French king all souldiers were inhibited to goe from the Armie without License It was also the Romane vse that euery souldier did aske leaue of his Captaine and the Captaine to haue License of the Generall of horse or Captaine general before he departed from the Armie also during his absence to leaue a sufficient man to supplie the place and he himselfe to returne at the time prefixed which done he receiued his whole pay without diminution as though hee had neuer bene absent As touching the limitation of time and the number of souldiers who were licensed to be absent we reade that Scipio in the warre of Carthage gaue license vnto three hundred Sicilian souldiers and put three hundred other men to serue in their places and Francis the French king commanded that more then thirty horsemen should not be licensed to go from the Armie at one time and they not to be absent longer then three moneths vpon paine to be checked of their whole wages William Rufus King of England did inhibit souldiers and all other subiects of reputation to depart the land without leaue which is yet obserued It seemeth by Pol. Virg. that rather the hand of God then the King punished this attempt for he was there slaine in the battell And Polydor Virgil writeth that one Edward Wooduile chiefe gouernour of the Isle of Wight for going forth of the Realme without license was put to death vnder King Henrie the seuenth But Zeno the Emperour punishing that offence more mildely ordained that if any souldier were absent one whole yere without license he should be put after tenne if he were absent two yeres he should giue place to twenty if three yeres then to be vtterly discharged from the Armie at his returne thither Theodosius and Valentinianus in that case would not vtterly discharge them the Armie vntill foure yeeres absence was complete If any souldier were sent vnto a Prince to performe any seruice and at his returne did signifie such employment together with his diligence to returne in that case he ought be excused because his absence was by commandement and in seruice of the State not for his owne profit or priuate commoditie But who so for his owne particular affaires is licensed and assigned a day of returne in failing thereof he shall be reputed a loyterer or a fugitiue vnlesse he be deteined or otherwise iustly excused To conclude therefore we say that no souldier departing from his Ensigne without leaue can be excused nor his absence auowable but when the same is for seruice of the prince or common weale as Scoeuola in his militarie Ordinances hath written CHAP. 30. ¶ Of Ambassadours or Legats THe office of an Ambassador was by the Romanes accounted both honourable and sacred including as well power of commandement as dignitie Whensoeuer therfore any Ambassadour did come to Rome he was first brought vnto the Temple of Saturnus there to haue his name written before the Praefectiaerarij from thence he went to deliuer his legation vnto the Senate But first it ought be remembred that men meetest to be employed for Ambassadours are they indeed who are of most sagacitie and greatest skill how to discouer the counsels and designes of the enemy Scipio Africanus hauing occasion to send an ambassage to Syphax elected certaine Tribunes and Centurions and caused them to be basely apparelled Cato beholding certaine Ambassadors to be sent by the Senate to compound a peace betweene Nicomedes and Prusias the one of them had his headfull of skarres the second was impotent of his feet the third timersome said This Legation hath neither good head feet nor heart Ambassadours ought be in all countreys inuiolable in signe whereof they anciently caried about them the herbe Sagmen which we call Veruen to shewe they were sacred and that no man should dare to lay hold on them who so offred them violence was thought to haue done contrary to law of Nations Which moued Publius Mutius to command that whosoeuer did strike an Ambassadour should be deliuered vnto that enemy from whome the Ambassadour was sent And though the enemy receiued him not yet should he remaine an exile as if he were interdicted from fire and water according to the sentence of Publius Mutius Yet doe we read that Dioscorides and Scrapion Ambassadors sent from Caesar to Achillas so soone as they came within his sight and before he heard them or for what affaires they were sent commanded them to be taken and slaine Caesar likewise sent Marcus Valerius Porcillus vnto king Ariouistus who being there arriued was presently taken and put into prison notwithstanding he were a young man of great vertue and curtesie Likewise Comius Attrebas being sent by Caesar into Britane was cast into prison by the Britanes Laërtes Tolumnius king of Vients did â—lea foure Ambassadours of Rome whose portraitures remained long in the market place Such honour the Romanes vsed to giue vnto those men that dyed for their country Alexander the Great besieging a Citie called Tyrus sent Ambassadours vnto the inhabitants thereof who contrary to the lawe of Nations slewe them and from an high tower cast downe their bodies CHAP. 31. ¶ Of prisoners taken by the enemie WHo so is taken in the warre ought by the law of Nations to be reputed a lawfull prisoner yet if afterwards hee escape and returne home he recouereth his former estate They that are thus taken were by the Romanes called Serui quod seruantur as much to say as being taken they ought be kept not killed whereof may bee inferred it is vnlawfull to kill a man hauing yeelded himselfe because that acte is inhumane and all great Captaines haue forbidden it according to the saying of Horace Vendere cum possis captiuum occidere noli Herein also wee are to follow the example of ancient Princes and chiefe commanders in warre Alexander the Great tooke to wife Roxanes whom he had taken prisoner in the warre Henry the seuenth king of England hauing taken Lambert a king of Ireland together with his schoolemaster pardoned both their liues the one because he was a childe the other a person Ecclesiasticall and dedicated to God so sayth Polydor Virgil. Romulus made a law that cities taken by warre should not be vtterly demolished nor all beasts in the field slaine but setling there certaine Colonies they did participate of the commodities with the naturall people Yet true it is that some conquerors haue anciently vsed great crueltie For reade wee may that the Africans caused many Cathaginians their prisoners together with their Captaine Gestones to haue their hands cut off and their legs broken with a wheele Likewise Hasdrubal after Megarae was recouered from the Romanes caused their eyes their tongues secret parts to be torne with yron hookes he also cut off their fingers and flayed their bodies and before they were dead hung them vpon the walles We may also here remember the terrible custome of the Thuliti who vsed to
speede pearced further into the Iland till in the end of three assaults he gained the place where the fatall sword was whereof hauing layd hold he flourished ouer his head and forthwith the misty cloudes of darkenes vanished so as euery man might see all places of the Castel The darkenes of the fortresse thus driuen away the Prince with his inchanted sword touched the wals and immediatly they fell downe The castel thus demolished the Inchanter Norabroc with a Turkish cap on his head came forth and kneeling on his knees desired the Princes pardon Therewith also he set at libertie all the knights whom he held in prison and they being free in triumphant wise foâ—lowed the Prince to his Court. CHAP. 42. The inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italy Anno 773. WHen Desiderio King of the Lombards was taken prisoner and the people of Lombardie yeelded to Charles he proclaimed himselfe King of all Italy which title by law of Armes he iustly claimed to be his The same was also by the decree of Pope Gregory confirmed Then was he also by the Bishop of Milan crowned at Modena The crowne he receiâ—ed was of iron for of that mettall he commanded it should be made enioyning all his successors to doe the like The order and ceremonies of that coronation remaineth recorded in the Rota at Rome and is to this day obserued at the Inauguration of all Emperours when they are elected King of Romanes The morning when this Charles was to be crowned certaine Bishops were sent to conduct him from his chamber vnto the Church and being come thither he was brought before the high Altar Then the Archbishop after he had said certaine prayers turned himselfe to the people and asked them whether they did consent to receiue that Prince for their King and whether they determined faithfully to obey his lawes and commandements So soone then as the people had pronounced their consent the Bishop with holy oyle anointed the Kings head his breast and shoulders therewith praying God to blesse him and grant him good successe in Armes with an happie succession of children These Ceremonies being ended the Archbishop deliuered into the Kings hand a sword and ornified him with a bracelet a ring and a scepter Also vpon his head he set the crown aforesaid All those things being done he kissed him as a signe of peace and so departed from the King CHAP. 43. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus being made Emperour Anno 800. WHen the people inhabiting the confines of Beneuento had much molested that Countrey and were subdued by Vinigesius the sonne of Charles then Duke of Spoleto Leo the Bishop of Rome in the time of prayers when all the people were assembled the Barons of Rome also present did consecrate and anoint Charles before the Altar Basilica where he also receiued the Ensignes of the Empire From thence he was conducted to the chiefe Altar of the Temple and there anointed when he had raigned in France 33 yeeres before which time no Emperour in three hundred and thirtie yeeres had bene seene in Italy This order of coronation hath euer since bene obserued At euery such coronation the people with one voice did cry Carolo Augusto Magno Pacifico vita victoria The same time also Pypin his sonne was anointed and by solemne decree of the Pope declared King of Italy CHAP. 44. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie x. IN the yeere 1268. Pope Clement the fourth died at Viterbo After whose death the Papacie by discord of Cardinals was voide two yeeres and nine moneths The Cardinals then present in Court were seuenteene whose disconformitie continued the seat voyd almost three yeeres yet did they assemble often but euery one ambitiously affecting the Papacie for himselfe nothing could be concluded for in those dayes the Cardinals were not shut vp in the conclaue as since hath beene the vse but euery one went at libertie and at his pleasure The creation of the Pope thus deferred Phillip the Frence King and Charles king of Sicill came vnto Viterbo to sollicite the election yet they preuailed not One day these Kings being present in the Conclaue the Cardinall of Porto seeing the frowardnesse of the other Cardinals who seemed to pray ayd of the holy Ghost in that action said vnto them My Lords let vs vntile the roofe of this chamber for it seemeth the holy Ghost cannot enter if the house be still couered And so soone as he heard that Gregory was pronounced Pope he framed these verses of that election viz. Papatus munus tulit Archidiaconus vnus Quem patrem patrum fecit discordia fratrum This Pope before his ascension was called Theobaldus an Archdeacon no Cardinall being also at that time beyond the sea at Ptolemaida in Syria whether he was gone with Edward the King of Englands eldest son From thence they intended among other pilgrims to go vnto Ierusalem But hearing he was pronounced Pope returned from Syria into Italy and being come to Viterbo he receiued the Ensignes of Papacie From thence he passed to Rome and was there crowned by the name of Gregory the tenth He liued Pope sixe yeeres sixe moneths and tenne dayes and finding fault with some orders of the Church chiefly in electing the Pope he framed diuers Canons of which these are part First that the assembly of Cardinals for choise of euery new Pope should be at a place fit for the purpose and where the Pope defunct with his Court did die But if the death hapened in any village or small towne then the next citie to be the place of election That no election of any new Pope should be till after ten dayes that the other Pope departed to the end the Cardinals absent might appeare That no Cardinal in his absence should be permitted to haue any suffrage or voice in the conclaue That euery Cardinal absent and euery other person of any condition should be capable of the Papacie That no Cardinal entred into the Conclaue should goe out before the new Pope were created That no Cardinal or other person should ambitiously endeauour to compasse the Papacie by money or other corruption vpon perill of the Popes curse CHAP. 45. ¶ The Inauguration of Henry the 4. King of England 1399. THis King called before Duke of Lancaster came first to Westminster and from thence he went vnto the Tower of London accompanied with the Nobilitie and the rest of his Court there he made nine Knights of the Bath and 46. other Knights The next day after dinner he returned to Westminster in great pompe he himselfe riding through London kept his head bare and about his neck he ware the collar appertaining to the Order of Fraunce Before the King went the Prince his sonne sixe Dukes sixe Earles and eighteene Barons besides other Lordes Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen to the number of 900. or thereabout By the way awaited the Lord Mayor with his brethren and officers of the City Also the companies of euery
