Chapter VI: Part 6

IT is further observable, that the _French_ King, _Philip de Valoys_, in Emulation of this Seminary at _Windsor_, set up a _Round Table_ at his Court, and invited Knights and valiant Men of Arms out of _Italy_ and _Almaine_ thither, lest they should repair to our King _Edward_ III. which meeting with Success, prov’d a Countermine to his main Design; who perceiving that his Hospitality towards strange Knights, upon Account of reviving King _Arthur_’s _Round Table_ was too general, nor did sufficiently ingratiate them to his Person, but being unconstrain’d and at Liberty, did after their Departure take what Side they pleas’d in the ensuing Wars, he at length resolv’d upon a Projection more particular and select, and such as might oblige those whom he thought fit to make his Associates, in a lasting Bond of Friendship and Honour: And having issu’d forth his own Garter for the Signal of a Battle, that was crown’d with Success, (which is conceiv’d to be the Battle of _Cressy_, fought about Three Years after his erecting the _Round Table_;) upon so remarkable a Victory, he thence took Occasion to institute this Order, and gave the Garter Preheminence among the Ensigns of it, whence that select Number, whom he incorporated into a Fraternity, are styl’d _Equites Aureæ Periscelidis_, and vulgarly _Knights of the Garter_. By this Symbol he design’d to bind the Knights and Fellows of it mutually unto one another, and all of them joyntly to himself, as Sovereign of the Order; nor was his Expectation frustrated, for it did not serve only as a vehement Spur and Incentive to Honour and martial Vertue, but also as a golden Bond of Unity and internal Society; and for this Consideration _Cambden_ aptly calls it a Badge of Unity and Concord.

BY the Symbols of this Garter the Knights are reminded, with all Religiousness, Sincerity, Friendliness, Faithfulness and Dexterity, not to leave the Pursuit of whatsoever they take in hand, nor to enterprize any Thing contrary to the Statutes of the Order; neither to frustrate the Rights of Peace and Friendship, nor vilify the Law of Arms, or proceed in any Thing farther than Faith and Compact, or the Bond of Friendship will admit. Moreover, in the binding of the Leg with this enobled Ensign, there was given this Caveat and Exhortation, that the Knights should not pusillanimously (by running away from Battle) betray the Valour and Renown which is ingrafted in Constancy and Magnanimity. Nay, so exactly did the Founder contrive the whole Habit into the Signification of the Garter, that he ordain’d his and the Knights-Companions Robes and Ornaments to be all alike, both for Materials and Fashion, intimating thereby, That they ought to conserve brotherly Affection among themselves. The great Collar of the Order was made of equal Weight, and like Number of Knots and Links, in Token of the like Bond of Faith, Peace and Amity inviolably to be observ’d and retain’d amongst them: In fine, all Things were so design’d, that every one might plainly perceive how much these Things tended to the Maintenance of Amity and Concord.

IN further reference to the establishing this Order, the aforesaid King calling together the Earls, Barons, and principal Knights of his Kingdom, _Freely_, says _Froissart_, _and obligingly declar’d his Mind to them concerning this Affair_: To which _all of them being well inclin’d, entertain’d the Motion with equal Joy and Applause, deeming it would prove a very great Advancement to Piety, Nobility and Vertue, and likewise an excellent Expedient for the uniting not only his Subjects one with another, but all Foreigners conjunctively with them, in the Bonds of Amity and Peace_. And ’tis very improbable the prudent Founder should summon his Nobles to consult about the Grandeur of an Order, that had taken its Rise from so slight an Occasion as the dropping of a Garter from a Lady’s Leg. Now, to draw the Tye of Friendship more close, the King caused those who were (or should be) of the Order, to be call’d _Fellows_, _Associates_, _Colleagues_, _Brethren_, and _Knights-Companions_, and the Order it self a _Society_, _Fellowship_, _College of Knights_, and _Knight-Companionship_; and their Habits to be all alike, to represent how they ought to be united in all Chances and various Turns of Fortune; Co-partners both in Peace and War, assistant to one another in all serious and dangerous Exploits; and thro’ the whole Course of their Lives to shew Fidelity and Friendliness one towards another. There are other Reasons assign’d, much to the same Effect, That the Order was instituted _to fortifie the Confidence of the King, the Kingdom and Martial Vertue_; that is to say, _to strengthen the Faith of the Subjects towards them, and for their greater Security_, and _because the Garter carries with it a Bond or Tye of Fellowship, and is a Symbol of Amity between Princes, being Companions of the same Order_.

IN the last Place, if we look upon the Statutes of its Institution, we shall find the Injunctions wholly Military, and so are the Words of Admonition pronounc’d at the putting on the Ensigns of the Order: And the Ground of the Institution (in the Preamble to King _Henry_ VIII’s _Exemplar_) is said to be _for the Honour of God and Exaltation of the Catholick Faith, joyn’d both with Piety and Charity, in establishing a College of religious Men to pray for the Prosperity of the Sovereign of the Order and the Knights-Companions, and to perform other holy Duties_; as also _ordaining a Maintenance for a Company of Alms-Knights, who have not otherwise wherewith to support themselves_; but not one Word relating to the Engagement on behalf of the feminine Sex.

AND whereas King _Edw._ III. had laid Claim by his Title to the Kingdom of _France_, and in Right thereof assum’d its Arms, he from the Colour of them, ’tis said, caus’d the Garter to be made Blue, and the Circumscription Gold: And it may, without straining, be inferr’d from the Motto, _Honi soit qui mal y pense_, that he retorted Shame and Defiance upon him that should dare to think amiss of so just an Enterprize, as he had undertaken for recovering of his lawful Right to that Crown; and that the Magnanimity and Bravery of those Knights, whom he had elected into this Order, was such as would impower and enable them to maintain the Quarrel against all who thought ill of it. Consonant to this is the Conjecture of _Harpsfield_, that this Apophthegm was design’d to put the Knights-Companions in mind, _Not to admit any Thing in their Actions, or among their Thoughts, derogatory to themselves and their Honour_.

