Chapter XVII: Part 17

§ 9. When the Proceeding hath arrived at the _Chapter-House_ Door, the Sovereign, and _Knights-Companions_, or the Lieutenant, _&c._ with the Officers of the _Order_ before them, enter to hold their Consultation; the Stranger’s _Proxy_ being first requested to stay without, till his Deputation, or Letters of Procuration are read, to the end they may understand the effect thereof.

To this purpose we find it directed, by an ancient Hand, that where any Knight is installed by his Deputy, he ought to stay without the Vestry, or _Chapter-House_ Door, till he be introduced by two _Knights-Companions_: So the Lord _Paget_, one of the Commissioners for Installation of the Duke of _Savoy_, when the Proceeding was come to the _Chapter-House_ Door, acquainted his _Proxy_ with this Custom and Injunction, which he complied with.

The East-Isle, behind the High Altar, is the usual Place for _Proxies_ to stay, till they are called into the _Chapter_, as it is also for the _Deputies_ of _Knights-Subjects_, where Chairs and Cushions are prepared for this occasion.

The first thing done after the _Chapter_ is opened, is reading the Commission for _Installation_, by the _Register_ of the _Order_, (but if the Sovereign be present, no Commission issues,) and next, the Letters of Procuration; this being the most usual and proper Place for this Ceremony.

However, at the _Installation_ of the _French_ King, _Francis_ I. by a very unusual compliance, the Commissioners went from the _Chapter-House_, after they had called in and invested the Earl of _Oxford_, with his _Surcoat_ and _Hood_, to the _Dean’s_ House, where the _Proctor_ was lodg’d, and in a great Chamber there, shewed him the Sovereign’s Commission, and in it the Authority for admitting him into the Stall of his Lord and Master: Upon which the _Proctor_ presented them with his Procuration, which impowered him to take Possession of it, and to perform what Ceremonies related to it; which Instrument the _Register_ read before them. This being done, they all proceeded to the Chappel; where entering, they waved their return to the _Chapter-House_, and passed directly into the _Choir_.

After some time of Consultation in the _Chapter-House_, the _Proxy_ is sent for in thither by _Garter_, who conducts him to the _Chapter-House_ Door, and his Reception there by the Commissioners is after the same manner as is used to the _Knight elect_, or to his _Proxy_: But whether he ought to enter the _Chapter-House_, or be admitted any farther than the Door, or Porch thereof, and to pass thence immediately into the _Choir_, hath been some Question; because the Practice seems to have been sometimes one way, sometimes another.

All that we find to prohibit his Entrance therein, is an Expression in the short Ceremonial of _Installation_ of Strangers by _Proxy_, entered in the _Black-Book_; where it says—That the _Mantle_ is to be laid on the _Proctor’s_ right Shoulder, in the Porch of the _Chapter-House_, _because he is not to enter into it_.

And there are two Instances where the _Mantle_ was delivered to the _Proctor_ at the _Chapter-House_ Door; from whence some may infer, that the Practice of those Times was also agreeable to the aforesaid direction; namely, that of the _Proctor_ of the _French_ King, _Francis_ I. 19 _Hen._ VIII. where _Garter_ stood at the _Chapter-House_ Door, with the _Mantle_, and as the Proceeding passed by, presented it to the two Senior _Knights-Companions_, who placed it upon the _Proctor’s_ right Arm; and so of the _Proctor_ of _Emanuel_, Duke of _Savoy_, 1 and 2 _Phil._ and _Mar._ who entered not into the _Chapter-House_, but had the _Mantle_ discussed at the Door.

But these Instances, if duly weighed, cannot properly, or with any Advantage, be alledged to prove the Assertion; because the Affairs relating to both, receiv’d dispatch in the _Proctors_ Lodging a little before, and where the _Proctor_ himself was present, where the meeting of the Commissioners and Proctor cannot be deemed less than a _Chapter_, tho’ not held in the _Chapter-House_, from the Transactions that passed there, _viz._ producing the Sovereign’s Warrant, and the _Proctor’s_ Instrument of Deputation, which were both read before them by the _Register_, and the _Proctor_ accordingly admitted, which being finished, nothing relating to the present purpose required their passing into the _Chapter-House_, or remained to be done till they came into the _Choir_.

But the general Practice runs strong on the contrary side; for we find that the _Proctor_ for _Charles_ IX. King of _France_, 8 _Eliz._ was met at the _Chapter-House_ Door, by the Earls of _Sussex_ and _Leicester_, who took him in thither between them, where, after the _Register_ had read, as well the Sovereign’s Commission for Installation, as his Letters of Procuration, and the Commissioners had admitted him _Deputy_ for the said King, they all came forth, and laid his Principal’s _Mantle_ on his right Arm and Shoulder, the Train whereof was born by the Earl of _Southampton_, assisted by the Lord _Herbert_ of _Cardiff_.

Again it is remarkable, 25 _Eliz._ that _Garter_ conducted the _Proxy_ of _Frederick_ II. King of _Denmark_, to the _Chapter-House_, and at that Place the Earl of _Leicester_, and the Lord _Hunsdon_, received and led him in: So also was _Christian_ IVth’s _Proxy_ led thither, by the Earls of _Nottingham_ and _Dorset_. And in _Jac._ I. _Lodowick_, Count _Nassau_, _Proctor_ to _Maurice_, Prince of _Orange_, was called into the _Chapter-House_, and there left, while the Sovereign, and _Knights-Companions_, proceeded into the _Choir_: Also in like manner was Sir _George Cartaret_, _Proctor_ to _Christian_, Prince of _Denmark_, 15 _Car._ II. and the _Proctors_ to the King of _Sweden_, and Duke of _Saxony_, 23 _Car._ II.

Nor are these Instances, and the Practice in this latter case, really derogatory to the Statutes, which, though they prohibit the _Proxies_ Entrance into the _Chapter-House_, yet do not extend to any thing previous to the Installation, but what may happen after; for the Article of the _Statutes_ having first directed the delivery of the _Mantle_ to the _Proxy_, and next the assumption of his _Principal’s Stall_, in these Words, _Dictus Procurator Installatus_, it immediately subjoins, _that from thenceforth_, that is, from the time of Installation, _he shall neither wear the_ Mantle, _nor enter into the_ Chapter, _nor have Voice there, by virtue of any Power granted him_. All which are Prohibitions, plainly relating to future Examples, and arising after the Ceremonies of Installation are past, and not at all refering to what preceeds it.

