Chapter XII: Part 12

But the Law yet remains in force, that all _Nominations_ and _Votes_ of the _Knights-Companions_ ought to be enter’d among the _Annals_, whether Election be made or not, unless it shall please the _Sovereign_, upon some Emergency, to forbid it: As appears but by one Example of such a Prohibition, _viz._ _Anno_ 40 _Eliz._ where, by the Queen’s special Command, the _Scrutiny then taken was not recorded among the Acts of this most Noble Order_. But then it is declared, That _the Register took care to set down all the Passages as they happened, the Names only excepted_. And why the _Scrutiny_ is not inserted in the _Registry_, _An._ 44 of _Eliz._ gives this Account: That upon assembling the _Knights-Companions_, it seemed good to the Sovereign, for several urgent Reasons, best known to her self, to give Commandment, That for that time, _they would wholly forbear all Scrutiny of Votes, and Nominations of Persons_; except which, there was nothing wanting to heighten the Solemnity of that Assembly: But this in the _Annals_ is said to be _præter morem_, contrary to the usual Custom.

§ 16. _Anno_ 27 of _Eliz._ there is a remarkable Occurrence, not to be passed over; for the Earls of _Rutland_ and _Derby_, the morrow after St. _George_’s Day, were desirous to have seen the _Scrutiny_, which was committed into the Custody of the Dean of _Windsor_, to be registred, in pursuance of the before-mentioned Decree, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ but he returned a modest denial, and said, _It ought not to be seen before it was register’d_. The Earls, not satisfied with this Answer, requested the Opinions of the _Knights-Companions_, present at the Feast, on this Affair; who, upon mature Deliberation, adjudged the Point against them; and since it has been a standing Rule, that no Knight-Companion ought to see whom the other hath named.

§ 17. It hath chanced, that tho’ the _Nominations_ for _Election_ have been received, presented and perused, yet the Sovereign hath thought expedient to defer it, upon several Considerations, and principally where an intent was to keep an open Stall; but we must understand this of such _Scrutinies_ as are taken of Course, at the _Vespers_ on the Feast-day.

And the most memorable Example of this Kind, is that of the Emperor _Sigismond_, who expired in the 16th Year of K. _Henry_ VI. whose Stall was reserved Twenty One Years, and then determined, that Prince _Edward_, the Sovereign’s only Son, should fill it up, being at that time about Six Years of Age. This is the first Emperor, whose Election we find register’d in the _Annals_, being about the 7th of _May_, in the 4th Year of _Henry_ V. styled _Sigismundus Imperator Almanicus_.

And keeping a vacant Stall was sometimes given as a Reason by the Sovereign for his deferring an Election, as is plain from _An._ 13. _Car._ I. when the Scrutiny taken the Day before was read over in the Chapter-House, the Sovereign declared, _That he would receive no Man into the Order before his Son_ Charles. Whereupon all the Knights-Companions gave their Opinions, _That this Resolution was rather the effect of Justice, than Fatherly Indulgence; since they all acknowledged him, to be more a Prince by Merit, and towardliness of his Youth, than by the Fortune of his Birth_. At which the Sovereign expressed his Satisfaction no otherwise than by Silence.

And in like manner, _Anno_ 15 _Charles_ I. when the Chancellor of the Order gave up the Scrutiny to the Sovereign, he declared——_That he had a purpose to have Chosen Prince_ Rupert, _his Nephew, a Knight of the Order; but being then a Prisoner with the Emperor, he would not Elect any at that Time_; whereupon, a vacancy of a _Stall_ was reserved. It has sometimes been the Sovereign’s Pleasure to defer Elections, without expressing the Cause, as in the 13 of _Elizabeth_; though she perused the Scrutiny in Chapter, yet the _Blue Book_ informs us; That the _said Sovereign made no Election, though two Stalls were vacant_. Thus was it in the 2, 3, 11, and 12, of K. _James_ I. where no other mention is made than this; _none were admitted into the Order this Year_.

Sometimes we find these _Prorogations of Elections_ recorded, as solely done by the Will of the _Sovereign_; and at other Times by the _Sovereign_, and the approbation of the _Knights-Companions_; to the first of these we find a Memorial, in the 22 of _Elizabeth_, on the 24 of _April_; that the _Knights-Companions_ had a Message sent to their Chapter, held before Morning-Prayer; _That it was the Pleasure of the Sovereign to prorogue the Election to the following Year_. And so it was, in the 10th of _Charles_ I. though the Nomination was taken by the Chancellor, and presented to the Sovereign in Chapter, _the Sovereign did not think fit to make any Election at all_. And for a Testimony of the second, we meet with this Instance, in the 27th of _Elizabeth_; _that with the concurrent Approbation and Assent of all the Knights-Companions then assisting, the Sovereign thought fit to put off the Election to another Time_. As to the seeming difference of the _Sovereign’s absolute Authority_, and yet the _Knights-Companions Approbation_, we have cleared up that Point in the _Act of Election_; for though it is _his_ unquestionable Authority and Prerogative, to Prorogue _Elections ad libitum_, yet out of Respect, and Honour to the _Knights-Companions_, their Approbation hath been sometimes exprest.

§ 18. When any Knight-Companion hath received a Summons, to appear at a Chapter of Election, and doth wilfully refuse, or withdraw himself, he was to be mulct a Mark for his Disobedience, which King _Henry_ VIII’s Statutes inlarged to twenty Shillings, payable to the Dean and College of _Windsor_, to pray for defunct Souls. And at his next appearance in Chapter, he was to remain kneeling in the midst of them, before the Sovereign, or Deputy, till he was restor’d to their Favour: Yet upon a just Cause signified to the _Sovereign_ some time before, under the Seal of his Arms, he was excused, if it was found just and feasible; if not, it was rejected, and he remained Punishable.

And for greater Caution, this Clause was formerly inserted, in the _Letters of Summons_; where, after the Time and Place for Election was certified, and command given to observe both, the Letter concludes thus, _et se estre ny poues nous Signifies soubz, &c._ and if it cannot be accomplished, that is, if the Knight-Companion could not meet at the time assigned, to perform what the Statutes oblige, he should then _signify to the Sovereign, under his Seal, the cause of his Impediment; so that he might perceive by his Excuse_, whether it was worthy of Acceptance, or he in Fault or not.

