daunger Hieramias with his right hand deliuered a sword vnto Iuda and in the name of God made him a Knight saying Receiue this sacred sword sent from God wherewith thou shalt vanquish the enemies of Israel It hath bene also a custome ancient that Princes did giue collars as a singular demontration of fauour and honour Plinie reporteth that the Romanes did giue vnto their confederates a collar of gold and to their owne citizens a collar of siluer When Manlius in single combat had slaine a French man hee tooke from him a collar of golde all bloodie and put the same about his owne necke in token of victorie After which time he was surnamed Torquatus because Torques in the Latine signifieth a collar or chaine The Emperours in like maner bestowed collars vpon Captaines and others that serued in the warre and deserued commendation In some Histories may be found that collars were of two sorts the first called Duplares th' other Simplices And with those collars the Emperours for the most part did giue prouision of money or vittaile to some more to some lesse For these reasons and by these examples it appeareth that among the ensignes and ornaments of Honor and Armes the great Collar is of highest reputation It is also seene that Princes soueraigne doe at this day bestow chaines or small collars vpon men of vertue or fauour and in token thereof for the most part a picture or modele of the giuer is thereat pendant which Collat the Knight or Gentleman that receiueth it ought carefully to keepe during his life The ancient custome was that Knights of meane degree and such as were not of the great Orders whereunto particular habits are assigned should in signe of honour weare a garment of scarlet because red representeth fire the most noble element and next vnto the Sunne of most brightnesse It was therefore among the olde Romanes decreed That no man should weare any habit of that colour but only Magistrates and men of dignity Red doeth also betoken boldnesse magnanimitie and ardent loue with charitie The element of fire is also assigned to Mars in respect whereof that colour is most proper to Knights Captaines and all other professours of Armes Carol D Howard Comâ— Notingham 〈…〉 CHAP. 9. Knights of the Garter EDward the third King of England after hee had obtained many great victories of Iohn the French King and Iames King of Scotland both prisoners in the Realme at one time Henry King of Castile the Bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this order in his kingdome Anno 1350. vpon no waightie occasion as is reported Notwithstanding the same is and long hath bene in so great reputation as Emperors Kings and Princes haue and doe desire to bee companions thereof for their greater honour The patron of this Order is S. George vnto whom it was first dedicated The Soueraigne of this Order is the King of England his heires and successors for euer The number of this Colledge of fellowship is 26. Knights with the Soueraigne and when any of them die another is chosen by consent of those Knights that liue The habit of these Knights is an vnder garment or gowne of Crimsin veluet of some called akâ—rtle ouer which he weareth a mantle of Purple veluet lined with white sarsnet on the left shoulder thereof is embroidred in a Garter an Eschuchion of S George and ouer his right shoulder hangeth his hood of Crimson veluet lined with white the Cordons to the mantle are purple silke and gold Aboue all which about his necke he weareth the collar of the order being of pure gold made of garters and knots and enamiled with roses white and red weying 30. ounces of Troy weight with the image of S. George richly garnished with precious stones pendant thereat About his left legge he weareth buckled a garter enriched with gold pearle and stones whereupon these French words are embrodered HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Which may be thus Englished Shame be to him that euill thinketh The custome was long that these Knights did yeerely hold a feast at the Castle Windesor where the same King Edward founded a Church and gaue vnto certaine Priests and Prebends large stipends to serue there And he ordained also that thirteene poore aged and decayed Gentlemen by the name of poore Knights were there for euer to be maintained and kept inuested in gownes and mantles of cloth onely sutable with those of the Order to pray for the prosperity of the Soueraigne and his successors and all other Knights of the said noble Order It is not publiquely knowen what mooued the King to make this order but thus it is vulgarly reported that King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court hapned to take vp a blewe garter which fell from one of them and of some said from the Countesse of Salisburie of whom the King was then enamored which garter the King afterwards wore about his left legge for a fauour The Queene taking some offence thereat it was signified vnto the King by some of the Lords the cause of her displeasure at which he smiling sayd HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE I will make of it yet it be long the most honourable Garter that euer was worne and thereupon instituted the order of the Garter Some rather thinke it was made to remunerate those Noble men and Knights that had best endeuoured and deserued in his most Royall and Martiall affaires of France Scotland and Spaine with all which Nations he then had warre and triumphed The Statutes of this great Order for that they are sufficiently knowen I here omit The names of the first Knights KIng EDWARD the third Soueraigne Edward Prince of VVales Henry Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of VVarwicke The Captaine of Bouche Ralph Earle of Stafford William de Mounteacute Earle of Sarisburie Roger Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholomew Burgwash Sir Iohn Beauchampe Sir Iohn de Mohun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas Holland Sir Iohn Grey Sir Richard Fitzsymon Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh VVrothesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames de Audley Sir Otho Holland Sir Henry Eme. Sir Zanchet d'Abrigecourt Sir VVilliam Paganel The names of those Knights that are this present yeere 1602. of the same most noble Order ELIZABETH Queene of England Soueraigne Henry the fourth the French King Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond Thomas Sackuile Lord Buckhurst Gilbert Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury George Clifford Earle of Cumberland Henry Percye Earle of Northumberland Edward Somerset Earle of VVorcester Edmond Sheffeild Lord Sheffeild Thomas Howard Baron of VValden George Carey Baron of Hunsdon Charles Blount Lord Montioy Sir Henry Lea Master of her Mties Armorie Robert Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Scrope Lord Scrope VVilliam Stanley Earle of Derby Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh  The Officers appertaining at this
