8. All their Servants in the Rear.
Custom and Peace contributed to make the Cavalcades more glorious, during the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth, and King James I. and especially that of Robert, Earl of Salisbury, and Thomas, Viscount Bindon, May 21st, Anno 4 Jac. I. who arrived at Windsor honourably accompanied, with a great appearance of Nobility, Knights, and Gentlemen of Figure.
But the Fate of this Solemnity, much like that glorious Body of the Sun, (whose Lustre at such times it strove to outshine) had now and then its interpositions, and intermitting Clouds, at other times long Nights, and the Splendor and Glory thereof but struck the Sight now and then; when the Pleasure of the Sovereign grew auspicious, or the Honour of the Order became fixed upon more generous Spirits. But to speak impartially, there may grow an Excess in such Solemnities, even to Shame and Surfeit; and the best Cure to prescribe for it, is a long Abstinence. Nor was this Festival at all Times free from this Distemper, but then a quick Application of the Sovereign’s soon rectified it by taking away the Cause, and prohibiting Excess in their Attendants.
For this reason it was that King James I. observing those Excesses the elect Knights run into upon this Occasion, and willing to cheque the growing Inconveniencies, at the Installation, of Francis, Earl of Rutland, Sir George Villars, Kt. (afterwards Duke of Buckingham) and the Viscount Lisle, Anno 14 of his Reign, forbid Livery Coats, for saving Charge, and avoiding Emulation; and shortly after, in a Chapter at White-Hall, Anno 16. with the Consent of the Knights-Companions then assembled, to put some restraint upon the Number of Attendants, decreed, That every of the Knights-Companions should have fifty Persons to attend him unto the Annual Solemnities of the Order, and no more.
In the Installation of William, Earl of Northampton, Anno 5 Car. I. we find this stinted Number encreased to fourscore, who began his Cavalcade to Windsor, from Salisbury House in the Strand, and certainly wou’d have exhibited a more glorious Show, had not a continual Rain for three Days space impeded him. Nevertheless, that what he designed with so much Splendor and Gallantry might out-live the accident of foul Weather, the Order of it shall be inserted here.
The Order of riding to the Installation of William,
Earl of Northampton, 20th of April, 1629.
1. Trumpets, whose Banners were of Damask, and had the Earls Arms, with his Crest and Supporters environed with a Garter.
2. The meanest of his Servants; as Grooms and Yeomen, in Blue Coats, two and two.
3. His Lordship’s other Servants, in Blue Coats; as Gentlemen, Esquires, and Knights, two and two.