ever made use of that Liberty granted by the aforesaid Article of his
_Statutes_, for deferring the significatory Letters of Election beyond
the time appointed by the _Statutes_ of Institution, as we find by the
many Instances of that kind. _Francis_ the first King of _France_ was
elected _October_ 21. 19 _Hen._ VIII. and was installed the 25
_January_ following; so that ’tis plain, the Letters of Notice must
needs have been dispatched within the limited Time. _James_ V. of
_Scotland_, who was elected 20 _Jan._ 26 _Hen._ VIII. had notice of
Election immediately sent him; and _Hen._ II. of _France_, having been
elected 24 _April_, 5 _Edw._ VI. had Letters of Signification sent him
in _May_ following; and so in all Examples since. And when King
_Charles_ II. elected any Stranger whilst he was Abroad, Letters of
Signification were sent them immediately after.
_Of notice given of an Election, before sending the Habit._
§ 2. Here it is to be observed, with how much caution, more than the
former, the Statutes of King _Henry_ VIII. Ordain, _to send Letters
that signify Election, and the Book of Statutes only at first_; but not
the _Garter_ and _Mantle_, till the _elect Stranger_, having had time
to consult the Statutes, certifies his acceptance of the _Order_; and
then, and not before, it is Decreed to send a solemn Embassy with the
whole Habit, _George_, and _Collar_: And consonant to this, the
Practice hath sometimes been. As in the case of _Henry_ II. King of
_France_, 5 _Edw._ VI. _Emanuel_, Duke of _Savoy_, 1 and 2 _Phil._ and
_Mar._ and in that of _Frederick_, Duke of _Wirtembergh_, to whom Queen
_Elizabeth_ sent Letters soon after his Election, and he returned
Thanks, and Acceptation, by his two Ambassadors, who received Promise
of sending the whole Habit soon after; however, the same were not sent
during her Life.
_Notice of Election sent with the Habit._
§ 3. When the Sovereign hath been well assured of the _elect
Stranger’s_ acceptance, the same Embassy (as anciently before adding
this Clause,) dispatched both Ceremonies. The Sovereign’s Letter
signifying Election, being first presented, together with the Book of
Statutes, and an acceptance declared, then within few Days, the whole
Habit of the _Order_ was solemnly delivered.
And thus it was directed soon after the Election of _James_ V. King of
_Scots_, to the Lord _William Howard_, sent on that Embassy; and in
like manner, at the Election of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, 1
_Jac._ I. to the Earl of _Rutland_ sent on that Embassy. As also to
_Gustavus Adolphus_, King of _Sweden_, and _Henry_, Prince of _Orange_,
within two Months, their Elections following on _April_ 24. 3 _Car._ I.
and the date of the Commission for delivering the Order being on _June_
24. following.
_The manner and order of the delivery of these Letters, signifying
Election, when the Habit is sent, is thus._
“First, The Ambassador and _Officer of Arms_ having notice given them
of the first Audience, present themselves to the _Stranger Prince_, in
the accustomed manner of Ambassadors; and delivering the Sovereign’s
_Letters Missive_, with all due Reverence, the Ambassador, after some
short general Compliment from the Sovereign, signifying that his
Master, and the Honourable _Society_ of the _Garter_, in respect of his
renowned Prowess, Valour, Virtues, _&c._ and to establish and encrease
the Amity that is between them, hath elected him into the most Noble
_Order_ of St. _George_; and that Sovereigns do never elect any
Stranger, but such as they highly Honour; and therefore earnestly
desires it may be accepted as a true Testimony thereof: To which end
the Sovereign hath sent him over, and his Herald there present, to
perform the due Ceremonies.”
But this Commission of Legation hath sometimes been obstructed by the
multitude of Affairs lying on the Sovereign’s Hands, particularly in
the Time of _Car._ I. when engaged in that unnatural Civil War; so that
when they sent their Letters of Signification, it was thought fit to
Commissionate their Agent, or Resident at the Prince’s Court, and
_Garter_ Principal _King of Arms_, to deliver part; but the two chief
and most peculiar _Ensigns_ of the _Order_, _viz._ the _Garter_ and
_George_, deferring the solemn Embassy till a more convenient Season.
