The Ceremonies of the two Senior Knights Offering being finished, the two Senior Heralds observing their last Reverences, pass down into the Choir, in the same manner as did Clarenceux and Norroy, to bring up the next two Senior Knights to Offer, who use all the same Ceremonies, and are conducted back in like manner to the Altar; and so of the other, brought up by the two next Senior Heralds; Clarenceaux and Norroy beginning again, if there are more Knights than the Heralds in one Course supply; and after them the Heralds again, till the whole is ended: And here it may be noted, that where any Knight goeth single to Offer, he hath nevertheless two Heralds to attend him.
Touching the Offerings themselves, made in the Chappel of Windsor, they belong of right to the Dean and Prebends, being conferr’d on them by the Statutes of the College: And ordained also, that the Chantor should see them receiv’d, and faithfully kept; and at the end of every Month, or Weekly, if the College required it, give an Account of what was receiv’d: All which was confirmed by King Edward III. the Bishop, Dean, and Chapter of Salisbury, to whose Jurisdiction the College of Windsor belongs; and also by the Bishop of Winchester, Prelate of the Garter, 1352. But Dr. Montague, Bishop of Winchester, at the Feast at Windsor, 21 Jac. I. challenged a right to the Offerings; and Bishop Andrews did de Facto both receive, and keep the Offerings, whenever he officiated at Windsor. But on complaint of the Dean and Prebends of Windsor, this matter was referred to the Chapter; yet we do not find that any final or positive Determination was ever made to the time of the Restauration, from which time the right of the Dean and Canons has never been disputed, and the Statutes have duly taken Place.
What has usually been offered, either in Gold or Silver, we shall see by the Account given in by the Bishop of Winchester, 4 Car. I. at St. George’s Feast at Windsor, September 24.
The whole Offering of the eight Knights, is four Pounds fifteen Shillings, viz. in Gold ten Shillings each, and in Silver two; excepting the Lord Steward, whose Offering in Silver was only one Shilling; besides the Sovereign’s Bezant redeemable.
The Offerings on the twenty fifth Day.
His Majesty’s Offering in Gold one Pound, and in Silver ten Shillings.
The eight Knights-Companions the same as the Day before; the whole, besides the King’s Bezant, eleven Pounds.
When all the Knights have offered, and are returned to their Stalls, the Chancellor of the Order makes his Reverences; and after him, the Register, Garter, and Black-Rod, theirs together, and take their Seats: Next, the Carpet being rolled up by the Groom and Page of the removing Wardrobe, the Provincial Kings, Heralds, and Pursuivants, and last of all the Alms-Knights, make their Reverences, and pass into the Choir, where they remain till the Prelate has finished the second Service; who, conducted by the Serjeant of the Vestry, comes down from the Altar with his accustomed Reverences to his Seat. After whom, the two Prebends are brought down by the Virger, who making their usual Reverences take their Seats.
The Return to the Presence.
§ 6. Immediately after, all prepare to pass out of the Choir, and to proceed back to the Presence Chamber, which is done in every particular as it is in the return of the Sovereign from the first Vespers.