Instant _Black-Rod_ on his Knee delivers (with Assay) the Sovereign’s
Offering to the _Senior_ Knight, or other Person nominated, and he
kneeling presents it to the Sovereign, which he immediately Offers into
the Bason held by the Prelate, and then ariseth, and is conducted and
attended, as when he came up to Offer; at the Entrance into his Stall,
he turns and makes a Reverence, and his Attendants also bow towards the
_Altar_; and being attended into his Stall, doth the like again, and
then reposeth himself in his Seat.
An Entry is made in the _Red-Book_, _Anno_ 6 _Car._ I. _That whereas in
other Places_ (_besides_ Windsor) _the Sovereign is wont to Offer a
certain Gold Piece, (vulgarly called a Bezant) to be redeemed
afterwards at a certain Price; the Usher of the_ Black-Rod _having been
admonished, that in these Services there is no Redemption to be made,
should never present the Bezant at_ Windsor _to the Sovereign, but Gold
and Silver of English Money._
When the Sovereign is absent, and the Lieutenant Offers for him, he
performs the Ceremony as follows.
First, (After the Preparations made for the Offering, as aforesaid,) he
descends from his Stall with the usual Reverences, and goes to the
Steps ascending the Sovereign’s Stall, and there stands a while; then
making his double Obeysance, he proceeds towards the _Altar_ (the
Officers of the _Order_ going before him,) with one other Reverence in
the middle of the _Choir_, and another at the first _Haut Pas_ of the
_Altar_; the Carpet and Cushion is spread and laid for him, as is for
the Sovereign, and the Offering also given in the same way, and the
Lieutenant kneeling puts it in the Bason, and returns to the
Sovereign’s Stall in the same Order, _&c._ he came; where standing a
while again before it, he makes a Reverence towards it, and then goes
up into his own Stall, where (if it fall out that the Lieutenant is not
the _Senior_ Knight,) he stays to receive the Reverences of all the
_Knights-Companions_ his _Seniors_, as they go up to Offer, and when
his own turn comes to Offer, he descends with a double Reverence, and
proceeds up with his Fellow, (if present) and Offers for himself in his
own Place, but his Train is then let down, the Carpet, _&c._ taken
away, and only two Officers of Arms (but none of the _Order_) proceeds
before him, and when he has Offer’d, he returns to his Stall.
But it seems, 7 _Jac._ I. that _Garter_ alone, on the Feast Day,
brought up the Prince, then the Sovereign’s Lieutenant, when he came to
Offer for himself, which Service ought to have been performed by
_Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_, which was an oversight in _Garter_; as
likewise his bringing down at the same, the _Knights-Companions_ out of
their Stalls to Offer, before the Epistle and Gospel were Read,
contrary to the usage of former times; by which they were kept a
tedious time waiting below in the _Choir_, before the Offering began.
But 11 _Jac._ I. the Prince was brought up by _Clarenceux_ and
_Norroy_, when he came to Offer, and not by _Garter_. When the
Lieutenant hath Offered for himself, he returns to the lower end of the
Stalls, and passes to his own, where having paid the usual Reverences,
he enters it, and is ready to receive the Reverences of all the other
_Knights-Companions_.
As soon as the Sovereign, or his Lieutenant, is returned to his Stall,
the two Provincial Kings pass down into the middle of the _Choir_,
where making Reverences jointly to the _Altar_, and next to the
Sovereign, _Clarenceux_ turns himself to the _Senior_ Knight, and makes
him a third Reverence, while _Norroy_ at the same Instant does the same
to the next _Junior_ Knight, and so both, as an intimation of their
going up to Offer; then each King retires a little backward toward the
Stalls: In the mean time, the two _Senior_ Knights draw near together,
and making double Reverences, _Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_ step forth, and
pass up before them, till they arrive near the Prelate; (or if the
_Senior_ Knight be without his Opposite, then he is brought up single,)
then making their Reverences, first towards the _Altar_, next to the
Knights, _Clarenceux_ retires to the right side, and _Norroy_ to the
left, waiting for the return of the Knights, who are kneeling on the
uppermost _Haut Pas_ of the _Altar_, making their Offering. Which
humble Ceremony of kneeling, not being heretofore used, was fixed by a
Decree of 4 _Car._ I.
The _Knights-Companions_ Offerings are both of Silver and Gold, which
is receiv’d by two of the Prebends, or by one Prebend and one Chantor,
anciently by one Chantor only, when the Offering is at _Windsor_; but
by the Dean of the Chappel, when at _White-Hall_. The Offering being
made, the _Knights-Companions_ rise, and forthwith divide themselves,
_Clarenceux_ conducting the _Senior_ Knight to the lower end of the
Stalls on the Sovereign’s side; and _Norroy_ the next _Junior_ Knight,
to the lower end of the Stalls on the Prince’s side; and at parting
make their Reverences, and return to their Stations before the _Altar_.
