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The institution, laws & ceremonies of the most noble Order of the Garter collected and digested into one body by Elias Ashmole ...

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Title
The institution, laws & ceremonies of the most noble Order of the Garter collected and digested into one body by Elias Ashmole ...
Author
Ashmole, Elias, 1617-1692.
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London :: Printed by J. Macock, for Nathanael Brooke ...,
1672.
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Order of the Garter.
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"The institution, laws & ceremonies of the most noble Order of the Garter collected and digested into one body by Elias Ashmole ..." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A26024.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed April 29, 2025.

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Page 467

CHAP. XVIII. OF THE Grand Feast OF THE Order. (Book 18)

SECT. I. The Grand Feast, appointed to be annually celebrated on St. George's day.

AT the Institution of this most Noble Order, it was Ordained, That its high and solemn Festival (commonly called St. George's Feast) should be annually celebrated on the a 1.1 23. day of April, or Saint George's day, in honor of that Saint made choice of for its peculiar Patron.

And it is very observable, that the Founders of several other Military Orders (whose Institutions bear later date than this of the Garter) setled also the An∣niversary of their Festivals upon the Feast-day of their Patrons. Thus Philip Duke of Burgundy, upon his erection of the Order of the Golden Fleece, making choice of St. Andrew for its Patron, ordained the Grant Festival to be kept on St. b 1.2 Andrew's day. The like did Lewis the Eleventh of France, in appointing c 1.3 Michaelmas day for holding the Feast of the Order of St. Michael. So also the Solemnities of the Duke of Savoy's Order of the Annunciade, are annually held upon our d 1.4 Lady-day in Lent. And the Festival of the Duke of Burbons Order of Knights of our Lady, on the day of the e 1.5 Conception of our Lady, being the 8. of December; in which kind more instances might be produced, were it needful.

Since then the Founders of Knightly Orders, have generally appointed the ce∣lebration of their Solemnities, on the days set apart by the Church, for comme∣moration of those particular Saints, whom they had pitched upon for Patrons; it will not be besides our subject to enquire, upon what grounds those days were advanced into Festivals for the honoring such Saints.

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The Church saith f 1.6 Durand, celebrates the Feasts of Saints for several causes; first by way of return of thanks to them for keeping a continual Feast for us, forasmuch as there is joy among the Angels and holy Souls, in regard of on•• penitent sinner. Secondly, because in honoring them, we are highly concern∣ed our selves, their cause of Festivity being indeed ours; for charity makes all things common. A third reason he will have to be, that we may the better engage them to intercede for us. Fourthly, in imitation of them, since by their examples, we are the better incited to imitate their virtues. Fifthly, for con∣firmation and advancement of our hopes, seeing mortal men, like our selves, advanced to that height of glory; whereupon we have the less cause to despair of the like, since the hand of the Lord is no way shortned. Sixthly, for the honor of the Divine Majesty; because in them we honor and exalt God him∣self, who sanctified and glorified them. Seventhly, that upon the contempla∣tion of their beauty and felicity, men may be weaned from their sins, and learn to contemn worldly things. But the eighth and principal for our present pur∣pose is, because the keeping of the Anniversary Feasts of Saints, brings their actions and examples the better to our memory, for our profit and edification; not that they stand in need of our Prayers, being themselves perfectly happy, but that we should give thanks and honor to God for them.

Nor hath it been the practice only of later Ages, but even of the primitive Christians also, to make Anniversary Commemorations of deceased Martyrs, as ap∣pears from Rodolph Hospinian, who saith, g 1.7 That the ancient Christians, as they had an affectionate care and respect to the Saints and Martyrs, while they were yet in the flesh, so neither were they unmindful of them after their decease; for on those days, whereon, by suffring Martyrdom▪ they were deprived of this life, they meeting at their Sepulchres, celebrated their memorials; and this they did not only once, but every year, namely, as often as that day came about, whereon they suffred.

But to resume the prosecution of our present discourse; the next thing to be considered, is the Day whereon the Patron of this most Noble Order suffered Martyrdom, and which was thereupon designed to be his Anniversary Festival.

SECT. II. The Anniversary of St. George fixed by the Church unto the 23. of April.

THat the 23. day of April was the day whereon St. George suffred Mar∣tyrdom, by beheading, appears from the Greek Hexamiter before his Com∣memoration, among other Testimonies given us in that most elaborate Work, the h 1.8 Titles of Honor. Therefore on that very day, both the Greek and Latine Church, from ancient time, appointed and observed the Natalis Sancti Georgii Martyris, in commemoration of the Passion of that famous and victorious Mar∣tyr; as may be seen in the ancientest Martyrologies, remembred both by our learn∣ed i 1.9 Selden and Doctor k 1.10 Heylin.

And on this day also was the Natalis of St. George observed by our Predeces∣sors the Saxons, as appears by the old Saxon Martyrologie (remaining now in l 1.11 Benet Colledge in Cambridge) whence may be also collected the estimation Saint George had gained, even in the Saxon times.

But that we may the better understand the acception of this word Natalis and Natalitium, in the matter of Martyrology, Durand tells us, That m 1.12 Natalis or Natalitium, is said to be the departure of Saints out of this life, as being then born to God, and a state of Glory, by a Nativity tending to eternal life. By which it plainly appears, that in the Saints Calender, the day of their Martyrdom or death,

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hath been accounted their true Natalis, their Nativity or Birth-day, rather than that generally so accounted; namely, the time of their first coming into the world. And with this the forecited Hospinian agrees, affirming, n 1.13 That the Chri∣tians of the primitive Church, appointed not the days of Martyrs Nativities to be celebrated as the Ethnicks used, but those of their death or suffring. To which ef∣fect he cites St. Ambrose, and a little after adds, that those days, whereon Mar∣tyrs resolutely underwent death for Christ's sake, they used to call their Ge∣nethlia, their Natalia or Natalitia, by the testimony of Origen and Tertullian.

And this kind of second birth, is also known by several other names, as Fe∣stum transitus, so called o 1.14 Because their souls departing from their bodies, pas•• through divers and unknown places, through the aiery, aetherial, and christalline Hea••en, that at length they may come to the empyreal. It is called also Obitus, p 1.15 Because then the Angels come to meet the Soul. Sometimes it is termed Passio, because then the soul and body suffer most, as being violently separated one from the other.

The transitus of the blessed Virgin Mary is called her Assumption. Deposition, is properly belonging to St. Iohn the Evangelist, who entred alive into the place of Sepulture, and as it were deposited himself. Obdormition is the refreshment, of the Saints after sleep, because Saints in their glorified bodies, rise as it were newly awakened out of sleep. By all these several Names are the Festivals of the Saints celebrated, which plainly denote, the day of the second Birth or going out of the world, and not of the first or coming into the world.

And it is further observable, that the Church, among the many Saints, who have days appointed for their Commemoration, does not celebrate the Nativi∣ties of any, but our blessed Saviour, and St. Iohn the Baptist: whereto those of the Romish perswasion have added that of the blessed Virgin Mary.