THAT Age did exceedingly abound with Impresses, Motto’s and Devices, and particularly King _Edw._ III. was so excessively given up to them, that his Apparel, Plate, Bed, Houshold-Furniture, Shields, and even the Harness of his Horses, and the like, were not without them, many of which now to descant upon would be a fruitless Attempt, seeing the Occasion of the Invention, and the Circumstances are lost, that should illustrate them; and others, by reason of their Brevity, seem’d insignificant, in regard something was designedly omitted, and left to be understood, which cannot now be rightly supply’d, so as to arrive at the Mind of the Inventor. Of this Number may be this Motto, _It is as it is_, which was embroider’d upon a Doublet of that King; tho’ there are others which seem more easy to be decypher’d; as that daring Motto wrought upon his Surcoat and Shield provided to be used at a Turnament,

#Hay, Hay, the Wythe Swan;
By God’s Soul I am the Man.#

§ 3. THE Time when the Order was instituted, Historians differ widely about; _Selden_, _Cowper_, and others, from _Froissart_ (who wrote _temp. Rich._ II.) would have it in the 18th of King _Edw._ III. But since _Froissart_ errs, in making the Number of Knights-Companions no fewer than Forty, which is a grand Mistake, Why might not he trip in Point of Time, and confound the Year of its Erection, with that wherein the Founder renew’d the Order of _The Round Table_, _Windsor_ being the Place for both. For should we admit, that during some Part of the Solemnity held in this King’s 18th Year, when the Accident of the Lady’s Garter slipping off happen’d, what other Inference can be made, but that he had only an Intention to put in Execution somewhat afterwards? Not that an Order was actually erected at that Time: Besides, the Jollity of the Season, the Greatness of the Concourse, and the Splendidness of the Festivity, it was too busy a Time to suffer much Consultation tending thereunto; or at least to mould and model a Design so compleat and substantial, as it appears to have been even at first. If we joyn _Fabian_, he is plain, that tho’ the King design’d the Institution at the End of the Festival, (which he places between _Candlemas_ and _Lent_, in the 19th, and not 18th Year of that King) _Yet was it not then_, saith he, _but afterwards establish’d by him_. Nevertheless, Mr. _Selden_ elsewhere observes, it had its Original in the 24th Year of the said King. And our industrious _Stow_ (with whom _Lily_, _Speed_, and _Segar_ agree) tells us, _That the first Feast of the Order was celebrated_ A. D. 1350. which exactly agrees to the 24th of _Edward_ III. But _Polydore Virgil_ places it after the 25th of _Edward_ III. We must therefore have recourse to some other Proofs for elucidating this Point, since this Chronological _Æra_ of the true Time of its Institution hath wonderfully slipp’d the Pens of all Writers.

ADMITTING then that the erecting this Order was first thought of by King _Edward_, at some of those grand Assemblies of _The Round Table_, held after the _French_ King had set up the like; yet was it not mature, or brought to any Perfection, till after his glorious Victories and Triumphs over the _French_ and _Scots_ in the Battles of _Cressy_ and _Nevil_’s Cross, (in the last of which the _Scotch_ King, _David_, was taken Prisoner) and until King _Edward_ had _Calais_ surrendred to him, as will appear very conspicuous.

AMONG the Rolls of the Great Wardrobe, is one containing the Account of all the King’s Liveries, from _Michaelmas Anno_ 21, to the 31st of _Jan._ 23 _Edw._ III. In the same are divers Things mention’d to be adorn’d with Garters, which were provided against the first grand Feast of St. _George_; and among the rest, the Royal Robes, _viz._ his Mantle, Surcoat and Hood; likewise a Bed of Blue Taffaty was bedeck’d with Garters, containing the Motto, _Honi soit qui mal y pense_. There were made for the Sovereign Three Harnesses, whereof Two were of White Velvet, wrought over with Garters _de blu & diaspris per totum compedmein cum Woodhouses_; and the Third _de Velvetto Ynde cont. Lappekin quisseux & caligas_, wrought over likewise with Garters. Had the Roll been divided into Years, or had distinguishing Marks of Time upon it, we might have been guided with more Certainty as to the true Year of the Institution. However, we may thence conclude it was not founded in the 18th of _Edw._ III. because that the Sovereign’s Robes were not made until the 22d Year of his Reign at soonest; perhaps not till the Beginning of the 23d. But to put the Matter beyond dispute, the Founder’s Statutes fix the Time of Institution to his 23d Year; so do the Statutes of King _Henry_ V. and the Preface to the _Black Book_, _Leland_, _Mills_ and Dr. _Heylin_. To conclude, when he had fix’d upon the Day and Place for celebrating the first grand Feast of this Order, he sent his Heralds into _Germany_, _France_, _Scotland_, _Burgundy_, _Hainault_, _Flanders_ and _Brabant_, to invite all Knights and Esquires, (with Assurance of Safe-Conduct and Liberty for Fifteen Days, both before and after the grand Solemnity) to shew their military Prowess and other publick Exercises there to be perform’d, proper to the Place and Occasion; agreeable to which Invitation, sundry Knights and Gallant Men came over to signalize their Valour; and what made the Solemnity more glorious, King _Edward_’s Queen was there present, attended with Three Hundred of the fairest Ladies, in all imaginable Splendor and Gaity.

§ 4. THE Patrons of the Order were several, under whose Protection (according to the Custom of the Age) King _Edw._ III. put himself and all the Knights-Companions, that the Affairs of the Order might be defended, preserved and govern’d.

THE _first_ and chiefest which he elected, was the _Holy Trinity_, which in a more especial Manner was invocated to the Aid and Assistance of this Order.

