CAP. XV.
The Investiture of Strangers, with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order.
The Time for sending the Habit and Ensigns unlimitted.
§ 1.
Though the Statutes of the Order appoint and prefix a time, wherein the Sovereign’s Letters of notice to an elect Knight ought to be sent, yet as to the sending a solemn Embassy with the Habit and Ensigns, they do not limit any certain time, but leave it wholly to the Sovereign’s Pleasure, wherein his own Interest and Conveniency, as well as that of the elect Stranger, is to be considered.
Nevertheless, the Statutes of Institution direct, that this Legation shall be dispatched with convenient speed; which must be interpreted to refer both to the Sovereign’s conveniency of sending, and the Stranger’s capacity of receiving.
And therefore we find it six Years after the Election of the Kings of Arragon and Poland, and the Duke of Brunswick, e’er we meet with the first notice of the Sovereign’s determination of sending over the Habit: For they having been elected 4 August, 28 Hen. VI. the preparations for the Legation were not made till the thirty fourth Year of the same King; and doubtless some cause, within the limits of that conveniency allowed to the Sovereign by the aforesaid Article of the Statutes, or the accident of Miscarriage might fall out; particularly in respect to the King of Poland, because three Years after the former Order of Legation, we find new Directions issued for sending the Ensigns of the Order to him.
But in King Henry VIIIth’s Body of Statutes, this Clause of sending the Legation with convenient speed, is wholly omitted, and the Sovereign is not limitted as to the Time; so that the Habit and Ensigns have happen’d to be sent sometimes sooner, sometimes later; as the Sovereign has thought convenient; of which sufficient hath been said already; and we find in two Elections of Strangers in the two late Reigns, viz. that of the present Sovereign and Prince; that the Legation was sent only a very few Days after their Election.
Preparations made for the Legation.
§ 2. In reference to this solemn Embassy, there are several things to be provided, before the Ambassadors, or Commissioners, take their Journey. As, (1.) Credential Letters. (2.) Commission of Legation. (3.) Warrants for the Habit and Ensigns. And (4.) other Necessaries.
The Credential Letters are, as to particulars, drawn suitable to the present Occasion, by the Chancellor of the Order, and directed to the Stranger elect; but the Substance, in general, is, That the Sovereign having elected him into the Society of the Order, hath sent his Ambassadors with full Power to present the Habit, and perform the Ceremonies due and accustomed, as if himself were present. And farther, to desire him, To give Credit to all that his Ambassadors shall say, or perform, on his behalf, in reference to their Commission, as he would do to himself.
These Letters pass under the Sign Manual of the Sovereign, and Signet of the Order; but it is observable, that these to Emanuel, Duke of Savoy, were sign’d both by King Philip and Queen Mary.
The Commission of Legation is likewise to be prepared by the Chancellor of the Order, fairly engrossed on Velom, and Sealed with the Great Seal of the Order, the Substance of which, for the most part, hath been as follows.
First, The Merits and Worthiness of the elect Stranger, to deserve the Honour of Election, and the reasons of inducing the Sovereign to confer the same upon him, are elegantly set forth.
Secondly, The Persons nominated for this Honourable Employment, are ordained, authorized, and deputed, and therein Stiled, Ambassadors, Procurators, and special Messengers, and so are acknowledged to be by the Stranger elect, in their Certificates of the Receipt of the Habit.
Thirdly, Their Power, Authority, and special Command, is to address themselves to the Stranger elect, and present, and deliver him from the Sovereign, the Garter, Mantle, and other Ensigns of the Order: Where observe, that there were four or five joined in a Commission, as it has sometimes happened, then any five, four, three, or two, were of the Quorum; whereof the Principal of the Embassy was always one.
Fourthly, They were impowered to require from the Stranger elect, his Oath, according to the Form prescribed in the Statutes; but this was a special case, and only inferred in the Commissions of Legation to Charles, Duke of Burgundy, 9 Edw. IV. and Ferdinand, Archdeacon of Austria, 15 Hen. VIII. and omitted in all Commissions since that time.
And lastly, To perform, and dispatch those things, which they should judge necessary, in the same manner as if the Sovereign were present in Person; and this Power it was thought fit to allow the Ambassadors, in case any thing should want to be performed which their Instructions had not sufficiently provided for.
