he confessed The King gaue sentence he should bee drawne and hanged Anno. 1384. Regni Rich. 2. A Combat was fought betweene Sir Richard Wooduile and one other Knight borne in Spaine After the third blowe giuen the King staied the fight Anno 1441. Regni Henr. 6. A Combat was graunted vnto Iohn Viscount borne in Cipres and Thomas de la Marshe bastard sonne vnto Philip King of France in the raigne of King Edward the 3. at Westminster Certaine Combats for Triumph Honor and Loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England CAP. 11. IN the former Chapter wee made mention of the Ceremonies appertaining to Combats for life as they were ancientlie vsed Nowe I thinke fit for the furniture of this worke brieflie to remember some speciall exercises of Armes brought before the Princes of this realme for Honor and loue of Ladies onlie and among the rest as actions most worthie memorie wee will touch certeine particular Combats or as they are commonlie called Triumphs Iusts and Turniaments performed before our present Soueraigne Queene Elizabeth a Prince of so great magnanimitie and wisedome as by imitation of her most noble and princelie vertues the Court of England both for Armes and learning hath in her raigne excelled all others Triumphs before King Edward the third IN the raigne of King Edward the third a royall Iust was holden at Lincoln by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certeine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Ladie Ioane daughter to the King who should haue been married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died Anno. 1348. 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 Valloys 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 Thether came also noble persons of other Nations as Spaniards Ciâ—riots and Armenians humblie desiring aide against the Pagans Anno 1361. A Triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthonie Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgondie Anno. 1444. A Triumph before King Henrie the sixt ONe other notable action of Armes was persosonallie performed in Smithfield betweene a Knight of Spaine called Sir Francis le Aragonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honor 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 The memorie of which action remaineth with Master Garter principall King of Armes Triumphs before King Henrie the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne Triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Váughan was hurt and died 1494. ONe other Triumph was in the same Kings dayes performed in the Tower of London Anno. 1502. Triumphes before King Henrie the eight BVt farre exceeding al these was that magnificent Iusts Turniments at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henrie the eight of England K. Frances the French King who choosing vnto them xiiij others did challenge to runne at the Tylt and fight at the Turney and Barrier with all commers The Chalengers were The King of England the King of France the Duke of Suffolke the Marquis Dorcet Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Iernegan Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland Sir Giles Capell with these were so manie other French GeÌ„tlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thether came Monsieur de Vandosme the Earle of Deuonshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euerie of theÌ„ bringing in a faire Band of Knights well armed This most noble Challenge of these two mightie Kings accompanied with xiiij other Knights of either Nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King of Armes in England France Germanie Anno 12 Hen. 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 Edward Neuell Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Cuer loyal the Lord William Bon voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Vailliant desir and Edward Neuill Ioyous penser Defenders were The Lord Grey Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blont Thomas Cheyney Thomas Tyrrell Sir Rowland Christopher Willoughby the L. Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquis Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshire 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 Cuer Loyall among the Defenders to Edmond Howard ANother solempne Challenge was proclaimed and performed by certaine English Knights vz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seymour Sir Francis Poinings Sir George Carew Anthonie Kingston and Richard Cromwell Anno. 1540. Of like Actions in Armes sith her Maiesties Raigne these doo seeme most notable as appeareth by the memorialls of M. Clarentieux a Gentleman verie diligent in her Maiesties seruice and carefull to obserue things to the Honor of her Maiesties Court. ONE solempne Iust Turniment and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norfolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwicke the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scrope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers and with great honour answered all Commers The Defenders names are not extant A Royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard Sir Henrie Lee and Christopher Hatton The Defenders were The Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seymour Edward Harbart Sir George Carie Thomas Cicill Henrie Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henrie Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkelcy