gentlemen doe come after the Knight and doe bring him to the Kings presence and the Esquiers gouernours before him And when the newe Knight commeth into the Kings presence he shall kneele downe before him saying Most noble and renowned Sir I do thanke you for al the honors courtesies and goodnesse which you haue done vnto me And so he taketh leaue of the King And then the Esquiers gouernours do take leaue of their Master saying Sir we haue accomplished the coÌ„mandement of the Kings as he charged vs to the vttermost of our power wherein if we haue displeased you through negligence or deed during the time we desire pardon On the other side Sir according to the custome of the Court and ancient Kings we demaund Robes and fees for terme of life as Esquiers of the King and companions vnto Bachelors Knights and other Lords CHAP. 12. Knights Bachelors FIrst it is to be remembred that no man is brone a Knight of any title but made either before a battell to encourage them to aduenture their liues or after the fight as an aduancement for their valour then shewed or out of warre for some notable seruice done or some good hope of vertues that do appeare in them These Knights are made either by the King himselfe or by his commission and royal authority giuen for that purpose or by his Lieutenant in the warres who hath his royal and absolute power for that time And this order may bee resembled to that which the Romanes called Equites Romanos differing in a sort but in some other sort doeth agree with it for seldome in all points one Common wealth doeth agree with another nor long any State accordeth with it selfe Equites Romani were chosen ex Censu which is according to their substance and riches Euen so be Knights in England for the most part according to the yeerely reuenue of their lands being able to maintaine that estate Yet all they that had Equestrem Censum were not in Rome Equites no more are all Knights in England that may dispend a Knights land or fee but they onely to whom it pleaseth the King to giue that honour In Rome the number of Equites was vncertaine and so it is of Knights in England at the pleasure of the Prince Equites Romani had Equum Publicum but the Knights of England finde horses themselues both in peace and warre Census Equester among the Romanes was at diuers times of diuers value but in England whosoeuer may dispend of his free lands fourty pounds starling of yeerely reuenue by an old Law either at the Coronation of the King or mariage of his daughter or at the dubbing of the Prince Knight or some such great occasion may be by the King compelled to take that order and honour or to pay a fine which many rich men not so desirous of honor as of riches had rather disburse Some also who for good respect are not thought worthy that title and yet haue abilitie neither be made Knights though they would and yet pay the fine of fourtie pounds sterling which as siluer is now prised is 120. pound currant money Where of this word Knight is deriued or whether it signifieth no more then Miles doeth in Latine which is Souldier I know not Some hold opinion that the word Souldier doeth betoken a waged or hired man to fight Caesar in his Commentaries called Souldiers men deuoted and sworne by band or oath to serue the Captaine which order if the Almanes did follow it may be that they who were not hired but being of the Nation vpon their owne charges and for their aduancement and by such common oath and band that did follow the warre were perhaps called Knights or Milites and now among the Almanes some are called Launce-Knights as Souldiers not hired although they be wel-neere all hired Or it may be that they who were next about the Prince as his Guard and seruants picked and chose men out of the rest being called in the Almane tongue Knighten which is as much to say as dayly seruants being found of good seruice the word afterwards was taken as an honour for one that professeth Armes Now our language is so altered that hard it were to giue iudgement thereof But sure it is we in our English doe call him Knight whom the French do call Cheualier and the Latine Equitem for Equestris ordinis Touching the making of these English Knights the maner is this Hee that is to be made Knight is stricken by the Prince with a sword drawen vpon his backe or shoulder the Prince saying Soys Cheualier and in times past was added S. George And when the Knight riseth the Prince saith Auance This is the maner of dubbing Knights at this present and that terme dubbing was the old terme in this point and not creating These sorts of Knights are by the Heralds called Knights Bachelers CHAP. 13. The Ceremonies in the degradation of Knights in England IT seemeth that the degradation of Knights hath bene vsed onely for offences of greatest reproch and dishonour which I conceiue partly by the rarenesse of such actions and partly for that the men bereft of that dignitie were not onely degraded but also by law executed As in the raigne of King Edward the fourth it appeared a Knight was degraded in this sort First after the publication of his offence his gilt spurres were beaten from his heeles then his sword taken from him and broken That being done euery peece of his armour was bruised beaten and cast aside After all which disgraces he was beheaded In like maner Andrew of Herklay a Knight and Erle of Carlile was in this sort disgraded He being apprehended was by the Kings commandement brought before sir Anthony Lucie anno 1322. apparelled in all the robes of his estate as an Earle and a Knight and so led vnto the place of iudgement Being thither come Sir Anthony Lucie saide vnto him these words First thou shalt loose the order of Knighthood by which thou hadst all thine honour and further all worship vpon thy bodie be brought to nought Those words pronounced Sir Anthony Lucie commanded a knaue to hew the Knights spurs from his heeles after caused his sword to be broken ouer his head That done he was dispoiled of his furred Tabord of his hood of his furred coats and of his girdâ—e Then Sir Anthony said vnto him these words Andrew now art thou no Knight but a knaue and for thy treason the King doth will thou shalt be hanged Maxitmilianus de Austria Dux Burâ—undiâ— Râ—m Imâ— Ordâ—nâ— Velleris Aurei Eques 〈◊〉 Fol. 〈◊〉 CHAP. 14. Knights of the Toizon D'or or golden Fleece THE Knighthood of the Toizon was instituted by Philip surnamed the good Duke of Burgundy and Earle of Flanders in the yeere of our Lord 1429. being mooued thereunto with deuoute zeale that he had to vndertake the conquest of the holy land albeit his valerous determination tooke none effect by
vllam nisi datum tibi esset desuper Ioh. 19. It appeareth also that good Princes doe deserue diuine honour as S. Austen seemeth to affirme And the Apostle in his Epistle to Timothy saith Qui bene praesunt duplici honore dignisunt Good and godly Kings therfore haue receiued from God diuine vertue aboue all other creatures As was scene in Saul who being made King by Samuel foorthwith became inspired with the gift of Prophecie and the Spirit of God did enter into him whereby he prophecied with other Prophets 1. King cap. 10. We reade likewise that Salomon being created King obtayned the excellencie of wisedome 1. King 3. If seemeth also that Kings are diuinely inspired with diuers other parttcular graces and vertues as the kings of England and France by touching only do cure an infirmity called The Kings euill the Kings of Spaine as some writers affirme haue power to cast diuels out of meÌ„s bodies CHAP. 6. Of Queenes NExt and neerest vnto the King his Queene is to take place because the weareth a Regall Crowne which no other person but a King may doe It seemeth also that a Queene ought to sit on the Kings right hand which honour the sacred Scriptures do allow Psal. 45. Astitit Regina à dextris tuis in vestitu deaurato And if she be a mayden Queene Soueraigne and absolute shee is In pari dignitate with a King may precede him also according to the dignitie of her kingdome And if she be a Queene of three entiere kingdomes as our Soueraigne is she may assume the title of an Empresse Also Officers and ministers appertaining vnto a Queene absolute are priuiledged equall with the Officers of Kings and may take place accordingly Lu de Pen. Ca. de priuilegijs Note also that albeit a Queene be the daughter of a Duke or an Earle or any other inferior degree yet shall she be called Queene by the dignitie of her husband And if she be the daughter of a King