The first Embassy on this occasion, recorded in the Blue-Book, is that to Edward, King of Portugal, 13 Hen. VI. to whom, for the greater Dignity of the Order, Garter was thought fit, by the Chapter, to be sent alone with the Habit of the Order: And hence is the original of Garter’s Claim to this Employment.
Nevertheless, in succeeding times, as the Order grew into Esteem, some one of the Knights-Companions was made choice of by the Sovereign to be Principal in these Legations; as were Galliard Sieur de Duras, sent to Charles, Duke of Burgundy, 9 Edw. IV., Arthur Plantagenet, Viscount Lisle, to Francis the first King of France, 19 Hen. VIII. and others.
Sometimes other Noblemen, or Persons of Quality, though not Knights-Companions, (yet correspondent to the Degree of the Stranger elect, or to the Esteem the present Interest begat in the Sovereign,) were employed chief in these Embassies; among whom Sir Charles Somerset, after Earl of Worcester, was sent to the Emperor Maximilian, 6 Hen. VII. Henry, Lord Morley, to Don Ferdinand, Prince of Spain, 15 Hen. VIII. and others.
In Embassies of this nature, it was heretofore usual, to join some Persons of Rank and Quality, or Office near the Sovereign, in the Commission; as Sir John Scot, Comptroller of the Houshold, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, Treasurer of the Houshold, both joined with the Sieur de Duras aforesaid: And Sir Nicholas Carew, and Sir Anthony Brown, with the Viscount Lisle.
To these Person, the Sovereign thought fit sometimes to add a Doctor of the Law, or a dignified Clergyman, and such as had the Language of the Country, not only the better to make such Answers to Questions as the Stranger elect might start, on perusal of the Statutes, but likewise to inform him touching the Institution of the Order, or other Passages relating to the Founder, or matters touching the Honour of the Garter. Besides, a dignified Clergyman was in those Times thought proper to Administer the Oath, and pronounce the Words of Signification, at the Investiture with the Habit and Ensigns of the Order.
And for these reasons, was John Russel, Doctor of the Civil Law, and Archdeacon of Berkshire, joined in Commission with the aforesaid Sieur de Duras, and Edward Lee, Doctor in Divinity, Archdeacon of Colchester, and the Sovereign’s Almoner, sent over with the Lord Morley; and others.
But of later Years the Sovereign’s Ambassador, Resident with the Stranger elect, hath supplied this Place; as did Sir Thomas Smith, in the Legation sent over to Charles IX. and Sir Edward Stafford, in that of the French King Henry III. and Sir Anthony Mildmay, to that of Henry IV.
Besides the aforementioned Persons, Garter was always joined in these Commissions of Legation, not only to keep on Foot his Right, but to manage the Ceremonious Part; and of this there are so many numerous Instances as are sufficient to justify the Privilege of his Office, and maintain the interest of an ancient Right. Besides which, if it were any way disputed, we find it decreed in a Chapter 13 Car. I. That the carrying the Ensigns of the Order to Stranger Princes, doth properly belong to Garter.
Besides those Persons joined in the Commission of Legation, there has frequently been appointed, either Norroy, King of Arms, or some one of the Heralds, to go in Quality of an Attendant in this Service, not only for the Honour of the Sovereign, but of the Stranger who is to receive the Habit, in regard the Ceremonies of Investiture with the whole Habit, require the Assistance of two Officers of Arms, of which there are some Precedents.
Lancaster Herald attended the Embassy to Charles IX. King of France: Chester Herald, and Rouge Dragon, Pursuivant at Arms, on that of Henry III. of France. A Herald likewise attended the Embassy to Emanuel, Duke of Savoy: York Herald, that of Maximilian, the Emperor: And Somerset Herald, to Henry IV. of France.
And whereas there went only Norroy to Christian IV. King of Denmark, it was because no more of the Officers of Arms could then be spared from their necessary Attendance on the Sovereign’s Coronation; so in the Embassy to Maurice, Prince of Orange, one Herald sufficed, because the Garter and George only were sent him, and consequently there was but little Service then to be performed.
Concerning other Companions, and Attendants, in these Legations, they are both for Quality and Number such, and so many, as the chief in the Legation judges sufficient for the Honour of the Sovereign, and the Dignity of the Embassy; and with these have usually gone several Noblemen, Knights, and Gentlemen.