The Knights, at their Entrance into the Stalls, make their double
Reverences together, and then pass on to their own; where making the
like Reverences, they take their Seats.
But if any Stranger King be present at the Offering, he does not retire
to his Seat, by the lower end of the Stalls, but along the _Choir_, as
does the Sovereign, the same way he proceeded up: So did the King of
_Denmark_, 4 _Jac._ I.
The Ceremonies of the two _Senior_ Knights Offering being finished, the
two _Senior Heralds_ observing their last Reverences, pass down into
the _Choir_, in the same manner as did _Clarenceux_ and _Norroy_, to
bring up the next two _Senior_ Knights to Offer, who use all the same
Ceremonies, and are conducted back in like manner to the _Altar_; and
so of the other, brought up by the two next _Senior Heralds_;
_Clarenceaux_ and _Norroy_ beginning again, if there are more Knights
than the _Heralds_ in one Course supply; and after them the _Heralds_
again, till the whole is ended: And here it may be noted, that where
any Knight goeth single to Offer, he hath nevertheless two _Heralds_ to
attend him.
Touching the Offerings themselves, made in the Chappel of _Windsor_,
they belong of right to the Dean and Prebends, being conferr’d on them
by the _Statutes_ of the College: And ordained also, that the _Chantor_
should see them receiv’d, and faithfully kept; and at the end of every
Month, or Weekly, if the College required it, give an Account of what
was receiv’d: All which was confirmed by King _Edward_ III. the Bishop,
Dean, and Chapter of _Salisbury_, to whose Jurisdiction the College of
_Windsor_ belongs; and also by the Bishop of _Winchester_, Prelate of
the _Garter_, 1352. But Dr. _Montague_, Bishop of _Winchester_, at the
Feast at _Windsor_, 21 _Jac._ I. challenged a right to the Offerings;
and Bishop _Andrews_ did _de Facto_ both receive, and keep the
Offerings, whenever he officiated at _Windsor_. But on complaint of the
Dean and Prebends of _Windsor_, this matter was referred to the
Chapter; yet we do not find that any final or positive Determination
was ever made to the time of the Restauration, from which time the
right of the Dean and Canons has never been disputed, and the
_Statutes_ have duly taken Place.
What has usually been offered, either in Gold or Silver, we shall see
by the Account given in by the Bishop of _Winchester_, 4 _Car._ I. at
St. _George_’s _Feast_ at _Windsor_, _September_ 24.
The whole Offering of the eight Knights, is four Pounds fifteen
Shillings, _viz._ in Gold ten Shillings each, and in Silver two;
excepting the Lord Steward, whose Offering in Silver was only one
Shilling; besides the Sovereign’s _Bezant_ redeemable.
The Offerings on the twenty fifth Day.
His Majesty’s Offering in Gold one Pound, and in Silver ten Shillings.
The eight _Knights-Companions_ the same as the Day before; the whole,
besides the King’s _Bezant_, eleven Pounds.
When all the Knights have offered, and are returned to their Stalls,
the Chancellor of the _Order_ makes his Reverences; and after him, the
_Register_, _Garter_, and _Black-Rod_, theirs together, and take their
Seats: Next, the Carpet being rolled up by the Groom and Page of the
removing Wardrobe, the _Provincial Kings_, _Heralds_, and
_Pursuivants_, and last of all the Alms-Knights, make their Reverences,
and pass into the _Choir_, where they remain till the Prelate has
finished the second Service; who, conducted by the Serjeant of the
Vestry, comes down from the _Altar_ with his accustomed Reverences to
his Seat. After whom, the two Prebends are brought down by the Virger,
who making their usual Reverences take their Seats.
_The Return to the Presence._
§ 6. Immediately after, all prepare to pass out of the _Choir_, and to
proceed back to the Presence Chamber, which is done in every particular
as it is in the return of the Sovereign from the first _Vespers_.
The Proceeding passes on through the South-Door of the Chappel, and
here the Trumpets are taken in, and placed before the Alms-Knights, and
sound all the way to the Guard Chamber; at which time the Drums and
Fifes begin to beat and play. Thence the Proceeding passes into the
Presence Chamber, whither it ought to go, before the Sovereign pass
into the great Hall to Dinner; and here the _Knights-Companions_ take
their usual Stands; and after the Sovereign’s Salutation, and their
Reverences, the Sovereign retires into the Privy Chamber, and the
Knights likewise retire till Dinner is ready.
