It was a Custom begun by Queen Elizabeth, and used when she celebrated St. George’s Feast, either at White-Hall, or Greenwich, for the Sovereign’s Lieutenant, and Knights-Companions, in full Robes, attended with the Officers of the Order, and of Arms, to meet in the Presence Chamber, about nine in the Morning of the Feast Day, and proceed thence as they did the Evening before, through the Guard Chamber, down into the great Hall, and thence into the Chappel, where they took their Stalls, as on the Eve; after which, Morning Prayer was performed as far as the Litany, and this was called the first Service; which done, they all descended from their Stalls, in the accustomed Order, and proceeded back to the Presence, and there waited the coming of the Sovereign, before whom they proceeded a second time to the Choir, where the Litany, and Grand Procession began, called the second Service, at which the Sovereign was usually Present; but seldom at the first Service.
The first Instance we have met with of this double Proceeding, is recorded in the Blue-Book of the Order, 3 Eliz. and was continued throughout her Reign; and that of King James I. not only when the Feast of St. George was celebrated at White-Hall, or Greenwich, but also at other times, when celebrated at Windsor; and so 1 Car. I. But from that time, the Sovereign went to the Chappel at the beginning of Morning Service, which was continued without interruption: Which way has been ever since duly observed.
But when it was known that the Sovereign did not go in the Grand Procession, but his Lieutenant for him; then the Service was constantly gone through withal at once.
The Proceeding to the second Service.
§ 2. When the Feast has been celebrated elsewhere than at Windsor, as soon as the Prelate was come down from the Altar, on finishing the first Service, the Knights-Companions descended from their Stalls in usual Order; and then the Lieutenant, with the Officers of the Order, and of Arms, proceeded before him to the Presence, to conduct the Sovereign to the second Service; which second Proceeding was disposed in the same manner as was that to the first Service in the Morning; only in the latter, because the Sovereign proceeded, the Sword was also carried.
Of the Grand Procession.
§ 3. We are now arrived at the Grand Procession of this most Noble Order, which is indeed the most Solemn, and Magnificent Part of the whole Ceremony, and has always been celebrated in the Morning of the Feast Day of St. George; or on such other Day, as the Sovereign hath appointed by Prorogation to hold the same. But as to the instant of Time when it began, it has sometimes been uncertain; with respect to the conveniency of the Church Service, when it was conceived most proper; which was generally at the end of the second Collect, and before the Litany: Nevertheless, in 6 Eliz. the Feast being then held at Windsor, it began presently after the Te Deum was Sung; and the twentieth of the said Queen’s Reign, at Greenwich, after reading the second Lesson. And to come nearer our Times, the Grand Procession set forward, 8 Car. I. when the first Service was finished; and 17 Car. I. after the Sermon was ended: But at the Grand Feast, 13 Car. II. it was brought to its usual time, after the last Collect.
As to the Proceeding, or Processional way at Windsor, that has not been always the same; sometimes it was confined within the Walls of St. George’s Chappel, but at other times enlarged through the lower Court of the Castle; a few Instances of both Cases are remaining, but none of any ancient date.
What the Order and Manner of this Ceremony was, may be collected from what an old Relator says, of the Solemn Procession made the 29 May, 5 Hen. VIII. That it was ordered as of old Time accustomed.
First went the Alms-Knights, two and two on either side the Choir, then the Officers of Arms, next the Knights-Companions; after them the Officers of the Order, and then the Prelate bearing the Heart of St. George, under a Canopy honourably assisted, four Noblemen bearing each a Torch; and last of all the Sovereign.