In the third Place, there is to be prepared for these Legations, Warrants for the Habit and Ensigns of the Order; and these are also to be drawn up by the Chancellor of the Order, who is to attend the Sovereign for his Sign Manual thereto.
One Warrant is to be directed to the Master of the Great Wardrobe, to deliver to Garter the Mantle, with the Escutcheon of St. George within a Garter, embroidered on the left Shoulder, and Tossels belonging; and also the Surcoat and Hood.
There is also another Warrant drawn up, for the delivery of the Ensigns of the Order to Garter, viz. the rich Garter, and great Collar of the Order, with a George Pendant, and another George hanging in a blue Ribbond; together with Cases for them, lined with purple Velvet, and gilt on the outside.
And sometimes these Ensigns have been delivered out of the Jewel-House, to the Herald of Arms, joined in the Legation in Garter’s stead, as were those sent to Charles, King of Sweden, 20 Car. II. but those provided for John George, Duke of Saxony, to Sir Thomas Higgons, the Principal in the Legation; for which they gave their several Receipts.
The Sovereign’s Warrant for the delivery of the Ensigns sent to Maximilian the Emperor, was directed to the Lord Treasurer, for which Garter gave his Receipt. But for those sent to the French King, Henry IV. the Warrant was directed to the Master of the Jewel-House; and out of this Office have all the Ensigns of the Order been since delivered.
There are several other necessaries to be provided, which may pass as Appurtenances to the former, and are sometimes incerted in the Sovereign’s Warrants for the Habit of the Order, and at other times issued by particular Warrants: As a black Velvet Cap with white Feathers and a Heron Sprig, a Girdle and Hangers with the same coloured Velvet, with the Surcoat. A Yard of purple Velvet hath usually been allowed out of the Great Wardrobe, for covering the Book of Statutes, sent to the elect Stranger: And for the Velom, Writing and Binding the said Book, there is a Fee paid by the Sovereign to the Register of the Order, which hath generally been proportioned to the Dignity of the Receiver; for this Officer had allowed him for the Book sent,
| l. | s. | d. | |
| To the French King, Henry IV. | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| To John Casimir, Count Palatine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| To the Duke of Holstein, 3 Jac. I. | 3 | 6 | 8 |
| To the King of Sweden, 3 Car. I. | 3 | 0 | 0 |
But to be more particular, we will insert the Bill of Charges for the Book of Statutes, sent to James VI. of Scotland, 26 Hen. VIII.
| l. | s. | d. | ||
| For Velom | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| For illumining the Arms and Letters | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| For Writing | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| For Binding and Gilding | 0 | 2 | 8 | |
| For half a Yard of purple Velvet | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| For half a Yard of crimson Sattin | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| For the purple Silk for the Laces | 0 | 0 | 4 | |
| For the white and green Silk for the Seal | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| For red Silk for the Strings, and garnishing the Book | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| For an Ounce and half of Venice Gold | 0 | 5 | 0 | |
| For shaping, making the Bag, and garnishing | 0 | 3 | 4 | |
| For red Sarcenet for lining the Bag | 0 | 1 | 4 | |
| For a Box | 0 | 0 | 8 | |
| Total | 3 | 4 | 6 |
This Book of Statutes ought to be Sealed with the common Seal of the Order, which not only the Institution, but all the other succeeding Bodies of Statutes appoint. Besides, at a Chapter held at White-Hall, 13 Car. I. the Law was confirmed; and thereupon it was again decreed, That the Book of Statutes sent to any Stranger Prince, should be Sealed with the Great Seal of the Order, affixed to a Label of blue Silk and Gold.
There is also to be provided a large purple Velvet Cushion, to carry the Robes on, when they are to be presented; this is likewise put into the Sovereign’s Warrant, and provided by the Master of the Great Wardrobe; usually containing one Yard and quarter in length, adorned with Fringe, Cauls, and Tossels of Gold and purple Silk, and within it a Pillow of Fustian filled with Down.
There were two Velvet Cushions prepared for the Service of the Duke of Wirtembergh’s Investiture, 1 Jac. I. one of Purple, for the Sovereign’s State; and another of Crimson, for the Duke; so the same Year to Christian IV. King of Denmark.
