_Touching the Choice and Nomination of a Proxy._
§ 1. After the Stranger is invested, he is enjoin’d by the Statutes (be
he of what State or Condition soever,) to send in eight Months after
his Investiture, either a _Proctor_ or _Deputy_ to be installed in his
behalf, in the Seat assign’d him within the Chappel of St. _George_ at
_Windsor_.
The Time limited for sending in _Henry_ Vth’s Statutes, is but seven
Months; and those of _Henry_ VIII. allow no more; and that not only
after Investiture, but after the Stranger hath certified the Sovereign
of his reception of the _Order_.
By King _Henry_ VIIIth’s Statutes, it’s also provided; _That in case a
Stranger do not send his_ Deputy _or_ Proctor _within seven Months,
without having a reasonable Excuse, and such as should be allowed by
the Sovereign or his Deputy, the Election_ (notwithstanding his former
Acceptation,) _should be also void, except so it be, that the Stranger
be hindred or disturbed by great Affairs, and then might he send his
Excuse to the Sovereign, or his Deputy, within one Month after; and
according as the Sovereign or his Deputy should allow or disallow of
his Excuse, that then the Sovereign or his Deputy might give unto him
four Months of respite more; within which time, if he neither come, nor
send his Deputy to be installed for him, then the said Election should
be void for that time_.
The _French_ King, _Francis_ I. was so earnest for compleating this
Honour, that he dispatch’d his Proctor hither with all the speed he
could, and most of the Stranger Princes have sent their _Deputies_
within the limited time, there being very few Instances to the
contrary, and those were occasioned through the multiplicity of Affairs.
When the _Garter_ and _George_ only have been sent to a Stranger, the
Ceremony of Installation hath been dispenc’d with, till a more
convenient time, as appears from the Instructions of _March_ 4. _Anno_
19 _Car._ I. given at the sending these two principal _Ensigns_ of the
_Order_, to _William_, Prince of _Orange_, and _Bernard de Foix_, Duke
_d’Espernon_, (in regard of the Interruptions then given by the
Rebellion here,) such dispensations, and for the same reason, was King
_Charles_ II. necessitated to give those Strangers whom he honoured
with Election, while he remain’d in Foreign Parts.
Upon the said King’s happy Restauration, among many other things
relating to the _Order_, this particular was taken into consideration,
in reference not only to the Duke _de Espernon_ and Prince _Maurice_,
who were dead, but those Strangers also then living; and at two
_Chapters_ held at _White-Hall_, _Anno_ 13 _Car._ II. directions were
given to _Garter_ to place the _Banners_ and _Atchievements_ of the
surviving Strangers over their respective Stalls; and the Sovereign, by
his supream Power, (induc’d by the impossibilities of the late Troubles
to perform the Installation, and by reason of the time elaps’d since
their Elections,) dispenc’d wholly and absolutely with their
Installations, but at the same time declar’d, that as the like
necessity and conjuncture could never happen again, so he would not, on
any motion or pretence whatsoever, give the like dispensation.
It seems to rest in the pleasure of the Stranger, whether he will chuse
to send over any Person of his own Court, or give his Procuration to
some one of the Sovereign’s Subjects, to receive his Stall, and in his
Name to take Possession of it; the latter of which hath been done
several times, out of desire to favour some of our Nobility with this
Honour, of which many instances might be given.
It hath sometimes happned, that a _Proctor_ for the Installation of a
Stranger, hath been appointed and nominated by the Sovereign of the
_Order_, though the Principal had nam’d another before: Thus it fell
out in the case of _Maurice_, Prince of _Orange_, _Anno_ 10 _Jac._ I.