SECT. III. St. George's day made Festum duplex.

AFter that the Soveraign and Knights-Companions, had given encrease of ho∣nors to this their Patron's ••estival, our Church began to take a greater re∣gard to his day, because he was also esteemed amongst us, the Patron of our Na∣tion, and therefore bestowed an q 1.16 addition of honor thereupon.

For whereas it had anciently been accounted, only minus duplex, or, infe∣rius duplex (as beside the Testimonies, both of our learned Selden and others, may also be deduced from the interdiction of the minora servilia opera upon this Saints day, by a Synod held at Oxford, in the year of our Lord 1222. cited by r 1.17 Hospinian) it was petitioned in a Con∣vocation, held under Archbishop Arundel, an. 1. H. 4. s 1.18 that it might be observed and solemnized sicut caeterae Nationis suorum Patronorum facta colunt; which though it took no effect, yet after at the t 1.19 instance of King Henry the Fifth, this day was (in the u 1.20 3. year of his Reign) made w 1.21 Festum duplex, ad modum majoris duplicis, by a Canon of the Con∣vocation, of the Province of Canterbury: And so we find it noted to be observed, a long time after, in the Kalender, set before the Horae beatissimae Virginis Mariae, secundum usum Sarum, Printed at Paris, by Francis Regnault, anno Domini 1526. But this is found so noted, only in some of the Missals used here in England, for in the Roman Breviary and Missal, it appear•• to be but Semiduplex.

Now the better to explain, the above-mentioned distinction of Festa majora duplicia, & minora duplicia, Durand, as being very particular in this point, may fitly be consulted herein, who saith, x 1.22 Quaedam festa dicuntur in totum

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duplicia, quaedam simpliciter duplicia, quaedam semiduplicia, &c.. Some Feasts are said to be totally double, some simply double, some half double: The totally or greater double are so called, because in them the Responsories, as well the grea∣ter as the shorter, as also the Verses are sung by two, and because the Anti∣phones, both at Mattins and Vespers are doubled; of this sort, are the Feasts of the Nativity of our Lord, of St. Stephen, of St. Iohn the Evangelists, Epiphany, Puri∣fication, &c.. The lesser double Feasts are the second and third Feriae before the Octaves of Easter and Penticost, the Commemoration of St. Paul, and in brief every Feast which is ordained to be celebrated double in all Churches, where∣as the greater double Feast are kept in some particular Churches only. The half double Feasts are such wherein the Responsories are sung by two, but neither are they begun by two, nor are the Antiphones sung double, yet the Verses and short Responsories are said, and these are the Feasts of St. Andrew, Nicholas, Lu∣cie, Thomas the Apostle, &c..

And the reason of this variety observed in the celebration of these Feasts, is for that as St. Paul saith, y 1.23 One Star difers from another in glory; so according to the degrees of merit (saith the same z 1.24 Durand) their praise is so much the more or less celebrated in these Feasts.

This division of Durand appears to be the same in effect, with that taken notice of by our learned Selden; where a 1.25 Majora duplicia, answers to Duran∣dus his duplicia in totum, the Minora, to the simpliciter duplicia, and the Inferiora to the Semiduplicia; only herein Selden notes this difference, that the grand and high Feast of all, as Christmas, Easter, and Penticost, &c. are not compre∣hended under the notion of Majora Duplicia, but by the title of Principaliora. And as for the Festival of our particular Patron St. George, however after-Custom had slackned that due honor which was decreed unto it, by the above mentioned Canon; yet how great a veneration it was thought worthy of, plain∣ly appears, both by that part of the said Canon, wherein it is Decreed to be one of the Festa majora duplicia, and also by the reasons given at large for it, in the Preamble thereof, which are these. b 1.26 Vpon consideration therefore of this appoint∣ment, proceeding from the favorable and bountiful mercy of our God and Saviour the faithful of the English Nation, although at all times obliged to worship God in all his Saints, yet as is testified by the general vote of the World, and the experience of grace given from above, the best interpreter of all things, are they more particularly bound to extol him with high acclamations, to sound forth his praises, and to give him veneration and special honors, in the perso•• of his most glorious Martyr Saint George, as Patron and Protector of the said Nation, since by his intercession, at we verily believe, not only the Military Power of the English Nation, is strengthen∣ed, and made capable of repelling all hostile incursions, in the time of War, but also our Spiritual Militia, the flourishing estate of our Clergy, is under the tutelage of so great a Patron manifestly, fortified in the prosperity of a holy and peaceful estate.

To this may be added, the division of Feasts into Generalia, which are cal∣led Solemnitates, and Particularia, which are peculiar to one Church only, one Parish or one Bishoprick, and also into Mobilia, such as are not limited to one certain day of the Month, as Easter-day, Whitsunday, &c. and Fixa, such as con∣stantly fall upon a certain day of the Month, as Christmas-day, Lady-day, and several others: which, as falling into this subject of Feasts, we thought fit to mention out of the before mentioned c 1.27 Hospinian, rather for satisfaction to the curious, than as necessarily relating to the present discourse.

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SECT. IV. The Place for celebrating the Grand Feast, assigned to Windesor Castle.

AND as King Edward the Third, Founder of this most Noble Order, had fixed the day of its Feast, to that of the Passion (or, according to the Church phrase, the Nativity) of his Patron; so as to the place, wherein to per∣form its Solemnities, he made choice of that of his own Nativity, the Castle of d 1.28 Windesor, and appointed the observation of this Grand Festival, in a solemn manner, and with due Ceremonies to be celebrated there, which for a long time after was inviolably observed, either upon the very day by the Church made sacred to St. George, or else upon some other appointed by Prorogation, not long after: for which way of Prorogation, allowance was given by the e 1.29 Sta∣tutes of the Order, and of which the Registers are full of instances.

SECT. V. St. George's day kept apart from the Grand Feast, and how then observed.

HOW this Noble Order spread its roots and flourished, from its first planta∣tion to the time of King Henry the Fifth, we can give no account, since the Annals thereof are wanting unto his Reign; certain it is, that then it was of a considerable growth; but afterwards, the Civil Wars, towards the end of King Henry the Sixth's Reign, caused it to stand at a stay. Under the benevolent aspect of King Edward the Fourth, it seemed to recover; and whilst King Henry the Eighth reigned, to have attained a greater height than at any time before.

But though the several Branches of the Order received some augmentation, from the favourable influence of this last mentioned Soveraign, yet the principal, to wit, the Grand Festival, began to flag, by a removal of the observation of St. George's day from Windesor (the place particularly appointed for it) and a proroga∣tory celebration of the Grand Feast to other times. By which means, the honor of that princely Seat, and the advantages accrewing by the performance of the So∣lemnities there, were diverted to those other places, whereto the observation of St. George's day was translated. The Article of the Statutes causing this great alte∣ration, and which clashed so much with the design of the first Institutor, may be seen in the f 1.30 Appendix, where it is manifest, that when the Soveraign saw oc∣casion, to prorogue the celebration of the Grand Feast, he might legally do it; but when he did so, 'tis there also evident, that the day of St. George, was ne∣vertheless ordained to be duly observed, singly by it self, in what place soever the Soveraign (if within this Realm) should then reside; Windesor hereby be∣ing not excluded.