Two Majesty Escutcheons are likewise to be provided, painted in Oil, and gilt with Gold; one to have the Arms of the Sovereign surrounded with a Garter, under an Imperial Crown; the other of the Stranger’s Arms, within a Garter also, and such a Crown as is proper to his Dignity. Both these are to be put in Frames, painted and gilt, with their several Stiles fairly Written under the Arms, and set on the back of the Sovereign’s Stall, under the State, as also on the back of the Stall of the Stranger elect: But there were three Majesty Escutcheons sent over in the Legation to Henry, Prince of Orange, in regard that at his Investiture, Frederick, Elector Palatine, was present. In case the chief Person in the Legation be a Knight of the Order, then he is to have a like Escutcheon of his own Arms, set over his own Stall; for so had the Earl of Derby provided for him at the Sovereign’s Charge, when he was sent with the Habit to the French King, Henry III.
The remaining Necessaries, are such as relate to the Transportation of the Habit of the Order, viz.
All which are to be provided at the Sovereign’s Charge, and is also his Gift to the elect Prince.
What farther Warrants are to be obtained from the Sovereign, relate to Garter, and such other Officers of Arms, as are appointed to attend the Legation; as first a Warrant, whereby the Sovereign ascertains a Warrant for their Diet, and Reward, during their Journey, and till their return; and on which, most commonly, for greater certainty of its Payment, the Sovereign’s Privy Seal is obtained.
The Allowance to Garter in the Reign of Edw. VI. was ten Shillings a Day for his Diet, and Ten Shillings a Day more as a Reward: And this we find allowed to Sir Gilbert Dethick, in the Embassy to Henry II. King of France, 5 Edw. VI. and the like in his Legation to Maximilian the Emperor; and to Frederick II. King of Denmark, 24 Eliz.
And when Clarenceux was sent in the Place of Garter (the Office being void by the Death of the said Sir Gilbert) to the French King, Henry III. the same was also allowed him, and commenced nine Days before his setting out; and of which there are other Precedents.
Of this daily Allowance, Garter hath usually obtained an advance before-hand, for his better support by the way.
When any of the Heralds were sent in Garter’s Place, the same Allowances were made them, as if Garter had gone in Person; as had Henry St. George, Esq; Richmond Herald, sent with the Earl of Carlisle, to Charles, King of Sweden, 21 Car. I. As also to Thomas St. George, Esq; Somerset Herald, sent with Sir Thomas Higgins, to the Duke of Saxony, soon after.
As to the Allowance to such Officers of Arms, as are not joined in, but appointed to attend any of these Legations; it was usually, if a Herald, the Moiety of what was given to Garter: And if a Pursuivant at Arms, half as much as a Herald.
Agreeable to which, was the Allowance given to Chester Herald, and Rouge Dragon Pursuivant, in the Embassy to Henry II. King of France, 5 Edw. VI. and there called the old Rate; so also to Somerset Herald, to Frederick II. King of Denmark, and the French Kings, Henry III. and IV. And both the Herald and Pursuivant had also a proportionable part of their daily Allowances before-hand.
Besides which Allowances mentioned, Garter hath also Allowance for Postage, both Outward and Homeward, for Himself and Servants; and for Transportation of the Habit, and other Things necessary for the Voyage. And this by a Clause added in the Sovereign’s Warrant, is left to Garter at his return, when he gives in a Bill of particulars, subscribed with his Hand, to the Treasurer or Chamberlains of the Exchequer, to have been disbursed by him.
The Warrant to furnish Garter, or the Herald, with Post Horses, and convenient Shipping to carry them over, is usually had of the Privy Council, or Secretary of State; either before, or after the Lord Ambassador; and is not provided for in the same Ship.
The Ceremonies of Investiture.
§ 3. The Ceremonies performed at a Stranger Prince’s Receipt of the whole Habit and Ensigns of the Order, are highly Solemn, whether we consider the manner of Investiture performed by the Sovereign’s Ambassadors, on the Festivity and Triumphs, added by the new invested Prince.
First, the Commissions joined in the Legation, receiving notice of their first Audience, are to present themselves in the accustomed manner of Ambassadors, Garter, or his Deputy, going in breast with the chief of the Legation, if there be only himself joined in Commission with the Lord Ambassador, and in this Place William Segar, Esq; Norroy King of Arms, (sent in the room of Garter) proceeded with the Earl of Rutland at their first Audience before Christian, IV. King of Denmark.