who having deputed Count _Henry_ his Brother, to be installed for him,
and he having put to Sea in Order thereto, but by reason of contrary
Winds not arriving in _England_ before the Day appointed for his
Installation, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ ordered that
_Lodowick_ of _Nassau_, Kinsman to the elect Prince, should take
Possession of his Stall on his behalf: A case somewhat like, was that
of _John George_, Duke of _Saxony_, who sent over his Procuration to
_John_, Earl of _Bath_; and he being detained in the West on
extraordinary Occasions, when St. _George_’s Feast was held at
_Windsor_, _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II. wrote to the _Chancellor_ of the
_Order_, to obtain the Sovereign’s Dispensation, for not appearing in
the Name of his Principal; who representing his humble request to the
Sovereign, in a _Chapter_ held on the Eve of the said Feast, he was
pleas’d to grant it, and appointed _Heneage_, Earl of _Winchelsea_, who
perform’d the Service. There is also an ancient Example of this kind,
_Anno_ 9 _Hen._ V. where the Sovereign nominated the Lord _Fitz Hugh_,
_Proctor_ for the King of _Denmark_; which yet was not done, till after
the Sovereign had been certified that the said King had been invested,
and obliged himself by Oath to the observation of the _Statutes_.
In like manner it is recorded, that the Earl of _Cleveland_ was by the
Sovereign appointed Deputy for the Installation of _Gustavus Adolphus_,
King of _Sweden_, and yet not unlike, but this might be with consent of
the said King, though the Annals herein are silent.
_The Proctor’s Qualifications._
§ 2. By the Statutes of the _Order_, the _Proctor_, whether he be
nominated by his Principal, or by the Sovereign, must be _Procurator
sufficiens & Idoneas_; that is, such a Person who hath always been
accounted of unblameable Conversation, not branded with any note of
Infamy, but altogether irreprovable. And such was _Dominicus
Franciscus_, _Deputy_ to _Charles_, Duke of _Ferrara_, who in the
_Black-Book_ of the _Order_ is characterized to be a Knight of
incorrupt Fame; nor are we to doubt but that other _Proctors_ to
Strangers were such, though the Testimonials of their Virtues do not
appear in the Annals of the _Order_.
Secondly, The _Proctor_ ought to be a Person correspondent to the State
and Dignity of the Stranger that is invested, which may sufficiently
appear by several Instances; the Emperor _Maximilian_ I. appointed for
his Proxy, the Marquiss of _Brandenburgh_, _Anno_ 6 _Hen._ VII.
_Francis_ I. King of _France_, _Adrian de Fercelin_, Lord of _Bross_,
_Anno_ 19 _Hen._ VIII. and _Henry_ IV. of _France_, _Sieur de Chastes_,
Vice Admiral of _France_, _Anno_ 42 _Eliz._
Thirdly, It is provided that he be a Knight, and without any manner of
Reproach; and if it so happen that he have not receiv’d the degree of
Knighthood, the Sovereign is to bestow that Honour before he be allow’d
to take upon him the Execution of his deputative Power; for none but
Knights are capable of this Honour, or permitted to bear the _Ensigns_
of so great an _Order_. Hereupon the Lord _Willoughby_ of _Eresby_,
_Proctor_ for _Frederick_ II. King of _Denmark_, was Knighted by the
Sovereign, the Morning before he proceeded to take Possession of the
Stall.
There was one reason notwithstanding, why this particular was not
strictly stood upon, (though moved) in the case (and it’s the single
case) of _Henry Ramell_, Hereditary Lord of _Wosterwitz_ and
_Beckeskaw_, _Deputy_ for _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, _Anno_ 3
_Jac._ I. for it being taken notice of that he was not a Knight,
certain Persons were sent from the Sovereign to signify his Pleasure,
that he should be advanc’d to the Honour of Knighthood before he took
upon him the _Ensigns_ of the _Order_ in his King’s behalf; to which he
made Answer, that he appeared here, not in his own, but in the Name of
the King of _Denmark_; and that such a degree of Honour was unusual in
his own Country, (being Born in _Pomerania_,) and therefore humbly
desired that he might be excus’d from the Honour; upon which the
Sovereign was pleas’d to dispence with him, and forthwith the said
_Deputy_ (but no Knight,) was admitted to take the Stall assign’d to
the said King his Principal.
_His Letters of Procuration._
§ 3. The Authority wherewith an elect Stranger invests his Proxy, which
ought to pass under his Hand and Seal, do generally contain these
Particulars.