It further implies the sacred Rites and Offices to be performed, with sundry other concerns of the Order, for besides the particulars therein innumerated, we may observe thence this general clause, that what other urgent Affair soever (relating to the Order) should offer it self to be performed, the same might be treated of, and receive dispatches in the Chapter held, where the Soveraign then should be, as fully as if he were at Windesor Castle.

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So that hence forward, all things began to be ordered, both on the Eve, the Day of St. George, and the Morrow after, with full as great state, all Affairs as le∣gally dispatched, and all Ceremonies as magnificently performed (except that of Offring up of Atchievements, which is peculiar and local to the Chappel of St. George in Windesor Castle) as could be observed, at the Grand Festival it self.

And how (by virtue of this Article) and with that Ceremonies St. George's day was held, when the Grand Feast was prorogued to some further time, is evident, from a full and ample Precedent (an. 22. H. 8.) now remaining in the Office of Arms.

For albeit the Soveraign, with h 1.31 thirteen Knights-Companions, were at Winde∣sor, upon the 22.23. and 24. of April that year, yet did they at that time observe only the Feast day of St. George (with the Eve and Morrow after) but deferred (by i 1.32 Order in Chapter) the celebration of the Grand Feast, unto the 8. day of May ensuing; the Memorial whereof follows.

k 1.33 The King went not to the Chapter before the first Evensong, but im∣mediately to his Stall (viz. in the Chappel of the l 1.34 Soveraign's Lodgings in the Upper Ward of the Castle of Windesor, not in the Chappel Royal of St. George) The Bishop of London Lord Cutberde Tunstall elect of Duresme did the Divine Service, and at Magnificat he and the Dean first censed the Altar, and after the King; both the high Altar and the Altar which was made before the King, were richly garnished with Images and over garnishments of Gold, and Silver, and Gilt, &c. The Even∣song the King returned to his — and his Grace, and the Knights of the Order were served of the void, &c. And on the Morn at 9. of the Clock—to be at Matyns, which was done above the Ordinary, the King ordained in the honor of St. George, a right noble Procession, whereat was 35 Copes of rich Cloth of Gold; after the Procession the King went immediately to his Stall, and High Mass, and offered as ac∣customed, That done; Dinner, and 4 of the greatest Estates sat at the kings boards end. And the residue sat all along at the two Tables all on the one side, as accustomed, and before Evensong the King went to his Closet to the Chapter, and appointed the Duke of Suffolk to be his Lieu∣tenant at the Feast, which was appointed to be kept the eight day of May then ensuing, accompanied with the Earl of Rutland, the Lord Sandys Lord Chamberlain, Sir William Fitz Williams.

Memoramdum, That the low Evensongs that were said before the King. were of St. George. Also the first low Mass in the morning song by the Lord George Grey of Dorset; two oder Masses of the day, of the which Lord John Longland Bishop of Lincolne sang the third Mass, the fourth low Mass was of Recordare, and was appointed that the high Mass done, the Mass of Requiem should begin.

Thus here we have (1.) The attendance of the Knights-Companions upon the Soveraign. (2.) the Chapter, which accustomably was held on the Eve of the Feast, implied, by observing, that the Soveraign went not unto it. (3.) The Ceremo∣nies at the first Vespers. (4.) The Morning Service on St. George's day. (5.) The Grand Procession. (6.) The Solemn Offring. (7.) The Grand Dinner. (8.) The Chapter held before the second Vespers. (9.) The day for celebrating the Grand Festival appointed. And (10.) The Mass of Requiem, on the morrow after St. George's day celebrated.

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SECT. VI. The Grand Feast neglected by King Edward the Sixth.

BUT King Edward the Sixth assuming the Soveraignty of this Noble Order, the days became more gloomy, in as much as during his Reign, there was no Anniversary of St. George kept at Windesor, by a Grand Festival. Under what churli••h Fate this noble place then suffered, we cannot guess, other than the common calamity of that Age, wherein most Ceremonies, solemn or splendid, either (chiefly such as related to Divine Services) came under the suspicion of being superstitious, if not idolatrous. Insomuch as at a Chapter held at Greene∣wich, upon the m 1.35 22. day of April, in the second year of his Reign (an aboli∣tion being intended of all such Ceremonies, as were not consonant to the King's Injuctions then lately prescribed) it was Ordained and Decreed, that n 1.36 then and for ever from thenceforth (at the Feast of this most Noble Order) no other Ceremonies should be observed, than such as were appointed in the following Letter. Which was at that Chapter agreed upon, and a little before the next years Feast day of St. George, sent from the Lords of the Council to the Knights-Companions, attributing the whole procedure, to the great piety of the then So∣veraign, and the care he took, that certain abuses and preposterous Ceremonies of the Church, should be reformed: Whereby the Solemnity, State and mag∣nificence of this Grand Festival was very much eclipsed.

o 2.1 AFter our most hearty commendations; For as much as the Kings Highness hath appointed a most godly Reformation of divers abuses and rites in the Church, to a more convenient and decent Order, of the which some hath been used heretofore, in the most honorable and amicable Order of the Garter, and being not reformed, there should make a disagreeing from his Majesty's most godly proceedings. There∣fore it is his Majesty's will and pleasure, by the advice of us the Lord Protector, and other his Highness Council, that all such things, as be not conformable and agreeing to his Majesty's Injunctions, Orders, or Reformations, now of late pre∣scribed, should be also in that most Noble Order and the Ceremonies thereof lest undone, and reformed as hereafter followeth. First, that no Procession be made with going about the Church or Church-yard, but the Kings Majesty's Procession, lately set forth in English to be used. His Majesty and other Knights of that honora∣ble Order sitting in their Stalls, at the entry such Reverence to be made to the King's Majesty only as was heretofore. The Offring to be in the Box for the Poor, without any other Reverence or kissing of any Paten or other thing, but only at the return due Reverence to the King's Majesty as was used before. The Mass of Requiem to be left undone, but yet both upon St. George's day, and the next day a Mass to be sung with great Reverence; in the which immediately after the words of Consecra∣tion is said, the Priest shall say the Pater Noster, and so turn and communicate all, or so many of the Order or other, after they have done, as shall be disposed godly at the same time to receive the Communion, according to such order as is prescribed in his Highness Book of Communion, and without any other Rite or Ceremony after the said Communion to be used, except it be some godly Psalm or Hymn to be sung in English, and so to end the said Service. All Chapters and other Rites concern∣ing the said Order, not being contrary to these, to remain as they have been pre∣scribed and used, the which we have thought good to signifie unto you, that you may follow the same accordingly, From Greenwich the 20. of April 1548.

