Chapter IV: Part 4

OWES its Institution to _Christina_, Queen of _Sweden_, about the Year 1645. in honour of a Lady of that Name, of great Beauty, Courage, Modesty and Charity. The chief Ensign is a Jewel of Gold compos’d of Two _A_’s, adorn’d with Diamonds on both Sides, and join’d together by reversing one of them, being set within a Circle of Laurel Leaves wreath’d about with White, and on the Four Sides this Motto, _Dolcenella memoria_; which Jewel the Knights wear either in a Gold Chain, or a Crimson or Blue Ribbon, as they best like of. His Investiture is with this Ceremony: The Queen being seated under her State, an intended Knight kneels before her, when she acquaints him with her Inducements to confer on him this Honour, enumerating his Services and Merits: This done, he takes an Oath, still kneeling and holding his Hands between the Queen’s, to defend her Person from Harm, and the Persons of his Brother Knights; to incite Justice, Vertue and Piety, and discountenance its Opposers; after which the Queen puts about him (in the manner of a Baudrick) a Crimson Silk Scarf with the Jewel fasten’d thereto. To an absent Prince or Personage, she sends the Jewel, accompany’d with her Letter, which supplies the Place of a personal Investiture. Among many others have been several Kings and Princes. Sir _Bulstrode Whitlocke_ has been elected Knight of this Order.

46. _The Order of the_ Black Eagle,

WAS instituted by _Frederick_ King of _Prussia_, and Elector of _Brandenburgh_, soon after he had the Title of King conferr’d upon him.

§ 2. 1. In the _West-Indies_, _Montezuma_, King of _Mexico_, set Knighthood in the highest Splendor, ordaining certain military Orders, with several Badges and Ensigns. The most honourable among the Knights were those that carry’d the Crown of their Hair ty’d with a little Red Ribbon, having a rich Plume of Feathers, from which did hang Branches and Rolls of Feathers upon their Shoulders. They carry’d as many Rolls as they had done gallant Exploits in the Wars; and the King himself and his Sons were of this Order; which _Purchas_ calls _Eagle Knights_.

2. THERE was another Order, call’d _Of the Lyons and Tygers_. These Knights being commonly the most valiant in the Wars, always bore with them their Badges and Armories.

3. OTHER Knights there were, as _The Grey Knights_, not so much respected as the rest. They had their Hair cut round about the Ears: They made War upon their Enemies with Ensigns like other Knights, and were only arm’d to the Girdle, while the most Honourable were _Cap-a-Pee’d_. All Knights might carry Gold and Silver, be array’d in rich Cotton, have the use of painted and gilt Vessels, and wear Shoes; but the common People only the earthen sort; neither might they carry Shoes nor Attire themselves, but in a gross Stuff. Every Order had their Lodging assign’d them in the Palace, distinguish’d by their proper Ensigns: The first was the Lodging of the Prince, the second of _Eagles_, the third of _Lyons and Tygers_, and the fourth of _Grey Knights_.

THE Province of _Cinaloa_ (near _New Mexico_) created their Knights by giving a Bow, and setting them to encounter a Lyon or some other wild Beast.

THE _Inguas_, or Lords of _Peru_, dedicated their Children to Honour, by adorning them with _Guarras_ or Ensigns. They pierced their Ears, whip’d them with Slings, smeared their Faces with Blood, in order they should be true Knights to the _Ingua_. Those of Royal Extraction, before they received the Order of Knighthood abstained Seven Days from all manner of Nutriment, except a little raw Grain and Water, and after being heartned and brisked up again, performed some Military Exercises, also Racing, Wrestling, Leaping, Shooting, Slinging, throwing the Dart and Lance, _&c._ and enduring to be beaten on the Hands and Legs with Wands; these being as it were the Tests whether they could endure the Hardships of War or no; for if they did not sustain them manfully, they were denied Knighthood. The Ceremonies being performed by boaring an Hole in the Ears, putting on gallant Shoes, and wearing of the Breeches, which before they were restricted, adorning their Heads with Flowers, and having the Privilege of an Herb that none but themselves cou’d make use of, and lastly giving an Axe into their Hands. _Menenius_ calls these Knights _Oreiones_, from the _Spanish Orejas_, flop or loll-eared, in the _Latin Auriculares_, from the Leaf which they bore hanging in their Ears, or because they only negotiated Affairs with the Emperor, and had his Ear at all times.

IN _Japan_ there’s an Order of Knights called _Mengoras_, part of whom are called _Bonzees_, living in Fraternities, as our Religionists in _Europe_. Some of these have the Charge of their Idols, and the Service relating to their Temples, others follow the Wars. They profess Chastity with such Severity, that no Woman is allow’d to enter their Cities. They govern the Kingdoms they conquer, and are so very opulent that some of them possess 60000 Duckets _per Annum_; and have a publick Armory well stored to make use of upon any Exigence, which is maintain’d by a daily Contribution. Women have been excluded their Share in this Way of Honour, tho’ their Courage and Valour have equalized the _Amazons_ of old; the Example is of the noble Women of _Tortosa_ in _Spain_, or the _Femme_ Cavaliers of the _Torchi_. _Micheli_ barely calls them _Chavalleros_, or rather _Chavalleras_, seeing the _Latins_ have had the Words, _Equitissæ & Militissæ_, to express, _Virago’s_ and _Heroines_.

DON _Raymond_, last Earl of _Barcelona_, having in the Year 1149. reduced the City of _Tortosa_ from the _Moors_, on the Thirty First following they laid a fresh Siege to it, in hopes to recover it. The Inhabitants were at length reduced to great Streights; they desired Relief of the Earl, but he not being in a Condition to answer their Request, they had Thoughts of a Surrender; which the Women to prevent put on the Apparel of the Men, and by a resolute Salley forced the _Moors_ to raise the Siege. The Gallantry of the Action the Earl acknowledged by granting them several Privileges, and to perpetuate the Memory instituted this Order, somewhat like a Military one, and none were to be admitted, only those brave Women, and the Honour to derive to their Descendants, and assigned them for a Badge a Thing like a _Fryer’s Capouche_, sharp at the Top, after the Form of a Torch, of a Crimson Colour, to be worn upon their Head-Cloaths; that at all publick Meetings the Women should have Precedence of the Men, and should be exempted from all Taxes, and that all the Apparels and Jewels left by their dead Husbands should be theirs.

