The Knights of the Bath

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 August 1928, Page 9

The Knights of the Bath

Some Splendid Pageantry

■ STOOD high up in the triforium of Westminster Abbey recently, and looked down on the most romantic ceremony I have ever witnessed—the grant of stalls in Henrv VlL’s Chapel to Knights Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of ths Bath, writes H. V. Morton, in the “Daily Express.” A girl stood next to me. She also was spellbound by the pomp and colour of it. The world in which we live had vanished. We were back in the age of chivalry. We were looking down on a page of English history brought suddenly to life; to-day was keeping faith with yesterday. Through the nave flowed a rich tide of colour; the clergy came in fine copes, the great gold cross of Westminster before them; then walked, two by two, 55 Knights of the Bath in scarlet robes that swept the noor; behind them moved the King, the train of his velvet robe held by two small pages in-scarlet coats and white silk knee-breeches. • The tide of colour slowly filled the exquisite chapel where Henry VII. lies beneath Torrigiano’s superb shrine. Here, in secret and behind closed doors, was performed the culminating symbolism of the day. This is the Chapel of the Order. Silk banners hang from the roof. Each stall bears above it the helmet of a knight, his name, and his coat of arms. The Knights Grand Cross took their places. The King mounted the steps of his stall to the right of the door which bears the words “Sa Majeste”—for French was the language of the Court in the days when squires were knighted in their baths The Duke of Connaught, the Grand Master of the Order, mounted to the

stall to the left of the door which bears the title “Due de Connaught et Strathearn.” The Queen slipped quietly to a gilded chair set for her below the King’s stall. The solemn ceremony was then observed of granting to 10 knights stalls vacant owing to the deaths of 10 members of the order. The 10 knights advanced to the centre of the chapel. Among them were FieldMarshal Lord Allenby, General Sir John Maxwell, Admiral of the Fleet Sir C. Madden, Admiral of the Fleet Lord Wester-Wemyss, and Admiral of the Fleet Earl Jellicoe. The Duke of Connaught advanced to them, and administered the ancient and magnificent oath of knighthood:—

“You shall honour God above all things; you- shall be stedfast in the faith of Christ; you shall love the King your Sovereign Lord, and Him and his right defend to your power: you shall defend maidens, widows and orphans in their rights, and you shall suffer no extortion as far as' you may prevent it; and of as great honour be this order unto you as ever it was„to any of your progenitors, or others.’

The knight were then shown to their stalls. They bowed to the King and to the Grand Master. Once more they 'were summoned to the centre of ‘the chapel. The King was conducted from his stall to the altar. He knelt there a moment, and made an offering of silver and gold. He then retired to his stall. . The senior knight, drawing his sword, offered it, hilt first, to the dean, who placed it on the altar, handing it back with the admonition., “I exhort and admonish you to use your sword to the glory of God, th” defence of the Gospel, the maintenance of your Sovereign’s right am’ honour, and of all equity and justice, to the utmost of your power.” .. . Each knight drew his sword and held it forward by the blade. What a splendid picture; tho morning light through stained windows, the silken banners hanging still above the ornate stalls, the heraldic beasts crouching above the helms, gleaming with old gold, brave in bright reds, blues and yellows, and the small chapel a violet, fire of scarlet velvet robes as the 50 knights in dead silence watched their companions standing before the lit candles offering their swords to the altar. So they stood, with the light running ever naked steel. Then, at a signa! fipbm the senior knight, the ; ntae swords flashed back to the scaWbartte. The ceremony was over.