_Secondly_, King _Edward_ III. intitled peculiarly the _blessed Virgin_ Mary, accounted then the general Mediatrix and Protectress of all Men; unto whom King _Edward_ IV. was so strictly devoted, that he thought some additional Ceremonies requisite to her farther Honour, and thereupon ordain’d, that on her Five Solemnities the Knights Companions should annually (as accustom’d on the Feast of St. _George_) wear the Habit of the Order as long as Divine Service was celebrating, (unless they had sufficient Cause of excuse) bearing on the right Shoulders of their Robes a golden Figure of the Virgin _Mary_; and that they should go in the same Manner and Habit upon all _Sundays_ throughout the Year; and lastly, that on the same Days for ever they should say Five _Pater Nosters_, with as many _Ave Maria’s_.

_Thirdly_, St. _George_ of _Cappadocia_, a most choice Champion of Christ and famous Martyr, was also elected one of the Patrons to this Order by King _Edward_ III. not so much as he was a Professor of the Christian Faith, or for that he was an armed Soldier or Knight of Christ, but so much the more because in those Wars, which were waged by the Christians against the Infidels, he by several Appearances manifested his Presence as a most certain Encourager and Assistant to the Christians; the Relations whereof may be seen in Dr. _Heylin_’s History, who hath laboriously and judiciously maintain’d the History of this Saint, against those that will not allow him a Place in Heaven, or a Being in the Church. In like manner the learned _Selden_ hath avouch’d him to be the special Patron, Protector, Defender, and Advocate of this Realm of _England_; and has made it plainly appear in what Veneration he hath been honour’d abroad, especially among the Eastern Nations. To whose corroborating Testimonies we shall add, That this Title of Patron to our Nation, as given to St. _George_ by the Founder of this Order, in a Patent granted to the Dean and Canons of the Chapel of St. _Stephen_ at _Westminster_, and St. _George_ at _Windsor_, which dischargeth them from Payment of Tythes; as also by King _Henry_ VIII. in the Preamble of his Statutes. And tho’ in general he is styl’d the Principal Patron of the Affairs of _Christendom_, and a tutelar Guardian of military Men, yet among all Christians the _English_ did excel; and in this Nation the Founder of this Order, in making choice of such an approv’d expert Captain and Patron, in particular Respect of whom the Knights had the Title of _Equites Georgiani_, St. _George_’s Knights, and the Order it self came to be call’d the _Ordo Divi Sancti Georgii_, The Order of St. _George_.

IT is remarkable, that _Du Chesne_, a noted _French_ Historian, acknowledges it was by the special Invocation of St. _George_ that King _Edward_ III. gain’d the Battle of _Cressy_, which afterwards bringing to his Remembrance, _He founded_, says he, _a Chapel within the Castle of_ Windsor. But if we may ascend a step higher, and give credit to _Harding_, it’s recorded King _Arthur_ paid St. _George_ particular Honours, for he advanc’d his Picture in one of his Banners, which was about Two Hundred Years after his Martyrdom, and very early for a Country so remote from _Cappadocia_ to have him in Reverence and Esteem.

_Lastly_, The Founder added a fourth Patron, whose Name himself bore, _viz._ St. _Edward the Confessor_, his Predecessor, King of _England_; and we find he was wont to be invocated by this Founder, as well as St. _George_, in any great Difficulties and Streights. _Walsingham_ gives an Instance at the Skirmish of _Calais_, _A. D._ 1349. when King _Edward_, in great Anger and Grief, drew out his Sword, and most passionately cry’d out, _Ha St._ Edward, _Ha St._ George; which his Soldiers hearing, ran presently to him, and rushing violently upon the Enemy, put many of them to the Sword. These Four Patrons we find recorded together in the Preamble of the Foundation of _Windsor_ College by King _Edward_ III. tho’ in the Preamble to his Statutes of the Order, and to King _Henry_ V’s Statutes, St. _Edward the Confessor_ is omitted; nevertheless he is enumerated with the rest in the Preamble to King _Henry_ VIII’s.

§ 5. AS to the Honour and Reputation of this Noble Order, either in Comparison with others, or in Reference to it self, it challenges the Precedency of Antiquity, before the eldest Rank of Honour of that Kind any where establish’d.

_Secondly_, The Statutes of the Foundation were so exquisitely and judiciously devised and compacted, upon such solid Foundations of Honour and Nobleness, that they afterwards became a Precedent to other Orders; and gave the Plan to those Two of _The Golden Fleece_ and of Monsieur St. _Michael_, as is manifest by comparing their Statutes.

_Thirdly_, It is no small Honour that accrues to this Order, that the Number of these Knights-Companions were never encreas’d, but as they were Twenty Six with the Sovereign, so they now thus continue, _ut Pretium faciat raritas_; for the infringing this Article hath split several other military Orders into Contempt and Ruin, as nothing more tarnishing, or throwing a sully on the Worth of Glory and Honour, than when render’d so vulgar, and indifferently disposed without Distinction and Merit, as is exemplify’d in _The Order of the_ Star, and the now declining _Order of St._ Michael.

_Fourthly_, It has receiv’d more additional Lustre by being honour’d with the Companionship of divers Emperors, Kings and Sovereign Princes, who esteem’d it the Summit of their Glory, and the highest Trophy of additional Honour, to be enroll’d in the Number. Insomuch that some of them with Impatience courted the Election. For we find recorded in the Register, _A. D._ 1672. Eight Emperors of _Germany_, Three Kings of _Spain_, Five _French_ Kings, Two Kings of _Scotland_, Five Kings of _Denmark_, Five Kings of _Portugal_, Two Kings of _Sweden_, One King of _Poland_, One King of _Arragon_, Two Kings of _Naples_, besides divers Dukes and other free Princes; as One Duke of _Guelderland_, One Duke of _Holland_, Two Dukes of _Burgundy_, Two Dukes of _Brunswick_, One Duke of _Milan_, Two Dukes of _Urbin_, One Duke of _Ferrara_, One Duke of _Savoy_, Two Dukes of _Holstein_, One Duke of _Saxony_, and One Duke of _Wertemberg_, Seven Count Palatines of the _Rhine_, Four Princes of _Orange_, and One Marquis of _Brandenburg_.

