In Epigram 33 of The Seconde Bowle, by Thomas Freeman, 4to, 1614, quoted also in Dodsley’s Old Plays, vol. xii. p. 398, its this distich:
“With’s eorum nomine keeping greater sway,
Than a Court blew coat on St. George’s Day.”
Dr. Forster, in his Perennial Calendar (1824, p. 185), mentioning an allusion to this dress in Reed’s Old Plays (vol. xii.), observes that it was probably because blue was the fashionable colour of Britain, over which St. George presides, and not in imitation of the clothing of the fields in blue, by the flowering of the blue-bells, as many have supposed.
The king’s spurs became the fee of the choristers at Windsor on installations and feasts on St. George’s Day. In the “Privy Purse Expenses of Henry VII.” is an entry under the year 1495:
“Oct. 1. At Windesor. To the children for the spoures.”
A similar disbursement occurs thrice in the Privy Purse Expenses of Henry VIII. in 1530.—Med. Ævi Kalend. vol. i. p. 214.
Strype, in his Ecclesiastical Memorials (1822, vol. iii. pt. ii. p. 3), says, “April 23rd [1557], being St. George’s Day, the King’s grace went a procession at Whitehall, through the hall, and round about the court hard by the gate, certain of the Knights of the Garter accompanying him, viz., the Lord Mountagu, the Lord Admiral St. Anthony St. Leger, the Lord Cobham, the Lord Dacre, Sir Thomas Cheyne, the Lord Paget, the Earl of Pembroke, the Earl of Arundel, the Lord Treasurer, and Secretary Petre, in a robe of crimson velvet, with the garter embroidered on his shoulder (as Chancellor of the Garter). One bare a rod of black, and a doctor the book of records. Then went all the heralds, and then the Lord Talbot bare the sword, and after him the sergeant-at-arms. And then came the king, the Queen’s grace looking out of a window beside the court on the garden side. And the bishop of Winchester did execute the mass, wearing his mitre. The same afternoon were chosen three Knights of the Garter, viz., the Lord Fitz-Water, the deputy of Ireland; Lord Grey of Wilton, deputy of Guynes; and Sir Robert Rochester, comptroller of the Queen’s house. After, the duke of Muscovia (as that ambassador was usually termed) came through the hall and the guard stood on a row, in their rich coats, with halberts; and so passed up to the Queen’s chamber, with divers aldermen and merchants. And after came down again to the chapel to evensong, to see the ceremonies. And immediately came the king, (the Lord Strange bearing the sword), and the Knights of the Garter, to evensong, which done, they went all up to the chamber of presence. After came the ambassador, and took his barge to London.[36]
[36] See also Machyn’s Diary, 1848, p. 195.
Berkshire.
The following is a curious account of the expenses for decorating a figure of St. George on this day, taken from Coates’s History of Reading, p. 221: