made use of on the aforesaid important Reasons, yet no such Adjournment
or Prorogation is legally to be inlarged beyond St. _George_’s _Day_
ensuing; because once within the compass of every Year, the Grand Feast
ought to be solemniz’d; for so it was ordained by the _Statutes_ at the
Institution of the _Order_, and confirmed likewise by the succeeding
_Statutes_. And when our Historians take notice of the Grand Feast,
they speak of the same thing, that it ought Annually to be performed;
whence it is frequently called in the Registers, _Annua Festivitatis_,
_solemnitas annua_, _celebritas annua_, and the like.
Of late Times, an Occasion happen’d that brought this of the
_Statutes_, into a solemn Debate in _Chapter_, which, for the Result
thereof, became very remarkable.
_At a_ Chapter _held at_ White-Hall, _2d_ February, 1640.
_The Sovereign propos’d to the_ Knights-Companions, _that having
prorogued the Celebration of St._ George’_s_ Feast _from time to time,
to the_ 1st, 2d, _and_ 3d _of_ March, _so near Lent, that if the Feast
were not held on these Days, it could not be done within the compass of
that Year; because the_ 23d _of_ April, _for the next Year, did fall
on_ Good-Friday, _and so consequently must have been kept in Lent this
Year, or not at all; and considering the great and important Affairs of
the Parliament, he moved the Question, whether, if there were no Feast
kept this Year, it would be any Blemish to the Honour of the_ Order?
_And whether he might not dispence with the_ Statute, _and defer it
till next Year? They all confessed the Sovereign’s dispensing Power;
yet some of the_ Knights _seeing from the Institution to that Time, no
Precedent was found where the Grand Feast had been wholly omitted, but
that some of the Sovereigns, even though engaged in War beyond Sea,
either solemniz’d the Feast in their own Presence, or by Commission in_
England, _which was averred by the_ Chancellor _to be both the
fundamental and constant Practice, humbly besought the Sovereign not to
begin to make any Breach in the constant_ Order, _so long and
uninterruptedly continued. Whereupon it was resolv’d, by general Vote,
that the Feast should be celebrated on the aforesaid Days of
Prorogation._
By which Determination it sufficiently appears, of what Moment the
Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ then conceiv’d it to the Honour of
the _Order_, to follow the _Statutes_, for the Celebration of the Grand
Feast once every Year. Besides, it is observable, that it was not
thought expedient to be dispens’d with, even on the most pressing and
important Occasions. But rather than the _Statutes_ should suffer any
Violation, the Feast was then solemniz’d, tho’ they were so straiten’d,
in point of time, as not to have above two Days to make Preparation for
it.
And though indeed, on the breaking out of the unhappy Civil War, the
Sovereign was oblig’d to defer the Solemnity from Year to Year, it was
not to be look’d on as any Precedent; and on the Restauration of King
_Charles_ II. it renew’d its former _Order_.
CAP. XIX.
_Of Preparations for the Grand Feast of the_ Order.
_Of Letters giving Notice of the Time and Place._
§ 1. Among many other things which are necessary to be prepar’d
beforehand; the first of Course is, the Letters directed to all the
_Knights-Companions_ and Officers of the _Order_, resident within the
Kingdom, to give them Notice of the Time and Place, when and where
the Feast is to be held. (2.) Letters of Dispensation to such
Knights, as the Sovereign shall please to excuse from their
Attendance at the Feast. (3.) Commissions of Lieutenancy, (or
sometimes of Assistance) when the Sovereign cannot personally
solemnize the same. (4.) Warrants for the Removal of Atchievements,
if there be then Occasion. (5.) Escutcheons and Stiles, to be set on
the back of each _Knight-Companion’s_ Stall, if the Feast be held
elsewhere than at _Windsor_. (6.) The Chappel to be decently adorn’d.
(7.) The great Hall, or other Place, for the Grand Dinner, to be
prepar’d, and very nobly furnish’d. (8.) And lastly, Officers to be
appointed, besides those of the _Order_ of Arms, who are to give
peculiar Attendance on the Sovereign, at this Grand Solemnity.