CAP. X.

_The_ Investiture of a Knight-Subject _with the_ Garter and George.

IF the Knight chance to be at _Windsor_, that is newly Elected, or wheresoever the Chapter is held, after the Sovereign hath signified his Pleasure in the Election of the Person, the _Garter_ is immediately dispatched out of the Chapter, to give him the Intelligence; as is apparent upon the Choice of the Lord _Howard_, and Sir _Henry Marney_, _Anno_ 2 _Henry_ VIII. who was dispatched from the Chapter, to conduct them to the _Sovereign’s_ Presence, to be invested with the principal Ensigns of the Order, the _Garter_ and _George_.

And as _Garter_ hath been accustomed to signify in Person the _Election_ of a _Knight_, in like manner an Election is _signified_, by the Letters of the _Sovereign_, when he is pleased (for the greater Honour of the Person) to weave by verbal Notice: In such Cases, it’s the _Chancellor’s_ Office to draw up the _Letters_, and they are to pass, both under the _Sovereign’s Sign Manual_, and Signet of the Order. Such a particular mark of Distinction and Honour was conferr’d on our Sovereign of _Blessed Memory_, _King Charles_ II. Sir _John Burrough Garter_, carrying the Letter.

_Charles Rex_,

“Our most dear and entirely beloved Son, having, to our great Comfort, seen and considered the ripeness of your Youth, and conceived joyful and pregnant Hopes of your manly Virtue, in which we are assured you will increase, to your own Honour, both in Prowess, Wisdom, Justice, and all Princely Endowments; and that the Emulation of Chevalry will, in your tender Years, provoke and encourage you, to pursue the Glory of Heroick Actions, befitting your Royal Birth, and our Care and Education. We with the Companions of our most Noble Order of the Garter, assembled in Chapter, holden this present Day, at our Castle of _Windsor_; have Elected and Chosen you one of the Companions of our Order. In Signification whereof, we have sent unto you, by our Trusty and Well-Beloved Servant, Sir _John Burrough_ Knight-Garter, and our principal King of Arms, these our _Royal Letters_, requiring you to make your speedy repair unto us, to receive the Ensigns of our most Noble Order, and to be ready for your Installation, upon the 21st Day of this present Month. Given under the Signet of our Order, at our Castle of _Windsor_, the 20th of _May_, in the 14th Year of our Reign, 1638.”

_To our dearly beloved Son Prince_ Charles.

This is the only Instance we have met with, where a Letter was sent to an Elect Knight, and he at the same time present at Court; but when an Election is confirmed, and the Person remote from the Court, then the general Tenure of the Letter is, both to signify his Election, and Summon him to his Investure, with the Garter and George, as was performed by the Earl of _Derby,_ and Sir _Edward Strafford_, to King _Henry_ of _France_.

But where the Sovereign is pleased to mention particular Services, to recommend the Election of a Knight, the Preamble of the Letter is worded accordingly; and as this is a Case not very frequent, it will not be amiss to exemplify it in the Choice of Sir _John Falstoff_, where the Letter runs thus—_We considering the virtuous Fidelity you have shown, and the honourable Exploits you have done, in the Service of our thrice renowned Father, and that in our Service also, you (as many others) have given Proof of that Honour, and these Deserts, wherewith God hath endowed you, always suffering, as is the part of a good Subject, the Pains and Toils of War, for the vindicating and maintaining of our just Right, Claim, and Title, have Chosen you one of our Companions of our Order._

When the Letter barely signifies Election, that is, when the Sovereign does not design a present investure with the Garter and George, but defers it till he takes Possession of his Stall, the Day of his Installation is inferred towards the end of the Letter; and upon his appearance at _Windsor_, so soon as he appears in the Chapter-House, the Garter is first buckled about his left Leg, then follows his Investure with the rest of the Ornaments of the Order, and lastly his Installation. And this was the Case of _Henry_ Earl of _Northumberland_, _Anno_ 29 _Henry_ VIII. whose Investure of the Garter was deferr’d till his appearance at _Windsor_, and then the whole Ceremony was performed at once.

§ 2. If the elect Knight be at hand, where the Chapter is convened, and the Garter hath been sent to make known to him the Honour, and Conduct him into the _Chapter-House_, to receive the Garter and George, before they break up, Intimation being given of his approach, the Sovereign sends out two of the Knights-Companions to meet him, who, after a mutual Salute, Conduct him between them, to the Presence of the Sovereign, Garter going before them. Thus was _Ubrick_ Duke of _Holstein_, _Anno_ 3 _Jac._ I. introduced into the Chapter, between Prince _Henry_, and the Earl of _Dorset_, and _Christian_ Duke of _Brunswick_ _Anno_ 22 _Jac._ I. between _William_ Earl of _Pembrook_ and _Philip_ Earl of _Montgomery_, to receive the Garter and George. The 6th of _November_, _Anno_ 14 _Charles_ II. _Christian_ Prince of _Denmark_ being elected at a Chapter held at _White-Hall_, and then absent, the Garter King was dispatched next Day by the Sovereign, to inform him, and to desire his Presence the next Day, that he might receive his Investure; which accordingly was done, being conducted between the Earls of _Lindsey_ and _Manchester_ into the Chapter, Garter preceding them, and after three Obeysances, they brought him up to the Sovereign. Among Knights-Subjects, we find the Lord _Burley_, and the Lord _Grey_, were conducted to the Sovereign by the Lord _Clynton_, and the Earl of _Bedford_, _Anno_ 14 _Elizabeth_, _cum multis aliis_. _Anno_ 4 _Jac._ I. _Robert_ Earl of _Salisbury_ proceeded up to the Sovereign’s Throne, between the Earls of _Nottingham_ and _Dorset_. In the Reign of King _Charles_ I. the Earl of _Northampton_ was conducted to receive the Garter in the _Chapter-House_ at _Windsor_, between the Earls of _Pembrook_ and _Montgomery_. And when King _Charles_ II. appeared, upon his Letter of Summons, at the Chapter held in the withdrawing Chamber in _Windsor Castle_, to receive his Investure, two of the Senior Knights, _viz._ _Philip_ Earl of _Pembrook_ and _Montgomery_, and _Thomas_ Earl of _Arundel_ and _Surry_, were sent out to Conduct him in, who brought him between them unto the Sovereign, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod going before.