_Of the Dinner on the Feast Day._
§ 7. As soon as the Sovereign hath notice given him, that the first
Mess is set on the Table, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ come
out of the Privy Lodgings into the Presence Chamber, attended by the
Officers of the _Order_, and seat themselves in the same manner, as at
the Supper on the Eve of the Feast: The Musick sounding whilst the said
Mess is carrying up; which is in the following Order.
Four Serjeants at Arms, two and two.
The Comptroller. The Treasurer.
The Sewer.
The Messes carried up by the Pensioners.
Master of the Houshold. Cofferer.
A Clerk Comptroller. A Clerk Comptroller.
Second Clerk of the Kitchin. Chief Clerk of the Kitchin.
The Sovereign hath most frequently sat alone, though sometimes
heretofore he hath been pleased to admit some of the
_Knights-Companions_ to sit at the Table with him; but this Honour has
not been offered to any of them since the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_.
As soon as the Sovereign is placed, the _Knights-Companions_ put on
their Caps, and remaining covered, retire against the Tables prepared
for them; where Water is brought them by a Gentleman of Quality; and
having washed, they all sit down.
The Order of passing to their Seats at the Table, 19 _Car._ II. and so
appointed to be observed for the future, was after the following
manner. First, The Duke of _York_ entered the Rails at the upper end of
the Table, and passed down the hither side, to the lower end, and
thence to the bench-side to his Place: In like manner followed all the
other Knights, according to the Seniority of their Stalls, as it is
ordained they shall sit, and not according to their Estates or
Dignities, (except the Sons of Stranger Kings, Princes, and Dukes,) and
all on the right Hand, or farther side of their Table, not one against
another, but two and two at a Table to a Mess, and those whose
Opposites are wanting to sit alone, and have a whole Mess. Their Meat
being usually brought up by the Yeomen of the Guard; and are attended
by some of the Gentlemen Pensioners, and others of the Sovereigns
Servants, two to each Table.
It appears that anciently the Officers of the _Order_ had a Table
allowed them in the great Hall, and sat covered in the Sovereign’s
Presence; but on the Eve of the Feast, 10 _Car._ I. it was ordered in
_Chapter_, That they should be at their Choice, to keep the Feast
privately by themselves, or sit uncovered where the Sovereign dined.
Whereupon, from that time, they forbore sitting in the Hall, or where
else the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ sat. It likewise appears,
that the Officers of Arms did anciently sit in St. _George_’s _Hall_,
at a Table joined to that, at which the Officers of the _Order_ sat.
Before the Entrance of the Sovereign’s second Course, he stands up and
drinks to the _Knights-Companions_, (and so it is remembred to be done
by _Phil._ and _Mar._) they standing all the while uncovered, till they
have all pledged him: Which done, the Officers of Arms make themselves
ready, at the lower end of the Hall, to proceed up in the following
_Order_.
Garter.
Clarenceux and Norroy.
Heralds two and two.
Pursuivants two and two.
And so altogether make their Reverence to the Sovereign, and proceed
near the side of the Knights Table, till they come to the middle of the
Hall, where, after another Reverence made, they go still forward; and
when _Garter_ has passed about two Yards beyond the Knights Table, and
come near the _Haut Pas_ ascending the Sovereign’s State, they make the
like Reverence again jointly. Then _Garter_ with a loud and audible
Voice cries Largess thrice, though anciently but twice.
Upon _Garter’s_ beginning to cry Largess, all the _Knights-Companions_,
unless Kings and great Princes, if any be present, stand up uncovered,
till he has made an end; (which Custom, it seems, 7 _Car._ I. had been
discontinued for some time.) Then _Garter_ proceeds, and Proclaims the
Sovereign’s Stiles and Titles of Honour, first in _Latin_, after in
_French_, and lastly in _English_; he and the Officers of Arms making a
Reverence between; and at the end join altogether in crying Largess
thrice, and then all make Reverence together.
Hereupon, sometimes the Treasurer of the Houshold puts the Sovereign’s
Largess, which is ten Pounds in Gold, into _Garter_’s Hat; and this is
afterwards divided among the Officers of Arms, according to Custom. But
_Anno_ 23 _Car._ II. the _Black-Rod_ put the Largess into _Garter_’s
Hat. This being finished, all the Officers of Arms retire about three
Yards backward, keeping their Faces towards the Sovereign, and there
make a Reverence, and so a second, and thence retire out of the Hall to
Dinner.
