14

HISTORY OF THE

[TEMP. HENRY V.

who were then in their childhood, “ for receiving the Order of Knighthoodfrom the King at the Tower of London, on the eve of his Coronation,” ofa coat of russet cloth for their vigils, a mantle of green tartarin furredwith miniver, cloth of gold, and materials for their beds and Baths. At thesame time, Thomas Earl of Arundel, and three other Earls, five Barons,and thirty-three Knights, received similar materials for their apparel, beds,and Baths. 3 By Writ dated on the 4th of October 1399, the Treasurer andChamberlains of the Exchequer, were commanded to pay twenty marks tothe King of the Heralds, and to divers other Heralds of England, Scotland,and other Countries, “ at the creation of many new Knights made by us atour Tower of London, on the day before our Coronation,” which sum wasaccordingly accounted for as having been paid “ at the solemnity of diversKnights of new created by our Lord the King.” 4

The creation of Knights of the Bath, at the Coronation of King Henry theFifth, is thus described by a contemporary writer: “ The King was conductedto the Tower of London, where, about fifty gallant young Gentlemen, or more,of noble birth, well qualified to receive the degree of Knighthood, waited inexpectation, that they might receive this honour from the hands of so great aMonarch, at the first opening of so glorious a solemnity. These youngcandidates, being decently habited in their proper vestments, to express themore honour to the King at so grand a Feast, to which nothing requisite forthe magnificence of it was wanting; and while his Majesty in Royal State, asbecame his dignity, was attended by the great Lords, those candidates, intestimony, that they should not be obliged at any time future to do the likeservice in the habit of Esquires, served up the dishes at this Royal Festival,according to the received usage : and, immediately, after the entertainment wasconcluded, they retired to an apartment appointed and prepared for that use;where Dukes, Earls, Barons, and honourable Knights, as their counsellors, ordirectors, instructed them concerning their proper rules of behaviour upon theiraccession to this venerable Order; and with much prudent, and forcible per-suasion, taught them what they ought to do, if they would faithfully dischargethe proper duties of it. The young candidates, according to custom, at aconvenient time prescribed, went into the Baths prepared severally for them,

3 Liberatio pannorum in Magna Garderoba Domini Regis erga Coronationem Domini Henrici Regis

Angliae Quarti. —Anstis, Appendix, No. xxxvi. 4 Ibid.