantle, without which he must never presume to
enter into it_; but upon Emergencies, and allowable Causes, he is
to be excused.
After the _Knight-Companion_ had entered the Castle, the Canons
Resident were, by the aforesaid Article, appointed to meet and recieve
him, and with due Reverence conduct him into the Choir. If it was at
the Celebration of High Mass, the Knight was obliged to stay and hear
it, in Honour of God and St. _George_; but if he arrived in the
Afternoon, he was to stay till the Canons, and the rest of the Choir,
had sung the Anthem _de Profundis_, which no sooner was ended, but he
proceeded to the High Altar and Offered, and returned to his Stall with
usual Reverences, and then departed.
But if the _Knight-Companion_ passed through the Town of _Windsor_, and
neglected to Offer at the Chappel, as often as he omitted it, he was
bound, upon his Obedience, to walk a Mile on Foot to the Chappel, in
Honour of St. _George_, and upon defailure, to offer a Peny, which by
King _Henry_ VIII’s Statutes is inlarged to a Groat. Upon the
Explication of this Article, there arose a Dispute about the just
Distance intended from the Castle; and that the Knights-Companions
might be sensible of the breach of the Injunction, it was thought
requisite by King _Henry_ VIII. to set down a certain Bound, which in
his Statutes is declared to be two Miles; within which, if any of the
_Knights-Companions_ come, and do not repair to the Chappel and Offer,
he is liable to the Mulct before specified.
Upon Hunting, or other Pastimes the Forest afforded, they used to send
their Offering in Money to the Canons, which being received, the
Knights took it for a Dispensation of the Ceremony enjoined by the
Statutes.
Endeavours were used to have this Article interpreted with greater
Latitude, which so far took Effect, that at a Chapter called at
_Windsor_ the 10th of _October_, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ I. it was ordered,
that some Expedient might be found out, to save the Knights from the
Breach of their Oath, if they came within the limited Distance of the
Place, and passed thence without Offering. But no farther Progress
being made in that Affair, the Law stands as it did.
_The Supper of the Eve._
§ 3. The Supper, after their arrival at _Windsor_, is but in the Nature
of a private Meal, and prepared for the Lieutenant (or Commissioners)
or Knights elect, most commonly at the Dean’s House. _Anno_ 26 _Eliz._
on the Eve of the Installation of the Earl of _Rutland_ and Lord
_Cobham_, the Commissioners supped together with such Lords and
Gentlemen of Figure as came along with them; and no Nobleman had above
one Servant to attend him at the Table, and the rest provided for
themselves at their proper Inns. Sometimes they have been permitted to
Sup in some Appartments of the Sovereign’s Lodgings; for so it was at
the Installation of the Lord _Russel_, and other elect Knights, _Anno_
31 _Henry_ VIII. and likewise of the Earl of _Shrewsbury_, and Lord
_Hunsdon_, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ the Lieutenant and Knights supped in the
great Chamber there, in the same Regularity that was used at other
Times. And in the 34th of Queen _Elizabeth_, when the Earls of
_Shrewsbury_ and _Cumberland_ were installed, all the Lords and
Gentlemen supped together at one long Table set in the Council Chamber.
_The Order in proceeding to the Chapter-House._
§ 4. Before we come to the particular Ceremonies of the Installation,
transacted either by the Sovereign, (or in his absence by his
Lieutenant or Commissioners,) we shall premise this general Remark:
That since neither the Statutes of _Institution_, nor those of King
_Henry_ V. afford us a Formulary for the Personal Installation of a
Knight elect; yet those enacted by King _Henry_ VIII. do briefly
exhibit the Order and Method of it. And we must farther observe, that
if the Installation be appointed together with the Feast of St.
_George_, then either the Sovereign, or else his Lieutenant and
Assistants are present; but if at any other Season, then it passeth by
Commissioners only.
After such time therefore as the Sovereign, his Lieutenant, or
Commissioners, have prefixed the Hour wherein to proceed to the Chapter
House, in Order to the Installation, (which has generally been
dispatched in the Evening,) all the _Knights-Companions_, and elect
Knights, the Officers of the Order, and of Arms, the Prebends of the
College, and Alms-Knights, are to give their Attendance, _viz._ the
Knights-Companions, and elect Knights, and Officers, of the Order, on
the Sovereign, in his inward Lodging; the elect Knights, and Officers
of Arms, in the Presence Chamber, the Prebends and Alms-Knights, in the
Great Chamber, where they waited the Sovereign’s coming forth.