The Duke of _Monmouth_ being elected at a Chapter held in the withdrawing Room at _White-Hall_, the 28th of _March_, _Anno_ 15 _Charles_ II. Garter was immediately sent to him in the Sovereign’s Bed-Chamber, who being met at the Door by the Earls of _Lindsey_ and _Manchester_, both the Garter and the Black Rod passed to the lower End of the Room before the Duke and the two Knights-Companions, whence they proceeded up to the Sovereign with three Reverences. At the Election of _James_ Duke of _Cambridge_, in the same Room at _White-Hall_, (_December_ 3. _Anno_ 18 _Charles_ II.) Garter was also sent forth into the Bed-Chamber, to acquaint him that the Earl of _Manchester_, and the Duke of _Monmouth_, were appointed by the Sovereign and Chapter to bring him in thither; that done, the aforesaid Knights-Companions arose and went to the Duke, whom meeting at the Bed-Chamber Door, they took their compass about the rest of the Knights-Companions, (then standing) and brought him between them, from the lower End of the Room, close before the Sovereign, the Garter and Black Rod proceeding.

§ 3. The Knight elect being thus introduced to the Sovereign, bows with all Reverence, and formerly a short gratulatory Speech was the vogue, that set forth his acknowledgment of his Sovereign’s Royal Favour, and the grateful Respect he bore to the Knights-Companions for his Election.

_Anno_ 28. _Hen._ VIII. we find Sir _Nicholas Crew_, after he had been conducted into the Chapter-House at _Windsor_, to receive his Investiture, thus to address himself: giving _infinite Thanks both to the Sovereign and whole Society, for that they had vouchsafed to receive him into the Honour of this most illustrious Order, being a Person in his own Esteem most unworthy thereof_: In the next Place professed, _That whereas he was preferred in this Choice before many others, much more deserving than himself, it was not to be attributed to his Merits, or any Thing by him performed, but meerly to the Sovereign’s Bounty, and the Favour of the Knights-Companions towards him_.

The conferring of so singular an Honour, being thus thankfully own’d, the Ceremony of Investiture begins; the _Garter_ first takes place, as the most ancient and chiefest _Ensign_, and then the _George_; but the compleat Investiture is not performed until the Elect Knights are installed at _Windsor_. Formerly the manner of robing of them was performed on this wise: First, the Elect Knight set his Foot upon a Stool, and then one of the Knights-Companions, by the Sovereign’s appointment, as his Substitute, buckled the enobled Garter about his left Leg, as may be seen in the _Antiquities of_ Warwickshire, in an old Draught of the Combats of Sir _John Astley_, who was inrolled in this illustrious Body, and is so represented. But of later Date, the Elect Knight kneeled on his right Knee, whilst this Ceremony was performed, in which space the Words of _Admonition_ and _Signification_, at this part of the Investiture, were read. The _Admonition_, upon the buckling of the Garter, in the _English_ Statutes of K. _Hen._ VIII. is set down on this manner:

_SIR,_

_The loving Brethren of the Order of the Garter, have received you their Brother and Fellow; and in Token of this, they give and present you this present Garter, which God grant that you receive and wear from henceforth to his Praise and Glory, and to the Exaltation and Honour of the said Noble Order, and your self._

Afterwards it was decreed, at a Chapter held at _Windsor_, the 5th of _August_, _Anno_ 1 _&_ 2 _Phil._ and _Mary_, to this effect: ‘That not only the same Advertisements, which were wont to be given to Strangers at their Investitures, should be likewise given to Knights-Subjects, that for the future should be elected and install’d; and with a farther Proviso, ‘That among the Knights-Companions there should not be any difference either in Ceremony or Habit.’

Hereupon the aforesaid Tenure ceased to be used upon the fixing of the Garter, and one Form remained at the Investiture of Strangers and Knights-Subjects, which is pronounced by the Chancellor, if the Sovereign or his Lieutenant be present, otherwise by the Register.

“To the Laud and Honour of Almighty God, his immaculate Mother, and St. _George_ the holy Martyr, tye or gird your Leg with this noble Garter, wearing it to the increase of your Honour, and in Token and Remembrance of this most noble Order; remembring that thereby you being admonished and encouraged, in all just Battels and Wars, which only you shall take in Hand, both strongly to fight, valiantly to stand, and honourably to have Victory.”

But against the Investiture of K. _Charles_ II. the Words of the Signification being better weighed and considered, were thus methodized:

“To the Honour of God Omnipotent, and in Memorial of the blessed Martyr St. _George_, tye about thy Leg, for thy Renown, this noble Garter; wear it as the Symbol of the most illustrious Order, never to be forgotten or laid aside; that thereby thou may’st be admonished to be couragious; and having undertaken a just War, into which only thou shalt be engaged, thou may’st stand Firm, valiantly Fight, and successfully Conquer.”

The Princely Garter being thus buckled on, and the Words of the Signification pronounced, the Elect Knight is brought before the Sovereign, who puts about his Neck the _George_, pendant at a Sky-colour’d Ribband, at which part of the Ceremony, the Admonition used at the adorning of an installed Knight with the Collar of the Order, (only changing the Word Collar for Ribband) is pronounced; but were alter’d upon the Occasion assign’d before.

“Wear this Ribband about thy Neck, adorn’d with the Image of the blessed Martyr, and Soldier of Christ, St. _George_; by whose Imitation provok’d, thou may’st so overpass both prosperous and adverse Adventures, that having stoutly vanquished thy Enemies, both of Body and Soul, thou may’st not only receive the Praise of this transient Combat, but be crown’d with the Palm of eternal Victory.”

Greater Respect is conferr’d upon foreign Princes, who receive their Election here, than abroad; because the Sovereign most usually performs the Investiture himself; as was solemniz’d upon _Philip_, King of _Castile_, when the Sovereign took the Garter from the King at Arms, and fixed it on his Leg, and Prince _Henry_ fasten’d the Buckle.

Queen _Elizabeth_ her self buckled the Garter about the Leg of _John Casimier_, Count Palatine of the _Rhine_, and hung about his Neck a Gold Chain with the _George_ at it. And the like Honour did King _James_ I. confer upon the Duke of _Holstein_, in the 3d Year of his Reign.

