4

HISTORY OF THE

The origin and nature of the Institution in the first of these periods, has beenso ably described by Anstis , 1 and illustrated by Selden , 2 Camden , 3 Segar , 4Mennenius , 5 Favine , 6 and many other learned writers, that little remains to bedone, except to combine and condense their statements; but of the latter eras,extending over one hundred and fifteen years, there is no History whatever,though it was during that time that the Order was, in fact, first called intoexistence, and became so celebrated from the host of distinguished Statesmenand Warriors, as well Foreigners as Native subjects, upon whom it has beenconferred, as to rank among the highest Military Orders of Europe.

“ In the elder times the ceremonies and circumstances” at the Creation ofa Knight 7 were (to use the words of Selden 8 ) “ of two kinds especially, Courtlyand Sacred,” which appear to have been known to the ancient Franks , 9 are

said to have been adopted by the Saxons, and became general throughout

Christendom. “ The Courtly, were the Feasts held at the creation, givingof Robes, Arms, Spurs, and the like, whence, as in the stories of other Nations,so in those of ours, ‘ armis Militaribus donare,’ or ‘ cingulo Militari/ andsuch more phrases, are the same with ‘ Militem facere/ or to make a Knight.The ‘ Sacred/ are the Holy devotions, and what else was used in the Churchat or before the receiving of the Dignity, whence also ‘ consecrare Militem/was £ to make a Knight.’ ” 10 Some variety appears to have existed in theseceremonies in different Countries, and at different times; but a Knight wasrarely, if ever, created without being girded with a Sword, until later ages,when a stroke on the neck or'shoulder superseded the former usage . 11 At themore solemn creation of a Knight, however, a Robe, as well as a Sword,

was given to him, the first example of which on record, in England, was the

Knighthood of Athelstan, afterwards King of the West Saxons, by his grand-father King Alfred . 12 But the honours of Chivalry were not bestowed untilthe candidate had prepared himself for them by various rites. Having purified

1 “ Observations introductory to an Historical Essay upon the Knighthood of the Bath. By JohnAnstis, Esq. Garter King of Arms.” 4to. 1725.

2 Titles of Honour. Ed. 1672, cap. v. p. 678. 3 Britannia, fol. 1637, p. 172. See also the

Harleian MS. 6141. 4 Honour, Military and Civil, folio,1602, p. 69.

5 Deliciae Equestrium, sive Militarium Ordinum et eorum Origines, Statuta, Symbola, et Insignia:

Iconibus additis genuinis. Francisci Mennenii studio et industria. 8vo. Cologne, 1613, p. 127.

6 Theatre of Honour, fo. 1623, liv. v. c. ii. p. 61.

7 Some Remarks on Knighthood and Bannerets will be found in the Introduction to this work.

8 Titles of Honour, p. 639.