The Ceremonies belonging to the second Vespers.
§ 8. The usual time for Proceeding to the Chapter-House, hath usually been about four a Clock in the Afternoon, but sometimes not before five, by reason of the length of the Dinner. The Proceeding is as at other times; and when the Sovereign and Knights have made a Cavalcade of it on the Eve, or on the Feast Day, the same has been observed at the Proceeding to the second Vespers.
It has been customary to hold a Chapter before the second Vespers, for the regulation of the Affairs of the Order. When the second Vespers are ended, the Proceeding passes out of the Choir in the very same Order as at the first Vespers; but Anno 15 Car. I. it happening to be late ere the second Vespers ended, the Sovereign did not go to the Presence Chamber, but proceeded directly to the great Hall to Supper by Torch Light.
Of the Supper on the Evening of the Feast Day.
§ 9. It has not been frequently known, that the Sovereign hath supped publickly in St. George’s Hall on the Feast Day; but when it happens, as 14 Car. I. the Proceeding thither, and return, are in all respects performed as at the Supper on the Eve. And if the Sovereign’s Lieutenant hath on this Night supped publickly, then it was in the Presence Chamber, where he sat alone at the Sovereign’s Table, as at other times.
CAP. XXII.
The Ceremonies observed on the last Day of the Feast.
Of the Proceeding to the Choir.
§ 1.
The manner of Proceeding to the Chapter-House is performed in the same manner as it was on the Eve of the Feast; and differs only in this Point; that then the Sovereign and Knights are obliged by the Statutes to proceed in full Robes; here, by the Indulgence of King Henry VIII’s Statutes, all are dispensed with, except the upper Robe or Mantle: And as then the Image of St. George was worn Pendant at the Coller of the Order, now a blue Ribbond sufficeth; and instead of a Cap and Feather, only their ordinary Hats.
It was the ancient Custom to Celebrate a Chapter in the Morning of the last Day of the Feast, before the Sovereign proceeded to the Chappel, chiefly to make Election of Knights, where any Stall is void; which has sometimes been held, when the Sovereign did not go to the Chappel, in the Privy Chamber, and then the Lieutenant, waving the Chapter-House, proceeds straight on to the Chappel, and enters at the South Door.