And it seems the Law hath been thus understood, in regard the greater prevalence of Practice hath generally attended it; for not only the _Proxies_ of Strangers, as is observed, but generally _Knights-Subjects_, have been called into the _Chapter-House_, and there received the _Mantle_, before they proceeded into the _Choir_.

The Ceremony of delivering the _Mantle_ to the _Proctor_, is performed by the Sovereign, his Deputy, or the Commissioners, _Garter_ presenting it to them; and the manner of it was anciently, by putting it on the _Proxies_ right Arm or Shoulder, in the Name of his Lord and Master, there to hold it till the End of Divine Service.

But as there hath arisen some dispute, touching the _Proctor’s_ entry into the _Chapter-House_ before Installation, so it hath happened in this Point of receiving the _Mantle_, _viz._ whether in the _Chapter_, or _Stall_ allotted their _Principal_, of which there are Examples.

That part of the Article in the _Statutes_ of _Institution_, relating to this Point, runs thus:——_That the_ Mantle, _tempore Installationis Procuratoris_, shall be laid on his Arm, _&c._ but whether this shall be construed to that instant of time, when the _Proctor_ is brought to the _Stall_ of his _Principal_, or to some greater Latitude, as during the time of Installation, including the very first Action, or beginning of the Ceremony, namely, the being called to the _Chapter-House_ Door, and entrance into it, is the Question; because there are Instances in both, but the latter is most warrantable by the _Statutes_ and general Practice.

The Article in _Henry_ VIIIth’s _Statutes_ being much more clear in describing and explaining the Ceremonies of _Installation_, than any of the former; (the particulars of which in every Point seems to be excellently regulated,) having mentioned the Sovereign, or his _Deputies_, laying the _Mantle_ on the _Proxies_ Arm, it immediately follows, as the very next thing to be performed in course of time; _That afterwards he shall be led by two Knights, from the_ Chapter-House _Door to the_ Stall, _and there being, shall make his Oath, and be installed_; it gives no Account of laying the _Mantle_ on the Arm of the _Proctor_ at the instant of _Installation_ in the _Choir_, that being directed to be done before. It is also recorded in the _Black-Book_, where this Ceremony is more fully treated; _That_ Garter _shall take the_ Mantle _upon his Arms, and deliver it to both the_ Knights-Commissioners, _and that they_ (according to the Tenour of the Statutes,) _shall lay it on the_ Proctor’s _right Shoulder, in the Porch of the_ Chapter-House.

Besides, the ancient usage of receiving the _Mantle_ in the _Chapter-House_, or at the _Chapter-House_ Door, either before, or in the Proceeding to the _Choir_, of which many instances may be given, there are several modern instances where the _Mantle_ was born to the _Choir_, (and sometimes the _Collar_ of the _Order_ with it,) not by the _Proctor_, but by _Garter_, before him, and delivered in his _Principal’s Stall_; as in the Proceeding of the _Proxy_ for the Duke of _Wirtembergh_, _Anno_ 2 _Jac._ I. when, after he had taken the Oath, and was led into the Duke’s _Stall_, (not before) was the Robe laid on his Arm; and so was it done in many more _Installations_; which manner hath so far prevail’d as to be the continu’d Practice, _Garter_ carrying the _Mantle_ on a Cushion before the _Proctors_ into the _Choir_, and laying it (after they have taken their Oaths,) on their Arms in such manner, that the _Cross_ of St. _George_ may be conspicuous.

_Of the Proceeding to the Choir._

§ 10. Concerning the _Proxies_ Proceeding into the _Choir_, King _Henry_ VIIIth’s _Statutes_ direct: _That he shall be accompanied and led by_ two Knights-Companions _of the_ Order, _from the Door of the_ Chapter-House, _to the_ Stall _assigned to his Principal_; agreeable to which, is that Passage in the _Black-Book_; _That as soon as the two Knights have placed the Mantle on his Arm, they shall take him between them, and conduct him to the_ Stall _of his Lord_; and thus assisted have all _Proxies_ proceeded to the _Choir_.

Since the Custom of receiving the _Collar_ in the _Chapter-House_ was laid aside, the Sovereign, (or his Lieutenant,) with the _Knights-Companions_, (so soon as the _Mantle_ is delivered the _Proctor_, or (as of late) that he hath been admitted according to the purport of his Deputation,) proceed to the _Choir_, leaving the _Proxy_ behind them in the _Chapter-House_, and after they have taken their _Stalls_, the Sovereign directs two of the _Knights-Companions_ to descend; who taking the _Alms-Knights_, _Officers of Arms_, and the three inferior Officers of the _Order_ before them, pass to the _Chapter-House_, and bring thence the _Proxy_ to his _Installation_. In this Proceeding the _Proxy_ goes Bare-headed, as did the Earl of _Dover_, _Proctor_ to _Charles_, Prince Palatine of the _Rhine_, and Sir _George Cartaret_, _Proctor_ to the Prince of _Denmark_, _Anno_ 15 _Car._ II.

_The Ceremonies of Installation._

§ 11. When the Proceeding hath entred the _Choir_, and paid the accustomed Reverences, both towards the _Altar_ and the Sovereign’s _Stall_, and the _Alms-Knights_, _Officers of Arms_ and of the _Order_, taken their usual Stations; the two Commissioners (_Knights-Assistants_ or _Knights-Companions_,) and _Proctor_ make their Reverences together, and then they conduct him into the lower _Stalls_ directly before the _Stall_ appointed for his _Principal_, the foresaid _Officers_ of the _Order_ standing below in the _Choir_: If there be more than two Commissioners, then the two Senior conduct him as before, while the rest of the Commissioners take their Station below in the _Choir_, before their proper _Stalls_, and there stay till the _Installation_ be finish’d, and the like do the _Lieutenants-Assistants_, except the two Senior that are imployed in the Ceremony.

The _Proxy_ thus introduced into the lower _Stalls_, stands there while the _Register_ pronounceth the Oath of the _Order_ to him, which he repeats distinctly, laying his Hand on the _New Testament_, and afterwards kisseth the Book.

