the Robes on, when they are to be presented; this is likewise put into
the Sovereign’s Warrant, and provided by the Master of the _Great
Wardrobe_; usually containing one Yard and quarter in length, adorned
with Fringe, Cauls, and Tossels of Gold and purple Silk, and within it
a Pillow of Fustian filled with Down.
There were two Velvet Cushions prepared for the Service of the Duke of
_Wirtembergh_’s Investiture, 1 _Jac._ I. one of Purple, for the
Sovereign’s State; and another of Crimson, for the Duke; so the same
Year to _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_.
Two _Majesty Escutcheons_ are likewise to be provided, painted in
_Oil_, and gilt with Gold; one to have the Arms of the Sovereign
surrounded with a Garter, under an Imperial Crown; the other of the
_Stranger’s_ Arms, within a Garter also, and such a Crown as is proper
to his Dignity. Both these are to be put in Frames, painted and gilt,
with their several Stiles fairly Written under the Arms, and set on the
back of the Sovereign’s Stall, under the State, as also on the back of
the Stall of the _Stranger elect_: But there were three _Majesty
Escutcheons_ sent over in the Legation to _Henry_, Prince of _Orange_,
in regard that at his Investiture, _Frederick_, Elector Palatine, was
present. In case the chief Person in the Legation be a Knight of the
_Order_, then he is to have a like Escutcheon of his own Arms, set over
his own Stall; for so had the Earl of _Derby_ provided for him at the
Sovereign’s Charge, when he was sent with the Habit to the _French_
King, _Henry_ III.
The remaining Necessaries, are such as relate to the Transportation of
the Habit of the _Order_, _viz._
One Pair of fine Holland Sheets to fold the Habit in.
Two sweet Bags of Taffaty to lay amongst them.
Two Trunks to put the said Parcels in.
One Sumpter Saddle.
All which are to be provided at the Sovereign’s Charge, and is also his
Gift to the elect _Prince_.
What farther Warrants are to be obtained from the Sovereign, relate to
_Garter_, and such other Officers of Arms, as are appointed to attend
the Legation; as first a Warrant, whereby the Sovereign ascertains a
Warrant for their Diet, and Reward, during their Journey, and till
their return; and on which, most commonly, for greater certainty of its
Payment, the Sovereign’s Privy Seal is obtained.
The Allowance to _Garter_ in the Reign of _Edw._ VI. was ten Shillings
a Day for his Diet, and Ten Shillings a Day more as a Reward: And this
we find allowed to Sir _Gilbert Dethick_, in the Embassy to _Henry_ II.
King of _France_, 5 _Edw._ VI. and the like in his Legation to
_Maximilian_ the Emperor; and to _Frederick_ II. King of _Denmark_, 24
_Eliz._
And when _Clarenceux_ was sent in the Place of _Garter_ (the Office
being void by the Death of the said Sir _Gilbert_) to the _French_
King, _Henry_ III. the same was also allowed him, and commenced nine
Days before his setting out; and of which there are other Precedents.
Of this daily Allowance, _Garter_ hath usually obtained an advance
before-hand, for his better support by the way.
When any of the Heralds were sent in _Garter’s_ Place, the same
Allowances were made them, as if _Garter_ had gone in Person; as had
_Henry St. George_, Esq; _Richmond Herald_, sent with the Earl of
_Carlisle_, to _Charles_, King of _Sweden_, 21 _Car._ I. As also to
_Thomas St. George_, Esq; _Somerset Herald_, sent with Sir _Thomas
Higgins_, to the Duke of _Saxony_, soon after.
As to the Allowance to such Officers of Arms, as are not joined in, but
appointed to attend any of these Legations; it was usually, if a
Herald, the Moiety of what was given to _Garter_: And if a Pursuivant
at Arms, half as much as a Herald.
Agreeable to which, was the Allowance given to _Chester Herald_, and
_Rouge Dragon_ Pursuivant, in the Embassy to _Henry_ II. King of
_France_, 5 _Edw._ VI. and there called the _old Rate_; so also to
_Somerset Herald_, to _Frederick_ II. King of _Denmark_, and the
_French_ Kings, _Henry_ III. and IV. And both the Herald and Pursuivant
had also a proportionable part of their daily Allowances before-hand.