he wotteth not whither He that with his Launce taketh away the rest of the aduersaries Armor meriteth more honour then he that taketh away any other ornament He that breaketh his Launce on the pomel or bolster of his aduersaries faddle deserueth worse then he who beareth his Launce well without breaking He that breaketh on the face or other part of the horse meriteth worse then he that breaketh not at all He that hurteth an horse shall not receiue honour although before he hath run well for he that hurteth an horse is in like predicament with him that falleth who cannot on that day receiue any honour He is worthy small estimation that cannot gouerne his owne horse or that sitteth loose in his saddle but much is he to be praised that with his force disordereth his aduersary in the saddle He that letteth his Launce fall can claime no commendation And lesse worthy praise is he that knoweth not how it should be charged He that breaketh the Launce furiously in many pieces is more reputed then he that breaketh it faintly in one onely place He that conueyeth his Lance into the Rest in due time is worthy commendation but he that carieth it shaking in his hand or vnstayedly in the Rest meriteth blame He that dexteriously carieth the Launce long on the arme and skilfully conueyeth it into the Rest nere the time of encounter is more allowed them he that suddenly and at the first setting out doth charge it To conclude he is worthy all commendation that beareth himselfe wel on horsebacke that sitteth comely that fitteth his body well with Armor that hath his person so disposed as if it were without Armor that can endure to weare it long that till the end of the day disarmeth not his head He that performeth not all his determined courses ought not receiue any prize or honor He that hurteth or toucheth an horse with his Launce shal neither haue prize nor praise for he is in case as though he had fallen He that doth fall may not run any more in that day vnlesse he falleth on his feet standing right vp and be also a Challenger for in that case he may returne to horse answere all commers because on that day hee is so bound to doe CHAP. 51. Of Iusts and Turnaments how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of VVorcester high Constable of England in the reigne of King Edward the fourth FIrst who so breaketh most speares as they ought be broken shall haue the prize Who so hitteth three times in the height of the Helme shall haue a prize Who so meeteth cronall to cronall shall haue a prize Who so beareth a man downe with the force of his Speare shall haue a prize Here followeth wherefore the prize shal be lost FIrst who so striketh an Horse shall haue no prize Who so striketh a man his backe turned or disgarnished of his speare shall haue no prize Who so hitteth the Toyle three times shall haue no prize Who so vnhelmeth himselfe two times shall haue no prize vnlesse his horse faile him Here followeth how speares shall be allowed FIrst who so breaketh a Speare betweene the Saddle and the Charnell of the Helme shal be allowed one Who so breaketh a speare from the Charnell vpward shall be allowed one Who so breaketh and putteth his aduersary downe or out of the saddle or disarmeth him in such wise as he may not runne the next course after shal be allowed three speares broken Here followeth how Speares broken shall be disallowed FIrst hee that breaketh on the Saddle shall be disallowed for a Speare breaking Who so hitteth the Toile once shal be disallowed for two Who so hitteth the Toile twise for the second shal be abated three Who so breaketh a speare within a foote of the Charnel shal be iudged as no Speare but a Taynt Of prizes to be giuen FIrst who so beareth a man downe and out of the Saddle or putteth him to earth horse and man shall haue the prize before him that striketh Curnall to Curnall He that striketh Curnall to Curnall two times shall haue the prize before him that striketh the sight three times He that striketh the sight two times shall haue the prize before him that breaketh most Speares At the Torney TWo blowes at passage and ten at the ioyning ought suffise vnlesse it be otherwise determined All gripes shockes and foule play forbidden How prizes at Turney and Barriers are to be lost HE that giueth a stroke with a Pike from girdle downeward or vnder the Barre shall haue no prize He whose sword falleth out of his hand shall haue no prize He that hath a close Gauntlet or any thing to fasten his sword to his hand shall haue no prize He that stayeth his hand on the Barre in fighting shall haue no prize He that sheweth not his sword vnto the Iudges before he fighteth shall haue no prize HAuing here spoken of forreine triumphs I thinke it not impertinent and haply my duety also to remember what honour hath bene by like Actions done vnto the Kings of England our own natural Souereigns For albeit the Romans the Persians Syrians being heretofore the most mighty Monarches of the world and consequently of greatest pompe yet in later time and chiefly within these 500. yeeres no Prince Christian hath liued more honourably then the Kings of England And as their prowesse in Armes hath bene great so their Courts for magnificence and greatnesse needed not giue place to any which may appeare by the often and excellent triumphes celebrated before Kings and Queenes of this land Yea certaine it is that neither France Spaine Germany or other Nation Christian was euer honoured with so many Militarie triumphes as England hath bene chiefly in the raigne of her Maiestie who now liueth as hereafter shal appeare For besides other excellent triumphal Actions and Militarie pastimes since her Maiesties raigne a yeerely and as it were ordinary triumph hath bene celebrated to her Highnesse honour by the noble and vertuous Gentlemen of her Court a custome neuer before vsed not knowen in any Court or Countrey And albeit as hath bene formerly remembred the Triumphes of Germany were of great pompe and notable yet because they were furnished with the whole number of Princes and Nobilitie of that Nation and the celebration rare they seeme to me lesse admirable then our owne which haue continued more then 30. yeeres yeerely without intermission and performed chiefly and in effect onely by the Princes Lords and Gentlemen dayly attendant vpon her Maiesties Royal person Whereby the honour of those Actions is indeed due to her Highnesse Court onely CHAP. 52. ¶ Triumphes Military for Honor and loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England A Triumph before King Edward the third 1343. THis King being the most warlike and vertuous Prince that liued in his dayes happened as mine Author saith to fall in loue with a noble Lady of his Kingdome and
should not be arested to the vse of his creditors if other meane of satisfaction might be found Because the law compelleth souldiers to pay only so much as they are able yet that fauour extendeth not to all men professing armes but those in particular that haue serued long and for such debtes as they incurred during the time they continued in the warre Here is it also to be remembred that no gift bestowed for seruice may be vpon any priuate contract impawned For if the creditor can be otherwise satisfied then the law determineth no execution shall be taken vpon gifts or goods bestowed for seruice anciently reputed sacred which reason mooued the most Christian king Francis to make an Edict whereby he commanded that vnto such souldiers as wanted money victuall should be sold in credit but if after a conuenient time that debt were not payd then the Treasorer should make stay of the souldiers pay and deliuer it vnto the creditor Likewise Charles the seuenth did forbid that the Armes of souldiers should be sold to satisfie creditors The law of Graecia did also inhibit the taking of Armes for satisfaction of debt yet by the same law power is permitted vnto creditors to arrest any souldiers person that is indebted The same lawe likewise commaundeth that no artificer appertaining to the warre should be personally imprisoned for money yet was it lawfull to extend his goods Solon in his law called Sisacthia made for the Athenians seemeth to thinke it vnreasonable that the body of any Citizen should be imprisoned vpon debt due for vsurie Summarily therefore we say That souldiers are bound to pay so much as they are able and no more which happily mooued Tertullianus to affirme that who so hath possession of any stocke of goods chiefly appertaining vnto the warre he may be forced to pay vnto his creditors so much as is properly his owne but not take any thing belonging vnto the State neither is it lawfull for the father to sell the lands or goods entayled or assured in perpetuum vnto his heires as Papinianus hath written CHAP. 35. ¶ Of Captaines generall Marshals and other chiefe Commanders IN Athens a man called Dionysiodorus did take vpon him to reade an art of conducting and trayning souldiers which skill albeit he had knowen yet could he not enforme any of his auditory how to become a good Commander because the leading of men is indeede the least part of Commanding For it behoueth a Generall not only to conduct an armie but also to prouide things needfull both for the warre and mainteining of men A carefull chieftaine therefore is to shew himselfe patient prudent cautious liberall and such a one as loueth more to giue then to keepe Homer vsed to call Agamemnon a Pastor of people because he carefully intended the safety of his Army Antonius for many qualities no commendable Emperour yet in one point much to be praised because he liked better to be called a companion of armes then a Prince He also sometimes vouchsafed to march on foot and in his owne hand carry the generall ensigne of the armie which was of great poyze and not to be borne of the strongest souldiers without much paine Theodosius the Emperor did not command the meanest souldier to do any thing but that he himselfe would sometimes doe wherein he performed the part of a stout souldier and an excellent chiefetaine which example percase mooued ancient men of warre after victory to elect their Emperour out of the number of notable souldiers for so it seemeth Germanicus was aduanced We likewise reade that Tiberius was pleased to consent that Blesus should be called of the Legions Imperator for that was the ancient title due to Commanders generall The historie of Maximinus sheweth that he became preferred by the warre being borne of obscure parents in Thracia and as some write the sonne of a shepheard Yet because he was a man of great fortune courage and strength by the degrees of warre he aspired to gouerne many Countreys After that time he became Liuetenant generall vnto Alexander and in the end by the Romane armie chosen Emperour Thus much concerning generall Commanders aduanced for proper vertue Plato in his common weale wisheth a Chiefetaine to be elected in this sort A General of horse saith he ought be made by consent of the whole Armie The Praefecti whom we call great commanders were elected by those souldiers that bare targets The Tribunimilitum had their aduancement by voice of men at armes and other Captains of meaner place were appointed by the chiefe