The ancient Oath appointed by the _Statutes_ of Institution is short, and without limitation in all Points, the same with that a _Knight-Companion_ takes at his Personal _Installation_, _viz._ _Faithfully to observe, to the utmost of his Power, the_ Statutes _of the_ Order; but afterwards the Sovereign’s and Fellows of those other _Orders_ of _Knighthood_, (as the _Golden Fleece_, _Monsieur St. Michael_, _&c._) before their admission into the _Order_ of the _Garter_, sued for, and obtained the allowance of some relative exceptions or proviso’s to be added to the aforesaid Oath; which usually were such as stood with the interest of their Religion, their great State or Dignity, or precedent obligation to the _Order_ they had before accepted.

In the _Black-Book_ is a Precedent of the Oath to be taken by an Emperor; whereby he is obliged to promise on his Royal Word, and give his Faith on his Honour and the Holy Evangelists, _That he will faithfully and truly, to the utmost of his Power, observe the Statutes in every Branch and Article thereof, at least so far as they can or ought to be observed by him, and so far as they shall not be contrary or derogatory to those whereunto he hath before given his Name and Sworn, and saving all other conditions agreed on_. There are besides this, other Precedents in the Annals of the Form of the Oath from the _Proctor_ of an Emperor or King, and of every other inferior Degree, wherein are several exceptions before agreed on; and when _Philip_, King of _Castile_ and _Leon_, (Sovereign of the _Order_ of the _Golden Fleece_,) was Personally installed at _Windsor_, _Anno_ 22 _Hen._ VII. and took the Oath without Limitation, yet he soon after obtain’d the Sovereign’s Dispensation, that the use of the _Collar_ and other _Ensigns_ of the _Order_ might be left to his pleasure, and that he might not be obliged to be present at future _Chapters_.

Other Exceptions have been admitted, but were obtained with great difficulty and much debate, lest the Dignity and Reputation of the _Order_ should (instead of being kept up) be lessen’d, the forbearance of some Circumstances that hath been yeilded to, having sometimes been brought into Precedent, to the prejudice of the _Order_.

The exceptions that were allow’d the Arch-Duke of _Austria_, when he took the Oath at his Investiture at _Noremberg_, _Anno_ 15 _Hen._ VIII. were as follow.

_Not to wear the_ Garter _and_ Collar _but at some certain times in the Year, at his own pleasure._

_That if he were not in Place convenient to go to hear Mass on St._ George’_s Day, he should cause a Priest to say it in his presence._

_Not to be obliged, if busied in weighty Affairs, to wear the_ Garter, Collar, _or whole_ Habit _of the_ Order, _on St._ George’_s Day, longer than during divine Service; nevertheless he promised, if he could not than wear it for a whole Day together, he would willingly wear it on some other solemn Day within the compass of the Year._

Of another nature were the exceptions which _Francis_ I. King of _France_, procured to be admitted into the Oath taken by his _Proctor_, _Anno_ 19 _Hen._ VIII. _viz._ _To observe the Statutes of the_ Order _of the_ Garter _so far as they were consistent with, and not contrary or prejudicial to the Statutes of the_ Order _of St._ Michael, _and other_ Orders _which his Principal had before taken of other Princes._

Such like exceptions have been generally allowed to Kings and Sovereign Princes; but as to the _Proxies_ of such Strangers, not Sovereign Princes, but Subjects, the Form of their Oath is usually framed (by the indulgence of the Sovereign,) with just limitations, not only to their obligation of the Statutes of any other _Order_ they had accepted, or any Oath formerly taken, but sometimes to the Fidelity and Allegiance which they owe their Sovereign Lord and Prince.

After the Oath hath been administred to a Stranger’s _Proxy_, (with such or the like exceptions before set down,) the two _Knights-Commissioners_ pass up with him into the higher Row of _Stalls_, and so to that assign’d to his Principal, where being arrived, they take the _Mantle_ from _Garter_, and lay it upon the _Proctor’s_ left Arm, with the Escutcheon of St. _George_ uppermost, according to an _Order_ in a _Chapter_ held, _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II. which was to be a standing Rule for the future, and is now observ’d.

In the Act and Ceremony of _Installation_, the _Commissioners_ who first conducted the _Proxy_ into the _Choir_, jointly embrace him; then the _Proxy_ makes his double Reverence, and lastly the _Commissioners_, according to the Custom of _Installations_, set him down in his Principal’s _Stall_, where he hath used to remain during Divine Service; but by the aforesaid _Order_ in _Chapter_, _Anno_ 23 _Car._ II. the _Proxies_ are prohibited sitting in their _Stalls_, but directed to stand before them uncovered, with their _Mantles_ on their right Arms, until Divine Service be ended.

The two _Knights_ (between whom the _Proxy_ proceeded to _Installation_,) descend into the _Choir_, and stand before their own _Stalls_, and after a while, first the Senior _Commissioners_, and then the other, ascend into them with usual Reverences, and then Divine Service begins.

_The Proctor’s Offering._

§ 12. The _Proctor_ having receiv’d Possession of his Principal’s _Stall_, stays in the _Choir_, and performs the following Ceremonies, the chief of which is the _Offering_ of _Gold_ and _Silver_, according to the Degree and Seniority of his Principal’s _Stall_, in case the _Installation_ be in the Morning; but if it be celebrated when St. _George_’s Feast is held by the Sovereign’s _Lieutenant_, the _Proxy_ ought not to Offer till the _Lieutenant_ hath first Offered for the Sovereign; and the _Lieutenant_ also Offereth for himself before the _Proctor_, if his Stall be higher than the Stranger’s, for whom the _Proctor_ is installed.

The _Proctor_ in Offering doth it with all the Ceremony as if his Lord were present; when the _Knights-Companions_ descend from their Stalls, (which Ceremony begins with the Junior _Knight_,) he also descends in his turn, and placeth himself below in the _Choir_ before the Stall of his _Principal_, and if he have an opposite _Knight-Companion_, he joins himself to him, and proceeds towards the _Altar_ to the Offering, with the Officers of Arms before him; but if no _Knight-Companion_ be opposite, he then proceeds alone, having his Train born, and a _Knight-Companion_, or some other great Personage, suitable to his Degree, attending on his left Hand, to give him the Offering, which he Offers kneeling on a Cushion, and after him the rest of the _Knights-Companions_ present Offer, every one according to the Seniority of their Stalls.

After the Offering, the _Proctor_ taking his way by the East-end of the Stalls, returns back to the Stall of his _Principal_, and Divine Service being finish’d, and like Honour in all respects shewed to his _Proxy_ as if his Principal had been present, he ought to remain in his Master’s Stall till his next Junior _Knight_ hath left his Stall, and then descend after him, and stand below before his Stall, till his turn come to join himself again to the Proceeding, and so to pass out of the _Choir_.

