next Morning, notwithstanding what is before said to the contrary,
those Expressions being interwoven with the general Account given of
the Ceremonies of the whole Festival, and more subject to mistake,
where the relation of the Proceeding is carried on in a continued
Discourse, than were ranked (as is before exhibited,) in particular
Lines, and in the Order and Form of a Proceeding. Besides, we no where
meet with any Order or Decree, nulling the foresaid Determination, made
_Anno_ 1 _Jac._ I. which placeth the _Prebends_ before the _Heralds_.
Finally, to give an end to the Disputes in this Point, we find, that
upon the Eve of this Feast, held at _Windsor_, the 23, 24, and 25 of
_November_, _Anno_ 1 _Car._ I. the _Prebends_ proceeded next before the
_Pursuivants_, and the _Pursuivants_ immediately before the _Heralds_
and Provincial Kings; that is to say, all the Officers of Arms (except
_Garter_, whose Place is elsewhere,) proceeded in one entire Body
together, which Order we find to be the same in all Proceedings after,
that we have met with, and was so observed at the Grand Feast held at
_Windsor_, _Anno_ 13 _Car._ II. and ever since. But to proceed.
All the before mentioned Attendants wait in their several Stations,
till the Hour of _Tierce_, when the Sovereign (having the
_Knights-Companions_ and Officers of the _Order_ before him, and his
Train carried up,) passeth towards the Presence Chamber, notice of
whose coming being given, the Band of Pensioners make the accustomed
Guard and Passage along the Presence Chamber, the _Seniors_ standing
towards the Lobby Door, within which Guard, on the other side, the
Officers of Arms place themselves: Upon the same warning, the Yeomen of
the Guard clear a like Passage from the Presence Chamber Door, along
the Guard Chamber, unto its outward Door, for the Proceeding to pass
through.
At the Sovereign’s approach, one of the Gentlemen Ushers attended with
the Sword of State, (the Point resting upon the Ground,) delivereth to
such one of the Nobility, (not being a Knight of the _Order_,) whom the
Sovereign, as an honorary Favour, hath before nominated, to bear it
from thence, before him in all the Proceedings of the Feast; during
which Action, the _Knights-Companions_ proceed forwards, and being
entred the Presence Chamber, Flank on each side the State, with some
small distance between them, and there make a stand: The Sovereign
being also entred, passeth to the Step before the State, (the Nobleman
who beareth the Sword, and the five Officers of the _Order_, retiring a
little on his right Hand,) and then turning himself towards the
_Knights-Companions_, standeth there a while, until they have made
their Reverences unto him; which being performed, he resaluteth the
_Knights-Companions_ by putting off his Cap: This done, the Sovereign
putteth his Cap on again; whereupon every of the _Knights Companions_
putteth on theirs, and immediately Rank themselves, according to their
due Place, on both sides the State.
For the right understanding whereof, we are in the fifth place to Note,
that in the Order and Method wherein the _Knights-Companions_ are
ranked, (if they be all present,) is two and two together, the _Junior_
foremost on the left Hand, for that is his Place in all Proceedings;
but where any of them be absent, the rule is different from that
appropriate to the before-mentioned Degrees; for though it be recorded,
that upon the Eve of the Grand Feast held at _Windsor_, _Anno_ 7 _Hen._
V. the _Knights-Companions_ went in Order to the _Chapter-House_ and
_Choir_; yet this being exprest but in general terms, how it ought to
be understood, will more fully appear, from the particular Directions
given for the Order of the _Knights-Companions_ Proceeding in King
_Henry_ VIII’s Statutes; where the Law directs each _Knight-Companion_
to proceed alone, at such time as his Fellow (who possesseth the Stall
opposite unto him) is absent, but the Order of such Proceeding will by
a Scheme be made more evident.
_The Proceeding of the_ Knights-Companions, _present on the Eve of
St._ George, _to the Closet at_ White-Hall, Anno 3 Eliz.
The Lord _Hunsdon_. Void.
The Lord _Robert Dudley_. The Viscount _Mountague_.