Thomas Kneuet William Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Lancelot Bostocke Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliams Thomas Bedingfield Thomas Moore William Worthington Richard Blunt Thomas Conyngesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three daies The first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barriers On euerie of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a Prize for the receiuing whereof they were particularlie led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The Prize at the Tilt on the Defenders partie was giuen vnto Henrie Grey At the Turney vnto the L. Henrie Seymor at the Barriers vnto Thomas Cicill Before them went Clarentieux king of armes in his rich coate of Armes This magnificent Combat was performed Anno 1571. AN honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his Assistant Sir William Drewrie challenged all commers Anno 1580
of the weapon cap. 7. How manie waies victorie is gained cap. 8. What was ancientlie due vnto such as were victorious in publique Combat cap. 9. The third Booke WHat sortes of men ought not bee admitted in triall of Armes cap. 1. Whether a Bastard may challenge a Gentleman to Combat cap. 2. Of restitution of Honor. cap. 3. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen cap. 4. Of Iniurie done with aduantage cap. 5. Of Iniuries euill offered cap. 6. Of Satisfaction cap. 7. What satisfaction is to bee giuen vppon an Iniurie by deedes cap. 8. Other meanes of Pacification and composition cap. 9. Of satisfaction to be giuen vpon words cap. 10. How the giuing of satisfaction is a thing not reproachfull cap. 11. The fourth Booke OF Nobilitie accompanied with great dignitie cap. 1. Whether a King may challenge an Emperour to Combat cap. 2. Whether a quarrell betweene two Emperours may be decided by particular Combat cap. 3. Of the equalitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and of the priuiledges due vnto all men professing Armes cap. 4. Certeine Questions Opinions and Iudgements vpon accidents happening in trialls and exercises of Armes cap. 5. Of the honor gained or lost by being disarmed in sundrie places and of sundrie peeces cap. 6. Of honor gained or lost by the hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or in Triumph cap. 7. Of Iusts and Turniamens and how the accidents in such exercises are to be iudged cap. 8. The manner of Combats as they were auncientlie tried in England cap. 9. Certeine Combats for life graunted by the Kings of England cap. 10. Certaine Combats for Triumph and Honor performed before the Kings of England cap. 11. The ceremonie appertaining to deliuerie of Prizes at Iusts Turniaments before the King cap. 12. The fifth Booke OF what qualitie a Gentleman professing Armes ought to be cap. 1. Of Knighthood cap. 2. Of the originall of Knighthood giuen as dignitie and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights cap. 3. The Ceremonie at the making Knights about the yere of our Lord 1020. cap. 4. The Ceremonies at the disgrading Knights in those dayes cap. 5. How manie degrees of Knighthood haue been of them how manie are yet extant cap. 6. Of the Order of the Garter cap. 7. Other degrees of Knighthood in England cap. 8. The order of the Toson and originall thereof cap. 9. The order of S. Michael cap. 10. The Order of the Anunciata cap. 11. Knights of the Band. cap. 12. Knights of S. Iago cap. 13. Knights of Calatraua cap. 14. Knights of Alcantara cap. 15. Knights of Montesio cap. 16. Knights of Redemption cap. 17. Knights of S. Iohn in Ierusalem of some called Knights of the Rhodes and now Knights of Malta cap. 18. Knights Teutonici cap. 19. Knights of the Sepulcher cap. 20. Knights of S. Marie cap. 21. Knights of S. Lazaro cap. 22. Knights of S. Steuen cap. 23. Ceremonies in degradation of Knights cap. 24. The Authors Intention cap. 25. The Authors Conclusion cap. 26. FINIS THE BOOKE OF Honor and Armes VVhat a Combat is and the originall thereof CAP. 1. A COMBAT is a single fight of one man against another for trial of truth either els of diuers men as two foure sixe tenne or more equallie and indifferentlie agreed vppon to fight on horsbacke or foot without aduantage in number of persons or disequalitie of weapons These kind of fights seeme to be first vsed of great Princes who desiring to end publique Contention and warre did mutuallie consent to determine the same by their owne priuate vertue and aduenture of life as did Golias and Dauid the Horatij and Curiatij with diuers other who fighting onlie in person for the publique cause therby saued the effusion of much bloud and the liues of many most worthie Captaines and valiant Soldiers And albeit the cause and occasion of these Combats was publique respect yet each particular Gentleman or other person professing Honor and Armes ought sufficientlie bee moued therevnto for defence of his owne particular reputation which respect and haplie also some publique occasion mooued the Combat of Aeneas with Turnus of Menelaus with Alexander of Pulfius with Varenus of Robert Mountfort with Henrie Earle of Essex in England yea Kings and Princes haue of late time done the like as Charles the third King of France with the King of Hungarie Alfonso King of Spaine with Richard Earle of of Cornwall and King Alfonso with King Ranier These particular fights were first vsed among the people called Lombardes as