The like Solemnity is observed at any other Place, as well as at Windsor; where, because the Alms-Knights are absent, the Pursuivants at Arms ascend nearer the High-Altar than when they are at Windsor; but this occasions little Variation.
When the Vespers are ended, the Prelate goes to the middle of the Altar, and with great Reverence makes an Obeysance; and thence, with the Serjeant before him, descends to the middle of the Choir, where he makes his double Reverences, and so returns to his Seat; whereupon all make ready to pass out of the Choir, which is performed in much the same manner, and with the same State, as they proceeded thither; and the Servants and Attendants of the Knights-Companions are marshalled in the same Order as they were at the beginning of the Proceeding, that the whole Procession may again pass through them.
The Alms-Knights having entered the Guard Chamber, spread themselves on each side thereof; the Prebends pass through them, and fall off on either side the Room to the Presence Chamber Door.
Then the Pursuivants, Heralds, and Provincial Kings, proceeding through the Lane made by the Alms-Knights and Prebends, enter the Presence Chamber, and fall off on either side toward the Stall, the King’s standing uppermost.
Then enter the Knights-Companions, and place themselves on each side of the State, in such Order as they sat in their Stalls, the eldest nearest the State; but those whose Companions are absent, stand alone; after whom follow the Officers of the Order, disposing themselves conveniently near the State.
Lastly, The Sovereign passes to the Step before the State, where, being arrived, he turns toward the Knights-Companions, who make their Reverences jointly to him, and he thereon puts off his Cap, and re-salutes them; which done, the Sovereign and they withdraw into the Privy Chamber till Supper time.
But in Queen Elizabeth’s Reign, when the Feast of St. George was held at White-Hall, or Greenwich, and the Sovereign, as was usual with her, proceeded no farther on the Eve to Vespers, than to the great Closet, the ordinary way, and thence sent her Lieutenant into the Choir. Then, in such Case, when Vespers were ended, the Lieutenant returned from the Choir, through the great Hall, and so back to the said Closet, and stood at the Door thereof, attending the Sovereign’s coming forth; from whence they all proceeded before her into the Presence-Chamber, and there the Ceremony, for that time, ended.
But in the Reign of King James I. when the Supper on the Eve, as also the following Meals, were prepared in the Banquetting-House, the Sovereign’s Lieutenant frequently returned from the Closet, by the Lobby, to the said Banquetting-House, instead of going to the Presence; and passing up the State, gave an End to the Ceremony till Supper time: And so we find it observed in the 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, and 16 of that King.
When the Sovereign and Knights-Companions are retired, they are not to put off any part of their Robes till Supper is over, for that is prohibited by the Statutes, not only to those who do not Sup, as well as those who do. And hereon, 19 Car. II. the Sovereign having a mind to take the Air, went into Hide-Park, after he had taken leave of the Knights-Companions, the Dukes of York and Monmouth, and the Earl of Oxford being with him, but all in full Robes, and so returned to Supper.