Chapter V: Part 5

4. _It._ Each Knight to have yearly, for their Liveries, a Red Gown of Four Yards, and a Mantle of Blue or Purple of Five Yards, at 6 _s._ and 8 _d._ _per_ Yard.

5. _It._ An Escutcheon of St. _George_ embroidered without the _Garter_, to be upon the Left Shoulder of the Mantle.

6. _It._ The Charges of the Cloth, Lining, Making, and Embroidering, to be paid by the Dean and Chapter, out of the Revenue of the Foundation.

7. _It._ That the Knights attend, Morning and Afternoon, Divine Service, within the College, in their ordinary Apparel, without a reasonable Let to be allowed by the Governour.

8. _It._ That they keep their Lodgings appointed, and Table in a common Hall appointed, and to have their Provisions by a common Purse, except for a reasonable Cause any be licensed to the contrary by the Dean, and that License not to endure above Twenty Days in a Year, excepting only for Sickness.

9. _It._ They are not to haunt the Town, nor Publick Houses, nor call any Woman into their Lodgings, without reasonable Cause and License of the Dean.

10. _It._ Twelve of them to be obedient to him appointed to be Governour, and all Thirteen to the Dean and Chapter, in the Observation of these Statutes.

11. _It._ The Thirteen Knights to have Places within the Church, where the Dean and Canons shall think best to hear the Divine Service together.

12. _It._ To be present at the quarterly Service, for the Memory of the Patrons and Founder of the College, and especially of King _Hen._ VIII. and Queen _Elizabeth_, and have each of them, at that Time, 20 _d._ and the Governour 2 _s._ The said Service to be the _Sundays_ next before the Quarter-days, the _Annunciation_, St. _John Baptist_, _Michaelmas_, and _Christmas_.

13. _It._ Any of the Twelve Knights disobeying the Governour, in any of these Statutes, to incur the Forfeiture the Dean and Chapter shall put on him, the Governour to report the Offence, which if more heinous, the Dean and Chapter are to give a Warning, and register the same, and after a second Warning Expulsion is to follow; the like Punishment to the Governour, disobeying the Dean and Chapter in the Observation of these Statutes.

14. _It._ The Penalties of the Punished to be imployed by the Dean and Chapter at their Discretion, upon any of the Ministers or Choristers of the Church.

15. _It._ Upon the King or Queen’s coming to or going from _Windsor_, the Thirteen Knights are to stand before their Doors in their Apparel, and do Obedience.

16. _It._ At the keeping of the Feast of St. _George_, they are to stand likewise in their Apparel before their Doors, at the coming and going out of the Lieutenant, and of other the Knights-Companions.

17. _It._ At every Feast of St. _George_ they shall sit together in their Apparel at one Table, and have Allowance of Meat and Drink at the Royal Charges.

18. _It._ They are daily in their Prayers to pray for the Sovereign and the Knights-Companions.

19. _It._ They are always to lie in their Lodging, and upon lying out of them and the College, without License from the Dean, to forfeit 12 _d._

20. _It._ If Lands or Revenues of 20 _l._ _per Annum_ fall to any of the poor Knights, he is to be removed, and another put into his Place.

21. _It._ They are every Day (excepting Cause of Sickness) to be present at Divine Service in the College, as aforesaid, and receive a daily Distribution of 12 _d._ _per_ Day, to be paid them monthly, if it may be, or at least in such sort as the other Ministers of the Chapel be paid; and he that shall absent himself one Day, without leave from the Dean, shall lose his Distribution of 12 _d._

22. _It._ The Governour is to keep a Book, and register, the Absenters, and other Defaulters of the Statutes, whereof he shall deliver one to the Dean, and another to the Steward, or him that payeth the poor Knights, who by Order of the Dean is to make proper Defalcations at the Time of paying them.

23. _It._ The Dean once a Year is to appoint a Day and Hour, at which the poor Knights are to be warned to be present, to hear these Statutes read, and any Knight absenting after that Warning, and without License, is to forfeit 6 _s._ 8 _d._

24. _It._ Any elected poor Knight, before he take any Commodity of his Room, shall take a corporal Oath before the Dean, to be faithful and true to the Crown, and that for the time of their tarrying there to truly observe the Statutes and Ordinances upon the Penalties contain’d in the said Statutes.

THE 25th Article is a Dispensation for those poor Knights chosen before these Statutes, who were not certainly known Gentlemen, yet Men well reported for Honesty, and meet to be relieved; but with an Intent that none hereafter be admitted, unless a Gentleman born, agreeable to the first Order.

The annual Allowance of each, upon this new Establishment, is 18 _l._ 5 _s._ to be paid by the Dean of _Windsor_, (but their Governour has 3 _l._ 6 _s._ and 8 _d._ more) besides their Gown and Mantle mentioned in their Statutes. King _James_ I. doubled this Pension, and made it payable out of the Exchequer quarterly.

