TEMP. HENRY V.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

15

performing their vigils, and the other rites, and exercises preparatory to thisdegree, regularly, with assiduity, and an intense degree of pious zeal. Thewhole night having been devoted to these lucubrations, early the next morning,upon the first appearance of light, these candidates, having given the richgolden beds, wherein they had reposed themselves in the night, to somedomestic servants of the King’s Household, as their customary fee, proceededto hear mass; and when they had gone regularly through the course of theirdevotion, having mounted their fine horses, they rode, in their silk mantles,until they came to the gate of the Royal Palace; where, descending from theirhorses, each of them, being supported by two Knights, and conducted with allproper marks of honour and respect, suitable to his different quality, wasintroduced, and presented to the King; who, sitting in Royal State, the Thronebeing surrounded with a numerous train of noble and great personages, promotedthem severally to the honour of Knighthood. After their Investiture, they werepermitted to sit down in their rich silk mantles in the King’s presence; but didnot, during the whole time of dinner, taste any part of the entertainment. Afterthe Royal feast was concluded, the young Knights divesting themselves oftheir mantles, put on rich robes, being the King’s livery of the same suite;and when the King, in the vigil of the Sunday before Passion Week, rode toWestminster, in much state and solemn order, attended with a great concourseof Princes and Noblemen, as became the grandeur of so potent a Monarch, allthese young Knights preceded the King, riding on their horses in admirableorder, through the middle of the city, and made so delightful an appearance,that all the spectators seemed to be inebriated with joy.” 5

Among those who were supplied with articles necessary for “ receiving theOrder of Knighthood from the King,” on that occasion, and with materials fortheir beds and Baths, were Edward Earl of March, Roger Mortimer his brother,the Earl of Huntingdon, Lord Le Despencer, the brother of the Earl of Hunting-don, John Philip, and two other Esquires. 6 Henry is said to have made fifteenKnights with similar ceremonies at Rouen, on Saint George’s Day 1418; 7and at the same Festival in 1421, he conferred that dignity, with the usual rites,on James the First, the young King of Scotland, and the Earl of Stafford. 8

5 Elmham apud Hearne, pp. 17—20, from the translation in Anstis, pp. 39, 40.

6 Anstis, Appendix, No. xxxviii. ? Register of the Garter, Anstis, II. p. 65.

8 Comp. Gard. 9 Hen. V.—Anstis, Appendix, No. xl.