superior to her husband then may she also reteine the dignitie of her fathers daughter Iac. Rebuff alij dig lib. 12. which was the reason that the Lady Claudia daughter vnto King Lewis the 12. did take place before the Lady Loysia of Sauoy notwithstanding shee was mother to King Francis the first So did the daughter precede the mother Yet some doe hold that a Kings mother ought be preferred before all others alleaging the Text Positus est thronus matris iuxta thronum Regis the 3. of Kings We reade also in the same place that King Solomon beholding his mother comming towards him adored her and caused a Throne to be set on his right hand Which seemeth indeede to be her place in absence of the Queene not otherwise as mine Author writeth CHAP. 7. A Prince LIke as the splendent beames of the Sunne doe spread themselues in giuing light heat and comfort vnto all liuing things without any dimunition of his proper vertue either in substance course or brightnesse so from the sacred power and Regall authoritie of Emperours Kings and Queenes all earthly dignities doe proceed yet their owne Princely and soueraigne power In sua prima sublimitate doth not suffer or sustaine any blemish or detriment The first place and chiefest degree therefore after the Estates aforenamed appertaineth vnto the Prince or eldest sonne of the King in respect he is the first borne childe of his father and may claime to sit on the right hand as Baldus seemeth to affirme saying Primogenitus sedet ad dextram patris by imitation of the Christian beleefe Note that the eldest sonne of a King hath euer a title of greater dignitie then his other brethren viz. In England hee is called Prince of Wales in France the Dolphin in Spaine L' Infante c. Princeps dicitur quia est quasi prinicipalis in sâ—renuitate post Regem In Enland he is borne Duke of Cornewall and therefore needeth no ducall creation when he is made Prince he is presented before the King in Princely robes who putteth about his necke a sword bendwise a cap and Coronet ouer his head a ring ouer his middle finger a verge of gold in his hand and his Letters pattents after they be read The second place is due vnto the first sonne of the Kings eldest sonne So as the nephew seemeth to precede the vncle which hath bene a question of great difficultie and left vnto triall of the sword Yet in France it hath bene diuers times diuersly iudged but for the most part in fauour of the Nephew And in England the Nephew was preferred before the Vncle as Baldus noteth CHAP. 8. An Archduke Some hold opinion that this title of Archduke may be assumed by the eldest brother of euery Ducall family in Germany hath bene by custome so vsed as a title of greatest dignitie among brethren But Tillet saith that in France when any great Duke had the conduct of an Armie and thereby commanded other Dukes vnder him then was hee called Duke of France that is to say Duke of Dukes The which office for that it had so great a superintendencie was afterward called Meyer du Pallays This Meyer or Maior had the authoritie of a Vice-Roy and commanded in all causes both Military and Ciuil To this degree of Archduke belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a hood of Crimsin veluet wherewith he is inuested at his Creation he hath also a Chapeau or Ducal cap doubled Ermin indented with a Coronet about the same and one arch of gold with an Orbe hee also beareth a Verge or rod of gold CHAP. 9. A Duke These Dukes are ornified with a Surcoat Mantle and Hood at their Creation they weare also a Ducall cap doubled Ermin but not indented They haue also a Coronet and Verge of gold Note here that in England all Dukes of the Kings blood as his sonne brother vncle or nephew ought be reputed as Archdukes and precede all other Dukes Note also that hee who is a Duke tantùm shall take place before any Lord that is both a Marquesse and an Earle notwithstanding they be two dignities But he that is a Duke and Marquesse or a Duke and an Earle shal march before a Duke tantùm CHAP. 10. A Marquesse THe fift estate is a Marquesse called by the Saxons A Marken Reue that is to say a Ruler of the Marches This great Officer in the Kings battaile was chiefe Captaine of the Horse campe and next it authoritie vnto the Heâ—tzog or Constable so that it should seeme he was in degree as our High Marshall is in England To this estate is due a Surcoat Mantle and Hood with a Coronet of golde Fleury CHAP. 11. An Earle In the Empire at this day are sundry sorts of Earles which they call Graues as Landgraues id est regionum Comites Margraues id est certarum marcarum seu districtuum vel agri ciuitatis aut regionis alicuius finium Comites Palatins qui sunt Iudices regni
the person of the Emperor and King of Romanes two Popes for one died there fiue Patriarches three and thirty Cardinals fourtie and seuen Archbishops a hundreth forty and fiue Bishops and 83. Suffragans Thirty and nine Dukes Thirty and seuen Earles being absolute Princes An hundreth and thirtie inferior Earles Seuentie and nine free Lords or Barons Knights of all Nations fifteene hundred Gentlemen twentie thousand besides Doctors Licentiats and Scholemen infinite For the King of England appeared Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick with him were foure Bishops viz. Sarisbury Chester Bathe and Bangor Sarisbury died during that Councell and liuing tooke his place aboue all other Bishops as an Archbishop and for the time was placed last in the ranke of Archbishops The Earle of Warwicks attendants were as followeth Hurting de Clough Knight Iohn Waterton Knight Iohn Seton Knight Piers Craft Knight Iohn Roch Knight Iames Hermford Knight Beringer de Beaumont Knight Gentlemen Nicholas Serpon William Newland Geffrey Offley Walter Hungerford Hugh Holdbach Iohn Fitton Thomas Wileot Richard Dutton Oliuer Dunley Petrs Craft Iohn Lantsdon Iohn Roche Thomas Fanhes William Newland Iohn Merbory Iohn Otlinger Ralfe Rainscroft Henry Vessey William Vessey Scholemen of Cambridge Henry Abundy Iohn Wells Iohn Sheirford Doctors in Diuinitie Thomas Palton Robert Appleton Iohn Stokes Ciuilians Scholemen of Oxford The Lord Prior of Orsestry Peter Rodley Priamus Farbach CHAP. 20. Of Magistrates NExt vnder Emperors Kings and Princes Souereigne are foure degrees of Magistrates Some are called Magni and Illustres Some are Medij and Spectabiles Some are Minimi and Clarissimi And some are Infimi The first may be named Magistrates souereigne as they who acknowledge no superior but the Maiestie of the Prince The second are they that yeeld obedience to them and command other Magistrates their inferiors The latter two are such as cannot command any Magistrate but haue power only ouer particular subiects within the limits of their iurisdiction Touching the first that haue authority to commaund all other Magistrates and acknowledge no superior but the Prince they are fewer at this day then heretofore Yet certaine it seemeth that some Romane Emperours authorized one Magistrate or Lieutenant without any companion to command all other Magistrates of the Empire and to him all Gouernours and Magistrates did appeale Which Magistrate they called Praefectus Praetorio True it is that at the beginning he was of no greater quality then Captaine of the Legions Praetorian as Seius Strabo vnder Augustus and Seianus vnder Tibertus vntill other Emperors succeeding by litle and litle encreased their authority as in the end the Praefectus Praetorio became Lieutenant generall and iudge of all questions and causes whatsoeuer by which occasion that office was giuen vnto men learned in the Lawe as Martian vnder Otho Papinian vnder Seuerus and Vlpian vnder Alexander All which came to passe before Armes were diuided from lawes and Iusticers from Captaines Afterwards this great office became imparted vnto two and sometimes three persons purposely to abridge the excessiue authority of one But touching the Precedencie of Magistrates albeit they cannot aptly be ranged with those of the Empire yet may they in some sort be placed according to the dignitie and degrees of those titles which the Romanes anciently vsed And touching their authority it shal not be amisse to know that a Magistrate is an Officer hauing power to command in the common weale among whom in the Romane Empire the Praefectus Praetorio was the chiefe hauing authority aboue all other Officers to whom also euery one did appeale To this Praetor or Praefect we may compare the Grand Mayor du Pallais in France who in times past did in that