This Decree we observe, signified not less than a Prohibition to the holding the Grand Fe••st at Windesor (although it spoke not so plain) at least the neg∣lect of its celebration there, whilst King Edward the Sixth lived, makes it to

Page 474

seem so. And albeit towards the end of this Soveraign's Reign, some care was or seemed taken, for a permissive holding of the said Feast, either upon the day of St. George, or some other day appointed by Prorogation, yet was it with∣out any regard had to the ancient and usual place, the Castle of Windesor. For when the p 2.2 Act of Parliament passed,q 2.3 commanding the days therein mentioned to be kept holy, and none other (whereby the celebration of many days be∣sides, which in former time, by the Canons of our Church appointed to be kept holy, were prohibited, and among the rest the Feast day of St. George, it being not found among those Feast days at that time established) It was considered, That a Proviso and allowance should be entred in the aforesaid Act, for the celebration of this Feast, particularly by the Knights-Companions of this most Noble Order, in these words.

Provided always, and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid, that it shall be lawfull to the Knights of the right honorable Order of the Garter, and to every of them, to keep and celebrate solemnly the Feast of their Or∣der, commonly called St. George's Feast, yearly from henceforth the 22.23. and 24. days of April, and at such other time and times, as yearly shall be thought convenient, by the Kings Highness his Heirs and Suc∣cessors, and the said Knights of the said honorable Order, or any of them, now being, or hereafter to be, any thing in this Act heretofore men∣tioned to the contrary notwithstanding.

Which Act, although it suffred a r 2.4 Repeal by Queen Mary, yet strands it at this day in force, being s 2.5 revived by King Iames, his repealing of that Statute of the first of Queen Mary, Cap. 2.

SECT. VII. Removed from Windesor by Queen Elizabeth.

BUT that which gave the greatest and almost fatal blow, to the growing Honor of this no less famous than ancient Castle of Windesor, and severed the Patrons Festival from the Place, was a Decree made at a Chapter held at Whitehall, upon St. George's day an. 9. Eliz. with the consent of the Knights-Com∣panions then present, being 12 in number (namely, the Earls of Arundel and Penbroke, the Lord Clinton, Marquess of Northampton, Lord Howard of Effing∣ham, Earl of Sussex, Lord Loughborow, Viscount Mountague, Earls of Leicester, Northumberland, Warwick, and Lord Hunsdon) to the effect following

t 2.6 That if on the Vigil and day of St. George, the Feast were not held at Winde∣sor according to the usual Custom, it should nevertheless be sufficient, if the obser∣vation thereof were kept in the same place, where the Soveraign should then happen to be, where also all the rest of the Knights-Companions were obliged to be present, no less than if the Feast had been to be celebrated at Windesor. And henceforward the glory which Windesor Castle had alone possest for some Ages, began to be distributed to other places, nay, so severe was the later part of this Decree, to the interest of so flourishing a place, that it welnigh extended to a prohibition of all other Celebrations there, since it also commanded, u 2.7 That no other Solem∣nity under the notion of St. George's Feast, should thenceforth be celebrated at Windesor, except upon occasion of the Installation of some illustrious personage, and then also, not without the leave and appointment of the Soveraign.

And to say truth, this Statutes was but too strictly observed, all the remain∣der of her Reign; for we meet not with one Feast of St. George, held simply and

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peculiarly as a Feast in honor of the Order's Patron at Windesor (unless you mi∣stakingly account any of the Feasts of Installation for those of St. George, which for the most part were held at the charge and expence of the Knights Installed) until the first year of King Iames: But then the Soveraign (as yet in Scotland) taking notice that the w 2.8 day of the Celebration of the Feast of St. George ap∣proched, and his Affairs hindring him from the observation of the just day, be∣cause he could not be so soon present, at any of his Houses of Residence, where the same was meet to be kept, he therefore thought good to defer the Cele∣bration thereof for a time, until he could conveniently honor the same with his own presence. To that purpose, by Commission dated the x 2.9 5. of April in the first year of his Reign, he appointed Charles * 2.10 Earl of Nottingham his Lieu∣tenant, for the Proroguing thereof unto the 3. day of Iuly next ensuing, De∣claring also, that on that day he intended to a 2.11 keep the said Feast and Ceremo∣nies personally at Windesor.

This b 2.12 Commission being read (upon the Knights-Companions assembling at Whitehall, on St. George's c 2.13 Eve following) they forthwith proceeded to Vespers, which being finished, all the Knights-Companions present went up to the Closet, and there Decreed, d 2.14 That the foresaid Festival should be celebrated upon the day, which the Soveraign had appointed.

And the Soveraign arriving at Windesor the e 2.15 25. day of Iune following, short∣ly after constituted the said Earl of Nottingham his Lieutenant, by Commission bearing date the second day of Iuly following, thereby impowering him to per∣form the Ceremonies of the Feast (which it seems himself could not personally observe as was intended, though then in the Castle) on the 2.3. and 4. days of the said Month, upon which days it was with all pomp and state solemnized.

And thus after a long interval did the honor of the Feast then return, which had this effect (towards the end of the same Soveraign's Reign, and in that of his Son and Successor King Charles the First) that it begat a re-union of the Feast and Place; whereby that ancient Fabrick, famous for the Institution of this most Noble Order, retrived the honor of having its Solemnities celebrated within its Walls.

SECT. VIII. Of Prorogation of the Grand Feast.

HAving thus noted, that from the beginning of King Henry the Eight's Reign, until of late years, the Grand Feast was seldom observed upon the precise day of St. George; and that the occasion how both day and Feast, came to be celebrated apart, took its rise from the indulgence of the Statutes, in point of Prorogation: we shall further observe, that this Prorogation is of two sorts, either absolute, as being enjoined by the Statutes of the Order, or else arbitrary at the Soveraign's pleasure, when for some reason he saw just occasion therefore.

To the first of these it is said,* 2.16 f 2.17 If the Feast day of St. George shall happen within 15 days next after Easter day, it shall be g 2.18 prorogued to the Sunday fortnight or 15. day next after Easter day, and the reason of this is there set down, viz. h 2.19 That every of the Knights-Companions might have the opportunity of coming thereunto, without being constrained to ride upon any of those three holy days, immediately fol∣lowing Easter day. The same rule for Prorogation, where there is a concur∣rence of these two Feasts, is likewise enjoined in the Statutes of King Henry the Fifth, and King Henry the Eighth.

And we observe, that when the Grand Feast (in this case of Easter) hath been kept before the expiration of the said 15 days, the Knights-Companions then absent (to avoid the penances incurr'd for their non-attendance) have laid

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hold of this following excuse, i 2.20 That the ancient Statutes of the Order were vio∣lated, in keeping the Feast within fifteen days after Easter; and this was so alledg∣ed, when Sir k 2.21 Iohn Denham (then also Lord Treasurer) held, as President, the Feast of St. George at Windesor, the l 2.22 24. of April. an. 8. H. 7.