A more general Ornament of Honour peculiar to the Fair Sex is the _Cordon_, which some will have to be an Order, or Equivalent thereunto. The Institution is attributed to _Anne Britaigne_, Wife to _Charles_ VIII. of _France_, who instead of the Military Belt or Collar, bestowed a Cordon or Lace on several Ladies, admonishing them to live chastly and devoutly, always mindful of the Cords and Bonds of our Saviour, and to engage them to a greater Esteem of it, she surrounded her Escutcheon of Arms with the like Cordon; from which Example the Arms of unmarried Ladies and Gentlewomen are usually adorn’d with them.

CAP. IV.

_Of the Castle, Chapel and College of_ Windsor, _&c._

Having dispatch’d the several Orders of Knighthood, and trac’d them from their proper Fountains, we come now to treat of the most Noble Order of the _Garter_; an Order, that not only grants Merit, and Honourable, and Valiant Exploits at Home, but what Imperial Heads and Persons, fam’d for the Antiquity of their Race, or Gallantry of Actions, have always esteem’d a further Advancement to their Glory therein to be enroll’d. For the better Explanation, it will be necessary to begin with the Description of the Castle, Chapel, and College of _Windsor_. The Place claims no greater Antiquity than of the _Saxons_, named by them _Windleshore_, and, as _Cambden_ conjectures, had the Denomination from the Winding of a Shore thereabouts, as did _Wandsworth_ in _Surry_, heretofore written _Windlesworth_. The first authentick Notice is from the Donation which King _Edward the Confessor_ made thereof to the Monks of _Westminster_, (as the Charter expresses it) _For the Hope of eternal Reward, the Remission of all his Sins, the Sins of his Father, Mother, and all his Ancestors, to the Praise of Almighty_, &c. he grants _Wyndleshore_, with all its Appurtenances, as an Endowment and perpetual Inheritance, to the Use of the _Monks_ there, and at _Westminster_, that served GOD. Those Monks enjoy’d it not long, for King _William the Conqueror_, in the first Year of his Reign, being greatly enamour’d with the pleasant Situation and Commodiousness of the Place, situate so near the _Thames_, and the Wood fit for Game, invited _Eadwin_, the then Abbot, and the _Monks_, to accept in Exchange for it, _Wokendune_ in _Essex_, a Mansion called _Ferings_, with all its Members and Hamlets, together with Fourteen _Sokemen_ and their Lands, and one Freeholder, and Three Houses in _Colchester_, all in _Essex_, since which it has remained in the Crown.

The King being thus possess’d, forthwith built a Castle upon the Hill, which, in _Doomsday Book_, contained half an Hide of Land, and is there noted to be Parcel of the Mannor of [_Clivore_] _Clure_. This Castle King _Henry_ I. rebuilt, and beautified with great Magnificence, and, in the Tenth Year of his Reign, held his _Whitsontide_ there with great State and Splendor. Shortly after, in a Charter of Peace between King _Stephen_ and Duke _Henry_, (King _Henry_ II. afterwards) this Castle was called _Mola de Windesor_, the Fortress of _Windesor_. Within this Castle was King _Edward_ III. born, (commonly called _Edward_ of _Windsor_) and was baptized in the old Chapel; and so great was his Affection to that Place, that he constituted it the Seat of the most noble Order of the _Garter_; and to embellish it the more, he founded the College of the Chapel of St. _George_, and much enlarged, and beautified the Castle.

For this Work he appointed several Surveyors, whom he assigned to press Hewers of Stone, Carpenters, and such other Artificers as were thought useful and necessary, as also to provide Stone, Timber, and all other Materials for them. _William de Wyckham_ (who attained to be Bishop of _Winchester_) was one of these Supervisors, and had that Place conferr’d on him by Letters Patent, _October_ 30. _Ed._ III. And a Grant of the same Fee was likewise allowed to _Robert de Bernham_, viz. One Shilling a Day, while he was at _Windsor_, Two Shillings when he went elsewhere about that Affair, and Three Shillings _per_ Week to his Clerk; afterwards he was chief Custos and Surveyor of this Castle, of the Mannors of Old and New _Windsor_, and of other Castles, Mannors, _&c._ belonging to the King, to provide Workmen, and look after the Repairs, and in those Mannors to hold Leets and other Courts, Pleas of Trespass and Misdemeanours.

About the 34th of _Ed._ III. it is presumed the most considerable Enlargement of the Castle was made, seeing there was then great Store of the ablest Diggers and Masons impress’d, by virtue of Writs directed to the several Sheriffs, with Command under 100 _l._ Penalty to send them to _Windsor_ the _Sunday_ after the Feast of St. _George_, to work at the Kings Charge, from whence they were not to depart without _Wyckham_’s License, Security having been first taken by the Sheriffs, and returned into _Chancery_. _London_ found Forty; _Essex_, in conjunction with _Hertford_, Forty; _Wilts_, _Leicester_, with _Worcester_, _Cambridge_, with _Huntington_ Forty, _Kent_, _Gloucester_, _Somerset_, with _Devon_, and _Northampton_, one with another, found also Forty a-piece. And because divers of these Workmen, for Gain and Advantage, clandestinely left _Windsor_ to the Hindrance of the Work, all Persons were forbid to employ or retain them under Forfeiture of all they had, and likewise to arrest those that withdrew themselves from the Work, and commit them to _Newgate_. _A._ 36. _Ed._ III. many of them being swept away by the Pestilence, the like Writs were directed to other Sheriffs, under a Hundred Pound Penalty, to send able Men; whereupon the Counties of _York_ sent Sixty, _Derby_ Twenty Four, _Salop_ Sixty, _Hereford_ Fifty, _Nottingham_ Twenty Four, _Lancaster_ Twenty Four, and _Devon_ Sixty. _A._ 37. _Ed._ III. The noble Edifice was ready for Glazing, and of Twenty Four of that Occupation impress’d for the King’s Service, Twelve were to be employed at _Windsor_. In this Year and the next a great Proficiency was made, and vast Quantities of Stone were amassed, dug out of the Quarries of _Wellesfor_, _Newel_, and _Carby_, and other Places. From the 37th to the 43d, the Building of the Castle was diligently pursued. We find no Addition to this august Pile till his 48th Year, and after that Time nothing more during his Reign, so that it is supposed this Famous Piece for Magnificence and Strength was then chiefly finished, _viz._ the Great Hall of St. _George_, the Lodgings on the East and South side of the Upper Ward, the Keep or Tower in the Middle Ward, the Chapel of St. _George_, the Houses for the Custos and the Canons in the Lower Ward, with the whole Circumference of the Walls, their several Towers and Gates, as in the present Posture they remain.