Sometimes it happens, tho’ very rarely, for the Sovereign, out of his special Grace and Favour, to condescend to Honour a Knight-Subject this way; tho’, when Queen _Elizabeth_ was pleased to adorn the Lord _Burleigh_ with the Garter, the _Annals_ record it to be done as it were _by the by_. The same Favours she bestow’d, tho’ at different times, upon _Henry_, Earl of _Sussex_, and the Earl of _Shrewsbury_. King _James_ I. invested _Henry_, Earl of _Northampton_, with the principal Ensigns of the Order, as a Person worthy of so great an Honour: And the _Blessed Martyr_ placed both the _Garter_ and the _George_, with his own Hands, upon King _Charles_ II.

Sometimes the Sovereign hath but performed part of the Investiture, and laid his Commands on the senior Knight to do the rest. Thus, _Anno_ 13 _Henry_ VIII. the Sovereign reached out the Garter to the Marquis of _Dorset_, and commanded him to buckle it about the Leg of the Earl of _Devonshire_; which, whilst he was about, the Duke of _Norfolk_ gave him his Assistance, and the Sovereign put on the Gold Chain. At the Investiture of _Christian_, Duke of _Brunswick_, _Anno_ 22 _Jac._ I. the Sovereign put about his Neck the Blue Ribband, whereat hung the Effigies of St. _George_; and the Earls, who introduc’d him to the Sovereign’s Presence, buckled on the Garter. Thus did the Sovereign to _William_, Earl of _Northampton_, _Anno_ 4 _Car._ I. and the Earl of _Pembroke_ fasten’d the Garter about his left Leg.

This Order of Investiture began to be inverted _Anno_ 22 _Jac._ I. the _George_ and the Ribband being first put on, and the Garter last. And so was it performed when the Prince of _Denmark_, Dukes of _Monmouth_, _Cambridge_, and _Albemarle_, received their Investiture in the Reign of King _Charles_ II. The Garter, as it was the first, so is the principal and most worthy Ensign of the Order; and, in the Practice of all former Times, had always the Preference given to it. The Investiture with these two Ensigns, hath generally been performed by the two senior Knights, at the Command of the Sovereign; but always in his Presence, the Chapter sitting; but if absent, then by his Lieutenant. For, in 31 _Eliz._ the Lord _Buckhurst_ being elected at _Whitehall_, and coming to Court wholly ignorant of the Affair, and after the Sovereign was risen, (yet leaving the Chapter sitting) her Lieutenant invested him both with the _Garter_ and _George_. After the Solemnity is compleated, the elect Knight renders most humble Thanks to the Sovereign, and with due Respects salutes the Knights-Companions, who re-salute the elect Knight, and joyfully receive him into their Society. If two or more elect Knights receive this Investiture at one time, as soon as the Senior is invested, and his humble Thanks presented, he moves downwards towards the Chapter-House Door, and there stands till the next Junior Knight is invested; and if there be more, so on until the Chapter break up.

§ 4. Where a Knight-Subject, at the time of his Election, is far distant from Court, or beyond Sea, and the Sovereign determines to send him the Two principal Ensigns of the Order, the Charge of this Employ does of right belong to the _Garter_. For the Proof of which there are divers Precedents.

The Letters heretofore sent from the Sovereign, along with the Ensigns of the Order, to the elect Knights, have, for the most part, been drawn after the Form of those that certify the Election, and differs only in the last Clause, which requires the elect Knight to repair to the Sovereign: The difference lay not in the Body, but in the Direction of the Letter, which was always worded according to the Quality of the Person to whom it was sent. As to a Knight-Batchelor, the Direction was, _To our trusty and well-beloved_; and to an Earl, _Right trusty, and right well-beloved Cousin_; to a Duke, _Right trusty, and right entirely beloved Cousin_, &c.

The Forms of those Letters, sent upon like Occasions to Knights-Subjects, when King _Charles_ II. was beyond Sea, were penn’d after another Model, and contained other additional particular Clauses; as, 1. Power to wear the _Star_ of Silver about St. _George_’s Cross; 2. The Great Collar of the Order; and, 3. To style themselves _Knights, and Companions of the Order of the Garter_, in as ample a Manner, as if they had been installed at _Windsor_; with an Assurance of receiving the whole Habit there, when the Sovereign was restored to the Possession thereof.

And it appears from some of these Letters, that by reason Sir _Edward Walker_, Garter, was otherwise employ’d in the Service of the Sovereign, when they were transmitted, the Sovereign pitch’d upon other Persons, to carry both the Letters and Ensigns of the Order, and yet continued the Garter in the Rights of his Office. However, Sir _Edward_ esteeming this devolving his Employment on others, as an Invasion on the Rights of his Office; and having a just regard for the Interest of his Successors, no less than his own, humbly petitioned King _Charles_ II. for Redress, and obtained his gracious Reference thereupon, to several _Knights_ of the Order, to examine the Matter, and to give in their Report, what they found, and what they thought proper to be effected therein; and upon whose Report the Sovereign did him full Right by his gracious _Declaration_. For the Dukes of _Buckingham_ and _Hamilton_, and the Marquis of _Newcastle_, to whom this Affair was referr’d, gave in their Report to the _King_ at _Breda_, _May_ 27. 1650.

_We_, George, _Duke of_ Buckingham, William, _Duke of_ Hamilton, _and_ William, _Marquis of_ Newcastle, _Knights of the most noble Order of the Garter, having read and consider’d the within written Petition, do find the Allegations therein mentioned to agree with the Statutes and ancient Practices of the said Order; and that Garter King of Arms, and his Deputies, ought to bear all Letters-Patents appertaining to the Brethren of the said Order, and all Elections to the Knights elect. And we do therefore make this Report to your Majesty, to the end you may be pleased to mantain the Petitioner in his just Rights; and that no Example lately made may be brought in Precedent against him, or his Successors in the said Office._

_G._ Buckingham.
Hamilton.
_W._ Newcastle.