stand aboue and precede all others that are in pari dignitate of themselues as a Duke of the Bloud aboue all Dukes not of the Bloud and so the like in all other degrees except the Princes knowen pleasure be to the contrary A Dukes eldest sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall haue place before a Marquesse and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue an Earle An Earles sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall precede a Vicount and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue a Baron CHAP. 23. The proceeding of Parliament to Westminster from her Maiesties Royall Pallace of VVhite Hall FIrst Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen two and two Esquiers two and two The sixe Clerkes of the Chancerie Clerkes of the Starre-chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the priuie Counsell The Masters of the Chancery Esquiers of the Body The Trumpets The Queenes Attorney and Soliciter Sergeants of the Law The Queenes Sergeant alone The Barons of the Exchequer two and two Iudges of the Common Pleas. Iudges of the Kings Bench. Pursuyuants Pursuyuants The Lord chiefe Baron and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas. The Master of the Roules and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench. Batcheler Knights Knights of the Bathe Knights Bannerets Knights of the Priuie Counsell two and two Knights of the Garter The Queenes Maiesties Cloake and Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquier Noblemens yonger sonnes Heralds Heralds and heires apparant two and two The principall Secretary being no Baron The Vice-chamberlaine The Treasourer and Comptroller of the Houshold Barons in their Robes two and two The yongest form ost Bishops in their Robes two and two The Lord Admirall and the Lord Chamberlaine of Household together if they be Barons and In pari dignitate Norroy King of Armes Viscounts in their Robes two and two the yongest formost Earles in their Robes two and two they yongest formost Marquesses in their Robes Dukes in their Robes The Lord President of the Counsell and the Lord Priuie Seale Lord Steward of the Queenes house and the Lord great Chamberlaine Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord Chanceler and the Lord Tresurer of England together The Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke together Sergeants at Armes Sergeants at Armes Garter chiefe King of Armes barehead The Cap of Estate borne by the Marques of Winchester and with him on the left hand the Earle Marshall of England with his gilt rod. The Sword borne by an Earle THE Queenes Maiestie on horsebacke or in her Chariot with her Robes of Estate her Traine borne by a Duchesse or Marchionesse The Pensioners on ech side of her Maiestie bearing Poleaxes The Lord Chamberlaine and the Vize-chamberlaine on eche side of the Queene if they attend out of their ranke but somewhat behinde her The Master of the Horse leading a spare Horse next behinde her Maiestie Ladies and Gentlewomen according to their Estates two and two The Captaine of the Guard with all the Guard folowing two two CHAP. 24. The placing of great Officers according to the Acte of Parliament made An. 31. H. 8. THe Lord Vicegerent shal be placed on the Bishops side aboue them all Then the Lord Chauncellour The Lord Treasorer The Lord President of the priuie Counsell The Lord Priuie seale These foure being of the degree of a Baron or aboue shall sit in the Parliament in all assemblies of Councell aboue Dukes not being of the blood Royall viz. The Kings brother Vncle or Nephewes c. And these sixe The Lord great Chamberlaine of England The Lord High Constable of England The Earle Marshall of England The Lord Admirall of England The Lord great Master of Steward of the Kings house The Lord Chamberlaine of the Kings houshold These sixe are placed in all assemblies of Councell after Lord priuie Seale according to their degrees and estates So that if he be a Baron to sit aboue all Barons and if he be an Earle aboue all Earles And so likewise the Kings principall Secretary being a Baron of the Parliament hath place aboue all Barons and if he be of higher degree he shall sit and be placed according thereunto Note If any of the Officers aboue mentioned be not of the degree of a Baron whereby he hath not power to assent or dissent in the high Court of Parliament then he or they are to sit on the vppermost Wolsacke in the Parliament chamber the one aboue the other in like order as is specified The Nobilitie Temporall are placed according to the auncientie of their seuerall creations and so are the Lords Spirituall sauing The Archbishop of Canterburie So placed of dignitie The Archbishop of Yorke Bishop of London So placed by Acte of Parliament Bishop of Durham Bishop of Winhcester The rest of the Bishops haue their places according to the senioritie of their seuerall consecrations And this for their placing in the Parliament house Howbeit when the Archbishop of Canterburie sitteth in his Prouinciall assembly he hath on his right hand the Archbishop of Yorke and next vnto him the Bishop of Winchester and on the left hand the Bishop of London But if it fall out that the Archbishop of Canterburie be not there by the vacation of his See then the Archbishop of Yorke is to take his place who admitteth the Bishop of London to his right hand and the Prelate of Winchester to his left the rest sitting as is before said as they are elders by consecration CHAP. 25. The Queenes Maiesties most royall proceeding in State from Somerset place to Pauls Church Ann. 1588. ON Sunday the 24. day of Nouember Anno 1588. our Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth rode with great solemnitie in her open chariot from Somerset house in the Strond to the Cathedrâ—l Church of S. Paul in London where at the West doore before her Maiesties entrance in there was prouided a rich Chaire of Estate and the ground being spred likewise with tapits her Maiestie kneeled downe against a deske couered with very Princely furniture and said the Lords prayer and then the Bishop of London in his Cope deliuered her a booke containing all the Orders Charters and Priuiledges belonging to the said Church which her Maiesty receiuing did confirme and redeliuer vnto the Bishop in the presence of all the Prebends and Churchmen who attended her Highnesse in very rich Copes and so with the whole Quire singing before her she proceeded vp into the Chancell where within a Trauers she rested vntill the Procession and other diuine Anthems were sung After which her Maiesty entred into the place ordained for the Duchie of Lancaster which at that time was newly reedified with faire and large glasse windowes in which she stayed during the Sermon preached at the Crosse by Doctor Perce then Bish. of Salisbury where with the whole assembly of the people she gaue God publicke thankes for that
triumphant and euer memorable victory ouer the Spanish Fleet proudly by them called Inuincible The Sermon beeing done her Maiestie went to the Bishops Palace and there dined and towards euening returned vnto Somerset place by torchlight Against her Highnes cōming in the morning the streets were railed and hung with Blew broad clothes for the seueral Companies in their Liueries to stand euery Company distinguished by Banners Standards and Penons of their Armes richly painted and illumined The Gentlemen of the Innes of Court likewise being placed nere Temple Bar stood orderly within their railes All the fronts of houses were couered with rich Arras and Tapistry and the windowes and streets replenished with all sorts of people innumerable who with great applause and ioyful acclamations both graced and honoured her Maiesties most Royall proceeding The Lord Mayor which was Alderman Calthrope deliuered his Sword to her Maiestie at Temple Barre who receiuing it gaue him a Mace or Scepter to beare and deliuered the Sword to the L. Marquesse of Winchester who bare it before her Highnesse all that day ¶ Here followeth the List or Roll of all Estates that were in this Princely proceeding according as they were then marshalled Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen Harbingers Seruants to Ambassadors Gentlemen Her Maiestics seruants Esquires Trumpets Sewers of the Chamber Gentlemen Huishers The sixe Clerkes of the Chancery Clerkes of Starre chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the