The Lord _Loughborow_. The Earl of _Shrewsbury_.
The Earl of _Sussex_. The Lord _Howard_ of _Effing._
Void. The Earl of _Westmorland_.
The Marquiss of _North._ Void.
The Lord _Clynton_. The Duke of _Norfolk_.
Void. The Earl of _Pembrook_.
Thus four _Knights-Companions_ proceeded alone, in regard the Stalls
opposite to them were void, the three first being absent, and the last
void by the Death of the Earl of _Huntington_; and to avoid all
disputes in relation to Precedency, King _Henry_ VIII. Decreed, in the
sixteenth Year of his Reign; _That each_ Knight-Companion _should take
Place, in Procession, Station, or sitting at the Table, thence forward,
as he had his Seat or Stall in the Choir, and not according to the
Degree of his Birth or Condition, unless the Sovereign was pleased that
any should be made Choice of, according to the Nobility of his Family,
to sit at the end of his own Table, or perform any other thing by the
by_.
The Proceeding among the Officers of the _Order_ differeth from all
before spoken of; for, being five in Number, the three inferior
Officers (when all present,) March in a breast, and (of later Times,)
the _Register_ in the middle, _Garter_ on his right Hand, and the
_Usher_ of the _Black-Rod_ on his left.
After these three Officers, the two superior proceed together, the
_Prelate_ on the Right, and the _Chancellor_ on the left; and after,
the Officers of the _Order_ follow the Sword, which is carried
immediately before the Sovereign. In the beginning of Queen
_Elizabeth_’s Reign, it was born by some of the Barons, but of later
Times it hath been conferr’d on Persons of higher Rank, as _Anno_ 4
_Car._ I. on the Earl of _Dover_; _Anno_ 9 _Car._ I. on the Earl of
_Danby_; and _Anno_ 13 _Car._ II. on the Lord Viscount _Mordant_, then
Constable of the Castle of _Windsor_; and at this Time ’tis usually
born by none under the Degree of an Earl.
The Sovereign’s Place in the Proceeding, _& notandum quod superior
Ordinis tempore Processionis in dicta Capella transibit retro totam
Sociarum Comitivam_; which though the _Statute_ mentions here to be
performed at the Grand Procession, yet it refers to all those times the
Sovereign proceeds to, or from, no less than within the Chappel. In
ancient Time, the Sovereign (if he were at _Windsor_, to celebrate the
Grand Feast,) proceeded to the Chappel in Person, as well on the Eve,
as on the Feast Day. Queen _Elizabeth_ being the first who went not to
the Chappel on the Eve of the Feast, unless we except King _Henry_ VI.
who, by reason of Sickness, was necessitated to make a Deputy in his
stead: The aforesaid Omission of Queen _Elizabeth_, was first
occasioned through Indisposition of Health, though she afterwards,
without that necessity, did not comply, as in the 18, 25, 29, and 31
Years of her Reign, which gave occasion to King _James_ to make
Deputies at those three Grand Feasts he Celebrated at _Windsor_; and
the like did King _Charles_ I. in the first Year of his Reign; but in
the fourth Year of his Reign, the ancient Custom (for many Years
intermitted,) was restored, and the Sovereign (making no Lieutenant,)
proceeded to the Chappel, not only on that Eve, but always observed it
afterwards, as did King _Charles_ II. in all the Grand Feasts he held,
and is now observed.
It will be necessary to take notice, that the Proceeding begins from
the Presence Chamber, call’d in the _Statutes_ the Great Chamber; a
Scheme whereof, on the Eve of the Grand Feast, is here exhibited.
The Attendants on the Knights-Companions.
Alms-Knights.
Virger of the Chappel.
Prebends of _Windsor_.
Officers of Arms.
Knights-Companions.
Black-Rod.
Register.
Garter.
Chancellor.
Prelate.
The Sword.
The Sovereign.
Train-bearers.
Captain of the Pensioners.
Pensioners.
To the foregoing Proceeding have been occasionally receiv’d some
Persons of Quality, and others Eminent in Place and Degree; (though
their Offices do not particularly relate to this most Noble _Order_,)
but are admitted by reason of their requisite Attendance on the
Sovereign, in his Proceedings on all Occasions.