Being arrived near the elect Stranger, they present the Letters, certifying Election, or their Credential Letters from the Sovereign; and after some short general Compliment by the Ambassador, he makes known to him, his Election in the usual Form, which is before sufficiently spoke of.
After the Formality of this Address is over, and that the Stranger hath by his Answer accepted of his Election, and consented to the Reception of the Order; the Ambassador immediately delivers him the Book of Statutes, that he may, if he pleases, peruse them before he assume the Habit, and desires his Consideration thereon. Next, both the Commissioners in the Legation present him with the George and Ribbond. and put it about his Neck, as in several Instances hath been shown.
In the interim, before the Day of Investiture, Time is usually set apart for Conference between the Sovereign’s Ambassador, and some of the elect Prince’s Council, touching the ordering of the Ceremonies, and wording the Oath to be by him taken. Garter is likewise to consider what Places in the elect Prince’s Court are fit to perform the Ceremony, and to see them made ready, and to instruct his Officers, what Duties and Services they are to undertake.
If the great Hall, or other large Room, be appointed, there ought to be prepared a Table, with a rich Carpet, whereon the Habit and Ensigns of the Order are to be laid, while the Sovereign’s Commission of Legation is read; another Table should be prepared for the Stranger who receives the Order; and a third for the Sovereign’s Ambassador.
In the Church or Chappel where they are to proceed to hear Divine Service, a Stall is to be erected under a Cloth of State, on the Right Hand Entrance of the Choir, for the Sovereign of the Order, wherein is to be fixed the Majesty Escutcheon of the Sovereign’s Arms; another Stall is also to be placed on the same side of the Choir for the invested Stranger, at the same distance from the Sovereign’s Stall, as is that for the elect Stranger in the Choir at Windsor; in which is to be fixt the Majesty Escutcheon of his own Arms, brought likewise over by Garter or his Deputy; a third Stall is to be erected for the Lord Ambassador, who (if a Knight-Companion) hath an Escutcheon of his own Arms within a Garter set over it; for so had the Marquiss of Northampton, at the Investiture of the French King, Henry II. Anno 5 Edw. VI. and the Earl of Derby, at that of Henry III. under all these Escutcheons of Arms, the Stiles and Titles (fairly Written) of the Sovereign, and each Knight-Companion, are to be affix’d.
Where there is no solemn Proceeding to Church, the Sovereign’s Escutcheon of Arms, with his Titles, have been set up at the upper end of the Room, where the Investiture is performed; so also the Stranger Knight’s at due distance, as at the Investiture of Gustavus Adolphus, King of Sweden, in his Tent at the Leaguer, near Darshaw, in Prussia, 23 September, Anno 3 Car. I.
Besides the before-mentioned Preparations; the Church or Chappel, into which the new invested Stranger proceeds, is to be richly adorned, as we find by several Instances; as at the Investiture of King Henry III. when the Church of Augustine Fryars in Paris, was hung with rich Arras, and all the Choir and Stalls with Cloth of Gold. On the Day the Solemnity of Investiture is celebrated, the elect Stranger sends his Coach, and some Persons of Quality, to Accompany the Sovereign’s Ambassadors to his Court. At the Investiture of Henry, Prince of Orange, Frederick, Prince Palatine of the Rhine, sat with the Viscount Charleton, in one Boot of the Prince’s Coach, and Sir William Segar in the other; and were met by the said Prince at the Foot of the Stairs of his Court, and conducted thence into his great Chamber.
After such time as the elect Stranger, and the Sovereign’s Ambassadors, have a while retired; the Stranger usually first enters the Room appointed for the Ceremony, and stands under his own State, expecting the coming in of the Ambassadors, and notice thereof being given them, they (reposing in a Room near) proceed in manner following.
Servants to the Lord Ambassador, two and two.
The Herald in his Coat of Arms, bearing the Mantle, Surcoat, Hood, and Cap, in his Arms; and if a Pursuivant attend the Embassy, he (wearing his Coat) proceeds before him, bearing part of the said Habit.
