ANNO 1685.]

ORDER OF THE GARTER.

2 65

“ the Sovereign put the blue Ribband, the lesser George hanging thereat, overhis left shoulder and under his right arm” which is the first time a Companionis said to have been Invested in that manner. 4 On the 18th of June following, awarrant was signed for the removal of the Achievements of the Duke ofMonmouth, who had been attainted of High Treason, which was done in theusual ignominious manner the next day. 5 In that Chapter Henry MordauntEarl of Peterborough p was Elected and Invested, 6 and the following Decreewas made: “In Chapter held at Whitehall 18th June 1685, the Prelatemoved the Sovereign, that whereas the Chancellor of this Most Noble Order, asalso Garter Principal King of Arms, and the Usher of the Black Rod, had usedcertain Badges hung in gold Chains, or purple Ribbands, about their neck fortheir greater honour in their respective Offices, which had been given andassigned by his Royal Predecessors; that himself as Prelate, and his successorin that noble Office, as also the Dean of Windsor as Registrar and his suc-cessors, Registrars of this Most Noble Order, might have such peculiar Badgesassigned to them as his Majesty should think fit. Whereupon the Sovereigngraciously assenting that the Prelate should for his Badge have a Georgeon horseback, slaying the Dragon, made of gold and enamelled, encompassedwith the Garter, and over it the Episcopal Mitre, and the Register two silverPens in saltire, encompassed with the Garter also, and enamelled, and for hismaking of them did then sign a special Warrant to the Master of the JewelHouse .” 7

On the 2nd of July in the same year, a Chapter was summoned for theElection of Lawrence Hyde, Earl of Rochester 1 *, (second son of the great Earlof Clarendon), Lord High Treasurer, but only five Companions being present, aDispensation was granted for the non-attendance of the number prescribed bythe Statutes. 8 The Earl of Rochester was then Elected and Invested; and the

4 London Gazette, No. 2032. 5 Garter’s Register. 6 Ibid, and London Gazette, No. 2044.

7 Additional MS. 6280, f. 158 b . This Ordinance is thus expressed in the Existing Statutes, p, 57:

“ At a Chapter held the 18th day of June in the first year of King James the Second, it was‘ ordained that the Prelate, for his Badge, should have Saint George, on horseback, killing the Dragon,

‘ of Gold enamelled, encompassed with the Garter, and over it an Episcopal Mitre. And that the‘ Register should have two silver Pens, cross wise, made of gold, enamelled, and encompassed with‘ the Garter.” A representation of the Badge now worn by the Registrar will be found in the accountof the Officers of the Order, postea.

8 Additional MS. 6280, f. 159.

M M