IN succeeding Times King _Hen._ VII. added that stately Fabrick adjoining to the King’s Lodgings, in the Upper Ward. King _Hen._ VIII. re-edified the great Gate at the Entrance into the Lower Ward. King _Edw._ VI. began, and Queen _Mary_ perfected the Conveying the Water, from _Blackmore-Park_ in _Wingfield_ Parish, into a Fountain of curious Workmanship erected in the Middle Ward, which supplied all the Castle. Queen _Elizabeth_ made a Terrace Work on the North side of the Castle; from whence there is a pleasant Prospect down upon _Eaton-bridge_, the _Thames_, and the adjacent Country. King _Charles_ I. _A. D._ 1636. built the Gate at the East end of the Terrace, which leads into the Park. And lastly, King _Charles_ II. greatly beautified and repair’d the Fabrick, and furnish’d it with a curious Armory; and, in fine, every Thing is so fitly disposed and ordered, that they are worthy of the Notice of every nice and curious Traveller.

CAMDEN elegantly describes its Situation in Prose in this manner: _From an Hill_ (says he) _that rises with a gentle Ascent, it enjoyeth a most delightful Prospect round about; foreright, in the Front, it overlooketh a Vale, lying out far and wide, garnished with Corn Fields, flourishing with Meadows, deck’d with Groves on either side, and watered with the most mild and calm River_ Thames. _Behind it arise Hills every where, neither rough nor over high, attired, as it were with Woods, and even dedicated, as one would say, by Nature, to hunting Game._

And thus _Denham’s_ Muse pourtrays it:

Windesor, #the next (where# Mars #with# Venus #dwells,
Beauty with Strength) above the Valley swells
Into my Eye, and doth it self present
With such an easy and unforc’d ascent,
That no stupendious Precipice denies
Access, no horror turns away our Eyes;
But such a Rise as doth at once invite
A Pleasure, and a reverence from our sight.
Thy mighty Masters Emblem, in whose face
Sat Meekness heightned with Majestick Grace;
Such seems thy gentle height, made only proud
To be the Basis of that pompous Load.
Than which a nobler weight no Mountain bears
But Atlas only that supports the Spheres.#

This Castle is under the Government of a Constable, so call’d in the Reign of King _John_, and has bore that Denomination ever since: The Office is of great Antiquity, Honour and Power, but of small Revenue, for it is partly Military and Civil; as Military he commands the Castle and any Garrison placed therein, and is obliged to defend it against all Enemies whatsoever; all the Prisoners brought hither are committed to his Charge, and is answerable for all that is in the Castle to the King, under whom he is Commander, as a Civil Officer. He is Judge of a Court of Record held there by Prescription, for determining, by way of Common Law, all Pleas between Party and Party, arising within the Precincts of the Forest of _Windsor_, and Liberties thereof, which compriseth many Towns; and all legal Processes issue out in his Name. He is allowed a Deputy learned in the Law, who is called the Steward of the Court of Record, and is Keeper of the Constable’s Seal of Office. This Officer supplies the Constable’s Place as a Judge of the Court of _Common Pleas_, from whose Judgment the Appeal is by Writ of Error returnable in the _King’s-Bench_, or _Common Pleas_ at _Westminster_. The Constable is likewise Forester and Warden of the Forest of _Windsor_, which is an 120 Miles in compass. He hath under him one or more Lieutenants at his Pleasure, and may imprison any Trespasser in Vert and Venison Convict, having a Prison in the Castle for that Purpose, named the _Coalhole_. He hath the Freedom of using the Sports of the Forest, which is granted to no Person without his or the King’s License, and signs all Warrants to kill Deer, (except what the King signs) and is to fell Timber and Wood.

HE that was _Chastelain_ (the _French_ Word for Constable) in _William the Conqueror_’s Reign was _Walter Fitz Other_, from whom the Family of the Barons of _Windsor_ are descended, and the Earls of _Plimouth_, bearing the Surname of _Windsor_, _Temp. Car._ II. Prince _Rupert_ was Constable.

WE come next to the Chapel of St. _George_, which is situate in the Lower Ward or Court of this Castle, and so named by King _Edw._ III. shortly after he had founded the College mention’d in the next Section; he having pulled down the old Chapel erected there by King _Henry_ I. and dedicated to King _Edward the Confessor_, to raise a more stately Structure in its stead; to bring which Matter to Perfection, in the 24th Year of his Reign, _John de Spoulee_ had the Office of Master of the Stone-Hewers, and had Power to provide Masons, and other Artificers, to whose Care they were entrusted. In _Anno_ 25. _Ed._ I. _John de Dorchester_, Sub-Constable of the Castle, was appointed to keep a Controul upon all the Provisions bought for the Works of the Chapel, as well as on the Payments, and all other Affairs relating thereunto. To this Fabrick he erected several Houses adjoining, for the Custos and Canons to reside in; and afterwards King _Hen._ IV. gave them the void Place in the Castle call’d the _Woodhall_, nigh the great Hall, for building of Houses and Apartments for the Vicars, Clerks, and Choristers, and the other Ministers, assigned for the Service of the Chapel; but King _Edw._ IV. observing the Walls and Foundation of the Chapel sapped and consumed, and esteeming the Fabrick not stately or spacious enough, designed another more noble and excellent in its Room: In order to it _Richard Beauchamp_, Bishop of _Salisbury_, was constituted Master and Surveyor of the Work, who had Power from the King to remove all Impediments, demolished divers of the Officiary Houses, and other irregular Piles and decay’d Walls, and dug up their Foundations, particularly those ancient Buildings on the East side of the Chapel, which extended unto the Walls on the North side of the Castle, where the Towers, _viz._ _Clurey_’s Tower, and _Le Amenery_’s Tower, and _Barney_’s Tower, were situated; as also on the South side of the Chapel, unto the Belfry there, exclusively; the Materials whereof he might bestow upon any Buildings in the Castle, as he thought convenient. How well the Bishop discharged this Office, appears from the Preamble of his Patent, whereby that King conferred on him the Chancellorship of the _Garter_, in which is set forth, _That out of meer Love towards the Order, he had given himself the Leisure daily to attend the Advancement and Progress of this goodly Fabrick_.