Garter vested in his rich Coat of his Sovereign’s Arms, also (but at the Investiture of the Duke of Wirtemberg, he wore his Robe of Crimson Satten, as did Clarenceux, at the Investiture of the French King, Henry III.) bearing on a Cushion the Garter, and Collar of the Order, with the great George, the Book of Statutes, and the Commission of Legation.
Lastly, The Lord Ambassador, or chief in the Embassy, who, if a Knight-Companion, proceedeth in his compleat Habit.
If any other Knight-Companion is present, he also wears his whole Habit of the Order, as did the Constable of France, at the Investiture of the French King, Henry II. The said Constable also pair’d in the Proceeding with the Sovereign’s Ambassador.
In going up to the Sovereign’s State, they all make three Reverences, and drawing near, the Ambassadors Servants fall off on either side for the Herald to pass up to the Table, set before the Sovereign’s State; whereon (with a single Reverence) he lays the Robes.
Then Garter draws near the Table also, and with a like Reverence towards the Sovereign’s State deposites the Ensigns of the Order.
The Lord Ambassador follows, and makes his Reverence towards the Sovereign’s State, and after turning to the Stranger elect, and doing him Reverence, he (or some other fit Person) delivers himself in a short, but grave, and learned Oration; “in which he not only sets forth the Praises of the illustrious Order, and of the King the Sovereign, but also the Virtues, the memorable and praise-worthy Actions of the elect Stranger, to whom the Habit and Ensigns of the Order are sent: Neither are his Ancestors (if any of them have attain’d the Honour of this Order,) past over in Silence, that thereby his Heart (already breathing impatience and desire,) may be so much the more inflamed with an Earnestness to obtain the Honour and Favour of this so great a Dignity.
“He adds besides, that the Sovereign having well weigh’d these and the like things in his Mind, and maturely advis’d thereof with his Knights-Companions, they were perswaded and well satisfied in themselves, to nominate and chuse him before others; to the end that he might both himself be honoured by the Choice of such a Person, and also thereby give an increase and addition of Lustre to those renowned Actions and Virtues, which already were a chief Ornament to him.
“Lastly, He points towards the Ensigns of the Order, which he declares to have been sent by the Sovereign, out of great Love, and singular Affection, to dignify him therewith, as to a Person to whom he wish’d as well and honourably as to any other Prince whatsoever, and withall intreats him kindly to accept thereof, and wear them in remembrance of the Sovereign and his Order.”
This or the like Oration being ended, the Ambassadors present their Commission of Legation to the elect Stranger, who delivers it to his Secretary, and he publickly Reads it.
At the before-mentioned Investiture of the French King, Henry II. the Bishop of Ely, one of the Commissioners of the Legation, made the Speech, to which the Cardinal of Lorrain returned Answer in the said King’s behalf, with all thankful Acknowledgments of the Honour of the Order.
After the Commission is read, Garter presents the Oath fairly Written, which is administred to the elect Stranger, where, if any Exceptions were before made and admitted, they must be rehears’d, as we find it directed in the instructions given for the Investiture of James V. King of Scotland. The Ceremony of the Oath being finish’d, Garter takes from off the Cushion the Garter, and having kiss’d it, presents it to the Lord Ambassador, who kneeling down, puts it with all Reverence on the Stranger’s left Leg, being assisted by Garter, who pronounces these Words of Signification.
Ad laudem atque honorem Omnipotentis Dei, intemeratæ Matris ejus, & Sancti Georgii Martyris; cinge tibiam tuam hoc insigni Subligaculo, circumferens in augmentum honoris tui, & in signum ac memoriam illustrissimi Ordinis, nusquam oblivioni daturus, aut omissurus, quod eo moneris; ut valeas, inquam & velis in justo bello, quod solum inibis, stare firmiter, agere fortiter, & feliciter omnino vincere.
This being said, Garter takes the Surcoat, and with the Ceremony of a Kiss, delivers it to the Lord Ambassador, who (after the Stranger elect hath put off his Cloak or upper Garment, and Sword,) puts it upon him in this manner: First, The Lord Ambassador begins at the Stranger’s Right Arm, and Garter (or the Leiger Ambassador if present,) assists at the left Shoulder. The Stranger being thus vested with the Surcoat, both the Lord Ambassador and Garter gird his Sword about him, with a Velvet Girdle of the same Colour, at the doing whereof Garter saith these Words.
