Of the elect Knights proceeding into the Choir.
§ 2. Where an Election has been made of a Person then present at Court, he is called into the Chapter-House by Garter, according to the usual manner; and having been invested with the George and Garter, he usually passed in the Proceeding to the Chappel, whether it were from the Chapter-House, or Presence Chamber; and in this ordinary Apparel, always bare-headed; the Place allowed him in the Proceeding being between the Knights-Companions and the Officers of Arms: But if two Knights have been elected, they then proceed together, before the Knights-Companions. At his Entrance into the Choir, the elect Knight is placed by Garter, next before the lowest Stall; or if there be two elected, and both proceed to the Chappel, they are placed in the two lowest Stalls; where they are to stand all Service time, unless upon Licence to sit, as they have sometimes obtained.
Of the Ceremonies performed at Divine Service.
§ 3. In this Morning Service, before the Reformation of our Church, the Mass of Requiem was solemnly Sung, for the Souls of the Knights-Companions, and all faithful Souls departed, which was provided for by the Statutes. As likewise, that all the Knights should be present thereat, unless upon License obtained, or special Case to the contrary. At this Celebration, was the deceased Knights Atchievements also offered with solemn Ceremony; of which we shall speak presently.
Another Ceremony belonging to the Service of this Morning, is the Offering of Gold and Silver, which (when the first Sentence of the Offertory has been pronounced,) is again performed by the Sovereign and Knights-Companions; the Ceremonies being the same, in all particulars, as are observed at the like Offering on the Feast Day.
Divine Service being ended, the Sovereign and Knights-Companions frequently proceed to the Chapter-House, and there put off their Mantles, and therewith the Ceremonies of this Grand Feast determine.
CAP. XXIII.
The Observation of the Grand Feast by absent Knights.
Absent Knights enjoined to observe the Grand Feast.
§ 1.
Having shewn with what Magnificence and Ceremony the Feast of St. George has been, and ought to be observed; as also how strictly the Statutes oblige the Knights-Companions to appear annually thereat; and what severe Penalties they are liable to, if absent, except on reasonable Cause of Absence. Yet lest the Honour might receive diminution, from too small an Appearance at its publick Solemnities; it was farther at the Institution of the Order Decreed: That none of them should depart the Kingdom, without first acquainting the Sovereign, and obtaining his special Leave and License; nevertheless the Sovereign granted them License to go beyond Sea, before the rest of his Subjects, if they were dispos’d to undertake any Military Expedition, from whence any Glory of Knighthood might be hop’d for.