kingdome beare chiefe office To him also in some sort we may resemble the high Seneschal of England vnder King William the Conqueror and other Kings his successors These Magistrates might therefore bee reasonably called Illustrissimi chiefly in the Kings absence For sure it is that in presence of the King all power of Magistrates and Commissioners also doth cease For during that time they haue no authority of commandement either ouer other subiects or other Officers their inferiors But this mighty Magistrate is no more either in England or France yet during their authoritie they were called Illustrissmi which title signified a certein preeminencie aboue all Magistrates that were Illustres either Honorarij or Administrantes Nam accidentia denominant Subiectum Next to these Illustrissimi or Maximi the chiefe place of Precedencie is due vnto those whome we called Illustres and among them the L. Chancellour is chiefe etiam in dignitate impari as one whose excellent vertue ought be preferred before all other officers Likewise the Lord high Constable or Lord Marshall is a Magistrate Illust. the Lord Treasurer Admirall of England the Lord Chamberlaine and all others of the Kings priuie Councell may assume the title of persons Illust. or as we commonly call them right Honorable So saith Cass. It seemeth also that Doctours who haue read in schoole the space of twenty yeeres may be called Illustrissimi as Purpuratus noteth To these Illust. or right Honourable personages the lawes Emperiall haue graunted many great priuiledges as the same Barthol discourseth After these the Magistrates whome we formerly called Spectabiles and may in our tongue be tearmed Honourable ought to follow as commanders in Armes Iudges Gouernours or Lieutenants Generall of Prouinces and Cities c. The fourth place appertaineth to them that anciently were named Clarissimi or Right worshipfull who are inferiour Iusticers and Ministers Colonels Captaines and meane Officers c. Lastly are they whome the Romanes intituled Infimi and in English Worshipfull as Captaines of particular Castles Iudges in Townes corporate where no action is triable aboue 3000 shillings Note here that euery Magistrate is an Officer but euery Officer is not a Magistrate and of all Magistrates the Lord Chancellor hath euer had precedence not onely in England and Fraunce but of all anciencie in euery other place for read we may that Eginardus who wrote the life of Carolus Magnus was his Chancellor Likewise Tribonianus was Chancellor vnto the Emperor Iustinian Iosaphat was Chancellor to King Dauid 2. of Kings Vlpianus to the Emperour Alexander Seneca to Nero and in France the Chancellor hath so great preheminence as he precedeth the Constable vnlesse he be the Kings brother or his sonne For the better memory of the degrees aforesaid Lucas de Penna speaking of titular dignity hath left these verses vnderwritten Illustris primus medius spectabilis imus Vt lex testatur clarissimus esse probatur Et superillustris praeponitur omnibus istis CHAP. 21. Of Officers and their Precedencie OFficers seruing Princes are of diuers sorts among which some doe attend the Princes person others haue charge of his Treasure some are ministers of Iustice and some are commanders in warre For the better conceiuing of our intention therfore and the order of that which
then at the discretion of the Chieftaine Yet doth it appeare that in the yeare 153. ab vrbe condita Publius Varro and Marcus Sergius Tribuni militum hauing receiued a defeat of the Vienti they the souldiers were commanded to pay a great summe of money notwithstanding that Sergius affirmed the losse to proceed only from the fortune of warre And Virginius desired he might not bee made more vnfortunate at home then he had bene in the field Zeno the Emperor punished a souldier for taking vpon him to let another mans house his owne terme being therein determined because Iustinianus had inhibited souldiers to dispose or meddle with goods not their own Vnto like punishment is hee subiect that shall require his Prince to permit him to receiue pay in two diuers armies If any souldier did take vpon him other function then that of the warre or so do as deputie vnto another he was taxed in ten pounds of gold Archadius and Honorius made a lawe that if any souldier disturbed a victualer he should pay an hundred pounds of gold The same Emperors ordeined that if any Captaine or other Commander whatsoeuer did vse a greater part of an house or lodging then the Harbenger had allotted vnto him he should incurre the penaltie of three hundred pounds in gold if any souldier of lesse quality so did he should be cassed Theodosius the Emperour to suppresse all euill customes in the war decreed that if a souldier required any thing that was appertaining to his host he should be taxed to pay ten pounds The French King made a law that if souldiers did take the goods of any Citizen or man of the countrey hee should be capitally punished as if they had committed theft Kanutus King of Denmarke ordeined that all military paines might be satisfied and redeemed by money excepting only the chastisement of beating therfore who so had incurred the crime of manslaughter was condemned in forty thousand talents of money one part thereof to be payd vnto the King another to the souldiers and the third to the kinsfolke of the party slaine CHAP. 16. Of degrading and dishonouring Souldiers APpius Claudius by commandement of the Senate pronounced that all the Romane souldiers taken prisoners by King Pyrrhus of Epiro and after by him freely set at liberty should be put backe and lose honour Hee that serued on horsebacke from thencefoorth became a footman He that was a foote souldier was put to a sling and he that embezeled another mans weapon was vtterly discharged Hee that abandoned his place did forfeit his degree He that in peace did forsake a Leader of horse was put from his place and if many haue done so and returne shortly then they were all abased and appointed to meaner seruices He that moued any muteny or small sedition was degraded and abased Diuers Emperors haue decreed that if any souldier on the holy day did behold Comedies or other vaine sights he should lose his entertainement Iustinianus depriued a Captaine called Bessa for hauing omitted opportunitie to renforce a place of strength called Petra Seuerus the Emperor confined and degraded all the Praetorian souldiers that distrubed Pertinax He also tooke from them their militarie girdles their apparel and other ornaments confining them to abide an hundreth miles from the citie Fuluius Flaccus the Censor deposed his brother from militarie dignitie because hee being a Tribune without order from the Senate did license a band of souldiers to returne to their houses CHAP. 17. ¶ Punishment Militarie by beating FOrasmuch as great Captaines did finde by experience that hope of impunitie was the occasion of many Militarie errors and to the end no fault should be free from chastisement they therefore appointed paines to be inflicted vpon euery offence A souldier that resisted correction offered by his Captaine was beaten with a cudgell and if he laid holde or hand thereof he was cassed and if he brake it or laid hand vpon his Captaine he was put to death whereof may be inferred that souldiers were anciently beaten The Romane vse in this kinde of punishment was thus A Captaine comming to correct a souldier at the first sleightly touched his person with a cudgell or as some haue written with a withy made of a vine tree which done all other men present in the Armie did strike the condemned man with staues and stones yet when many had offended together they were not thus handled but out of a great number some eight or ten of the seditious were slaine the rest sent away In the meane space all were in feare of equall punishment The Senate of Rome vsed to deliuer vnto their Captaines a certaine short staffe or cudgell wherewith to beat the souldiers that offended which serued also to direct them in their march and rankes This punishment they called Castigatio per vitem Hadrianus the Emperour refused to deliuer any such staffe but onely to Captaines of discretion and good fame It is also written that Lucilius a Centurion hauing broken his staffe required another and breaking that also demanded a third Whereupon as Tacitus noteth he was nicknamed Cedò alteram i. Reach me another Caluinus called also Domitius obteined license of the Senate to beat a Captaine named Iubillius for fleeing the field