_Fifthly_, It entitles those Knights and Noblemen, whose Vertue hath rais’d them to this Pitch of Greatness, to be Companions and Associates with Emperors and Kings, a Prerogative of an high Nature, and a sufficient Recompence for the greatest Merit. We shall close up all with the high Elogy bestow’d on it by the learned _Selden_, _That it exceeds in Majesty, Honour and Fame, all Chivalrous Orders of the World_.

CAP. VI.

_The Statutes and Annals of the Order._

ORDER and Regularity is not only the Beauty and Symmetry of Government and Societies, but also greatly contributes to their Establishment and Perpetuity. Statutes and Rules are as well the Bounds to determine, as Bonds to unite Fellowship and Societies together; and if either fall into disuse, or be unadvisedly broken, they open a Field to Dissolution and Ruin.

SUCH like Considerations mov’d and excited the victorious King _Edward_ III. (after he had determin’d the Erection of this most renown’d _Order of the Garter_) to _devise and institute several laudable Statutes and Ordinances, to be duly observ’d and kept within the said Order_; which being collected into one Body, are call’d _The Statutes of Institution_.

THE Original of these was ordain’d to be kept within the Treasury of the College of _Windsor_, but hath long since wholly perish’d; yet a Transcript of them is recorded in the Reign of King _Henry_ V. in an old Book call’d _Registrum Ordinis Chartaceum_. Two more ancient _Exemplars_ of this Body of Statutes are also in being; the one in the Library of the Lord _Hatton_, and the other in the _Black Book_ of the Order; and comparing them together, I shall here give from the _Latin_ the Heads they consist of.

1. THE King of _England_, his Heirs and Successors, are to be Sovereigns or Superiors of this Order.

2. NONE are to be admitted, unless he be a Gentleman of Blood, and that he be a Knight and without Reproach.

3. THE Knights-Companions were to be Twenty Six, each to have at _Windsor_ a Mantle and Garter for the better Splendor of the Order; to wear the said Habit whensoever they go to the Chapel of St. _George_ or Chapter-House, to hold a Chapter, or do any thing relating to their Order. In like manner they are to wear the Habit upon the Vigils of St. _George_, in their Procession from the King’s Lodgings to the Chapel or Chapter-House, and returning back, and during Supper, continue so habited till it be over, and likewise on the Morrow of St. _George_’s Day, at Chapel, Dinner-time, Supper-time, and afterwards all the said Day, until the Sovereign or his Deputy shall deposite the Ensigns of the Order, and decree their Departure.

4. THERE were to be Thirteen Canons Secular, who at the Time of their Institution, or within a Year, were to be Priests, and as many Vicars already Priests, or to be made so at the next Ordination, answerable to the number of the Knights-Companions; these religious Persons to be presented by the several Founders each one, and upon the Death or Vacancy of such presented, the Sovereign of the Order ever afterwards to have the Nomination of them, who were bound to pray for the good Estate of the Sovereign and his Kingdom, and particularly for this Order.

5. THE Canons were to wear a Purple Mantle, with the Arms of St. _George_ in a Roundle upon their right Shoulder.

6. THERE were to be Twenty Six poor veterane Knights, each to have a competent Subsistence, their Election to be after the manner of the Canons aforesaid.

7. THESE Knights were to have a Red Mantle, with the Arms of St. _George_; but without any Circle of the Garter about it.

8. IF the Sovereign could not be present at the solemn Festival of St. _George_, his Deputy was to supply his Place at the Charge of the Sovereign; but such Deputy was not to make any new Ordinances, tho’ he has License to correct or amend the old Ones.

9. EVERY Year, upon the Vigils of St. _George_, the Knights-Companions within the Realm, or elsewhere, if conveniently, are to assemble, at _Windsor_ Castle, and be present there at the Celebration of Divine Service, in the Habit of the Order, where placed regularly in their Stalls or Seats, directly over their Heads their Helmets and Swords, _&c._ are to be hung up, and remain as long as such Knights live, in Honour of them, and to signify the Defence of the Church, to which they are obliged as a Military Order; but in case the Feast of St. _George_ happens to fall within the Quindene or Fifteen Days after the Feast of _Easter_, then it was to be prorogued to the _Sunday_ next following, accounting Fifteen Days from _Easter_ Day, that every Knight-Companion might have reasonable time to come, nor be forced to ride upon any of the Three _Easter_ Holy-days.

10. THAT they meet in St. _George_’s Chapel yearly, on the Eve of St. _George_, at the Hour of Three in the Afternoon; and if they come not at the Time assigned, without a just Excuse, which the Sovereign or his Deputy allows, their Penalty is to be according to the Ordinance of the Chapter; which is, That they shall not enter into the Chapter Door for that time, but stay without, and shall have no Voice in any thing that is done in the said Chapter; and if they come not before the Beginning of Vespers, they shall not enter into their Stalls, but shall tarry below before the said Stalls in the Choiristers Places during Vespers. The like Penalty is ordain’d for not coming to the Mass or Morning-Service betime, and at Vespers, on St. _George_’s Day; and whosoever shall absent himself wholly from this Solemnity, without sufficient Excuse and Leave from the Sovereign or Deputy, he is not to enter within his Stall the next Feast after, but shall stay below, and before his Stall, as it is said at Vespers, and in the Morrows Procession must walk before the Three processional Crosses, [now the Choiristers,] and at Mass [Service] shall sit below until the Offering, and he to offer last. After which he is to come before the Sovereign, or his Deputy’s Stall, and ask Pardon, which re-instates him in his Stall. Absenting the next second Time upon the Feast, without Leave, he has no Stall allowed him until he hath given and offered a Jewel upon St. _George_’s Altar, to the Value of Twenty Marks, which is to be double every Year until a Reconciliation.