FROM this Erection of K. _Ed._ IV. arose the elegant and beauteous Structure now standing, enlarged in Length at least an Hundred Fathom (tho’ it did not arrive to its Perfection until the Reign of King _Henry_ VIII.) together with the Dean and Canons Houses on the North side of the Chapel, and those of the Petty Canons raised at the West End, in form of a Fetter-lock (one of King _Edward_ the IVth’s Badges) and so vulgarly call’d. _Temp. Henry_ VII. Sir _Reginald Bray_, Knight of the _Garter_, became a liberal Benefactor, finishing the Body of the Chapel, and rearing the Middle Chapel on the South thereof, which still retains his Name, and where his Body lies interred, as is manifest by his Arms, Badges, _&c._ cut in Stone, and by his last Will. _Anno_ 21. _Hen._ VII. _John Hylmer_ and _William Vertue_, Free Masons, undertook the Vaulting the Roof of the Choir (a curious Piece of Architecture) for 700 _l._ and finish’d it by _Christmas_, 1508. _Anno_ 8 _Henry_ VIII. the Rood Loft, and Lanthorn, were erected, with the Contributions raised by the Knights Companions. Near to the East end of this Chapel, was a little Fabrick of Free-Stone, raised by Cardinal _Wolsey_, call’d the _Tomb House_, in the Middle whereof he designed to erect a Monument for King _Henry_ VIII. and had almost finished it before he died; but this was demolished, 1646. by command of the _Long Parliament_; and all the Copper Figures, exceedingly enriched by Art, carry’d thence. This Place King _Charles_ I. intended to enlarge, for the Interment of his own Royal Body, and those of his Successors; but those villainous Times drawn on, they with much ado afforded him but a mean obscure Place near the first high Place in the Choir of this Chapel, in the same Vault where the Bodies of King _Henry_ VIII. and his last Queen yet remain.

IN this Chapel, besides many of the Knights Companions, repose the Body of King _Hen._ VI. removed from _Chertsey_ Abbey in _Surrey_, deposited under the Uppermost Arch at the South side of the Altar, without any Monument or Inscription, and likewise that of King _Edw._ IV. under a large Stone of Tuch, raised within the opposite Arch, at the North side of the Altar, but without Inscription, having on the outside of his Grave a Range of Steel gilt, to inclose it from the North Isles, cut excellent well in Church-work.

OVER this Arch hung this King’s Coat of Mail, cover’d over with Crimson Velvet, and thereon the Arms of _England_ and _France_ quarter’d and richly embroider’d with Pearl and Gold, interwoven with divers Rubies; which Trophy had remain’d over his Monument ever since his Interment, till plunder’d by Captain _Fogg_, 1642. who at the same time sacrilegiously robb’d the Chapel of all its Altar-Plate.

WITHIN this Chapel were several Chantries endow’d with Lands and other Revenues, for Chaplains and Priests to sing Masses for the Souls of their Founder’s Kindred.

_William_ of _Wickham_, Bishop of _Winchester_, in 3 _Hen._ IV. gave Two Hundred Marks to the Dean and Chapter, to buy Twenty Marks _per Annum_ to maintain one Chaplain.

18 _Ed._ IV. The Feoffees of _Richard_, Duke of _Glocester_, gave the Mannors of _Bentfieldbury_ in _Essex_, _Knapton_ in _Norfolk_, and _Chetlesworth_ in _Suffolk_, for a daily Mass.

22 _Ed._ IV. Sir _Thomas St. Leger_ founded a Chantry of Two Priests, who were to officiate in the middle Chapel on the North Side of the Church; and the said King, by his Will, ordain’d Two Priests to serve at his Tomb, with an Exhibition of Twenty Marks yearly a-piece.

9 _Hen._ VII. There was another Chantry Priest assign’d for _Thomas Pasche_ and _William Hermer_, &c. who was to perform his Office at the Altar on the North Side the new Church.

13 _Hen._ VII. _Margaret_, Countess of _Richmond_, founded a Chantry for Four Chaplains, to celebrate Mass in the East Part of the new Work of the Chapel.

18 _Hen._ VII. _William_, Lord _Hastings_, founded a Chantry for One Priest, on the North Side of the Choir, about the middle whereof this Lord lies.

21 _Hen._ VII. _Charles Somerset_, Lord _Herbert_, (afterwards Earl of _Worcester_) left a Secular Priest for a daily Mass, _&c._ to be said in the South Chapel dedicated to the Virgin _Mary_, where he lies interr’d. Both these Lords have built Appartments adjoyning for their Chantry Priests, now to be seen and distinguish’d by their Arms, garter’d and cut in Stone over their several Doors.

TO these we shall add the Foundation of the new Commons, erected over against the North Door of the Body of St. _George_’s Chapel, by _James Denton_ one of the Canons, _Anno_ 11 _Hen._ VIII. for the Lodging and Dieting such of the Chantry Priests, Choristers and stipendiary Priests, who had before no certain Place where to hold Commons in, which he furnish’d with all proper Utensils, the Charge amounting to 489 _l._ 7 _s._ 1 _d._ in lieu of which the Choristers were to say certain Prayers when they enter’d the Chapel, commemorate his Death, and pray for his and the Souls of all the Faithful departed.

IN this Chapel of St. _George_ there were heretofore several Anniversaries or Obits held and celebrated, which we pass over. And as it was usual for some of the military Profession to spend the Remains of their Lives in pious Speculations, for their King and Country, and the Salvation of their own Souls, Permission was allow’d to the well-dispos’d _Knights of the Garter_, who retir’d from the Noise and Bustle of the World, to make their Abode there; yet so as to maintain themselves out of their own Revenues. King _Henry_ VIII. ordain’d that the Sovereign should assign them convenient Appartments within the Castle; and the like Favour he granted to other Knights, tho’ not of the Order; but the Lodgings to be such as the Sovereign and Knights Companions should decree: However, we do not find the Knights Companions made use of the Benefit, but only for their better Accommodation at the grand Feast of the Order, _&c._ A Motion was made, 14 _Car._ I. that they might have Lodgings assign’d them in the great Court, which they offer’d to repair at their own Charge, since all the Officers had Conveniencies in the Castle, but the Knights Companions none, which the King did not dissent to, provided it be without Exclusion of the great Officers of State.