Anciently, where the Register mentions the Grand Feast to be held at Winde∣sor, beyond the day of St. George, we find upon Calculation, that Easter day (in those years) fell too near the 23. of April, to celebrate the Festival on, with∣out breaking the Law, which was the real cause of those Prorogations: As for instance in the m 2.23 13. n 2.24 24. and o 2.25 35. of King Henry the Sixth, when Easter day fell upon the 17. of April, and consequently St. George's day within the following week. In like manner in the p 2.26 29. and q 2.27 32. of the said King's Reign, Easter day hapned yet neerer to St. George's day, in the one upon the 25. and in the other upon the 21. of April. And in all of these cases, care was taken to Prorogue the celebra∣tion of the Grand Feast, until some further day in the Month of May, imme∣diately following, as from the before cited places doth appear.

Again an. 11. H. 8. r 2.28 Quia festa dies Divi Georgii Paschatis in vigilia contigit, because the Feast day of St. George hapned upon Easter Eve, therefore the Sove∣raign summoned a Chapter to be held, upon the s 2.29 Thursday before Easter day at Richmond, where it was then held; and although there is nothing spoken, as to the Prorogation of the Feast, or when it was to be celebrated, yet doubtless something there was to this purpose then enacted, in pursuance of the foresaid Statute; else, why should it there be noted with the word quia, if it were not out of respect to the Feast of Easter, and that thereupon the said Chapter was then called.

To this place may be referred a Commission of Lieutenancy, made to Thomas Earl of Arundel, for holding the Grand Feast at Windesor, upon the t 2.30 24. of May, an. 21. H. 7. (the Soveraign keeping the day of St. George that year at Cambridge) the Prorogation being grounded upon the falling of St. George's day, within the excepted 15 days of Easter, as appears by the then Soveraign's Letters of no∣tice to the said Lieutenant; which for the antiquity thereof, as that it is a testimony of the punctual observance of the Statutes, we have inserted in the u 2.31 Appendix.

And as the Knights-Companions had prohibitions put upon the solemnization of their Feast, in case of its interfering with Easter; so had the Church of En∣gland in their observation of the day of St. George. For by the Ordinall of the Church of Salisbury, published an. 1508. it appears to have been the usage of that Church, that when the Feast day of St. George fell upon Easter day or Easter Eve, the celebration thereof was then deferred to the 9. day or some other day of May, as the case required in their Ecclesiastical Discipline: And our learn∣ed Selden observes it noted in the end of an old Manuscript Ordinal of the Pro∣vince of York, w 2.32 That when St. George's day hapned to fall upon Easter Eve, the celebration was anticipated, and cast into the 8. or 9. day preceding, or into the 16. or 17. days of April.

Hereunto may we subjoin, that in the Solemnities of the Order, there hath sometimes been an omission (in part or in all) of the Service and Office ap∣pointed by the Church to be used upon the day of St. George, when it hapned near to Easter, as it was an. 22. H. 8. St. George's day falling upon x 2.33 Saturday in Easter-week (the Soveraign then at Windesor celebrating the y 2.34 day there, though the Grand Feast, was prorogued to the 8. of May following) wherefore the z 2.35 Ser∣vice of the Feast of Easter and not of St. George was celebrated on the Vigil (in the a 2.36 Chappel above, in the upper Quadrangle next St. George's Hall, not in the Colledge) but the low Evensongs said before the Soveraign, were of St. George.

In like manner b 2.37 an. 38. H. 8. Good Friday falling upon the 23. of April (the day used to be kept sacred to St. George) the Service together with the Ceremo∣nies wont to be performed to the honor of God, and in memory of St. George, were prorogued to Sunday the c 2.38 3. of May, being Low-Sunday, and the d 2.39 Service of the day took place.

So reverend a regard was anciently had for the Feasts appointed by the

Page 477

Church to be kept holy, and the Vigils thereof, as also to the Divine Service, or∣dained to be celebrated thereon, that this Feast of St. George, was by King Henry the Fifth's Statutes expresly prohibited to be held, if through the Prorogations aforesaid, it should chance to fall out upon the e 2.40 24. and 25. days of April But in all other Rolls and Copies of these Statutes, that have come to our view, we find the 26. day of April added to this place, (and so afterwards in King Henry the Eighth's Statutes) which was very requisite, because otherwise the second Vespers of St. Mark, might from the first Vespers of St. George receive interruption.

With these, the like Prohibition was enjoined, if the Feast fell upon the f 2.41 last of April, the first, second, third, and fourth of May, in honor of the double Feast of St. Philip and Iacob, and of the Feast of the Inven∣tion of the Cross of our Lord Iesus Christ; for which cause in the 9. and 10. years of King Henry the Eighth, the celebration of the Grand Feast was prorogued to the 10. and 16. days of May at Windesor, which were the Sundays g 2.42 next fol∣lowing the Feast of the Invention of the holy Cross, in those two years. So like∣wise if it fell on the Feasts of the h 2.43 Ascension, and Penticost.

Thus far in reference to these enumerated Festivals, did the Statutes of the Order provide; as also where the case might fall within the compass of any i 2.44 other solemn Feast ordained by the Church, when the first or second Vespers thereof might (through such Prorogations) be hindred or disturbed; which were for ought we find, until the time of our Reformation of Religion (begun by King Edward the Sixth) duly observed: But since upon passing the Act of Parliament before mentioned, for singling some few days, out of those many, that were before kept holy, there hath been no due observation given to these Injunctions, but that the Grand Feast of St. George, hath by Prorogation, been celebrated upon any of them indifferently, the Feast of Easter only ex∣cepted. And in this case of Easter, after such time as the Statutes were new modelled by King Henry the Eighth, the time for Prorogation of the Grand Feast was left more arbitrary (so also when it fell out upon any Fish or Fasting-day) k 2.45 even at the Soveraign's pleasure; and therefore since then (when the said two Feasts hapned to concur) the adjournments have pass'd but for some few days.

As for instance, St. George's day, an. 18. Eliz. fell upon Easter-Monday, and thereupon the Soveraign appointed a Chapter to be held in the Privy Chamber at Whitehall, on l 2.46 Easter Eve, wherein it was Ordered: That the Feast of St. George should be adjourned, until Tuesday the m 2.47 24. of April (being Tuesday in Easter week) and by this appointment, the very day celebrated by the Church, for that of St. George, became the Eve to the Grand Feast, and was so observed by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions.

Of later times, viz. o 2.48 an. 12. Iac. R. when St. George's day fell upon p 2.49 Easter-Eve, the celebration thereof was deferred until q 2.50 Thursday then next following.

