TEMP. EDW. III.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

11

de Mortimer, and fourteen others, “ as Bannerets,” and of William de Wil-loughby, and seventeen Esquires, “ for their Knighthood.” 7

The Wardrobe Accounts of King Edward the Third contain many entries onthe subject, from which it appears that he was himself Knighted with the cere-mony of the Bath soon after he succeeded to the Throne; and that among otherdistinguished men upon whom he conferred Knighthood in the same manner,was Sir Thomas Bradeston, who though not a Knight of the Garter, wasconspicuous at the Institution of that Order. 8 On the 26th of January 1327,there were provided “ for the Knighthood” and Coronation of the King“ cloth of gold diapered, to cover his Bath for his Knighthood,” 9 sheets forthe same, and for washing his feet, a tunic and cloak of Persian cloth for hisvigil, a tunic, cloak, and mantle of purple velvet, with fur for lining the same,and red curtains, with shields of his Arms in the corners, for ornamenting hischamber on the night before he received the Order of Knighthood. 10 The usualprovision was also made of tunics and cloaks for vigils, robes, and bedding,varying only in the colours, “ for making new Knights, as Bannerets,” “ for newKnighthood,” and for “ Knighthood to be received from the King as Ban-nerets.” 11 During this period a Bath is not always expressly mentioned; butin 1331 (besides robes for his vigils), curtains, mattrass, sheets, leather sacks,saddles, robes, spurs, gloves, and hose, were given by the King to Sir Thomasde Bradeston, for his Knighthood, “ as a Banneret,” whence it is evident thathe was created with the usual ceremonies. At the celebration of the feast ofthe Nativity at Guildford, in 1348, similar articles were provided for SirMaurice Fitz Thomas, of Kildare, and his Companion, together with a coatand a cloak, “ for the vigil of the said Earl, on receiving the Order of Knight-hood from the King’s hands;” and to Sir Thomas Fencotes, a Judge, “ onreceiving the Order of Knighthood from the King’s hands, after the manner ofa Banneret.” 12 In December, 1360, John Mowbray and William Skipwith(two other Judges) were received into the Order of Knighthood by the King,“after the manner of Bannerets,” 13 and they received the accustomed robes,cloaks, and hoods, but no bedding. 14

B Vide the History of the Order of the Garter, p. 14.

9 “Ad Balneum Regis pro Militia sua.” 10 Comp. Gard. 1 Edvv. III. Anstis, Appendix, No. xx.

11 Comp. Gard. 3—>7 Edw. III. Anstis, Appendix, Nos. xxii.— xxvi.

12 Comp. Gard. 21 Edw. III. Anstis, Appendix, No. xxvu. 13 Ad modum Bannerettorum.

14 Comp. Gard. 34 Edw. III. Anstis, Appendix, No. xxvm.