Besides which Allowances mentioned, _Garter_ hath also Allowance for
Postage, both Outward and Homeward, for Himself and Servants; and for
Transportation of the Habit, and other Things necessary for the Voyage.
And this by a Clause added in the Sovereign’s Warrant, is left to
_Garter_ at his return, when he gives in a Bill of particulars,
subscribed with his Hand, to the Treasurer or Chamberlains of the
Exchequer, to have been disbursed by him.
The Warrant to furnish _Garter_, or the _Herald_, with Post Horses, and
convenient Shipping to carry them over, is usually had of the Privy
Council, or Secretary of State; either before, or after the Lord
Ambassador; and is not provided for in the same Ship.
_The Ceremonies of Investiture._
§ 3. The Ceremonies performed at a Stranger Prince’s Receipt of the
whole Habit and Ensigns of the Order, are highly Solemn, whether we
consider the manner of Investiture performed by the Sovereign’s
Ambassadors, on the _Festivity_ and _Triumphs_, added by the new
invested Prince.
First, the Commissions joined in the Legation, receiving notice of
their first Audience, are to present themselves in the accustomed
manner of Ambassadors, Garter, or his Deputy, going in breast with the
chief of the Legation, if there be only himself joined in Commission
with the Lord Ambassador, and in this Place _William Segar_, Esq;
_Norroy_ King of Arms, (sent in the room of _Garter_) proceeded with
the Earl of _Rutland_ at their first Audience before _Christian_, IV.
King of _Denmark_.
Being arrived near the _elect Stranger_, they present the Letters,
certifying Election, or their Credential Letters from the Sovereign;
and after some short general Compliment by the Ambassador, he makes
known to him, his Election in the usual Form, which is before
sufficiently spoke of.
After the Formality of this Address is over, and that the Stranger hath
by his Answer accepted of his Election, and consented to the Reception
of the _Order_; the Ambassador immediately delivers him the Book of
_Statutes_, that he may, if he pleases, peruse them before he assume
the Habit, and desires his Consideration thereon. Next, both the
Commissioners in the Legation present him with the _George_ and
_Ribbond_. and put it about his Neck, as in several Instances hath been
shown.
In the interim, before the Day of Investiture, Time is usually set
apart for Conference between the Sovereign’s Ambassador, and some of
the elect Prince’s Council, touching the ordering of the Ceremonies,
and wording the Oath to be by him taken. _Garter_ is likewise to
consider what Places in the elect Prince’s Court are fit to perform the
Ceremony, and to see them made ready, and to instruct his Officers,
what Duties and Services they are to undertake.
If the great Hall, or other large Room, be appointed, there ought to be
prepared a Table, with a rich Carpet, whereon the Habit and Ensigns of
the _Order_ are to be laid, while the Sovereign’s Commission of
Legation is read; another Table should be prepared for the Stranger who
receives the _Order_; and a third for the Sovereign’s Ambassador.
In the Church or Chappel where they are to proceed to hear Divine
Service, a Stall is to be erected under a Cloth of State, on the
Right Hand Entrance of the Choir, for the Sovereign of the _Order_,
wherein is to be fixed the _Majesty Escutcheon_ of the Sovereign’s
Arms; another Stall is also to be placed on the same side of the
Choir for the invested Stranger, at the same distance from the
Sovereign’s Stall, as is that for the elect Stranger in the Choir
at _Windsor_; in which is to be fixt the _Majesty Escutcheon_ of
his own Arms, brought likewise over by _Garter_ or his Deputy; a
third Stall is to be erected for the Lord Ambassador, who (if a
_Knight-Companion_) hath an _Escutcheon_ of his own Arms within a
_Garter_ set over it; for so had the Marquiss of _Northampton_, at
the Investiture of the _French_ King, _Henry_ II. _Anno_ 5 _Edw._
VI. and the Earl of _Derby_, at that of _Henry_ III. under all
these _Escutcheons of Arms_, the Stiles and Titles (fairly Written)
of the _Sovereign_, and each _Knight-Companion_, are to be affix’d.
