SECT. VII. Preparations made by the Knight Elect.HAving in the preceding Section laid down the ancient Law of succession in∣to void Stalls, and of Translation from one Stall to another; with several instances, both while such removals were at the Soveraign's pleasure, and after, when they became confin'd to the regular course now observed; and having al∣so discourt concerning those things which are to be prepared for the Installa∣tion of a Knight Subject on the Soveraign's part, and for which his Warrants and Letters issue forth, as is before shewed at large: we come now to consider, what is further to be prepared for the Knight Elect, at his own charge, against the day of this great Solemnity, and they are chiefly these which follow.1. A Mantle or upper Robe, with its appurtenances.2. A Collar of the Garter, and Great George.3. A Cap of black Velvet adorn'd with Plumes.4. An Helm, Crest, Mantlings, and Sword.5. A Banner of his Arms.6. A Plate of his Arms and Stile.7. A Cushen, to carry his Robes and Collar upon.8. Lodging Scutcheons. MantleWe do not find that the Mantle of the Order was anciently bestowed by the Soveraign upon Knights Subjects, as was the Kirtle or Surcoat; nor indeed of late (unless now and then as a peculiar favour) for seeing the Lib. R. p. 43. & 120. Injunction for returning the Mantle upon the death of a Knight-Companion, is restrained to such only on whom the Soveraign should vouchsafe to bestow them, it is thence evident, that the Soveraign is not obliged to give the Mantle at all, nor to all, but only where himself pleaseth. But it appears that the Soveraign always be∣stowed the Mantle (together with the rest of the Habit) upon Strangers, after he had Elected any of them into the Society of the Order. And when the whole Habit was sent over by Garter to the King of Portugal an. 13. H. 6. the Ex lib. vocat Cotom. in Offic. mag. Gardrob. fol. 92.Mantle, Surcoat, and Hood were accompted for together in the Accompts of the Great Wardrobe; and the like hath been done in all such cases since.Howbeit of late times the Soveraign, as an especial mark of favour, hath been pleased now and then to give a Knight-Subject the Mantle also: as did King Iames to Lib. Warr. in Offic. praed. à fe∣sto S. Mich. 1623. ad an. 1624.Iames Marquess Hamilton, an. 21. Iac. R. and King Charles the First to Warr. curr. in eod. Offic. de an. 1628.Theophilus Earl of Suffolk an. 4. Car. 1. to Lib. Warr. de an 1629.William Earl of Northampton, an.] 5. Car. 1. and an. 14. Car. 1. Sir Iames Palmer by this Soveraign's direction Ex Autogr. penes praef. Iac. Palmer. paid for the Velvet and Taffety of the Earl of Kelly's Mantle and Surcoat to Sir Peter Richaut, and put it upon the Accompt of Ex Autogr. penes praef. Iac. Palmer. extraordinary charges of the Order.Besides which the present Soveraign, as a mark of like favour, caused 17 Mantles (with the usual Liveries of Surcoat and Hood) to be provided against the Grand Feast of St. George, an. 13. Car. 2. which were bestowed not only among the new Elect Knights, but the three senior Knights-Companions also namely, the Earls of Salisbury, Berkshire, and Northumberland; for which see the Warrant in the Numb. XXXIV.Appendix.But the Elect Knight being otherwise to provide the Mantle at his own charge, directions may be had in the Sect. 2.Chapter of the Habit and Ensigns of the Order, as to all the materials for making thereof.The Collar of the Order with the Great George is to be provided by the Elect Knight, unless where the Soveraign is pleased to bestow the Mantle; and in such case he also bestows the Collar, and then a like Warrant issues to the Master of the Iewel-house, as did for providing the 17. CollarsAppendix Num. XXXV.an. 13. Car. 2.0