As to the first of these Points, the Chancellor is to attend the
Sovereign some convenient Time before the approach of St. _George_’s
_Day_, to learn his Pleasure therein, and whether he is inclined to
Prorogue the Day, _&c._
If the Sovereign be inclin’d to a Prorogation, then the Chancellor is
to draw up a Commission for that purpose. After this, Letters issu’d
out anciently under the Sovereign’s Sign Manual, both to his
Lieutenant, when he holds not the Feast personally, and the
_Knights-Companions_, giving them notice of the Time and Place; but of
late the Chancellor hath been appointed to dispatch these Letters in
his own Name.
But whether the Feast be held upon St. _George_’s _Day_, or any other,
by Prorogation, the Sovereign’s Pleasure was usually known so long
before the appointed Time, that these circular Letters issu’d out
sometimes two, three, four, five, or six Months, before the assign’d
Day. And in Cases where there has been farther Prorogations, Care has
been taken to issue out new Commissions, in the like convenient Time,
before the old were expir’d; as may be observ’d by what has gone
before; that so those _Knights Companions_, who are most remote from
Court, may have sufficient Time to prepare; either for Attendance, or,
on just Occasion, to apply themselves to the Sovereign, for Letters of
Dispensation for Absence: And farther, that the absent Knights may
thereby take notice of the Day set, because such are oblig’d to hold
the Feast in their own Houses, at the same Time.
Besides the Letters directed to the _Knights-Companions_; the
Chancellor is likewise to write his Letters to each of the Officers of
the _Order_, to give them the like notice.
_Of Dispensations for not attending the Grand Feast._
§ 2. It having been complained of by the Chancellor of the _Order_, and
taken notice of by the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_, in a Chapter
held at the Celebration of the Grand Feast, 13 _Car._ I. at
_White-Hall_:
_That of late Years, divers_ Knights-Companions _had neglected, both
their Attendance on the Sovereign at the Feast of St._ George, _or to
send, under their Seals of Arms, their probable Excuses, and Petitions
for Licence and Dispensation, contrary to the most ancient_ Statutes,
_and their Duty._
It was therefore, among many other things, decreed, _That for the
future, every Knight of the_ Order _should be bound to attend on the
usual Days, or such as should be assigned by Prorogation_: But in Case
of Sickness, or other important Business to retard them, they shou’d,
under their Seals of Arms to the Chancellor, signify the Reasons for
requiring a Dispensation for their Absence, twenty Days at least before
the usual, or assigned Time, to be presented by him to the Sovereign;
and on Neglect of so doing, except in sudden Accidents, should not be
excused, but incur the Penalty of the _Statutes_.
And it is evident, that this way of enjoining the _Knights-Companions_
to send the Reason that prevented their Attendance, under their Seals,
has been very ancient; for the _Black-Book_ records an _Order_ in
_Chapter_, held at a General Feast, 1 _Hen._ VI. to this very Purpose;
and enjoin’d farther, _That when such absent Knights were present at
the next Feast, they should be oblig’d to give the Reason why they
should not incur the Penalty of their former Absence, since the_
Statutes _enjoin it_.
In Pursuance of the beforementioned Decree, Sir _Thomas Rowe_, then
Chancellor, added to those his Letters, dated 18 _May_, 1637, and
directed to the _Knights-Companions_, under the Seal of the _Order_,
this following Postscript.