Sometimes the _Proctor_ hath been receiv’d at his coming down from his Lord’s Stall by the two _Knights-Commissioners_ who installed him, as were the _Proctors_ of _Frederick_ II. King of _Denmark_, and _John_, Count Palatine of the _Rhine_, between whom they also proceeded to the _Chapter-House_ Door, in the same manner they were conducted into the _Choir_; but notwithstanding this, the _Proctor_ ought rather to take in his return the Place of his Principal, (as he did at the Offering, and which is indeed his right,) and so the _Proctor_ of _Francis_ I. went behind alone in his Principal’s place, and followed the _Knights-Commissioners_ from the _Choir_ to the place where he lodged; and this Method is since followed.

_The Dinner._

§ 13. When the _Installation_ hath past in the Morning, there hath usually been prepared a great Dinner at the Sovereign’s Charge; we need here only mention what is different in this particular from the Personal _Installation_ of a _Knight-Companion_.

The _Proxy_ washes alone, sits at the chief Place of the Table alone, and is serv’d alone, but the other _Knights-Companions_ sit at the end of the Table; but if the Sovereign’s Lieutenant be present, the _Proctor_ dines at the same Table with him, and then a little before the second Course is brought in, the Sovereign’s Stile is proclaimed with the usual Ceremony, in _Latin_, _French_, and _English_; but otherwise only the Stile of the new installed Prince, and but once. The Stile and Titles of _Christian_ IV. King of _Denmark_, were proclaimed in _Latin_; and of _Maurice_, Prince of _Orange_, in _French_.

Dinner being ended, all rise in Order and Wash; first, the _Proxy_ alone, and after him the _Knights-Commissioners_; and accompanying the _Proctor_ to his Chamber, where leaving him, they retire to their own Lodgings, and there put off their Habits.

When the Solemnity of _Installation_ is over, the _Proctor_ is to take care, that _Garter_ forthwith set up the Atchievements of his _Principal_ over his _Stall_, and fix the Plate of his Arms on the back thereof; in Memorial of the Ceremony of Inauguration; to which end also Medals have frequently been struck, to perpetuate the Honour so received.

CAP. XVII.

_The Duties and Fees payable by the_ Knights-Companions
_at their Installations_.

_Touching the Fees due to the College of_ Windsor.

§ 1. Such was the Piety and Bounty of our Ancestors, that they thought no Work well perform’d, without being attended with some charitable Donation, especially if it had relation to the Church, whereto they generally bore a venerable Esteem. Hence was it at the _Installation_ of the _Order_ ordain’d: _That every_ Knight-Companion _should, at his entrance, bestow a certain Sum of Money, according to his Quality and Degree_. That is to say,

_l._ _s._ _d._
The Sovereign of the _Order_ 26 13 04
A Stranger King 20 00 00
The Prince of _Wales_ 13 06 08
Every Duke 10 00 00
Every Earl 06 13 04
Every Baron 05 00 00
Every Knight-Batchelor 03 06 08

These Summs were appointed _towards the Relief of the Cannons of_ Windsor, _the Alms-Knights, and augmentation of the Alms-Deeds, there appointed perpetually to be done_. To the end, _That every one entring into this Military_ Order, _might thereby more worthily obtain the Name, Title, and Privilege, of one of the Founders of the_ Order; _it being supposed a worthy and just thing, that whosoever obtained this Privilege, should add some small increment to this Foundation_.

Not long after establishing the Statutes, the Titles of _Marquiss_ and _Viscount_ becoming special Dignities, it was Decreed, _Anno_ 22 _Hen._ VI. that a _Marquiss_ should contribute 8 _l._ 6 _s._ 8 _d._ and a _Viscount_ 5 _l._ 16 _s._ 8 _d._ which was confirmed by King _Henry_ VIIIth’s Statutes.

And though in all the Bodies of the Statutes, the Sovereign of the _Order_ is charg’d with Payment of Fees to the College, yet is it to be understood only of those Sovereigns, who were not (before the assumption of their Stall,) elected into this _Order_.

Upon a Decree, _Anno_ 22 _Car._ II. the _Installation_ Fee to all the Officers of the _Order_ were settled: Those made payable to the _Dean_ and _Canons_ are,

_l._ _s._ _d._
A Stranger King 20 00 00
A Stranger Prince 10 00 00
The Prince of _Wales_ 20 00 00
A Duke 10 00 00
A Marquiss 08 06 08
An Earl 06 13 04
A Viscount 05 16 08
A Baron 05 00 00
A Knight-Batchelor 03 06 08

These Fees ought to be paid at the time of the Knight’s _Installation_, by the Hands of some one of their Servants, so soon as the Ceremonies are ended; the Statutes expressly prohibiting the setting up of their Atchievements till Payment be made.

The _Alms-Knights_, by Queen _Elizabeth_’s Establishment, receiv’d _Installation_ Fees apart from those paid to the College, which by the aforesaid Establishment of Fees, _Anno_ 22 _Car._ II. are made equal to those payable to the _Dean_ and _Canons_; and by the said Decree, the _Choir_ of _Windsor_, under which not only the _Vicars_, but the _Vergers_, _Choristers_, and _Bell-Ringers_, are comprehended, receive the following Fees.

_l._ _s._ _d._

A Stranger King 16 00 00
A Stranger Prince 08 10 00
A Prince of _Wales_ 16 00 00
A Duke 08 10 00
A Marquiss 06 15 00
An Earl 05 10 00
A Viscount 04 00 00
A Baron 04 00 00
A Knight-Batchelor 03 00 00

_Fees due to the_ Register, Garter, Black-Rod, _and_ Officers _of_ Arms.

§ 11. In the Rank of those Officers to whom _Installation_ fees are due, stands first the _Register_, who, as appears by the _Black-Book_, is to have of every _Knight-Companion_ 13 _s._ 4 _d._ and a Robe.