cowardly It is also extant that certain Legions abandoning a Consul were beaten or as now by the Italian phrase wee terme it did receiue the Bastonado This kind of punishment was euer accompanicd with infamy which moued Kanutus king of Denmarke to decree that all punishments of that kind might be dispensed with for money alledging that because dogges were so corrected therefore it was of all other chastisements most ignominious and consequently to be abhorred perswading all great Captaines to vse temperance and to punish rarely and aduisedly remembring that Phaleucus a Generall of the Phocenses was slaine by a souldier to whom he had giuen a Bastonado much more cautious and slow ought Collonels and priuate Captaines to be in offering this kind of correction CHAP. 18. Of wages or pay FOrsomuch as the life of man cannot bee susteined without meate and souldiers wants can not be supplied where money lacketh it behoueth they should be furnished with ordinary and dayly wages Yet true it is that in times long since passed men of warre serued at their owne charge and without pay therefore at what time the Romanes begun to giue wages is not I thinke certainely knowen Some histories say that vntill the reigne of king Tullus the Romanes receiued no wages Others affirme that giuing of pay began when Massinissa made warre with Syphax king of Numidia for then Scipio hired certaine mercenary souldiers a course neuer before knowen among the Romanes Liuy writeth that in the yeere 348. ab vrbe conditae when Gneus Cornelius Cossus Valerius Potitus Publius Cornelius Cossus and Claudius Fabius Ambustus were Tribunes militarie with authoritie Consulate at the siege and sacke of Anxur now called Terracina the Senate decreed
Collars in token they excell all other degrees of Knighthood Godfredus Adelmarâ— Institut Ordin Tem plariorum Fol. 98. CHAP. 18. Knights Templars IN the yeere 1117. nine Gentlemen who happened to meete in the Holy land of which number was Godfredus Aldemaro Alexandrino and Hugo de Planco de Paganus among themselues determined to erect an Association or brotherhood And being come vnto Ierusalem they consulted vpon the estate of that countrey beeing enformed that in Zaffo a towne anciently appertaining to the family of Contareni in Venice there remained many theeues that vsed daily to rob such Pilgrims as resorted vnto the holy Sepulchre They therefore resolued as a seruice acceptable to God to hazard their liues in the suppression of those robbers whereby the way vnto Ierusalem might become secure And because the Christian armie was then employed in recouery of the Holy land no order was taken for safe passage To encourage these Gentlemen in so praiseable an enterprise a lodging in the Temple of Ierusalem neere vnto the Sepulchre was appointed of which place they tooke the name of Knights Templars Also the King and Patriarch much liking an action so honourable furnished them with many necessarie prouisions To them also resorted many other Christians so as in short time the number became much encreased yet no habit signe or rule was agreed vpon Notwithstanding the Gentlemen persisted in their vow nine yeeres and grew to so great reputation that Pope Honorius at the suite of Steuen Patriarch of Ierusalem prescribed vnto them an order of life whereby they were enioyned to weare a white garment and Pope Eugenius added thereunto a red Crosse. After which time they elected an head or great master like vnto him that commandeth in Malta The number of these Knights daily encreased and their enterprises became famous not onely for guarding the way and passages but also they vndertooke warre against the Infidels both by Sea and land And the Christian Princes mooued with loue of their vertue in sundry prouinces assigned vnto them houses and great reuenues to be spent in Gods seruice In processe of time they became so potent as in euery Christian kingdome they were owners of Townes Fortresses and Castles and wheresoeuer the great Master did goe a mightie army did follow him It pleased God afterwards to permit that Ierusalem and other places of the Holyland through discord among the Christians and negligence of Princes not sending thither any aid was conquered about ninety yeeres CHAP. 19. Knights of San Iago At such time as the Arabians had well neere conquered the Countrey the remainder of the Spanish people refusing to liue vnder the Lawes of that barbarous nation retired themselues vnto the mountaines of Asturia and there setled a gouernment After some yeeres of their abode there certaine gentlemen consulting together determined to make an association and begin a warre vpon the infidels and Moores These gentlemen to the number of thirteene being all Barons and men of great qualitie agreed also vpon certaine religious rules of Knighthood yet reseruing vnto themselues libertie of mariage The Ensigne which they resolued to weare was a red Crosse in forme of a sword This Order was erected at such time as the King Don Ramiro wanne the victory against the Moores in the prouince of Compostella at which time great possessions and priuiledges were giuen to S. Iames of Compostella Anno 1030. This Order hath one chiefe gouernour who is called great Master he with thirteene other Knights haue authoritie to choose or remooue any Knight at their discretion Vpon the feast day of all Saints these Knights do vse to meete and consult vpon matters apperteining to their estate The reuenues belonging to these Knights is marueilous amounting to many hundred thousand duckets Many Popes haue giuen their alowance to this Order yet either they could not or would not reserue a greater tribute thereof then ten Malachini yeerely Thomas Docwra Ordinis S. Iohis Hiâ—rosolom vulgo de Malta Pras. in Anglia Eques vlt. Fol 94. CHAP. 20. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called Knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta IT is written I know not with what warrant that at the Citie of Amiens in Picardie a Prouince of France there was borne a certaine Gentleman who in his childhood had bene brought vp in learning and being growen to mans estate disposed himselfe to the exercise of Armes and there in long time continued Afterwards hauing attained riper yeres he despised the world and framed himselfe to a solitarie life as one fully resolued to liue in contemplation vnseene of any but God alone Hauing sometime remained in that solitarie sort a suddaine desire he had to visite the Sepulchre where Christ was buried which shortly after he did And to the end he might with securitie passe the Barbarous Nations he apparelled himselfe like vnto a Phisition by which meane without impediment he performed his iorney Thus hauing passed the difficulties of trauell in diuers strange Countries he arriued at Ierusalem and being there fell into acquaintance with Simon Patriarch of that Citie and in lamenting wise enformed him of the oppression and crueltie offered and dayly vsed by the Infidels towardes the poore Christians in those Countreys Whereunto Simon answered that albeit the Christians in those countreys indured great outrages yet they of Ierusalem suffered much greater and should be forced to more if God did not defend them By this conference the Patriarch conceiued Peter the Hermit for so he was called to be a man of good vnderstanding and apt to execute any action of importance that should be committed vnto him Whereupon the Patriarch determined to make him a messenger vnto the Pope vnto whom by letters he imparted the great calamitie and afflicted estate of the poore Christians inhabiting the Holy land Peter hauing receiued his instructions and letter of credence returned into the West first vnto the Pope and after sollicited other Princes in such sort and with so good successe as by his perswasions many great Kings and Potentates consented to take in hand the recouery of the Holy land from the oppression of the Infidels and some of them furnished that enterprise with men some with money and some did go in person Among which number as the chiefe was Robert Duke of Normandie sonne to King William of England Godfrey Duke of Lorain with two of his brethren called Eustace and Baldwin Robert Earle of Flanders Hugh surnamed the Great brother to the French King with diuers other Princes Dukes Earles and Barons Also thither went Beaumond Duke of Calabria who for zeale to that seruice or desire of honour resigned his Dukedome vnto Ruggiero his brother taking with him so many of his subiects as would voluntarily follow him of whom with such other Captaines and souldiers of Italy as came vnto him hee assembled more then twenty thousand all choyse men and young fit for warre All things in this sort prepared for the iourney Vrban