_According to two Acts made in_ Chapter, _in the Presence of the
Sovereign_, 18 April, 1637. _concerning the Neglect of the_
Knights-Companions, _in their Attendance upon his Majesty at the Feast
of St._ George, _and a Command expresly receiv’d to signify so much to
your_ Lordship; _I have the true Copies of the Acts themselves, it
being resolv’d, in Case of Omission of your lawful and timely Excuse,
under your Seal of Arms, and in Occasion of Absence, in keeping the
Solemnity in your own House, that no Dispensation shall be given, but
your_ Lordship _shall incur the Penalties of the ancient_ Statutes;
_which are, That you shall not be permitted to the_ Chapter, _nor to
your Seat, the next Year; but shall stand before it, as do the_
Choiristers: _In Procession then you shall go before, and not in your
Place among the Knights, and shall Offer last; and that this Penance
being done, you shall come before the Seat of the Sovereign, and ask
Absolution: But if two Years successively your_ Lordship _shall omit
your Attendance, or timely Suit for Dispensation, you shall pay twenty
Marks, and that Sum to be doubled for every Year of such Omission, till
you are reconcil’d, and pardon’d by the Sovereign, whereof I beseech
your_ Lordship _to take Knowledge._
It afterwards appears, by an _Order_ past in _Chapter_, _9th October_,
15 _Car._ I. that this early Notice to be given from such of the
_Knights-Companions_ as, upon the Reasons already mention’d, should be
absent, was design’d chiefly in Favour of the Officers of the
Sovereign’s _Houshold_, who, by knowing in due Time who should be
absent, and who not, might make timely and certain Provision for the
Feast.
Upon Notice sent by the Chancellor, to the _Knights-Companions_, as
aforesaid, if any of them should happen to be any way indispos’d, or
have other lawful Excuse for not repairing to Court, and attending the
Feast, they may acquaint the Chancellor therewith, whose Duty it is to
represent it to the Sovereign, and thereon to procure his Letters of
Dispensation for their Absence, if the Sovereign consents.
Which Letters are to be convey’d by _Garter_, or carry’d by
whomsoever he shall appoint; for which there was a Fee by the Mile
allowed him, by the following _Order_, past at a Meeting held by the
_Knights-Commissioners_, for regulating Points relating to the
_Order_, 13 _Car._ I.
_Whereas it having anciently been the Office of_ Garter, King _of_
Arms, _to disperse and send Letters of Prorogation, Dispensation, and
other Commands of the Sovereign, to the absent Knights, which in many
Cases must be chargeable, it was this Day order’d, That if he should
send any Act of Favour or Dispensation to any Knight, absent from his
Majesty’s Court, or four Miles from the City of_ London, _he to whom
such Dispensation should be sent, should pay his Servant or Messenger,
for every Day’s Travel, as much as is allow’d and paid any other
Messengers of his Majesty’s House or Chamber._
Variety of Occasions and Accidents, as Grounds to move the Sovereign,
and Inducements to obtain his Dispensation, are extant in several
Letters sent to Sir _Thomas Rowe_, when Chancellor, on the aforesaid
Injunctions, decreed 13 _Car._ I. but they all agree in the Causes we
have mentioned.
_Of Commissions of Lieutenancy._
§ 3. Touching the third particular, and preparing Commissions of
Lieutenancy, in such Cases where the Sovereign cannot personally
celebrate the Feast; as also Commissions for those whom he thinks fit
to appoint for his _Assistants_, the Reader is referr’d to the Head in
the next _Chapter_, under which there is an Account of constituting a
_Lieutenant_; and here only observe, that the Chancellor is to draw up
these Commissions, and attend the Sovereign for his Hand, and after to
pass them under the Great Seal of the _Order_.
_Warrant for the Removal of Atchievements._
§ 4. If there be Occasion for Removal of any of the
_Knights-Companions_ Atchievements, at the Grand Feast, which indeed
has seldom happen’d, unless an Installation were celebrated at the same
time, then does the Chancellor obtain the Sovereign’s Warrant, directed
to _Garter_, for the Performance thereof: But of this we have already
said sufficient, under the Head of Preparations made for Personal
Installations of a _Knight-Companion_.
_Escutcheons of Arms and Stiles._
§ 5. Heretofore, when the Celebrations of St. _George_’s _Day_ were
kept at any other Place besides _Windsor Castle_, it was thought most
necessary to provide large Paper Escutcheons; wherein were Marshalled
the Arms and Quarterings of the Sovereign, and each _Knight-Companion_,
in Metal and Colour, encompass’d with a _Garter_; and thereon Crowns,
Caps, or Coronets, peculiar to each Dignity, with their Stiles and
Titles fairly printed underneath, (but without Crests or Supporters,)
to be set on the Back-side of their Stalls, on the Eve of the Feast:
But the Sovereign’s Arms were impaled with those of St. _George_, over
which an imperial Crown was plac’d, and these, (in Defect of the Plates
and Banners, set over their Stalls, in the Choir of St. _George_’s
_Chappel_ at _Windsor_,) did serve for Directions for the
_Knights-Companions_, that, by the view of them, they might the more
readily and certainly know their proper Stalls.