General The horsemen did euer giue their voyces first in presence of the foot bands and two of them that gained most voices were appointed to commaund the rest The Captaines also did name him for Emperour that was in seruice most painefull in perill most resolute in action most industrious in execution most quicke and in counsell most prouident In this election no respect was had whether the person elected were a Senator or recommended by the Senate because the qualities aforesayd sufficed to make a Generall as appeared in Maximinus the Emperour in whose election the Senate did not intermeddle That General therefore seemeth of most sufficiencie who knoweth as a souldier how to offend his enemie gouerne his owne forces endure heate and cold sleepe on the ground patiently suffer both labour and lacke For sometimes we see that he who hath authority to command needeth another to command him Some others also are called to authoritie and command in the warre before they haue skill how to doe it or haue read any precepts military or are by the rules of predecessors enformed For a matter of more difficultie it is to know what appertaineth vnto a Captaine then to execute the office of that place seeing skill must precede action and vse goe before commandement In this point we haue heard Francis the French king much commended who kept in memorie the historie of all his predecessors and to witnesse his proper valor at the battel of Pauia wherin albeit he was vnfortunate yet with his owne hand he slew a German Ensignebearer to his eternall glory It seemeth therefore expedient for all Princes and commanders in warre to be well studied in histories and chiefly those that concerne the actions of their ancestors which perhaps moued Edward the third king of England at such time as he made warre vpon Robert the second king of Scots to command a certaine Monke to attend his Maiestie in that expedition and with his penne to expresse in verse being indeed an excellent Poet all the actions and proceedings of that enterprise Mahomet the second king of Turkie endeuoured much to know the histories of his predecessors and gaue bountifull rewards vnto one writer called Iohn Maria of Vincenza for expressing the victorie he obtained against Vssancassan king of Persia as Paulus Iouius noteth much more praise and honour is due vnto those Captaines that haue by long seruice and due degrees of warre
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
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
commendably acquite themselues but the other two of that side were ouerthrowen On the other side two only perfourmed their courses well and the rest of that company exceeding euill losing many Lances and running very foule whereof a question grew whether vnto fiue well doers and two euill or vnto two well doers with fiue euil the honour ought to be allotted Albeit in this case much may be spoken yet for that the question is not of any particular mans merit but which partie in generall performed best the enterprize it may be alleaged that the partie wherein were most weldoers ought to haue the honour notwithstanding the fall of two of their companions yet for so much as the fall from horsebacke by the enemies force or vertue is most reprochefull it seemeth that the misaduenture of two men onely may reasonably be the losse of honour to all the rest And therefore we leaue the iudgement of this doubt vnto wise men better experienced in Armes Two gentlemen being in combat for life the Challenger taketh the sword of the Defender from him notwithstanding the Defender most valiantly defendeth himselfe with his arme and hands all the whole day during which time he could not be forced either to denie yeeld or be slaine A question thereupon arose whether of them was victorious Forasmuch as this Combat was for life and that in euery fight of such nature no victory is fully gained vntill the Defender is slaine or els forced to yeeld or denie it seemeth that he is not to be iudged guiltie not hauing done any of these although his sword were lost which indeed in all martiall exercises and feates of Armes is a thing much to be discommended But most certaine it is that in all Combats and actions for honor loue and praise onely whosoeuer loseth his sword must presently also lose the honor and victory Two Gentlemen fighting for life within the Listes the one yeeldeth himselfe a prisoner Whether may the Prince of the place who in combat is elected a Iudge saue the life of him that is vanquished Hereunto may be answered That albeit euery prisoner appertaineth vnto his taker yet hath it commonly bene vsed that the victorious haue presented their prisoners vnto the Prince to be disposed at his good pleasure who in recompense thereof doe vse according to the magnanimous mindes of such persons not onely to pay the charges of the victorious but also in signe of clemencie and mercie set the infortunate prisoner freely at libertie As did the noble King Edward the third of England vnto Iohn Visconti who in his presence was vanquished by Thomas de la March base sonne vnto the French King And Philip Duke of Millain did the like vnto an vnfortunate Gentleman vanquished by a Neoplitane Knight CHAP. 14. Of the honor gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and of sundrie peeces A Man that loseth his sword in fight is more reproched then he that loseth his shield For he gaineth the greatest honor that winneth the chiefe weapon from the enemie which is the sword seeing therewith the Emperour and Kings doe create their Knights and the sword is borne before them in in signe of authoritie and Regal power He that loseth his headpiece in fight is more dishonoured then he that loseth his shield because the Helmet defendeth the most principal part of man but the shield armeth a lower place He that loseth his Gauntlet in fight is more to be blamed then he who is disarmed of his Poulderon For the Gauntlet armeth the hand without which member no fight can be performed and therefore that part of Armor is commonly sent in signe of defiance He that is cast out of the Saddle by violence of his aduersaries encounter shal be more reproued then he who falleth by the default of his horse the breaking of Girthes or any such like accident CHAP. 15. ¶ Of the honor gained or lost by the hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or in triumph HE that in fight loseth his eye shall thereby receiue more dishonour then he that loseth his teeth because the eye is a member seruing the most necessarie sence but the teeth are onely instruments of the mouth He that loseth his right eye is more to be reproached then he that loseth the left eye because the right side is in better opinion of men The like is to be sayd of the hands of the armes and legges If a man hauing but one eye doe fight with another man that hath two in losing that one eye he shall be more blamed then he who hath two eyes although he loseth one He that loseth his whole hand shall be more reproached then he who loseth one eye And he that loseth a foot is more disgraced then he that loseth one hand CHAP. 16. Of Combats auncient TOo long it were to tell the causes and euent of Combats heretofore performed by Princes and other persons of honourable qualitie Neuerthelesse who so desireth to know what was anciently done in matter of such quality let him read the Combats of Dauid with Goliah Of Romulus with Acron of Marcellus with Virdimarus king of France Of the Horatij and Curiatij Of Satibarzanes with Erigius Of Horrates with Dioxippus a Champion Of Alexander with Porus king of the Indians Of Titus Manlius with one other Frenchman of Marcus Valerius with one other Lord of that Nation Of Ionathas the Iewe with Pudentus of a Duke of Bohemia with the Duke of Lancaster Of certaine Christians with a like number of Barbarians Of Seanderbeg alone against three other men Of Valares a Gothian with Artanas an Armenian and many others CHAP. 17. The order of Combats for life in England as they are anciently recorded in the office of Armes at London FIrst the Cartell or Bill of Quarrell aswell of the Challengers behalfe as of the Defenders was brought into the Court before the Constable and Marshall And when the trueth of the cause of quarrell could not be prooued by witnesse nor otherwise then was it permitted the same should receiue triall by force of Armes the one partie by assayling the other by defending The Constable as Vicar generall vnto the King assigned the day of battell which was to be performed within forty dayes next following whereunto both the Challenger and Defender condscended Then were the Combattants commaunded to bring in sufficient pledges for suertie that they and euery of them should appeare and performe the combat betwixt the sunne rising and going done of the day appointed for the acquirall of their pledges and that they nor any of them should doe or cause to be done any molestation damage assault or subtiltie against the person of his enemie either by himselfe his friends his followers or other person whatsoeuer In what sort the King commanded the place of Combat to be made THe Kings pleasure being signified vnto the Cōstable Marshal they caused Lists or Rayles to be made and set vp in length
Hall in their Liueries which number amounted to sixe hundred All the streets where the King passed were hanged with cloth of golde siluer or rich Arras That day and the next all the conduits were full of wine some Claret and some White The night before the Coronation the King washed his body and the next morning prayed in the presence of three Prelats The next morning the Clergie in great numbers attended the King to the Temple of Westminster and from thence all the Lords and Knights of the Order in their robes awaited vpon his Maiestie to the Pallace who all that way marched vnder the Canopy of State On either hand of the King a sword was caried the one represented the Ecclesiasticall the other Politicall iurisdiction The Ecclesiasticall sword was borne by the Prince of Wales the Kings sonne the sword of Iustice Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland and Constable of England did beare which office was lately taken from the Earle of Rutland and giuen to him The scepter was caried by the Earle of Westmerland Marshall of England In this order and thus accompanied the King came into the Church where he found a place of State prepared in the mids there he set himselfe downe being furnished with all his rich and royall ornaments the crowne excepted The Archbishop of Canterbury preached and shewed the Kings person vnto the people saying Behold him here that is to raigne ouer you for so God hath ordained Will you quoth hee consent he shall be crowned your King whereunto they answered Yea and holding vp their hands offered to be sworne Then the King went downe from his seate and kneeled before the high Altar where two Archbishops and ten Bishops did take off his royall garments and annoynt him in the presence of all the multitude viz. on the crowne of his head on the breast on the shoulders on the palmes of his hands which done they set his cap vpon his head Then the King put vpon him a garment like vnto a Deacon and girt the same as Prelates vse to doe Then they buckled vpon one of his feete a Spurre and drew forth the sword of Iustice which they deliuered into the Kings hand and he put it vp into the sheath when it was put vp the Archbishop of Canterbury girt it vnto his side Then was the Crowne of S. Edward brought thither and by that Archbishop set vpon the Kings head All these ceremonies and Diuine Seruice finished the King with the same pompe he came to the Church returned to the Pallace in the mids whereof was a fountaine which flowed with wine white and red At dinner the King did sit at the first table at the second sate the fiue chiefe Peeres of the kingdome at the third the Mayor and Aldermen at the fourth the nine new made Knights at the fifh the Knights Gentlemen of the Kings house So long as the King did sit the Prince of Wales stood on his right hand holding the Ecclesiasticall sword and on the left hand stood the Constable of England shaking the sword of Iustice vnder them stood the Marshall holding the Scepter At the Kings table besides the King two Archbishops and three other Bishops did sit In the dinner time a Knight well mounted armed at all peeces came into the Hall and before him rode an other horseman that caried his Launce his name was Dymmock This Champion hauing his sword drawen and a Mace also ready deliuered vnto the king a scroule of paper wherein was contained that if any Gentleman would denie that Henry there present were not the lawfull King of England he was ready by Armes to maintaine it where and when the King should command This Cartell was deliuered to a King of Armes and by the Kings commandement proclaimed in the palace and in sixe places of the Citie but no man found to say the contrary and so the ceremonie of this Coronation ended CHAP. 46. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes 1380. THis Charles the 6. King of France of that name being twelue yeeres olde was crowned in the presence of the Dukes of Anioy Auuernia Burgundy Burbon Brabant Berry and Lorayn the Earle of Piedmont the Earle of Marcury the Earle Eu and William Lord of Namur beeing present the Earle of Flanders and Bloys sent their deputies The King entred the citie of Rhemes with a marueilous troupe of Lords and Gentlemen hauing before them thirty trumpets sounding His Maiestie alighted at our Lady Church and thither resorted vnto him his cosins of Albert Nauarre Barry Harecourt and other yong Princes and Lords of the blood whom the next day he dubbed Knights On Sonday after the King went vnto the Church which was most sumptuously prepared There the Bishop crowned his Maiestie and anointed him with that oyle wherewith Saint Remigius had anointed Clodoueus the first Christian King of France That Oyle was miraculously as is reported sent from heauen by an Angel purposely to anoint Clodoueus And being preserued euer since a glasse although all the kings haue bene therwith anointed yet is the quantity thereof no whit decreased The King being come before the high Altar did honour all the yong men aforesayd with Knighthood and that done hee kneeled vpon rich foote Carpets that were there spred at his feete the yong Princes newly made Knights did sit and Oliuer Clisson newly also aduanced to be Constable of the kingdome performed his office and there amids the nobility with all pomp possible the King was crowned Then to the end that all men might haue cause to reioice the King was pleased to remit and forgiue all taxations subsidies and impositions by what name soeuer lately inuented The Coronation finished his Maiestie returned to the palace where his table was prepared and hereat besides the King did sit the Dukes his vncles viz. the Duke of Brabant Anioy Auuernia Burgundy and Burbon and on his right hand sate the Archbishop of Rhemes with other Lords of the Spiritualty Touching meaner Lords of the kingdome they shifted for place where it could be found The Admirals Coucy Clisson and Tremoly had their tables equally couered with Carpets of Tissue The next day the King dined according to ancient vse and the charge of the Inauguration was defrayd by the Citizens of Rhemes These ceremonies being consummate with great pomp triumph and ioy he returned to Paris CHAP. 47. At the Inauguration of King Henry the third French King three notable things obserued FIrst when he should haue bene anointed with the holy oile there was none found in the ceremonious Horne which for many yeeres had bene preserued by miracle as a relike sent from heauen Secondly when in the royall seate the Crowne was set vpon his head by certaine Bishops as is accustomed he cried out twise Oh it hurts me Thirdly when he kneeled before the Altar during Masse the Crowne fell from his head all which seemed ominous to the beholders and so it prooued both to himselfe
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
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
priuiledges appertaining to old souldiers for so was it decreed by Tiberius the Emperour and Caligula as Tacitus sayth taking view of his bands dispensed with diuers Captaines before they had gray haires as one that respected rather their imbecilitie and strength decayed then the time they had serued beeing perswaded that age approching was a cause sufficient to merit honest libertie It was therefore thought fit that all souldiers that had well serued should bee left to their libertie Antoninus the Emperour commanded that such men should be dismissed with honour and extraordinarily rewarded Which fauour was granted not onely to men armed but also vnto all officers that followed the Generall and serued in place of reputation yet were they inhibited to keepe company with other men then such as made profession of Armes or to intermeddle in any affaires not appertaining vnto the warre vpon paine to forfeit ten pounds in gold These Emeriti were alwayes ancient seruitours and professours of Armes who continued in Court or Campe euer ready to perfourme the Emperours will and commandement Touching the time of their seruice it seemeth to rest chiefly in the Princes commandement and was sometimes more and sometimes lesse as hath bene formerly said yet in shorter space then ten yeeres no souldier was with grace dismissed as shall be more particularly said in the Chapter of Cassation CHAP. 10. ¶ Of crimes Militarie in generall FIrst it is to be knowen that some crimes be common and punishable in all men and some are proper to men of war onely of the first are forgeries adulterie publique and priuate violence sedition manslaughter burning of houses treason sacrilege other enormities for whosoeuer committeth any such offence whether he be a man of warre or not the punishment due is all one Crimes proper to souldiers are such only as are committed contrarie to discipline Militarie and excuseable in other men not being souldiers Now is it necessarie to vnderstand how crimes contrary to Militarie Iustice ought be punished We call that discipline Militarie whereby men are made obedient and instructed in all such qualities as are required in a souldier And for so much as the readiest way vnto vertue is first to restraine vice we must endeuour by discipline to hold men in obedience And notwithstanding al humane policie and lawes both diuine and humane some men there are so vile and malicious as without respect will commit all actes or iniuries that can be inuented yet good gouernours do forecast not onely what men doe but also what may be done which moued the Romanes to consider that some men did commit faultes beyond expectation in so much as there wanted not of those that haue slaine their owne fathers For which offence Solon in his lawes prouided no punishment and being asked why he did not inflict penaltie vpon those offendors answered he thought not that any man would haue bene so wocked We therefore thinke fit to prescribe punishments vnto all crimes for souldiers like vnto others be neither gods nor perfect creatures but men apt to erre and without restraint of law not to be gouerned Arrius Meander in his first booke Dere Militari saith Crimes properly Militarie are those which a man as a souldier doth commit And here a certaine difference betweene errour and crime is to be noted for we call that an error when any thing is done contrary to common discipline as to be slouthful disobedient and vnwilling but he is said to commit a crime when the fault is accompanied with intent to hurt for without that intent the acte may be imputed to destenie or chance and as a thing happened vnwares therefore Antoninus the Emperour did command Herculianus and other Captaines that if a souldier hauing stroken another man did prooue the act was without intent to kill that then he should not bee condemned of manslaughter as if a man be slaine when souldiers be trained or in exercise of armes then that act is not accounted criminall but casuall yet if such an act be done in any other place the doer thereof shall be reâ—uted guiltie But as the humors of men are diuers so are the crimes by them committed of diuers qualitie as hereafter shall be discoursed CHAP. 11. Of treason and Traytors ALbeit a custome most common it is that Traitors flying vnto the enemie are well entreated and greatly esteemed so long as their seruice is thought profitable yet afterwardes their condition being knowen that credit doth decay and consequently the fauour they finde becommeth euery day lesse then other The law calleth them Traytors that indeuour to betray their Prince or the libertie of their countrey they are also called Traytors that hauing a charge doe yeeld the same vp vnto the enemie of whom it is by law decreed they ought to be capitally punished or at the least discharged Likewise all Explorators or spies that bewray our secrets and enforme the enemie are accounted Traytors and worthy capitall punishment With these offendors the Aegyptians vsed to deale more mildly for in that case the offendors had their tongues cut out and so suffered to liue They were also accounted to haue committed a crime treasonable that furnished the enemie with weapon or munition whereby they might offend vs and we with more difficultie offend them The goods of such men ought be confiscate and their liues subiect vnto death The doctor Paulus iudged that who so did sell any armour vnto the enemie did thereby incurre the forfeiture of his life Edward the third king of England in a Parliament holden at Winchester caused Edmond Earle of Kent to be conuicted of Treason for perswading other Lords to rebell Yet true it is that Traitors are diuersly punished according to the qualitie of the crime the custome of the countrey and the discretion of the Prince Tullus Hostilius king of Rome caused Metius Suffetius guiltie of Treason to be beaten by the Littori and after torne in pieces with horses Antony de Leua defending Pauia discouered a souldier of his had informed the French that in that citie small store of powder remained he called him to be examined and the fault confessed the souldier was put to death and quartered Among the Athenians it was not lawfull to burie a Traitor which was the cause that the bones of Themistocles were secretly caried into his friendes house and there buried Bellesarius finding that a Citizen of Athens called Laurus had complotted treason commanded his bodie should be brought vnto a hill before the citie and there thrust thorow with a stake which maner of death is at this day vsed in Turkie Charles the Emperour making warre vpon Philip duke of Austria practized with certaine of the Captains to perswade Philip to leaue the fielde who hauing compassed so much as the Emperour required they demanded a reward of their treason which was foorthwith payed in counterfeit money and caried home But the Traytors perceiuing the money not to be good returned therewith desiring better