It was formerly the Practice, to send the Book of Statutes, under the common Seal of the Order, together with the Letters signifying an Election, and the Ensigns of the Order, no less to a Knight Subject than to a Stranger, that he might peruse and advise thereupon, whether he would accept of the Election, or not; for so it appears, _Anno_ 4 _Hen._ VI. by the Letters sent to Sir _John Falstoff_.

Within a few Days after Prince _Rupert_ was elected into this Order, (being then in _Holland_) a Commission of Legation was prepared to be sent thither, with the _Garter_ and _George_, by Sir _John Burrough_, Kt. to perform the Investiture with them; but Sir _John_ dying, prevented the Ceremony. Some time after the Prince had been in _England_, the then Sovereign thought fit to lay his Commands on Sir _James Palmer_, Chancellor of the Order, to attend his Highness, to declare the Reason why the said Commission was not sent and executed, as was designed, as well as to deliver him the Commission it self; to the intent (being prevented of receiving his Installation at _Windsor_, because that Castle continued in the Possession of the Rebels) it might remain with him as a Memorial of his Sovereign’s Princely Favour, and Respect to his Quality and Merits, and for a farther Evidence of his being admitted into this most Noble Order, since there was no other Memorial thereof, but the Minutes of his Election, and this Commission. And accordingly on _Monday_, the 14th of _January_, 1644. the Chancellor, accompanied with Dr. _Christopher Wren_, Register, and Sir _Edward Walker_, newly made Garter, attended the Prince at his Lodgings in _Oxford_; who, having notice of their Design, receiv’d them with all obliging Civility; and the Chancellor, in an eloquent Speech, made known to his Highness his Sovereign’s Commands, and the Intent of his coming; which was no sooner finished, but Sir _James Palmer_ presented his Petition to the Prince, who gave his Majesty many humble Thanks for this gracious Message; and acknowledged his Majesty’s Favours beyond his Desert; but promised he would study to be more worthy by his Actions, than in return of Words; with many Thanks to the Chancellor, and other Officers of the Order, for their Trouble: Whereupon they took their Leave, and the Chancellor went immediately to his Majesty, and gave him a Narrative of what they had done.

§ V. It was an ancient Custom, and part of the Ceremony belonging to the Investiture with the Garter, to give him an Oath, whether he was a Stranger or a Subject-Knight, which we find styled, _The Oath in such Cases accustomed to be taken_; and which was to this effect; _That the Knight should well and faithfully keep and observe, so far as God should enable him, all that was contained in the Statutes of the Order_: But this of late hath been disused, and not imposed, unless upon foreign Princes.

It is observable, that _Anno_ 4 _Hen._ VI. a particular Commission was issued, to the Earls of _Warwick_, _Salisbury_, and _Suffolk_, with Power, to any Two, or One of them, to receive this Oath from Sir _John Falstoff_, upon his Investiture; which was besides the Oath his Proctor was afterwards to take at the Installation, which Sir _John_ empowered him to do on his behalf; which was, _Such Oath as should be required at the time of Installation_.

Altho’ we have fully treated of the Ceremony and Manner of investing a Knight elect, with the _Garter_ and _George_, we shall subjoin Two or Three considerable Instances, as most proper to this Place.

When _Philip_, Prince of _Spain_, _Anno_ 1 _Mariæ_, had these Ensigns of the Order sent him, the Sovereign joyn’d Garter King of Arms, with the Earl of _Arundel_, to perform the Investiture; who, upon notice of his arrival on the Coast of _England_, set forward on their Journey to _Southampton_; where, on _Friday_ the 20th of _July_, they took Water, and meeting the Prince before he landed, entered his Barge, and gave him notice of his Election in a short Speech; which being ended, _Garter_ having the Garter in his Hand, kissed it, and so presented it to the Earl, who forthwith fasten’d it about the Prince’s Leg; and after _Garter_ had presented the Earl with the _George_, hanging at a Chain of Gold, he put it likewise about the Prince’s Neck. The Ceremony of Investiture being thus performed, the Prince came on shore at _Southampton_; and on the uppermost Stair were ready attending his landing, the Marquis of _Winchester_, Lord High Treasurer of _England_, with divers other Lords: The Prince gave the Lord _Williams_ his White Staff, and made him Lord Chamberlain of his Houshould; and Sir _Anthony Brown_, Master of his Horse, presented him, from the Queen, a Horse with a Foot-cloth of Crimson Velvet, richly embroider’d with Gold and Pearls, having the Bridle and all other Furniture suitable, whereon he rode to the Cathedral, and after Prayers to the Lodging prepared for him.

Concerning the _Garter_’s Investiture of the Earl of _Warwick_, at _Newhaven_ in _France_, the first of _May_, _Anno_ 5 _Eliz._ is as follows: The _Garter_ repairing first to the Earl’s Lodgings, put on his Mantle in the next Chamber to the Earl’s, and proceeded into the Earl’s Chamber; where, having made Three Reverences, he buckled the Garter about his left Leg, and after put on the _George_ and the Ribband about his Neck; reading to the Earl the Words of the Signification, appointed to be pronounced at the Investiture; which being concluded, _Garter_ retir’d into the Room where he had put on his Mantle, and there disrobed himself, and so the Ceremony ended.

It was the Custom about these Times, for the Nobility, Allies, or Friends, to the elect Knight, to send him by the _Garter_, several _Garters_ and _Georges_, as Marks of Congratulation for the Honour he was to receive, which the _Garter_ delivered to him when the Investiture was finished, and he had put off his Robe, with the particular Services and Respects of those Friends who had bestow’d them. For thus was it with the Earl of _Warwick_, at _Newhaven_, and the Lord _Scroop_ at _Carlisle_, _Anno_ 26 _Eliz._ At the _Garter_’s return to Court, he is obliged to deliver an Account to the Sovereign, how he hath discharged his Employment; and by special Directions from the elect Knight, who presents the highest Respects he can express, as well to the Sovereign as to the rest of the Knights-Companions, for honouring him with a Reception into so illustrious a Body.

We shall close this Section with a brief Account of the Investiture of the Duke of _Gloucester_, on _Easter-day_ in the Morning, being the 14th of _April_, 1653. In reference to which Ceremony there was provided:

1. A _Garter_ with the Motto, to be tyed about his left Leg.

2. A _George_ in a Ribband, to be put about his Neck.

3. An embroider’d _Cross_ of St. _George_, with a _Garter_ and _Star_,
to be sew’d on the left Shoulder of the Duke’s Cloak.