We have not met with any Memorial of this Usage, that reacheth higher
than _Anno_ 21 _Hen._ VII. when the Sovereign, holding the Day of St.
_George_ at _Cambridge_, _King’s College Chappel_ was furnish’d with
Escutcheons of the _Knights-Companions_ Arms; but to shew the Use was
ancient, there is this Note put into the Memorial, [as was Yearly
accustomed,] _Anno_ 22 _Hen._ VIII. the Sovereign being at _Windsor_ on
the Eve of St. _George_, appointed the Service of the Church to be
celebrated in his Chappel, in the upper Quadrangle of _Windsor Castle_;
and there being present with him thirteen _Knights-Companions_, each of
them had set over their Heads an Escutcheon of their Arms.
This Manner the Stalls were afterwards solemnly establish’d, and
enlarged to absent Knights, by an _Order_ of _Chapter_, held at
_Greenwich_, _Anno_ 3 _Edward_ VI. wherein the Sovereign and
_Knights-Companions_ agreed, that from thenceforth every Stall, upon
St. _George_’s _Eve_, should have an Escutcheon of the Arms of them
which are absent, as well as those that were present, at their several
Costs and Charges:
But this cannot be understood of the Stalls situate in the Chappel of
St. _George_ at _Windsor_; for besides, that we have met with no
ancient Account of any such Custom in that Place, we find a Memorial,
rather implying the contrary; when Queen _Elizabeth_, in the sixth Year
of her Reign, held the Feast of St. _George_ upon its proper Day, at
_Windsor Castle_; namely, that there was no Escutcheons of the
_Knights-Companions_ Arms set up there, but only the Plates; and
without all doubt, had it been the Usage to fix Escutcheons in the
Choir of that Chappel, as at other Places, they would not at that time
especially have been omitted; because then the Sovereign appear’d upon
an extraordinary Occasion, and where many things were added to heighten
the Glory of that Grand Feast, by Reason the Peace between _England_
and _France_ was to be proclaimed at this Festival, in the Presence of
the _French_ Ambassador, and was accordingly done with great Solemnity
on St. _George_’s _Day_ in the Morning, at the East-Entrance in the
lower Ward of the Castle, at the top of the Hill towards St. _George_’s
_Chappel_; and to which Place the Sovereign, in her whole Habit of the
_Order_, (the _French_ Ambassador being near her,) with the five
Officers of the _Order_, and _Knights-Companions_ before her, and
before them the Officers of Arms and Trumpets, proceeding in a stately
and well order’d Cavalcade; and after _Clarenceux_, King of Arms, had
ended the Proclamation, they continu’d the Proceeding thence to the
Chappel, in the same State and Order.
As to the Practice and constant Usage of setting up Escutcheons of
Arms, since _Anno_ 3 _Edward_ VI. and at such time as St. _George_’s
_Day_ was held elsewhere than at _Windsor_, we have seen Variety of
Testimonies.
The Care of ordering and providing of which belong’d to _Garter_; but
the Sovereign of the _Order_ was at the Charge, (notwithstanding the
said Order, _Anno_ 3 _Edw._ VI.) which heretofore we see was paid out
of the Treasury in the _Exchequer_; and since the Establishment of 1200
_l. per Annum_, (settled by the late Sovereign King _Charles_ I. to
discharge the ordinary and extraordinary Expences of the _Order_,) the
Allowance issu’d thence, and was paid by the Chancellor of the _Order_;
but now the Charge is plac’d upon _Garter_, he having an Allowance
therefore included in the Augmentation of his Pension, _Anno_ 15 _Car._
II.