then at the discretion of the Chieftaine Yet doth it appeare that in the yeare 153. ab vrbe condita Publius Varro and Marcus Sergius Tribuni militum hauing receiued a defeat of the Vienti they the souldiers were commanded to pay a great summe of money notwithstanding that Sergius affirmed the losse to proceed only from the fortune of warre And Virginius desired he might not bee made more vnfortunate at home then he had bene in the field Zeno the Emperor punished a souldier for taking vpon him to let another mans house his owne terme being therein determined because Iustinianus had inhibited souldiers to dispose or meddle with goods not their own Vnto like punishment is hee subiect that shall require his Prince to permit him to receiue pay in two diuers armies If any souldier did take vpon him other function then that of the warre or so do as deputie vnto another he was taxed in ten pounds of gold Archadius and Honorius made a lawe that if any souldier disturbed a victualer he should pay an hundred pounds of gold The same Emperors ordeined that if any Captaine or other Commander whatsoeuer did vse a greater part of an house or lodging then the Harbenger had allotted vnto him he should incurre the penaltie of three hundred pounds in gold if any souldier of lesse quality so did he should be cassed Theodosius the Emperour to suppresse all euill customes in the war decreed that if a souldier required any thing that was appertaining to his host he should be taxed to pay ten pounds The French King made a law that if souldiers did take the goods of any Citizen or man of the countrey hee should be capitally punished as if they had committed theft Kanutus King of Denmarke ordeined that all military paines might be satisfied and redeemed by money excepting only the chastisement of beating therfore who so had incurred the crime of manslaughter was condemned in forty thousand talents of money one part thereof to be payd vnto the King another to the souldiers and the third to the kinsfolke of the party slaine CHAP. 16. Of degrading and dishonouring Souldiers APpius Claudius by commandement of the Senate pronounced that all the Romane souldiers taken prisoners by King Pyrrhus of Epiro and after by him freely set at liberty should be put backe and lose honour Hee that serued on horsebacke from thencefoorth became a footman He that was a foote souldier was put to a sling and he that embezeled another mans weapon was vtterly discharged Hee that abandoned his place did forfeit his degree He that in peace did forsake a Leader of horse was put from his place and if many haue done so and returne shortly then they were all abased and appointed to meaner seruices He that moued any muteny or small sedition was degraded and abased Diuers Emperors haue decreed that if any souldier on the holy day did behold Comedies or other vaine sights he should lose his entertainement Iustinianus depriued a Captaine called Bessa for hauing omitted opportunitie to renforce a place of strength called Petra Seuerus the Emperor confined and degraded all the Praetorian souldiers that distrubed Pertinax He also tooke from them their militarie girdles their apparel and other ornaments confining them to abide an hundreth miles from the citie Fuluius Flaccus the Censor deposed his brother from militarie dignitie because hee being a Tribune without order from the Senate did license a band of souldiers to returne to their houses CHAP. 17. ¶ Punishment Militarie by beating FOrasmuch as great Captaines did finde by experience that hope of impunitie was the occasion of many Militarie errors and to the end no fault should be free from chastisement they therefore appointed paines to be inflicted vpon euery offence A souldier that resisted correction offered by his Captaine was beaten with a cudgell and if he laid holde or hand thereof he was cassed and if he brake it or laid hand vpon his Captaine he was put to death whereof may be inferred that souldiers were anciently beaten The Romane vse in this kinde of punishment was thus A Captaine comming to correct a souldier at the first sleightly touched his person with a cudgell or as some haue written with a withy made of a vine tree which done all other men present in the Armie did strike the condemned man with staues and stones yet when many had offended together they were not thus handled but out of a great number some eight or ten of the seditious were slaine the rest sent away In the meane space all were in feare of equall punishment The Senate of Rome vsed to deliuer vnto their Captaines a certaine short staffe or cudgell wherewith to beat the souldiers that offended which serued also to direct them in their march and rankes This punishment they called Castigatio per vitem Hadrianus the Emperour refused to deliuer any such staffe but onely to Captaines of discretion and good fame It is also written that Lucilius a Centurion hauing broken his staffe required another and breaking that also demanded a third Whereupon as Tacitus noteth he was nicknamed Cedò alteram i. Reach me another Caluinus called also Domitius obteined license of the Senate to beat a Captaine named Iubillius for fleeing the field cowardly It is also extant that certain Legions abandoning a Consul were beaten or as now by the Italian phrase wee terme it did receiue the Bastonado This kind of punishment was euer accompanicd with infamy which moued Kanutus king of Denmarke to decree that all punishments of that kind might be dispensed with for money alledging that because dogges were so corrected therefore it was of all other chastisements most ignominious and consequently to be abhorred perswading all great Captaines to vse temperance and to punish rarely and aduisedly remembring that Phaleucus a Generall of the Phocenses was slaine by a souldier to whom he had giuen a Bastonado much more cautious and slow ought Collonels and priuate Captaines to be in offering this kind of correction CHAP. 18. Of wages or pay FOrsomuch as the life of man cannot bee susteined without meate and souldiers wants can not be supplied where money lacketh it behoueth they should be furnished with ordinary and dayly wages Yet true it is that in times long since passed men of warre serued at their owne charge and without pay therefore at what time the Romanes begun to giue wages is not I thinke certainely knowen Some histories say that vntill the reigne of king Tullus the Romanes receiued no wages Others affirme that giuing of pay began when Massinissa made warre with Syphax king of Numidia for then Scipio hired certaine mercenary souldiers a course neuer before knowen among the Romanes Liuy writeth that in the yeere 348. ab vrbe conditae when Gneus Cornelius Cossus Valerius Potitus Publius Cornelius Cossus and Claudius Fabius Ambustus were Tribunes militarie with authoritie Consulate at the siege and sacke of Anxur now called Terracina the Senate decreed
failing to vse his vttermost force of body and valour of minde That after the atteyning of any enterprise he should cause it to be recorded to th' end the fame of that fact might euer liue to his eternall honour and renowne of the Noble order That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of iniury or oppression then some knight of the Order whō the king should appoint ought reuenge the same That if any knight of forraine nation did come vnto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowesse that then were he single or accompanied these knights ought be ready in Armes to make answere That if any Lady Gentlewoman Widow Maiden or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring they were or had bene in this or other nation iniured or offered dishonour they should bee gratiousty heard and without delay one or more Knights should bee sent to make reuenge That euery Knight should bee willing to enforme yong Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of Arms therby not only to auoid idlenes but also to increase the honor of Knighthood and Chiualrie Diuers other Articles inciting to magnanimious Action of honour in Armes these Knights were sworne to obserue which for breuitie I omit Neuerthelesse being vsed to lose my labour I aduenture to say this little and the rather because this order of knighthood is ancient and English I doe not read of any robe or habit prescribed vnto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made Their place of meeting and conuocation was the city of Winchester where king Arthur caused a great round Table to be made and at the same the Knights at the feast of Pentecost did sit and eat The proportion thereof was such as no roome could be thought of more dignity then the rest Yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea perilous reserued for that Knight that did excell the rest in vertue That place by consent of all the Knights was allotted vnto King Arthur who for his valour surpassed other professors of Armes Of officers and ministers belonging vnto this Order I doe not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keepe records of all and euery action enterprised attempted or performed by any or all these Knights which records were read and sung publikely to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights were many or fewe I doe not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie or much prowesse For at a city called Carlion resorted vnto king Arthur at one time ten kings and thirteene Earles besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner title As the conquests of this King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that vnto his chiefe Seneschal or Steward called Kay hee gaue the prouince of Anjou on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandie and to his cousin Berell he granted the Dutchie of Burgundie and vnto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue and merit Some men haue surmised that the successe of king Arthurs prosperous proceeding in his enterprises was occasioned by counsell of one Merlin a man in that time reputed a Prophet King Arthur hauing all his youth found fortune his friend was notwithstanding at length deceiued by the treason of one Mordred his owne cousen to whome during his absence out of England he had committed the gouernment He was also at a city called Augusta encountred of the Romans and Saracens conducted by a Consul called Lucius neuerthelesse Arthur by his great valour slew Lucius and forced his Romanes to flee In that battell also were slaine fiue Saracen kings After this victorie Arthur returned into England and fought with Mordred In which conflict died Gawen a Noble Knight and cousen to king Arthur Also in landing Aquisel king of Scots was slaine But notwithstanding the losse of these valiant Knights king Arthur landed and Mordred fledde to London where the Citizens would not suffer him to enter the City Then he went into Cornewall where Arthur did slea him and he himselfe was mortally wounded So great a slaughter had neuer ben before that day seene After this conflict king Arthur was neuer found aliue or dead but as some Poets haue supposed was taken vp into the firmament and remaineth there a Starre among the nine Worthies which fancie is founded vpon the prophecie of old Merlyn who many yeeres before affirmed that Arthur after a certaine time should resuscitate and come vnto Carlion to restore the round Table There he wrote this Epitaph Hic iacet Arturus rex quondam rexque futurus CHAP. 6. ¶ How enterprises aduenturous ought be admired but not discredited TRue it is as hath bene formerly said that many enterprises in times past attempted and atchieued aboue the expectation of men are now thought rather fabulous then faithfully reported either because we that now liue did not know or see them or that ignorant men cannot conceiue howe they might be done or that want of courage doth disable them to take the like actions in hand Yet most certaine it is that diuers histories commonly reputed vaine fables were at the first begun vpon occasion of matter in effect true although some writers afterwards to shew the excellencie of their inuention or make their workes more vendible haue added many fancies and fictions which are not indeede worthy to bee beleeued And who so shall well consider how difficult a thing it is to write an history of so great trueth and perfection as cannot be controlled will easily excuse these writers that haue taken in hand matter so farre from our knowledge and vnderstanding For like vnto all other men mooued with loue hate profit or other priuate passion they are either willing or ignorantly induced to encrease or extenuate the actions and merits of those men of whom their histories haue discoursed How soeuer that bee I verely thinke the Acts and enterprises of Vlysses Aeneas Hector and other famous captaines of whome Poets and profane Writers haue written so many woonders were indeed of notable men and some part of their doings such as writers haue made mention Much lesse doe I doubt that some egregious acts atchieued and written in the bookes of Amadis de Gaule Ariosto Tasso King Arthur of England and such others doe containe many things which deserue not to be discredited But omitting to meddle with time so long since past and with countreys so farre from our Climate wee will remember some few Actions which worthy men of our owne Nation or our neighbours as that of Hernando Cortez Pisarro and others haue within our knowledge to the eternizing of their fame and honour perfourmed The greater part of which enterprises haue bene atchieued in this present age and shall no doubt hereafter when men are lesse industrious be thought rather fabulous then