Lastly, his late Majesty of ever sacred memory, being a great restorer of the ancient Solemnities and Discipline of this Order, punctual even in circumstances of Honor, and extraordinary tender of infringing any of the Statutes, having prorogued the Feast of St. George from the r 2.51 8.9. and 10. days of February, in the 18. year of his Reign, to the s 2.52 18.19. and 20. days of April following, at the City of York; and the time falling out to be within 15 days of Easter, although he might (by the power of King Henry the Eighth's u 2.53 Statutes, and those Prece∣dents before recited) have kept the same upon the days designed: Neverthe∣less without a particular Dispensation drawn and made authentick, by the Great Seal of the Order, and his own Royal Signature, would not proceed to the Ce∣remonies of that celebration.

We come now to the second sort of Prorogations, * 2.54 which are meerly arbitrary, and wholly dependent upon the Soveraign's pleasure, yet warranted sufficient∣ly from the words [Causa postulante] set down in the beginning of the Fourth Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes; as also by the great latitude given unto the Soveraigns of this most Noble Order, out of compliance with their ur∣gent Affairs, in the 8. Article following, quo Supremus volet prorogabitur. But we observe, that long before the making this Statute, something of like nature

Page 478

had been practised, and the Grand Feast prorogued at the pleasure of the Sove∣raign (the day of St. George being nevertheless observed) albeit the Registers render not the cause: To manifest which, we shall instance in a few Examples. The first thing memorable in this kind (of which any Record is extant) is that an. 5. H. 5. when about the w 2.55 18. of August (neer 4 Months after St. George's day) the Soveraign (then ingaged in War with France) having reduced to his obedience the not inconsiderable Town of x 2.56 Caen, and made the Duke of Cla∣rence Governour thereof; y 2.57 took order as far as the present exigency of Affairs would permit, to have the Feast of St. George there celebrated, and with great solemnity created 15 Knights into the Order.

So a 2.58 an. 22. E. 4. the Soveraign with the rest of the Knights-Companions, kept all the Solemnities of the Order in b 2.59 St. Paul's Church London, and dined in the Bishop of London's c 2.60 Palace (at which time he received from the Pope a d 2.61 Sword and Cap of Maintenance) and albeit the mention of St. George's day occur not expresly in the place, whence we have this account, nevertheless, observing both out of the e 2.62 Black Book, and the f 2.63 Registrum Chartaceum, that the Grand Feast, it self, was by the Lord Matrevers held at Windesor, within few days after St. George's day, that very year, viz. the 29. of April. Therefore these Solem∣nities at St. Paul's, may most probably be thought to have been observed upon the very day of St. George; for they could not be celebrated in any part of the year following the aforesaid 29. of April, because the Grand Feast it self was then already past.

In like manner King Henry the Seventh, in the 20. year of his Reign, went on g 2.64 St. George's day in solemn Procession and very great State, to the forementioned Cathedral, yet notwithstanding on the 4. of May following, the Grand Feast was observed at h 2.65 Windesor, by the Earl of i 2.66 Arundel (deputed by the Soveraign) and four other of the Knights-Companions appointed for his Assistants.

Again, an. k 2.67 8. H. 8. the Soveraign being at Eltham on St. l 2.68 George's day, it was in a Chapter there held, Decreed, That the accustomed celebration of the Feast of St. George, should be observed at m 2.69 Windesor, upon Sunday next after Trinity Sunday, being the n 2.70 25. of May ensuing; and the Marquess Dorset was then also appointed Lieutenant to the Soveraign for holding thereof, and the Earl of Es∣sex (in whose room the Lord o 2.71 Poynings was afterwards substituted) with the Lords La Ware, Mountegle, and Lovell his Assistants.

And from this time it became annually customary, especially all the subsequent years of King Henry the Eighth's Reign, Queen Mary's, and unto the 9. of Queen Elizabeth, to keep the day of St. George, wheresoever the Soveraign at that time abode, which for the most part was at Greenewich, or Whitehall, on which day (as also on the Eve and morning after the day) the usual Solemnities were ob∣served, and a noble Feast provided, as hath been said: But as to the celebra∣tion of the Grand Festival it self, that was in one of the Chapters, held during the foresaid celebrations, and most commonly on St. George's day, adjourned unto some further time, and then solemnized at Windesor by Prorogation, not by the Soveraigns themselves, but by their Lieutenants and their Assistants, especi∣ally deputed and appointed for that purpose.

But to proceed with the causes of Prorogation, which were either for some considerable reasons, or upon emergent occasions. An. 1. Mariae, the Soveraign ce∣lebrating the day of St. George, at her Mannor of St. p 2.72 Iames's, Philip then Prince of Spain, and Henry Earl of Sussex, were on the q 2.73 morrow after elected into the Order; whereupon it was also decreed, r 2.74 That the inauguration of these two Knights-Elect, should be prorogued until the Prince came over into England, which hapning upon the 21. day of Iuly following, the Grand Feast, together with that of the Elect-Knights Installations, were appointed to be celebrated together; to which purpose a s 2.75 Letter was afterwards sent unto the Knights-Companions for their repair thither, against the 5. of August then next following.

Again, an. t 2.76 3. & 4. Ph. & Mar. at a Chapter held at Westminster upon the 22. of April, the u 2.77 Feast of St. George (together with the Installation of three Knights at that time Elected) was appointed to be held at Windesor, on the w 2.78 9. day of

Page 479

May following, and by a Chapter summoned at the same place, the x 2.79 3. of May be∣fore the appointed day for keeping the Feast, the same was prorogued unto the y 2.80 5. of December following, z 2.81 because of the manifold and urgent affairs of the King and Queen. But before that designed time, another Chapter was held at Saint Iames's, upon the a 2.82 last day of October in the 4. and 5. years of their Reigns, wherein it was again prorogued unto the b 2.83 first Sunday after Twelfth-day, viz. the 9. of Ianuary then following, c 2.84 if by that time the King (who it seems was gone out of Flanders) should return into England; but there appearing afterwards no hopes of his coming over against that prefixed time, another Chapter was sum∣moned and held at Greenewich the d 2.85 5. of Ianuary, wherein it was Decreed, e 2.86 ur∣gent Affairs requiring, that the said Feast should be further prorogued, unto the f 2.87 20. of February next coming, and then the Lieutenant and Assistants appointed to the first Prorogation, should celebrate this solemn Feast at Windesor, in man∣ner as it was Decreed, the 22. of April preceding. Nevertheless, the g 2.88 sixth day of February after, in another Chapter, the Soveraign and Knights-Companions De∣creed, to prorogue the last mentioned Prorogation unto h 2.89 St. George's day, then next following, i 2.90 Because both in respect of the meeting of the Parliament, and other Affairs of great importance, as also by reason of the War that was begun, the said Feast could not conveniently be before observed.

In like manner, an. 2. Eliz. upon the k 2.91 24. of April, it was Decreed, that on Sun∣day the l 2.92 5. of May the Feast of St. George should be observed with the accustom∣ed celebrations; but that morning in a Chapter held at Whitehall, m 2.93 for very high and important causes, was it prorogued until Sunday the 12. day of May imme∣diately following, on which day it was solemnized at Windesor.