This Ceremony ended, the Sovereign’s second Course is brought up; first
the Serjeants at Arms, next the Treasurer and Comptroller of the
Houshold, next the Sewer, then the Gentlemen-Pensioners, bearing the
Messes; then the Cofferer and Master of the Houshold, the two Clerks of
the Green-Cloth, the two Clerks Comptrollers, and lastly the two Clerks
of the Kitchin, habited in their Gowns, and their Caps in their Hands.
And after the Sovereign’s Table is compleatly furnished, the second
Course is served up to the Knights Table by the Yeomen of the Guard, in
such Order as was the first.
But where any _Knight-Companion_ happens to be installed at this Grand
Feast, and is present at Dinner, then _Garter_, and the Officers of
Arms, proceed in Order, (after they have proclaimed the Sovereign’s
Stile,) from the lower end of the Hall, till they come before the new
installed Knight’s Mess, and there _Garter_ cries Largess once, and
Proclaims his Stile in _English_ only; and then retires to Dinner.
In the last Place comes in the Banquet, brought to the Sovereign’s
Table by the Pensioners, in the same Order as the Messes; (only in
Place of the Clerk of the Kitchin, the Chief Clerk of the Spicery
waits,) and the Banquet for the _Knights-Companions_, by the Yeomen of
the Guard.
Dinner being ended, the _Knights-Companions_ rise first, and having
washed, place themselves a little below the State, in their usual
Order, and make their Reverences to the Sovereign. After which, the
Sovereign hears Grace said by the Prelate, then Water is brought in the
usual way, and the Sovereign washes: Which done, the Knights making
again due Reverence to the Sovereign, he puts off his Cap, and salutes
them, and then proceeds as usually to the Presence Chamber, with the
Knights and Officers of the _Order_ before him, _&c._
In like manner does the Sovereign’s Lieutenant proceed from the
Presence to the Hall, or such other Room where the Dinner is prepared,
only his Place at the Table is a little on the left Hand the Cloth of
State, or at the end of the Table: And after Dinner, he returns to the
Presence in the same Order as the Sovereign does.
_The Ceremonies belonging to the second_ Vespers.
§ 8. The usual time for Proceeding to the _Chapter-House_, hath usually
been about four a Clock in the Afternoon, but sometimes not before
five, by reason of the length of the Dinner. The Proceeding is as at
other times; and when the Sovereign and Knights have made a Cavalcade
of it on the Eve, or on the Feast Day, the same has been observed at
the Proceeding to the second _Vespers_.
It has been customary to hold a _Chapter_ before the second _Vespers_,
for the regulation of the Affairs of the _Order_. When the second
_Vespers_ are ended, the Proceeding passes out of the _Choir_ in the
very same Order as at the first _Vespers_; but _Anno_ 15 _Car._ I. it
happening to be late ere the second _Vespers_ ended, the Sovereign did
not go to the Presence Chamber, but proceeded directly to the great
Hall to Supper by Torch Light.
_Of the Supper on the Evening of the Feast Day._
§ 9. It has not been frequently known, that the Sovereign hath supped
publickly in St. _George_’s _Hall_ on the Feast Day; but when it
happens, as 14 _Car._ I. the Proceeding thither, and return, are in all
respects performed as at the Supper on the Eve. And if the Sovereign’s
Lieutenant hath on this Night supped publickly, then it was in the
Presence Chamber, where he sat alone at the Sovereign’s Table, as at
other times.
CAP. XXII.
_The Ceremonies observed on the last Day of the Feast._
_Of the Proceeding to the Choir._
§ 1. The manner of Proceeding to the _Chapter-House_ is performed in
the same manner as it was on the Eve of the Feast; and differs only in
this Point; that then the Sovereign and Knights are obliged by the
_Statutes_ to proceed in full Robes; here, by the Indulgence of King
_Henry_ VIII’s _Statutes_, all are dispensed with, except the upper
Robe or Mantle: And as then the Image of St. _George_ was worn Pendant
at the Coller of the _Order_, now a blue Ribbond sufficeth; and instead
of a Cap and Feather, only their ordinary Hats.
It was the ancient Custom to Celebrate a _Chapter_ in the Morning of
the last Day of the Feast, before the Sovereign proceeded to the
Chappel, chiefly to make Election of Knights, where any Stall is void;
which has sometimes been held, when the Sovereign did not go to the
Chappel, in the Privy Chamber, and then the Lieutenant, waving the
_Chapter-House_, proceeds straight on to the Chappel, and enters at the
South Door.
_Of the elect Knights proceeding into the_ Choir.