commendably acquite themselues but the other two of that side were ouerthrowen On the other side two only perfourmed their courses well and the rest of that company exceeding euill losing many Lances and running very foule whereof a question grew whether vnto fiue well doers and two euill or vnto two well doers with fiue euil the honour ought to be allotted Albeit in this case much may be spoken yet for that the question is not of any particular mans merit but which partie in generall performed best the enterprize it may be alleaged that the partie wherein were most weldoers ought to haue the honour notwithstanding the fall of two of their companions yet for so much as the fall from horsebacke by the enemies force or vertue is most reprochefull it seemeth that the misaduenture of two men onely may reasonably be the losse of honour to all the rest And therefore we leaue the iudgement of this doubt vnto wise men better experienced in Armes Two gentlemen being in combat for life the Challenger taketh the sword of the Defender from him notwithstanding the Defender most valiantly defendeth himselfe with his arme and hands all the whole day during which time he could not be forced either to denie yeeld or be slaine A question thereupon arose whether of them was victorious Forasmuch as this Combat was for life and that in euery fight of such nature no victory is fully gained vntill the Defender is slaine or els forced to yeeld or denie it seemeth that he is not to be iudged guiltie not hauing done any of these although his sword were lost which indeed in all martiall exercises and feates of Armes is a thing much to be discommended But most certaine it is that in all Combats and actions for honor loue and praise onely whosoeuer loseth his sword must presently also lose the honor and victory Two Gentlemen fighting for life within the Listes the one yeeldeth himselfe a prisoner Whether may the Prince of the place who in combat is elected a Iudge saue the life of him that is vanquished Hereunto may be answered That albeit euery prisoner appertaineth vnto his taker yet hath it commonly bene vsed that the victorious haue presented their prisoners vnto the Prince to be disposed at his good pleasure who in recompense thereof doe vse according to the magnanimous mindes of such persons not onely to pay the charges of the victorious but also in signe of clemencie and mercie set the infortunate prisoner freely at libertie As did the noble King Edward the third of England vnto Iohn Visconti who in his presence was vanquished by Thomas de la March base sonne vnto the French King And Philip Duke of Millain did the like vnto an vnfortunate Gentleman vanquished by a Neoplitane Knight CHAP. 14. Of the honor gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and of sundrie peeces A Man that loseth his sword in fight is more reproched then he that loseth his shield For he gaineth the greatest honor that winneth the chiefe weapon from the enemie which is the sword seeing therewith the Emperour and Kings doe create their Knights and the sword is borne before them in in signe of authoritie and Regal power He that loseth his headpiece in fight is more dishonoured then he that loseth his shield because the Helmet defendeth the most principal part of man but the shield armeth a lower place He that loseth his Gauntlet in fight is more to be blamed then he who is disarmed of his Poulderon For the Gauntlet armeth the hand without which member no fight can be performed and therefore that part of Armor is commonly sent in signe of defiance He that is cast out of the Saddle by violence of his aduersaries encounter shal be more reproued then he who falleth by the default of his horse the breaking of Girthes or any such like accident CHAP. 15. ¶ Of the honor gained or lost by the hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or in triumph HE that in fight loseth his eye shall thereby receiue more dishonour then he that loseth his teeth because the eye is a member seruing the most necessarie sence but the teeth are onely instruments of the mouth He that loseth his right eye is more to be reproached then he that loseth the left eye because the right side is in better opinion of men The like is to be sayd of the hands of the armes and legges If a man hauing but one eye doe fight with another man that hath two in losing that one eye he shall be more blamed then he who hath two eyes although he loseth one He that loseth his whole hand shall be more reproached then he who loseth one eye And he that loseth a foot is more disgraced then he that loseth one hand CHAP. 16. Of Combats auncient TOo long it were to tell the causes and euent of Combats heretofore performed by Princes and other persons of honourable qualitie Neuerthelesse who so desireth to know what was anciently done in matter of such quality let him read the Combats of Dauid with Goliah Of Romulus with Acron of Marcellus with Virdimarus king of France Of the Horatij and Curiatij Of Satibarzanes with Erigius Of Horrates with Dioxippus a Champion Of Alexander with Porus king of the Indians Of Titus Manlius with one other Frenchman of Marcus Valerius with one other Lord of that Nation Of Ionathas the Iewe with Pudentus of a Duke of Bohemia with the Duke of Lancaster Of certaine Christians with a like number of Barbarians Of Seanderbeg alone against three other men Of Valares a Gothian with Artanas an Armenian and many others CHAP. 17. The order of Combats for life in England as they are anciently recorded in the office of Armes at London FIrst the Cartell or Bill of Quarrell aswell of the Challengers behalfe as of the Defenders was brought into the Court before the Constable and Marshall And when the trueth of the cause of quarrell could not be prooued by witnesse nor otherwise then was it permitted the same should receiue triall by force of Armes the one partie by assayling the other by defending The Constable as Vicar generall vnto the King assigned the day of battell which was to be performed within forty dayes next following whereunto both the Challenger and Defender condscended Then were the Combattants commaunded to bring in sufficient pledges for suertie that they and euery of them should appeare and performe the combat betwixt the sunne rising and going done of the day appointed for the acquirall of their pledges and that they nor any of them should doe or cause to be done any molestation damage assault or subtiltie against the person of his enemie either by himselfe his friends his followers or other person whatsoeuer In what sort the King commanded the place of Combat to be made THe Kings pleasure being signified vnto the Cōstable Marshal they caused Lists or Rayles to be made and set vp in length
threescore paces and in breadth fortie paces The place where the Lists were appointed was euer vpon plaine and drie ground without ridges hilles or other impediments At either end of the Lists was made a gate or place of entrie with a strong barre to keepe out the people For the guarding of either gate one Sergeant at Armes was appointed and commanded not to suffer any man to approch within foure foote The one gate opened towards the East the other towards the West being strongly barred with a raile of seuen foote long and of such height as no horse could passe vnder or ouer the same In what sort the King did sit to behold the Combat ON the day of battell the King vsed to sit on a high seat or Scaffold purposely made at the foote whereof was another seat for the Constable and Marshall who being come thither called before them the pledges aswell of the Defendant as of the Challenger to be shewed and presented vnto the King there to remaine within the Lists as prisoners vntill such time as the Chalenger and Defender were come and had performed all their Ceremonies In what sort the Challenger vsed to present himselfe to Combat THe Challenger did commonly come to the East gate of the Lists and brought with him such armors as were appointed by the Court and wherewith he determined to fight Being at the gate there he stayed vntill such time as the Constable and Marshall arose from their seate and went thither They being come to the said gate of the Lists beholding the Challenger there the Constable said