§ 3. WITHIN the Chapel of the Castle, erected by King _Henry_ I. was founded a College for Eight Canons, to be maintain’d by an annual Pension out of the Exchequer. King _Edw._ II. founded here a Chantry for Four Chaplains and Two Clerks; as likewise a Chapel in the Park of _Windsor_, under the same Regulation, for Four more Chaplains, whom King _Edw._ III. remov’d and joyn’d to those before settled in the Chapel of the Castle, and built Habitations for their better Accommodation, on the South Side thereof.

THE Foundation we treated of here was confirm’d by Letters Patent, dated at _Westminster_, _Aug._ 6. 22 _Edw._ III. three Quarters of a Year before he erected _The Order of the Garter_, when he laid the Foundation of the ancient Chapel a-fresh, in honour of God, the Virgin _Mary_, St. _George_ and St. _Edward the Confessor_; and ordain’d, that to King _Henry_’s Eight Canons there should be annex’d One Custos, Fifteen more Canons, and Twenty Four Alms-Knights, together with other Ministers, all under the Power of the Custos, and these to be supported out of the Revenues wherewith this Chapel should be endow’d: Upon which Pope _Clement_ VI. 1351. by his Bull directed to the Arch-bishop of _Canterbury_ and Bishop of _Winchester_, approved in part the King’s Intention.

THE next Year the Statutes and Ordinances of the College commenc’d, by Virtue of the Pope’s Authority, the King’s Command, and Consent of the Bishop of _Salisbury_, in whose Diocess the Chapel is situate. By which Statutes, _Winchester_ (one of the Pope’s Delegates) instituted a College, within the Precincts of the Chapel of St. _George_, consisting of one Custos, Twelve Secular Canons, Thirteen Priests or Vicars, Four Clerks, Six Choristers, and Twenty Six Alms-Knights, besides other Officers.

DEAN.

§ 4. THE first Custos was _John de la Chambre_, constituted Nov. 14. 22 _Edw._ III. to whom succeeded _William Mugg_, on the 18th of June following: Which _Mugg_ is the first, if the Institution of the College bears Date by Papal, and not Kingly Authority. After him were others that were call’d by the same Title; till the last Year of King _Henry_ IV. when _Thomas Kingston_ was presented by the Name of Dean; and his Successor, _John Arundel_, observing divers Endowments granted to the College alternately, by the Name of Custos, Dean and Custos, or lastly of Dean only; and doubting this Variation of Titles in Time might bring Inconveniences upon the Foundation, petition’d the Parliament, 8 _Hen._ VI. whereupon the King, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal, granted that the said _John_ should be _Custos sive Decanus_ for Life, and his Successors _Custodes sive Decani_, Wardens or Deans of the Free Chapel of St. _George_, within the Castle of _Windsor_; and that the Custos, or Dean and Canons thereof, and their Successors, by that Appellation, should have and hold, to them and their Successors for ever, all Lands, Tenements, _&c._ Liberties, _&c._ devolv’d upon the College at any Time before: So that here was a kind of new Incorporation, by the Title of Custos, or Deans and Canons only; at least this was a great Step to compleat the Privilege they after enjoy’d, when thro’ the Interest of _Richard Beauchamp_, Bishop of _Salisbury_, then also Dean of _Windsor_, and Chancellor of the Order, King _Edw._ IV. by Letters Patent dated _Dec._ 6. in the 19th Year of his Reign, model’d them by the Name of Dean and Canons of the Free Chapel of St. _George_ within the Castle of _Windsor_, one Body corporate in Thing and Name, with a perpetual Succession, and capable in Law to purchase, receive and take Lands, _&c._ in Fee and Perpetuity; to have a common Seal, and might plead and be impleaded by that Name; and for better Security, the Letters Patent of Incorporation were, within Three Years after, pass’d into an Act of Parliament now in force.

THE Authority of the Custos or Dean consists in being President over the rest of the College; to govern, direct and order them their Goods and Estates. He has all manner of Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over them, with a Reservation of Power of Appeal to the Chancellor of _England_, who is Visitor of that College.

WHEN any Persons lead Lives inordinate, he with the Chapter (in Cases where no particular Penalty is appointed) may reprehend or correct at Discretion; and in Matters of Discord, shall within Eight Days reconcile the contending Parties, or do Justice. After thrice Admonition, may expel from the College all Sowers of Discord, Backbiters and Whisperers, that are below the Degree of a Canon. And that there be no defect of Government, when the Dean has Occasion to be absent above Eight Days, he shall appoint One of the Canon Residents for his Deputy, in whose absence he has the Title of Lieutenant, and on all Occasions to exercise his Office; for the Statutes allow him Sixty Days in a Year for Non-residence; which space the Royal Visitation, 1552. enlarg’d to One Hundred and Ten Days; and the Lord Chancellor _Hyde_ granted him Liberty of Six Weeks absence. But in the Vacancy of the Custos, the Chapter has all his Power conferr’d on them; which Chapter ought, within Two Days after the Vacancy made known, elect one of the Resident Canons, under the Title of President, to govern the College until they be provided of another Custos.

CANONS.

THE Canons, by the Letters Patent of the first Erection, were appointed to be Twenty Four, including the Custos; but upon the Institution of the College by the Bishop of _Winton_, there was ordain’d, as afore-noted, One Custos, Twelve Secular Canons, and Thirteen Priests or Vicars, in all Twenty Six, compleatly the Number of _The Knights of the Garter_: And for a fuller Distinction between these Canons Secular and the Priests, the first Twelve are, in a Bull of Pope _Innocent_ VIII. nam’d _Majores Canonici_, the others _Minores_, or Petty-Canons. To these Twelve Seculars were assign’d so many Prebendships in the Chapel of St. _George_ (as also Stalls in the Choir and Place in the Chapter) together with that held by the Custos, whence they are frequently styl’d Prebends, and have a sacerdotal Power; for if they are not in full Orders before they are instal’d, they must, within a Year after they have enjoy’d their Prebendship, be ordain’d a Priest, or quit the Benefice.