We find Privy Seals to have issu’d as high as the fifteenth of Queen
_Elizabeth_, for the Annual Allowance of 7 _l._ for Escutcheons
imploy’d for the Use aforesaid, and that the Price some time before was
about that rate; for the three and twenty Escutcheons, provided against
St. _George_’s _Feast_, _Anno_ 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._ came to 6
_l._ 1 _s._ and 8 _d._ and those five and twenty set up the following
Year, 6 _l._ 11 _s._ and 8 _d._ some Differences then also being in the
Work, which enhanc’d the Price, _viz._ those provided for Princes, at 6
_s._ and 8 _d._ a Piece, and each of the rest at 5 _s._
The Sovereign, the Prince of _Wales_, and Stranger Kings and Princes,
have accustomably had, at these Times, Majesty Escutcheons set up over
each of their Stalls; but the rest of the _Knights-Companions_, Lodging
Escutcheons only; and we have seen an Account of some Majesty
Escutcheons prepar’d for every St. _George_’s _Feast_, from 1613, to
1619; to wit, one for the Sovereign, another for the King of _Denmark_,
a third for the Prince of _Wales_, and a fourth for _Frederick_, Count
Palatine of the _Rhine_, at 6 _s._ and 8 _d._ a piece; but so many
_Knights-Companions_ as attended the Sovereign at those Feasts, had
each a Lodging Escutcheon, at 2 _s._ and 6 _d._
From the Marshalling of Arms, quarter’d in the _Knights-Companions_
Escutcheons, and ordering their Stiles, (printed always in _French_)
there are several things no less useful than worthy of Observation;
for, first, though the Plates of Arms and Quarterings, fix’d in each
_Knight-Companion’s_ Stall at _Windsor_, continue there without
Alteration, or very seldom chang’d from that Order wherein they were
Marshall’d at that Time of their Installation; yet these Escutcheons
and Stiles Annually set up, do admit of frequent Alteration, as there
is Occasion; either by adding more Quarterings, altering the Stiles, or
amending any thing that is amiss.
For Instance: Whereas the Duke of _Savoy_, before 5 _Eliz._ bore _Gules
a cross Argent_, it was then alter’d into five Coats; that is to say,
in the first Quarter, _Westphalia_, _Saxe-Moderne_ and _Angria_; in the
second, _Chablais_; in the third, _Aouste_, and the fourth as the
first; and over all, in the middle, the aforesaid Escutcheon of _Savoy_.
When the Lord _Hunsdon_ was install’d, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ he had twelve
Coats of Arms, thus Marshall’d in his Plate; four, four, and four; the
first _Carey_, the second _Spencer_, the third _Somerset_, the fourth
_Bullen_, the fifth _Ormond_, the sixth _Hoo_, the seventh _Rochford_,
the eighth _Seyntomer_, the ninth _Malmains_, the tenth _Wichingham_,
the eleventh St. _Leger_, and the twelfth _Hangford_; but _Anno_ 7
_Eliz._ his Escutcheon receiv’d an Addition of four other Coats, _viz._
_Beuchamp_, _Warwick_, _Berkley_, and _Gerard_, and they were inserted
next to _Somerset_, the third Coat in this said Plate.
But on the contrary, where _Ambrose_, Earl of _Warwick_, had twenty one
Coats put into his Plate, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ and they Marshall’d in this
Order, five, five, five, and six; namely, first _Sutton_, second
_Paganell_, third _Grey_ of _Ruthin_, fourth _Hastings_, fifth
_Quincy_, sixth _Malpas_, seventh _Somery_, eighth _Valence_, ninth
_Talbott_, tenth _Warwick_, eleventh _Beauchamp_, twelfth _Berkley_,
thirteenth _Lisle_, fourteenth _Gerard_, fifteenth _Guilford_,
sixteenth _Houlden_, seventeenth _West_, eigthteenth and nineteenth
_Quarterly de la Ware_ and _Cantilupe_, twentieth _Mortimere_ of
_Wigmore_, and twenty one _Greely_; at the Feast of St. _George_ held
at _White-Hall_, _Anno_ 9 _Eliz._ his Escutcheon contain’d but sixteen;
_viz._ four, four, four, and four; namely, first _Sutton_, second
_Paganell_, third _Somery_, fourth _Malpas_, fifth _Grey_ of _Ruthin_,
sixth _Hastings_, seventh _Valence_, eighth _Ferrers_, ninth
_Quincess_, tenth _Chester_, eleventh _Talbott_, twelfth _Beauchamp_,
thirteenth _Warwick_, fourteenth _Berkley_, fifteenth _Gerard_,
sixteenth _Lisle_: So that there were seven Coats taken out of the
former; namely, _Guilford_, _Holden_, _West_, _de la Ware_ and
_Cantilupe_, _Quarterly Mortimere_ and _Greely_, and two added, _viz._
_Ferrers_ and _Chester_.