The first Precedent of which kind, was 10 _Jac._ I. when Sir _Ralph
Winwood_, and _William Seagar_, Esq; _Garter_, were Commissioned to
deliver only, for the present, the Garter and George, to _Maurice_,
Prince of _Orange_, five Days after his Election; and so to _Charles_,
Prince Palatine of the _Rhine_, 9 _Car._ I. and to _William_, Prince of
_Orange_, and the Duke _de Espernon_, the same Reign. And so likewise
during the unhappy Exile of King _Charles_ II. it was usual, for want
of more conveniency, to present the elect Knight, in confirmation of
his Election, whether he were _Stranger_, or _Subject_, with the
_Garter_, _George_, _Ribband_; and sometimes a St. _George_’s _Cross_,
radicated within a _Garter_, to be fixed on the left Shoulder of their
Cloaks, or upper Garments. But these things after returned into their
proper Channel, as we may see in several cases since, of which we need
not instance more, than that of the present Sovereign, and his Royal
Highness the Prince: The former at a Chapter of the most Noble _Order_,
held at _Kensington_, 18 _June_, 1701. 13 _Will._ III. was elected, and
on the 21 _June_, the Sovereign, by Commission under the Great Seal of
the _Order_, constituted the Earl of _Macclesfield_, and _Gregory
King_, Esq; _Lancaster Herald_, (then Deputy Garter King of Arms,) to
carry the _Habit_ and _Ensigns_, and to invest his then Electoral
Highness therewith. The next Day after their arrival, at a private
Audience, his Electoral Highness received the _Garter_ and _George_,
with the usual Formalities; and two Days after, _viz._ 24 _August_, was
solemnly invested with the whole Habit of the _Order_. On 13 _March_
following, 1702-3. he was installed at _Windsor_ by his Proxy
_Charles_, Lord _Mohun_, with the accustomed Ceremonies. The same
_Order_ was observed at the Election of his Royal Highness the Prince,
4 _April_, 5 Queen _Anne_; when the Lord _Halifax_, and _John
Vanbruge_, Esq; _Clarenceux_ King of _Arms_, (in the room of Sir _Henry
St. John_, Knight Garter,) were Commission’d to carry the _Habit_ and
_Ensigns_. They had their first Audience, on this occasion, of the
Prince, the 31 _May_, who afterwards received the Garter and lesser
George, and on 2 _June_ following, was invested with the whole _Habit_
and _Ensigns_ of the _Order_.
_Certificates of Acceptation._
§ 4. After delivering the Sovereign’s Letter, signifying Election by
the Ambassador, and the _elect Stranger_ doth readily accept the
_Order_, he is obliged, by the Statutes, to return the Sovereign a
Certificate of such his Acceptance, and desire of Ratification. And
’tis observable, before the additional Clause made by King _Henry_
VIII. this ceremonious Course had been the Practice of ancient Times;
and both expected from, and observed by the King of _Denmark_, who
having been elected, 6 _Hen._ V. was the eighth of the same King taken
notice of for not returning, before that Time, an Answer, whether he
accepted the Honour or no: And it appears, before the next Feast of St.
_George_, he sent over his ready Acceptance, both of the Honour of
Election, and of the Ensigns of the _Order_; and thereupon Directions
were given for his Installation by the Lord _Fitz Hugh_, his Proxy.
But for an instance, after the said additional Clause, there is one
remarkable enough, in the Preamble of the Sovereign’s _Credential
Letters_ to the Duke of _Savoy_, 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._ sent with
the Habit and Ensigns of the _Order_; in which it appears: _That the
Sovereign having given notice of his Election into this most Noble_
Order, _he had returned back his cheerful and ready Acceptance of, and
singular Satisfaction in the said Choice; and therefore cordially
wished it might attain its due Effect_.