BY the Bull of Pope _Clement_ VI. the Right of presenting the Canons, Priests, Clerks, Alms-Knights and other Ministers, were reserv’d to the Founder and his Successors; yet we find the first Canons were presented to the Custos, by the Founders of _The Order of the Garter_ _viz._ the Twenty Five first Knights Companions, every one presenting singularly; yet this was but with the Sovereign’s Permission, _Pro hac vice_; and that none of them should be entitled to it hereafter but the Sovereign alone. And because it might the more effectually be observ’d, the Custos was oblig’d upon every Canon’s Death, to signify the same to the Sovereign, that he might pitch on One to succeed; which being nominated, he is approved, instituted, and instal’d, by the Custos or Dean, to whom he swears Canonical Obedience, and Observance of the Statutes.

THE principal Duty of these Canons (and of all the other Ministers of the College) is continually to attend upon the Service of God in the Chapel of St. _George_; and the Statutes run upon each Day’s Omission of a Canon Resident, to be mulcted his _quotidian_ Distribution 12 _d._ And tho’ we find no License of Non-Residence granted them by their Founder, yet there is mention of Canons Resident and Non-Resident, for whom great Defalcations are appointed to be made, to prevent such Neglects, because the residentiary Canons bear not only the Burden of that Duty belonging to the Chapel, but the Expence of Hospitality and other Works of Charity, occasion’d from their residing at _Windsor_.

_Richard Beauchamp_, Bishop of _Salisbury_, obtain’d Power from _Sextus_ IV. to make new Statutes, and dispens’d with the old Ones; and in 1478. he gave to the Dean and every Canon Fourteen Days of Non-Residence in every Term, to wit, Fifty Six Days in the Year. By the Visitation, 1552. they obtain’d a Dispensation for Eighty Days; and the Lord Chancellor _Hatton_ yet gave them a further Permission to Two Hundred and Two Days, which the Lord Chancellor _Hyde_ confirm’d; so that there remains One Hundred and Sixty Three Days in the Year, in which the Canons ought to be resident with Hospitality, to be consonant to their Statutes.

THE Canons are particularly oblig’d to pray for the Sovereign, and for the happy Estate of the Order. If any Knight Companion, or other Person, should bestow Ten Pounds _per Annum_, in order to be Partaker of the Prayers appointed for the Benefactors of the College, his Name was to be inscribed amongst them, and he also prayed for. Which Article, tho’ King _Hen._ V. confirmed, yet with this Restriction, it should not be admitted without the Consent of the Sovereign, or the Knights-Companions of the Order. 4 _Edw._ VI. some one of them were enjoyned to commemorate the Benefactors in a Discourse upon the _Tuesday_ next after the third _Sunday_ in _Lent_, and on the first _Tusedays_ in _June_, _September_ and _December_, and not only to set forth the Munificence of the Founder, and of King _Hen._ VIII. but of all others, so as to excite their Auditors to an Emulation, in the Increase of Religion, and setting forth of God’s Glory.

THE civil Obligations of these Canons are to attend the Sovereign (or his Deputy) and the Knights Companions at their grand Feast, and at the Feasts of the Installation, or when the Sovereign or Knights Companions shall come to the Chapel of St. _George_ upon a Religious Account. On those solemn Days, over their Ecclessastical Habit they wear a Murrey Mantle, (at this Day a Taffaty Robe, in Fashion like the three inferior Officers of the Order) with the Arms of St. _George_ arched within a Rundle on the Right Shoulder.

PETTY CANONS.

Those now call’d Petty Canons in the Patent of Foundation went undistinguish’d with the _Canones Majores_: only in the Bull of Pope _Clement_ VI. to the Archbishop of _Canterbury_ and Bishop of _Winton_, for instituting the College, they are called _Presbyteri_; and by the said Bishop in the very Words of his Statutes, _Presbyteri seu Vicarii_, by which last Name they are styl’d at the first Erection of the Garter. Their Number was originally Thirteen, only King _Henry_ the VIIIth’s _English_ Statutes mention Eight petty Canons, besides Thirteen Vicars, (but the _Latin_ takes Notice only of Thirteen Priests, some called _Canonici Minores_, others _Vicarii_.) _Ann._ 1. _Edw._ VI. Twelve Priests were appointed, and named Petty Canons, that is, Four to be added to the Eight mention’d in the Statute of King _Henry_ VIII. Yet in Queen _Elizabeth_’s Ordinances for the continual Charge, the Petty Canons thereby provided for are Thirteen, agreeable to the ancient Number of Vicars; but at this Day they are reduced to Seven, and one of them Subchanter.

The Vicars at their Admission are bound to be Priests, at least Deacons, and at the next Ordination they must commence Priests. Their Statutes oblige them to continual Residence; and if absent from Matins or from the grand Mass, they are amerced 2 _d._ and for every Canonical Hour, the Mass of the Virgin _Mary_, or for the Defunct, a Penny: All which Forfeitures were to be deducted out of their Sallary, and divided among those Vicars that duly attend these Duties. But the Statutes 1 _Edw._ VI. state the Forfeit of Absence from Matins to be one Half-penny, and the like from Procession, Communion or Even-Song, to be paid to the Poor’s Box. And not only they, but all other Ministers of the Chapel, if they leave the College above Twenty Days, without Reasons sufficiently approved of by the Residentiary Canons; or any of the Society that lead a vicious or scandalous Life, after the Fact manifestly proved before the _Custos_, are to be expelled; but an Absence less than Twenty Days, without Leave granted, is punishable at Discretion.

Each Vicar enjoy’d at first an annual Pension of 8 _l._ paid after this Manner, _viz._ every Kalendar Month 8 _s._ for their Diet, and at the Expiration of every Quarter Day the Surplus was consign’d for other Necessaries they stood in need of. King _Ed._ IV. encreased their Pensions to Twenty Marks a-piece; to which Queen _Elizabeth_ (they being then called Petty Canons) advanced 13 _s._ and 4 _d._ _per Annum_ to each out of the Lands confirm’d on the College by King _Ed._ VI. and now their yearly Sallaries are encreas’d to Thirty Pounds. Out of these Petty Canons is elected a Subchanter, (and commonly the same Person is the Dean’s Vicar) who has the Cure of Souls, marries and buries, _&c._

CLERKS.