To these Thirteen Alms-Knights, _temp. Car._ I. Five more were added, Two of the Foundation of Sir _Peter la Maire_, Knight, and Three of Sir _Francis Crane_, Knight, Chancellor of the Garter; for Sir _Peter_, by his last Will, dated _Jan._ 8. 1631. bequeath’d 1500 _l._ to charitable Uses, to be dispos’d as Sir _Francis_ (who had marry’d his Sister) should think fit, within Four Years after his Death; whereupon Sir _Francis_, determining to erect certain Houses in _Windsor_-Castle, for the dwelling of Five Alms-Knights, design’d the said 1500 _l._ towards that Use, and what was deficient made up at his own Cost, charging his Brother Executor, Sir _Richard Crane_, by his Will, dated _Aug._ 27. 1635. to see the Pile which he had began, finish’d. Sir _Francis_ also bequeath’d 200 _l._ _per Annum_ to be settled in Lands, by his Executors, for the perpetual Maintenance of Five Alms-Knights, after the rate of 40 _l._ _per Annum_ to every one of them; but his Executor growing slack in the Performance, the Work being rather expos’d to Ruin, than forwarded by him; upon Complaints made to the Sovereign and Knights-Companions in Chapter, Orders were issu’d out to quicken him, and a peremptory Letter, dated _Mar._ 7. 1639. to go on with the Work faithfully; which Commands he evading, and bad Times coming on, the Building was totally neglected. Sir _Richard Crane_ afterward dying, by his Will, dated _Sept._ 20. 1645. he appointed that his Mannor of _Carbrooke_ in _Norfolk_, should stand bound for ever for Payment of the said 200 _l._ _per Annum_; whereupon, by Inquisition taken at _Windsor_, _Mar._ 4. 1652. (by Virtue of a Commission upon the Statute _Anno_ 43 _Eliz._ for charitable Uses) the Mannors of _Woodrising_ and _Wesfield_, &c. in _Norfolk_, were found liable to satisfie for building and finishing the said Five Houses, and payment of the 200 _l._ yearly; and further, that the Arrears thereof, from Sir _Francis Crane_’s Death, came at that time to 3200 _l._ some Contest ensu’d in _Chancery_; nevertheless the 200 _l._ _per Annum_ was, _July_ 19. 1655. decreed to be paid out of all the Lands which were Sir _Richard_’s, and the building of the Houses out of his personal Estate. At Two Years Expiration arose that fair Pile of Building, between the Chancellor’s and Garter’s Towers, against the West Wall, in the lower Ward of the Castle, which was begun again and finish’d the next Year; the Expences amounting to 1700 _l._ But for a final End of this Suit, it was decreed, _Jan._ 27. 1659. the Mannor of _Carbrooke_ should stand charg’d with 200 _l._ _per Annum_, payable half-yearly at _Michaelmas_ and _Lady-day_, or within Thirty Days after, for the Maintenance of Five Alms-Knights, together with 30 _l._ yearly for Repairs, payable also then; which annual Sum of 230 _l._ _Anno_ 12 _Car._ II. in a Chapter held at _Whitehall_, _Jan._ 14. the King decreed the Chancellor of the Order, for the Time being, should receive and dispose thereof thus: 200 _l._ _per Annum_ among the Five new Alms-Knights quarterly, at the Four usual Feasts of the Year, and to employ the residue upon Repair of the new Buildings erected for their Lodgings; which Powers were inserted in the Patent for his Office, bearing date the 20th of the same Month. And it was moreover decreed, that these Five Knights should be subject to the same Rules and Government of the Thirteen of Queen _Elizabeth_’s Foundation, and made equal Partakers of the same Privileges, and wear the like Habits.

KING _Charles_ I. taking into Consideration the Donation of Sir _Francis Crane_, which made the Alms-Knights Eighteen, (tho’ they were not yet settled) intended to make up Twenty Six, as they were at the Institution of the Order; to compleat which Design, a Chapter was held at _Whitehall_, _Apr._ 18. 1637. for the Knights-Companions to consider the best Way how the same might be effected, and report their Opinions; but nothing was done thereupon, and this Affair waits a more propitious Opportunity.

§ 6. THE other Ministers of the College and Chapel of St. _George_, call’d _Ministers_ in the Foundation Patent, are the superior Officers, _viz._ The Chantor, Steward and Treasurer.

THE Chantor is elected from among the Canons, whose Office is chiefly to govern those that sing in the Choir, and such as are employ’d about Divine Service. Before the Reformation he appointed who should begin the Antiphones, celebrate Masses, and read the Lessons, Epistles and Gospels. To his Care was committed all the Books, Crosses, Chalices, Vestments, and all the Sacred Ornaments of the Chapel. He receives the Offerings there made, and Accounts for them; for all which Services an annual Pension of 5 _l._ is allow’d him.

THE Steward and Treasurer are annually chosen on the Morrow after _Michaelmas-day_ from out of the Canons Resident. To the Steward’s Office appertains the Government of all the Revenues of the College, the Rents and Profits whereof he is to pay the Treasurer. In his Custody are repos’d all the Ornaments, Jewels, and other Treasure of the Chapel, not committed to the Chantor, under the Obligation of rendring an Account; and his yearly Pension is 5 _l._

THE Treasurer is to distribute to the Custos, Canons, Vicars, _&c._ their Pensions and Allowances, which if he fail Eight Days after their prefix’d Times of Payment, he is debar’d of his own _quotidians_, as Canon Resident, until such Arrears be discharg’d; as likewise the Steward, if he be found delinquent. His Pension is also 5 _l._ _per Annum_. There is one Treasurer to receive the Rents of the old Lands, and another chosen from the Canons to receive the new, who have been allow’d the like annual Pensions. The former is term’d _Seneschallus veteris_, the latter _Seneschallus novæ Dotationis_.

MOREOVER, there is a Steward of the Courts, and Clerk of the Lands, which is an Officer under both the before-mention’d Stewards. He keeps the Courts by himself or Deputy, and is a Barrester at Law, and the standing Council for the College. His yearly Pension is 20 Nobles. But the Council _in Spiritualibus_ is usually a Graduate in the Law.

THE Chapter-Clerk enters and registers all Acts of the Chapter-House; he draws and engrosses all Indentures, Patents, Grants, Leases, _&c._ which pass the common Seal of the Dean and Canons. His Pension is 3 _l._ 6 _s._ 8 _d._ _per Annum_. The Under Stewardship and Chapter Clerkship heretofore were enjoy’d by one Person, but of late they are divided, and now he must be a Barrester at Law.

OF the Virgers Institution the Statutes of the College make mention, that in Procession and other Solemnities, they were to go before the Dean and Canons, bearing their Rods, for which Service they were to have annually a Robe, and 6 _d._ _per Diem_. And besides these, there are Two Sextons, Two Bell-ringers, a Clock-keeper, and a Porter who attends the shutting and opening of the Gates.

§ 7. FOR the Endowment of the College we shall only treat upon those Lands given to the Maintenance of this Foundation by the Founder himself, or by his Successors, or by Sovereigns of _The Order of the Garter_, such as have been Knights-Companions.

KING _Edw._ III. by his Letters Patent of the Foundation [22 _Edw._ III.] aforesaid, gave them [the Custos, Canons, Alms-Knights and Ministers] the Advowsons of the Churches of _Wyardesbury_ [_Rasbury_] in _Lincoln_, _South-Tanton_ in _Exeter_, and _Uttoxater_ in _Coventry_ and _Litchfield_ Diocess, in Frank Almoigne, free from all Secular Exactions; which License, to appropriate the same to the College, notwithstanding the Statute of _Mortmain_, he appointed as much out of his Treasure for their Support, as amounted to an immoveable Estate of 1000 _l._ _per Annum_; and lest there might be any Defect in the Knights Title to _Uttoxater_ and _South-Tanton_, _Henry_ Earl of _Lancaster_, 23 _Edw._ III. and _Thomas Beauchamp_ Earl of _Warwick_, that Year had special Licenses granted them in Right of Patronage to the said Two Advowsons, and they to receive the same. Another such License, 28th of _January_, 24 _Edw._ III. was given to _William de Bohun_ Earl of _Northampton_, for assigning to the Custos and Chaplains the Advowson of _Dodyngton_ in _Com. Oxon_, which he held of the King _in Capite_. The 28th of _January_ following, this Royal Founder conferr’d on them (by the Name of Custos and Chaplains of his free Chapel at _Windsor_) one Messuage, Seventeen Acres of Land, one of Pasture, and 3 _s._ Rent, in _Wyrardesbury_ in _Com. Bucks_, which had been convey’d to him by _Richard de Gloucester_, Heir to _Isabel de Ditton_; and the 22d of _May_ ensuing granted unto them the Advowson of _Dachet_ near _Windsor_.