On St. _George_’s _Eve_, _Anno_ 3 _Eliz._ the old Ambassador of
_Sweden_, accompanied by the Earl of _Hertford_, went in the Proceeding
to the Closet at _White-Hall_, next after the Train-bearers, and
immediately before the Ladies Attendants on the Sovereign; and the next
Morning, when the Sovereign proceeded to the Chappel, the new
Ambassador of _Sweden_ went in the same Place.
As to those admitted on the Account of their Offices, is the Lord
Chamberlain, (though not a Knight of the _Garter_,) and is allowed
Place somewhat behind, on the right Hand of the Sovereign, and the Vice
Chamberlain on the left.
The Dean of the Sovereign’s Chappel at _White-Hall_ attends when the
Proceedings are thither, going a little behind the Sovereign towards
his left Hand; next goes the Clerk of the Closet, then the Master of
the Robes, as also one of the Masters of Requests, and then the
Gentlemen of the Robes.
_Of the Proceeding to the_ Chapter-House.
§ 3. Having under the precedent Head, treated at large of the Rank and
Place of all those that pass in the Proceeding, wherein all are
Bare-headed, except the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_: I now come
to the Place whither the Proceeding is directed.
The first Solemn Action on the Entrance of the Grand Feast, which the
Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ are obliged to perform, is to
Celebrate a _Chapter_, to which end it hath been most usual for them to
proceed from the Presence Chamber, _every one in their due Place and
Order_; first to the _Chapter-House_, to consult of things of course;
and next into the _Choir_, to hear Divine Service; which has been the
constant Custom from the Reign of King _Henry_ V. as many Examples,
recorded in the Registers of the _Order_, evidence.
As this Custom of holding a _Chapter_ on the Eve of the Grand Feast,
was constantly observed when celebrated without Prorogation; so also
hath a _Chapter_ been in like manner held before _Vespers_, on the Eve,
at such time as the Feast Day of St. _George_ only hath been observ’d,
when (for any cause) the Anniversary of the Grand Feast receiv’d
Prorogation: As for Instance, _Anno_ 1 _Mary_, a _Chapter_ was held at
the Mannor of St. _James_’s, on the _Vigil_ of St. _George_, before the
first _Vespers_; whereunto is fixt this Note, _ut moris est_; and the
Grand Feast for that Year receiv’d Adjournment, until the coming of
_Philip_, then Prince (after King) of _Spain_.
In like manner, though the Celebration of the Grand Feasts were removed
from _Windsor_, and observed at other Places, yet this usual Custom of
holding a _Chapter_ on the Eve, was always practised; after which the
proceeding to Evening Prayer succeeded, as is manifest by several
Testimonies from the _Registers_.
The publick processional way to the _Chapter-House_ at _Windsor_, used
Time out of Mind, led from the Presence Chamber through the Cloister,
and the great Gate of the King’s Lodging, to the upper Ward of the
Castle, thence through the middle Ward, and part of the lower, to and
through the Passage, between the East End of the Chappel and
_Tomb-House_; and thence into the _Chapter-House_, Situate on the North
East Corner of St. _George_’s _Chappel_.
But the Sovereign hath sometimes thought fit to wave this publick
processional way, and pass along the private way, which leads from the
King’s Privy Chamber, down the Stairs into the Terrace, _viz._ through
that stately Walk lying on the North side of the Castle, and entring
again at a Door, heretofore made through a part of the Castle Wall into
one of the Canons Lodgings, adjoining to _Winchester Tower_, (now made
up) went thence through the Cloisters, proceeding in the Order before
shewed.