But there being a concealment of this Fee, it was represented to King _Charles_ I. who ordered the _Register_ to be paid in Lieu of the Robe, as follows;

_s._ _d._ _l._ _s._ _d._
_Imprim._ _For a_ {Knight-Batchelor 13 04 } { 28 00 00
{Baron 13 04 } { 30 00 00
{Viscount 13 04 } { 32 00 00
_Item._ _For a_ {Earl 13 04 } and { 34 00 00
{Marquiss 13 04 } { 36 00 00
{Duke 13 04 } { 40 00 00
{Prince 13 04 } { 38 00 00

The same were since settled by the Establishment of _Installation_ Fees, _Anno_ 22 _Car._ II. when it was added, that the Prince of _Wales_, and a Stranger King, should pay 40 _l._ and a Stranger Prince 38 _l._ 13 _s._ 4 _d._

Next, the _Register_ and _Garter_ claim both Droits and Fees, for their Service and Attendance, having a greater share of Business than any other Officer of the _Order_. As to the first of these, it was ordained by the Constitutions of his Office; _That as often as any Knight should happen to be installed, he might challenge for himself the Garments wore by him, immediately before his Investiture with the Surcoat of the_ Order. And the constant Practice hath interpreted this to be the Knight’s upper Garment, anciently a short Gown, of later times a Cloak, but now a Coat; which he puts off in the _Chapter-House_ when the _Investiture_ begins.

By the Establishment of _Installation_ Fees, _Anno_ 22 _Car._ II. the composition set upon each _Knight-Companion_ for his upper Garment, was thus rated.

_l._ _s._ _d._
A Prince of _Wales_ 60 00 00
A Duke 55 00 00
A Marquiss 50 00 00
An Earl 45 00 00
A Viscount 40 00 00
A Baron 35 00 00
A Knight-Batchelor 30 00 00

Besides this Droit or Composition, there hath in all times been paid to _Garter_ by every _Knight-Companion_, a Fee for his _Installation_, which was likewise brought to the following certainty by the said Establishment.

_l._ _s._ _d._
A Stranger King 30 00 00
A Stranger Prince 20 00 00
A Prince of _Wales_ 40 00 00
A Duke 35 00 00
A Marquiss 30 00 00
An Earl 25 00 00
A Viscount 20 00 00
A Baron 25 00 00
A Knight-Batchelor 10 00 00

The Fee due to the _Black-Rod_ by the said Establishment, is, from

_l._ _s._ _d._
A Stranger King 20 00 00
A Stranger Prince 20 00 00
A Prince of _Wales_ 40 00 00
A Duke 20 00 00
A Marquiss 18 00 00
An Earl 16 00 00
A Viscount 14 00 00
A Baron 12 00 00
A Knight-Batchelor 10 00 00

The _Officers_ of _Arms_, by the said Establishment, have the same Fees as are allowed the _Black-Rod_; only in the Fee of a Stranger King, they have an addition of ten Pounds more.

_Fees belonging to other of the Sovereign’s Servants._

§ 3. In the Lists of _Installation_ Fees of former times, some Officers were set down, who gave their attendance, with the several Sums they receiv’d, some that were then accounted Fees, and others Benevolences; all which nevertheless were admitted into the List of _Installation_ Fees, 22 _Car._ II. and though not entered into the _Register_ of the _Order_, yet are to be given in under the Hand of _Garter_, with the other Fees payable at _Installations_, and to be paid by every Knight to all Persons concern’d respectively, according to ancient Custom, _viz._

Prince. Duke. Marquiss. Earl.

To the Wardrobe | 06 00 00 | 03 00 00 | 02 10 00 | 02 00 0 The Trumpets | 12 00 00 | 06 00 00 | 05 00 00 | 04 00 0 The Serj. Trumpet | 02 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 0 The Musicians | 16 00 00 | 08 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 06 00 0 Drums and Fifes | 04 00 00 | 02 00 00 | 01 15 00 | 01 10 0 Knight-Harbinger | 03 06 08 | 03 06 08 | 03 06 08 | 03 06 8 The Porters | 06 00 00 | 03 00 00 | 02 10 00 | 02 00 0 Master Cook | 03 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 05 00 | 01 00 0 Serjeant Porter | 06 00 00 | 03 00 00 | 02 00 00 | 01 00 0 To the Vestry | 02 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 0 Yeomen Harbingers | 06 00 00 | 03 00 00 | 02 10 00 | 02 00 0 Ushers of the Hall | 02 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 05 00 | 01 00 0 Grooms of Chamb. | 03 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 05 00 | 01 00 0 Yeomen Ushers | 06 13 04 | 03 06 08 | 03 00 00 | 02 10 0 Quarter Waiters | 08 16 00 | 04 08 04 | 03 16 08 | 03 06 8 Sewers | 08 00 00 | 04 08 04 | 03 16 08 | 03 06 8 Buttery | 03 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 05 00 | 01 00 0 Pantry | 03 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 05 00 | 01 00 0 Cellar | 03 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 05 00 | 01 00 0

Viscount. Baron. Kt-Batch. To the Wardrobe | 01 15 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 05 00 The Trumpets | 03 00 00 | 02 10 00 | 02 00 00 The Serj. Trumpeter | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 The Musicians | 05 00 00 | 04 00 00 | 03 00 00 Drums and Fifes | 01 05 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 Knight-Harbinger | 03 06 08 | 03 06 08 | 03 06 08 The Porters | 02 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 00 00 Master Cook | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 Serjeant Porter | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 The Vestry | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 Yeomen Harbingers | 02 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 00 00 Ushers of the Hall | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 Grooms of Chamber | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 Yeomen Ushers | 02 00 00 | 01 10 00 | 01 00 00 Quarter Waiters | 03 00 00 | 02 10 00 | 02 00 00 Sewers | 03 00 00 | 02 10 00 | 02 00 00 Buttery | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 Pantry | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 Cellar | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00 | 01 00 00

_Fees payable for Strangers._

§ 4. That Strangers should be liable to the demand of Fees, was thought unreasonable; therefore by the _Statutes_ of _Institution_, the Sovereign is obliged to pay them; the first Example whereof that we meet with, is an Order, 1 _Hen._ VI. which appointed: _That the usual Fees, due for the_ Installation _of the King of_ Denmark, _should be discharg’d by the Sovereign, as the_ Statute _enjoin’d_.

To this purpose Privy-Seals were issued to the Lord Treasurer for the time being, to pay the Fees to the _Register_ of the _Order_ out of the _Exchequer_, which was the constant Custom, till King _Charles_ I. in the 13th Year of his Reign, settled an Annual Pension of 1200 _l._ upon the _Order_; and by a Commission in the said Year, impower’d the Chancellor of the _Order_, and his Successors, to pay out of the same, not only the ordinary, but also extraordinary Charges of the _Order_; wherein the Fees for _Installation_ of Strangers are included.