In succeeding Times it was thought necessary, where the whole _Habit_
was sent to a _Stranger_, together with the Sovereign’s Letters of
notice, to make a provisional Decree, (which passed, 13 _Car._ I) _That
Garter, and all others, whom he pleased to join in Commission with him,
should be most punctually careful, that they delivered not the_ Ensigns
_of the_ Order _to any_ elect Stranger, _till they were satisfied, by
his_ Letters Patent, _of his kind and grateful Acceptance thereof_; or
in case of refusal, to forbear their Presentation.
And the same care was also taken, where only the _Garter_ and _George_
were sent; as appears by the Instructions sent, 19 _Car._ I. to Sir
_William Boswel_, then appointed by the Sovereign to present those two
principal Ensigns to _William_, Prince of _Orange_; where, among other
things, he is expressly commanded, _To take a Testimonial from the said
Prince, of his kind Acceptation thereof, before he should deliver those
Ensigns of Honour to him_: So likewise in the Institutions of the same
Date, for delivery of the _Garter_ and _George_ to the Duke _de
Espernon_.
_Of an Election not accepted._
§ 5. That sometimes this Honour hath not been accepted, appears in the
single case of _Philip_ II. Duke of _Burgundy_, who having been elected
by King _Henry_ V. then in _France_, had not, _Anno_ 1 _Henry_ VI. sent
his Answer. It was therefore concluded on at the Feast of St. _George_,
held at _Windsor_ the said Year, by _Humphry_, Duke of _Gloucester_,
then Deputy to the Sovereign, and by, and with the unanimous consent of
the _Knights-Companions_ present, to send Letters to the said elect
Duke, by which he was desired to know, whether he gave his Acceptance
or no? The Duke of _Burgundy_, it seems, made no Answer to this Letter:
It was therefore again debated at the next Year’s Feast, and then
thought fit, to send Persons over to him with the Nomination, who
should press him for his final Answer. And then it appears, that the
said Duke weighing the Statutes, and reflecting on the Quarrels between
the Duke of _Gloucester_, and the Duke of _Brabant_ his Unckle, made a
plausible Excuse, refusing the Election, lest he should be forced
either dishonourably to violate the pious Constitutions of the _Order_,
or the obligations of Alliance; and upon this they proceeded to a new
Election.
But this is the only instance of this kind; and it hath been the
constant way of all elect Strangers, not only to accept, but to receive
with the highest Marks of Satisfaction, the notice of their Election,
and the Investiture of the _Order_.
CAP. XV.
_The Investiture of Strangers, with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order._
_The Time for sending the Habit and Ensigns unlimitted._
§ 1. Though the Statutes of the _Order_ appoint and prefix a time,
wherein the Sovereign’s Letters of notice to an elect Knight ought to
be sent, yet as to the sending a solemn Embassy with the Habit and
Ensigns, they do not limit any certain time, but leave it wholly to the
Sovereign’s Pleasure, wherein his own Interest and Conveniency, as well
as that of the _elect Stranger_, is to be considered.
Nevertheless, the Statutes of Institution direct, that this Legation
shall be dispatched with convenient speed; which must be interpreted to
refer both to the Sovereign’s conveniency of sending, and the
_Stranger’s_ capacity of receiving.
And therefore we find it six Years after the Election of the Kings of
_Arragon_ and _Poland_, and the Duke of _Brunswick_, e’er we meet with
the first notice of the Sovereign’s determination of sending over the
Habit: For they having been elected 4 _August_, 28 _Hen._ VI. the
preparations for the _Legation_ were not made till the thirty fourth
Year of the same King; and doubtless some cause, within the limits of
that conveniency allowed to the Sovereign by the aforesaid Article of
the _Statutes_, or the accident of Miscarriage might fall out;
particularly in respect to the King of _Poland_, because three Years
after the former Order of _Legation_, we find new Directions issued for
sending the Ensigns of the _Order_ to him.