Priuie Seale Clerkes of the Councel Chaplens hauing dignities as Deanes c. Masters of the Chancery Aldermen of London Knights Batchelers Knights Officers of the Admiralty The Iudge of the Admiraltie The Deane of the Arches The Soliciter and Attourney Generall Serieants at the Law The Queenes Serieants Barons of the Exchequer A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Common Pleas. A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Kings Bench. The L. chief Baron the L. chief Iustice of the Common pleas The Master of the Rols and the L. chiefe Iustice of the K. Bench. The Queenes Doctors of Physicke The Master of the Tents and the Master of the Reuels The Lieutenant of the Ordinance The Lieutenant of the Tower The Master of the Armorie Knights that had bene Ambassadors Knights that had beene Deputies of Ireland The Master of the great Wardrobe A Pursuy of Armes The Master of the lewel house A Pursuy of Armes Esquires for the Bodie and Gentlemen of the Priuie chamber Trumpets The Queenes Cloake Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquire Barons yonger sonnes Knights of the Bath Knights Bannerets Lancaster Vicounts yonger sonnes Yorke Barons eldest sonnes Earles yonger sonnes Vicounts eldest sonnes Secretaries of her Maiestie Knights of the Priuie Councel Sommerset Richmond Knights of the Garter Principal Secretarie Vicechamberlaine Comptroller and Treasurer of the houshold Barons of the Parliament Chester Bishops 〈◊〉 The Lord Chamberlaine of the house being Barons The Lord Admiral of England Marquesses yonger sonnes Earles eldest sonnes Vicounts Dukes yonger sonnes Marquesses eldest sonnes Norroy King of Armes Earles Dukes eldest sonnes Marquesses Dukes Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord high Treasurer of England The Archbishop of Yorke The Lord Chanceller of England The Archbishop of Canterbury The French Embassadour Garter King of Armes The Maior of London A Gent. Huisher of the Priuie Chamber The Queenes Maiestie in her Chariot Her Highnesse traine borne by the Marchionesse of Winchester The Palfrey of Honour led by the Master of the Horse The chiefe Lady of Honour All other Ladies of Honour The Captaine of the Guard Yeomen of the Guard CHAP. 26. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition BArtholus in his discourse de re Militari Duello diuideth men into three degrees viz. great personages aduanced to dignitie men of reputation without dignitie and common or ignoble persons Of whom Iac. Faber in his discourse vpon Aristotles politickes maketh nine sorts The first are husbandmen whose endeuor is employed about the fruits of the earth Secondly artificers occupied Arts either necessarie honest or pleasing Thirdly victualers retailers of wares and chapmen Fourthly Marriners and sea souldiers Fiftly Fishermen Sixtly Watermen and Ferrymen Seuenthly Masons and labourers in stone Eightly workemen of little substance and Labourers Lastly Bondmen and slaues Among common persons in euery Prouince or Towne the Gouernor or Captaine is of most reputation notwithstanding hee be of a common birth yet in some Cities the Maior or chiefe Iudge hath that chiefe honour and is superior to the military Officer but generally men in Office are of more reputation then others without office and Officers for life are preferred before Officers annuall or time certaine Data paritate in alijs Raynutius Note also that euery man during the time he beareth office is to be respected and honoured as Purpuratus writeth And to say summarily all wisemen hauing place of rule in any Prouince Citie or Towne must be preferred before others albeit they are aduanced aboue the measure of their vertue For no man is so euill but sometimes he doth well Laudabilia multa etiam mali faciunt Pli. Men married are euer to precede men vnmaried in pari dignitate And he who hath most children or lost the greater number in the warre of his Countrey is to be most honored Lex Iuli◠The like order ought be obserued among women maried in pari dignitate and in Rome maydens did anciently go before widdowes and wiues also and sonnes before their Fathers Men hauing land of inheritance are to precede other hauing none and Citizens that are housholders must be preferred before others hauing no habitation chiefly in such Cities and Townes where their Ancestors and families haue bene of continuance in reputation of marchandise or other possessions For next after Gentlemen and Magistrates they are to take place in pari dignitate Yet here is to be noted that if any Burgesse Marchant or other man of wealth doe happen to purchase a Barony yet ought he not be a Baron nor haue place among Barons Iac. Rabuff A father whose sonne beareth any Office shall giue place to his sonne in all publike meetings and seruices but in priuate affaires the order of nature ought be obserued and in domesticall conuersation the father shal goe and sit before the sonne Likewise a Bishop must doe reuerence vnto his father at home but being in the Church the father shal follow him So for diuers respects the one and the other is honoured Betwene two equals he that is in his owne iurisdiction shal precede as if an Archbishop or Cardinall doe come into the Diocesse of a Bishop notwithstanding they be persons of more dignity yet ought they giue honour vnto the Bishop because their presence doth not cancell his authority A Citizen or dweller of any chiefe City shall take place of other Inhabitants of meaner townes or cities when soeuer they meet in any place indifferent
and called Borgo di Santa Maria or Mareenburg where is now the chiefe Church appertaining to this Order there unto belongeth so great riches and reuenues as these Knights may both for men and money compare with diuers Princes This countrey of Prussia is great and much thereof bounded by the riuer of Vistola and is also confined by Sarmatia the Massagets and Polonia These Knights are also Lordes of Liuonia which was likewise by them brought to the faith of Christianitie is with Christians inhabited CHAP. 27. Knights of the Sepulchre THis Knighthood is now extinct or rather conioyned vnto the Order of Malta The Ensigne belonging to these Knights was two Red Crosses vnited CHAP. 28. Knights of S. Mary The habit of this Order was very pompous and thereupon a red Crosse wrought with gold round about They were specially inhibited to weare gold in their spurres and horse harnesse They made profession to fight against the Infidels and all others that offended iustice notwithstanding they liued euer at home in rest with their wiues and children They were commonly called Caualieri di Madona but because they liued continually in ease and pleasure men termed them Fratri gaudenti as much in our language as Good fellow brethren It may be some of them are yet extant CHAP. 29. Knights of S. Lazaro These Knights doe professe to be obedient vnto their great Master and other officers of the Order they promise also to liue chast or at the least continent and content with one wife Also to be charitable and liberall chiefely to poore people infected with leprosie Moreouer euery Knight promiseth to weare a greene Crosse and before they enter into this Knighthood must prooue himselfe to be borne in lawfull wedlocke and a Gentleman both by father and mother and to beare Armes Also that he is descended of ancient Christians and no Morrano or Turke That he hath of rent at the least 200 crownes wherewith to maintaine his dignitie That he and his auncestors haue euer liued as Gentlemen without vse of any base or mechanicall occupation That he hath not bene suspected of any notable euill fact or is defamed for any vice That he be not indebted nor is wedded