For what cause art thou come hither thus armed and what is thy name vnto whom the Challenger answered thus My name is A. B. and am hither come armed and mounted to performe my challenge against G. D. and acquit my pledges Wherefore I humbly desire this gate may be opened and I suffered to performe my intent and purpose Then the Constable did open the visor of his headpeece to see his face and thereby to knowe that man to be he who makes the challenge These Ceremonies ended the Constable commanded the gate of the Lists to be opened whereat the armed man with his necessaries and councell entered From thence he was brought before the King where he remained vntill such time as the Defender was come thither In like manner the Defender appearing did make request vnto the Constable and Marshal desiring they would be pleased to deliuer and discharge his pledges Whereupon the said Constable and Marshall did humbly desire the King to release them because the Defender is alreadie come and presented before his Maiestie there to performe his duetie But in case the Defender did not come at time conuenient in the day appointed then did the King deliuer his pleasure vnto the Constable and he reported the same vnto the Marshall who forthwith did giue order vnto the Lieutenant that the Defender should presently bee called to appeare by the Herald Marshall of the King of the South called Clarencieux and in case the Herauld Marshall of the King of the South was not present then was the proclamation made by some other Herauld But if the combat were performed in the North on the other side of the Riuer of Trent in the circuit of the King of the North called Norrey then was his Marshall to make proclamation The words whereof were to this effect Oiez G. D. Defendant in this Combat appeare now for in this day thou hast taken vpon thee to acquit thy pledges in presence of the Lords Constable and Marshall and also defend thy person against A. B. who challenged thee to maintaine the cause of this Combat This Proclamation was made thrice at euery corner of the Lists but if at the second time the partie appeared not then the Herauld did adde these words The day passeth and therefore come without delay And if in case the said Defendant appeared not before noone but stayed vntil the third houre after then did the Herauld by commandement of the Constable and Marshall in the beginning of the proclamation say A. B. appeare in haste and saue thine honour for the day is well neere spent wherein thou didst promise to performe thine enterprise It was also vsed that the Constables Clerke should in a booke record the houre of the Combattants appearing within the Lists either on foot or on horsebacke in what sort they were armed of what colour the horses were and how they were in all points furnished It was also anciently vsed that the Constable moued the King in fauour of the Combattants to knowe whether his Maiestie were pleased to appoint any of his Nobility or other seruants of reputation to assist them for counsell in combat The Constable and Marshall did suruey the Launces and other weapons wherewith the combat should be performed making them equall and of euen measure The Constable also appointed two Knights or Esquires vnto the Challenger to keepe the place free from impediments the like was also done for the Defender The Constable did also moue the King to know whether his Maiestie in person would take the Oathes of the fighters or giue him and the Marshall authority to doe it out of his presence The Constable also did send the Marshall vnto the Challenger and his counsell to make ready his Oath declaring that after that ceremonie all protestations should be voide After these preparations the Constable caused his Clerke to bring foorth the booke whereupon the Combattants were solemnely sworne The first Oath THe Constable hauing caused his Clerke to reade the Challengers bill and calling him by his name sayd Doest thou conceiue the effect of this Bill Here is also thine owne Gauntlet of defiance Thou shalt sweare by the holy Euangelists that all things therein contained be true and that thou maintaine it so to be vpon the person of thine aduersary as God shall helpe thee and the holy Euangelists The Oath thus taken hee was led backe vnto his former place and the Constable did cause the Marshall to produce the Defender who tooke the like Oath This Oath was euer taken the parties kneeling vnlesse it pleased the Constable and Marshall to pardon that duetie The second Oath THe second Oath was also indifferently propounded to either of them viz. That they had not brought into the Lists other Armour or weapon then was allowed neither any engin instrument herbe charme or enchantment and that neither of them should put affiance or trust in any thing other then God and their owne valors as God and the holy Euangelists should helpe them That done they were both sent to their places of entrie The third Oath was thus THe combattants being againe called were commanded by the Constable to take one the other by the hand and lay their left hands vpon the booke which done the Constable said I charge thee A. B. challenger vpon thy faith that thou doe thine vttermost endeauour and force to prooue thine affirmation either by
and all other Lords of the Court. The day of triumph being come the King and the Queene attended vpon by the troopes of men at Armes and Ladies aforesaid passed through London from the Tower to Smithfield Being come thither the King the Queene the Ladies and other honourable personages setled themselues in such places as were prepared and sorted with their degrees Then were the men of Armes marshalled and set in such order as they should runne The first courses were allotted to the Earle of S. Paul and his Band who were with great courage encountred by the English Betweene them the first dayes Iusting was spent and that night his Maiestie the Queene and all the company supped and lodged in the Bishops house neere to Saint Pauls Church The chiefe honour and commendation of that first fight was among the strangers giuen vnto the Earle of S. Paul and among the English the Earle of Huntington had the praise This magnificent supper ended euery one resorted to his lodging the King and Queene onely excepted who continued their lodging in that house all the time of that triumph The next day after noone King Richard himselfe in compleat Armour appeared in the fielde being followed with the whole band of English Knights Thither also came the Queene with her traine of Ladies and was set in that roome where the day before she had bene placed The first of the strangers that offered to runne was the Earle of Oye who presented himselfe and his companie most pompously furnished And after him followed the Earle of S. Paul with his troope of Frenchmen The Knights strangers being entred and readie were foorthwith incountred by the English The conflict continued till darke night with equall honour The Iusts of that day ended the King returned to his lodging accompanied with the Noble strangers and there supped The chiefe commendation of that day on the strangers part was allotted to the Earle of Oye who by his vertue without fauour so deserued Likewise among the English a Gentleman named Hewe Spencer was highly praysed On Tuesday also the men at Armes resorted to the Tilt and continued the exercise with great admiration of the beholders On Wednesday the runners intermingled themselues and euery one did runne as he thought good On Thursday the King conuited all the men and all the women supped with the Queene On Friday the whole company was feasted by the Duke of Lancaster On Saturday the King and the Queene accompanied with the Earles of Oye and S. Paul in great state rode to Windsor where they were most honourably intertayned and the Earle of Oye receiued the Garter From thence euery one returned home CHAP. 30. The triumphall passage of Charles the fift Emperour through France Anno 1540. IN the moneth of December this Emperour arriued at Bayon where the Dolphin and Duke of Auuernia with great pompe receiued him Being in the towne he behaued himselfe as King pardoning offenders and deluering them from prison From thence with like Maiestie he passed to other cities accompanied with the sayd Dolphin and Duke where he vsed the same authority In Ianuary hee came to Castelloaldum where the King in person with much magnificence intertained him From thence he passed to Amboyse where King Charles the 8. had built two