The Attendance to be given upon the Sovereign’s Lieutenant, and such of
the Knights-Companions as are appointed for his Assistants, is by the
Officers of the Order and of Arms, the Prebends and Alms-Knights,
either at his Lodgings, or elsewhere he shall deem meet to appoint;
from which the Knights-Companions are exempt. For though the
Knights-Companions have sometimes proceeded to the Chappel before the
Sovereign’s Lieutenant, at an Installation, yet hath it been at such
time only, as they accompanied their Sovereign to _Windsor_, to hold
the Feast of St. _George_; and if the Sovereign, through any
Indisposition, or weighty Affair, cou’d not pass down to the Chappel on
the Eve of the Feast, yet they being obliged by the Statutes to
celebrate _Vespers_, did upon this Occasion proceed thither, though not
upon the Account of Installation; as it fell out at the Installation of
Prince _Henry_, and four other Knights, _Anno_ 1 _Jac._ I. when the
Progression began from the Presence Chamber, and thence passed to the
Chappel in the following Order.
1. Alms-Knights.
2. Prebends.
3. Pursuivants.
4. Heralds.
5. _Ulster_ King of Arms.
6. _Lyon_ King of Arms.
7. _Clarenceux_ King of Arms.
8. The four elect Knights.
9. Knights-Companions.
10. Garter.
11. Register.
12. Black Rod.
13. Chancellor.
14. The Sovereign’s Lieutenant leading the Prince in his Hand.
At the Installation of the Duke of _Brunswick_, and five other
elect Knights, the 23d of _November_, _Anno_ 1 _Car._ I. the
Knights-Companions likewise proceeded before the Sovereign’s
Lieutenants, tho’ the Sovereign was at _Windsor_, but not in the
Cavalcade.
Upon the Sovereign’s Commissioners, neither the Knights-Companions, nor
the Prelate, nor Chancellor, do give their Attendance; only at the
Grand Feast of St. _George_, _Anno_ 13 _Car._ II. the Chancellor then
waiting on the Sovereign at _Windsor_, in the Duties of his Place, out
of a singular Regard to his Royal Highness the Duke of _York_,
attending the Commissioners in the proceeding to his Installation, for
at that time he was Comptroller of his Houshould.
The Proceedings on this solemn Occasion have been generally order’d on
Foot; yet upon extraordinary Incidents have been marshalled and
disposed on Horse-back, in manner of a Cavalcade, as was used at the
Installation of _Philip_ King of _Castile_, _Anno_ 22 _Hen._ VII. and
that when the Lord _Russel_ and other elect Knights were installed,
_Anno_ 31 _Hen._ VIII. King _Philip_ (when the Earl of _Sussex_ was
installed, _Anno_ 1 and 2. _Ph._ and _Mar._) honoured him with his
Presence, and riding on Horse-back, with several of the
Knights-Companions, from his Lodgings in the Castle, down to the
Cloister Door, at the East-End of the Chappel, and there alighting,
proceeded directly to the Chapter-House. The Proceeding was on
Horse-back, at the Installation of the Earl of _Shrewsbury_ and the
Lord _Hunsdon_, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ and at the Earl of _Northumberland_’s
and Earl of _Warwick_’s, _Anno_ 5. At the Installation of _Francis_,
Duke _Montmorency_, the Viscount _Hereford_, and the Lords _Burleigh_,
_Grey_, and _Shandos_, _Anno_ 14 _Eliz._ The Sovereign’s Lieutenant and
Knights Assistants did Robe themselves in the Sovereign’s Lodging in
the Castle; and meeting in the Presence Chamber, proceeded downwards
towards the outer Hall-door, in the upper Ward of the Castle, when
taking their Horses, adorned with Foot Clothes, they proceeded on
Horse-back to the West Door of the Chappel.
If the Progression was begun on Horse-back at the beginning of the
Feast, so it continued, as often as the Sovereign (his Lieutenant or
Commissioner) went to the Chapter-House, or Chappel, and their returns
were marshalled in the like Order at their setting out.