11. WHERESOEVER they be, they must wear their Blue Robes from the Beginning of the first Vespers, on the Eve of St. _George_’s Day, to the second Vespers on the Morrow inclusive, _&c._

12. IF any Knight-Companion appears publickly without his dignifying Garter, upon challenging the same, is to pay half a Mark to the Custos and College.

13. AT the Times of Offering, each associated with the other who holds the opposite Stall, are to march in Procession together to make their Offerings; but alone, when his Consort is absent, and so that in all Processions the Sovereign goes last.

14. IN the Morrow after the Solemnity of St. _George_’s Feast is over, before their separating, a Mass _de Requie_ or Office _de Defunctis_ was to be used, at which the Knights-Companions were all entirely to be present, without necessary Impediment shown to the Sovereign or Deputy for Liberty to depart.

15. THEY were to leave their Robes at _Windsor_ always, to be ready for them there upon any sudden Occasions that might evene.

16. JOURNYING near _Windsor_, in Honour of the Place, unless lawful Cause obstructs, they must take it in their Way, and assuming the Habit of the Order the Canons wore, devoutly to meet and conduct them into the Chapel; where, if it happens to be time of Divine Service, they are to hear the same; if not, they are to be detained no longer than while the Canons shall say the Psalm _de profundis_ for the Defunct, and during their own Offering: But if any had riden thro’ the Town, without visiting the Chapel and offering there, for every Neglect he must go one Mile on Foot from the said Chapel, to shew his Obedience, and offer an Half-Penny in Honour of St. _George_.

17. UPON first Notice of the Death of any of the Order, the Sovereign shall ordain a Thousand Masses, every Foreign Prince shall cause Eight Hundred, a Prince of Wales Seven Hundred, a Duke Six Hundred, an Earl Three Hundred, every Baron Two Hundred, and every Knight Batchellor One Hundred Masses to be celebrated for the Good of the Soul departed; which neglected for a Quarter of a Year after notice of such Death, the Masses are to be doubled; upon half a Year’s Neglect, again doubled; and so from Time to Time in like Form till the End of the Year, and then the Year’s to be doubled.

18. UPON sure Notice of the Death of a Knight-Companion, the Sovereign, or his Deputy, is to converse by Letters, the Remainder [not Strangers] that are within the Kingdom, to meet him within Six Weeks in some convenient Place, and elect another; which assembled, at least Six, with the Sovereign or Deputy, every of them present is to name Nine of the worthiest and sufficientest Knights without Reproof that he knows, whether native Subjects or Foreigners, sobeit they hold no contrary Party, or be against the Sovereign, _viz._ Three Earls, or of sublimer Title; Three Barons, and Three Knights Batchellors, which Names the Bishop of _Windsor_, for the Time being, was to write, or, in his Absence, the Dean or Register, and, in their Absence, the oldest Residencer in the College, and after shew them to the Sovereign, who is to chuse out of them him that has the most Voices, and whom he esteems the most beneficial to the Crown and Kingdom. Every Knight failing to appear at an Election, without an approved Cause, was to pay to the Custos and College the Penalty of a Mark, and at his next coming to the Chapter shall kneel upon the Ground, in the midst of the Chapter, before the Sovereign or Deputy, until Reconciliation.

19. SOON after Election, the Knight-Companion elect is to have a Garter, in token of his Election, and that he is a Fellow of the Order; and as soon as decreed to take Possession of his Stall, but not before, is to have a Mantle, which, if he dies before he receiv’d, he was not to be accounted as one of the Order, because he wanted Possession; nevertheless he was to have one half of the Masses abovesaid, because he had the Garter deliver’d to him and nothing beside. If he was not installed within a Year after his receiving the Garter, and especially if within the Realm, and without reasonable Excuse to be allowed of by the Sovereign or Deputy, his Election became void, and they might proceed to a new one: Moreover, neither the Sword nor Helmet was to be put upon his Stall within the Castle, before his coming; to the End, that if the Knight elect came not, his Atchievements might not be unhandsomly taken down and abused, but honourably removed into the Choir for the publick Use and Profit of the said College.

20. EVERY Foreigner elected was to have Certification of such his Election from the Sovereign, at the Sovereign’s Charge, who was to send him the Garter and the Mantle, and a Copy of the Statutes of the Order, under the Common Seal of the said Order, within Four Months after the Election, the better for him to advise on; which being accepted, of whatsoever Condition he be, he was obliged within Eight Months after to send a sufficient Proxy, according to his State and Dignity, a Knight irreprehensible to be installed in his Room, and who was to bring with him a Silk Mantle of the Blue Colour of the Order, also a Sword and Helmet to remain at _Windsor_, which Mantle was be put upon the right Shoulder of the Proxy, by the Sovereign or Deputy at the time of Installment, when he is introduced to take the Stall in the Name of his Lord and Master; neither was he to deposite the same till the End of Divine Service; after which he was not to wear it, nor be admitted in the Chapter-House, or have any Suffrage, by virtue of any Powers vested in him; but this Favour Foreigners elected by Proxy were to have, that could not personally come themselves, they were to be Partakers of the whole Masses and Orisons of the Order; whereas, if they died before the Installation, they were to have but a Moity of them.

21. UPON the Death of any Earl, [or of Superior Dignity] Baron, or Knight Batchellor, his Successor, whether Earl, [or of Superior Dignity] Baron, or Knight, was to have a vacant Stall of his Predecessor, without any changing of Places, except the Prince of _Wales_ alone, who was to have always the next Stall, and opposite to the Sovereign; so that it may happen for a Knight to have an Earl’s Place, or an Earl a Knight’s Place; and this because the first Founders might be known.

