The Sovereign’s Place in the Proceeding, & notandum quod superior Ordinis tempore Processionis in dicta Capella transibit retro totam Sociarum Comitivam; which though the Statute mentions here to be performed at the Grand Procession, yet it refers to all those times the Sovereign proceeds to, or from, no less than within the Chappel. In ancient Time, the Sovereign (if he were at Windsor, to celebrate the Grand Feast,) proceeded to the Chappel in Person, as well on the Eve, as on the Feast Day. Queen Elizabeth being the first who went not to the Chappel on the Eve of the Feast, unless we except King Henry VI. who, by reason of Sickness, was necessitated to make a Deputy in his stead: The aforesaid Omission of Queen Elizabeth, was first occasioned through Indisposition of Health, though she afterwards, without that necessity, did not comply, as in the 18, 25, 29, and 31 Years of her Reign, which gave occasion to King James to make Deputies at those three Grand Feasts he Celebrated at Windsor; and the like did King Charles I. in the first Year of his Reign; but in the fourth Year of his Reign, the ancient Custom (for many Years intermitted,) was restored, and the Sovereign (making no Lieutenant,) proceeded to the Chappel, not only on that Eve, but always observed it afterwards, as did King Charles II. in all the Grand Feasts he held, and is now observed.
It will be necessary to take notice, that the Proceeding begins from the Presence Chamber, call’d in the Statutes the Great Chamber; a Scheme whereof, on the Eve of the Grand Feast, is here exhibited.
The Attendants on the Knights-Companions.
Alms-Knights.
Virger of the Chappel.
Prebends of Windsor.
Officers of Arms.
Knights-Companions.
Black-Rod.
Register.