KING OF ARMS.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

241

THE KING OF ARMS

is to be nominated and created by the Great Master, with the ceremoniesused at the creations of other Kings of Arms, and he is to continue in his Officeduring his good behaviour. His title is Bath, and in Latin, Rex ArmorumHonoratissimi Ordinis Militaris de Balneo . 7 On the 14th of January1726, Grey Longueville, the first Bath King of Arms, was constituted Glou-cester King of Arms, and Principal Herald of the Parts of Wales,with all rights, privileges, and immunities thereunto belonging, with a yearlySalary of forty pounds, as other Provincial Kings of Arms are entitled toreceive. In the Letters Patent, a clause was introduced, empowering him togrant Arms and Crests to persons residing in Wales, either jointly with Garter,or singly by himself, with the consent and at the pleasure of the Earl Marshal ; 8but this grant was subsequently found to be illegal, it being the exclusive rightof the three Kings of Arms of the Corporation of the College of Arms, to takecognizance of Armorial Bearings in this Realm.

The Office of Gloucester was inseparably annexed to, and consolidated withthat of Bath King of Arms, and his title was in future to be Bath King ofArms of the Most Honourarle Military Order of the Bath, andGloucester King of Arms and Principal Herald of the Parts ofWales. The Earl Marshal was directed to create Grey Longueville, Esq.Bath King of Arms, “ to be Hanover Herald, and as soon as that rite wasfinished, to create him Gloucester King of Arms, with the due solemnitiesrequired on such occasions.” 9 In all assemblies, and at all times, he was tohave Precedency above, and before all other Provincial Kings of Arms what-ever. 7 He is “ sedulously to attend to the service of the Orderand his dutiesconsist in calling over the Knights Companions in all conventions of the Order,preceding them at Coronations, conducting a Knight-Elect to the Sovereign’spresence, and bearing the Ensigns of the Order on a velvet cushion, at Investi-tures, and in removing from their Stalls the Achievements of deceased or

7 Statutes, Art. XVIII. p. 61, antea. 8 Vide p. 74, antea.

9 Statute, 14th January 1726. Vide p. 75, antea.

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