Notwithstanding the Sovereign (as we have shown) discharg’d the _Installation_ Fees due from Strangers, yet they or their _Proctors_ for them, did always bestow particular Rewards on the _College_, the Officers of the _Order_ and of _Arms_, the _Alms-Knights_, and some others who attended the Solemnity, and in particular _Garter_ had anciently bestowed on him a rich Gown, to wear at the time of _Installation_, but of late he has been presented with some other thing of considerable Value. They also were liberal to the Officers of _Arms_, as appears by several _Largesses_ given to them by their _Proctors_, and in general to the greatest part of those that gave their Attendance.

CAP. XVIII.

_Of the Grand Feast of the_ Order.

_The Grand Feast appointed to be celebrated Annually on
St._ George’_s_ Day.

§ 1. By the _Statutes_ of _Institution_, it’s ordain’d, That a solemn Festival should be Annually celebrated on the 23d Day of _April_, or St. _George_’s _Day_, in Honour of the Patron of the _Order_, as is observed in other military Orders, erected since this of the _Garter_, to which this seems to give Rules of holding their Festivals on the Anniversary of their Patrons. Thus _Philip_, Duke of _Burgundy_, on his erecting the _Order_ of the _Golden Fleece_, taking St. _Andrew_ for its Patron, appointed the Festival on St. _Andrew_’s _Day_. _Lewis_ XI. King of _France_, appointed _Michaelmas Day_ for holding the Feast of the _Order_ of St. _Michael_. And so the Festival of the Duke of _Savoy_’s _Order_ of the _Annunciade_, on _Lady Day_. The Duke of _Bourbon_’s _Order_ of the Knights of our _Lady_, on the Conception of our _Lady_ (8th _December_;) and other instances might likewise be given if it were necessary.

_The Anniversary of St._ George _fixed by the Church,
to the twenty third of_ April.

§ 2. That the 23d of _April_ was the Day whereon St. _George_ suffered Martyrdom by Beheading, appears from the _Greek Hexamiter_ before his Commemoration; which was the Day observed both by the _Greek_ and _Latin Church_; as also by our Predecessors, the _Saxons_.

_St._ George’_s_ Day _made_ Festum duplex.

§ 3. After the Sovereign and _Knights-Companions_ had encreased the Honour of their Patron’s Festival, our Church began to take greater notice of it, being now also esteemed among us as the Patron of the Nation; and therefore they bestowed an addition of Honour upon it, by making it _Festum duplex, ad Modum Majorum Duplicis_. 3 _Hen._ V.

_The Place for celebrating the Grand Feast, assigned to_ Windsor-Castle.

§ 4. The Founder of this most Noble _Order_ having fixed on this Day, for performing its Solemnities, he made Choice of that of his Nativity, the _Castle_ of _Windsor_, which for a long time after was inviolably observed there, either upon the very Day, or some other appointed by Prorogation, not long after: For which way of Prorogation, allowance was given by the _Statutes_ of the _Order_, and of which the _Registers_ are full of instances.

_St._ George’_s_ Day _kept apart from the Grand Feast,
and how then observed_.

§ 5. How this Noble _Order_ flourished from its Foundation to the time of _Henry_ V. no Account can be given, since the Annals thereof are wanting to his Reign; but then it appears to have been in considerable Splendor; but the Civil Wars toward the end of _Henry_ VIth’s Reign, eclipsed it for a while. Under King _Edward_ IV. when things were a little settled, it seem’d to recover; and in King _Henry_ VIIIth’s time, was at a greater heighth than ever. However, though the several Branches of the _Order_ receiv’d some Augmentation from the influence of this Monarch, yet the Grand Feast began to decline, by a removal of the observation of St. _George_’s _Day_ from _Windsor_, and a prorogatory Celebration of the Grand Feast to other times.

The Article of the _Statutes_, causing this great alteration from the original design of the first Institution, gives the Sovereign Power to prorogue the Grand Feast at his Pleasure; but then ’tis evident from the same Statute, that St. _George_’s _Day_ was nevertheless ordained to be duly observed by it self, in what Place soever the Sovereign (if within the Realm) should then reside; _Windsor_ hereby being not excluded.

It farther implies, the sacred _Rites_ and _Offices_ to be performed, with other Matters concerning the _Order_; for besides the particulars therein enumerated, this general Clause is observable: That what other urgent Affair soever, relating to the _Order_, should offer it self to be performed, the same might be treated of, and receive dispatches, in the _Chapter_ held where the Sovereign then should be, as fully as if he were at _Windsor Castle_.

So that henceforward, all things began to be ordered, both on the Eve the Day of St. _George_, and the Morrow after, with as great State; all Affairs as legally dispatched, and all Ceremonies as magnificently performed, except that of offering up of Atchievements, which is peculiar to the Chappel of St. _George_ at _Windsor_ only, as could be observed at the _Grand Festival_ it self.

And how, by Virtue of this Article, and with what Ceremonies St. _George_’s _Day_ was held, when the Grand Feast was prorogued, is evident from a full and ample Precedent, 22 _Hen._ VIII. now remaining in the _Office_ of _Arms_.

For though the Sovereign with 13 _Knights-Companions_ were at _Windsor_ that Year, upon the 22, 23 and 24 of _April_, yet at that time they observed only the Feast Day of St. _George_, with the Eve and Morrow after, but deferred, by Order in _Chapter_, the Celebration of the Grand Feast, to the 8th of _May_ ensuing.

_The Grand Feast neglected by King_ Edward _VI._

§ 6. From the Accession of this Prince, the Sovereignty of this _Order_ became more neglected, so that during his Reign, no Anniversary of St. _George_ was kept at _Windsor_, by a _Grand Festival_.

This is supposed to be owing to the common Calamity of that Age, wherein most Ceremonies, solemn or splendid, especially such as related to Divine Services, came under the denomination of being either Superstitious or Idolatrous. Insomuch, that at a _Chapter_ held at _Greenwich_, 2 _Edw._ VI. an Abolition being intended for such Ceremonies as were not consonant to the King’s Injunctions, lately prescribed, it was then decreed, that then, and for ever from thenceforth, at the Feast of this most Noble _Order_, no other Ceremonies should be observed than such as were appointed by his Majesties Letter.