First, He premiseth the Sovereign’s Election of him into the Order of
the _Garter_, and his receipt of the Habit and Ensigns thereof, then
takes notice or the Obligation the _Statutes_ of the Order put upon
him, for sending a Proxy to take Possession of his Stall, in regard the
Dignity whereunto he is advanc’d in his own Country, will not permit
him to repair Personally to _Windsor_; and being not only desirous that
the Election and Investiture should obtain its due effect, but to
fulfil, as far as in him lies, the Injunctions of the _Statutes_, in
what concerns the assuming of his Stall, and taking the Oath appointed;
he therefore Ordains, Authorises, and Deputes, a Person fitly
qualified, (named in the Deputation,) his sufficient _Proctor_, and
special _Deputy_, to appear at the Castle of _Windsor_ in his behalf
and in his Name, at the next Solemnity that should be held there, to
supply his room, and receive Possession of the Stall assign’d him,
according to the usual Form; and in all respects to perform those
Ceremonies and Things in his behalf due and accustom’d, or should
appear to belong any way to the Splendor or Ornament of the Order: As
also to take the accustomed Oath with those Qualifications, and in that
Form as had been (or should be) agreed on; and further, to fulfil all
other things which he should think necessary to be perform’d on this
Occasion, or whatsoever thing might require a more special Command,
than was contain’d in the Letters of Procuration; and as fully as the
Stranger should be obliged to, and would do, if he were there present
in his own Person. Lastly, there is usually added a Clause of
Ratification and Confirmation, of all such things as the _Proctor_
should say or do, in reference to the Solemnity of installation.
_Of the Proctor’s Reception._
§ 4. When the Sovereign is acquainted with the arrival of the Proxy,
and the occasion of his coming, he soon after gives him Audience; after
which, a Day for Installation is assign’d, and the Sovereign nominates
some of the _Knights-Companions_ his Commissioners, to perform the
Ceremonies.
The _Proctor_ heretofore has been receiv’d with very great State; Sir
_Balthasar Castilian_, sent hither from the Duke of _Urbin_, _Anno_ 22
_Hen._ VII. was met at the Sea-side by Sir _Thomas Brandon_, with a
goodly Company of his own Servants well Hors’d, who kept Company with
him, till they came near _Deptford_ in _Kent_; where, by the
Sovereign’s Command, he was met by Sir _Thomas Dokara_, and Sir _Thomas
Wriothesley_, _Garter_: The said Sir _Thomas Dokara_ had attending him
thirty of his Servants, all in new Liveries, well Hors’d, every
Gentleman bearing a Javelin in his Hand, and every Yeoman a Bow and a
Sheaf of Arrows, and so they convey’d him to his Lodging. The next Day
they conducted him to _London_, and by the way there met him divers
_Italians_, and _Paulus de Gygeles_, the Pope’s Vice Collector, to
whose House he was convey’d and lodg’d. The reception also of _James_
Lord _Rambovillet_, Proctor for the _French_ King, _Charles_ IX. was
very noble.
_The Preparations for Installation._
§ 5. The Preparations of the Installation of a Stranger by Proxy, are
the same as for the Proxy of a _Knight-Subject_, mention’d as before,
and the Form of the Commission for Installation is much the same; the
Preamble contains the Authority wherewith the Proxy is impower’d and is
penn’d with like Words.
The Letters of notice to the Commissioners.
The Warrants for removing of Stalls, and for the Strangers
Atchievements, are all to be obtain’d by the Chancellor of the Order,
under the Sovereign’s Sign Manual, to which the Signet of the Order is
to be affixt.
The Strangers Atchievements (as mention’d in the Warrant,) are to be
provided at the Sovereign’s Charge; namely, his _Helm_, _Crest_,
_Mantlings_, and _Sword_, together with a _Banner_ of his _Arms_ and
_Quarterings_; and these the Proctor is enjoin’d to bring along with
him to _Windsor_.
