The Proceeding passes on through the South-Door of the Chappel, and here the Trumpets are taken in, and placed before the Alms-Knights, and sound all the way to the Guard Chamber; at which time the Drums and Fifes begin to beat and play. Thence the Proceeding passes into the Presence Chamber, whither it ought to go, before the Sovereign pass into the great Hall to Dinner; and here the Knights-Companions take their usual Stands; and after the Sovereign’s Salutation, and their Reverences, the Sovereign retires into the Privy Chamber, and the Knights likewise retire till Dinner is ready.
Of the Dinner on the Feast Day.
§ 7. As soon as the Sovereign hath notice given him, that the first Mess is set on the Table, the Sovereign and Knights-Companions come out of the Privy Lodgings into the Presence Chamber, attended by the Officers of the Order, and seat themselves in the same manner, as at the Supper on the Eve of the Feast: The Musick sounding whilst the said Mess is carrying up; which is in the following Order.
| Four Serjeants at Arms, | two and two. |
| The Comptroller. | The Treasurer. |
| The Sewer. | |
| The Messes carried up by the Pensioners. | |
| Master of the Houshold. | Cofferer. |
| A Clerk Comptroller. | A Clerk Comptroller. |
| Second Clerk of the Kitchin. | Chief Clerk of the Kitchin. |
The Sovereign hath most frequently sat alone, though sometimes heretofore he hath been pleased to admit some of the Knights-Companions to sit at the Table with him; but this Honour has not been offered to any of them since the Reign of Queen Elizabeth. As soon as the Sovereign is placed, the Knights-Companions put on their Caps, and remaining covered, retire against the Tables prepared for them; where Water is brought them by a Gentleman of Quality; and having washed, they all sit down.
The Order of passing to their Seats at the Table, 19 Car. II. and so appointed to be observed for the future, was after the following manner. First, The Duke of York entered the Rails at the upper end of the Table, and passed down the hither side, to the lower end, and thence to the bench-side to his Place: In like manner followed all the other Knights, according to the Seniority of their Stalls, as it is ordained they shall sit, and not according to their Estates or Dignities, (except the Sons of Stranger Kings, Princes, and Dukes,) and all on the right Hand, or farther side of their Table, not one against another, but two and two at a Table to a Mess, and those whose Opposites are wanting to sit alone, and have a whole Mess. Their Meat being usually brought up by the Yeomen of the Guard; and are attended by some of the Gentlemen Pensioners, and others of the Sovereigns Servants, two to each Table.
It appears that anciently the Officers of the Order had a Table allowed them in the great Hall, and sat covered in the Sovereign’s Presence; but on the Eve of the Feast, 10 Car. I. it was ordered in Chapter, That they should be at their Choice, to keep the Feast privately by themselves, or sit uncovered where the Sovereign dined. Whereupon, from that time, they forbore sitting in the Hall, or where else the Sovereign and Knights-Companions sat. It likewise appears, that the Officers of Arms did anciently sit in St. George’s Hall, at a Table joined to that, at which the Officers of the Order sat.
Before the Entrance of the Sovereign’s second Course, he stands up and drinks to the Knights-Companions, (and so it is remembred to be done by Phil. and Mar.) they standing all the while uncovered, till they have all pledged him: Which done, the Officers of Arms make themselves ready, at the lower end of the Hall, to proceed up in the following Order.
Garter.
Clarenceux and Norroy.