Then the Prelate, with two Prebends, (appointed to read the Epistle and Gospel,) are conducted, the one by the Serjeants of the Vestry, the other by the Virger, up to the Altar, (which they approach with usual Reverences,) the Prelate passing to the North-side, and the Prebends to the South, to finish the remaining part of Divine Service.
Whereupon the Officers of Arms descend into the Choir; And
The Alms-Knights go down to their Seats, which, while they are so doing, the two Prebends put on their Copes at the South-side of the Altar. This done, the Prelate begins the second Service, which hath been celebrated, since the time of the Reformation, according to the Book of Common-Prayer, and is the same commonly used on any other Feast Day; excepting a peculiar Epistle and Gospel; the first being the thirty third Chapter of Deuteronomy, and the latter the fifth Chapter of St. John, beginning at the twenty fourth Verse, and ending at the thirtieth; which being read, the Creed is Sung.
We may here Note, that before the Reformation, it belonged to the Abbot of Tower-Hill to read the Gospel, and to the Prior of Medemenham in Norfolk, to read the Epistle.
The Offering of Gold and Silver.
§ 4: This Ceremony, whether it be performed in the Sovereign’s Chappel at Windsor, or in any other Church or Chappel, is one and the same, (except the Sovereign’s Offering of Gold and Silver, instead of the Bezant,) which is peculiar to Windsor.
The accustomed time of Offering on the Feast Day, is mentioned Anno 22 Hen. VIII. to be after the Sovereign’s return to his Stall from the Grand Procession, in the time of High Mass, and at this Day begins immediately after this first Sentence of the Offertory is pronounced by the Prelate.
Let your Light so shine before men, &c.
This said, the Organ begins to Play, and forthwith a Groom and Page of the removing Wardrobe, (with Reverence first made,) unrol a long Carpet, and spread it before the Altar; which being done, the Alms-Knights first, next the Pursuivants, Heralds, and Provincial Kings, ascend in usual Order, and flank the Carpet on both sides. Then Garter steps from his Seat, and after double Reverences, and the usual manner of waving his Rod, the Knights-Companions descend in their accustom’d Order, and stand before their Stalls.
After this, Black-Rod goes from his Seat to the Altar, towards which, making a single Reverence, he turns his Back, and immediately the Groom of the removing Wardrobe delivereth him a little Carpet, anciently of Silk, now of Cloth of Gold; and the said Groom holds on his Arms a Cushion of Cloth of Gold, for the Sovereign to Kneel upon, at the time of his Offering, which the Black-Rod forthwith lays on the upper Haut Pas before the Altar, and each of them, as well in delivering, as receiving the Cushion, kiss it.