to any widowe or hath had more then one wife But besides these passable protestations he must vndertake to say fiue and twentie Pater nosters and so many Aue Marias with other superstitious things not worthy the writing This Order hath of late time bene much fauoured by the Dukes of Sauoy CHAP. 30. Knights of S. Stephano The Statutes annexed to this Order are not vnlike to those appertayning to the order of Malta sauing that these haue libertie to marrie The chiefe place of their resiance is the citie of Pisa where the Duke prepared them a Church and builded for them a pallace wherein to lodge And because neere to that Citie is a Hauen fit to receiue the Gallies wherin these Knights should serue it seemed good to that Prince to settle them there The Duke himselfe and his successors is Great master of this Order and vnder him are diuers other Officers of reputation This is the last Order or degree of Knights that I haue seene or read of THE THIRD BOOKE Concerning Combat for life Iusts Turnements Triumphes and Inaugurations of Emperours Kings and Princes The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of particular Combats with their original Ca. 1. Whether Combats may be iustly permitted Ca. 2. When and how Combats were in vse Cap. 3. What exceptions or repulses may mooue the defendors to refuse the Combat Cap. 4. Whether a man of meane qualitie may chalenge his superior Cap. 5. What sorts of men may not be admitted to trial of Armes 6. Who was anciently accompted victorious in Combat Cap. 7. What was anciently due vnto such men as were victorious in publique Combat Cap. 8. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen Cap. 9. Of the qualitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes Cap. 10. Of Armes offensiue and defensiue Cap. 11. Of the Election of weapons Cap. 12. Certaine questions opinions and iudgements vpon accidents in triall and exercise of Armes Cap. 13. Of honour gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and sundry peeces Cap. 14. Of honour gained or lost by hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or triumph Cap. 15. Of Combats ancient Cap. 16. The order of Combats for life in England anciently recorded in the Office of Armes Cap. 17. Of Triumphes ancient and moderne Cap. 18. Of Triumphes and their Originall Cap. 19. Of the maner of Triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher Cap. 20. Of the diuers qualitie of Triumphes in Rome Cap. 21. In what Order the Romanes triumphed Cap. 22. Of other furniture and pompe appertayning to Triumphes in Rome Cap. 23. Of the Triumphal going of Darius to meet Alexander the great Cap. 24. The Triumphal entry of Xerxes K. of Persia into Greece yet afterward forced for feare to flie into his owne kingdome Cap. 25. Of Triumphes in Germanie Cap. 26. Of Triumphes at the enteruiew of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Frederick Barbarosa at Venice Anno Dom. 1166. Cap. 27. An admirable Triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cypres Anno 1366. Cap. 28. A Triumph in the raigne of King Richard the second Anno 1590. Cap. 29. A Triumphal passage of Charles the v. Emperor through France Anno 1540. Cap. 30. A triumphal entrie of Philip Prince of Spaine at Millan Anno 1548. Cap. 31. A Military chalenge in Italy Anno 1555. Cap. 32. Of triumphal challenges in France Cap. 32. Of one other Military action betweene fiue English gentlemen and fiue French Cap. 34. An other like action Cap. 35. An other chalenge of a French gentleman in Spaine Cap. 36. An other notable challenge in France Anno 1390. Cap. 37. An other most noble challenge Cap. 38. The triumphant interuiew of the Kings of England and France Anno 1519. Cap. 39. A triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. Cap. 40. A Militarie triumph at Brussels Anno 1549. Cap. 41. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italie Anno 773. Cap. 42. Carolus Magnus Inauguration being made Emperour Anno 1800. Cap. 43. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie the tenth Cap. 44. The Inauguration of Henry the fourth King of England Anno 1399. Cap. 45. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes Anno 1380. Cap. 46. At the Inauguration of King Henry the thirde French King three notable things obserued Cap. 47. The Inauguration of Charles the fift Cap. 48. Ceremonies appertaining to the deliuery of Prizes at Iusts and Turnements Cap. 49. Of Iusts and Turnements and how the Accidents in such exercises are iudged in the kingdome of Naples Cap. 50. Iusts and Turnements how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester high Constable of England in the Raigne of King Edward the 4. Cap. 51. Triumphes Military for honour and loue of
Ladies brought before the Kings of England Cap. 52. A triumph before King Edward the third A triumph before King Edward the fourth A triumph before King Henry the sixt A triumph before King Henry the seuenth A triumph before King Henry the eight Of like Actions in Armes since the Raigne of Queene Elizabeth Cap. 53. The Originall occasions of yeerely Triumphes in England Cap. 54. The Authors conclusion The Prooeme ALbeit in ages more ancient Princes were sometimes pleased to admit priuate Combate and triall by armes yet euen then the lawes determined that no man of base calling could be allowed to fight with any Gentleman or other person by long seruice or vertue become Noble It behoueth therefore to know what Nobilitie and Gentilitie is Be therefore enformed that Nobilitie is as some haue defined it ancient riches accompanied with vertuous qualities Others affirme that riches being of their owne nature vile cannot make men Noble concluding that vertue alone sufficeth Bartholus sayth that vertue onely maketh a man Noble and riches is an ornament thereof Others doe thinke that Nobilitie proceedeth from the ancient honor fame and title of Predecessors because other wise a bondman being vertuous might challenge that honour Some also haue thought that as before God he is most Noble and worthy vnto whom he hath giuen most grace euen so is he most Honourable among men whom Princes or lawes haue aduanced vnto dignitie Howsoeuer it be most sure it is that no man giueth vnto himselfe any title but it behooueth him to receiue it from others Therefore Bartholus concludeth that to be made Noble it is requisite the Prince should bestow some sort of dignitie office or title vpon the person that is ennobled to the end he may be knowne from other men But our opinion is that men may be reputed Noble by three meanes First by nature or descent of Ancestors which is the vulgar opinion Secondly for vertue onely which the Philosophers affirme Thirdly by mixture of Auncient Noble blood with vertue which is indeed the true and most commendable kind of Nobilitie For seeing man is a creature reasonable hee ought be Noble in respect of his owne vertue and not the vertue of others which moued Vlysses to say vnto Aiax boasting of Ancestors Et genus Proauos quae non fecimus ipsi Vix ea nostra voco c. But for manifestation that naturall Nobilitie mixed with vertue is most true and perfect thus may it be prooued The Almighty hath created all things both in generalitie and specialitie with a certaine excellencie and bountie one more perfect then the other one noble another ignoble For among stones some are precious others of no vertue of the better sort of them some more or lesse precious Euen so among liuing creatures both in generality specialitie we find some courteous and gentle others rude and vnciuill Much more is the difference of nature in men among whom the eternall God hath dispensed his grace to some more and to some lesse according to