_That no Procession should be made with going about the Church, or Church-yard, but the King’s Majesty’s Procession, lately set forth in_ English _to be used. His Majesty and other_ Knights-Companions _sitting in their Stalls, at the Entry, such Reverences to be made to the King’s Majesty only as was heretofore. The Offering to be in the Box for the Poor, without any other Reverence, or kissing any Paten, or other thing; but only at the return, due Reverence to the King, as was used before. The Mass of_ Requiem _to be left undone, but yet, both on St._ George’_s_ Day, _and for next Day, a Mass to be Sung with great Reverence; in which, immediately after the Words of Consecration is said, the Priest shall say the_ Pater Noster, _and so turn and Communicate to all, or so many of the_ Order, _or other, after they have done, as shall be disposed to receive the Communion, according to the_ Order _prescribed by his Majesty’s Book of Communion, and without any other Rite or Ceremony after the said Communion to be used; except some godly Psalm or Hymn to be Sung in_ English, _and so to end the said Service. All_ Chapters, _and other Rites concerning the_ Order, _not being contrary to these, to remain as they have been used._

This Decree seemed to mean nothing less than a Prohibition to the holding the Grand Feast at _Windsor_, at least the neglect of its Celebration there, whilst King _Edw._ VI. lived: And though toward the End of his Reign, some care was taken for a Permission to hold the said Feast, either on St. _George_’s _Day_, or some other appointed by Prorogation; yet it was without any regard to the ancient and usual Place; for when the Act passed, commanding the Days therein mentioned to be kept Holy, and no other, whereby this was involved among many other Saints Days then prohibited to be kept, as not being found among the Feasts then Establish’d; it was considered, that a Proviso and Allowance should be entered in the aforesaid Act, for the Celebration of this Feast, particularly by the _Knights-Companions_; which Act, though it suffered a Repeal by Queen _Mary_, yet stands in force at this Day, being revived by King _James_ I. his repealing that _Statute_ of 1 _Mar._ _Cap._ 2.

_Removed from_ Windsor _by Queen_ Elizabeth.

§ 7. But the most fatal Blow given to the growing Honour of the Castle of _Windsor_, was a Decree in _Chapter_ held 9 _Eliz._ with the consent of the _Knights-Companions_ then present, _viz._

_That if on the Vigil and Day of St._ George, _the Feast was not held at_ Windsor, _according to the usual Custom, it should nevertheless be sufficient, if the Observation thereof were kept at the same Place where the Sovereign should then happen to be, where also the rest of the_ Knights-Companions _were obliged to be present, no less than if the Feast had been held at_ Windsor.

And so severe was the latter part of this Decree against the flourishing condition of that Place, that it commanded also,

_That no other Solemnity, under the notion of St._ George’_s Feast, should thenceforth be celebrated at_ Windsor, _except upon occasion of the_ Installation _of some illustrious Person, and then also, not without express leave of the Sovereign._

And to say truth, this _Statute_ was but too strictly observed during her Reign; for we meet but with one Feast of St. _George_ held there, till 1 _Jac._ I. (unless we mistake the Feasts of _Installation_ for those of St. _George_,) but then the Sovereign, who was yet in _Scotland_, lent his Commission, dated 5 _April_, to the Earl of _Nottingham_, his _Lieutenant_, to prorogue the Festival to the 3d _July_ following, and after constituted him to hold the Feast, which was performed the 2, 3 and 4 Days of the said Month, with all Pomp and Ceremony. The King himself, being then at _Windsor_, was prevented from being present by some occasion not mentioned.

Thus, after a long Interval, the Honour of the Feast was restored, which had this effect, toward the End of King _James_ I. Reign, and that of his Son and Successor, King _Charles_ I. that it begat a Re-union of the Feast and Place, whereby the Castle of _Windsor_, famous for the _Institution_ of this most Noble _Order_, retrieved its ancient Honour, of having its Solemnities celebrated there.

_Of Prorogation of the Grand Feast._

§ 8. Having thus noted, that from the beginning of King _Henry_ VIIIth’s Reign, till of late Years, the Grand Feast was seldom observed upon the precise Day of St. _George_; and that the occasion how both Day and Feast came to be celebrated apart, took its rise from the indulgence of the _Statutes_ in point of Prorogation: ’Tis necessary farther to observe, that this Prorogation is of two sorts, either Absolute, as being enjoined by the _Statutes_; or else Arbitrary, at the Sovereign’s Pleasure, upon intervening Reasons.

In the first of these the Founder’s _Statutes_ enjoin, _That if the Feast of St._ George _shall happen within fifteen Days next after_ Easter Day, _it shall be prorogued to the Sunday Fortnight, or fifteen Days after_ Easter Day. And the reason is there given, _That every of the_ Knights-Companions _might have opportunity of coming thereto, without being constrained to ride upon any of those three Holy Days preceeding_ Easter Day. The same Rule for Prorogation, where there is a concurrence of these two Feasts, is likewise enjoin’d by the _Statutes_ of King _Henry_ V. and King _Henry_ VIII.

And when the Grand Feast, in this case of _Easter_, has been kept before the expiration of the said fifteen Days, the _Knights-Companions_ then absent, to avoid the Penalty for their not appearing, have made Excuse; that the ancient _Statutes_ of the _Order_ were violated in keeping the Feast within fifteen Days after _Easter_, as was alledged when Sir _John Denham_, Lord Treasurer, as President, held the Feast of St. _George_ at _Windsor_, 24 _April_, 8 _Henry_ VII.

Anciently, where the _Register_ mentions the Grand Feast to be held at _Windsor_, beyond the Day of St. _George_, ’tis observable upon Calculation, that _Easter Day_, in those times, fell too near the 23d of _April_, to celebrate the Feast on, without breaking the Law, which was the real cause of those Prorogations, of which there are many Instances.

And as the _Knights-Companions_ had Prohibitions put upon the Solemnization of their Feast, in case of its interfering with _Easter_, so had the Church of _England_, in their Observation of St. _George_’s _Day_, in reference to several other Festivals; and this continued till the time of the Reformation begun by King _Edward_ VI. but since the Grand Feast has been celebrated upon any of them indifferently the Feast of _Easter_ only excepted.

