Honor rediviuus [sic] or An analysis of honor and armory. by Matt: Carter Esq.

[illustration]

The Creation Robe of a Knight of y^e Garter

IT is ever to be observed, that when the word Knight is found without any addition of distinction, it is meant by the Knight Bat∣cheler. Of the Order of the Bath, the first that are taken notice of is in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who gives an account of 46 made by Henry the Fourth: But Mr. Selden is of an opinion, they were long before.

Mr. Upton (in a Manuscript which Mr. Bish (a Gentleman much deserving of Honor from our English Gentry) hath since very 〈◊〉〈◊〉 il∣lustrated and published) takes notice of this Order in these words, Creantur 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 modis, &c. Creantur in alio modo Milites per Balneum, qui modus multùm observatur in Anglia, & in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Regnis. He lived in the time of Henry the sixth.

The Honor is invested with a great deal of noble Ceremony, as is seen by the example of Henry the seventh, when he sent Writs to di∣vers Lords and Gentlemen, to come up to the making Henry his second son Knight of the Bath, Ad ordinem Militia 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 suscipi∣endum, * 1.1 juxta antiquam consuetudinem in cre∣atione usitatam.

When one is to be made a Knight of the Bath, he comming up to the Court, is very

nobly received by the Officers and Nobles of the Court; where he hath two Esquires ap∣pointed to wait on him, who convey him to a Chamber, where is to be Musick before he commeth to the Tubbs; then they uncloath him, and put him naked into the Bath, where, if * 1.2 there be any other Knights of the Order in the Court, they come in their Order and sa∣lute him, and after discourse concerning the Order, they sprinkle some of the water on his shoulder, and so depart. Then the Esquires convey him to a bed, where he is dry∣ed, and then he putting on his clothes, they put over them a long gray coat like a Hermit's weed, with long sleeves, and a hood; then the Knights return to him again, and lead him to the Chappel, where he receives a cup of spiced Wine, and with that salutes the Knights, who after leave him there, onely with his Esquires and Priest, where he performs a Vigill till almost day, with Prayers and Offer∣ings. After this, and some repose in his Cham∣ber, the next morning, where are Robes pro∣vided for him; the Knights wait on him a∣gain, and do service to him in his making ready; one giving him his doublet, another his breeches, another combes his head, &c. Then with Musick he is brought to the Hall in the Court on Horsback, accompanied with those Knights and Esquires, where the Marshall meets him. Then the King comming to the Hall, commands a Lord to put on his right

Spur, and making a crosse upon his knee, rises up and kisses him, and so another the left. Then the King puts the Sword about him him∣self, and smiting him on the shoulder, says, Be a good Knight, and kisses him. Then with the Musick he is conducted again to the Chap∣pel, where he goes to the Altar, and performs some Ceremonies, maketh protestation for the performance of the Orders of Knighthood. Then the King's Cook comes to him with a knife in his hand, to demand his fee; and tells him, That if he do any thing against the Or∣ders of Chivalry, he will cut his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 off from his heels. Then he is habited in a blew Gown with Maunches open, like a Priest, and so led again to the Hall.

The particular manner is more at large set down by Sir William Segar, in his Honor Mi∣litary and Civill, and Cambden's Britannia. They are distinguished ordinarily by the wear∣ing of a red Ribbon cross the left shoulder, as Knights of the Garter by the blew. And have this priviledge above all Knights, their sons are free from Wardship: as in the example of the Heir of Sir Thomas Wise of Essex, which was a Cause in Chancery, and the Heir Victor.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Dor. Cl. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 20 Hen 7. 20 Sep.
• * 1.2

  For K. of the Bath, see Far. f. 65. 5 Book.