But the greatest and frequentest Variations are in the Stiles and
Titles of _Honour_, set under the Escutcheons, and these relate unto,
and are occasioned principally from their attaining or resigning of
Offices or Dignities.
We find that the Stile set under the Escutcheon of _Ferdinand_ the
Emperor, at St. _George_’s _Feast_, _Anno_ 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._
was as followeth.
_Du tres hault tres-Excellent & tres-Puissant Prince, Ferdinand, par la
grace de Dieu, Roy des Romaines, de Hungarie, & Bohemie, Arch-Duc
d’Austrie, Duc de Burgoigne_, &c. _Chevalier du tres-Noble Ordre de la
Jarretiere._
But _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ in the said Emperor’s Stile, the Titles of King of
_Hungary_ and _Bohemia_ were left out; because _Maximilian_ his Son had
a little before obtain’d both those Kingdoms.
In the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_, the Stiles of _Philip_, King of
_Spain_, who, while Queen _Mary_ lived, was Co-Sovereign of this most
Noble _Order_, run thus:
_Du tres Hault tres-Excellent and tres-Puissant Prince Philip, par la
grace de Dieu, Roy d’Espaigne, des Deux Cicels & Jerusalem, Arch-Duc
d’Austriæ, Duc de Burgoigne, Millan, & Brabant, Compte de Hapsburghe,
Flanders, & Tiroll; Chevalier du tres-Noble Ordre de la Jarretiere._
But at the Feasts of St. _George_, _Anno_ 28, 29, and 30 _Eliz._ the
Title of Catholick Prince was also given him.
The Instances relating to _Knights-Subjects_ are very many; there
having been almost every Year some Additions, or Omissions.
In the Duke of _Norfolk_’s Stile, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ the _Lieutenantship
of the North_ was omitted. In the Earl of _Rutland_’s, at the same
Feast, _President of the Council in the Council in the North_, was
added. The Marquiss of _Winchester_ caus’d the Title of Baron _St.
John_ to be omitted, because his eldest Son bore that Title, and was a
Baron of Parliament.
It may be further observed, that a Stranger elect (having receiv’d the
_Habit_ and _Ensigns_ of the _Order_,) hath been allow’d the Honour of
having an Escutcheon of his Arms set on the back of that Stall design’d
for him, notwithstanding he has not been install’d.
_Of Adorning the Chappel._
§ 6. The Chappel where divine Service is celebrated, at the Time of the
Grand Feast; whether it be that of St. _George_’s at _Windsor_, or
elsewhere, as the Sovereign is pleas’d, hath at all Times been adorn’d
with rich Furniture; the Care and Oversight whereof at _Windsor_, is
committed to the Dean of the College, but at other Places, to the Dean
of the Chappel.
The _Altar_, by the Gift of pious Benefactors, was adorned with
Vessels, sumptuous both for their Materials and Workmanship; but _temp.
Hen._ VIII. and _Edw._ VI. most of them were dispos’d of, so that King
_James_ I.· taking notice that very little Plate, and other Ornaments,
were belonging to the Chappel, was pleas’d to make some Provision for
the adorning thereof, which was at length effected by the free
Contributions of the Knights themselves.
For at a _Chapter_ held at _White-Hall_, 16 _Jac._ I. it was decreed,
that every _Knight-Companion_ should give to the Use of the _Altar_, in
the said Chappel, a piece of _Plate_ of the Value of 20 _l._ at the
least.