matters credible Let vs therefore say no more of matter so long before our dayes and begin with actions notable performed by men of our owne Countrey and they for the most part persons of such qualitie as were not forced with distresse but with desire to aduance the honour of their Countrey Wee reade in Authors worthy credit that at one time twentie thousand Souldiers of this most noble Iland then called great Britaine traueiled from hence vnto Iudea and vnder the Emperours Vespasian and Titus serued at the siege and sacke of Ierusalem The like enterprize was long after taken in hand by King Richard the first who in his owne person traueiled to recouer the same Citie from the Saracens The voyages and marueiles which Sir Iohn Mandeuile reporteth are accompted of many men rather fables then reports of trueth yet of late yeeres some Sailers euen of our owne nation haue found by experience they ought not to be discredited Who would haue thought it possible to passe securely into Syria Persia Media and other farre countreys in the East and Southeast vntill M. Anthony Ienkinson a gentleman yet liuing and worthy beleefe performed those and other right notable Voyages It is also certaine that Thomas Windhame a gentleman well borne and worshipfully descended sailed from thence to Guinea and the kingdome of Benin and since that time Captaine Fenner performed the same iourney so farre as the Ilands of Capo verde All which Voyages with many other were made by Princes or persons of reputation toward the South and Southeast The like may be said of Voyages of latter time towards the North and Northeast Regions performed by sir Hugh Willowby M. Ienkinson aforesaid M. Christopher Burrow and others Of voyages towards the West and Southwest countreys who hath not heard the Nauigation of sir Iohn Hawkins to Brasill and the West Indias of Roger Bodname gentleman to S. Iohn Vllua in the Bay of Mexico of sir Francis Drake to Nombre de Dios sir Martin Furbisher to Meta incognita sir Humfrey Gilbert to the coast of America sir Richard Greeneuile to Virginia M. Iohn Dauis gentleman his discouery 200. leagues beyond sir Martin Furbisher to the Northwest I omit to make mention of many Merchants Nauigators and simple Sailers of our land that haue not onely attempted but also performed marueilous actions to vulgar people and vnskilfull thought impossible Yet is it now publiquely knowen that sir Francis Drake and after him Thomas Candish esquier a yong gentleman scarcely knowne to Sailers within the space of two yeeres and three moneths effected a iourney about the Globe of the whole earth an action no doubt worthy all admiration and such as before that time had neuer bene performed Here might we also insert how the mightie and formidable Armada of Spaine was by her Maiesties Nauie conducted by the Earle of Nottingham vanquished Anno 1588. being in forraine Nations thought vnresistable And more lately the most noble and resolute assault and sacke of the Citie â— Cales and other strong places of Spaine was executed by the vertue and excellent valour of his said Lordship and the Earle of Essex lately high Marshal of England To these we may also adde the late and last yet not the least victorie gained by the noble Earle of Cumberland who by his proper vertue and at the particular charge of him and his friends assaulted and possessed the Isle of S. Iohn de Porto Ricco a place both by nature and art reputed impregnable These and other notable aduentures and victories were aboue the common opinion of men attempted and atchieued by worthie and excellent Captaines of our countrey and the chiefe of them within the raigne of our sacred Soueraigne by whose counsell and princely prudence they were begun and ended Magna non possumus quia nos posse non credimus CHAP. 7. The office and dutie of euery Knight and Gentleman FIrst it behooueth him to feare God and with all his power to maintaine defend the Christian faith To be charitable and comfort those that are afflicted To serue faithfully and defende his Prince and countrey couragiously To forgiue the follies and offences of other men and sincerely embrace the loue of friends To esteeme trueth and without respect maintaine it To auoide slouth and superfluous ease To spend the time in honest and vertuous actions To reuerence Magistrates and conuerse with persons of honour To eschew riot and detest intemperancie To frequent the warre and vse militarie exercises To eschew dishonest pleasures and endeuour to doe good vnto others To accommodate himselfe to the humour of honest company and be no wrangler To shunne the conuersation of peruerse persons and behaue himselfe modestly To be sober and discreet no boaster of his owne actes nor speaker of himselfe To desire no excessiue riches and patiently endure worldly calamities To vndertake enterprises iust and defend the right of others To support the oppressed and helpe widowes and Orphans To loue God and be loyall to his Prince To preferre honour before worldly wealth and be both in worde and deede iust and faithfull CHAP. 8. Of honourable ornaments due vnto men of vertuous merit who were euer after called Knights IN ancient Histories it appeareth that the old Romanes did giue rings of gold vnto men of qualitie seruing in the war whom afterwards they called Equites Such rings the Senators vsed also to weare whereof may be inferred that knighthood and ensignes of honour were giuen as well for Counsell as Militarie merit Cicero seemeth to say that Captaines generall had in vse after euery victory to make an Oration vnto souldiers commending their vertue and to those men that serued with much valour were giuen rings of gold We read likewise in holy Scripture that king Pharaoh in signe of honor did take a ring from his owne finger and gaue the same to Ioseph Some Princes also intending to honour their seruants and souldiers did bestow vpon them spurres of golde or guilded in signe they were men of vertue and professors of Armes on horsebacke for spurres are onely proper to souldiers of that sort and so it appeareth by the signification of the latine word Eques and likewise by the terme Caualiero ordinarily vsed of the Spaniards and Italian In old time as a token of honour and aduancement Princes did bestowe girdles and swordes And the lawe Ciuill seemeth to note that the girdle signified administration or dignitie and whosoeuer did loose that girdle should also forfeite all priuiledges which the lawe alloweth vnto souldiers A sword was alwayes hanging at the girdle and the hilts thereof either of golde or gâ—lt Hereof it commeth that Princes in creating a Knight doe either gird him with a sword or with a sword touch him on the head or shoulder thereby to signifie that as with the sword he is created a Knight so with the sword he ought to defend the Prince and countrey that did create him without feare of death or other
present vnto this most Honourable Order are these Doctor Bilson Prelate B. of Winchester Sir Edward Dier Chauncellour Knight Doctor Benet Register Deane of Windsor William Dethicke Garter Principall K. of Armes Richard Conings by Esquier Vsher. Officers of Armes attendants vpon the said Order W. Camden Clarencieux Kings of Armes W. Segar Norroy Lancaster Chester Heraulds Yorke Richmond Windesor Somerset Rouge-crosse Rouge-Dragon Pursuyuants Portcullis Blewmantle CHAP. 10. Of Knights Bannerets OTher degrees of Knighthood there are in England but because they we are no garment badge or signe to distinguish them from other gentlemen they are not knowen to strangers yet among our selues we know them right wel because euery one hauing such dignitie is called Sir As Sir Thomas Sir Iohn Sir William Sir Simon c. But first of Knights Bannerets A Knight that is to receiue this honour shal be led betweene two other Knights before the King or Generall bearing his Pennon of Armes in his owne hand and in presence of all the Nobilitie and other Captaines the Heraulds shal say vnto the King or his Generall these words folowing viz. May it please your grace to vnderstand that this gentleman hath shewed himselfe valiant in the field and for so doing deserueth to be aduanced vnto the degree of a Knight Banneret as worthy from hencefoorth to beare a Banner in the warre Then the King or Generall shal cause the points of his Pennon or Guydon to be rent off And the new Knight shal goe vnto his tent conducted betweene two other Knights the trumpets sounding all the way before him there to receiue sees viz. to the Heraulds three pound sixe shillings and viij pence And if he were before a Knight Bachelour then is he to pay also vnto the Trumpets twenty shillings I suppose the Scots doe call a Knight of this creation a Bannerent for hauing his Bannerrent Here is to be noted that no Knight Banneret can be made but in the warre and the king present or when his Standerd royall is displayed in the field A Banneret thus made and euery estate aboue him may beare his Banner displayed if he be a Captaine and set his Armes therein as Barons do CHAP. II. Knights of the Bath according to the ancient vse WHen an Esquier commeth to the Court to receiue this Order of Knighthood in time of peace according to the custome of England he shall be very nobly receiued by the officers of the Court as the Steward of Chamberlane if they be present or otherwise by the Marshals and Vshers and there shall be ordayned two Esquiers of honour wise and well learned in courtesie and nurture as also in feates of Chiualry and they shall be Esquiers and Gouernours of all which pertaineth to him who receiueth the order abouesaid and if the Esquier doe come before dinner hee shall serue the King of water or with a dish at the first course onely and then the Esquiers gouernours shall leade the Esquier that is to be Knighted into his chamber without any more adoe at that time and towards euening the Esquiers gouernours shall send for a Barber and hee shall prepare a Bath decked with linnen aswell within the Tubbe as without and that the tubbe be well couered with carpets and mantels for the colde of the night and then the beard of the Esquier shal be shauen and his haire rounded This done the Esquiers gouernours shall goe to the King and say Sir it is euening and the Esquier is readie at the Bathe when it shall please ye Whereupon the King shal command his Chamberlaine to conuey to the chamber of the Esquier the most gentle and wisest Knights that are then present to enforme counsell and instruct him in the order and feates of Chiualrie and likewise that the other Esquiers of that house with minstrelsie doe goe before the Knights singing playing and dancing to the chamber doore of the said Esquier And when the Esquiers gouernours doe heare the noyse of Musicke they shall vncloth the Esquier and put him naked into the Bath But at the entring of the chamber the Esquiers gouernours shall cause the musicke to cease and the Esquiers also for a time This done the Knights shall enter into the chamber still without making any noyse and then the Knights shall doe reuerence one to the other who shall be the first to counsell the Esquier in Order of the Bath and when they are agreed then the first shal go to the Bath and kneeling downe before the tubbe shal say secretly Sir great honour may this Bath be vnto you and then he sheweth him the maner of the Order that best he can and then putteth some of the water of the Bath vpon the shoulder of the Esquier and taketh leaue and the Esquiers gouernours shall attend on each side of the Bath themselues and after that same maner shall all the other Knights do one after another till they haue all done and then the Knights depart out of the chamber for a season This done the Esquiers gouernours doe take the Esquier out of the Bath lay him in his bed till he be dry which bed ought to be simple without curtens and being dry he shal rise out of his bed and apparelled somewhat warme because of the coldnes of the night and ouer all his apparell he shal weare a coat of Russet cloth with long sleeues after the manner of an Hermit with an hood The Esquier being out of the Bath and made readie the Barber shall take away the Bath and all that is about the same aswell within as without and take them for his fees and likewise the Coller if hee be an Earle Baron Banneret or Bachelor Knight according to the custome of the Court This done the Esquiers gouernours shall open the chamber doore and let the Knights enter in to leade the Esquier to the Chappell And when they are entred the Esquiers singing and dauncing shall be brought before the Esquier with their melodie to the Chappell And when they are entred into Chappell then spices and wine shall be giuen to the sayd Knights and Esquiers And the Esquiers gouernours shall lead the Knights before the Esquier to take their leaues And he shall thanke them altogether for their trauell honor and courtesies And so they depart after whom the Esquiers gournours shall shut the doore and let no man tarie in the Chappell except the Esquiers his gouernours the Priests Chandler and Watch. And so he shall remaine in the Chappell till it be almost day alwayes in prayer desiring God to blesse and increase his grace in him to giue him power and comfort to take this high temporall dâ—gnitie to the honour and prayse of him the holy Church and order of Knighthood And when day appeareth they shal cause the Priest to say prayers and communicate if he will And from the entring of the Chappell doore hee shall haue a candle of waxe borne before him Prayers being begunne one of the Gouernours