We shall close this Head, with observing, that though the Proceedings
to the _Chapter-House_ or Chappel, on the Eve of the Feast, have most
commonly been on Foot; yet have they been also on Horse-back, on
extraordinary Occasions, as _Anno_ 3 _Hen._ VII. at which Time several
Ambassadors being arrived here from Foreign Kings and Princes, they and
many of the Nobility of this Kingdom, with the King’s Council, the two
Archbishops, the Bishops of _Lincoln_ and _Ely_, and the Chief Justice
of the King’s Bench, repaired also thither; and on the Eve, the
Sovereign, accompanied with the _Knights-Companions_, rode from the
upper Quadrangle down to the College. The Queen and the King’s Mother
rode in a Chair, covered with rich Cloth of Gold, drawn by six Coursers
finely Harnass’d, and twenty one Ladies, habited in Crimson Velvet,
rode on white Palfries: Sir _Roger Cotton_, Master of the Queen’s
Horse, led her Horse of State, whereon was a Saddle of Cloth of Gold,
and three Crowns of Silver gilt; as soon as they alighted, the
Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ proceeded to the _Chapter-House_,
and thence to Evening Song, which ended, they return’d in the Order
they came.
King _Henry_ VIII. in the eleventh Year of his Reign, at three a Clock
in the Afternoon, with all the _Knights-Companions_, in the Habit of
the _Order_, proceeded from the Presence Chamber in _Windsor-Castle_,
till they came to the Quadrangle, where they took their Horses, and
rode according to their Stalls, not according to their Estate, next
before the King, and thence rode to the middle Door of the Chappel, and
there alighted, and proceeded without the _Choir_ to the
_Chapter-House_; there are other Examples, but these may suffice.
_Of the opening of the_ Chapter.
§ 4. The Proceeding being arriv’d at the Entrance into the Chappel,
first the Attendants on the _Knights-Companions_ divide themselves as
they enter, beginning at the outward Door, and Flank on each side the
North Isle of the Chappel, and so toward the West Door of the
_Choir_, making a stand along the Isle for the _Alms-Knights_,
_Virgers_, _Prebends_, and _Officers_ of _Arms_, to pass through
them, who go on towards the said West Door; and when the _Junior
Knights-Companions_ are entred into the Chappel, the Proceeding makes
a stand, while all the _Knights-Companions_ following turn aside on
the right Hand into the _Chapter-House_, next the Officers of the
_Order_, and lastly the Sovereign; but the Nobleman that carries the
Sword, the Train-bearers, Pensioners, _&c._ stay without the
_Chapter-House_ Door in the North Isle; none being admitted in but
the Sovereign, the _Knights-Companions_, and the Officers of the
_Order_; who being all entred, the Door is shut by the Gentleman
Usher of the _Black-Rod_, and every Person severally takes his due
Place and Station, whereupon the _Chapter_ immediately opens.
In what Manner and Order the Sovereign, _Knights-Companions_, and
Officers of the _Order_, are ranked, at the holding of a _Chapter_, is
describ’d, _Anno_ 11 _Hen._ VIII. when the Sovereign and
_Knights-Companions_ consulted in the _Chapter-House_, on the
Reformation and Explanation of the _Statutes_ of the _Order_.
The Sovereign, on his Entrance, proceeded to the midst of the North-end
of the Table; the _Knights-Companions_, whose Stalls in the _Choir_
were on the Sovereign’s side, took the right Hand of the Table, and
those of the Princes side the left; then the Prelate of the _Order_
came and stood on the Sovereign’s right Hand, at the corner of the
Table; _Register_ and _Garter_ were at the lower end, and _Black-Rod_
kept the _Chapter-House_ Door on the inside. The Chancellor of the
_Order_ is not there mention’d, (as not being present) yet his Place is
on the Sovereign’s left Hand of the Table.
If the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ arrive at the _Chapter-House_
so late, that the Business necessary to be done cannot be discuss’d,
without putting off the Celebration of _Vespers_, beyond the Canonical
Hour; it hath been usual to adjourn the Debates till the next Morning,
as was done _Anno_ 14 _Car._ I.
_Transactions in the_ Chapter _held before the_ Vespers.
§ 5. When the _Chapter_ held before the _Vespers_ is opened, and no
Adjournment given thereto, all things are then to be provided for,
which concern the Honour and Dignity of this most Noble _Order_.