But in King _Henry_ VIIIth’s Body of _Statutes_, this Clause of sending
the Legation with convenient speed, is wholly omitted, and the
Sovereign is not limitted as to the Time; so that the Habit and Ensigns
have happen’d to be sent sometimes sooner, sometimes later; as the
Sovereign has thought convenient; of which sufficient hath been said
already; and we find in two Elections of _Strangers_ in the two late
Reigns, _viz._ that of the present Sovereign and Prince; that the
Legation was sent only a very few Days after their Election.
_Preparations made for the Legation._
§ 2. In reference to this solemn Embassy, there are several things to
be provided, before the Ambassadors, or Commissioners, take their
Journey. As, (1.) Credential Letters. (2.) Commission of Legation. (3.)
Warrants for the _Habit_ and _Ensigns_. And (4.) other Necessaries.
The Credential Letters are, as to particulars, drawn suitable to the
present Occasion, by the _Chancellor_ of the _Order_, and directed to
the _Stranger elect_; but the Substance, in general, is, _That the
Sovereign having elected him into the Society of the_ Order, _hath sent
his Ambassadors with full Power to present the_ Habit, _and perform the
Ceremonies due and accustomed, as if himself were present_. And
farther, to desire him, _To give Credit to all that his Ambassadors
shall say, or perform, on his behalf, in reference to their Commission,
as he would do to himself_.
These Letters pass under the Sign Manual of the Sovereign, and Signet
of the _Order_; but it is observable, that these to _Emanuel_, Duke of
_Savoy_, were sign’d both by King _Philip_ and Queen _Mary_.
The _Commission_ of _Legation_ is likewise to be prepared by the
_Chancellor_ of the _Order_, fairly engrossed on Velom, and Sealed with
the _Great Seal_ of the _Order_, the Substance of which, for the most
part, hath been as follows.
First, The Merits and Worthiness of the _elect Stranger_, to deserve
the Honour of _Election_, and the reasons of inducing the Sovereign to
confer the same upon him, are elegantly set forth.
Secondly, The Persons nominated for this Honourable Employment, are
ordained, authorized, and deputed, and therein Stiled, Ambassadors,
Procurators, and special Messengers, and so are acknowledged to be by
the _Stranger elect_, in their Certificates of the Receipt of the Habit.
Thirdly, Their Power, Authority, and special Command, is to address
themselves to the _Stranger elect_, and present, and deliver him from
the Sovereign, the _Garter_, _Mantle_, and other Ensigns of the Order:
Where observe, that there were four or five joined in a Commission, as
it has sometimes happened, then any five, four, three, or two, were of
the Quorum; whereof the Principal of the Embassy was always one.
Fourthly, They were impowered to require from the _Stranger elect_, his
Oath, according to the Form prescribed in the _Statutes_; but this was
a special case, and only inferred in the Commissions of Legation to
_Charles_, Duke of _Burgundy_, 9 _Edw._ IV. and _Ferdinand_, Archdeacon
of _Austria_, 15 _Hen._ VIII. and omitted in all Commissions since that
time.
And lastly, To perform, and dispatch those things, which they should
judge necessary, in the same manner as if the Sovereign were present in
Person; and this Power it was thought fit to allow the Ambassadors, in
case any thing should want to be performed which their Instructions had
not sufficiently provided for.
The first Embassy on this occasion, recorded in the _Blue-Book_, is
that to _Edward_, King of _Portugal_, 13 _Hen._ VI. to whom, for the
greater Dignity of the _Order_, Garter was thought fit, by the
_Chapter_, to be sent alone with the _Habit_ of the _Order_: And hence
is the original of _Garter’s_ Claim to this Employment.
Nevertheless, in succeeding times, as the Order grew into Esteem, some
one of the Knights-Companions was made choice of by the Sovereign to be
Principal in these Legations; as were _Galliard Sieur de Duras_, sent
to _Charles_, Duke of _Burgundy_, 9 _Edw._ IV., _Arthur Plantagenet_,
Viscount _Lisle_, to _Francis_ the first King of _France_, 19 _Hen._
VIII. and others.
Sometimes other Noblemen, or Persons of Quality, though not
Knights-Companions, (yet correspondent to the Degree of the _Stranger
elect_, or to the Esteem the present Interest begat in the Sovereign,)
were employed chief in these Embassies; among whom Sir _Charles
Somerset_, after Earl of _Worcester_, was sent to the Emperor
_Maximilian_, 6 _Hen._ VII. _Henry_, Lord _Morley_, to _Don Ferdinand_,
Prince of _Spain_, 15 _Hen._ VIII. and others.