_Anno_ 25 _Edw._ III. the King gave them the Advowsons of the Churches of _Eure_ in _Com. Bucks_, of _Riston_ in _Com. Norfolk_, and of _Whaddon_ and _Caxton_ in _Com. Cantab._, and in _May_ that Year the Advowson of _Simondesbourne_ (surrender’d _temp. Edw._ IV. to _Richard_ Duke of _Gloucester_) and of St. _Stephens_ of _Saltash_. The first of these Queen _Philippa_ purchas’d of Sir _John Darcy_, and the other of _Edward_ the Black Prince; and gave them both, first to the King, that by his Grant afterwards to the College its Title might be more corroborated. The same Year, _October_ 26. the King bestow’d on them 100 Marks _per Annum_, out of the Farm of the Town of _Northampton_, to be paid by the Bailiff of the Town at _Easter_ and _Michaelmas_ by equal Allotments: And it was at the Founder’s Instance (therefore worthy to be inserted) that the Town of _Yarmouth_, 26 _Edw._ III. under their Common Seal, granted them a Last of Red Herrings yearly, well dry’d and cleans’d, to take the Corporation into their Prayers; tho’ some say it was a Penance enjoyn’d them for murdering a Magistrate.

IN the 26 _Edw._ III. the Founder granted them and their Successors the Mannor of _Eure_ near _Weybrigg_, in _Com. Bucks_, the Mannor of _Craswell_ in _Bray_ in _Com. Berks_, and a Wear call’d _Braybrook_, situated in the _Thames_, with all the Lands in that Parish convey’d unto him by Sir _John Philibert_, together with the Knights Fees, Advowsons, _&c._ belonging to those Mannors. He gave to the Custos and College soon after the Seisin thereof, as also of a Wood call’d _Temple-Wood_ in _Stoke-Pogeys_, convey’d to the King by _John de Molyns_: But deeming all the Lands too small for the End he intended, 28 _Edw._ III. the King granted the Custos and College, by Letters Patent, a Pension of 100 _l._ _per Annum_ out of the Exchequer; and upon the vacating the same, 34 _Edw._ III. he gave them yearly Lands of 101 _l._ 11 _s._ 11 _d._ out of the Possessions of religious Aliens, which fell into his Hands by Occasion of the _French_ Wars: But lest these Possessions should be again restor’d upon a Treaty of Peace, they were to receive the annual Sum of 101 _l._ 11 _s._ 11 _d._ out of the Exchequer, till they were provided of Lands of the like Value. Upon several Restrictions, he granted them 51 _l._ 9 _s._ 9 _d._ yearly to be receiv’d out of 126 _l._ which the Prior of _Takkele_ paid him for the Farm of that Priory, it being then in the King’s Hand by reason of the War with _France_. And by reason the Revenues did not amount to 1000 _l_. _per Annum_, as he design’d at the Foundation, in the 35th Year of his Reign, he granted them so much Money yearly out of the Exchequer, as would make up the Deficiency, till Lands or Rents of that Value should be settled on them. Lastly, 39 _Edw._ III. the Founder bestow’d on them a Piece of Ground in _New Windsor_, (whereon had stood an House of _John_ of _London_) in lieu of the great Garden South of the Castle, formerly given them by him; and also a Garden opposite thereunto on the other side of the Way. Besides these Largesses of the Founders, there were others made by pious and devout Persons, said to be incorporated into the first Foundation, and made up that Revenue which _William_ Bishop of _Winchester_ adjudg’d sufficient for the Support of the College, which we shall silently pass over with the bare mention only.

THE Mannor of _Dodyngton_-Castle; two Pastures call’d _Frith_ and _Ashcroft_; the Chapel of _Langeley_; the Parsonages of _Estriton_, _Langeley-Maries_, _Wantynge_, _Shaldeborne_, _Wedonbeek_, _Glynde_ and _Ryslepe_; the Pensions of the Vicarages of _Wantynge_, _Clyffe_, _Tylthey_ and _Gottesford_; and the Portions of _Bassyngborne_ and _Prestwyke_, in _Haseley_ magna, _Chalgrave_, _Adewelle_, _Aston_, _Rowhand_, _Sevyndon_, _Kyngeston_ and _Henton_, in _Stoke-Basset_, and _Clopecote_ in _Gatehampton_; _Whytechyrche_, _Maplederham_, _Retherfeld_, _Esthenreth Stretham_; of _Thornecroft_ in _Letherhed_; of _Totynbeek_ in _Wodesdon_; _Evington_, _Woodmershthorne_; of _Fordham_, _Ethrope_, _Newenham_, and in _Tollesworth_.

IN succeeding Times other considerable Donations were made by the Sovereigns and Knights Companions (omitting others.) Some of which, as they fall in our way, we shall speak of.

13 _Rich._ II. that King gave them a Croft in _Northmolton_, with the Advowson of that Church.

9 _Hen._ V. _John_, Duke of _Bedford_, third Son to King _Hen._ IV. conferr’d on them the Priory of _Okeborne_ in _Wilts_ (a Cell to _Bec_ in _Normandy_) with all its Appurtenances: Which Donation was confirm’d by King _Hen._ V. and afterwards by King _Edw._ IV.

7 _Edw._ IV. that King, who had a singular Respect for the College, conferr’d on them the Mannor of _Atherston_ in _Com. Warwick_, the Mannors and Advowsons of _Chesingbury_ in _Wilts_, and of _Quarle_ in _Hantshire_; the Church and Priorate of _Uphaven_, and the Deanry or Chapel of St. _Burien_ in _Cornwall_, with an Addition of an annual Pension, which the Abbot of _Sautrie_ discharg’d for the Church of _Fulburne_, to the Abbey _de bona Requie_, and another yearly Income of 20 _l._ paid by the Abbot of _Rousford_ for the Mediety of the Church of _Rotheram_.

13 _Edw._ IV. he consign’d to them the Mannor or Priorate of _Munclane_, in _Com. Hereford_.