Where there is no solemn Proceeding to Church, the Sovereign’s
_Escutcheon of Arms_, with his Titles, have been set up at the upper
end of the Room, where the Investiture is performed; so also the
Stranger Knight’s at due distance, as at the Investiture of _Gustavus
Adolphus_, King of _Sweden_, in his Tent at the _Leaguer_, near
_Darshaw_, in _Prussia_, 23 _September_, _Anno_ 3 _Car._ I.
Besides the before-mentioned Preparations; the _Church_ or _Chappel_,
into which the new invested Stranger proceeds, is to be richly adorned,
as we find by several Instances; as at the Investiture of King _Henry_
III. when the Church of _Augustine Fryars_ in _Paris_, was hung with
rich _Arras_, and all the _Choir_ and _Stalls_ with _Cloth of Gold_. On
the Day the Solemnity of Investiture is celebrated, the elect Stranger
sends his Coach, and some Persons of Quality, to Accompany the
Sovereign’s Ambassadors to his Court. At the Investiture of _Henry_,
Prince of _Orange_, _Frederick_, Prince Palatine of the _Rhine_, sat
with the Viscount _Charleton_, in one Boot of the Prince’s Coach, and
Sir _William Segar_ in the other; and were met by the said Prince at
the Foot of the Stairs of his Court, and conducted thence into his
great Chamber.
After such time as the elect Stranger, and the Sovereign’s Ambassadors,
have a while retired; the Stranger usually first enters the Room
appointed for the Ceremony, and stands under his own State, expecting
the coming in of the Ambassadors, and notice thereof being given them,
they (reposing in a Room near) proceed in manner following.
Servants to the Lord Ambassador, two and two.
The Herald in his Coat of Arms, bearing the Mantle, Surcoat, Hood, and
Cap, in his Arms; and if a _Pursuivant_ attend the Embassy, he (wearing
his Coat) proceeds before him, bearing part of the said Habit.
_Garter_ vested in his rich Coat of his Sovereign’s Arms, also (but at
the Investiture of the Duke of _Wirtemberg_, he wore his Robe of
Crimson Satten, as did _Clarenceux_, at the Investiture of the _French_
King, _Henry_ III.) bearing on a Cushion the _Garter_, and _Collar_ of
the _Order_, with the great _George_, the Book of _Statutes_, and the
Commission of _Legation_.
Lastly, The Lord Ambassador, or chief in the Embassy, who, if a
_Knight-Companion_, proceedeth in his compleat Habit.
If any other _Knight-Companion_ is present, he also wears his whole
Habit of the _Order_, as did the Constable of _France_, at the
Investiture of the _French_ King, _Henry_ II. The said Constable also
pair’d in the Proceeding with the Sovereign’s Ambassador.
In going up to the Sovereign’s State, they all make three Reverences,
and drawing near, the Ambassadors Servants fall off on either side for
the _Herald_ to pass up to the Table, set before the Sovereign’s State;
whereon (with a single Reverence) he lays the Robes.
Then _Garter_ draws near the Table also, and with a like Reverence
towards the Sovereign’s State deposites the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_.
The Lord Ambassador follows, and makes his Reverence towards the
Sovereign’s State, and after turning to the Stranger elect, and doing
him Reverence, he (or some other fit Person) delivers himself in a
short, but grave, and learned Oration; “in which he not only sets forth
the Praises of the illustrious _Order_, and of the King the Sovereign,
but also the Virtues, the memorable and praise-worthy Actions of the
elect Stranger, to whom the Habit and Ensigns of the _Order_ are sent:
Neither are his Ancestors (if any of them have attain’d the Honour of
this _Order_,) past over in Silence, that thereby his Heart (already
breathing impatience and desire,) may be so much the more inflamed with
an Earnestness to obtain the Honour and Favour of this so great a
Dignity.