reason of many alterations and losses which hapned vnto the Christians in the East at that time Hee elected for Patron of this Order the Apostle S. Andrew The Soueraigne of this Order is he vnto whom the Dukedome of Burgundie doth lawfully descend The number of these Knights first elected were foure and twenty besides the Soueraigne all men of Noble blood without reproch and of vertuous merit The habit is an vnder garment of Crimson veluet with a mantle of the same lined with white it openeth on the right side and in the wearing is turned vp on the left shoulder it is richly embrodered round about with a border of flames fusils and fleeces The hood of crimson veluet the Knights we are on their heads as by the figure appeareth The Collar of this Order is of gold wrought of flames and fusils with the Toizon hanging thereat The Soueraigne hath authoritie in himselfe absolutely to giue and bestow the same at this pleasure This Collar or the Toizon euery Knight is bound to weare dayly or failing shall incurre a penaltie But in time of warre or vrgent affaires to weare the Toizon only shall suffise Or if by mishap the Collar doe breake it is permitted for mending thereof it may be carried vnto a goldsmith Or if any Knight trauelling by the way shall feare to be robbed he may lay the Collar aside Yet it is not lawfull to increase the quantitie of the Collar nor adde thereunto any stones or workemanship and most vnlawfull it is to sell it or change it Whosoeuer entreth into this Order mustrenounce all other Orders of Knighthood of euery Prince Company or Religion yet out of that law are excepted all Emperours Kings and Dukes vnto whom it is dispensed that they may weare the Ensignes of this Order if they be chiefe and Soueraignes of their owne Order Yet to the end the trueth may appeare a Councell of Knights shall be called to consent vnto that dispensation These with other Statutes and Ordinances the Knights of this great Order are sworne to obserue and keepe And many of them haue bene since the first institution enlarged altered ortaken away by the Soueraignes The day of assembly for these Knights was at the beginning appointed on the feast day of S. Andrew but since altered vnto the second of May and that but once in three yeres vnlesse it pleaseth the Soueraigne otherwise to command To this Order doe belong foure principall officers Viz. A Chancellor a Treasurer a Register and a king of Armes named Toizon D'or To this Order also appertaineth an Impreze the inuenter thereof was Charles Duke of Burgundie whose high valour brought Lewys the xj king of Fraunce vnto great trouble as Monsieur d' Argenton writeth The said Impreze or deuice was an Instrument made to strike fire called an Ansill with these words Antè ferit quam flamma micet meaning he had power to kindle great trouble before it were perceiued yet was the euent vnhappy for in the warre against Lorayne and the Suysses after the defeare of Morat and Granson his forces were vtterly ouerthrowen and his person slaine before Nancy the Euen of the Epiphany Whereupon Renato Duke of Lorayne being victorious and seeing the standerd of Duke Charles with the Impreze of the Instrument of fire sayd That vnfortunate Prince when he had most neede to warme him lacked leisure to strike fire which speech was pithie and the more because the earth was then couered with snow and by reason of the conflict full of blood At that time was the greatest frost and cold that any man liuing could remember The Toizon which these Knights doe weare hanging at their Collar of Order is the forme of a golden fleece which Iason woon at Colchos others do suppose it to be the fleece of Gedeon whereof the holy Scripture maketh mention which signifieth Fidelâ—ie or Iustice vncorrupted The number of these Knights was much encreased by the Emperour Charles the fifth who hauing the dukedome of Burgundie elected into that Order persons of greater Title then were at the beginning and commanded the election should be by consent After him King Philip of Spaine did the like The names of Knights in the first election THe Duke of Burgondie Soueraigne William de Vienna of S. George Rinieri Pot Lord of Castile The Lord of Rombaix The Lord Mountacute Orland de Vtquerque Anthony de Vergi Conte of Lignij Hugh de Lanoij Lord of Santes Iohn Lord of Cominges Anthony de Tolongion Marshal of Burgondie Peter de Luxemburg Conte of Beureine Gilbert de Lanoy Lord of Villerual Iohn de Villiers Lord of Isleadam Anthony Lord of Croy and Renti Florimont de Brimeu Lord of Massincure Robert Lord of Mamimes Iames de Brimeu Lord of Grigni Baldwin de Lanoij Lord of Mulambays Peter de Baufremont of Cargni Philip Lord of D'osteruant Iohn de Orequi Iohn de Croy Lord of Tours super Marne 〈…〉 CHAP. 15. Knights of S. Michael IN the yeere 1469. Lewis the xj French King erected an order of Knighthood whereinto himselfe with others the most principall Peeres of France did enter It is said the occasion which moued the King to intitle this Order with the name of S. Michael was the memory of an apparition of that Saint vpon the bridge of Orleance when that Citie was besieged by the English at which time liued a certaine mayden called Iohan a woman of so rare wit and valour in Armes as was reputed more then a mortall creature or rather some enchantresse of singular knowledge This Order is ornified with a great Collar whereat the Image of S. Michael hangeth The words thereon set are these Immensitremor Oceani The Soueraigne of this Order is the French King and his successors The number of Knights to be elected into this Order is 36. But of late yeeres that number hath bene much encreased and thereby the order become of small reputation yet it is said that the great Collar and Robe is bestowed onely to that number although the Michael be giuen vnto many Howsoeuer that be sure it is that th'entent of that King was to make choise onely of the most noble personages of his owne blood and others who for vertue and honour were accompted worthy as by the first election appeareth who were these KIng Lewis the 11. Soueraigne Charles of Spaine Duke of Vienna Iohn Duke of Burbon and Auerne Luys de Luxemburg Conte of S. Paul and Constable of France Andre de Laual Lord of Ioheac Marshal of France Iohn Conte de Sanserre Lord of the Forrâ—t and of Plessis Mace Iohn de Tonteuille Lord of Castiglione Lewis Bastard of Burbon Conte of Rosiglione and Admirall of France Anthony of Chiabanes Conte d'Ammartin and Grand-master of the Kings house Iohn Bastard d'Armignac Counte of Cominges Marshall of France and Gouernour of Delfinato George de Trimouille Lord of Craon Seneshal of Vienna Luys Lord de Cursol Seneshal of Poylon Gilbert de Gabanes Lord of CroitoÌ„ Seneshal of
Vienna Taniqui de Castello Gouernour of the Prouince of Rossiglioni and Sardenna The rest of Knights to be chosen into this Order was deferred vntill the the next meeting The place of assembly of these Knights and where their Armes with other Ensignes of Knighthood should be preserued was appointed to be the Church on Mount S. Michael To this Order belongeth a Treasurer a Chanceller a Register and an Herauld named Monsanmichaele The feast ordeined for these Knights was on Michaelmas day to bee kept yeerely The Statutes appertaining to this Order are to be seene in the booke intituled Les Ordinances de France In the raigne of Henry the second French King the habit of this Order of S. Michael was altered in maner following as to this day is continued First his dublet hose shoes scaberd with the band of his cap feather were all white His surcoat of cloth of siluer with the sleeues on Ouer that hee wore a mantle of cloth of siluer tied ouer the right shoulder and turned vp ouer the left it was bordered about with a rich embroidery of cockles and knots Ouer the right shoulder lay his hood of cloth of siluer spreading ouer his backe the tippet hanging before and ouer all the Collar of the Order of S. Michael â—mmanud Philibâ—â—tus 〈◊〉 Dux Prâ—â—â—ps Peâ—emontij Ord S. Aâ—â—un ciation Equ◠〈◊〉 Fol. 8â— CHAP. 16. ¶ Knights of the Annunciation THis Order was also about the same time begun by Amedeo Count of Sauoy sirnamed Iâ— Verde in memory of Amedeo the first Earle who hauing valorously defended the Iland of Rhodes against the Turkes wanne those Arnâ—es which deseruingly are now borne by the Dukes of Sauoy Viz. Gules a crosse Argent The Collar appertaining to this Order is made of gold and on it these foure letters engrauen F. E. R. T. which signifieth Fortitudo eius Rhodum tenuit At the said Collar hangeth a Tablet wherein is the figute of the Annunciation The Church appointed for ceremonies appertaining vnto this Order is called Pietra within a Castle in the Diocesse of Belleis whereunto was giuen at the foundation of this Order certaine lands for the sustentation of fifteene Chapleins For continuance of this Order at the time of the constitutioâ— were made many honourable ordinances to be kept by the Knights presently elected and after to be elected The chiefe of them are these following First that he the said Duke and his successour should be Lord and Soueraigne of the said Order That euery brother and companion of the said Order should at all occasions fauour loue and maintaine one the other and also defend and protect his person estate against euery other person or persons whatsoeuer That if any question or controuersie should arise betweene two Knights then they to submit the ordering thereof vnto two or more of the fraternitie and after to obserue the same vnuiolated That for auoiding of suite in Lawe whensoeuer any cause of Action was betweene the Knights then the censuring thereof should be referred vnto foure other companions of the Order to the end the matter might be determined without charge or expences And if the question depending were difficult then the Knights that were to consult there of might call vnto their assistance two Doctors mâ—n of approoued honestie and vnderstanding That euery Knight at his death should giue towards the maintaining of the said Church an hundreth Florins to be deliuered into the hand of the Pryor for the time being That at the death of euery Knight the rest of the companions should assemble at the Castle of Pietra to bury the dead in good and honourable order and euery of the said Knights to weare a white gowne and so make their offering Or if any of them could not be present then with what conuenient speed might be to come thither after That euery Knight at his buriall should giue vnto the Church a Collar a Banner his Armour and coat of Armes if he be a Banneret or not being he ought to giue a Penon of Armes a Collar and coat of Armes All which shall be offered on the day of entertainment at the Church in memory of the dead That euery Knight should at his owne charges come vnto the buriall accompanied with two seruants and bring thither foure great waxe Candles or Torches weighing one hundreth pounds ¶ After this Order of Knighthood was ordained at the Castle of Pietra the third of Februarie Anno 1434. by Amadeo first Duke of Sauoia these Statutes were added THat euery Knight after the death of any of the brethren should during certaine dayes be apparelled in blacke and not weare the Collar for nine dayes next after the Knights decease signified That the Soueraigne should at the buriall offer vp his collar That euery Knight in going to offer should proceed according to his ancientie without other respect That no Knight should be receiued into the Order that was a person noted for any dishonourable reproch or if after hee were receiued any fault should be committed then presently was forced to forgoe his collar and neuer more to weare it but returne it vnto the Soueragine within two moneths And if he failed so to doe then to abide the censure of his companions and by an Herauld be summoned to send the collar vnto the Soueraigne and be enioyned neuer after to weare it That euery Knight should be sworne to weare the Order daily and not to accept any other Some other Statutes there are which for breuitie I omit 〈…〉 Henricus Borbortius â— Rex Francia et Nauartaâ— Ordin S. Spiritus Eques Suâ—â—â—mus Fâ—l â—6 CHAP. 17. Knights of S t Esprit THE Order of S t Esprit was instituted by the right Christian King of France and Poland Henrie the third of that name containing a hundred and fiue Articles This Knighthood was instituted in the yeere of grace 1578. and in the fifth yeere of his reigne It was called the Order of the S. Esprit for that on the day and feast of Pentecost it pleased God as they say by the inspiration of the holy Ghost to vnite the hearts and wils of the Polish Nobilitie at an assembly of Estates generall of that puissant kingdome together with the great Duchie of Lituania to make choise of the said Henry for their King and afterward vpon the same day and feast to call and accept him to the rule and gouernment of that Crowne In commemotation whereof with the aduice consent of the Queene his mother the Princes of his blood and other Princes Officers of his Crowne and Lords of his Councell he instituted this Militarie Order of S. Esprit to be continued for euer with all Ordinances and Statutâ— therein mentioned irreuocable The number of persons conteined in the said Order are one hundred besides the Souereigne which is euer the King in which number are comprehended foure Cardinals fiue Prelates the Chauncelor Prouost Master of the Ceremonies great Treasurer and Scribe who are called