great towers the walles whereof are so large as Mules and Carts may passe vpon them The King then to the end that Caesars entrie in the night should bee the more magnificent furnished those towers with an exceeding great number of lights so as they might behold all the Countrey as if it had bene faire day But when Caesar was going vp by great mishap the tower fell on fire the flame and smoke whereof became so great as euery one feared lest the Emperour should haue bene smothered Whereupon all men there present laboured by fleeing to saue themselues Some that were suspected to haue done this fact were apprehended and the King did command they should be hanged though indeed no proofe appeared but Caesar would in no wise they should die so were they pardoned After this disaster the King conducted the Emperar to Bleas and from thence to Fountainableu where they hunted hauked and beheld certaine Iusts and Tournaments in conclusion no sport or solace was omitted From thence the Emperour attended by the Dolphin and Duke went to Paris Before he entred the citie the Burgesses and Citizens of all sorts came foorth and receiued him with no lesse ceremony then if the King had bene present there he also set at libertie all prisoners From thence he passed vnto the Constables house and was there most honourably lodged At last he went into Picardy and so to Valentia which is the first town of his iurisdiction in Belgica vnto which place the Dolphin and Duke did follow him CHAP. 31. The triumphall Entry of Philip Prince of Spaine at Milan An. 1548. THis Prince entred at the gate towards Pauia where the citizens had made a stately bridge whereupon they shewed diuers Pageants Arkes triumphal adorned with verses and sentences very markable About three of the clocke after noone he entred the citie where the most reputed citizens did attend him in Burgo della Trinitá as they call it Being passed that place hee was saluted by Caesar Gonzaga the Count Iohn Treuultio the Count Charles Belgioso and many other noble persons richly apparelled After them Mutio Sforza presented his reuerence being accompanied with a great troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey clad in white silke and bearing in their hands Pollaxes the heads of them were gilt and the staues couered with white silke Then followed the Doctors schollers accompanied with 300 horsemen apparelled in yellow coats And immediatly appeared two other troupes of men lightly armed which company garded the ancient Lords and Noblemen of the countrey among whom were some Princes Earles and Barons That troupe was so great as two houres sufficed not to see them passe They that rode next vnto the Princes person were the Duke of Alba the Duke of Sossa the Marquesse of Pescara the Admiral of Castilia the Marquesse Milo Ferdinando Gonzaga On the one side of the Prince the Cardinal of Trent on the other the Duke of Sauoy did ride Behind them followed fiue companies of men at Armes apparelled in siluer and gold conducted by Count Alexander Gonzaga Count Francisco Somaia Count Philippo Tornello two other noblemen I omit to tell of diuers shewes Arkes triumphal and other sights wherwith in euery streete the Prince was entertained by Italians onely These Complements ended the Prince came vnto the chiefe Church at the doore whereof were excellent Paintries The Prince in his entire to the Church was by the Senate and people of Milan presented with a basin of gold ful of double Duckats to the number of ten thousand as was reported The Prince thus entertained and setled in the citie Iusts and Tournaments were brought before him The Actors in that triumph were apparelled in
and others CHAP. 48. The Inauguration of Charles the fift Anno 1520. THis Emperor hauing giuen order for his affaires in Belgica required the Electors that they would come to his Inauguration at Aquisgran where the plague then happened to be which mooued them to desire that the celebration might be elswhere But his Maiestie at the Citizens suite who had prepared with great cost resolued not to alter alleaging also that Charles the fourth his predecessor had made a lawe that the Emperour ought of necessitie be crowned at Aquisgran The 21. of October the Archbishop of Mentz Colein and Treuer appeared The Marquesse of Brandenburg came after and the Duke of Saxony being sicke stayed at Colein The next day all these Princes rode to meete the Emperour and when they came neere vnto his person they alighted which done with all reuerence the Archbishop of Mentz in the name of them all spake vnto his Maiestie and was by the mouth of the Cardinall of Salisburg courteously answered All those troupes so vnited proceeded to the Citie Without the gate the Palatin of the Rheine also did meete them so were the Electors companies about one thousand sixe hundreth some Launces and some Archers The Emperours owne troupe was two thousand very magnificently furnished Thither also came Iohn Duke of Cleue with 400. men well armed and much discord there was betweene the Clâ—uoys and the Saxons who should preceed The like pompe had not bene seene in Germanie On th' one side of Caesar rode the Archbishop of Cullein and on th' other was the Archbishop of Mentz Next to them folowed the Ambassadors of the King of Bohemia the Bishops of Sedun Saltsburg and Croy all Cardinals and with them were the Ambassadors of all Kings and Princes sauing of the Pope and the King of England which was supposed to be of purpose lest the deputies of the Germane Princes should preceed them The Emperor being come to Aquisgran alighted at our Lady Church and there after prayers he talked particularly with the Electors who followed him to his lodging One other day they met againe in the Temple where the throng was so great as hardly the Guard could make roome In the mids of the Temple a great Crowne was hanged and vnder it carpets were spred whereupon Caesar did prostrate himselfe till the Archbishop of Collen had ended certaine prayers Then the Archbishop of Mentz and Treuer did take him vp and led him before our Ladies altar where againe he fell downe vpon his face and after prayers they led him to his throne of State When these ceremonies were ended the Bishop of Cullen begunne the Masse and hauing said a part thereof he asked the Emperor in the Latine tongue If he would conserue the Christian faith defend the Church do Iustice protect the Empire defend widowes fatherlesse children and people distressed Whereunto when he had consented hee was led to the Altar and there with a solemne othe confirmed the words he had spoken and returned to his throne After the oath taken the Bishop of Cullen said other prayers and then put oyle vpon his head his brest the bending places of his armes and the palmes of his hands Being thus anointed the Archbishops of Mentz and Treuer led him into the Vestry where they apparelled him as a deacon and in that habit brought him forth and placed him in his throne where after more prayers the Archbishop of Cullen in presence of the whole Clergie deliuered into his hand a naked sword and recommended to him the Common weale Caesar hauing the sword in his hand put it into the sheath which done they put vpon his finger a Ring and on his shoulders they cast a Regal cloake They also deliuered to him a Scepter and a Ball to represent the forme of the whole world Then all the three Bishops layed hand on the Crowne and set it vpon the Emperours head When all these things were done hee was againe brought vnto the Altar and there sworne to performe the duetie of a good Prince That oath taken the Emperour accompanied with those Bishops went vp higher and there sate in a seat of stone Then the Bishop of Mentz in the Germane tongue spake alowd and wished that his Maiestie and people to him subiect might long liue in health and happinesse After which words in signe of publicke ioy the Quoristers and instruments of Musicke made melody At all these solemne prayers the Lady Margarita aunt to the Emperor and gouernesse of the Low countreys was present In the end of these complements he receiued the Sacrament and made many Knights which honour as mine Auctor saith was anciently the reward of vertue and approued valor but now the custome is that if a King do lightly lay his sword vpon any mans shoulder that fauour alone without more ceremony or other merit shall make him a Knight which is the cause that title is giuen not only to Gentlemen well borne but also to Merchants and others that ambitiously do seeke it