4. A Velvet Cushion, whereon the _Ensigns_ and _Ornaments_ of the Order
were to be laid.

For the Honour of the Order, and his said Highness, Sir _Edward Walker_, Garter, humbly proposed, That he might be assisted by Two or Four Knights in performing his Duty.

That his Highness the Duke might receive the Ensigns of the Order, in the Presence-Chamber of the Princess Royal, or in his own, accompanied with the Queen of _Bohemia_, her Royal Highness, and some other Persons of Honour and Quality.

That his Highness having placed himself under the State, _Garter_ should take the Cushion upon his Arms, on which were to be laid all the particular Ornaments just now mentioned; being assisted with the Knights, and a Passage left for him to make his Three Obeysances, he should proceed up towards the Duke, and lay the Cushion with the Ornaments upon a Stool set near his Highness for that purpose.

That he should signifie to his Higness, in few Words, the Cause of his coming, and then deliver into his Hands the Sovereign’s Letter.

That his Highness having receiv’d it, should break it open, and deliver it back to the _Garter_ to be read; which he having done, should return it to his Highness.

That, after this, he should proceed to the Investiture of his Highness with the Ensigns of the Order.

Which being done, he briefly represented unto his Highness, in a Speech, somewhat of the Quality and Splendor of the Order.

And, lastly, to kiss his Highness Hand, and so depart. And according to those Proposals, and in the same Order, were all Things performed.

§ 6. The Sovereign of this most Noble Order defrays the Charges of the _Garter_, whensoever, and as often as he is dispatch’d to any elect Knight-Subject, either with Letters to signifie his Election, or to invest him with the _Garter_ and _George_; and this is commonly proportioned according to the length or the shortness of the Journey. The Allowance for the Journey which Sir _Gilbert Dithick_, Garter, made into the Counties of _Lincoln_ and _Cumberland_, first to the Earl of _Rutland_, and then to the Lord _Scroop_, when Queen _Elizabeth_ was Sovereign, appears to have been 20 _l._

Besides the Sovereign’s Allowance to the _Garter_, he receives honourable Gratuities and Rewards from the elect Knight himself, after he has performed the Investiture; and these have usually been proportioned, according to the estimate of the Honour he receives, and the particular affection he has for the Garter, and the service done by him. Among whom, _Anno_ 17 _Henry_ VIII. we find the Earl of _Arundel_ bestow’d on _Thomas Wriothesley_, Garter, ten Pounds in Angelots, being then at his Mannor of _Dawnley_; and _Ralph_ Earl of _Westmoreland_, elected at the same Time with the aforesaid Earl, being at _Mile-end_, gave to him six Pounds thirteen Shillings and four Pence. The Earl of _Northumberland_, in the 23 of _Henry_ VIII. bestow’d on the Garter, for the verbal certifying him of his Election, four Pounds, though he went no farther than the Chapter-House Door.

Lastly, _Anno_ 26 _Elizabeth_, the Earl of _Rutland_ honourably received the Garter at _Newark_, and the Lord _Scroop_ gave him thirty Pounds in Gold, a Velvet Cloak, and a _Gallaway Nag_, and to _William Dethick_, _York Herald_, who accompanied Garter to _Carlisle_, ten Pounds.

But since these Times, the Knights elect have enlarged their gratuities to Garter, for his Service upon this Occasion.

CAP. XI.

_Of Preparations for the Personal Installation of a Knight._

§ 1. THE Inauguration of a Knight of this most Noble Order, consists in a Conjunction of many Ceremonies, and contains the most solemn part of those, which compleateth all the rest; and till this great Solemnity be regularly and duly performed, the Person elected hath not the Honour to be enrolled among the Number of Founders, but barely passes for an elect Knight, and no other: For the Statute expresly says, That in Case a Knight elect die before his Installation, He shall not be named one of the Founders; and the reason assigned for it is, because he hath not had the full Possession of his Estate, and in this Point do the other Bodies of the Statutes agree. But when the Ceremonies of Installation are compleatly finished, without all doubt the Knight is amply vested, in Possession of all Honours and Privileges appertaining to the Founder of this most Noble Order. But to spur up each elect Knight, who is either a Subject to his Sovereign, or resides within the Realm, (and consequently is better able to provide for Installment, than one remaining in Foreign Parts,) for the completion of his Honour, or else to wave the Act of Election, he has the space of one Year allowed him by the Statutes for Installation, otherwise his Election is ordained to be absolutely null and void: Nor can there be any Motive sufficient to retard the Sovereign from proceeding to a new Election, unless the elect Knight send or produce an Extenuation or Excuse for such his delay, fit to be excepted by the Sovereign or his Deputy, and the whole of that resplendent Body, or that the Sovereign himself think fit to defer the Ceremony of Installation for some time longer. For which reason, when certain Articles, tending to the Honour of the Order, had been prepared by the Sovereign’s Lieutenant and ten Knights-Companions, in a Chapter held the 24th of _April_, _Anno_ 21 _Jacobus_ I. ratified by the Sovereign, and ordered to be observed; one of them was for accelerating the Installation, after the Knight had been elected, yet qualified with this Exception: _Unless for some special Cause the Sovereign shou’d think fit to defer the same until the Eve or Day of St._ George _next following, the Time of Election_.

§ 2. The Feast of Installation hath not been hitherto assigned to any certain Period of Time, but has always depended upon the Will and Pleasure of the Sovereign, to affix a convenient Day, which hath been granted upon the request of the Knights elect, or some other of the Knights-Companions, whose Favour and Esteem with the Sovereign was best able to prevail; such a one do we find _Anno_ 35 _Elizabeth_; who, on the behalf of the Earls of _Shrewsbury_ and _Cumberland_, obtained the 19th of _June_ the said Year, to be appointed for the Installation. It sometimes happens, that though the Day of Installation be prefixed, yet something extraordinary intervening, it hath been prorogued to a farther and more convenient Season for the Sovereign’s Affairs. And the most remarkable Instance is set down, _Anno_ 3 and 4 _Philip_ and _Mary_, when the Earl of _Sussex_, the Lord _Grey_, and Sir _Robert Rochester_, Knights elect, had their Installation, together with the Feast of St. _George_, prorogued to the 10th of _May_ in the Year aforesaid. But many urgent Affairs, relating both to the King and the Queen, fell out about that time; not only the Grand Feast, but the Solemnity of their Installation were prorogued to the 5th of _December_, and stood so by several Prorogations, to the 20th of _February_ next ensuing; yet it was ordered that the Earl of _Sussex_ shou’d be immediately installed, which was performed on the 8th of _January_, and the Lord _Grey_ the 20th of _April_ following; but Sir _Robert Rochester_ never obtained that Honour.

