ESQUIKES.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

251

ESQUIRES OF THE KNIGHTS COMPANIONS.

As the ancient Formularies of the Creation of a Knight of the Bath state,that he was attended by Three Esquires, two of whom were called EsquiresGovernors, and the other a Young Esquire, and as it was intended torevive all the former ceremonies on the re-establishment of the Order by KingGeorge the First, the Esquires of the Knights Companions were made animportant part of the Institution.

The Statutes declare, that “ each Knight-Elect shall be attended at hisInstallation by two Esquires of Honour, Gentlemen of Blood, and bearingCoat Arms (to be approved by the Great Master,)” and that the Knight shallenter the Prince’s Chamber, or Chapter Room, with the Esquires, who, beingexperienced in matters of Chivalry, are to instruct him in the nature, dignity,and duties, of this Military Order, and to take diligent care, that all the cere-monies thereof (which have their allegorical significations) shall be powerfullyrecommended, and punctually observed .” 3 The duties of the Esquires, “whofrom this service have been usually denominated Esquires Governors,” are thendescribed . 4 In the Procession to the Sovereign’s presence, or to the GreatMaster, “ a young Esquire, a Gentleman of Blood and Coat Arms, wearingthe surcoat and being uncovered, is to carry the sword of the Knight-Elect bythe point, in a scabbard of white leather, the pommel and cross-bar hilts beinggilded, and his belt without any embellishments. At the cross hilts of theSword shall hang the spurs, with white leathers : and then shall follow theElected himself, supported between his two Esquires Governors, who beingintroduced with due reverence to the presence of the Sovereign, or Great Master,the King of Arms,” &c . 5 In the Procession from the Chapter Room to KingHenry the Seventh’s Chapel at Installations, “ all the menial servants in theSovereign’s household, who by grant or prescription can claim fees upon thecreation of any Knights of the Bath, shall be ranged, two and two, according totheir regular precedencies; then the Messenger of the Order; then the youngEsquires in their surcoats, two and two, those of the junior Knights going fore-

3 Art. VII. p. 50, antea.

4 Art. VII. pp. 50—52, antea.

5 Ibid. p. 52, antea.