appeareth by the lawes written by Aliprandus one of the Kings that gouerned that Nation yet true it is that the Combats of those People and in that Age were tried with no other weapons but onelie certeine shields and staues of wood vnlesse it were for cause of infidelitie Neither seemeth it that the chiefe occasion of their fight was respect of Honor nor that the vanquished should become dishonored or Prisoner vnto the vanquisher as since hath been vsed Of the order of challenging and defending CAP. 2. FIrst is to bee considered that all Iniuries are either by words or by deeds and that in euerie Iniurie by words the Iniurer ought bee the Challenger but in an Iniurie by deedes the Iniured ought to challenge as for example Simon saith to Austen thou art a Traitor Austen answereth Thou liest then doth it behooue Simon to mainteine his words and consequentlie to challenge Austen to the Combat An Iniurie by deedes is thus Simon giueth a hurt a cut or other violence vnto Austen whereat offended he saith Thou hast done me offence violence iniurie or such like speach Simon answereth Thou liest Then behoueth it that Austen do challenge Simon and force him by fight to mainteine the hurt he offred Wherfore as a rule or maxime in matter of Honor it is speciallie to be noted that whosoeuer is truelie and lawfullie belied must of force become Challenger to mainteine that he spake or did and wherevppon the Lie is giuen him And although some men rather to shewe the dexteritie of their wits than the valour of their mindes will at such occasion vse many superfluous words whereby further speach of offence doth followe and so take opportunitie to giue the Lie vnto whom the hurt by hand was giuen yet the true and precise reason of Honor is that he who gaue the blowe hurt should without further dispute be challenged vnlesse he denie the doing thereof with offer of satisfaction Thus appeareth brieflie that whosoeuer is lawfullie belied ought by Armes to challenge mainteine and proue that which he affirmed or did in preiudice of the honor or person of the Iniured For what cause the partie belied ought to challenge and of the nature of the Lie CAP. 3. FOr so much as in ordinarie triall by lawe and ciuill Iudgements whosoeuer standeth accused by deniall of such accusation is free from condemning vntill further proofe be made euen so in euerie imposition by speach contrarie to
and were made Christians Within short space after these Knights builded diuers Churches and among them some Cathedrall Temples making them places of residence for Bishops who were also inioyned to weare the habit of the Order Neere vnto the riuer Vistola was a great Oake where these Knights builded the first Castle and Towne which with time was encreased and called Borgo di Santa Maria where is now the chiefe Church apperteining to this Order thereunto belongeth so great riches and reuenues as these Knights may both for men and monie compare with diuers Princes This Countrie of Prussia is great and much thereof bounded by the riuer Vistola and is also confined by Sarmatia the Massageti and Polonia These Knights are also Lords of Liuonia which was likewise by them brought to the faith of Christianitie and is with Christians now inhabited Knights of the Sepulcher CAP. 20. THis Knighthood is now extinct or rather conioyned vnto the Order of Malta The Ensigne belonging to these Knights was two red Crosses Knights of S. Mary CAP. 21. IN the life of Pope Vrban the fourth at which time was great warre among the Princes of Italie certeine rich Gentlemen of Bolognia and Modona desiring to eschue the present troubles and bee exempt from publique charges desired of that Pope to permit them to liue in contemplation and erect a newe Order of religious Knighthood which for money they obteined calling themselues Knights of Sainct Mary The habit of this Order was verie pompous and thereupon a red Crosse wrought with gold round about They were speciallie 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 commonlie called Caualieri di Madonna but because they liued continuallie in ease and pleasure men termed them Frati gaudenti as much in our language as Goodfellowe brethren It may bee some of them are yet extant Knights of S. Lazaro CAP. 22. THese Knights of this Order doo pleade great antiquitie saying they were in the time of S. Basil and their profession hath been confirmed by sondrie Popes They also affirme that Fredericke the Emperour sirnamed Barbarossa gaue them great possessiōs in Sicilia Calabria Puglia and Terra di Lauoro And to those lands diuers Popes did adde much Notwithstanding time that weareth all things away did also consume these riches and the Order well neere extinct till of late yeares Pius quartus the Pope did reuiue it who made Gianotto Castiglione a noble Gentelman of Milan great Master These Knights doo professe to bee 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 bee charitable and liberall chieflie to poore people infected with leprosie Moreouer euerie Knight promiseth to weare a greene Crosse before they enter into this Knighthood must prooue himselfe to bee borne in lawfull wedlocke and a Gentleman both by father and mother and to beare Armes Also that he is discended of ancient Christians and no Morrano or Turke That he hath of rent at the least 200. Crownes therewith to mainteine his dignitie That he and his auncestors haue euer liued as Gentlemen without vse of any base or mecanical