The matters of course are; first, Swearing, and admitting Officers;
secondly, Debating about the _Knights-Companions_ then absent, and
either dispensing with, or inflicting Penalties on them; and thirdly,
Constituting or appointing an Officer, to carry on the State and
Solemnity of the Feast in the Sovereign’s absence. But other
Particulars that are occasional, cannot so well be brought within Rule,
as being wholly accidental.
As to the first, the Officers of the _Order_, soon after the _Chapter_
is open’d, take their respective Oaths, in Order to perform the Duty of
their several Places, during the Session of the _Chapter_, and
thenceforward, as is evident from several Examples, but one may
suffice, from a _Chapter_ held at _Windsor_, _Anno_ 4 _Car._ I. whereat
Dr. _Neal_, Bishop of _Winchester_, was Sworn Prelate; Sir _Francis
Crane_, Chancellor; and Dr. _Mathew Wren_, Bishop of _Ely_, Register.
It hath sometimes happened, that some of the Officers of this _Order_
have been Sworn at other Times, as at _Chapters_ next ensuing their
Nomination and Choice, wherein the Administration of the Oath is one of
the first things done.
Touching the second particular debated in _Chapter_, _viz._ the
dispensing with, or punishing absent Knights; it is to be considered,
that the _Statutes_ of the _Order_ enjoin all the _Knights-Companions_
to be present at the Celebration of the Grand Feast: that is, those
that are within the Kingdom, or elsewhere; although the Service of St.
_George_, according to the Rites of the Church, be not celebrated, as
on the Service of the Day whereon that of St. _George_ has fallen,
_viz._ _Good-Friday_: But with this Limitation, _so that they be in a
capacity, or may conveniently repair thither_.
Therefore the next thing usually entred upon in the _Chapter_, is the
Sovereign’s and _Knights-Companions_ taking notice, whether any of the
Fellowship make default of coming at the Hour assign’d; and if so, they
are considered under one of these Heads. First, Stranger Princes;
Secondly, Late Commissioners who are arrived, or every Minute expected;
and Thirdly, Such as have given notice that they cannot be present,
during the continuation of the Feast: Of these Excuses of course,
verbal Apologies, or Letters of Excuse, are, or may be, offered; and in
case they are approved or admitted, then the Penance, which by the
_Statutes_ ought otherwise to be inflicted, is admitted; all which
ought to be recorded.
Stranger Princes are excused in course, on Account of their necessary
Residence in their own Territories; and of their Excuses and accustom’d
Dispensations, are divers Instances in the Registers of the _Order_.
As to _Knights-Companions_, who are tardy in their Journey, or being
come to the Castle, fall short of the Hour, or of attending the
Sovereign to the _Chapter-House_, either through negligence, or want of
timely notice, or other accident; the _Statutes_ enjoin for Penance,
that they be not permitted for that time to enter into the _Chapter_,
but tarry without the Door, and not have Voice in any thing that shall
happen to be done there, unless they can alledge a just Excuse, or
render such a sufficient cause as the Sovereign, or his Deputy, shall
approve of; but few defaulters have been noted of this kind.
The third sort of Delinquents, are those _Knights-Companions_ absent,
not only at the Hour of _Tierce_, but are likely to be so during the
whole Feast; the Proceedings relating to them, are either upon what is
offered in Excuse of their absence, or determined on their neglect of
making Apology for it.
Excuses for absence, are either by Letters or Word of Mouth; if by
Letters, they are directed to the Chancellor of the _Order_; or else
the Sovereign sends to his Lieutenant on their behalf, and both are
produc’d by the Chancellor: But if Excuse be made by Word of Mouth,
then are they delivered by the Sovereign himself; or on motion made by
some of the _Knights-Companions_ present in _Chapter_.
The Custom of sending Letters has been very ancient: The Lord _Powis_’s
Letter, under his Hand and Seal, (certifying his Indisposition of
Body,) was produc’d in _Chapter_, _Anno_ 8 _Hen._ V. And the following
Year the Dukes of _York_, _Norfolk_, and _Buckingham_, with the Earls
of _Salisbury_, _Shrewsbury_, and _Pembrook_, Viscount _Bourchier_, the
Lord _Rivers_, and Sir _John Falstaff_; being all absent from St.