Sometimes a Warrant hath been directed to the Master of the _Wardrobe_,
to provide but some part of these Atchievements; and another Warrant to
the Lord Treasurer of _England_, to deliver _Garter_ Money to provide
the other part; in each of which, the particulars relating to either
are enumerated; for so were the Warrants drawn up for the Atchievements
of the _French_ King, _Henry_ II. At other times direction hath been to
the Master of the _Wardrobe_, to deliver to _Garter_ the whole, who
thereupon puts the Charge upon Account.
Sometimes particular Warrants have been directed to the Master of the
_Wardrobe_, to deliver several Parcels of the Materials, for the making
up these Atchievements; as were those Warrants, to deliver the
Sovereign’s Embroiderer, and to _Garter_, so much Velvet, Cloth of
Gold, _&c._ for making the great Banner, and other the Atchievements of
_Charles_ IX. and _Henry_ III. _French_ Kings.
It also appears that _Garter_ hath sometimes laid out the Money for
all, or part of the Atchievements, and then delivered his Bill of
disbursements into the _Wardrobe_; as is manifest from those Bills for
the Atchievements of _Frederick_ II. King of _Denmark_, in Count
Palatine of the _Rhine_, and the Duke of _Holstein_.
Besides the Atchievements, some other things used at the Solemnity are
commonly included in the foresaid Warrants; the _Mantle_ of the _Order_
is not prepared at the Sovereign’s Charge, for the Statutes of
Institution appoint the Proxy to bring one with him, not that the
Sovereign should provide it, having done that before, at the Legation
with the whole _Habit_; nor is it found in the Rolls or Books of the
Sovereign’s great _Wardrobe_, that any Account is made for providing a
second _Mantle_, when the Proxy of a Stranger came hither; which, had
the Sovereign been at such Charge, would not have been omitted.
_The Proctor_’s _Cavalcade to_ Windsor.
§ 6. The Day appointed for the Installation drawing on, the Proxy was
heretofore accompanied from _London_ to _Windsor_, with the Sovereign’s
Lieutenant and his Assistants, (if the Feast of St. _George_ was then
also celebrated,) or otherwise the Sovereign’s Commissioners with a
great Retinue.
Among the rest, when the Deputy of the _French_ King, _Francis_ I. rode
to _Windsor_, _Anno_ 19 _Hen._ VIII. all the _Knights-Companions_ that
were in Commission for that Solemnity, assembled at the Lord _Sandy_’s
Place near St. _Paul_’s Church in _London_, whence they rode to the
_Deputy’s_ Lodging, and thence accompanied him with a gallant Equipage
to the Castle of _Windsor_, where Lodgings were prepared for him at the
_Dean’s_ House.
In like manner, _Anno_ 8 _Eliz._ the Earls of _Sussex_ and _Leicester_,
and Lord _Clinton_, (three of the four Commissioners appointed for the
Installation of the _French_ King, _Charles_ IX.) with other Lords and
Gentlemen, took their Horses at the Court Gate at _Westminster_, and
with a great Train rode to the Lodgings of the said King’s Proxy,
(being then at St. _Mary_’s _Spittle_ in _London_,) whence they went
through _Holbourn_ towards _Windsor_; the Earl of _Southampton_,
Viscount _Mountague_, Sir _Henry Lea_, and Sir _Edward Umpton_, met
them at _Langford_ near _Colbrook_, with their Hawks, and shew’d the
Proxy variety of sport, with which he being well pleased, they rode to
his Lodgings at the _Dean’s_ House at _Windsor_, the usual Place of
entertaining the Strangers Proxies.
_Supper after his Arrival there._
§ 7. The Evening of their arrival passeth with a sumptuous Supper, but
the principal Entertainment is reserv’d for the following Day’s Dinner.
At the Installation of the _French_ King, _Francis_ I. all the
Commissioners met together at the Marquiss of _Exeter_’s Lodgings, and
went to the _Dean’s_ House, where they were entertain’d by him at
Supper all at one Table; at another Table sat _Garter_, with certain of
the _Deputy’s_ chief Gentlemen, and some of the _Heralds_; and at a
third sat the rest of the _Heralds_, and other of the _Proxies_
Servants.