“He adds besides, that the Sovereign having well weigh’d these and the
like things in his Mind, and maturely advis’d thereof with his
_Knights-Companions_, they were perswaded and well satisfied in
themselves, to nominate and chuse him before others; to the end that he
might both himself be honoured by the Choice of such a Person, and also
thereby give an increase and addition of Lustre to those renowned
Actions and Virtues, which already were a chief Ornament to him.
“Lastly, He points towards the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_, which he
declares to have been sent by the Sovereign, out of great Love, and
singular Affection, to dignify him therewith, as to a Person to whom he
wish’d as well and honourably as to any other Prince whatsoever, and
withall intreats him kindly to accept thereof, and wear them in
remembrance of the Sovereign and his _Order_.”
This or the like Oration being ended, the Ambassadors present their
Commission of _Legation_ to the elect Stranger, who delivers it to his
Secretary, and he publickly Reads it.
At the before-mentioned Investiture of the _French_ King, _Henry_ II.
the Bishop of _Ely_, one of the Commissioners of the _Legation_, made
the Speech, to which the Cardinal of _Lorrain_ returned Answer in the
said King’s behalf, with all thankful Acknowledgments of the Honour of
the _Order_.
After the Commission is read, _Garter_ presents the Oath fairly
Written, which is administred to the elect Stranger, where, if any
Exceptions were before made and admitted, they must be rehears’d, as we
find it directed in the instructions given for the Investiture of
_James_ V. King of _Scotland_. The Ceremony of the Oath being finish’d,
_Garter_ takes from off the Cushion the Garter, and having kiss’d it,
presents it to the Lord Ambassador, who kneeling down, puts it with all
Reverence on the Stranger’s left Leg, being assisted by _Garter_, who
pronounces these Words of _Signification_.
_Ad laudem atque honorem Omnipotentis Dei, intemeratæ Matris ejus, &
Sancti Georgii Martyris; cinge tibiam tuam hoc insigni Subligaculo,
circumferens in augmentum honoris tui, & in signum ac memoriam
illustrissimi Ordinis, nusquam oblivioni daturus, aut omissurus, quod
eo moneris; ut valeas, inquam & velis in justo bello, quod solum
inibis, stare firmiter, agere fortiter, & feliciter omnino vincere._
This being said, _Garter_ takes the _Surcoat_, and with the Ceremony of
a Kiss, delivers it to the Lord Ambassador, who (after the Stranger
elect hath put off his Cloak or upper Garment, and Sword,) puts it upon
him in this manner: First, The Lord Ambassador begins at the Stranger’s
Right Arm, and _Garter_ (or the _Leiger Ambassador_ if present,)
assists at the left Shoulder. The Stranger being thus vested with the
_Surcoat_, both the Lord _Ambassador_ and _Garter_ gird his Sword about
him, with a Velvet Girdle of the same Colour, at the doing whereof
_Garter_ saith these Words.
_Capito vestem hanc purpuream, ad incrementum honoris, & in signaculum
Ordinis accepti: qua munitus non veteberis pro fide Christi, libertate
Ecclesiæ, pro jure, & oppressorum atque indigentium necessaria
tuitione, sanguinem etiam fundere, nedum fortiter ac strenue dimicare._
After this, _Garter_ takes up the _Mantle_ and _Hood_, which, in like
manner kissing, he delivers to the Lord Ambassador, who invests the
Stranger therewith, and lays the Hood upon his right Shoulder; (the
Train being given into the Hands of some Noble Personage to be born
up,) _Garter_ also pronouncing these Words.
_Accipe Clamidem hanc Cœlici coloris, in signum Clarissimi hujus
Ordinis, & in Augmentum etiam honoris tui, rubeo Clypeo Dominicæ
crucis, uti cernis, insignitam: ut cujus virtute semper ac vigore
protectus per Hostes tutus abeas, eos ubique superare valeas, & pro
clarissimis denique Meritis, post egregiam hanc hujus temporis
Militiam, ad æterna vereque Triumphalia gaudia pertingas._
_Garter_, in the last Place, takes up the _Collar_, and with a Kiss
also presents it to the _Lord Ambassador_, who placeth it about the
Stranger’s Shoulders, and _Garter_ uttereth these Words.