14 _Edw._ IV. he gave unto them the Custody, Patronage, and free Disposition of the Hospital or Free Chapel of St. _Anthony_, _London_, (a Preceptory to St. _Anthony_ of _Vienna_, with all the Liberties, Privileges, Lands, _&c._) upon the first Vacancy. The same Year he endow’d them with the Priorate of _Brimsfield_ in _Com. Gloucest._ the Mannor of _Blakenham_ in _Suffolk_; the Priorate of St. _Elene_ in the _Isle of Wight_; the Priorate or Mannor of _Charleton_ in _Wilts_; and all the Lands, _&c._ in _Northmundon_, _Compton_ and _Weleigh_, in _Sussex_ and _Southampton_; the Mannor of _Ponyngton_ and _Widon_ in _Dorset_, together with an annual Pension of 12 Marks, payable by the Priory of _Monte acuto_, with all the Lands, Tenements, Rents, Advowsons, _&c._ annex’d to the said Priorates and Mannors. The same Year he bestow’d on them the Mannor of _Membury_ in _Com. Dorset_; the Lordships of _Preston_ and _Monkesilver_ in _Com. Somerset_; the Advowsons of _Puryton_ and _Wollavington_ in that County, together with the Knights Fees, Advowsons, Profits, Rights, _&c._

18 _Edw._ IV. his Feoffees, the Queen, the Arch-Bishop of _York_, and others seised to the Use of the King, demis’d to them the Mannor of _Wykecombe_, call’d _Bassetsbury_, the Fee-Farm of the Town of _Great Wykecombe_, the Mannor of _Crendon_ in _Com. Bucks_, and the Mannors of _Haseley_ and _Pyrton_ in _Com. Oxon_: And that Year the King gave unto them the Advowson of the Church of _Cheshunt_, being of his own Patronage, provided the Vicarige was sufficiently endow’d, and a compleat Sum of Money annually distributed among the poor Parishioners, according to the Diocesan’s Ordinance. To these he united the Custody or Deanry of the Free Chapel of _Wolverhampton_ in _Com. Staff_. to the Custos or Dean of this College, and his Successors for ever; which Church, _cum membris_, is exempt from not only the Jurisdiction, _&c._ of the Bishop of _Litchfield_ and _Coventry_, but by a Papal Bull from all Legates and Delegates; nor is it subject to any terrene Power, but the King of _England_ alone, and under it to the perpetual Visitation of the Keepers of the Great Seal, _pro tempore_.

20 _Edw._ IV. he resign’d to them the Advowson or Patronage of the Prebend of _Ewern_ in _Com. Dorset_, with all its Rights and Privileges: And lastly, in the 21st Year of his Reign, he granted them Two Parts of the Mannors of _Old Swynford_ and _Gannow_, in _Com. Wygorn_. and the Reversion of the Third Part of them, with the Advowson of the Church of _Old Swynford_; nor was he thus munificent alone, but excited and spurr’d on others to the like Example, licensing, in the first Year of his Reign, all his Subjects to confer what they pleas’d to the Dean and Canons, within the Value of 300 Marks _per Annum_, as well such as held of him _in Capite_ or otherwise, notwithstanding the Statute of _Mortmain_; and afterwards increas’d this License to Lands of 500 _l._ _per Annum_ Value, (which King _Hen._ VIII. extended to 1000 _l._) Hereupon, _Anno_ 20 _Edw._ IV. _John_, Duke of _Suffolk_, and _Elizabeth_ his Wife, the King’s Sister, were permitted to assign to them the Mannor or Lordship of _Grovebury_, otherwise call’d _Leighton Busard_, in _Com. Bedford_, the Church of _Tintagell_ in _Cornwall_, as also Nineteen Messuages, Seven Tofts, One Hundred and Forty Acres of Land, Fourteen of Meadow, One Hundred and Forty of Pasture, One Hundred of Wood, and Four Shillings Rent in _Newford_ and _Blanford_, in _Com. Dorset_, and Seventy Messuages, Twelve Tofts, Five Hundred Acres of Land, One Hundred of Meadow, Two Hundred of Pasture, Forty of Wood, and Twenty Shillings Rent, in _Stokeley_, _Northall_, _Edelesburgh_ and _Rodenach_, in _Com. Bucks_, and Twenty Messuages, Eight Tofts, Three Hundred Acres of Land, Sixty of Meadow, Two Hundred of Pasture, Forty of Wood, and Twenty Shillings Rent, in _Compton St. John_, in _Com. Sussex_, and Ten Messuages, Nine Tofts, Two Hundred Acres of Land, Twenty of Meadow, One Hundred of Pasture, Ten of Wood, and Twenty Shillings Rent, in _Portsmouth_ and _Burghegge_, in _Hampshire_, and One Messuage, Three Tofts, Sixty Acres of Land, Six of Meadow, Forty of Pasture, and Twenty Shillings Rent, in _Stodeham_, in _Com. Hertford_, held of the King _in Capite_, without any Restriction whatsoever, for which the Duke and Dutchess were to be had in the perpetual Orisons of the Dean and Canons. The same Year Sir _Walter Devoreux de Feners_, Knight, together with Sir _John Devoreux_ and others his Feofees, made over to them the Mannor, Church, and perpetual Advowsons of _Sutton Courtney_ in _Com. Berks_.

All the before-mentioned Endowments are called the Lands of the old Dotation, to distinguish them from those confirmed on the College by King _Edw._ VI. which are term’d the Lands of the new Dotation; of which hereafter. But several of them given by King _Edw._ IV. the College never possessed, _viz._ _Atherston_, _Quarle_, _Uphaven_, _St. Burien_, _Fulburne_ Pension, _Brimfield_, _St. Elen_, _Charleton_, _Blakenham_, _Ponyngton_, _Wedon_, _Old Swynford_, and _Gannow_, and of some others they were seized but a short time, _viz._ _Chesingbury_, the Lands in _Newford_, _Blandford_, and _Portsmouth_. Besides these, the College was dispossess’d of _Gottesford_, _temp. Hen._ VI. of _Cheshunt_, _temp. Hen._ VII. _temp. Hen._ VIII. or a little before of _Wodemershthorn_, _Tylthey_, _Retherfeld_, _Levyngdon_, _Stoke-Basset_, _Stretham_, _Totingbeek_, _Fordham_, _Elthorp_, _Newenham_, and _Tollesworth_; afterwards they surrendred into the Hands of King _Hen._ VIII. _Eure_, _Clyff_, _Ashton_, _Rowhand_, _Kingston_, _Esthenreth_, _Northmundon_, _Compton_, _Weleg_, _Compton St. John_, and _Shobingdon_ Portion; and upon the _Reformation_ the College lost at least 1000 Marks _per Annum_, in the Profit made by St. _Anthony_’s Piggs, which the Appropriation of the Hospital of St. _Anthony_’s _London_ brought to it, and no less then 500 _per Annum_, the Offerings of Sir _John Shorne_’s Shrine at _Northmarston_ in _Com. Bucks_, a Man of great Piety and Veneration with the People, and sometime Rector there. The Advowson of this Church was appropriated to the Dean and Canons, by the Convent of _Dunstaple_, _temp. Edw._ IV. in exchange for _Wedenbeck_ in _Com. Bedford_.