The Commissioners and other Noblemen, who accompanied the _Proctor_ of
_Charles_ IX. to _Windsor_, supped also with him at the _Dean’s_; He
himself sitting at the upper-end of the Table; then the Earls of
_Sussex_ and _Leicester_ by him, one against the other, next the Earl
of _Southampton_, and Viscount _Mountague_, then the Lord _Clinton_,
and Lord _Herbert_ of _Cardiff_, after them two Strangers of
distinction, then lower sat the Lord _Grey_, and other Strangers, and
last of all, at the lower end, opposite to the _Proctor_, sat _Monsieur
Dose_, _alias_ St. _Michael_, the _French Herald_. _Garter_,
_Black-Rod_, and divers Strangers, supped with the _Dean_, and in the
Parlour and Hall sat divers Pensioners, Gentlemen, and Strangers.
_Of the Proceeding to the_ Chapter-House.
§ 8. What hath been before set down of the Proceeding to the
_Chapter-House_, at the personal Installation of a _Knight-Subject_,
will extend hither, both as to Order and Circumstances; yet this
general Rule is to be born in mind, that the Place of a Stranger
Prince’s Proctor here, is next after the Provincial King’s, (unless the
Proctor of a _Knight-Subject_ happen to intervene,) and before the
Junior _Knight-Companion_, (unless a _Knight-Subject_ pass then in the
Proceeding,) of which we have an Instance at the Installation of the
Dukes of _Brunswick_ and _Chevereux_, and the Earl of _Dorset_, by
their Proctors, but the Earls of _Salisbury_, _Carlisle_, and
_Holland_, with Viscount _Andover_ in Person, _Anno_ 1 _Car._ I. when
the Proceeding was ordered as followeth.
1. Two Waiters of the Sovereign’s Hall, in their Livery
Coats, bearing White Rods.
2. Alms-Knights.
3. Prebends of the College.
4. Officers of Arms.
5. Proctors to the absent elect Knights.
6. Elect Knights in Person.
7. Knights-Companions.
8. Black-Rod.
9. Register.
10. Garter.
11. Chancellor.
12. Prelate.
13. Sovereign’s Lieutenant.
14. Courtiers and Gentlemen in the Rear.
Only in the single case of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, _Anno_ 3
_Jac._ I. (as an extraordinary Respect and Honour,) his Proxy went in
the Proceeding to the _Chapter-House_ next before the Sovereign’s
Lieutenant.
As we had a former Example, of a Proctor to a _Knight-Subject_, who in
this Proceeding past before the _Alms-Knights_, and Officers of Arms,
namely, Sir _Henry Sidney_, _Deputy_ to the Earl of _Warwick_, 5
_Eliz._ so here in the case of a _Stranger_, the Viscount _Hereford_,
Proxy to the Duke of _Holstein_, installed 3 _Eliz._ went in this
Proceeding to the _Chapter-House_, before the Officers of Arms: Which
Proceeding was ordered as follows.
1. Gentlemen and Knights.
2. The Proctor and Ambassador of _Holstein_ together.
3. Officers of Arms.
4. Register and Garter.
5. Lord _Hastings_, and Lord _Paget_, Commissioners.
If the Proxy of a Stranger pass in the Proceeding, which the Sovereign,
his Lieutenant, or Commissioners, make to the _Chapter-House_, then for
the most part he gives his Attendance in the _Presence-Chamber_, or in
the Room whence the Lieutenant or Commissioners proceed, and there
joins himself thereto.
But sometimes the Commissioners, as an instance of singular Respect,
after their setting out, have taken the Proxies Lodging in their way,
and there receiv’d him into the Proceeding; so did Prince _Henry_, by
the Proctor of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_; and the Commissioners
by the Proctor of the Duke of _Wirtembergh_, 2 _Jac._ I.