his diuine will and pleasure VVherefore they seeme to erre much that thinke Gentility in nature hath no force when experience proueth that of one race we see wise iust valiant and temperate persons Yet because in ordinarie obseruation we finde that neither the horse of excellent courage doth alwayes beget another of like qualitie nor that the vertuous man hath euer children resembling himselfe we doe not hauing proofe of their degeneration esteeme the one or the other as Iuuenal sayth Malo Pater tibi sit Thersites dummodo tu sis Aeacidae similis Vulcaniaque arma capessas Quà m te Thersitae similem producat Achilles Seeing then that either by nature nurture or endeuour some men are more vertuous then others therefore ought they bee reputed more Gentle Noble and worthy honour then are those which are void of noble Ancestors good education and industrie No rule is so generall or certaine but sometime receiueth exception Yet appeareth it that Nature in her owne operation doth seldome digresse from the order thereof The Faulcon neuer or very rarely bringeth forth other bird then a Faulcon The Greyhound engendereth a whelpe like vnto himselfe Neuerthelesse if either that bird in shape resembling her Dame hath not in her like vertue or that whelpe doth prooue in delight diuers from his Sire they thereby become either contemned or little esteemed Euen so is it among men descending from Ancestors of honour and vertue for if neither by celestiall grace nurture nor endeuour they aspire vnto the habite of vertue then become they thereby vnfit for all publike action vnprofitable to themselues and consequently disdained or at the least lightly regarded what Pedigree Armes or Badges soeuer are to warrant their Ancient Nobilitie VVherefore estsoones concluding I say with the Poet Tota licèt veteres exornent vndique cerae Atria nobilitas sola est atque vnica virtus Paulus aut Cossus aut Drusus moribus esto Hos ante effigies maiorum pone tuorum Praecedant ipsas illi te consule virgas Dic mihi Teucrorum proles animalia muta Quis generosa putet nisi fortia nempe volucrem Sic laudamus equum facili cui plurima palma Feruet exultat rauco victoria circo Nobilis hic quocunque venit de gramine cuius Clara fuga antè alios primus in aequore puluis CHAP. 1. Of particular Combats with their Originall THe Graecians called a priuat fight Monomachia and the Law Ciuil Duellum as it were the fight of two persons The first vse thereof was among the Mantineians in Greece where they that entred into such Combats did for the most part appeare in pompous apparell with feathers and other ornaments of great magnificence Those fighters also vsed Emblemes and Emprezes This kinde of fight seemeth very ancient for Homer and Virgil make thereof mention CHAP. 2. ¶ Whether Combats may iustly be permitted THe Popes of Rome haue long since inhibited all Combats The Lawes Ciuile also doe seeme to reiect that kind of triall Yet is it reasonable that a martiall man iustly challenged should without offence appeare in the field and with sword in hand defend his honour for by law of Nations it is lawfull he may so doe Yet ought he not without licence to fight within his owne Princes dominion if without losse of reputation he may doe otherwise And in the Romane state without the Magistrates allowance the law did absolutely forbid such fight Therfore as without licence combat was vnlawfull in Rome so was it with the Princes permission auowable for by such warrant Valerius Coruinus Marcus Torquatus and others did fight We reade also that Princes themselues contending for kingdomes by that meane to auoid effusion of blood haue determined their right wherof we haue ancient examples as the combat of Charles Duke of Anioy and Peter of Arragon contending for the Isle of Sicil of Corbis Osua brethren vpon their title to Carthage of
fell to the ground after the Combattants did enter into the Lists aswell from the Challenger as the Defender But all the rest appertained to the partie victorious whether he were Challenger or Defender The Barres Posts Railes and euery other part of the Lists were also the fees of the Marshall Certaine Combats granted by the Kings of England EDmund of the race of West Saxons fought in Combat with Canutus King of Denmark for the possession of the Crowne of England In which fight both the Princes being weary by consent parted the land betwixt them Anno 1016. Robert Mountfort accused Henry of Essex of treason affirming that hee in a iourney toward Wales neere vnto Colshill threw away the Kings Standerd saying the King was dead and turned backe those that went to the Kings succour Henry denied the accusation so as the matter was to bee tried by Combat The place appointed for fight was a little Isle neere vnto Reding In this Combat Henry was vaquished and fell downe dead and at the sute of friends license was obteined that his body might be buried by the Monks of Reding But it happened that the said Henry recouered and became a Monke in that Abbey Anno 1163. In the raigne of King Henry the second Henry duke of Hereford accused Thomas Mowbray duke of Norfolke of certaine words by him spoken as they rode betweene London and Braineford tending vnto the Kings dishonour Thomas duke of Norfolke denied to haue spoken any such word but Henry affirming his accusation the King granted the Combat to be performed at Couentry the seuenth of September 1398. Anno Rich. 2. but the combat was not performed for th' one and th' other party was banished the Realme A combat was fought at Westminster in the Kings presence betweene Iohn Ansley Knight and Thomas Catrington Esquier whom the said Knight had accused of treason for selling the castle of S. Sauiours which the Lord Chandos had builded in the Isle of Constantine in France In which combat the Knight was victorious Anno 1374. Rich. 2. A combat was granted vnto an Esquier borne in Nauar to fight with an English Esquier called Iohn Welsh whom the Nauarrois accused of Treason But the true cause of the Nauarrois his malice was that the said Welsh had dishonoured his wife as being vanquished he confessed The King gaue sentence he should be drawne and hanged Anno 1344. Rich. 2. A combat was fought betweene sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the thirde blow giuen the King stayed the fight Anno 1441. Henrici 6. A combat was granted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cypres and Thomas de la Marsh Bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of king Edward the third at Westminster CHAP. 18. Of Triumphs Ancient and Moderne TRiumphs haue bene commonly vsed at the Inauguration and Coronation of Emperors Kings and Princes at their Mariages Entry of cities Enteruiewes Progresses and Funerals Those pompous shewes were first inuented and practised by the Romanes whom dâ—uers other Princes haue imitated though hard it was and happily impossible for any Prince to equal them in magnificence Yet reade we may that Xerxes Darius and Alexander the great were Princes of marueilous puissance and for triumphs admirable Howsoeuer those matters were handled certein it is that albeit our Princes of Europe in respect of Christian religion doe in some sort contemne excesse of Mundane glory yet haue they euer liued royally and at occasions triumphed with princely honour and greatnes according to the measure of their Empires as shall hereafter appeare But first we haue thought good to speake of Romane Triumphs and briefly to touch in what order they triumphed for to report them at large were a labour almost infinite CHAP. 19. Of Triumphes and their originall VArro saith That Princes and great Captaines being returned to Rome with victory were allowed to passe