Of late Times, an Occasion happen’d that brought this of the Statutes, into a solemn Debate in Chapter, which, for the Result thereof, became very remarkable.
At a Chapter held at White-Hall, 2d February, 1640.
The Sovereign propos’d to the Knights-Companions, that having prorogued the Celebration of St. George’s Feast from time to time, to the 1st, 2d, and 3d of March, so near Lent, that if the Feast were not held on these Days, it could not be done within the compass of that Year; because the 23d of April, for the next Year, did fall on Good-Friday, and so consequently must have been kept in Lent this Year, or not at all; and considering the great and important Affairs of the Parliament, he moved the Question, whether, if there were no Feast kept this Year, it would be any Blemish to the Honour of the Order? And whether he might not dispence with the Statute, and defer it till next Year? They all confessed the Sovereign’s dispensing Power; yet some of the Knights seeing from the Institution to that Time, no Precedent was found where the Grand Feast had been wholly omitted, but that some of the Sovereigns, even though engaged in War beyond Sea, either solemniz’d the Feast in their own Presence, or by Commission in England, which was averred by the Chancellor to be both the fundamental and constant Practice, humbly besought the Sovereign not to begin to make any Breach in the constant Order, so long and uninterruptedly continued. Whereupon it was resolv’d, by general Vote, that the Feast should be celebrated on the aforesaid Days of Prorogation.
By which Determination it sufficiently appears, of what Moment the Sovereign and Knights-Companions then conceiv’d it to the Honour of the Order, to follow the Statutes, for the Celebration of the Grand Feast once every Year. Besides, it is observable, that it was not thought expedient to be dispens’d with, even on the most pressing and important Occasions. But rather than the Statutes should suffer any Violation, the Feast was then solemniz’d, tho’ they were so straiten’d, in point of time, as not to have above two Days to make Preparation for it.
And though indeed, on the breaking out of the unhappy Civil War, the Sovereign was oblig’d to defer the Solemnity from Year to Year, it was not to be look’d on as any Precedent; and on the Restauration of King Charles II. it renew’d its former Order.
CAP. XIX.
Of Preparations for the Grand Feast of the Order.
Of Letters giving Notice of the Time and Place.
§ 1.
Among many other things which are necessary to be prepar’d beforehand; the first of Course is, the Letters directed to all the Knights-Companions and Officers of the Order, resident within the Kingdom, to give them Notice of the Time and Place, when and where the Feast is to be held. (2.) Letters of Dispensation to such Knights, as the Sovereign shall please to excuse from their Attendance at the Feast. (3.) Commissions of Lieutenancy, (or sometimes of Assistance) when the Sovereign cannot personally solemnize the same. (4.) Warrants for the Removal of Atchievements, if there be then Occasion. (5.) Escutcheons and Stiles, to be set on the back of each Knight-Companion’s Stall, if the Feast be held elsewhere than at Windsor. (6.) The Chappel to be decently adorn’d. (7.) The great Hall, or other Place, for the Grand Dinner, to be prepar’d, and very nobly furnish’d. (8.) And lastly, Officers to be appointed, besides those of the Order of Arms, who are to give peculiar Attendance on the Sovereign, at this Grand Solemnity.
As to the first of these Points, the Chancellor is to attend the Sovereign some convenient Time before the approach of St. George’s Day, to learn his Pleasure therein, and whether he is inclined to Prorogue the Day, &c.