THE Dean and Canons having convey’d unto K. _H._ VIII. the Mannor and Rectory of _Ivor_ in _Bucks_, the Mannor of _Dammery-Court_ in _Dorset_, and other Lands, Rents, Portions, and Pensions in the Counties of _Somerset_, _Hants_, _Middlesex_, _Oxford_, and _Sussex_, to the yearly Value of 160 _l._ 2 _s._ 4 _d._ for which they had no Recompence in his Life, that King, by his last Will, ordered them an Equivalent upon the Commutation and Agreement of an Exchange; which Will, King _Edw._ VI. his Son and Successor performed, as well for the Assurance of Lands, to the yearly Value of 600 _l._ to the Dean and Canons for ever, to the Uses in the Will, as for the Assurance of other Lands, of the annual Value of the said 160 _l._ 2 _s._ and 4 _d._ wherefore by Letters Patent, dated the 7th of _October_, in the First Year of his Reign, he granted them the Rectories of _Bradnynche_, _Northam_, _Iplepen_, _Ilsington_, and _Southmolton_ in _Com. Devon_, the Tithe of Corn of _Otery_, in that County, as also _Blossoms-Inn_ in St. _Laurence-lane_, _London_, the Tithes of Grain, _&c._ of the Rectory of _Ambrosbury_, in _Wilts_, and all the Tithes of _Bedwyn_, _Stoke_, _Wilton_, _Harden_, _Harden-Tunrige_, _Knoll_, _Pathall_, _Chisbury_, _East-Grafton_, _West-Grafton_, _Grafton-Martin_, and _Wexcomb_, the Prebend of _Alcannyngs_ and _Urchefounte_, the Rectories of _Urchefounte_, _Stapleford_, _Tytcombe_, and _Froxfeild_, all in _Com. Wilts_, and all the annual Pension of 8 _l._ issuing out of the Manner of _Icombe_ in _Com. Gloucester_, the Rectory and Vicarige of _Ikelington_ in _Cambridgeshire_, the Rectory of _East-Beckworth_ in _Surrey_, the Reversion of the Portion of Tithes of _Trequite_ in _Cornwall_, and the Rent of 13 _s._ 4 _d._ reserved upon the same, the Rectory and Church of _Plympton_, and the Chapels of _Plymstoke_, _Wembury_, _Shagh_, _Sandford-Spone_, _Plympton_, _St. Maurice_ and _Brixton_, in _Com. Devon_, the Rectory of _Isleworth_ and _Farickenham_ in _Com. Middlesex_, and _Shiplake_ in _Com. Oxon_, the Reversion of the Rectory of _Aberguille_, and of the Chapels of _Llanlawet_ [_Llanbadock_] and _Llanpenysaunt_, with the Rent of 30 reserved thereon, the Reversions of the Rectory of _Talgarth_, with the reserved Rent of 11 _l._ 6 _s._ 8 _d._ the Reversion of the Rectory of _Mara_ in _Com. Brecknock_, and 6 _l._ Rent, and that of St. _Germains_ in _Cornwall_, with 61 _l._ 13 _s._ and 4 _d._ Rent, to have and to hold, _&c._ forever, except the Tithes of _Woolpat_ and _Fitzwaren_ in _Wilts_, the Vicarige-House of _Ikelington_, Marriage-Money, Dirge-Money, and Mass-Money, and the whole Profit of the Bedrolls of _Ikelington_; nevertheless to pay the Crown in the Court of _Augmentation_, for the Rectories of _Aberguille_, _Talgarth_ and _Mara_, the Chapels _Llanbadock_ and _Llanpenysaunt_ 4 _l._ 2 _s._ 8 _d._ in the Name of Tenths, and for all Rents, Services, _&c._ of the other Rectories, _&c._ 48 _l._ 7 _s._ 4 _d._ annually at _Michaelmas_. Moreover, within all these Premises, the King granted them Court Leets, or Views of Frankpledge, and to levy Fines, Amerciaments, Free Warrens, Waifs, and Felons Goods, and all other Profits, _&c._ whatsoever, and the said Rectories, Tithes, Pensions, Rents, and all other Gifts and Grants in the Possession of the Dean and Chapter, were confirmed to them by Act of Parliament, 2 _Jac._ I.

THE ancient Rate of these New Lands in the King’s Books was 661 _l._ 6 _s._ and 8 _d._ _per Annum_; but according to the improved Rents, as they were then turned over to the College, 812 _l._ 12 _s_. 9 _d._ out of which 160 _l._ 2 _s._ 4 _d._ was yearly allowed them in Requital of their Lands passed to King _Hen._ VIII. and 600 _l._ _per Annum_, for accomplishment of his Will; but the remaining Sum, _viz._ 52 _l._ 10 _s._ 5 _d._ was reserved in lieu of Tenths, to be paid into the Court of _Augmentation_; nevertheless, this last reserved Sum was not assented unto by the Dean and Canons to be so paid, because the Charges issuing out of the Lands were larger than were expressed in the Rental. And we find that, shortly after, the Rents of St. _Germains_, _Northam_, _Ilsington_, &c. part of the New Lands, were received and accounted for, according to the old Rate in the King’s books, to wit, 162 _l._ 13 _s._ 4 _d._ _per Annum_, in Recompence for the Lands conveyed to King _Hen._ VIII. and out of which they paid a yearly Surplusage of 2 _l._ 2 _s._ 1 _d._ This Sum, together with the Rents of the rest of the New Lands, being upon the said Improvement accounted to be 597 _l._ 17 _s._ 11 _d._ made in all 600 _l._ _per Annum_; and this was laid out by the Dean and Canons for some time towards erecting the Alms-Knights Apartments.

THUS stood the Lands accounted for till the Settlement made by Queen _Elizabeth_, who in the First Year of her Reign appointed the Dean and Canons to convert the Rents of these New Lands to such Uses and Intents as she had set down in a Book signed with her Sign manual, and annexed to an Indenture made between her and the Dean and Canons; by which Indenture they were obliged to apply the Rents and Profits of these Lands, as was prescribed in the Book, and to observe the Ordinances therein, and upon Default, to abide such Orders as the Crown, or any Knight-Companion, deputed by the Sovereign, shall set forth.

_l._ _s._ _d._
In this Book the Total of the Revenue}
reckon’d at the ancient Value } 661 06 08

The Annual Charge and Disbursements }
therein set down } 430 19 06

And so Remains 230 07 02

Which Remainder has been and is assigned for Payment of Tenths to the Crown, Vicars, Curates, Annual Stipends, Officers Fees, Reparation of the Premisses, and for the Relief of the Dean and Canons, in Maintenance and Defence of the said Lands.