In Embassies of this nature, it was heretofore usual, to join some
Persons of Rank and Quality, or Office near the Sovereign, in the
Commission; as Sir _John Scot_, Comptroller of the Houshold, and Sir
_Thomas Vaughan_, Treasurer of the Houshold, both joined with the
_Sieur de Duras_ aforesaid: And Sir _Nicholas Carew_, and Sir _Anthony
Brown_, with the Viscount _Lisle_.
To these Person, the Sovereign thought fit sometimes to add a Doctor of
the Law, or a dignified Clergyman, and such as had the Language of the
Country, not only the better to make such Answers to Questions as the
_Stranger elect_ might start, on perusal of the _Statutes_, but
likewise to inform him touching the Institution of the _Order_, or
other Passages relating to the Founder, or matters touching the Honour
of the Garter. Besides, a dignified Clergyman was in those Times
thought proper to Administer the Oath, and pronounce the Words of
Signification, at the Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the
_Order_.
And for these reasons, was _John Russel_, Doctor of the Civil Law, and
Archdeacon of _Berkshire_, joined in Commission with the aforesaid
_Sieur de Duras_, and _Edward Lee_, Doctor in Divinity, Archdeacon of
_Colchester_, and the Sovereign’s Almoner, sent over with the Lord
_Morley_; and others.
But of later Years the Sovereign’s Ambassador, Resident with the
_Stranger elect_, hath supplied this Place; as did Sir _Thomas Smith_,
in the Legation sent over to _Charles_ IX. and Sir _Edward Stafford_,
in that of the _French_ King _Henry_ III. and Sir _Anthony Mildmay_, to
that of _Henry_ IV.
Besides the aforementioned Persons, _Garter_ was always joined in these
Commissions of Legation, not only to keep on Foot his Right, but to
manage the Ceremonious Part; and of this there are so many numerous
Instances as are sufficient to justify the Privilege of his Office, and
maintain the interest of an ancient Right. Besides which, if it were
any way disputed, we find it decreed in a _Chapter_ 13 _Car._ I. _That
the carrying the Ensigns of the Order to_ Stranger Princes, _doth
properly belong to_ Garter.
Besides those Persons joined in the Commission of Legation, there has
frequently been appointed, either _Norroy_, King of Arms, or some one
of the _Heralds_, to go in Quality of an Attendant in this Service, not
only for the Honour of the Sovereign, but of the Stranger who is to
receive the _Habit_, in regard the Ceremonies of Investiture with the
whole _Habit_, require the Assistance of two Officers of Arms, of which
there are some Precedents.
_Lancaster Herald_ attended the Embassy to _Charles_ IX. King of
_France_: _Chester Herald_, and _Rouge Dragon_, Pursuivant at Arms, on
that of _Henry_ III. of _France_. A Herald likewise attended the
Embassy to _Emanuel_, Duke of _Savoy_: _York Herald_, that of
_Maximilian_, the Emperor: And _Somerset Herald_, to _Henry_ IV. of
_France_.
And whereas there went only _Norroy_ to _Christian_ IV. King of
_Denmark_, it was because no more of the Officers of Arms could then be
spared from their necessary Attendance on the Sovereign’s Coronation;
so in the Embassy to _Maurice_, Prince of _Orange_, one Herald
sufficed, because the _Garter_ and _George_ only were sent him, and
consequently there was but little Service then to be performed.
Concerning other Companions, and Attendants, in these Legations, they
are both for Quality and Number such, and so many, as the chief in the
Legation judges sufficient for the Honour of the Sovereign, and the
Dignity of the Embassy; and with these have usually gone several
Noblemen, Knights, and Gentlemen.
