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long Train, which being more fcanty in the Mantlesof Knights-Subjedls, eighteen Yards was fufficient tomake one of them. The full Length of King Charles II.from the Collar behind to the end of the Train, wasthree Yards the Length of the forefide, one Yard andthree Quarters from the Foot along the bottom to thefixing on of the Train, was two Yards, and from thencethe Length or Compafs of the .Train, two Yards.
The left Shoulder of each of thefe Mantles havefrom the Inftitution been adorned with a large fairGarter, containing this Motto, Honi fait qui maly pmje.Thefe were diffinguiflied from the lefler Garters, an-ciently embroider’d upon the Surcoats and Hoods ofthe Sovereigns and Knights-Companions, by the Nameof Garters Grofs.
Within this Garter was the Arms of St. George , tii.Argent a Crofs Gules, and was heretofore wrought in Sat-tin, with Gold, Silver and Silk 5 but in defcendingTimes greater Expence and Magnificence became thePradtice of the Order, for it was embordered uponVelvet with Damask, Gold, and fundry Sorts ofPurls,Plates, Venice Twills and Silks, and the Letters of theMotto and Borders of the Garter compofed of fairOriental Pearl. The Garter fix’d upon the Mantle ofKing Charles II. was encircled with large Oriental Pearl,fo were the Letters of the Motto and the Crofs withinthe Garter, the Diameter of which was feven Inches,but the Depth from the upper Part to the end of thePendant, ten Inches.
Temp. Hen. VI. it feems to have been the Mode toembellifh the Mantle with three or four Veits drawndown the fides, and round the bottom, as it appearsby the Monument of JohnTalhot Earl of Shrewsbury inthe South-wall of the Chancel of Whitechurch in Cm.Salop.
About that Time the Lining of this Robe was whiteDamask, and afterwards white Sattin ; but of laterDate it was lined with white Taffaty, which continuesyet in vogue.
For exemplary Ornament, the Mantle had fixed to itsCollar a pair of long Strings, anciently woven of blueSilk only (called Cordons , Robe-ftrjngs or Laces) 5 but
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