A Windsor Guide from c.1811

Chapter 7 - Of The College of St George

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7 An Account Of The College of St George

The Royal College of St. George, which has the honour of having the Order of the Garter attached to it, was first incorporated and endowed by letters patent of the 22d of Edward III about three quarters of a year before the institution of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and and on that day twelvemonths the statutes of the College bear date; being made by virtue of the pope's authority, the King's command, consent of the Bishop of Salisbury, (in whose diocese the Chapel is situated and of the Dean and Chapter of Salisbury.

By the abovementioned authorities, the Bishop of Winchester instituted a College within the Chapel of St. George, consisting of one custos, twelve secular canons, thirteen priests, four clarks, six choristers, and twenty-four alms-knights, besides other officers. These letters patent were confirmed, and several immunities granted by Henry VI and Edward IV as also by an act of Parliament, of the 22d of Edward IV. Several statutes were likewise made for perpetuatlng and well governing this College, by Henry VIII, Edward VI and Queen Elizabeth; and the present establishments on this foundation are as follows:

A Dean, who is president over the rest of the College, both in civil and ecclesiastical jurisdiction. He is presented by the King, and instituted by the Bishop of Winchester.

Twelve canons, or prebendaries, who, with the dean, constitute the legislative body of this College. These also are presented to their prebends by the King, but instituted and installed by the Dean or his deputy.

Seven minor canons, who, at their admission, according to the statutes of the College, are bound to be Deacons, and at the next time appointed for ordination, to be ordained priests. Each of these canons had at first but the annual pension of eight pounds sterling; but this was increased by Edward IV and Queen Elizabeth, and since by the College, to thirty pounds per annum. In addition to this, the late Mr. Isaac Chapman, minor canon of this Chapel, who died February 8, 1781, bequeathed ten pounds a year to each of the minor canons; so that, if we include the value of their houses, which some of them let, their annual income may be estimated at about sixty pounds.

Thirteen clerks, who, after the foundation of the College by Edward III were taken into the choir, for the service thereof. One of them being organist, has a double clerks place, and is therefore accounted as two of the thirteen; their salaries are twenty-two pounds ten shilling per annum each. These also have each an house allowed them.

Ten choristers; these were appointed for the further service of the Choir, for which, the six seniors have a stipend of twelve shillings, and the four juniors six shillings a month. Formerly there were only eight of these, which is the reason the pay of the four younger ones is but
half what it was originally.

The officers appointed for the business of the College, are a steward, treasurer, steward of the courts, chapter-clerk, chanter, and verger; two sextons, two bell-ringers, a clock keeper, and a porter.

Poor Knights

King Edward III out of the great respect he had for those who behaved themselves bravely in his wars, yet afterwards became reduced in their circumstances, took care to provide an honourable asylum, and comfortable subsistence for them in their old age, by uniting them under one corporation and joint body with the custom and canons. These were called milites pauperes, and since poor, or alms-knights. The number at first was twenty-four. On account of some difference between the dean and canons, and the alms-knights, by an act of the 22d of Edward IV it was enacted, that the death and canons, and their successors, should be for ever quit and discharged from all manner of charge, of, or for, the said knights; and Queen Elizabeth, immediately after her coming to the throne, agreeable to the will of her father, King Henry VIII, made a special foundation for thirteen poor men, decayed in wars, and such like service of the realm, to be called the Thirteen Knights of Windsor, and there kept in succession. Her Majesty likewise established certain rules and orders for the well governing the said Knights; and appointed the dean and canons, and their successors, to enforce their observance of the said rules.

By these statutes it was declared, that the Thirteen Knights should be elected of gentlemen brought to necessity through adverse fortune, and such as had spent their time in the service of their prince; that one of the thirteen should be chosen governor over the rest; that they were to be men unmarried, and none of them afterwards permitted to marry, on pain of losing their places; but these rules, as well as some others, are not strictly adhered to.

The present number of alms-knights is thirteen of the Royal Foundation, and five of the Foundation of Sir Peter Le Maire, in the reign of James I. The former were endowed by Henry VIII with lands of the yearly value of £600 and the latter by Sir Peter Le Maire, with an estate of £230 per annum, and the houses of those on the Royal Establishment are repaired at the expense of the Crown; but those of Sir Peter Le Maire's Foundation, at the charge of the Knights themselves, who also pay nine pounds a year land tax.

In addition to the above-mentioned eighteen, Samuel Travers, who died about 1728, by his will and testament, bearing date the 16th of July,1724; after giving several pecuniary legacies, devised the residue of his real and personal estates to his executors therein named, upon trust, that they should, out of the rents and profits thereof, settle an annuity of £60 to be paid to each of Seven Gentlemen, to be added to the Poor Knights of Windsor, and that a building might be erected or purchased in or near the Castle of Windsor, for an habitation for the said Seven Gentlemen, who were to be superanuated or disabled Lieutenants of English men of war. That part of Mr. Travers's will relating to this endowment is as follows:

"I therefore give, grant, devise, and bequeath, all the rest and residue of my estate, my funeral charges and legacies being first paid, my manors, lands, tenements, and hereditaments, in the county of Essex, and elsewhere, with all debts, arrears, bills, bonds, and other specialities, goods and chattels, with all my estate both real and personal, whatsoever and wheretofore, to my said executors, Walter Cary and Samuel Holditch, and their heirs, upon special trust and confidence that they shall and will, out of the rents, issues, and profits, of the said estate, settle an annuity, or yearly sum of £60 to be paid to each and every one of Seven Gentlemen, to be added to the present Eighteen Poor Knights of Windsor, which said annuity is to be charged upon an estate of £500 per annum, to be purchased and set apart for that purpose, in the County of Essex, by the said executors and trustees; and I humbly pray His Majesty the said Seven Gentlemen may be incorporated by charter, with a clause to enable them to purchase and hold lands in mortmain, and that a building, the charge thereof to be defrayed out of my personal estate, may be erected or purchased in or near the Castle of Windsor, for a habitation for the said Seven Gentlemen, who are to be superannuated or disabled Lieutenants of English Men of War; but the repairs to be in the first place paid out of the said estate of £500 per annum, and then £12 per annum to be paid to the Governor or senior of the Seven, and the remainder to be equally divided between him and the other Six. And I desire those Gentlemen so to be incorporated, may be single men, without children, inclined to live a virtuous, studious, and devout life, to be removed if they give occasion of scandal; and I would have them live in a Collegiate manner, in order whereto I would have £26 deducted out of their several allowances, to keep a constant table. And I do appoint the Chief Governor of Windsor Castle, the Dean of Windsor, and the Provost of Eton College, visitors; with power for them, or any two of them, to act as vacancy shall happen. I desire they may be thus supplied: The Commissioners of the Navy to choose two, and the King's Majesty to nominate one of them, and so on from time to time for ever."

It is to be observed, that this will was made prior to the statute of Mortmain; but, notwithstanding which, it was opposed by the heirs at law, and the representatives of the testator; and the property had, for a great number of years, as well on account of other bequests, as this, been the subject of Chancery suits. However, the Court of Chancery having lately passed a degree in favour of the will, it is said to have been resolved to put it forthwith into execution.

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The Royal Lodges and Parks

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