occupation That he hath not been suspected of any notable euill fact or is defamed for any vice That he be not indebted nor is wedded to any widdowe or hath had more than one wife But besides these passable protestations he must vndertake to say fiue and twentie Pater nosters and so manie Aue marias with other Superstitious things not worthie the writing This Order haue of late time been much fauoured by the Dukes of Sauoy Knights of S. Steffano CAP. 23. IN the yeare 1561. Cossimo Duke of Florence and Siena hauing setled his gouernment and liuing in peaceable estate erected this religious Order of Knighthood calling those that entered thereunto Caualieri di San Steffano To these Knights he gaue a red Crosse bordered about with gold The Statutes annexed vnto this Order are not vnlike to those apperteining 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 wherein 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 saue onelie the great Knighthood of S. Esprit whereof as is before said I am not enformed The Ceremonies in the degradation of Knights CAP. 24. IT seemeth that the degradation of Knights hath been vsed onelie for offences of greatest reproach and dishonour which I conceiue partlie by the rarenes of such actions and partlie for that the men bereft of that dignitie were not onelie degraded but also by lawe executed As in the raigne of King Edward the 4. 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 euerie peece of his Armour was brused beaten and cast aside After all which disgraces he was beheadded In like manner Andrew of Hekela Knight and Earle of Cardoyl was in this sort disgraded He being apprehended was by the Kings commandement brought before Sir Anthony Lucy 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 thether come Sir Anthony Lucy said vnto him these words First thou shall lose the Order of Knighthood by which thou hadst all thine honour and further all worship vppon thy bodie bee brought to nought Those wordes pronounced Sir Anthony Lucy commanded a knaue to hewe the Knights spurres from his heeles and after caused his sword to bee broken ouer his head That done hee was dispoyled of his furred Tabord of his Hood of his furred Cotts and of his Girdle Then Sir Anthony saide vnto him these wordes Andrew now art thou no Knight but a knaue and for thy treason the King doth will thou shalt bee hanged This manner of proceeding in the degradation of these two Knights I found recorded in an auncient booke of Master Garters written in the selfe same words that are here expressed The Authors Intention CAP. 25. ALbeit the whole scope and intent of this booke is to discourse the poynts of Honor and dignities apperteining vnto Armes yet for not being mistaken in my meaning I haue thought good to say that the commendation due vnto learning is of no lesse desart thā
man naming him Caualiero which signifieth Horseman though we improperly english it Knight Thus much is said in generall concerning Gentlemen that make profession of Armes whom the Romanes as it seemeth sometimes called Milites and some other times Equites The Italians and Spaniards Caualieri the French Cheualiers But in our language as is now vsed none are called Knights but onelie they that haue that title giuen by the Prince or his Lieutenant with a ceremonie thereunto belonging And of Knights made according to the vse of England are diuers degrees as shall hereafter be declared The originall of Knighthood giuen as dignitie and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights CAP. 3. IT is affirmed by some writers that Alexander the great with the aduise of his learned tutor Aristotle resolued to bestowe vppon such persons as had done any notable seruice in the warre some honor and degree in token of extraordinarie vertue and notable merite and therefore gaue vnto some Badges to some Cheines to some Priuileges and other such like demonstrations of honor The Romane Emperours in like manner sometimes before the beginning of a seruice and sometimes after bestowed not onlie commendation but also dignities on those whose vertue they thought so worthie as Crownets of Bayes of Gold of Myrtill or some other thing as was thought fit to the giuers They gaue also Horses Swords Armours arming Garments such like and they that receiued them in token of Honor kept them carefullie in perpetuall memorie of their owne valour and the honor of that Prince who gaue them By this meane also they became much admired and esteemed of all other Soldiers Afterwards for more incouragement of vertuous minds other Princes thought meete that the memorable acts of Soldiers should be in perpetual memorie written and such Priuileges as were giuen to bee recorded calling them in those writings valiant men companions in Armes victorious Soldiers and Knights Which manner of proceeding did animate the men of warr no lesse than the great pourtraitures which the old Romanes were wont to make for those that had performed egregious acts Touching the making of Knights we say that euerie Prince soueraine hath power to giue that dignitie to what person it pleaseth him as well in peace as warre But here is to be noted that the Knights made are of more or lesse reputation according to the qualitie of that Prince that maketh them for he that is made Knight by a King shall bee preferred before a Knight made by a Prince of meaner title Wherefore to conclude wee say that an Emperour Kings Dukes and other Princes acknowledging