In the third Place, there is to be prepared for these Legations,
Warrants for the Habit and Ensigns of the _Order_; and these are also
to be drawn up by the Chancellor of the _Order_, who is to attend the
Sovereign for his Sign Manual thereto.
One Warrant is to be directed to the Master of the _Great Wardrobe_, to
deliver to Garter the Mantle, with the Escutcheon of St. _George_
within a Garter, embroidered on the left Shoulder, and Tossels
belonging; and also the _Surcoat_ and _Hood_.
There is also another Warrant drawn up, for the delivery of the Ensigns
of the _Order_ to _Garter_, _viz._ the rich _Garter_, and great
_Collar_ of the _Order_, with a George Pendant, and another George
hanging in a blue Ribbond; together with Cases for them, lined with
purple Velvet, and gilt on the outside.
And sometimes these Ensigns have been delivered out of the
_Jewel-House_, to the Herald of Arms, joined in the Legation in
_Garter’s_ stead, as were those sent to _Charles_, King of _Sweden_, 20
_Car._ II. but those provided for _John George_, Duke of _Saxony_, to
Sir _Thomas Higgons_, the Principal in the Legation; for which they
gave their several Receipts.
The Sovereign’s Warrant for the delivery of the Ensigns sent to
_Maximilian_ the Emperor, was directed to the Lord Treasurer, for which
_Garter_ gave his Receipt. But for those sent to the _French_ King,
_Henry_ IV. the Warrant was directed to the Master of the
_Jewel-House_; and out of this Office have all the _Ensigns_ of the
_Order_ been since delivered.
There are several other necessaries to be provided, which may pass as
Appurtenances to the former, and are sometimes incerted in the
Sovereign’s Warrants for the Habit of the _Order_, and at other times
issued by particular Warrants: As a black Velvet Cap with white
Feathers and a Heron Sprig, a Girdle and Hangers with the same coloured
Velvet, with the Surcoat. A Yard of purple Velvet hath usually been
allowed out of the _Great Wardrobe_, for covering the Book of
_Statutes_, sent to the _elect Stranger_: And for the Velom, Writing
and Binding the said Book, there is a Fee paid by the Sovereign to the
_Register_ of the _Order_, which hath generally been proportioned to
the Dignity of the Receiver; for this Officer had allowed him for the
Book sent,
_l._ _s._ _d._
To the _French_ King, _Henry_ IV. 5 0 0
To _John Casimir_, Count Palatine 4 0 0
To the Duke of _Holstein_, 3 _Jac._ I. 3 6 8
To the King of _Sweden_, 3 _Car._ I. 3 0 0
But to be more particular, we will insert the Bill of Charges for the
Book of _Statutes_, sent to _James_ VI. of _Scotland_, 26 _Hen._ VIII.
_l._ _s._ _d._
For Velom 0 5 0
For illumining the Arms and Letters 0 10 0
For Writing 1 0 0
For Binding and Gilding 0 2 8
For half a Yard of purple Velvet 0 7 0
For half a Yard of crimson Sattin 0 7 0
For the purple Silk for the Laces 0 0 4
For the white and green Silk for the Seal 0 1 0
For red Silk for the Strings, and } 0 1 0
garnishing the Book }
For an Ounce and half of Venice Gold 0 5 0
For shaping, making the Bag, and garnishing 0 3 4
For red Sarcenet for lining the Bag 0 1 4
For a Box 0 0 8
-----------
Total 3 4 6
-----------
This Book of _Statutes_ ought to be Sealed with the common Seal of the
_Order_, which not only the Institution, but all the other succeeding
Bodies of _Statutes_ appoint. Besides, at a Chapter held at
_White-Hall_, 13 _Car._ I. the Law was confirmed; and thereupon it was
again decreed, That the Book of _Statutes_ sent to any _Stranger
Prince_, should be Sealed with the Great Seal of the _Order_, affixed
to a Label of blue Silk and Gold.