INVESTITUKE.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

201

INVESTITURE.

Instead of the Knight-Elect being conducted, as in the ancient manner, tothe Sovereign’s presence, or in his absence to the Great Master, after his Vigilsand Bathing, in a Procession or Cavalcade, wearing the Habit of the Order,attended by his Esquires and the Officers, and accompanied by all the KnightsCompanions, and being then Invested with the right Spur by the eldest Knight,or most Noble person present, with the left Spur by another Knight, or someother Noble person, having his Sword buckled over his body by the Sovereignor Great Master, receiving the Accolade or Dubbing, and being kissed byHim, and then having the Red Ribband with the Badge put over his head, insuch manner that the Badge might hang on his left side, 9 the Ceremonialwhich has been observed, with slight variations, from the Revival of the Orderin 1725, until its Extension in 1815, is as follows:

The Sovereign having nominated a person to fill a Vacancy (or as an Extraor Supernumerary Knight, of which the first instance occurred in 1772 1 ), a daywas fixed for his Investiture, which was usually performed by His Majesty inthe Royal Closet. All the Knights Companions were summoned, and theyappeared habited in their Mantles, Collars, and Badges attended by the Officers,wearing their Mantles, Chains, and Badges. The Knights being called overby Bath King of Arms, formed a Procession to the Royal Presence, precededby the Officers, in the following Order: the Gentleman Usher carrying his Rod,the Registrar, the Secretary, the King of Arms bearing the Ensigns on a crimsonvelvet cushion, the Genealogist, and the Dean; and then came the KnightsCompanions, two and two, the juniors first. The Knights having taken theirplaces around the Sovereign, the Knight-Elect was conducted to His presencebetween the two junior Knights, preceded by the Gentleman Usher. TheSword of State being delivered to the Sovereign by the second senior Knight,and the Knight-Elect kneeling on his right knee, the honour of Knighthoodwas conferred upon him, and rising, he kissed His Majesty’s hand. The seniorKnight then presented the Ribband and Badge to the Sovereign, and the

9 Art. VII. vide p. 52, antea.

D D

1 Vide p. 89, antea.