AND to the End the Queen might know how the Revenue was disposed of, she gave charge that her Lieutenant and the Knights-Companions should annually (at the Feast of the Order held at _Windsor_) state the Accompt, and see how the Income was expended, and that her Lieutenant should yearly be put in mind of it by one of the Officers of the Order. This Ordinance was renewed, 21 _Jac._ I. and the Chancellor of the Order was appointed to be the Remembrancer, and in Obedience thereunto, the Account of these new Lands (which begins at _Lady-Day_, as that of the old Lands doth at _Michaelmas_) was afterwards exhibited in Chapter, and in particular that Account, 9 _Car._ I. which was submitted to the Sovereign and Knights-Companion’s Consideration, who referred the Inspection thereof to the Knights-Commissaries, who were to consult over the Affairs of the Order.

§. 8. THE Privileges of the Chapel and College are Ecclesiastical and Temporal: As to the first, Pope _Clement_ VI. exempted the Chapel, College, Canons, Priests, Clerks, Alms-Knights and Officers, from all ordinary Jurisdiction of Archbishops, Bishops, Archdeacons, and all Judges and Officers, and received them within the Protection of the Papal-See; and granted a farther Privilege, That the Custos should have Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction over the Canons, Priests, _&c._ as also the Cure of their Souls, notwithstanding any Papal Constitution, Provincial, or Synodical, yet allowing that the Custos should receive that Cure from the Diocesan of the Place. In Consideration of this Exemption, the Custos was to pay annually, on St. _George_’s Day, a Mark in Silver, to the Pope’s Chamber. Two Years preceding, the Chapel was called the King’s Free Chapel, which Title it still enjoys; for it owes Subjection to none but the Sovereign of _England_, the Supream of the Church, as heretofore it stood divided between the King and See of _Rome_. The Privilege of Exemption included in the Confirmation of Liberties, made by the Founder in his Charter, dated _Anno Regni sui_ 47. and all other Emoluments granted by him, are confirmed by Act of Parliament, 8 _Hen._ VI. As the College has its sole Dependance on the Crown, it is visitable only by the Lord-Chancellor, whose Visitations and Power are reserved to him by the Statutes of the College, and himself called in the King’s Commission for Visitation, 2 _Rich._ II. Governor of the said Chapel, as well in Spirituals as Temporals, and, under the King, immediate Custos. And so jealous were the Dean and Canons, lest the Power of the said Exemption should be infringed, that when _Sixtus_ IV. had granted the Bishop of _Salisbury_, and themselves, to make new and interpret the ancient Statutes, they soon obtained a Revocation of that Authority, lest the said Bishop (in whose Diocess the College is situate) being so unpowered, might by Degrees bring them under his Jurisdiction, in prejudice to their Exemption. And, _A. D._ 1485. to prevent such design, the Archbishop of _Canterbury_, &c. were commission’d to see the Bull revoked, and _Salisbury_ enjoyned not to intermeddle further in the College Affairs. Moreover other Bishops, and the Chancellor of _England_, were to renew, alter, or new make such Statutes as might accrue to the Advantage of the College.

IF the Archbishop of _Canterbury_ be present in the Chapel, he sits below the Dean, nor can he consecrate there, without his License. And this is very remarkable, that at the ratifying the Peace between King _Charles_ I. and _Lewis_ XIII. _A. D._ 1629. in the Chapel at _Windsor_, Dr. _Wren_, then Dean of the College, gave the Oath to the _French_ Ambassador, and not the Archbishop of _Canterbury_, tho’ he was then present.

THE Dean and Chapter are to weigh well and debate at their yearly Chapters all things fit to be dispatched in reference to the College Affairs, and whatsoever Determination they come to, not repugnant to their Statutes, all Persons are firmly obliged to observe.

THE Deans have no Institution from any Bishop, but his Institution, Investiture, and Installation into the Custos-ship, Canonship, and Prebendship, is conferred from such of the Canons Resident, to whom the King (who collates) doth recommend him. Other Marks of Exemption appear in the constant proving of Wills before him, or in his Absence before his Lieutenant. In using the Power of Excommunication within their Jurisdiction (the Precincts of the College) granting a Dispensation for eating Flesh in _Lent_, a farther Mark of their Privilege appears, that the Ordination for the Chantry Priests were confirmed by the Dean and Chapter, and not the Bishop of the Diocess, as were the Statutes of the new Commons. The Dean is exempt from paying all Synodals, or Procurations, nor can any of the King’s Chaplains preach in the Chapel of St. _George_, unless he be a Canon there, or have License from the King, or from the Dean and Canons. They send no Delegates to the Synod, and when the Point was debated, 1640. it was carried in the Negative, as being against their Liberties, and might intitle them to the Payment of Subsidies; nor are they intitled to any Share in the Government of the Church, more than the Colleges in the Universities, where there are many nominal Deans. In short, when by the Act of _Uniformity_, 14 _Car._ II. every Clergyman was bound to subscribe before the Archbishop or his Ordinary, the Canons subscribed before the Dean; and tho’ some of them subscribed before the Bishop, yet was it with a Salvo, saving the Rights and Privileges of this Free Chapel.

THEIR Temporal Immunities and Privileges are these, as granted them by Charter, 6 _Mar._ 27 _Edw._ III. and confirmed by several of his Successors.

THE Custos and Canons were free from paying Aid upon making the King’s eldest Son a Knight, and marrying his eldest Daughter, and exempt of all Aids to the King’s Contributions and Tallages.

WHENSOEVER the Clergy should give a Tenth, or other Imposition, out of their Spiritualties, or the Commons give a Tenth, Fifteenth, or other, out of their Temporalties, Subsidy, or the King tax his own Demean, or the Pope impose any Money to be raised upon the Clergy, to give it the King, this College and their Possessions were to stand freed thereof.

THEY were discharged from any Contributions of arraying Soldiers, and from sending them to guard the Sea-Coasts, and from every Fine and Composition of the like Nature. Their Houses within the Castle of _Windsor_, as elsewhere, are quit from any Livery of the King’s and Queen’s Stewards, Marshals, Purveyors, Officers, and Servants, and from the like Officers of the Peers or Nobles, and the said Officers were not to intermeddle there, without Leave of the Custos and Canons.

NO Duke, _&c._ or Nobleman, nor any Stewards, Marshals, Escheators, Sheriffs, Coroners, Bailiffs, or Officers, nor other Person of what Condition soever, upon any Pretence, were not to lodge or remain in their Houses without their Consent.