_Torquem hunc in Collo deferes, ad augmentum honoris, & in signum
quoque clarissimi ordinis a te suscepti, cum imagine Sanctissimi
Martyris, & Christi Militis Georgii: cujus præsidio suffultus, Mundi
hujus tam prospera quam adversa sic pertranseas, ut animæ pariter ac
corporis hostibus hic strenue devictis, non Temporariæ modo Militiæ
gloriam, sed & perenis victoriæ palmam denique recipere valeas._ Amen.
When the Ceremony of Investiture is finished, the _Lord Ambassador_
congratulateth the new invested Stranger in the Sovereign’s Name, and
in the Name of all the _Knights-Companions_, and then delivers him his
Velvet Cap, adorned with white Plumes, and the Book of _Statutes_.
The Stranger being thus invested, stayeth a while in the Room, where he
received this Honour, with the Ambassador, and after Complements of
Congratulation between them, he goeth to the Church in a solemn manner,
having the Train of his _Mantle_ born up; at the Entrance into the
Church, all in the Procession make three Reverences, the first towards
the _High Altar_, the next towards the Sovereign’s Stall, and the third
towards the new invested Stranger’s Stall.
The _Lord Ambassador_ proceedeth towards the Seat assign’d for him, and
stands before it till the Stranger hath ascended his Stall, and after
making his Reverences, (as before) takes his; then _Garter_ making the
like Reverences, sits down on a Chair, plac’d for him before the
Sovereign’s Stall.
But the _Herald at Arms_ ought to be often near the Stranger, or else
the _Lord Ambassador_, to inform them of the _Order_ of _Ceremony_,
because _Garter_ is obliged to attend the Sovereign’s Royal Stall.
After a solemn Anthem, _Garter_ passeth in the middle of the _Choir_,
and by a Reverence, first to the invested Stranger, and next to the
_Lord Ambassador_, gives them the Signal for descending, and being both
come down, _Garter_ passeth up before the Stranger to the _High Altar_,
where he makes his Offering of Gold and Silver, being accompanied with
the _Lord Ambassador_, the _Herald_ laying the Cushion whereon he
kneels when he Offers.
But if a _Knight-Companion_ be sent on this _Legation_, then he
proceeds first up to the _Altar_, preceeded by _Garter_, and Offers for
the Sovereign, which done, he returns to his own Stall: Next, the
invested Stranger proceeds up, (preceeded as before,) Offers, and
returns back to his own Stall; afterwards the aforesaid
_Knight-Companion_ proceeds up again, and Offers for himself: And in
this _Order_ was the Offering made when the Emperor _Maximilian_ was
invested at _Vienna_, _January_ 4. _Anno_ 10. _Eliz._
The new invested Stranger having offered, returns to his Stall, and the
_Lord Ambassador_, with three Reverences, takes his Seat, the _Organs,
&c._ playing all the while: When the solemn Service is finish’d, the
Stranger descends again from his Stall, and with the Proceeding before
him, returns in the same Order he came to the Room, where he received
his Investiture.
It’s observable, that the Emperor _Maximilian_, out of a compliance
with the Protestant Religion, caused, on the Day of his Investiture,
all Prayers to Saints incensing, and other Matters and Ceremonies not
used by the Church of _England_, to be wholly omitted at the Service in
his Chappel.
At these great Solemnities, the invested Strangers have heretofore held
most magnificent Feasts, but of late they are not so much in Use: And
when Dinner was ready, they proceeded thither in their whole Habit,
which they wore all Dinner time.
At the Investiture of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, _Anno_ 1
_Jac._ I. the Sovereign’s Stiles and Titles of Honour were proclaimed
thrice, (before they sat down to Dinner,) and the said King’s twice;
but when _Maurice_ and _Henry_, Princes of _Orange_, received
Investiture, the Stiles were proclaimed immediately after they were
invested, and in the same Room, the Ceremony being perform’d to both in
the Afternoon.
