After this, the alms-
knights, prebends, and officers-of-arms passed on through the guard-
chamber into Saint George's Hall. They were followed by the knights-
companions, who drew up in double file, the seniors taking the
uppermost place; and through these lines the king passed, his train
borne up as before, until reaching the table set apart for him beneath a
canopy, he turned round and received the knights' reverences. The
Earl of Oxford, as vice-chamberlain, then brought him a ewer containing
water, the Earl of Surrey a bason, and Lord Rochford a napkin. Henry
having performed his ablutions, grace was said by the prelate, after
which the king seated himself beneath the canopy in an ancient chair
with a curiously carved back representing the exploit of Saint George,
which had once belonged to the founder, King Edward the Third, and
called up the two cardinals, who by this time had entered the hall, and
who remained standing beside him, one on either hand, during the
repast.
As soon as the king was seated, the knights-companions put on their
caps, and retired to the table prepared for them on the right side of the
hall, where they seated themselves according to their degree--the Duke
of Richmond occupying the first place, the Duke of Suffolk the second,
and the Duke of Norfolk the third.
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