with their armie through the citie vnto the Capitall singing Io. Triumphe Io. Triumphe The first inuentour of Triumphes was Liber Pater as Pliny saith Yet certaine it is and so by lawe prouided that no man should be admitted to Triumph vnlesse he had vanquished full fiue thousand enemies Cato and Martius Tribunes of the people by law also decreed that who so vntruely reported the enterprize he had done should incurre punishement Therefore entring into the citie euery Triumpher did first come before the Questors and deliuer his actions in writing and sweare they were true It was likewise by law prouided and by custome also obserued that only for recouery of dominion no man should bee permitted to triumph Which was the cause that neither Publius Scipio for the recouery of Spaine not Marcus Marcellus for taking of Syracusa were suffered to triumph The first that imitated Liber Pater in triumphing was Titus Tatius when he triumphed for victory of the Sabini yet was that no full triumph but as they called it Ouante because his victorie was not great and without blood For the same reason the crowne he ware was made of Myrtel which euer after was the crowne of all Captains that triumphed for victories of meane reputation In that age also it was vnlawfull for any man to triumph vnlesse he were a Dictator a Consull or a Praetor Therefore L. Lentulus being Proconful although he had performed great seruices in Spaine yet was he not admitted to enter Rome but Ouante Afterwards Scipio most instantly required to triumph hauing deserued great glory but till that time no man without office had triumphed Likewise C. Manlius by the base people elected the first Dictator by their commandement also without allowance of the Patritij did triumph And Gneus Pompeius a Gentleman Romaine before he was of age to be Consull triumphed twise Another law or custome there was that no Captaine might triumph vntill he had brough backe the armie and therewith also deliuered the country of his charge quiet into the hand of his successour For Lucius Manlius the Consull hauing effected great victories in Spaine was in the Hall of Bellona denied to triumph because the countrey where he commanded was not in peace as Liuie reporteth CHAP. 20. The maner of triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher in Rome THe Prince or Captaine that triumphed was euer drawen in a chariot as appeareth by the Arke Triumphall of Titus and Vespatian and likewise by that of L. Verus Antoninus made of marble yet extant in Rome This Arke was drawen by foure white horses Others vsed in their chariots white Buls or Elephants As Pompei triumphing of Affrica had in his chariot Elephants onely But Caesar surpassing all others in pompe was drawen by forty Elephants and in the day time conducted to the Capitoll with torches when he triumphed ouer the Galli Some writers haue said that the Emperour Aurelianus was drawen with foure Harts or Stags and being come to the Capitoll he caused them all to be slaine and sacrificed to Iupiter Optimus Maximus
desiring both to honour her and please himselfe with her presence conuited all noble Ladies to behold a triumph at London to be there performed by the Nobles and Gentlemen of his Court This intention his Maiestie did command to be proclaimed in Fraunce Henault Flanders Brabant and other places giuing Passeport and secure abode to all noble strangers that would resort into England That done he sent vnto al Princes Lords and Esquiers of the Realme requiring that they with their wiues daughters and cosins should at the day appointed appeare at his Court. To this feast came William Earle of Henault and Iohn his brother with many Barons and Gentlemen The triumph continued 15. dayes and euery thing succeeded well had not Iohn the sonne and heire of Vicount Beaumount bene there slaine In this triumph also appeared the Earle of Lancaster and Henry his son The Earle of Darby The Lord Robert of Artoys The Erle of Richmount The Earle of Northampton The Earle of Glocester The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Salisbury The Earle of Pembroke The Earle of Hartford The Earle of Arundel The Earle of Cornewall The Earle of Norffolke The Earle of Suffolke The Baron of Stafford with others In the raigne of the same King Edward a Royall Iust was holden at Lincolnâ— by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certaine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Lady Ioane daughter to the King who should haue bene married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died A triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles de Valoys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno 1349. In Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thither came also noble persons of other Nations and Spaniards Cipriots Armenians who at that time humbly desired aide against Pagans An. 1361. A triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthony Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgundie Anno 1444. A triumph before King Henry the sixt ONe other notable Action of Armes was personally performed in Smithfield betweene a Gentleman of Spaine called Sir Francis le Arogonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honour from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him Triumphs before King Henry the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Vaughan was hurt and died 1494. One other triumph was in the same Kings daies performed in the Tower of London Anno 1502. Triumphs before King Henry the eight BVt farre exceeding all these was that magnificent Iust and Tournament at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henry the eight of England and Francis the French King who chusing vnto them fourteen others did challenge to run at the Tilt and fight both at the Tourney and Barrier with all commers The Challengers were the King of England the French King the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Ierningham Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland and Sir Giles Capel with these were so many other French Gentlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thither came Mounsieur Vandosme the Earle of Deâ—onshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euery of them bringing in a faire band of Knights well armed This most noble challenge of these two mighty Kings accompanied with fourteene other Knights of either nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King at Armes in England France and Germanie Anno 12 Henrici 8. One other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet and Edward Neuel Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Caeur Loyal the Lord William Bon Voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Valiant desire and Edward Neuil Ioyâ—us Pensier The Defenders were THe Lord Gray Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blunt Thomas Cheyney Thomas Terrel Christopher Willoughby the Lord Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquesse Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshirâ— Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Caeur Loyal and among the Defenders to Edmond Howard Another solemne Challenge was proclaimed and perfourmed by certaine English Knights viz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seimor Sir Francis Poynings Sir George Carew Anthony Kingston and Richard Cromwel Anno 1540. Another action of Armes published in the Chamber of Presence at VVestminster by a King of Armes 25. of Nouember in the 1. and 2. of P. and M. FOrasmuch as euer it hath bene a custome that to the Courts of Kings and great Princes Knights and Gentlemen of diuers Nations