The Servants and Attendants belonging to the Knights elect, (if they be
taken into the Procession,) pass on first two and two in a Rank,
according to their Quality; and those who are the most inferior, the
foremost: Next the Alms-Knights in their Habits and usual Order.
Then follows the Virger of the College.
After him the Prebends or Canons: But what attendance they have given
heretofore at the Installations, the Memoirs of this illustrious
Society is wholly silent in; for in those Schemes left us of proceeding
to Installations, in the Reigns of King _Henry_ VIII. King _Edward_ VI.
Queen _Mary_, and part of Queen _Elizabeth_, we find them not inserted,
though since they are next to the Prebends of the College, the
Pursuivants, Heralds, and Provincial Kings of Arms, proceed in a Body.
After them the Knights-Subjects elect, unless the Proctor of an
absent Knight-Subject, pass at the same time in this Proceeding, who
take Place after the Provincial Kings: And if it so chance, that the
Proctor to a Stranger-Prince be present at the same time, he is to
proceed between the Knight-Subject’s Proctor, and the Knights-Subject
elect. But Prince _Henry_ at his Installation, _Anno_ 1 _Jac._ I.
moved in a Place Superior to all the Knights-Companions, and was
paired with the Earl of _Nottingham_, the Sovereign’s Lieutenant for
that Occasion. Where two or more elect Knights prepare for their
Installation at the same time, they take Place according to the
Seniority of their Election, going two and two together; and if the
Number be odd, the Junior elect Knight passeth alone. Formerly the
elect Knight passed in his ordinary Apparel, wearing over it in Days
of Yore a short Gown, afterwards a Cloak, and of latter Times a Coat,
as did the Earl of _Northumberland_, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ and the Earls
of _Pembrook_ and _Derby_, _Anno_ 16 _Eliz._ and the Annals of the
Order make this remark upon the Earl of _Sussex_, and the Lord
_Buckhurst_, _Anno_ 31 of _Eliz._ of _Charles_ Duke of _York_, _An._
9 _Jac._ I. But this was before any peculiar under Habit, was
appointed to the Knights-Companions, for now there being a Cloth of
Silver Doublet, and Trunk Hose, established to be worn at the Feast
of Installation, and of St. _George_, the elect Knight proceeds in
this Dress, as did the Duke of _Albermarle_, _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II.
In this proceeding to the Chapter-House, he wears only the Garter about
his Leg, and the George and the Ribbond wherewith he was invested,
either about his Neck, or as of late drawn under his right Arm, which
being omitted by Sir _George Villars_, and Viscount _Lisle_, is noted
to be contrary to order.
The Earl of _Rutland_ with his Fellow elect Knights, _Anno_ 14 _Jac._
I. proceeded Bare-headed, as did the Duke of _Lenox_, _Anno_ 9 _Car._
I. as well as the Duke of _Albermarle_, _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II.
The elect Knight does not always make one in this Proceeding, but
sometimes stays at his Lodgings in the Castle, as did the Earls of
_Shrewsbury_ and _Cumberland_, _Anno_ 34 _Eliz._ or else at some other
convenient Station adjoining to the Chapter-House, till he be sent for
in thither, to receive Investiture with the Surcoat, as the Duke of
_Montmorency_ did, and other elect Knights, _Anno_ 14 _Eliz._ who went
privately from the Sovereign’s Lodgings, down to the House of Mr.
_French_, (then one of the Prebends,) and rested in the Parlour, until
they were sent for: Sometimes the Knight elect goes privately into the
East-Isle of the Chappel behind the High Altar, and there remains till
called in, as did the Duke of _Monmouth_, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ II.
If the Sovereign be present at the Installation, the Knights-Companions
proceed next after the Knights elect, according to the order of their
Stalls; but if the Sovereign’s Lieutenant, then his Assistants go in
their Places; as at the Installation of the Earl of _Shrewsbury_ and
Lord _Hunsdon_, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ makes plain, the proceeding being
ordered after this manner.
1. Vergers.
2. Alms-Knights.
3. Officers of Arms.
4. Elect-Knights.
5. Assistants to the Lieutenants.
6· Officers of the Order.
7. Earl of _Arundel_, Lieutenant.