Again, King Iames having designed his Journey into Scotland (to begin the n 2.94 20 of March, an. 14. regni sui) he assembles a Chapter at Whitehall, the second day of that Month, and therein, by reason that for the cause aforesaid, o 2.95 Saint George's Feast for the year ensuing, could not conveniently be kept on the ac∣customed day and place, decreed to celebrate the same at Windesor the p 2.96 13. day of September next following, where it was accordingly observed.

So also for causes of another, but sadder nature, an. 17. Iac. R. viz. Queen Anne's q 2.97 death, and the Soveraign's dangerous r 2.98 sickness, which had brought him also neer to the gates of death, was the Grand Feast prorogued from St. George's day, to the s 2.99 26. of May in the same year, and then celebrated at Greenewich.

And an. 1. Car. 1. the Soveraign not thinking sit t 2.100 for several causes, at that time to keep the Grand Feast, prorogued it from the u 2.101 22.23. and 24. days of April, unto the 16.17. and 18. of August following, thence again until the w 2.102 4.5. and 6. of October, and lastly to the 23. 24. and 25. of November in the same year, and then observed it at x 2.103 Windesor.

Sometimes this Feast hath been put off, out of a respect unto the day, where∣on it fell, as y 2.104 an. 22. Iac. R. St. George's day then hapning upon a Friday, the Soveraign therefore prorogued it until the 26. 27. and 28. days of April, at which time it was celebrated at Windesor: And the authority unto which re∣gard was had in this place, was that Clause in the 8. Article of King Henry the Eighth's Statutes, wherein the keeping of St. George's Feast was prohibited, if it fell upon any z 2.105 Fish or Fasting days.

So also a 2.106 an. 22. Car. 2. it falling upon a Saturday, was prorogued to the 27. 28. and 29. days of April following.

And albeit in times past this Feast hath been, for the most part upon Proro∣gations, observed upon a Sunday, yet of late in veneration to this day, it hath been likewise prohibited, as an. 2. Car. 1. St. George's day falling upon a b 2.107 Sunday, thereupon the Solemnity was put off until c 2.108 Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday fol∣lowing, being the 26.27. and 28. of April, upon which days it was observed at d 2.109 Whitehall. But where the e 2.110 Eve hapned upon a Sunday (as it did the f 2.111 next year after) there the Feast received no g 2.112 Prorogation.

In the year of our Lord 1636. the Soveraign was moved, by reason of the h 2.113 Contagion and Sickness, dispersed into several places of the Kingdom, and to avoid the danger of the concourse of much People, during the Infection aswell

Page 480

for other great and important Affairs, to give several Prorogations to this Feast, from the 22.23. and 24. d••ys of April (being the usual days of this Solemnity) first to the i 2.114 8.9. and 10. days of Iuly following, then again to the 26.27. and 28. of September, and from that time unto the 13.14. and 15. of December, and lastly to the 17.18. and 19. of April in the 13. year of his Reign; upon which last appointed days it was solemnized at k 2.115 Whitehall. Where on the l 2.116 morrow af∣ter the Feast, it being considered in a Chapter, that the day of St. George was neer at hand, and for other special reasons, the Soveraign was there pleased to defer the Celebration of the approaching Feast, unto the m 2.117 25.26. and 27. days of September ensuing: And on the 13. day of the said September, prorogued the Prorogation unto the n 2.118 2.3. and 4. of October next following, to Windesor, where it was accordingly observed.

Within few Months after, the Soveraign having determined to create the then Prince (now most happily the present Soveraign) a Knight, and to propose him in Election, as a Companion of this most Noble Society, did for the more conveni∣ency of his Installation (the o 2.119 25. of February, an. 13. Car. 1.) defer the cele∣bration of the Grand Feast from the 22.23. and 24. days of April then coming on, to the 21.22. and 23. days of May, when the same was observed with high Solemnity. This being the third Grand Festival, which had been celebrated personally by the Soveraign and Knights-Companions, within the Revolution of one year, and something more, and to keep up the honor of Windesor Castle, two of them were solemnized within its Walls. And before the return of the next Anniversary of St. George, the Soveraign upon consultation had (in q 2.120 February, an. 14. Car. 1.) with divers of the Knights-Companions, about the Prorogation of the Feast, which was supposed could not (by reason of his impor∣tant occasions to repair into the North) be celebrated at the usual time in the next ensuing April; thereupon he thought fit to adjourn the same, (which was done the r 2.121 26. of February aforesaid) unto the s 2.122 2.3. and 4. of Iuly next coming (York being the place the Soveraign thought most convenient to hold the Feast at) but afterwards being in his Camp neer Barwick, and taking into considera∣tion, the impossibility of keeping the Feast at York upon the before designed days, and conferring with some of the Knights-Companions, that then attended on his person, he the t 2.123 22. of Iune, an. 15. Car. 1. adjourned the same until the u 2.124 8.9. and 10. of October following to Windesor, at which time it was w 2.125 there celebrated.

After this, the troubles and tempest of War approaching, the Prorogations be∣came more frequent, and such places appointed to hold the Feast in, as the So∣veraign thought most convenient, or had occasion to reside at. Nevertheless the adjournments passed always regularly under the Great Seal of the Order, and the Soveraign's Sign Manual.

SECT. IX. Of Commissions for Prorogation.

WE have not met with any Precedent of Commissions for Prorogation of the Grand Feast of St. George, more ancient than that of the * 2.126 11. of Decem∣ber, an. 12. Car. 1. left us by Sir Thomas Rowe, wherein is notice taken of all the former adjournments of the Grand Feast, from St. George's day preceding until that time, with the reasons thereof, and chiefly upon consideration had of the then spreading Sickness, together with a command to the Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order, to attend upon the Soveraign on the new assigned days, viz. the 17.18. and 19 of April following, for the celebration of the said Feast.

Page 481

As to the substance hereof, the succeeding Commissions do very neer agree, yet with some small difference; as first, the Preambles are general and run thus: Whereas upon special Reasons, and other important Affairs, &c. except only that Commission issued the 25. of February a 2.127 1637. whose Preamble being fitted to the particular occasion, was this, b 2.128 Whereas we have determined to create the Prince our eldest Son a Knight, and to propose him in Election, as a Companion of our most Noble Order, for the more conveniency of his Installation, we have thought fit to defer the celebration of the Feast of St. George, &c.

But in the Commissions of Prorogation of the Grand Feasts, dated the c 2.129 19. of April, and the d 2.130 25. of February, an. 19. Car. 1. the place appointed for Celebra∣tion is omitted, which defect we find in the above mentioned Precedent also. Nevertheless, afterwards that material part came to be inserted, and first of all in that Commission of the 26. of February, an. 14. Car. 1. where the place (be∣ing the City of York) is put into the body of the Commission. And when the late War drew on, and consequently the Soveraign could not so well ascertain the place beforehand, because of his continual and uncertain motion, accord∣ing as occasion and advantages offered themselves: Then we observe, that the Grand Feast was appointed to be kept at any such place, as (when the time ap∣pointed by Prorogation was neer expired) should seem to the Soveraign most convenient. But from the body of the Commissions, the nomination of Place, afterwards slided downwards into the close, and shewed it self in that part, where the Injunction was given, for the Knights-Companions and Officers to at∣tend upon the days before appointed, being expressed either thus, e 2.131 Wheresoever we shall then be, &c. or else thus, f 2.132 at such Places as we shall timely appoint, &c. which later way of signification was first used in Commissions issued forth, after the Soveraign came to setle at Oxford.