Though the time of Installation be arbitrary and uncertain, yet hath the Place, from the first Institution of the Order, been appointed only to the Sovereign’s Free Chapel of St. _George_, within whose Choice are erected the Sovereigns and Knights-Companions Stalls, and under its sacred Roof their Banners and Atchievements are affixed, as Monuments of their high Merit, and so great Honour. For though the Celebration of the Grand Feast of St. _George_, happened to be removed from _Windsor_, by a Decree of the 1 _Elizabeth_; yet the Feast of the Installation was excepted, and ordered to be Solemniz’d in that Place: For _Anno_ 21 _Jac._ I. it was provided among the Orders, _That after an Election made of a Knight of the Order, his Installation shou’d be performed at_ Windsor, _according to the ancient Customs and Statutes of the Order_. When the Sovereign hath been pleased to prefix a certain Day for this Solemnity of Installation, there are several things to be obtained, previous to it. (1.) A Commission to admit and instal the elect Knight. (2.) Letters to each of the Commissioners, and the elect Knight, to repair to _Windsor_. (3.) Warrants for the Sovereign’s Livery. (4.) A Bill or Warrant for the removal of Stalls and Atchievements, all signed by the Chancellor of the Order, with the Sign Manual of the Sovereign: And lastly, the Knights own Preparations; among which his Atchievements are to be ready to be hung up, as soon as he is installed.

§ 3. No elect Knight can be installed, unless by the Sovereign of the Order himself, or by his Commission drawn up in Writing, and passed under the Great-Seal of the Order, directed either to his Lieutenant or Knights-Commissioners. There is but one Instance to be found, where the Sovereign hath been pleased to Honour a Knight by installing of him himself; and that was _Philip_ of _Castile_ and _Leon_, _Anno_ 22 _Henry_ VII. yet it is feasible enough that _Sigismond_ the Emperor, and some other Foreign Princes of Rank and Eminence, might be installed by other Sovereigns, though there’s no Memorial left upon Record. _In reference to Installation by Commission, it was ordained by the Statutes of Institution; That in Case the Sovereign shou’d be absent out of the Kingdom, at the Time of Installation of any of the Knights, so as he could not personally perform those things his Office obliged him to, it shou’d be Lawful for him to Constitute, as his Deputy in this Affair, whomsoever of the Society he shou’d think fit; and he to have Power and Authority, in the Sovereign’s Name, to Perform and Execute these Things, which it wou’d have been in his own part to have done, had he been Present._ By Virtue of this Article, the Sovereign’s Deputy, or Lieutenant, performed the Ceremony before the Reign of King _Henry_ VIII. which was usually done at the Feast of St. _George_; but in the Commission given out for Installation, formerly the Lieutenant was first mentioned, and the Knights-Companions appointed for his Assistance at the said Feast, were joined with him in the Commission for Installation; but of late, the Commission hath passed to the Lieutenant alone. King _Henry_ VIII. by his Statutes, enlarged the Power of his Deputy, and they run to two or more of the Knights-Companions, that shou’d Exercise the same by the Sovereign’s Letters of Commission. And by the Privilege of this Article, whensoever after, the Sovereign’s did Constitute an Installation, otherwise than at the Feast of St. _George_, they then delegated their Authority to such of the Knights-Companions as were judged most proper to perform this Ceremony. The Year after the enacting this Statute, there’s a Commission recorded to be issued out to the Marquiss of _Dorset_, and the Earls of _Devonshire_ and _Kent_, to Instal the Lords _Ferrers_ of _Chartley_, the substance of which is in our Annals. The particular Powers these Commissions have granted to them, are to accept and admit the Knight into the Order, to receive the Oath, and to Instal him; And their general Power is, to effect and accomplish every Point which belongs to his due Admittance, and plenary Instalment.

§ 4. Besides, the Commission impowering the Sovereign’s Lieutenant, or Knights-Commissioners, therein nominated to the Installation of an elect Knight, it hath been a matter frequent with the Sovereign, to Issue out Letters of Summons under his privy Signet, both to the Commissioners for Installation, and elect Knights, under the signet of the Order; those to the Commissioners are directed severally to each, nominated in the Commission; who are to give them notice of the Instalment, and to require their repair to _Windsor_, against the Day assigned, that they may proceed to their Installation. Those directed to the elect Knights, pass likewise under the Sovereign’s Sign Manual, and Signet of the Order; and if there be two or more Knights appointed to be Installed on the same Day, the like Letter is sent to each of them, the difference being only in the Direction.

Besides these Letters sent from the Sovereign, the Chancellor (if the Sovereign be absent,) in his circular Letter to the Knights-Companions, gives them an intimation of the designed Installation, upon the Feast of St. _George_. And if the Feast be held either by the Sovereign or his Lieutenant, he dispatcheth a Letter to the Prelate of the Order, intimating the Sovereign’s Commands for his attendance at the Day appointed; and if it be performed by Commissioners, he issues his Letters to the three inferior Officers of the Order, purporting the same Command; the conveyance of which appertains to the Garter, and are left to his Care, and Trust, by the Constitutions relating to the Order, whose allowances and rewards upon these and such like Services, in their due Place, shall be considered.

§ 5. The third matter to be obtained by the Chancellor of the Order, is the Sovereign’s Warrant, directed for the Master of the Great Wardrobe, for the Time being, to deliver so much Velvet for the Livery of the Order, as will make the Knight elect a Surcoat and Hood, and as much Sarcenet or Taffety as will serve to line them: Of such a Warrant there is an ancient Precedent in Latin, entered in the Black Book of the Order; where it runs, _Nos ideo volumus & præcipimus, ut hinc Tabellioni virgas Octodecem subrubri ostri de more tradas, cum tanto albo serico, quanto vestimentum inde conficiendum infulciri poterit, pro liverata (quam vocant) sua, &c._ There is likewise inserted another Precedent in English of the like Nature, for the delivery of these Materials to Sir _John Wallop_ Kt. elected _Anno_ 38 _Henry_ VIII. and in the same Form run all the Warrants of Queen _Mary_ and Queen _Elizabeth_.

