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( 197 )

of the Society into the void Stall , /o ftaf it were higherthan that, wherein he fate before.

This in Effecft did vacat the ancient Law of fucceedingin Stalls, though at the fame Time he feem’d to Confirmit to the Kjiights-Subjetls , for afterwards Tranflacions pre-ceedingtolnftallations, became fo frequent, that the Rightan el*ft Knight had to his Predeceffor’s Stall, was feldotnenjoyed. However, hereby he confirmed S' Power togratify fetch of the Kpights-Compmions, as he Ihou’d thinkfit to advance, without having recourfe to a Chapter;arid from hence began the Cultom to lfliie out Warrants,tinder the Sovereign’s Sign Manual, for the Tranflation ofStalls, and confequently the alteration and removal of luchof the Knights-Companions Helms, Crefls, Banners, andPlates, who fhou’d receive a higher Exaltation.

Belides the Power eftablifhed upon the Sovereigns ofthis moft Noble Order, of tranflating Stalls, when a va-cancy happened, they farther added this larger Preroga-tive : That the Sovereign, once in his Life, might, if itpleafed him, make a general Tranflation of all the Stallsat his P.eafure, except of Emperrrs, Kings, Princes, andDukes, who (hou’d keep the r Stalls and Places, unlelsadvanced to a higher Room and Stall. In which Tranf-lation, the long c ntinuance in the Order, and the Prailes,Worthidefs, and Merits of the JQiights-Companions, wereto be confidered and remetribred.

But this Branch of the Sovereign’s Prerogative, as faras we can find, was never put in Execution, though theTranflation, Anno 2,7 Henry VIII. border’d fomethingupon it, perhaps left it might raife too great Feuds amongthe Knjghts-Subjecls; forafmuch as that of tranflating only,(when there happened a vacancy,) begot great Emulations,which at length introduced a Change, to which we fhallpals, after we have taken notice of a Claufe added in thetwenty fecond Article of King Henry VIIPs Statutes, re-lating to Princes.

. E is obfervable the ancient Law of fucceeding in Stalls,ln relation to them, was wholly alrered. For KingHenry VIII. upon the Eftablilhment of his Body of Sta-tutes, not only appointed thofe Strangers, then prefent ofthe Order, to be (eated next himfe'f; but chat all Empe-tuts, Kings, and Princes, (hould hold their Stalls aftertheir Eftates, and the very next unco the Sovereign, tho’

Knights -