no superiour may make Knights and so may Common weales as the Venetian and Genoa States The Popes also doo take vppon them to make Knights for monie calling them commonlie after their owne names Cauallieri di San Petro San Paulo Giuliani Pij c. The manner of making Knights about the yere of our Lord. 1020. CAP. 4. IN that age a Prince determining to make a Knight caused a high scaffold to bee built in some Cathedrall Church of his kingdome or other spacious place neere vnto it Thether the Gentleman was brought to receiue that honor Being come he was foorthwith set vpon a Chaire of siluer couered with greene silke Then was demanded of him if he were healthie in bodie and able to endure the exercises required in a Soldier Also whether he were a man of honest conuersation and what witnesses worthie credite he could produce to answere for him This being done the Bishop or chiefe officer of that Church tooke the Bible and holding it open before the newe Knight in the presence of the King and all others spake these words saying Sir you that desire to receiue the order of Knighthood sweare before God and by this holie Bible that ye shall neuer fight against this mightie and excellent Prince that bestoweth the order of Knighthood vpon you vnlesse ye shall be occasioned so to doo in the seruice of your owne King and naturall Prince for in that case hauing first yeelded vp the Coller deuise and other Ensignes of Honor now receiued it shall bee lawfull for you to serue against him without reproach or offence to all other companions in Armes but otherwise dooing you shall incurre infamie and being taken in warre shall bee subiect to the paines of death Ye shall also sweare with all your force power to mainteine and defend al Ladies Gentlewomen Orfants widowes women distressed and abandoned The like ye must doo for wiues being desired and shunne no aduenture of your person in euerie good warre wherein ye happen to be This oath taken two of the chiefe Lords led him vnto the King who presentlie drew forth his Sword and laied the same vpon his head and said God and S. George or what other Saincts the King pleased to name make thee a good Knight Then came vnto the Knight seuen noble maidens attired in white and girt his Sword vnto his side That being done foure Knights of the most honorable in that presence put on his Spurres These ceremonies past the Queene tooke him by the right arme and a Dutchesse by the left and led him vnto a rich seate made on high and thereupon set him the King sitting downe on the one hand and the Queene on the other After the King and Queene were thus set and the newe Knight betweene them al the rest of the Lords and Ladies set them downe also vppon other seates prepared for them three dissents vnder the Kings seate Euerie Lord and Ladie being in this sort placed thether was brought a solemne Collation or Banquet of delicate meates whereof the Knight the King the Queene and the whole companie did eate And so the Ceremonie ended The order of disgrading of Knights in those daies CAP. 5. IF any Knight had in that time been corrupted with monie by his Princes enemie or committed any other notable fault against loyaltie and honor the other Knights forthwith made humble suite vnto the King that he might bee punished Which request being granted they apprehended the offender and caused him to bee armed from head to foote in such sort as if he should go to the field Which done they led him vp to an high stage made in a Church for that purpose where were thirteene Priestes saying those praiers ordinarily vsed at Burials as though that Knight had lien dead at their feete At the end of euerie Psalme they tooke from him one peece of his Armour First they tooke off his Helmet as that which defended his traiterous eyes then his Gauntlet on the right side as that which couered a corrupt hand then the Gauntlet of the left hand as from a member consenting And so by peecemeale dispoyled him of all his Armes as well offensiue as defensiue which one after another were throwne to the ground and at the instant when euery part of Armour was cast downe the King of Armes first and after him all the
other Herehaults cried aloud saying This is the Helmet of a disloyall and miscreant Knight Then was brought thether a Bason of gold or siluer full of warme water which being holden vp the Herehaults with a loud voyce sayd What is this Knights name The Purseuants answered that which in trueth was his name Then the King of Armes sayd That is not true for he is a miscreant and false traitor and such a one as hath broken the ordinance of Knighthood Thereunto answered the Chaplins Let vs giue him his right name Then spake the Trompets What shall be done with him To which words the King answered Let him bee with dishonor and shame banished my kingdome as a vile and infamous man that hath done offence against the honor of Knighthood When the King had so said the King of Armes and other Herehaults cast the warme water on the disgraded Knights face as though he were a new baptized saying Hencefoorth thou shalt be called by thy right name Traitor Then the King together with twelue other Knights put vppon them mourning garments declaring sorowe and comming vnto the Knight disgraded put him downe the stage not by the staiers he mounted vp when he was made Knight but threwe him downe tyed vnto a rope Then with great ignomie he was brought vnto the Altar and there laied groueling on the ground and ouer him was read a Psalme full of curses These were the Ceremonies vsed at the degradatiō of Knights in the time of Sir Tristram Sir Lancelot and other famous Knights who were no doubt men very valiant in Armes but by meanes of writers that haue added vnto their acts many vntruths their prowesse and enterprises are holden as fables How many orders and degrees of Knighthood haue been and of them how many yet extant CAP. 6. 