Capito vestem hanc purpuream, ad incrementum honoris, & in signaculum Ordinis accepti: qua munitus non veteberis pro fide Christi, libertate Ecclesiæ, pro jure, & oppressorum atque indigentium necessaria tuitione, sanguinem etiam fundere, nedum fortiter ac strenue dimicare.
After this, Garter takes up the Mantle and Hood, which, in like manner kissing, he delivers to the Lord Ambassador, who invests the Stranger therewith, and lays the Hood upon his right Shoulder; (the Train being given into the Hands of some Noble Personage to be born up,) Garter also pronouncing these Words.
Accipe Clamidem hanc Cœlici coloris, in signum Clarissimi hujus Ordinis, & in Augmentum etiam honoris tui, rubeo Clypeo Dominicæ crucis, uti cernis, insignitam: ut cujus virtute semper ac vigore protectus per Hostes tutus abeas, eos ubique superare valeas, & pro clarissimis denique Meritis, post egregiam hanc hujus temporis Militiam, ad æterna vereque Triumphalia gaudia pertingas.
Garter, in the last Place, takes up the Collar, and with a Kiss also presents it to the Lord Ambassador, who placeth it about the Stranger’s Shoulders, and Garter uttereth these Words.
Torquem hunc in Collo deferes, ad augmentum honoris, & in signum quoque clarissimi ordinis a te suscepti, cum imagine Sanctissimi Martyris, & Christi Militis Georgii: cujus præsidio suffultus, Mundi hujus tam prospera quam adversa sic pertranseas, ut animæ pariter ac corporis hostibus hic strenue devictis, non Temporariæ modo Militiæ gloriam, sed & perenis victoriæ palmam denique recipere valeas. Amen.
When the Ceremony of Investiture is finished, the Lord Ambassador congratulateth the new invested Stranger in the Sovereign’s Name, and in the Name of all the Knights-Companions, and then delivers him his Velvet Cap, adorned with white Plumes, and the Book of Statutes.
The Stranger being thus invested, stayeth a while in the Room, where he received this Honour, with the Ambassador, and after Complements of Congratulation between them, he goeth to the Church in a solemn manner, having the Train of his Mantle born up; at the Entrance into the Church, all in the Procession make three Reverences, the first towards the High Altar, the next towards the Sovereign’s Stall, and the third towards the new invested Stranger’s Stall.
The Lord Ambassador proceedeth towards the Seat assign’d for him, and stands before it till the Stranger hath ascended his Stall, and after making his Reverences, (as before) takes his; then Garter making the like Reverences, sits down on a Chair, plac’d for him before the Sovereign’s Stall.
But the Herald at Arms ought to be often near the Stranger, or else the Lord Ambassador, to inform them of the Order of Ceremony, because Garter is obliged to attend the Sovereign’s Royal Stall.
After a solemn Anthem, Garter passeth in the middle of the Choir, and by a Reverence, first to the invested Stranger, and next to the Lord Ambassador, gives them the Signal for descending, and being both come down, Garter passeth up before the Stranger to the High Altar, where he makes his Offering of Gold and Silver, being accompanied with the Lord Ambassador, the Herald laying the Cushion whereon he kneels when he Offers.
But if a Knight-Companion be sent on this Legation, then he proceeds first up to the Altar, preceeded by Garter, and Offers for the Sovereign, which done, he returns to his own Stall: Next, the invested Stranger proceeds up, (preceeded as before,) Offers, and returns back to his own Stall; afterwards the aforesaid Knight-Companion proceeds up again, and Offers for himself: And in this Order was the Offering made when the Emperor Maximilian was invested at Vienna, January 4. Anno 10. Eliz.
The new invested Stranger having offered, returns to his Stall, and the Lord Ambassador, with three Reverences, takes his Seat, the Organs, &c. playing all the while: When the solemn Service is finish’d, the Stranger descends again from his Stall, and with the Proceeding before him, returns in the same Order he came to the Room, where he received his Investiture.
It’s observable, that the Emperor Maximilian, out of a compliance with the Protestant Religion, caused, on the Day of his Investiture, all Prayers to Saints incensing, and other Matters and Ceremonies not used by the Church of England, to be wholly omitted at the Service in his Chappel.