_George_’s _Feast_, _they declared the reason of their absence by their
Messengers_. There are many Precedents of this kind, and of Letters
sent from the Sovereign, directed to his Lieutenant, to accept of
_Knights-Companions_ Excuses, whose absence he had beforehand dispenc’d
with; we observe those Dispensations excus’d not the sending their own
particular Excuses; for it is evident they were also expected, and that
such allowance of absence was not Absolute, the Clause running thus:
_That you [the Sovereign’s Deputy] allow these Excuses so far as are
consonant to reason_. And in all other Letters of the same nature, a
Clause to this Effect hath been inferred: _That as the Sovereign
thought good to advertise his Deputy, that for certain Causes he had
dispenc’d with their Attendance for that time; so he will’d him to
accept their reasonable Excuses in that behalf accordingly_.
Secondly, The absent _Knights-Companions_ have had their Excuses
frequently made by Word of Mouth, either of the Sovereign, or some
other of the _Knights-Companions_, present in the _Chapter_. This
Favour is done either by the Sovereign himself, if present; or by his
Order to the Lieutenant, in his absence.
There have been many Examples of what hath been done in this Case, and
also when the Sovereign hath not been present in _Chapter_, but hath
beforehand verbally given his Deputy or Lieutenant direction to excuse
the absence of several _Knights-Companions_.
It will be necessary to observe what Effect the Excuses have usually
produc’d; whereinto we find the just and reasonable favourably
admitted, some suspended, and divers disallowed. Those easily allow’d
were, first, Sickness; (for those of the _Knights-Companions_ who have
been either Sick, far spent with Age, or intent on publick Affairs,
have been readily allow’d,) Secondly, The not recovery of Wounds
receiv’d in the publick Service; as we meet with in the Case of Sir
_William Harington_, _Anno_ 7 _Hen._ V. whom we see excus’d _for his
Illness, occasion’d from his Wounds then lately receiv’d at the Siege
of_ Rohan, _and elsewhere_. Thirdly, Impotency and old Age. Fourthly,
Imployment in the Sovereign’s Service, either Abroad or at Home; those
Abroad are necessarily excus’d, those at Home we shall be more
particular to. The Earl of _Shrewsbury_, _Anno_ 22 _Eliz._ was taken up
in certain Affairs, enjoin’d him by the Sovereign; the Earl of
_Huntington_, 26 _Eliz._ being President of the Council of the North,
his absence was for that, and several Years following, favourably
excus’d; and a like Case was that of the Earl of _Danby_, _Anno_ 13
_Car._ I. who for his necessary Attendance at the Seat of Justice in
_Eyre_, was excus’d waiting on the Sovereign at the Grand Feast that
Year. Fifthly, _When the Grand Feast hath receiv’d Prorogation, and any
of the_ Knights-Companions _have not had notice of the Day whereunto it
was prorogued_. Sixthly, _When any of them have been in Captivity_; as
was _Thomas_, Earl of _Salisbury_, and the Earl of _Huntington_, both
Prisoners in _France_, _Anno_ 2 _Hen._ VI. Seventhly, When any of them
have obtain’d the Sovereign’s Letters of Dispensation, of which
sufficient is spoken before. Lastly, _Some other just and lawful
Occasion_, as well as Accident, having fallen out; (not relating to
those under the former Heads,) the Sovereign, on Information given in
_Chapter_, hath been pleas’d to allow of; as in the Case of the Lord
_Fauconbridge_, _Anno_ 32 _Hen._ VI. was readily admitted, on his
pleading _the care of his Domestick Affairs, he having been lately in
Prison, and had obtained leave to go and see his House and Lands in the
Country_. The Earl of _Arundel_’s absence, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ I. was
pardon’d, by reason of the Dutchess of _Richmond_’s Death, who died on
the Eve of the Grand Feast; that so he (being the chief of her Family,)
might be at Hand to advise and assist in all things conducing to the
Honour of the deceased Dutchess.