haue made their repaire for the triall of Knighthood and exercise of Armes And knowing this Royall Court of England to bee replenished with as many noble Knights as any kingdome in the world at this day It seemeth good to Don Fredericke de Toledo the Lord Strange Don Ferdinando de Toledo Don Francisco de Mendoca and Garsulace de la Vega That seeing here in this place better then in any other they may shew the great desire that they haue to serue their Ladies by the honorable aduentures of their persons They say that they will maintaine a fight on foot at the Barriers with footmens harnesse three pushes with a pike seuen strokes with a sword in the place appointed before the Court gate on Tuesday the 4. day of December from the twelfth houre of the day vntill fiue at night against all commers Praying the Lords the Earle of Arundell the Lord Clinton Gartilapez de Padilla and Don Pedro de Cordoua that they would be Iudges of this Triumph for the better performance of the conditions following First that he which commeth forth most gallantly without wearing on himselfe or furniture any golde or siluer fine or counterfeit wouen embroidered or of goldsmiths worke shall haue a rich Brooch He that striketh best with a Pike shall haue a Ring with a Rubie He that fighteth best with a Sword shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that fighteth most valiantly when they ioyntly fight together shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that giueth a stroke with a Pike from the girdle downeward or vnder the Barrier shall winne no prize Hee that shall haue a close gantlet or any thing to fasten his Sword to his hand shall winne no
King the Prince of D' Aufine the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Leicester the Count S. Aignon Mounsieur Chamuallon and Mounsieur Bacqueuile were Challengers The Defenders were THe Lord Thomas Howard Sir William Russell Mounsieur Brunis Mounsieur S. Vincent Sir Thomas Cecill Henry Gray Iohn Borough Lord Windsor Walter Windsor Le Boylere Le Cheualaier Ambrose Willoughbie Sir William Drury Thomas Radcliffe Lord Sheffeeld Robert Gray Rafe Lane George Carew Fulke Greuill William Knowles Francis Knowles Thomas Bedingfeild Thomas Kneuet Lord Darcy Anthonie Mildmay Rafe Stauerton Launcelot Bostock George Beeston William Worthington Thomas Kellaway Sir George Carey Rafe Bowes Henry Windsor Iohn Wotton George Goring Edward Moore George Gifford Thomas Borough Anthony Cooke Hercules Meutas Richard Skipwith Henrie Bronkard Iohn Parker Francis Darcy Iohn Tirrell They are not here placed according to their degrees but as they were called to fight and with such titles as they then had After these particular Triumphes we may not forget the ordinary exercises of Armes yeerely vsed in memory of the applause of her Maiesties Subiects at the day of her most happy ascension to the crowne of England In which Actions diuers chiefe Lords and Gentlemen of the Realme and some strangers also appeared though indeede the greatest number and in effect all were ordinary attendants vpon her Maiesties Court. CHAP. 54. The Originall occasions of the yeerely Triumphs in England HEre will we remember also and I hope without enuie so may that these annuall exercises in Armes solemnized the 17. day of Nouember were first begun and occasionaed by the right vertuous and honourable Sir Henry Lea Master of her Highnesse Armorie and now deseruingly Knight of the most noble Order who of his great zeale and earnest desire to eternize the glory of her Maiesties Court in the beginning of her happy reigne voluntarily vowed vnlesse infirmity age or other accident did impeach him during his life to present himselfe at the Tilt armed the day aforesayd yeerely there to performe in honor of her sacred Maiestie the promise he formerly made Whereupon the Lords and Gentlemen of the sayd Court incited by so worthy an example determined to continue that custome and not vnlike to the ancient Knighthood della Banda in Spaine haue euer since yerely assembled in Armes accordingly though true it is that the Author of that custome being now by age ouertaken in the 33. yeere of her Maiesties reigne resigned and recommended that office vnto the right noble George Earle of Cumberland The ceremonies of which assignation were publiquely performed in presence of her Maiestie her Ladies and Nobilitie also an infinite number of people beholding the same as followeth On the 17. day of Nouember Anno 1590. this honourable Gentleman together with the Earle of Cumberland hauing first performed their seruice in Armes presented themselues vnto her Highnesse at the foot of the staires vnder her Gallery window in the Tilt yard at Westminster where at that time her Maiestie did sit accompanied with the Vicount Turyn Ambassador of France many Ladies and the chiefest Nobilitie Her Maiesty beholding these armed Knights comming toward her did suddenly heare a musicke so sweete and secret as euery one thereat greatly marueiled And hearkening to that excellent melodie the earth as it were opening there appeared a Pauilion made of white Taffata containing eight score elles being in proportion like vnto the sacred Temple of the Virgins Vestall This Temple seemed to consist vpon pillars of Pourferry arched like vnto a Church within it were many Lampes burning Also on the one side there stood an Altar couered with cloth of gold and thereupon two waxe candles burning in rich candlesticks vpon the Altar also were layd certaine Princely presents which after by three Virgins were presented vnto her Maiestie Before the doore of this Temple stood a crowned Pillar embraced by an Eglantine tree whereon there hanged a Table and therein written with letters of gold this prayer following Elizae c. PIae Potenti Foelicissimae virgini Fidei Pacis Nobilitatis vindici Cui Deus Astra Virtus Summa deuouerunt omnia Post tot Annos tot Triumphos Animam ad pedes positurus Tuos Sacra Senex affixit Arma. Vitam quetam Imperium famam Aeternam aeternam precatur tibi Sanguine redempturus suo Vltra columnas Herculis Columna moueatur Tua Corona superet Coronas omnes vt quam coelum foelicissime nascenti Coronam dedit Beatissima moriens reportes coelo Summe Sancte Aeterne Audi exaudi Deus The musicke aforesayd was accompanied with these verses pronounced and sungs by M. Hales her Maiesties seruant a Gentleman in that Arte excellent and for his voice both commendable and admirable My golden locks time hath to siluer turnd Oh time too swift and swiftnes neuer ceasing My youth gainst age and age at youth hath spurnd But spurnd in vaine youth waineth by encreasing Beauty strength and youth flowers fading beene Duety faith and loue are rootes and euer greene My Helmet now shall make an hiue for Bees And louers songs shall turne to holy Psalmes A man at Armes must now sit on his knees And feed on pray'rs that are old ages almes And so from Court to Cottage I depart My Saint is sure of mine vnspotted hart And when I sadly sit in homely Cell I 'le teach my Swaines this Carrol for a song Blest be the hearts that thinke my Souereigne well Curs'd be the soules that thinke to doe her wrong Goddesse vouch safe this aged man his right To be your Beadsman now that was your Knight The gifts which the Vestall maydens presented vnto her Maiesty were these A vaile of white exceeding rich and curiously wrought a cloke and safegard set with buttons of gold and on them were grauen Emprezes of excellent deuise in the loope of euery button was a noble mans badge fixed to a pillar richly embrodered And here by way of digression let vs remember a speech which this noble Gentleman vsed at such time as these buttons were set vpon the garment aforesaid I would quoth he that all my friends might haue bene remembred in these buttons but there is not roome enough to containe them all and if I haue them not all then said hee those that are left out may take exception Whereunto another standing by answered Sir let as many be placed as can be and cause the last button to be made like the Caracter of c. Now Godamercie with all my heart quoth the Knight for I would not haue giuen the Caetera of my friends for a milion of gold But to returne to the purpose These presents and prayer being with great reuerence deliuered into her Maiesties owne hands and he himselfe disarmed offered vp his armour at the foot of her Maiesties crowned pillar and kneeling vpon his knees presented the Earle of Cumberland humbly beseeching she would be pleased to accept him for her Knight to continue the yeerely exercises aforesaid Her Maiesty