Now the most ordinary course, preparatory to the issuing forth such Com∣missions of Prorogation, hath been by the Soveraign's Declaration in Chapter, or otherwise the signification of his pleasure, to the Chancellor of the Order at any other time, who thereupon drew up the Commission, and presented it to the Soveraign, for his Sign Manual, and then affixed thereunto the Great Seal of the Order. Nevertheless, where the Chancellor was not at hand, to receive the commands for adjournment, immediately from the Soveraign, we find his plea∣sure in this particular, was then signified to him by some other hand, with command to summon the Knights-Companions and Officers accordingly. For so was it done by Sir g 2.133 Francis Windebanke, Knight, one of the Principal Secre∣taries of State, by his Letters from Oatlands, directed to Sir Thomas Row, dated the 11. of September, an. 13. Car. 1. for Prorogation of the Grand Feast, from the 25. of September then neer at hand, unto the 2.3. and 4. of October following.

And as all the preceding Adjournments of the Grand Feast, have been either Decreed in Chapter, or directed immediately from the Soveraign: So have we also seen a Precedent that hath impowered a Lieutenant, to prorogue the same, nevertheless to the time and place before appointed by the Soveraign, and men∣tioned in the Commission of Lieutenancy. And this was a Commission directed to Charles Earl of Nottingham, an. h 2.134 1. Iac. R. wherein, after the Soveraign had pre∣mised the impediments, which hindred him from his personal observation of the said Feast, upon the prefixed day then neer approaching, he thereby made choice of the said Earl to be his Lieutenant, and impowered him to assemble in Chapter, upon the Vigil of St. George, such of the Knights-Companions, as might be con∣veniently gotten together, and then and there to intimate unto them the great causes that withheld him from keeping the Feast at the set time, and by virtue of the said Commission to defer the same until the 3. of Iuly following. Fur∣thermore charging and requiring all the Knights-Companions not to fail to be present at that day, wheresoever the same should happen to be, to perform and celebrate with him the said Feast, according to the laudable Orders and Insti∣tutions of the Order. And lastly, he required the said Lieutenant to give warn∣ing of his pleasure to all other Knights-Companions, who should not be present at the Chapter by him assembled.

Page 482

SECT. X. That the Grand Feast ought to be celebrated once every Year.

AND though Prorogations of the Grand Feast have been occasionally made use of, upon the several and important reasons above discoursed of, and sometimes a necessity hath fallen out to appoint two, three, or four of them in a year, by proroguing the Prorogations; yet is no such Adjournment legally to be enlarged beyond the next St. George's day ensuing, because that every year, that is, once before the revolution of the year determine (the year in this case en∣tring upon St. George's day) the Grand Feast ought to be solemnized. For so we see it was not only ordained at the i 2.135 Institution of the Order, but confirmed by the succeeding k 2.136 Statutes. And where our Historians take notice of the Grand Feast, they speak the same thing, to wit, That it ought l 2.137 annually to be observ∣ed; Hence it is frequently called in the Registers, Annua Festivitas, Solennitas annua, Celebritas annua, Epulum quotannis, Convivium quotannis, and the like.

Of late times an occasion hapned, which br••••ght this Clause of the Statutes into a solemn debate in Chapter, which for the result thereof became very re∣markable: And the Order thereupon drawn up, being full and positive, not only as to the occasion, but also as to the circumstances, and determination, may not unfitly come in here.

m 2.138 At a Chapter held in Whitehall the 26. day of February 1640. Present.
  • The Soveraign.
  • The Earl of Penbroke and Mont∣gomery.
  • The Earl of Salisbury.
  • The Earl of Holland.
  • The Earl of Lindesey.
  • The Prince.
  • The Earl of Arundel and Surrey.
  • The Earl of Dorset.
  • The Earl of Berkshire.
  • The Lord Marquess Hamilton.
The Duke of Lenox.
  • The Chancellor.
  • Garter.

The Soveraign proposed unto the Knights of the Order, that having pro∣rogued the Celebration of the Feast of St. George from time to time, unto the first, second, and third of March, so near unto Lent, that if the Feast were not held on those days, it could not be held within the year, because the 23. of April for the next year did fall upon Good-Friday, and so conse∣quently must have been kept in Lent for this Year, or not at all: And con∣sidering the great and important Affairs of the Parliament, he moved this Question, Whether if there were no Feast kept this year, it would be any ble∣mish unto the Honor of the Order, or not? And whether he might not di∣spence with the Statute, and defer it until the next Year? requiring the Knights and Companions to consult and to give their opinions therein: The result whereof was, that though they did all confess an absolute power to di∣spence in the Soveraign, yet some of the Knights proposed unto him, that seeing from the Institution until this day, there was not found any year where∣in the Feast was wholly omitted, but that some of his Ancestors, though en∣gaged in War beyond the Seas, either solemnized the Feast in their own pre∣sence, or by Commission in England, which was averr'd by the Chancellor

Page 483

to be both the fundamental Statute and constant practice. They humbly besought the Soveraign, not to begin to make a breach in that constant order, which hath been so long and uninterruptedly continued; whereupon it was resolved by general Vote, that the Feast should be celebrated upon those afore appointed days in the last Prorogation.

By which determination it sufficiently appears, of what concernment the then Soveraign and Knights-Companions, conceived it to the Honor of the Order, and observation of the Statutes, for the Grand Feast to be celebrated once with∣in the year. Besides we may observe, that it was not thought expedient to be dispensed with, albeit the weight of important Affairs were justly alledged to ballance the Law, and ground a further Prorogation. Nay, rather than the Sta∣tutes should suffer violation, the said Feast was n 2.139 accordingly solemnized on the said first, second, and third days of March, although so straitned in time, that there was not above two days space, to make preparation and provision for the doing of it.

But within a few years after, the unhappy distractions had prevailed so far, that the Soveraign was necessitated to assume his power of dispensation in this particular, and by continued annual Prorogations from the 22.23. and 24. days of April, an. 18. of his Reign (being then at York) to defer the Solem∣nity from year to year; so that during the remainder of his Reign, this Grand Celebration had never the fortune to be again observed.

And here the glory of this solemn Feast began first to set with us, unto which succeeded a long night: But blessed be God we have lived to behold it rise again, and seen the Royal Soveraign and most Illustrious Knights-Com∣panions fill those too long vacant Stalls, and late languishing Fabrick with wonted lustre.

Notes

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