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The History of the Most Noble Order of the Garter

Chapter 206: Of the Proceeding to the Choir.
By Elias Ashmole
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About This Book

A detailed institutional history of the most prestigious chivalric order and comparable European knightly orders, tracing its medieval foundation, governing statutes and the development of Windsor's castle, chapel, and college. The text explains ceremonial procedures, investiture rites, regalia, officers' duties and financial arrangements, offers biographical notes on founders, and presents an illustrated roll of knights with coats of arms. Drawn from public records, heralds' manuscripts, and corrected authorities, the edition adds emendations, heraldic corrections and a continued list of members to the editor's present.

CAP. XXII.
 
The Ceremonies observed on the last Day of the Feast.

Of the Proceeding to the Choir.

§ 1.

The manner of Proceeding to the Chapter-House is performed in the same manner as it was on the Eve of the Feast; and differs only in this Point; that then the Sovereign and Knights are obliged by the Statutes to proceed in full Robes; here, by the Indulgence of King Henry VIII’s Statutes, all are dispensed with, except the upper Robe or Mantle: And as then the Image of St. George was worn Pendant at the Coller of the Order, now a blue Ribbond sufficeth; and instead of a Cap and Feather, only their ordinary Hats.

It was the ancient Custom to Celebrate a Chapter in the Morning of the last Day of the Feast, before the Sovereign proceeded to the Chappel, chiefly to make Election of Knights, where any Stall is void; which has sometimes been held, when the Sovereign did not go to the Chappel, in the Privy Chamber, and then the Lieutenant, waving the Chapter-House, proceeds straight on to the Chappel, and enters at the South Door.

Of the elect Knights proceeding into the Choir.

§ 2. Where an Election has been made of a Person then present at Court, he is called into the Chapter-House by Garter, according to the usual manner; and having been invested with the George and Garter, he usually passed in the Proceeding to the Chappel, whether it were from the Chapter-House, or Presence Chamber; and in this ordinary Apparel, always bare-headed; the Place allowed him in the Proceeding being between the Knights-Companions and the Officers of Arms: But if two Knights have been elected, they then proceed together, before the Knights-Companions. At his Entrance into the Choir, the elect Knight is placed by Garter, next before the lowest Stall; or if there be two elected, and both proceed to the Chappel, they are placed in the two lowest Stalls; where they are to stand all Service time, unless upon Licence to sit, as they have sometimes obtained.

Of the Ceremonies performed at Divine Service.

§ 3. In this Morning Service, before the Reformation of our Church, the Mass of Requiem was solemnly Sung, for the Souls of the Knights-Companions, and all faithful Souls departed, which was provided for by the Statutes. As likewise, that all the Knights should be present thereat, unless upon License obtained, or special Case to the contrary. At this Celebration, was the deceased Knights Atchievements also offered with solemn Ceremony; of which we shall speak presently.

Another Ceremony belonging to the Service of this Morning, is the Offering of Gold and Silver, which (when the first Sentence of the Offertory has been pronounced,) is again performed by the Sovereign and Knights-Companions; the Ceremonies being the same, in all particulars, as are observed at the like Offering on the Feast Day.

Divine Service being ended, the Sovereign and Knights-Companions frequently proceed to the Chapter-House, and there put off their Mantles, and therewith the Ceremonies of this Grand Feast determine.