the more rich they were the more they were esteemed Among the Grecians there was not anciently any meane to be aduanced but only by the Emperours seruice wherein whosoeuer did continue any time were he neuer so basely borne should notwithstanding be made a Gentleman The Egyptians and Affyrians would not admit any man to haue the title of a Gentleman vnlesse he were a souldier and skilfull in Militarie affaires The rest of the people liued as slaues without reputation The Tartarians and Muscouites doe holde no man worthy the name of a Gentleman vnlesse he be a man of Armes a Captaine or at the least a souldier of extraordinary account For learning is there of no price CHAP. 19. Of Kingdomes and how Kings are to precede according to the Councell of Constance in the time of King Henry the fift WE reade that anciently the greatest and most noble Kings of the world were these viz. The King of Sycionia the King Egypt and the King of Assyria but of them that of Assyria of greatest power For Ninus the sonne of Belus had conquered and brought to his obedience all the people of Asia India excepted Others affirme hee commaunded the one halfe of the world and some say he was King of a third part So writeth S. Augustine li. 17. cap. 17. de ci Dei It is likewise by other writers said that in ancient time were foure mighty Kingdomes by Daniel compared to foure mettals viz That of Assyrians in the East was likened vnto gold that of the Persians and Medians to siluer that of the North Regions to brasse that of the Romans in the West to yron But the kingdomes of the East were most honourable though at length it pleased God that the Empire of Rome resembled to yron both in longitude and latitude exceeded all others For as yron doth cut and decrease all other mettals so the dominion and power of Romanes abased and eclipsed all other Regall puissance Howsoeuer that were the glory and greatnesse of the Romane force in tract of time did also become of small force weake and feeble according to the prophesie of Daniel ca. 2. But leauing to speake more of times so ancient we say that in Asia the chiefe Kingdomes are Catai Tharses Turnester Corasina India Persia Media Georgia Syria Cappadocia Ethinia c. In Affrica is Ethiopia Libya Arabia Iudea Cilicia Mauritania Numidia and others In Europe are likewise many kingdomes but of them these are most potent viz. England France Scotland Spaine Portugal Denmark Moscouia Sweden Poland c. Now touching the Precedence of these Princes in Europe by diuers writers it is affirmed that the King of France may iustly claime the chiefe place First for that it pleased God to send from heauen vnto Clodoueus the first Christian King of that Nation three Lilies as a Diuine fauour to be from thenceforth borne in the Armes of that kingdome before which time the Kings Armes was three Toades Secondly they alleage that France is the most ancient kingdome of Europe and that Suardus was King of that Nation in the raigne of Alexander Thirdly because the King of France is anointed which indeed seemeth a marke of much preeminence Fourthly for that the French King beareth the title of Most Christian. Lastly because it hath been in sundry papall Consistories decreed that the Ambassadours of France should precede the Ambassadors of Spaine Others hold that Precedencie appertaineth to the King of Spaine First for that he is entituled The most Catholique King Secondly because he is King of many kingdomes and consequently of most honour according to the prouerbe of Sal. In mulitudine populi dignitas regis which reason Salust seemeth also to confirme saying Maxima gloria in maximo Imperio But we say the chiefe place of honour and Precedencie in Europe appertaineth to the King of England First in respect of ancienty For albeit Alexander first King of the Grecians and of Persia called himselfe King of the world euen at that time Brutus was King of England and as some haue sayd Suardus was then King of France But Gaquinus in his Chronicle of France maketh no mention thereof not recordeth his name among the number of French Kings Secondly the king of England is anointed and so is no other king but the French King the King of Sicil and the King of Ierusalem Thirdly the King of England is crowned which honour the King of Spaine Portugal Aragon Nauarra and many other Princes haue not Fourthly the King of England is a Prince most absolute as from whom is no appellation either in iurisdiction Ecclesiastical or Ciuil And albeit Enqueranus Monstellet writeth that in the yeere 1420. at the Interuiew of the Kings of England and France making their entrie into the Citie of Paris the French King did ride on the right hand and kissed the Relikes of Saints first Yet is that no proofe of his right in precedence for Quilibet rex seu Princeps in suo regno in culmine sedere debet so saith Corsetus de potestate Regia And admit that in time more ancient the Kings of France had precedence before England yet since the Conquest famous victories of Henry the fift and Coronation of Henry the sixt in Paris the Kings of England may iustly take place neither is the title of most Christian any proofe of ancienty being only an honour giuen for certein seruices done by King Pepin and Charlemaine to the Church of Rome As for the allegation of Spaine affirming that the King Catholike is owner of many kingdomes and therefore of most honor that reason is of no consequence For so is also the King of England whose only kingdome of England is by nature inexpugnable and so plentifully peopled as sufficeth not onely to defend it selfe against all other Nations but also to inuade and conquer as both Spaine and France hath made experience But the last and most effectuall reason in fauour of England is that the King and people thereof receiued the Gospell and faith Christian before France or Spaine Also the Bishops with the Ambassadours English had precedence in the greatest general Councels of Christendome as particularly appeared at the Councell of Constance where the Bishops of England were present and honoured accordingly At which time it was doubted whether Spaine should be admitted a nation but in the end the Spaniards were allowed for the fift and last nation And al the people there assembled were diuided into fiue classes or rankes viz. Germanes French English Italians and Spaniards The Germane ranke contained themselues Bohemia Hungaria Polonia Dalmatia Graecia and Croatia The French had place alone as a nation absolute To the English Nation Scotland Norway Denmark Sweden and Cyprus were adioyned The Italians had all the Kingdomes subiect to Rome Sicily Naples and Argier With the Spaniards were the Ambassadors and Bishops of Castilia Arragon Maiorca Nauarra Portugall and Granado This assembly contained the Legates and Ambassadors of 83. Kings Besides