1 THe first and most noble order both for antiquitie and honor is that of the GARTER 2 The next to it is that of the TOSON 3 The third is that of S. MICHAEL 4 The fourth is that of the NVNTIATA 5 There is also one newe order of Knighthood in France called the Order of S. ESPRIT whereof I am not fullie enformed All these Knights be called Knights of the Coller in signe they excell others in Honor and reputation as those Orders whereinto Emperours Kings and Princes doo enter Next to these in dignitie are 1 The Knights of the BAND 2 The Knights of S. IAGO 3 The Knights of CALATRAVA 4 The Knights of ALCANTARA 5 The Knights of MONTESIO 6 The Knights of REDEMPTION 7 The Knights of MALTA 8 The Knights TEVTONICI The third sort of Knights are 1 The Knights of the SEPVLCHER 2 The Knights of SANTA MARIA 3 The Knights of S. LAZARO 4 The Knights of S. STEFFANO These may bee called rather Knights of Superstition than persons of Honor. Among these wee make no mention of Knights of the Round Table neither haue wee set downe the Knights of Amadis de Gaule nor of Orlando Furioso Yet doo I suppose some part of those stories to bee matters of trueth although writers haue added vnto them things incredible By which meane the histories themselues are holden fabulous Wee haue not here spoken of the Knights of the Starre nor of them which were called Knights of the Spurre which orders are extinct or not regarded The Knights Templers were also long since cleerelie suppressed Of the Order of the Garter CAP. 7. EDWARD the third King of England after he had obteined many great victories King Iohn of France King Iames of Scotland being both prisoners in the Tower of London at one time and King Henrie of Castile the bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this Order in his Kingdome Anno 1350. vppon no weightie occasion as is reported Notwithstāding the same is and long hath been in so great honor as Emperours Kings and Princes haue desired to bee of that companie accompting it great Honor. The number of this Colledge or fellowship is 26. Knights and when any of them dye another is chosen by consent of the companie The Soueraine of the Order is the King of England his heires and successors This Order was dedicated to S. George as the Aduocate of those Knights The custome was long that these Knights yeerely held a feast at the Castle of Winsor where is also the Church founded by the same King Edward who likewise gaue great stipends to certeine Priestes to serue there It is not commonlie knowne what was the occasion that mooued the King to make this Order but thus haue I heard it vulgarlie reported That King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court tooke vp a Garter that happened to fall from one of them whereat some of the Lords smiling the King said vnto them that or it were long he would make that Garter to bee of high reputation Vpon this ground it is sayd the Order tooke beginning Euerie yeare all the Knights on the feast day of S. George are bound to resort vnto Windsor or such other place as by the Soueraine shall be appoynted The principall Officers apperteining to this most honorable Order are these The Prelate The Chancellor The Register The King of Armes named Garter and the Vsher called the Blacke Rod. Which places are presentlie furnished with these persons viz. Doctor Cooper Bishop of Winchster Prelate Master Iohn Wolly Esquire one of her Maiesties priuie Counsell Chauncellor Doctor Day Deane of Winsor Register Master W. Dethicke chiefe King of Armes Garter Master William Norris Esquire Vsher. The Statutes of this great Order are remaining with the sayd Master Garter a Gentleman verie studious in his facultie and carefull to preserue the Records belonging vnto the Nobilitie of England From him I receiued the names of these Knights of the first institution of the GARTER which I found in an auncient booke of his written in the French tongue The first Knights of the Order King Edward Soueraine The Prince of Wales his sonne The Duke of Lancaster The Earle of Warwicke The Capteine de Buch. The Earle of Stafford The Earle of Salisburie The Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholmew de Bourchesh Sir Iohn Bewchamp The Lord of Mahun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas de Holland Sir Iohn de Grey Sir Richard Fitzsimond Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh Wortesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames Dandely Sir 〈◊〉 de Holang Sir Henrie Eme. Sir Fauchet de Prichcourt Sir Walter Pauelly The names of those that are presentlie of the same most noble Order The Queene of England Soueraine The King of Spaine The Duke Casemirus The Vice Conte Montacute The Earle of Shrewsburie Earle Marshall of England The Lord of Honsdon Lord Chamberlein The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Hontingdon The Lord Bourleigh Lord Threasurer of England The Lord Grey The Earle of Darbie The Earle of Pembrooke The L. Howard of Effingham L. Admirall of England The Lord Cobham