THE Custos, Canons, and their Tenants, were not to pay any Toll, Paviage, Piccage, Barbicanage, Terrage, Pontage, Murage, Passage, Payage, Lestage, Stallage, Tallage, Carriage, Pesage, and from Scot and Geld, Hidage, Scutage, working about Castles, Parks, Bridges, Walls for the King’s Houses; and from Suits to the County, or Hundred Courts, and Wapentakes, or Court Leets, Murder, and common Amerciaments, before either King, Justices of the Bench, or Itinerant, and from every like Custom had an Immunity.

WITHIN their Lands, Fees, and Precincts, the Chattels of all Felons and Fugitives were seized to their own Use. All Fines for Trespasses, and all other Contempts and Misdemeanors, _Fines pro licentia concordandi_, and for all other Causes, Amerciaments, Redemptions, Issues, and Forfeitures whatsoever, _Annum Diem Vastum & Streppum_, and all Things which might belong to the King and his Heirs, and all Wrecks, Waifs, and Strays, were granted them.

NO Purveyance of Corn, Hay, Horses, Carts, Carriages, Victuals, or any Goods, Chattels, or any thing whatsoever, should be carried off by any of the King’s Officers, upon their or their Tenants Land.

THEY were to be free from paying any Pension, Corrody, or other Sustentation to be granted to the Crown.

THEY were to have free Warren in all their Demain Lands wheresoever, and that altho’ they lay within the Bounds of the King’s Forest.

THAT they should enjoy for their Conveniency a weekly Market on _Wednesday_, at their Mannor of _Ever_ in _Bucks_, and Two Fairs to last Eight Days, one on the Eve and Feast of St. _Peter_ and St. _Paul_, and Two Days after the other, upon the Eve and Feast of St. _Peter ad Vincula_, and Two Days following.

THAT they should, in all their Lands have Socage and Sackage, Infangthef, Utfangthef, and View of Frankpledge, with Thewe, Pillory, and Tumbrel for punishing Malefactors, and Power to erect Gallows upon their own Soil for executing those apprehended in their Jurisdiction.

THEY were to be exempt of all Suits and Pleas of the Forest, and of all Charges or Fees which the Officers of the Forest might demand, and from the Expeditation of their Dogs and Suits of Court there; as likewise all from Gelds, _Dane_ Gelds, Knights Fees, Payments for Murder and Robbery, Building or Repairing of Bridges, Castles, Parks, Pools, Walls, Sea Banks, Causeways, and Inclosures; and of all Assizes, Summonses, Sheriffs Aids, their Bailiffs, or Officers, bearing of Treasure, and all other Aids whatever; as also from the common Assessments and Amerciaments of the County, and Hundred, and all Actions relating to them; they were discharged from the Payment of Ward-penny, Aver-penny, Tithing-penny, and Hundred-penny, and quit from Grithbreck, Forestal, Homesoken, Blodwite, Wardwite, Hangwite, Fightwite, Leyrwite, Lastage, Pannage, Assurt, and Waste of the Forest; so that such Waste be not committed in the Forests, Parks, and Woods belonging to the Crown, and then reasonable Satisfaction, without Imprisonment, should be accepted.

ALL Writs and Attachments were returnable to them, as well relating to the Pleas of the Crown as other, thro’ all their Lands and Fees, and no Sheriff, Bailiff, or Officer, should execute any such there, unless in Default of the Custos and Canons, and they to have and hold Leets, and Lawdays, and Cognizance of all Pleas betwixt their Tenants, as well of Trespasses and Contracts, as others. And lastly, They were to have and hold Wards, Reliefs, Escheats, Forfeitures, and other Profits, Issues, and Emoluments whatsoever, within their own Fees, from all their Tenants, which might appertain to the Crown, as if the Tenants did hold of the Crown or others _in Capite_.

CAP. V.

WE come now to treat of the most Noble and Illustrious _Order of the Garter_; which, if we consider either its Antiquity, or the Nobleness of the Personages, that have been enroll’d, it excels and outvies all other Institutions of Honour in the whole World. It owes its Original, as is confessed on all Hands, to _Edward_ III. King of _England_ and _France_; yet as to the Occasion, there are several Opinions which we shall rectifie. The vulgar and more general is, that the Garter of _Joan_, Countess of _Salisbury_, dropping casually off as she danced in a solemn Ball, King _Edward_ stooping took it up from the Ground, whereupon some of his Nobles smiling, as at an amorous Action, and he observing their sportive Humour, turned it off with a Reply in _French_, _Honi soit qui mal y pense_; but withal added, in disdain of their Laughter, _That shortly they should see that Garter advanced to so high an Honour and Renown as to account themselves happy to wear it_.

BUT upon Examination of this Tradition, let others judge what Credit it bears to establish its Belief; for Sir _John Froissart_, the only Writer of the Age that treats of this Institution, assigns no such Original, nor for 200 Years after is there any thing to the Purpose in our other Historians, till _Polydore Virgil_ took occasion to say something of it; but had it been Fact, some _French_ Historian or other, would not have neglected to register it at a convenient Time with a Scoff and Ridicule, since that Nation was so ready to deride King _Henry_ V’s Design of invading them with a Return of Tennis Balls.

IN the Original Statutes of this Order, there is not the least Conjecture to countenance the Conceit of such a Feminine Institution, no not so much as laying an Obligation on the Knights-Companions to defend the Quarrels of Ladies (as some Orders then in being enjoyned;) nor doth the Author of that Tract entitled _Institutio clarissimi Ordinis Militaris a prænobili subligaculo nuncupati_, prefaced to the Black Book of the _Garter_, let fall the manifest Passage to ground it on.

AS to what _Polydore_ says, he is not so confident to ascertain the Person whose Garter it was; but cautiously declining that, says, it was either the Queen’s, or the King’s Mistress’s; and if it were the latter, yet doth he omit her Name and Title, both which (on what Authority we find not) are supplied by modern Historians, who call her _Joan_ Countess of _Salisbury_, the same elsewhere celebrated by the Name of the _Fair Maid_ of _Kent_, (whom _Edward_ the Black Prince, afterward married) whereas no Historian ever gave the least Inuendo that King _Edward_ III. ever courted her as a Mistress. _Selden_ points at her when he calls the Lady, from whom the Garter slipp’d, Countess of _Kent_ and _Salisbury_: But about the Time when this Order was founded she in truth was dignified with neither Honour; for altho’ she was Daughter to _Tho._ of _Woodstock_, Earl of _Kent_, and had been sometime the reputed Wife of _William Mountague_, second Earl of _Salisbury_, yet then she cou’d not properly be accounted Countess of _Salisbury_. She was actually Wife to Sir _Thomas Holland_, (one of the First Founders of the Order.) Nor was she yet (tho’ afterwards) Countess of Kent, because her Brother _John_ Earl of _Kent_, at the Institution of this Order, survived, and died not till 26 _Edw._ III.

