Funeral of Earl Stanhope

15 February 1720   On Friday morning, as mentioned in our last, the corpse of the Right Honourable Earl Stanhope was carried from Whitehall through the City, to be interred at his Seat of Chevening in Kent. The procession was in the folowing order: 10 of His Majesty’s Horse-Grenadiers, advanced to clear the way. 50 Horse Grenadiers; 200 Life Guards. The youngest Battalion of Foot Guards. The eldest Battalion of Foot-Guards. All the Officers wearing mourning scarfs of cypress, and hatbands; the drums and kettle-drums covered with black bays, adorned with escutcheons of the arms of the deceased; the trumpets having mourning banners, and the several ensigns furled and wraped [sic] in cypress, the officers and soldiers bearing the several arms in a funeral posture. Then followed on horseback a servant of the Office of Arms. Conductors with black staves, two and two. Kettle-drum, two trumpets. The standard born by a gentleman, supported by two others. Several servants of the nobility and gentry, two and two. The Guidon born by a gentleman, supported by two others. The servants of the deceased, two and two. The domestick secretary of the deceased. His Lordship’s Chaplain in own gown and scarf. His Steward, Treasurer, and Comptroller, each with a white staff. Kettle drum, two trumpets. The Great Banner, born by a gentleman, supported by two others. The Mourning Horse caparisoned, led

by two Grooms. The Spurs, Gantlets [sic], Helms and Crest, born by an Officer of Arms. The Shield and Sword born by another. The Surcoat by another. The Coronet carried on a crimson velvet cushion by Garter Principal King of Arms. The Herse [sic] covered with black velvet, and adorned with feathers and escutcheons, drawn by six horses properly harnessed. Six banner rolls being carried on the sides of the herse by six gentlemen. The Chief Mourner his Lordship’s father-in-law, Thomas Pitt, Esq; supported by two Lords, in a mourning coach. Eight assistants to the Chief Mourner, in four mourning coaches. The Horse of Honour richly caparisoned. Then came his Majesty’s Coach; the Prince’s coach; the Lord Archbishop of Catherbury’s; those of the Great Officers of State; and a great number of others of the several degrees of the nobility in their proper order; and of divers persons of distinction; each coach being drawn by six horses. The rear was closed by 40 Horse Grenadiers. At St. George’s Church in Southwark, the Guards formed themsleves into two lines, through which the procession passed into Kent-Street.

     We are told that the charge of the late Earl Stanhope’s funeral amounts to 2000l. and upwards. There are great complaints against the Undertakers management.
            (London Journal)