The second sort of Prorogations, which are meerly Arbitrary, and wholly dependent on the Sovereign’s Pleasure, yet warranted sufficiently from the Words, _Causa postulante_, mentioned in King _Henry_ VIII’s Statutes; as likewise the great Latitude given the Sovereigns of this most Noble _Order_, in reference to their Affairs, in the same Statutes: The first Precedent of which was, _Anno_ 5 _Hen._ V. when about _August_, four Months after St. _George_’s _Day_, that King being engaged in the Wars of _France_, ordered the Feast to be celebrated at _Caen_ in _Normandy_, and with great Solemnity created fifteen Knights into the _Order_.

There are several other Examples, particularly one 8 _Hen._ VIII. when the King being at _Eltham_ on St. _George_’s _Day_, it was in a _Chapter_ there held, Decreed, That the accustomed Feast of St. _George_ should be observed at _Windsor_ 25th of _May_ ensuing. And from this time it became Annually customary, to keep the Day of St. _George_ where the Sovereign at that time made his Abode: On which Day, and the Day after, the usual Solemnities were observed. But as to the Solemnization of the Grand Feast itself, that was in one of the _Chapters_ then held, adjourned to some farther time, and then solemnized at _Windsor_ by Prorogation, not by the Sovereigns themselves, but by their _Lieutenants_ and their _Assistants_ appointed for that purpose.

But to proceed with the Causes of Prorogation, which were either for some weighty reasons, or upon emergent Occasions; _Anno_ 1 _Mariæ_, the Sovereign celebrating the Feast of St. _George_ at St. _James_’s, _Philip_, Prince of _Spain_, and the Earl of _Sussex_, were on the Morrow after elected into the _Order_; whereupon it was likewise Decreed, that the Inauguration of these two _elect Knights_, till the Prince came to _England_, which happening _21st July_ following, the Grand Feast, together with that of the _elect Knights_ Installations, were appointed to be celebrated at the same time.

Again 3 and 4 _Phil._ and _Mar._ at a _Chapter_ held _22d April_, the Feast of St. _George_, together with the Installation of three _elect Knights_, was appointed to be held at _Windsor_ the _9th_ of _May_ ensuing; and by a _Chapter_ summon’d the _3d_ of _May_, before the appointed Day for holding the Feast, the same was prorogued to the _15th_ of _December_ following, upon the pressing Affairs of the King and Queen. But before that design’d time came, another _Chapter_ was held on the _31st_ of _October_, wherein it was again prorogu’d to the first Sunday after _Twelfth-day_, viz. _9 January_, if by that time the King, who was then in _Flanders_, should return to _England_: But that not happening, it was farther prorogu’d to the _20th_ of _February_; and thence, by another Decree, to St. _George_’s _Day_. Of which there are many other Examples, and sometimes upon other Occasions; but still at the Sovereign’s Pleasure.

_Of Commissions of Prorogation._

§ 9. There is no Precedent of Commissions for Prorogation, ancienter than 12 _Car._ I. left by Sir _Thomas Rowe_, wherein Notice is taken of all the Adjournments of the Grand Feasts, from St. _George_’s _Day_ preceeding, till that Time, with the Reasons thereof, and chiefly upon Consideration of the spreading Sickness, together with a Command to the _Knights-Companions_, and the Officers of the _Order_, to attend the Sovereign on the new assign’d Days for celebrating the Feast.

As to the Substance hereof, the succeeding Commissions very near agree, yet with some little Difference; as first, the Preambles are general, and run thus: _Whereas, upon special Reasons, and other important Affairs_, &c. except the Commission issu’d _25th February_, 1637. where the Preamble was fitted to a special Occasion, and runs thus,——_Whereas we have determined to create the Prince, our eldest Son, a Knight, and to propose him in Election as a Companion of our most Noble_ Order, _for the more Conveniency of his_ Installation, _We have thought fit to defer the Feast of St._ George, _&c._

But in the Commissions of Prorogation of the Grand Feast, _25th February_, 19 _Car._ I. the Place appointed for Celebration is omitted, which Defect we find in the above-mentioned Precedent also; yet afterwards that material Part came to be inserted, and first of all in that Commission of the _26th February_, 14 _Car._ I. where the Place, being the City of _York_, is put into the Body of the Commission. And when the Civil War drew on, and the Sovereign could not well ascertain any Place, then the Grand Feast was appointed to be kept at any such Place as, on a nearer View, should seem convenient; afterwards it vary’d something, and came to be inserted thus,—_Wheresoever We shall then be_; or thus, _at such Places as We shall timely appoint_.

The most ordinary course, preparatory to the issuing such Commissions of Prorogation, has been by the Sovereign’s Declaration in _Chapter_, or otherwise the Signification of his Pleasure to the Chancellor of the _Order_ at any other Time, who thereupon drew up the Commission, and presented it to the Sovereign for his Sign Manual, and then affixed thereto the great Seal of the _Order_. But where the Chancellor was not at Hand to receive the Sovereign’s Commands, in this Case it was convey’d to him by some other Hand, with command to summon the _Knights-Companions_ and Officers accordingly. For so it was done to Sir _Francis Windebank_, Knt. Secretary of State, by his Letter to Sir _Thomas Rowe_, 13 _Car._ I. for Prorogation of the Grand Feast.

And as all the preceeding Adjournments of the Grand Feast have been either decreed in _Chapter_, or directed immediately from the Sovereign; so there is a Precedent where the _Lieutenant_ has been impowered to prorogue the same; yet to the Time and Place appointed by the Sovereign, and inserted in the Commission of _Lieutenancy_: And this was in a Commission, 1 _Jac._ I. directed to _Charles_, Earl of _Nottingham_.

_That the Grand Feast ought to be celebrated once a Year._

§ 10. Though the Prorogations of the Grand Feast have been occasionally made use of on the aforesaid important Reasons, yet no such Adjournment or Prorogation is legally to be inlarged beyond St. _George_’s _Day_ ensuing; because once within the compass of every Year, the Grand Feast ought to be solemniz’d; for so it was ordained by the _Statutes_ at the Institution of the _Order_, and confirmed likewise by the succeeding _Statutes_. And when our Historians take notice of the Grand Feast, they speak of the same thing, that it ought Annually to be performed; whence it is frequently called in the Registers, _Annua Festivitatis_, _solemnitas annua_, _celebritas annua_, and the like.

Of late Times, an Occasion happen’d that brought this of the _Statutes_, into a solemn Debate in _Chapter_, which, for the Result thereof, became very remarkable.