All these things being done in the Church the Emperour returned to his Pallace which was most magnificently prepared There he dined and so did the Electors euery one sitting at a table by himselfe The dinner being ended and the tables taken away the Bishop of Treuer tooke place right against the Emperour for so the law of Charlemaine determined In ages more ancient an oxes body filled full of small beasts and fowles was rosted on the day of Caesars Inauguration whereof one part was serued at his table the rest giuen to the multitude Two Conduits were likewise made to runne wine all that day Dinner being done the Emperour retired into his chamber and there he deliuered the seales of the Empire vnto the Archbishop of Mentz and the next day all the Electors supped with his Maiestie CHAP. 49. ¶ Ceremonies appertaining to the deliuery of Prizes at Iousts and Tournaments AT euery publique triumph before a Prince it seemeth the vse heretofore hath ben that the Prizes of best desert should be giuen by the hand of the Queene notwithstanding it were in the Kings presence but first a solemne proclamation to be made by the Heralds to this effect Oyez oyez oyez Be it knowen to all men by these presents that by authority of the most high most excellent and most puissant Prince H. by the grace of God King of England France and Ireland c. That of those which haue Iousted on the Challengers side A. B. hath deserued the prize and to him let the same be giuen as due by the censure of the Queene with the assent of her Ladies Gentlewomen and all others of her Highnesse Court here present Likewise on the party of Defenders C. D. hath Iousted well E. F. better but G. H. best of all vnto whome the prize is iudged by the most mightie most excellent and vertuous Princesse with consent aforesaid This was the forme of deliuering the prizes at the most noble and triumphant Iousts
bene likewise capable of Temporal dignities as Baronies and Earledomes Some of them be accounted Counts Palatine in their proper iurisdiction Barons by writ are summoned by their proper surnames as A. B. Cheualier although indeede he be no Knight And all those Barons so called by writ the dignitie is inuested in their owne sirname and so in their owne persons and not in their Castles Houses Manors or Lordships Barons by creation are either solemnely created by another name then their owne as in the right of their wiues or mothers Or els by the names of some Castle House Manor or Lordship In which diuersities although Barons be diuersly made yet are they all alike in their callings and though in shew some of their dignities be of a place certaine yet is the right dignitie in the person of the Baron For admit a Baron should â—ell or exchange the place whereof he is called yet shal he still holde the name and be written and reputed thereby and haue his place and voyce in Parliament by the same name hee was first called or created Of Knights and Knighthood we haue at large discoursed in the second Booke only this is to be remeÌ„bred that the forme of dubbing of Knights both in warre and peace is not now obserued as it hath bene Nam Milites tunica suorum armorum torque indui gladio cingt calcaribus auratis ornarisolebant and the Prince in the action thereof pronounced these words Soyez loyal Chlr. en nom de Dieu S. George Miles dicitur quasi vnus electus ex mille olim inter Romanos mille homines strenui maximè bellicosi electiinter caeteros fuerunt quilibet eorum dictus fuit miles quasi vnus ex mille CHAP. 14. Of Esquiers AN Esquier or Escuier commonly called Squier is he that was antiently called Scutiger and to this day in the latine is named Armiger These men as sir Thomas Smith in his booke de Rcip Anglorum doth describe them are Gentlemen bearing armes or armories as the French do call it in testimony of the Nobilitie or race from whence they are come Esquiers be taken for no distinct order of the common weale but goe with the residue of Gentlemen saue that as hee thinketh they be those men who beare Armes in signe as I haue said of the race and familie whereof they are descended In respect whereof they haue neither creation nor dubbing vnlesse it be such as hold office by the Princes gift and receiue a collar of SS Or els they were at the first costrels or bearers of the Armâ— of Lords or Knights and by that had their name for a dignitie and honour giuen to distinguish them from common Souldiers called in Latine Gregarij milites So is euery Esquier a Gentleman but euery Gentleman not an Esquier vnlesse he be such a one as beareth Armes which Armes are giuen either by the Prince as a testimonie of fauour or a signe of his vertue that receiued them or both either else by donation of the Kings of Armes who by the Princes Commandement or Commission haue authoritie at their discretion to bestow such honour with consent of the Earle Marshall Somerset Glouer that learned Herauld maketh foure definitions or seuerall sorts of Esquiers according to the custome of England The first of them and the most ancient are the eldest sonnes of Knights and eldest sonnes of them successiuely The second sort are the eldest sonnes of the younger sonnes of Barons and Noble men of higher degree which take end are determined when the chiefe Masles of such elder sonnes doe faile and that the inheritance goeth away with the heires females The third sort are those that by the King are created Esquiets by the gift of a Collar of SS and such bearing Armes are the principall of that coat Armour and of their whole race out of whose families although diuers other houses doe spring and issue yet the eldest of that coat Armour onely is an Esquier and the residue are but Gentlemen The fourth and last sort of Esquiers are such as bearing office in the common weale or in the Kings house are therefore called and reputed to be Esquiers as the Serieants at the Lawe the Escheators in euery shire and in the Kings house the Serieant of euery Office but hauing no Armes that degree dieth with them and their issue is not ennobled thereby Mounsieur P. Pithou in his memories of the Earles of Champagne and Brie saith further that among the Fiefes of Normandy the Fiefe called Fiefe de Haubert was that which in Latine is Feuda Loricae or Feuda Scutiferorum the very originall of the name of our Esquiers comming of the Armes and seruice which they ought to Knights for they helde their land of a Knight by Scutage as a Knight helde his land of the King by Knights seruice And such Fiefes were called Vray Vassaulx being bound alwayes to serue their Lorde by reason of their Fiefe without pay There are also in England other sorts of Esquiers which courtesie and custome haue made among which they are reputed Esquiers that are able at the Musters to present a Launce or light horse for the Princes seruice not vnlike the manner of the Spaniardes where all freehoulders are called Caualieros that doe keepe horse for the Kings impolyments CHAP. 15. Of Gentlemen GEntlemen are they who in the Greeke are called Eugeneis in Latine Nobiles or Ingenui in the French Nobles in the English Gentlemen Gens in Latine betokeneth a race a sirname or family as the Romans had Traquinij Valerij Quintij Claudij Cincinnati Fabij Cossi and such like so haue we in England certaine names which for their continuance in reputation vertue and riches may be in Latine called Agnati or Gentiles that is men knowen or Gentlemen of this or that name and family But let vs consider how this Nobility is defined and by how many meanes men doe thereunto aspire Iudocus Clicthouius defineth Nobilitie thus Nobilitas est generis velalterius rei excellentia ac dignitas Tract Nobil Cap. 1. Nobility is the excellencie of gentle race or of some other good quality And Bartholus discoursing long whether Nobilitie and Dignity be but one concludeth they are not yet said he the one resembleth the other Lib. 1. Cap. de Dig. adding That as he to whome God hath vouchsafed his grace is before his diuine Maiesty noble so before men who so is fauoured by his Prince or the Lawes ought be receiued for noble This Nobilitie therefore is thus defined Nobilitas est qualitas illata per Principatum tenentem qua quis vltra acceptos plebeios honestus ostenditur Nobility is a title bestowed by him that holdeth place of the Prince and maketh him that receiueth it to be of better reputation then other men Of Nobilitie or as we call it Gentilitie diuers diuisions by diuers men haue bene Bartholus sayth That of Nobility there are three kinds viz.