At these great Solemnities, the invested Strangers have heretofore held most magnificent Feasts, but of late they are not so much in Use: And when Dinner was ready, they proceeded thither in their whole Habit, which they wore all Dinner time.
At the Investiture of Christian IV. King of Denmark, Anno 1 Jac. I. the Sovereign’s Stiles and Titles of Honour were proclaimed thrice, (before they sat down to Dinner,) and the said King’s twice; but when Maurice and Henry, Princes of Orange, received Investiture, the Stiles were proclaimed immediately after they were invested, and in the same Room, the Ceremony being perform’d to both in the Afternoon.
At the Feast made by Maximilian I. (King of the Romans,) Sir Charles Somerset, and Sir Thomas Wriothesley, sent on the Embassy, was admitted to his Table, and sat on his left Hand: On the Day of Investiture of Don Ferdinand, Prince of Spain, Arch-Duke of Austria, the Lord Morley, and Sir William Hussey, sat on his right Hand at Dinner, and Dr. Lee, and the said Sir Thomas Wriothesley, on his left; these four being join’d in the Commission of Legation.
At a Feast on the like Occasion by the French King, Henry II. he admitted to his Table (beside the Marquiss of Northampton, the principal Person in the Legation,) the before-mentioned Constable of France; and all three sat in their full Robes of the Garter, which they put not off till after Dinner. The Cardinal of Lorrain sat also at the King’s Table, but it was on the other side.
When the Investiture was performed in the Afternoon, then was the Grand Dinner turn’d into a Supper; as it was at the Investiture of Maximilian the Emperor, and two of the French Kings; but when Henry, Prince of Orange, receiv’d the Ensigns of the Order, there was no Feast at all, but purposely omitted, to prevent the difference which might have been occasioned by the Precedency and Place, between Ambassadors drinking of Healths, and other Complements.
On this Solemnity, and the Honour they deriv’d from it, some have thought fit to transmit the Memory to Posterity, by Medals, with Inscriptions relating thereto; such were those of Gold and Silver, which Frederick, Duke of Wirtemberg, caused to be made; as also those made by Charles, King of Sweden.
Certificates of having receiv’d the Habits, and Ensigns of the Order.
§ 4. The magnificent Solemnity of Investiture, &c. being compleatly finish’d, and the Ambassadors having fully performed their Duties therein; they are yet further to obtain from the new invested Stranger, before their departure, a publick Instrument, testifying the reception of the said Habit and Ensigns, Sign’d with his Hand, and Sealed with his Great Seal; this we find anciently done in several Instances, and is generally demanded and obtain’d.
Hereupon a Clause to this Effect is usually added, in Instructions given to Ambassadors; as appears from those to the Lord Howard and Garter, in the Embassy to James V. King of Scotland; namely, that Garter should remember (after the Investiture was performed,) to Purchase, and Sollicit a Certificate from the said King, of his reception of the Order, and taking the Oath, both under his Seal.
The Form and Substance of these Certificates are much alike; for after a recital of all the Powers given to the Ambassadors nam’d in the Commission of Legation, the Stranger Prince first makes Certificate of his receiving, and Investiture with the Mantle, Surcoat, Collar, and other Ornaments of the Order; and that they receiv’d them from the Sovereign’s Ambassador, with the accustom’d Solemnities.
In some of these Certificates, namely from Ferdinand, Prince of Spain, Anno 15 Hen. VIII. from Francis I. the French King, Anno 19 Hen. VIII. and from Gustavus, King of Sweden, Anno 3 Car. I. we find the taking the Oath appointed by the Statutes to be also certified. Of the return of these Certificates, the Annals of the Order sometimes take notice, and by a Decree, 13 Car. I. care was taken to oblige the Ambassadors to produce these Certificates to the Sovereign at their return.
The Stranger Prince hath been pleas’d sometimes, to give with the Certificate, a particular Testimonial of Garter’s punctual discharge of his Duty in the Legation, or of the Officer of Arms employed in his stead; as did Gustavus, King of Sweden, in the preamble of his Diploma, whereby he testifies the bestowing upon Henry St. George, Richmond Herald, the Honour of Knighthood; they have also usually given Garter Gratuities, either in Money, Diamonds, or some other Present of great value, of which several Instances might be produced.