Over and above these, there is a Warrant and Scheme prepared for the Sovereign to Sign, wherein is described the Order of the Stalls of _Windsor_, as he wou’d have them stand at the ensuing Election; by the Virtue of which, the Garter is impowered to shift or remove the Plates and Atchievements of the present Knights-Companions, so that room may be made for the elect Knight, or Knights, and to fix the new Plates and Atchievements within, and over the Stalls, in such order as they are rank’d in the Scheme. As soon as the Sovereign’s Pleasure is known concerning an Installation, Garter brings to the Chancellor of the Order, the Names of the present Knights-Companions, placed in the order they then fit in their Stalls, to the intent he may present them to the Sovereign; who, upon observing the series wherein they stand already, he may easier determine how to alter and place both them, and the new elect Knights. _Anno_ 27 _Elizabeth_, the Office of the Garter being Vacant, this employ was put upon the Clarenceux, and the Sovereign’s Warrant for removal and placing of Plates and Atchievements, was delivered to him, five Days before the Installation of the Earl of _Rutland_, the Lords _Cobham_ and _Scroop_, who thereupon fixed them according to the direction given; upon what Ground this alteration and removal came to be made, and continues still in Vogue, though it was otherwise at the Institution of the Order, wherein we must have recourse to the Statutes, and the antique Practice grounded upon them: Among the Statutes, those of the Institution did ordain, That if any Earl, Baron, or Knight-Batchellor, shou’d depart this Life, he that succeeded in his Place, of what Condition or State soever, shou’d possess the same Stall which his Predecessor held before, without changing: So that it might happen for an Earl, or a Duke, to succeed a Knight, and, _vice versa_, it was thus at first constituted by _Edward_ III. _that it might be known who were the first Founders of this most Noble Order_.

Now how punctually this Article of the Statutes hath been observed, that none Chosen along time after the Institution of the Order, shou’d interrupt or change this course, we shall demonstrate, conceiving it very material to eye those Tables, yet preserved in the Chapter-House in _Windsor_, wherein are collected the Names of all those Knights-Companions who succeeded one another in each Stall, until the beginning of _Henry_ VII’s Reign.

From which Series of Succession, we shall remark how exactly the Law in this Point hath been observed, even to King _Henry_ VIII’s Reign, when it received some alteration in this Point. For we find in the Annals several Knights designed for the Stall of their immediate Predecessors, by the Honour only of Election, although prevented of Installation by Death, or other accidents; and the Statutes do not only bind him who shall chance to attain the Honour of Installation, _but him who shall succeed or come after the Defunct Knight_. First therefore we shall Instance in Foreign Kings, among whom we find _Ericus_ King of _Denmark_, to have received _Installation_ in _Henry_ V’s Reign, not according to the State and Dignity of a King, but into the Stall of that Knight-Companion whom he succeeded, _viz._ the Duke of _Bavaria_. _John_ the first King of _Portugal_, a Knight and Companion, likewise in _Henry_ V’s Time, was installed in the second Stall on the Sovereign’s Side, which belong’d to _Henry_ Duke of _Lancaster_, his first Predecessor: And to this King did succeed, in the same Stall, his Son _Edward_ King of _Portugal_, _Anno_ 13 _Henry_ VI. to whose Successor _Humphry_, _Anno_ 34, and _Casimir_ King of _Poland_ were elected, _Anno_ 28 _Henry_ VI. into the sixth Stall on the Prince’s side, at that Time vacant by the Death of the Duke _Conimbero_, whose first Founder was Sir _John Mohun_. _Alphonsus_ King of _Arragon_ and _Naples_, _Anno_ 38 _Henry_ VI. was elected into the Stall of _Don Altro Vasques Dalmedea Count d’Averence_, being the seventh on the Sovereign’s side, Sir _Hugh Courtney_ first possessing it. _Ferdinand_ King of _Naples_ and _Sicily_, elected _Anno_ 3 _Edward_ IV. was installed on the third on the Prince’s side, _Ralph_ Earl of _Stafford_ having been first installed therein. And lastly, we find _Alphonsus_ King of _Sicily_ and _Jerusalem_, being elected by _Henry_ VII. received his Installation on the Prince’s side, whose Predecessor was _Thomas Beauchamp_ Earl of _Warwick_.

In the second Place, if we descend to Foreign Princes, it is remarkable, that _William_ Duke of _Gueldres_, elected by _Richard_ II. was installed in that which Sir _John Beauchamp_ possessed, and _William_ Earl of _Holland_, _Haynalt_, and _Zealand_, in that which appertained to Sir _John Chandos_. _Philip_ Duke of _Burgundy_, in the Time of _Henry_ V. into the Stall of Sir _John Clifford_. And _Anno_ 28 _Henry_ VI. _Henry_ Duke of _Brunswick_ was elected into the Duke of _Suffolk_’s Stall.

And as the Statute was carefully observed, with reference to the Election and Installation of Foreign Princes, so no less in relation to the Princes of the Blood at Home; among whom let us observe, in the third Place, the ranking the Sons of the Founder of this most Noble Order; where we see _Lyonel_ Duke of _Clarence_ his third Son, to have been installed in the sixth Stall on the Sovereign’s side, whose immediate Predecessor was Sir _John Beauchamp_: In like manner _John_ of _Gaunt_, Duke of _Lancaster_, his fourth Son was installed in the seventh Stall on the Prince’s side, having Sir _Thomas Holland_ for his Predecessor and a Founder: His fifth Son _Edmund Langley_, Duke of _York_, possess’d the Stall Sir _Hugh Courtney_ did before: And the sixth Son, _Thomas Woodstock_, Duke of _Gloucester_, enjoy’d the Stall Sir _John Grey_ did before: This Rule was likewise observed strictly in relation to the Sons of King _Henry_ VII.