22. EVERY Knight-Companion at his first Entrance, was to give a certain Alms, according to their Eminence and Degree, for the perpetual Maintenance of the Canons and Poor Knights, _viz._ the Sovereign Forty Marks, a Foreign King Twenty Pounds, a Prince of _Wales_ Twenty Marks, a Duke Ten Pounds, an Earl Ten Marks, a Baron a Hundred Shillings, and a Knight Batchellor Five Marks, that by these pious Donations they might justly entitle themselves to the Name and Privileges of the Order; wherefore, before these Payments were rightly performed, their Sword and Helmet [Atchievements] were not to be hung up, and for Foreigners the Sovereign was obliged to pay himself.

23. UPON the Death of any of the Founders his Arms, in a Plate of Metal, was to be fixed upon the Back of his Stall, and their Successors were to have the like, but to be placed underneath their Predecessors, and not to be so great as those of the first Founders.

24. AT Admission every Knight-Companion must promise and swear personally, or by Proxy, faithfully to observe the Statutes of the Order, and none are to be installed by Proxy but Foreigners only, which cannot conveniently come in Person.

25. IF the Sovereign be out of _England_ at the Installation of any Knight-Companion, or could not attend himself to do what appertains to him in that Point, he might impower and authorize any of the Fellows to officiate for him.

26. THAT there be a Common Seal or Signet Keeper, whom the Sovereign was to assign.

27. EVERY Knight-Companion was to have a Copy of the Statutes under the Seal of the Order, the Original sealed likewise with the said Seal, to remain for evermore within the Treasury of the College, and upon the Death of any Knight-Companion, his Executors were to send back such Copy to be deliver’d to the Custos or Warden.

28. NO Knight-Companion was to go out of the Realm and Dominion of _England_, without the Knowledge and Licence of the Sovereign, who of Grace and Favour is bound to grant it upon a Military Expedition, or other notable Act appertaining to the Honour of Knighthood, in Preference and Advancement of this Order of St. _George_.

29. THEY were not to arm themselves against each other, but in the Wars of their Sovereign Lord, in his right and just Quarrel; and if it happen’d that any of the Order should be retain’d in the Cause and Quarrel of any Lord, and the adverse Party desir’d another Knight-Companion on his Side, that latter Knight is by no means to agree but to excuse himself in all Things, because his Fellow was armed on the other Side, and was retain’d before him. And every Knight was bound to except and agree, at his being retain’d, that he may have his Discharge from the Wars, upon any of the Order’s being engaged in Arms before him for the contrary Party; and if the second retained knows not of it, upon notice that any of his Fellows were retained before him, and armed on the contrary Side, the second retained Knight was to excuse himself to his Master, and relinquish the Quarrel.

30. ALL Licences given to the Knight-Companions to travel in quest of Honour by Military Exploits; also all Certificates, mandatous Letters, Certificates, and other Writings whatsoever relating to the Order, were to be issued out by the Sovereign, under the Seal of the Order, to remain in the keeping of one of the Order, during the Sovereign’s Pleasure. And if the Keeper of the Seal absent himself upon reasonable Cause, he was to leave the Seal with another of the Fellowship that the Sovereign should appoint, to the Intent that the Seal at no time be out of the Presence of the Sovereign, he being within his Dominion. And in like manner concerning the Seal in the Absence of the Sovereign or the Deputy.

31. IF any Knight-Companion for Devotion sake should desire to dwell at _Windsor_, he was to maintain himself at his own, and not at the College Charge.

32. ANY other Knight, not of the Order, upon the Account of Devotion, that would reside there, was to be provided for at the Appointment of the Sovereign, and the Fellowship also. Any Knight or other Person giving 10 _l._ yearly Rents or Lands, or more, to the College, to participate of their Prayers and Suffrages, he was to be registred in the Calendar of Benefactors, and continually be pray’d for by the Canons and Poor Knights.

33. UPON the Death of any Canon, the Custos or Warden is to certify the same by Letters to the Sovereign, if beyond Sea, to know whom he pleases to present to the Canonship.

34. THERE was to be a Register appointed by the Sovereign and Fellowship, the most intelligent Person of the College, who was to be present at the Chapters, to record their Elections and the Electors, their Punishments, and Causes of them, with their Reconciliations, all Acts whatsoever administred in their Council, from Chapter to Chapter yearly; for the faithful Execution of which Office he was to be sworn at his Admission therein; and whatsoever had been register’d was in the Beginning of the following Chapter, on the Vigils of St. _George_, to be publickly recited before the Sovereign and the whole Fellowship, that what was amiss and incorrect might be mended and reduced to due Form.

§ 2. BESIDES these Statutes there are Two other Bodies, or Exemplars establish’d since, the one by King _Henry_ V. the other by King _Hen._ VIII. King _Henry_ V. finding the Glory of the Order declining, removed the Grand Festival and other Solemnities, and commanded a strict Observation of all the Founder’s Statutes, and brought many more to like Perfection, which he subjoined to such of them, where they might be properly and are as follow:

{ 3. THAT the Knights should mark their
{ Obeisance in the Choir first to the Altar,
{ and next to the Sovereign, or in his Absence
{ to his Stall.
{
{ 8. THAT the Deputy should elect, if
{ the Sovereign (when abroad) had not Six
{ Knights with him.
{
{ 9. THAT the Feast of St. _George_ should
{ not be kept upon St. _Mark_’s Day, nor the
{ Days of St. _Philip_ and _Jacob_, nor of the
{ Holy Cross, neither upon any Days which
{ should happen in the Festivals of the
{ Ascension or Pentecost, or other solemn
{ Feasts ordained by the Church to the interrupting
{ their Divine Service.
{
{ 12. That when a Knight should ride
{ out he might wear a Blue Silk Ribbon instead
To Article { of his Garter.
{
{ 14. That the Order and Manner of
{ Offering up the Atchievements should be
{ as is there prescribed, _viz._ before they
{ offer their Money, their Swords should be
{ first offered by Two Companions, which
{ the Sovereign or his Deputy should appoint,
{ and afterwards their Helmets with
{ their Crests, by Two others of the
{ Order.
{
{ 20. That Knights absent in the Sovereign’s
{ Service might be install’d by Deputy.
{
{ 31. That the Sovereign should take a
{ Signet of the Order abroad with him, to
{ be fixed to all the Acts he does in Foreign
{ Parts relating to this Order, in Distinction
{ to those done at home.
{
{ 34. That no Charge should be admitted
{ upon the College by the Custos or Canons,
{ without the Sovereign’s Consent likewise.