For the Service of the Choir at the Foundation were allotted Four Clerks, one whereof was to be instituted a Deacon, and another a Sub-deacon before their Admission, and these two were design’d (upon Vacancy) to the Vicars Places. But for the other Two, Institution into lesser Orders, in which they were to continue, were sufficient. Each of the Two first sort had Eight Marks _per Ann._ and the other Two but Six. King _Ed._ IV. encreas’d their Number to Thirteen, and allow’d them 10 _l._ _per Ann._ They are mention’d to be Thirteen in _Hen._ VIII’s Statutes. 1 _Ed._ VI. they were encreas’d to Fifteen; but here appointed to be Laymen, wearing Surplices in the Choir, each having the same Allowance. 4 _Ed._ VI. a Model was proposed to augment the Number of these Fifteen Clerks to Twenty. But in the Reign of Queen _Elizabeth_ they were again reduced to Thirteen, as at this present they remain, (one of them as Organist hath a double Clerk’s Place, and consequently reckon’d for Two) and an Augmentation to each of 2 _l._ 13 _s._ 4 _d._ three Farthings yearly; which being at first opposed by the Dean and Prebends, they at length (5 _Eliz._) consented to allow them 40 _s._ _per Ann._ a-piece, not out of the new Lands, but out of other Payments which the Dean and Chapter should otherwise receive; and 1662. they encreased their annual Pensions to 23 _l._ a-piece. They are obliged to be present in the Choir at Divine Service as well as the Petty Canons, and under the same Forfeitures; nor may they or the Petty Canons go out of Town above Three at once, lest the Choir should be left unprovided.

CHOIRISTERS.

For the Service of the Choir were appointed Six Choiristers, and they to be of the Clerical Order at their Admission; to each of which was allow’d Five Marks _per Ann._ And as the Deacon and Sub-deacon were plac’d in the College only in Addition to the Vicars, and design’d to succeed them in their Vacancies; so also were there Six secular Children, endued with clear tuneable Voices, to succeed the Choiristers, when they perceiv’d a Roughness or Alteration in their Voices. King _Ed._ IV. encreas’d the Number of Choiristers to Thirteen, and allow’d them annually Six Marks a-piece, and which was again confirm’d by King _H._ VIII’s Statutes. Yet the Injunction of 1 _Ed._ VI. reduced them to Ten; but Queen _Elizabeth_ establish’d the former Number, and gave in Augmentation among them all of 3 _l._ 11 _s._ 8 _d._ They are now reduced to Eight, and their present Exhibition is 12 _s._ _per_ Month.

§. 5. The Alms Knights we shall treat of in a threefold Estate: 1. Under the Foundation; 2. When disjointed thence by Act of Parliament; and, 3. As established anew by Queen _Elizabeth_.

1. THEN, King _Edward_ III. out of the great Regard he had to military Honour, and those who had bravely behav’d themselves in his Wars, yet after chanced to fall in decay, made a Provision for their Relief and comfortable Subsistence in old Age, by providing for them in this his Foundation, and making a Coalition in one joint Body with the Custos and Canons; these he call’d _Milites Pauperes_, and we Poor or Alms-Knights. The stated Number at first were Twenty Four, equal to the Custos and Canons at the first Erection. But shortly after, upon his instituting the Order of the _Garter_, Two more were added (as there was to the first Canons) to make the compleat Number of the Knights-Companions of that Order, which were Twenty Six, as we find stated at the Ordination of the College by the Bishop of _Winchester_, the Pope’s Delegate.

THE Intention of the Founder was for those that were real Objects of Charity, as he describes them, _viz._ poor Knights, infirm in Body, indigent and decay’d, or as the Statutes of the _Garter_ qualifies them, such as thro’ adverse Turns of Fortune were reduced to that Extremity that they had not wherewithal to sustain themselves, to live so genteelly as was suitable for a Military Condition, which for greater Caution was reiterated in the Statutes of King _Hen._ V. King _Hen._ VIII. and in the Orders of Queen _Elizabeth_; for it was express’d, in case any Estate of 20 _l._ _per Annum_ devolved on them, such Knights were to be discharged the College, and they were to proceed to a new Election.

AT the first each Knight-Companion of the Order presented his Alms-Knight, but ever after their Election was to be at the Disposal of the Sovereign. Their Habit was a Red Mantle, with the Escutcheon of St. _George_, without any Garter to surround it. Their Exhibition, after their first Election was 12 _d._ a-piece every Day they were at Service in the Chapel, or resident in the College, besides 40 _s._ _per Annum_ for other Contingencies, it being the stated Allowance appointed to each of the Canons Residents.

ABOUT the Beginning of King _Hen._ VI’s Reign, their _quotidian_ Distributions and Annual 40 _s._ had been unpaid upon the Account of some Dissentions risen between them and the Dean and Canons; but upon Complaint of _John_ Bishop of _York_, Lord Chancellor of _England_, and Visitor of the College, 10 _Hen._ VI. they were redressed, and their Arrears of both discharged, without any Deduction, and likewise obtained this Clause, That if the Treasurer of the College became negligent in future Payments, he should lose his own _Quotidians_, from the Time of his voluntary Omission, and the same to be divided among the Alms-Knights. Their Duty was to pray for the Sovereign and the Knights Companions, to be every Day present at High Mass, the Masses of the Virgin _Mary_, at Vespers and Compline, and in default to be mulcted their 12 _d._ _toties quoties_, which was to be converted to the Use of the other Alms-Knights, then residing in the Castle of _Windsor_; notwithstanding which Decree, the Dean did afterwards break in upon them, and disposed of these Forfeitures at his Pleasure, till 2 _Rich._ II. _Adam_, Bishop of St. _David_’s, then Chancellor of _England_, and Visitor of the College, redress’d it, and another Complaint of like Nature being made of the Deans disposing of Donations and other Liberalities of the Knights Companions in wrong of the Alms-Knights, this Chancellor decreed an equal Distribution between the Alms-Knights and Canons, till the King and Council should otherwise determine.

These and other Differences between the Dean and Canons and Alms Knights, grew up to that height, that they became irreconcileable, insomuch as in the Act of Parliament, 22 _Edw._ IV. for incorporating of the Custos and Canons, by the Name of Dean and Canons, the Alms-Knights were not only omitted; but this Clause inserted, _That the Dean and Canons, and their Successors, should for ever more be utterly quit and discharged from all manner of Exhibition or Charge of or for any of the said Knights_. And this under the Cover, That the King has greatly augmented the Number of the Ministers of the Chapel, that the Revenue was insufficient to maintain both them and the Alms-Knights; but in the Dean and Canons Answer to the Knights Petition to repeal this Act, the Cause is alledged, For that some of these Knights used their utmost Endeavours before this Act, to incorporate themselves, and to be exempt from the Obedience and Rule of the Dean and Canons.