§ 2. Where an Election has been made of a Person then present at Court,
he is called into the _Chapter-House_ by _Garter_, according to the
usual manner; and having been invested with the _George_ and _Garter_,
he usually passed in the Proceeding to the Chappel, whether it were
from the _Chapter-House_, or Presence Chamber; and in this ordinary
Apparel, always bare-headed; the Place allowed him in the Proceeding
being between the _Knights-Companions_ and the Officers of Arms: But if
two Knights have been elected, they then proceed together, before the
_Knights-Companions_. At his Entrance into the _Choir_, the elect
Knight is placed by _Garter_, next before the lowest Stall; or if there
be two elected, and both proceed to the Chappel, they are placed in the
two lowest Stalls; where they are to stand all Service time, unless
upon Licence to sit, as they have sometimes obtained.
_Of the Ceremonies performed at Divine Service._
§ 3. In this Morning Service, before the Reformation of our Church, the
Mass of _Requiem_ was solemnly Sung, for the Souls of the
_Knights-Companions_, and all faithful Souls departed, which was
provided for by the _Statutes_. As likewise, that all the Knights
should be present thereat, unless upon License obtained, or special
Case to the contrary. At this Celebration, was the deceased Knights
Atchievements also offered with solemn Ceremony; of which we shall
speak presently.
Another Ceremony belonging to the Service of this Morning, is the
Offering of Gold and Silver, which (when the first Sentence of the
Offertory has been pronounced,) is again performed by the Sovereign and
_Knights-Companions_; the Ceremonies being the same, in all
particulars, as are observed at the like Offering on the Feast Day.
Divine Service being ended, the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_
frequently proceed to the _Chapter-House_, and there put off their
Mantles, and therewith the Ceremonies of this Grand Feast determine.
CAP. XXIII.
_The Observation of the Grand Feast by absent Knights._
_Absent Knights enjoined to observe the Grand Feast._
§ 1. Having shewn with what Magnificence and Ceremony the Feast of St.
_George_ has been, and ought to be observed; as also how strictly the
_Statutes_ oblige the _Knights-Companions_ to appear annually thereat;
and what severe Penalties they are liable to, if absent, except on
reasonable Cause of Absence. Yet lest the Honour might receive
diminution, from too small an Appearance at its publick Solemnities; it
was farther at the Institution of the _Order_ Decreed: _That none of
them should depart the Kingdom, without first acquainting the
Sovereign, and obtaining his special Leave and License_; nevertheless
the Sovereign granted them License to go beyond Sea, before the rest of
his Subjects, if they were dispos’d to undertake any Military
Expedition, from whence any Glory of Knighthood might be hop’d for.
It was then by the eleventh Article also ordained; (on whatsoever
occasion the Absence might be,) _That wheresoever any of the_
Knights-Companions _resided, during the said Feast, they should wear
their Mantles of the_ Order, _from the Hour of the first Vespers on the
Eve of St._ George, _till the second_ Vespers _on the Feast Day were
finished; as they should have done, had they been present in Person,
with the Sovereign or his Deputy, during the whole Celebration of the
Feast; (in case they were not deprived of their Liberty) the
Prorogation of the Feast notwithstanding_.
King _Henry_ VIII. observing the Custom of these Celebrations began to
be neglected, in the eleventh year of his Reign, enlarged the Law in
this particular, explaining the said eleventh Article. He declar’d and
enjoin’d the wearing of the whole Habit on the Eve of St. _George_, if
the _Knight-Companion_ were not under restraint. Then he enumerated the
times for wearing it; to wit, on the Eve, at all times of Divine
Service, Dinner and Supper; unless in case of War, Sickness, or other
just impediment; when it was sufficient, if the absent Knight did wear
the _Garter_ and _George_, either in a Gold Chain, or Silk Ribbond.
And when the same Sovereign, about three Years after, made a
general Reformation of the _Statutes_, he enjoin’d the absent
_Knights-Companions_ (unless under restraint,) to prepare a Capital
Stall in the Church or Chappel where he design’d to hear Service,
to the Honour of the Sovereign; in which should be set up the Arms
of the _Order_ within a _Garter_; and also to erect another Stall,
as far in distance (according to the proportion of the said Church
or Chappel,) from the Stall of the Sovereign, as is the absent
Knights Stall in the Castle of _Windsor_, and therein place his own
Arms: And should wear the whole Habit of the _Order_, and hear
Divine Service, such as the Church ordained for the said time; as
well on the Eve and Morning, as on the Afternoon on the Feast Day.
He is likewise to do Reverence towards the _Altar_, in the Honour
of God, and after towards the Stall erected for the Sovereign, at
his coming in and going out of the said Church or Chappel, and, as
often as he should pass before the said Stall. But Emperors, Kings,
Princes, or Electors, are excepted, who may place their Seats and
Stalls as they think fitting.