THE Statutes with these Additions (as the Statutes of Institution) this King caused to be translated into _French_, and transcribed into a Roll, which was ordered to be presented to every Knight-Companion under the common Seal of the Order. In after Times it was transcribed into Books; and by a Decree, _Anno_ 3 _Hen._ VII. an Original Book of these Statutes and Institutions, fair written, was to be reposed in the College of St. _George_, and the Scribe or Register to have Transcripts of them in Readiness, to present the elected Knights withal.

THE last and largest Body was first began, and received the finishing Stroke by King _Hen._ VIII. chiefly in regard some of the former Statutes wanted Explication and others Contraction. And for the compleating of which Purpose, on St. _George_’s Day, _Anno_ 9 _Regni sui_ he summoned all the Knights-Companions to convene next Year at the Time of the Solemnity, about the Abrogation of what tended to darken the Honour of this Order (if any such were), and for the Advancement of what might promote the Grandeur and Lustre of it. But these Resolves came to no Perfection till _May_ 28. _Anno_ 11 _Regni sui_, when he entred upon this Reformation with all magnificent Ceremony imaginable, for being accompanied with Nineteen Knights-Companions of the Order proceeding in Cavalcade to the Chapter-House, and taking into Consideration their former Statutes of Knights-Companions, with all due Reverence implor’d the Sovereign to reform and explain them as he should think convenient, which he brought to a successful Period, by the Advice and Consent of the Society assembled: That done, all present entreated the Sovereign, kneeling, that where any of them had been peccant against the Order, he would please to remit, and issue out a general Pardon, which he granted and ratify’d in Chapter next Day. This was a Task of Three Years compleat before it rose to Perfection, _viz. April_ 23. _Anno_ 14 _Hen._ VIII. for then the Sovereign, out of right singular Love, well-temper’d Zeal, and entire Affection to this most noble Order, to the Estate of Chivalry, and the Continuance and Encrease thereof; as also at the humble Request and instant Importunity of the then Knights-Companions, and by their Advice, Counsel and Consent, did interpret and elucidate all the Obscurities, Doubts and Ambiguities of the former Statutes and Ordinances. Divers Affairs contain’d in Fifty of them being explain’d and amended; he made likewise necessary Additions, the Original whereof being sign’d and seal’d, were commanded to be carefully laid up in the Treasury of _Windsor_ College, to remain as a Standard to succeeding Times; yet they have not been seen there these many Years past.

THE Articles and Clauses added to the former Statutes, in this last Body, are these:

{ 1. That the Interpretation of the
{ Statutes, _&c._ belongeth to the Sovereign.
{
{ 2. The Three Points of Reproach declar’d,
{ and what is meant by a Gentleman
{ of Blood.
{
{ 4. Of the Prerogative of the Feast.
{
{ 5. How the Feast is to be observed by
{ absent Knights.
{
{ 6. Attendance on the Sovereign, if
{ he be not at the Feast.
{
{ 7. That the Sovereign’s Deputy may
{ correct Things in Chapter.
{
{ 12. The offering up of Atchievements,
{ and a Taper arm’d with an Escutcheon.
{
{ 13. Canons to sit in the lower Stalls,
{ when any Knights are present.
{
{ 14. That Six Knights make a Chapter.
{
To Article { 20. The Manner of Installation set
{ down.
{
{ 21. Clause for a Foreign Knight’s
{ Deputy to be conducted from the Chapter-House
{ to the Stall; and for making
{ an Election void, if the Knight send not
{ his Proxy within Seven Months.
{
{ 23. For advancing and translating of
{ Stalls.
{
{ 25. Plates not to be larger than the
{ first Founders, except Strangers.
{
{ 27. The Time Three Months prefix’d
{ for the Executor of a deceas’d Knight-Companion
{ to send back the Copy of the
{ Orders deliver’d to him at his Admission,
{ which might be also sent to one of the
{ principal Officers of the Order.
{
{ 38. Concerning the Collar of the
{ Order.

THIS Body of Statutes was compil’d in _Latin_, and is recorded in the _Black Book_ of the Order. It was translated into _French_ and _English_ by Sir _Thomas Wriothesley_, Kt. then Garter King of Arms. The _English_ Version annex’d here to this Treatise, is what hath since been deliver’d (instead of the former Statutes) to all succeeding Knights-Companions, according to the Injunction; but of late Times appointed to be sent to Foreign Princes and other elect Knights abroad, sealed with the Great Seal of the Order, affix’d to a Label of Blue Silk and Gold.