At the Feast made by _Maximilian_ I. (King of the _Romans_,) Sir
_Charles Somerset_, and Sir _Thomas Wriothesley_, sent on the Embassy,
was admitted to his Table, and sat on his left Hand: On the Day of
Investiture of _Don Ferdinand_, Prince of _Spain_, Arch-Duke of
_Austria_, the Lord _Morley_, and Sir _William Hussey_, sat on his
right Hand at Dinner, and Dr. _Lee_, and the said Sir _Thomas
Wriothesley_, on his left; these four being join’d in the Commission of
_Legation_.
At a Feast on the like Occasion by the _French_ King, _Henry_ II. he
admitted to his Table (beside the Marquiss of _Northampton_, the
principal Person in the _Legation_,) the before-mentioned Constable of
_France_; and all three sat in their full Robes of the _Garter_, which
they put not off till after Dinner. The Cardinal of _Lorrain_ sat also
at the King’s Table, but it was on the other side.
When the Investiture was performed in the Afternoon, then was the Grand
Dinner turn’d into a Supper; as it was at the Investiture of
_Maximilian_ the Emperor, and two of the _French_ Kings; but when
_Henry_, Prince of _Orange_, receiv’d the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_,
there was no Feast at all, but purposely omitted, to prevent the
difference which might have been occasioned by the Precedency and
Place, between Ambassadors drinking of Healths, and other Complements.
On this Solemnity, and the Honour they deriv’d from it, some have
thought fit to transmit the Memory to Posterity, by Medals, with
Inscriptions relating thereto; such were those of Gold and Silver,
which _Frederick_, Duke of _Wirtemberg_, caused to be made; as also
those made by _Charles_, King of _Sweden_.
_Certificates of having receiv’d the_ Habits, _and_ Ensigns _of the_ Order.
§ 4. The magnificent Solemnity of Investiture, _&c._ being compleatly
finish’d, and the Ambassadors having fully performed their Duties
therein; they are yet further to obtain from the new invested Stranger,
before their departure, a publick Instrument, testifying the reception
of the said Habit and Ensigns, Sign’d with his Hand, and Sealed with
his Great Seal; this we find anciently done in several Instances, and
is generally demanded and obtain’d.
Hereupon a Clause to this Effect is usually added, in Instructions
given to Ambassadors; as appears from those to the Lord _Howard_ and
_Garter_, in the Embassy to _James_ V. King of _Scotland_; namely, that
_Garter should remember_ (after the Investiture was performed,) _to
Purchase, and Sollicit a Certificate from the said King, of his
reception of the Order, and taking the Oath, both under his Seal_.
The Form and Substance of these Certificates are much alike; for after
a recital of all the Powers given to the Ambassadors nam’d in the
Commission of _Legation_, the Stranger Prince first makes Certificate
of his receiving, and Investiture with the _Mantle_, _Surcoat_,
_Collar_, and other Ornaments of the _Order_; and that they receiv’d
them from the Sovereign’s Ambassador, with the accustom’d Solemnities.
In some of these Certificates, namely from _Ferdinand_, Prince of
_Spain_, _Anno_ 15 _Hen._ VIII. from _Francis_ I. the _French_ King,
_Anno_ 19 _Hen._ VIII. and from _Gustavus_, King of _Sweden_, _Anno_ 3
_Car._ I. we find the taking the Oath appointed by the Statutes to be
also certified. Of the return of these Certificates, the Annals of the
_Order_ sometimes take notice, and by a Decree, 13 _Car._ I. care was
taken to oblige the Ambassadors to produce these Certificates to the
Sovereign at their return.
The Stranger Prince hath been pleas’d sometimes, to give with the
Certificate, a particular Testimonial of _Garter_’s punctual discharge
of his Duty in the _Legation_, or of the Officer of Arms employed in
his stead; as did _Gustavus_, King of _Sweden_, in the preamble of his
_Diploma_, whereby he testifies the bestowing upon _Henry St. George_,
_Richmond Herald_, the Honour of Knighthood; they have also usually
given _Garter_ Gratuities, either in Money, Diamonds, or some other
Present of great value, of which several Instances might be produced.
CAP. XVI.