’Tis observed, that the Proxies of Strangers have not always gone in
the Proceeding, but sometimes staid at their Lodging, till the
Commissioners were ready to send for them to the _Chapter-House_. As at
the Installation of _Charles_ IX. King of _France_, 8 _Eliz._ the
Commissioners meeting, they, and the three inferior Officers of the
Order, robed themselves, and then went to the Proxies Lodging, and
having just conferr’d with him, took leave, and proceeded to the
_Chapter-House_, whence they sent out _Garter_ to the Proxy, with
invitation to come to them, who was presently conducted by _Garter_ to
the _Chapter-House_ Door, where the two Senior Commissioners receiv’d
him between them.
Sometimes the Proxies have past privately to the East-Isle of St.
_George_’s Chappel, and there rested, before the Sovereign and
_Knights-Companions_ went into the _Chapter-House_, or proceeded into
the Choir, without entering thereinto; for so did the Earl of
_Cleveland_, and the Marquiss of _Dorset_, Proxies to _Gustavus
Adolphus_, King of _Sweden_, and _Henry_, Prince of _Orange_, 4 _Car._
I. The like Method was observed by the Earl of _Dover_, Proxy to
_Charles_, Prince Palatine, 9 _Car._ I. and by Sir _George Cartaret_,
Proxy to _Christian_, Prince of _Denmark_, 15 _Car._ II. so also of the
Earls of _Carlisle_ and _Winchelsea_, Proxies to _Charles_, King of
_Sweden_, and _John George_, Prince Elector of _Saxony_, 23 _Car._ II.
_The Ceremonies perform’d therein._
§ 9. When the Proceeding hath arrived at the _Chapter-House_ Door, the
Sovereign, and _Knights-Companions_, or the Lieutenant, _&c._ with the
Officers of the _Order_ before them, enter to hold their Consultation;
the Stranger’s _Proxy_ being first requested to stay without, till his
Deputation, or Letters of Procuration are read, to the end they may
understand the effect thereof.
To this purpose we find it directed, by an ancient Hand, that where
any Knight is installed by his Deputy, he ought to stay without the
Vestry, or _Chapter-House_ Door, till he be introduced by two
_Knights-Companions_: So the Lord _Paget_, one of the Commissioners
for Installation of the Duke of _Savoy_, when the Proceeding was come
to the _Chapter-House_ Door, acquainted his _Proxy_ with this Custom
and Injunction, which he complied with.
The East-Isle, behind the High Altar, is the usual Place for _Proxies_
to stay, till they are called into the _Chapter_, as it is also for the
_Deputies_ of _Knights-Subjects_, where Chairs and Cushions are
prepared for this occasion.
The first thing done after the _Chapter_ is opened, is reading the
Commission for _Installation_, by the _Register_ of the _Order_, (but
if the Sovereign be present, no Commission issues,) and next, the
Letters of Procuration; this being the most usual and proper Place for
this Ceremony.
However, at the _Installation_ of the _French_ King, _Francis_ I. by a
very unusual compliance, the Commissioners went from the
_Chapter-House_, after they had called in and invested the Earl of
_Oxford_, with his _Surcoat_ and _Hood_, to the _Dean’s_ House, where
the _Proctor_ was lodg’d, and in a great Chamber there, shewed him the
Sovereign’s Commission, and in it the Authority for admitting him into
the Stall of his Lord and Master: Upon which the _Proctor_ presented
them with his Procuration, which impowered him to take Possession of
it, and to perform what Ceremonies related to it; which Instrument the
_Register_ read before them. This being done, they all proceeded to the
Chappel; where entering, they waved their return to the
_Chapter-House_, and passed directly into the _Choir_.
After some time of Consultation in the _Chapter-House_, the _Proxy_ is
sent for in thither by _Garter_, who conducts him to the
_Chapter-House_ Door, and his Reception there by the Commissioners is
after the same manner as is used to the _Knight elect_, or to his
_Proxy_: But whether he ought to enter the _Chapter-House_, or be
admitted any farther than the Door, or Porch thereof, and to pass
thence immediately into the _Choir_, hath been some Question; because
the Practice seems to have been sometimes one way, sometimes another.