§ 3. THERE have been several Endeavours since the Reign of King _Henry_ VIII. for reforming the Statutes. As first, King _Edward_ VI. who as Sovereign, by the Orders themselves, had an undoubted Prerogative set him to alter and reform many Things which seem’d inconsistent with the Religion he establish’d. To which Purpose, at a Chapter at _Greenwich_, held _April_ 23. in the Third Year of his Reign, the Lord _St. John_, the Earl of _Arundel_, and Sir _William Paget_, were to peruse and make them agreeable to the King’s other Proceedings, by the Assistance and Advice of the Protector, the Duke of _Somerset_, and other Companions. This was follow’d by a subsequent Order pass’d in the Chapter at _Greenwich_ the Year after, that the Statutes should be reform’d and corrected as they thought expedient: And for the better Accomplishment of their Design, at the next Feast, _April_ 24. 5 _Edw._ VI. another Order commenc’d, impowering the Duke of _Somerset_, the Marquess of _Northampton_, the Earls of _Warwick_, _Arundel_, _Bedford_ and _Wilts_, to peruse and amend the Statutes and other Books of the Order, which were brought to some tolerable Degree of Perfection; for thereupon a new Body was collected (in general very much altering the Laws of the Order) and publish’d _March_ 17. _Anno_ 7 _Edw._ VI. But this King within Four Months after expiring, Queen _Mary_, his Sister and Successor, the very first Thing she transacted was to abrogate and make them void; wherefore we need not mention them, as never in use and unrevived. For the Execution of which Purpose, she conven’d a Chapter at St. _James_’s, the 27th of _September_ following; and it was then decreed, that the said Laws and Ordinances, as inconvenient, impertinent, and tending to Novelty, should be disannulled, and no Account to be made of them for the future; and for the quicker Execution, Sir _William Petre_ (that Day admitted Chancellor) had Orders to see them speedily expung’d out of the Book of Statutes, and forthwith defac’d, lest any Memory of them should remain to Posterity; and only those of her Father, _Hen._ VIII. and his Royal Predecessors, should be retain’d.

IN this Affair King _Philip_, her Husband, appear’d no less zealous; for on the 5th of _August_, 1 and 2 _Philip_ and _Mary_, (which was the 3d Day after he had been invested with the Habit) himself being present at a Chapter at _Windsor_, it was ordain’d, That all Acts and Decrees in the Great Book, [_i. e._ the _Black Book_ aforesaid] which were repugnant and disagreeable, either with the ancient and receiv’d Statutes of the Order, or else with the Laws of the Realm, should clearly be abolish’d and erased, by the Marquis of _Winchester_, the Earls of _Arundel_, _Pembroke_, and the Lord _Paget_.

NO sooner was Queen _Elizabeth_ fix’d on the Throne, but soon after, _viz._ on St. _George_’s Day, in the second Year of her Reign, a View of the Statutes was committed, by Commission, to Four of the Knights-Companions, _viz_. the Marquis of _Northampton_, the Earls of _Arundel_ and _Pembroke_, and the Lord _Howard_ of _Effingham_, who were thereby impower’d to peruse and consider those Statutes with the utmost Care and regard, if any of them were repugnant to the Religion, Laws and Statutes of the Realm; and if any such were recorded, to represent them faithfully to the Sovereign, that she, in Conjunction with the Knights-Companions, might establish such Decrees concerning them as she should think fit; but that any thing was done in pursuance hereunto, doth not appear; for the Transcripts of her Father’s Body of the Statutes, throughout the Time of her Reign, were presented to the Knights-Companions at their Installations; and the Practice of her Time was pursuant to the Direction therein, except in some few Things now and then added or alter’d at future Chapters, when there arose fresh Matters for such Expedients.

KING _James_ I. her Successor, revolv’d something towards a new Regulation; and in order to put it in Execution, the 14th of _May_, in the 9th Year of his Reign, decreed, That Commissionary Letters should be granted to the Earls of _Nottingham_, _Worcester_, _Pembroke_ and _Northampton_, to empower them to examine the Registers and other Monuments which pertained to that Order; and where any Passage should be found obsolete or obscure, to make it conspicuous and clear; where Contrariety appear’d, fitly to reconcile it; yet with no Design of innovating any Thing, but an Intention of renewing all, as near as might be, to the first Standard and most ancient Institution of the Order; saving always Power to himself, as Sovereign of the Order, to add or diminish any Matter (according to the Occasion) as it should seem agreeable to his Prudence for the Honour of this Most Noble Order. What Progress they made in this Commission, the Memoirs of that Time are silent in; but some few Years after, this Affair was reviv’d, and another was issu’d forth, to the Earls of _Nottingham_, _Worcester_, _Southampton_, _Arundel_ and _Montgomery_, and the Viscount _Lisle_, all Knights-Companions, dated _April_ 26. in the 16th Year of his Reign; which Six, or any Four of them, were thereby constituted to take an exact Survey of all the ancient Statutes and Articles of the said Order; and authoriz’d to call before them all such Persons, whether Officers of the said Order, or others, as could give any Light or Information concerning that Affair; and after a serious Deliberation, to pen down what in them they conceiv’d meet to be explain’d, and what to be added, whereby to render the Order more illustrious, that the same being presented to the Sovereign and the Society, at a Chapter holden, might be resolv’d on in part, or in all, to be put in Execution, if it seem’d so good to that King.

THIS Affair mov’d very slowly; but towards the latter End of his Reign, the Earls of _Worcester_, _Montgomery_, _Arundel_, _Surry_ and _Leicester_, Five of the Six Commissioners above-nam’d, having held divers Conferences, and debated several Matters represented to them, and at a Chapter convened at _Whitehall_ the 19th of _May_, _Anno_ 20 _Jac._ I. did present to the Sovereign certain Articles, subscribed with their Hands, which, for the Honour of the Order, they thought requisite to be duly observ’d.

BY the first of which they made Provision for a further Progression and Advancement of the illustrious Institution, in proposing, that every Year a Commission from the Sovereign should be granted, or continu’d to such Knights of the Order as the Chapter should pitch on, to deliberate and weigh all Affairs that fell under the Order, and that the Year after, an Estimate, by the Knights in Chapter, should be exhibited, of their Resolutions and Proceedings by Virtue of the said Commission. This, with Eight other Articles, were confirm’d by the Sovereign and Twelve of the Knights-Companions, the 22d of _May_ following, in a Chapter held at _Whitehall_; and so prosperously their Endeavours succeeded, that on the Feast-day of St. _George_, at _Windsor_ in the ensuing Year, the Earl of _Worcester_, (being then the Sovereign-Deputy) with Ten Knights-Companions more, gave their assent to Eight other Articles (most of them concerning the Alms-Knights) which the Morning after had the Approbation of the Sovereign; and before the Celebration of Divine Service, by his Deputy and Companions assembled in the Chapter-House, the Observation thereof was duly decreed.