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.