AFTER this Act, which struck off their Quotidian Portions and Fees assigned by King _Edward_’s Foundation, how the Alms Knights subsisted we find not; but so soon as King _Hen._ VII. came to the Crown, they petitioned the King and Parliament for Repeal of the Act, 22 _Edw._ IV. and alledged it was obtained without their Knowledge, or being called thereunto, which Plea availed not at all; but on the contrary, the Dean and Canons, some Years after, got an Exemplification thereof under the great Seal, dated _Feb._ 4. 18 _Hen._ VII.

AND it is very evident from King _Hen._ VIII’s Letter to the College, that what they did in this Nature after this Act commenced, was merely upon Courtesie; for he returns them Thanks for a Pension of Twenty Marks conferred upon _Peter Narbone_, whom he had recommended to an Alms-Knights Place, and Promises to burthen them no more with Requests of this sort, but that he would settle Lands for their Maintenance. So great was their Caution, _Narbone_ was by Covenants indented between him and the Dean and Canons, to relinquish his Pension upon that King’s settling Lands on the College, for the Provision of such Knights. In the Interval between the Disunion of the College and Alms-Knights, to their Establishment by Queen _Elizabeth_, their Habit and Badge continued the same, and was so confirmed by _Hen._ VIII’s Statutes. It may be collected by his last Will, there was an Intention to draw the _Garter_ about the Escutcheon of St. _George_, which Projection came to nothing, and expired. In this Interval it is observ’d that several Persons of considerable Rank and Distinction became Alms-Knights; some of which were rendred great Objects of Charity; among which Number was Sir _Robert Champlayne_, a valiant Knight, an Honour to our Nation, for his renowned and martial Services abroad. He was of King _Henry_ VI’s Party in the Civil Wars against King _Edw._ IV. Immediately after whose coming to the Crown he left _England_, and travelled into _Hungary_, (with an Equipage of Three Servants and Four Horses) where in the Assistance of _Mathous Corvinius_ King of _Hungary_ against the _Turks_, he behaved himself very gallantly; but prosperous Fortune not always attending him with Success, he receiv’d many Wounds; and at length was taken Prisoner, lost all, and forced to pay 1500 Ducats for his Ransom; for the Attestation of which he had the Great Seals of the King of _Hungary_, the Archbishop of _Crete_, Legate _de Latere_ in _Hungary_, the Emperor of _Germany_, the King of _Sicily_, the Count _Palatine_ of the _Rhine_, and the Duke of _Burgundy_; and lastly, a Declaration thereof under the Privy Seal of King _Edw._ IV. And being reduced to so low an Ebb of Fortune, he was, thro’ _Hen._ VII’s Favour, admitted an Alms-Knight.

But some obtained Admittance, probably out of Devotion, rather than Poverty, as _Thomas Hulme_, _Clarenceux_ King of Arms, _Temp. Edw._ IV. _Lodowick Carly_, the King’s Physician, and _John Mewtes_, Secretary of the _French_ Tongue, both _Temp. Hen._ VII. and _Bartholomew Westby_ made second Baron of the _Exchequer_, 1 _Hen._ VIII.

IT is evident King _Hen._ VIII. designed a Re-establishment of half the ancient Number of Alms-Knights, _viz._ Thirteen; for which purpose he appointed by his Will 600 _l._ _per Annum_, in Mannors, Lands, and Spiritual Promotions, settled upon the Dean and Canons, and their Successors for ever, upon the Proviso’s that they should find Two Priests to say Mass at his Tomb, to commemorate yearly Four Obits for him, and at every Obit distribute 12 _l._ in Alms, likewise to pay 12 _d._ a Week to those Thirteen Alms-Knights, who were to have once a Year a long Gown of White Cloth, and a Mantle of Red, besides Five Marks annually, to such one among them as should be constituted their Governor, and so much for a Sermon every _Sunday_ throughout the Year. In Performance of which Will, King _Edw._ VI. in the first Year of his Reign, did confer several Lands upon the College; but 600 _l._ _per Annum_ of these Rents were by the Dean and Canons paid back, to be employed on erecting of Houses for the Alms-Knights, intended to be settled by King _Hen._ VIII. This Work began not till the 3d and 4th of _Philip_ and _Mary_, and was finished the 5th and 6th of their Reign, the Charge amounting to 2747 _l._ 7 _s._ 6 _d._ These Houses are situate on the South side of the Lower Ward of the Castle, and contain Thirteen Rooms, besides an Hall, a Kitchin, and a Pastry; the Stone was brought from _Reading_, the Timber from the Forest, and the Lead, and Apparels for the Chimnies, from _Suffolk Place_ in _Southwark_. At a Chapter of the _Garter_, held the 1st of _June_, the 4th and 5th of _Philip_ and _Mary_, the Houses being then near finished, a Debate arose about placing some Alms-Knights therein, if possible, by _Michaelmas_ following, whereupon the Marquiss of _Winton_, Lord-Treasurer, had Orders to assign Lands for their Maintenance; and towards the compleating of this the Queen had nominated Nine of the Thirteen designed; but falling sick in _August_, a stop was put to the Affair, till Queen _Elizabeth_ coming to the Crown confirmed her Sister’s Grants to the Nine nominated Knights, and made up the Number full Thirteen, ordained by King _Henry_ VIII. under which Establishment they still remain; for afterwards, _viz._ _Aug._ 30. in the first Year of her Reign, minding the Continuance of King _Edward_’s Foundation, the Intent of her Progenitors, and Advancement of the Order of the _Garter_, and King _Henry_ VIII’s Will, for the Support of Thirteen poor Men decayed in Wars, to be called Thirteen Knights of _Windsor_; and having erected certain Orders for their better Regulation, and declar’d how and in what manner the 600 _l._ given by her Father should be employ’d for the Maintenance of these Knights and their Successors, she lastly declared, That the Dean and Canons should for ever cause these Rules and Orders to be observed.

_Impr._ That there be Thirteen Poor Knights, all Gentlemen, one whereof to be Governour, that have spent their Time in the Wars, or other Service of the Realm, having little or nothing to live upon, to be elected by the Sovereign and Successors.

2. _It._ The Governour and Knights must be unmarried, yet that the Crown may dispence withal; and upon their marrying are to lose their Place.

3. _It._ None deformed, and convicted of Heresie, Felony, or any notable Crime, is to be admitted of the Thirteen, and after admittance, so convicted, to be expelled.