THAT there was a Countess of _Salisbury_ with whom King _Edward_ III. became greatly enamour’d, _Froissart_ reports after this manner, _That this King having relieved a Castle of that Earl’s in the North, wherein his Countess had been besieged by the_ Scots (_the Earl himself being at that time Prisoner in_ France;) _upon sight of her extraordinary Beauty he fell in love with her; but she so virtuously demeaned her self, during his Abode there, that he declined further Solicitation_. However, some time after, the King out of Desire to see her, proclaim’d solemn Justs in _London_, whither this Countess and other Ladies being invited, came up. This Castle it seems was _Wark_ upon _Tweed_ in _Northumberland_, which King _Edward_ had formerly bestowed on her Husband, for his good Service past, when he first espoused her, being then but a Knight.

ALTHO’ it should be admitted that this Countess of _Salisbury_ was the King’s Mistress, yet must it be remark’d, That she was Wife to _William Mountague_, Kt. created Earl of _Salisbury_, _Anno_ 11 _Edw._ III. Mother to _William_ the before-mention’d second Earl, that her Christian Name was _Catherine_, not _Alice_, as _Froissart_, not _Joan_, as others call her, Daughter to _William_ Lord _Granston_, and that she expired 28 _Edw._ III. But that the whole may appear, what indeed it is, a meer Fable, we shall insert the Judgment of Dr. _Heylin_, who took great Pains in this Particular. _This_, says he, _I take to be a vain and idle Romance, derogatory both to the Founder and the Order first published by_ Pol. Virgil, _a Stranger to the Affairs of_ England, _and by him taken upon no better ground than_ Fama Vulgi, _the Tradition of the common People, too trifling a Foundation to so great a Building_.

OF the same Contexture with the former is another Tradition in _Andrew du Chesne_, _That the Queen departing from the King to her own Apartments, and he following soon after, chanced to espy a Blue Garter lying on the Ground (supposed to have slipp’d from her Leg) whilst some of his Attendants carelesly passed by it, as disdaining to stoop at such a Trifle; but he knowing the Owner, commanded it to be given him; at the Receipt of which he said, You make but small account of this Garter; but within few Months, I’ll cause the best of you all to reverence it alike_. Some suppose that the Motto was the Queen’s Answer, when the King asked her, _What Men would conjecture of her, upon her losing her Garter in such a manner?_

BOTH Relations are far distant from Fact; nevertheless it has thus far’d with other Orders of Sovereign Foundation, and an amorous, instead of an honourable Account, has been falsly render’d of their Institution; as for Instance, _The Order of the_ Annunciade, and that of _The Golden Fleece_.

THERE is a third Opinion grounded on a Relation made of King _Rich._ I. who, whilst his Forces were employ’d against _Cyprus_ and _Acon_, and extremely tir’d and harrass’d with the Siege, he, by the Assistance and Mediation of St. _George_ (as imagin’d) was inspir’d with fresh Courage, and bethought himself of a new Device, which was to tie about the Legs of a Number of Knights, a Leathern Thong Garter, for such had he then at hand, whereby they being emulated to future Glory, with Assurance of Reward if they prov’d victorious, they might be excited to behave themselves intrepidly and well, much after the Examples of the old _Romans_, among whom were distributed various Crowns for several Causes, to adorn the Soldiers: But if King _Richard_ I. did make use of this Device in the _Holy Land_, as a Signal or Mark of Distinction of a Party, upon some warlike Exploit, yet that he took Occasion to create a distinct Order of Knighthood thereupon, there is not sufficient warrant to believe; (for it is only put down in the Preface of the _Black Book_, but not in any Part of the Annals of the Order; nor can it plead higher Antiquity than the Reign of King _Hen._ VIII. when written.) All the Advantage that can be made of it, is, to heighten the Reputation of that Saint among the _English_, by which Means the Garter came to be dedicated to him, and not that it contributed to its Institution.

§ 2. THE true Motive was therefore, neither the Ladies Garter, or King _Richard_’s Leathern Thong, that it owes it Original to: But King _Edward_, being a Person of consummate Vertue, gave himself up to military Affairs; and being engag’d in War for recovering his Right to _France_, made use of the best Martialists of the Age, did thereupon first design (induc’d by its ancient Fame) the Restoration of King _Arthur_’s _Round Table_, to invite hither the Gallant Spirits from abroad, and endear them to himself; and adjudging no Place more requisite than _Windsor_, upon _New-Year’s-Day_, _A. D._ 1344. he issu’d out Letters of Protection for the safe going and return of Foreign Knights, to try their Valour at the Solemn Justs to be held there on _Monday_ after the Feast of St. _Hilary_ following (which happen’d _Jan._ 19.) And these Letters of Safe-Conduct continu’d in force until the _Octaves_ of the Purification of our blessed Virgin ensuing, being the 18th Year of his Reign. At the Time appointed, he provided a great Supper to begin the Solemnity, and then ordain’d this Festival to be annually at _Whitsontide_; and immediately after these first Exercises were over, for a future and better Accommodation, he impress’d Workmen and Carriages for erecting a particular Building in the Castle, and therein plac’d a Table of Two Hundred Foot Diameter, where the Knights should have their Entertainment of Diet, at his Expence of 100 _l._ _per_ Week; to which Building he gave the Name of _The Round Table_. And as at these great Conventions the Days were spent in all Kinds of noble Feats of Arms, Justs and Turnaments, so were a great Part of the Nights consum’d in publick Balls and dancing with the Ladies that attended the Queen thither; and perhaps it was hence conjectur’d, that at some of these Balls the Queen’s Garter, or the Garter of _Catherine_, Countess of _Salisbury_, might slip off, and the King’s taking it up occasion Smiles in the Bystanders; and afterwards, when the King had modell’d his intended Order, a Garter offering it self for its chief Ensign, might add to the Conjecture; but that it was the principal Cause, is a groundless Imagination. And tho’ King _Edward_ advanc’d the Honour of the Garter, as to denominate the Order, yet was it not to enhance Reputation to, or perpetuate an effeminate Occasion, but to adorn Martial Prowess, with Honours, Rewards and Splendor; to increase Vertue and Valour in the Hearts of his Nobility, that so true Worth, after long and hazardous Exploits, should not enviously be depriv’d of that Glory which it hath intrinsically deserv’d, and that active and hardy Youths might not want a Spur in their Progression in the Paths of Vertue, which is to be esteem’d glorious and eternal.