Collars in token they excell all other degrees of Knighthood Godfredus Adelmarâ— Institut Ordin Tem plariorum Fol. 98. CHAP. 18. Knights Templars IN the yeere 1117. nine Gentlemen who happened to meete in the Holy land of which number was Godfredus Aldemaro Alexandrino and Hugo de Planco de Paganus among themselues determined to erect an Association or brotherhood And being come vnto Ierusalem they consulted vpon the estate of that countrey beeing enformed that in Zaffo a towne anciently appertaining to the family of Contareni in Venice there remained many theeues that vsed daily to rob such Pilgrims as resorted vnto the holy Sepulchre They therefore resolued as a seruice acceptable to God to hazard their liues in the suppression of those robbers whereby the way vnto Ierusalem might become secure And because the Christian armie was then employed in recouery of the Holy land no order was taken for safe passage To encourage these Gentlemen in so praiseable an enterprise a lodging in the Temple of Ierusalem neere vnto the Sepulchre was appointed of which place they tooke the name of Knights Templars Also the King and Patriarch much liking an action so honourable furnished them with many necessarie prouisions To them also resorted many other Christians so as in short time the number became much encreased yet no habit signe or rule was agreed vpon Notwithstanding the Gentlemen persisted in their vow nine yeeres and grew to so great reputation that Pope Honorius at the suite of Steuen Patriarch of Ierusalem prescribed vnto them an order of life whereby they were enioyned to weare a white garment and Pope Eugenius added thereunto a red Crosse. After which time they elected an head or great master like vnto him that commandeth in Malta The number of these Knights daily encreased and their enterprises became famous not onely for guarding the way and passages but also they vndertooke warre against the Infidels both by Sea and land And the Christian Princes mooued with loue of their vertue in sundry prouinces assigned vnto them houses and great reuenues to be spent in Gods seruice In processe of time they became so potent as in euery Christian kingdome they were owners of Townes Fortresses and Castles and wheresoeuer the great Master did goe a mightie army did follow him It pleased God afterwards to permit that Ierusalem and other places of the Holyland through discord among the Christians and negligence of Princes not sending thither any aid was conquered about ninety yeeres CHAP. 19. Knights of San Iago At such time as the Arabians had well neere conquered the Countrey the remainder of the Spanish people refusing to liue vnder the Lawes of that barbarous nation retired themselues vnto the mountaines of Asturia and there setled a gouernment After some yeeres of their abode there certaine gentlemen consulting together determined to make an association and begin a warre vpon the infidels and Moores These gentlemen to the number of thirteene being all Barons and men of great qualitie agreed also vpon certaine religious rules of Knighthood yet reseruing vnto themselues libertie of mariage The Ensigne which they resolued to weare was a red Crosse in forme of a sword This Order was erected at such time as the King Don Ramiro wanne the victory against the Moores in the prouince of Compostella at which time great possessions and priuiledges were giuen to S. Iames of Compostella Anno 1030. This Order hath one chiefe gouernour who is called great Master he with thirteene other Knights haue authoritie to choose or remooue any Knight at their discretion Vpon the feast day of all Saints these Knights do vse to meete and consult vpon matters apperteining to their estate The reuenues belonging to these Knights is marueilous amounting to many hundred thousand duckets Many Popes haue giuen their alowance to this Order yet either they could not or would not reserue a greater tribute thereof then ten Malachini yeerely Thomas Docwra Ordinis S. Iohis Hiâ—rosolom vulgo de Malta Pras. in Anglia Eques vlt. Fol 94. CHAP. 20. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called Knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta IT is written I know not with what warrant that at the Citie of Amiens in Picardie a Prouince of France there was borne a certaine Gentleman who in his childhood had bene brought vp in learning and being growen to mans estate disposed himselfe to the exercise of Armes and there in long time continued Afterwards hauing attained riper yeres he despised the world and framed himselfe to a solitarie life as one fully resolued to liue in contemplation vnseene of any but God alone Hauing sometime remained in that solitarie sort a suddaine desire he had to visite the Sepulchre where Christ was buried which shortly after he did And to the end he might with securitie passe the Barbarous Nations he apparelled himselfe like vnto a Phisition by which meane without impediment he performed his iorney Thus hauing passed the difficulties of trauell in diuers strange Countries he arriued at Ierusalem and being there fell into acquaintance with Simon Patriarch of that Citie and in lamenting wise enformed him of the oppression and crueltie offered and dayly vsed by the Infidels towardes the poore Christians in those Countreys Whereunto Simon answered that albeit the Christians in those countreys indured great outrages yet they of Ierusalem suffered much greater and should be forced to more if God did not defend them By this conference the Patriarch conceiued Peter the Hermit for so he was called to be a man of good vnderstanding and apt to execute any action of importance that should be committed vnto him Whereupon the Patriarch determined to make him a messenger vnto the Pope vnto whom by letters he imparted the great calamitie and afflicted estate of the poore Christians inhabiting the Holy land Peter hauing receiued his instructions and letter of credence returned into the West first vnto the Pope and after sollicited other Princes in such sort and with so good successe as by his perswasions many great Kings and Potentates consented to take in hand the recouery of the Holy land from the oppression of the Infidels and some of them furnished that enterprise with men some with money and some did go in person Among which number as the chiefe was Robert Duke of Normandie sonne to King William of England Godfrey Duke of Lorain with two of his brethren called Eustace and Baldwin Robert Earle of Flanders Hugh surnamed the Great brother to the French King with diuers other Princes Dukes Earles and Barons Also thither went Beaumond Duke of Calabria who for zeale to that seruice or desire of honour resigned his Dukedome vnto Ruggiero his brother taking with him so many of his subiects as would voluntarily follow him of whom with such other Captaines and souldiers of Italy as came vnto him hee assembled more then twenty thousand all choyse men and young fit for warre All things in this sort prepared for the iourney Vrban
the second then Pope sent vnto the Captaines a white Crosse with commandement that all the souldiers should weare the like calling that enterprise La cruciata It is sayd that the Christians as such time as this warre was proclaimed in Cleirmont a citie of Auergna indeuoured themselues vniuersally to animate the souldiers and ioyned in generall prayer for their good successe giuing them meat apparel and furniture vnasked or required Moreouer those that were indebted were forgiuen and such as had beene banished were pardoned The women also contrary to their custome willingly and with much ioy consented their husbands and sonnes should passe in this enterprise and for their furniture gaue them their Iewels Chaines and money The French King likewise sent them great treasure and gaue priuiledges to the souldiers lands and wiues in their husbands absence And many great Princes and other Lords sold and impawned their Patrimonies to further this action So as the Armie assembled for this holy enterprise amounted vnto three hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horse who presently marched towards Constantinople where they passed the Strait called Bosphoro Thracio landed at Calcedonia For the first enterprise they besieged Nicea in Bithynia which within fiftie dayes was yeelded and the fouth of Iuly at the foote of certaine mountaines neere vnto that citie the Christians fought a battell with a Turkish Armie which in number exceeded ours and thereat was present Solyman the Emperour of Turkie but the Christians had victory with the losse of two thousand men of the Enemies were slaine fourtie thousand This victorie gained the Christians following their enterprise within short time wonne an hundred cities and townes of accompt and among them the great Antiochia before which they begun the siege the twentieth of October and tooke it the last of May following where they found Corbona King of Persia and Cassiano Lord of Antioch Neere vnto that place in one other conflict were slaine more then one hundred thousand Turkes with the losse of foure thousand of ours The cause of this victory was in that time of superstition imputed to the vertue of a bloody Lance found in Antiochia which they supposed to bee a speare wherewith Christ was wounded on the Crosse. It was also sayd that the Turkes did see or imagine another great Armie comming against them from the mountaines conducted by three Captaines mounted vpon three white horses the beholding wherof occasioned their flight This victory being had a Nauie arriued from Genoa and from Venice Also with them came certaine ships conducted by one Vymer of Bullein in Picardie a notable Pirate who repenting his former like determined to follow that honourable Action The Christian forces thus increased they marched towards Ierusalem and besieged it notwithstanding the city was of great force yet by Gods helpe and the valorous aduenture of the Christians it was assaulted and in the end yeelded Anno 1099. This Citie thus conquered the sayd Peter as the chiefe procurer of the enterprise was highly honoured and Godfrey Duke of Lorayn elected King of the Holy land But to returne to the Original of these Knights I say that somewhat before the Christians conquered the Citie of Ierusalem they had obteined of the Saracens leaue to dwell neere vnto the Sepulchre of Christ and there builded an house calling it the Hospital of Christians whither all other Christians dayly resorted After that the number of Christians increasing they builded another houses for women calling it S. Mary Magadelens And at length they made a third house calling it S. Iohn Baptists where for the keeping of good order they appointed an officer whom they called Rector Some time after was elected to that fellowship a gouernour called Gerardus who commanded that he with al others of that house should weare a white Crosse vpon a blacke garment which was the originall of the Order and euer since hath bene vsed Afterwards one other Rector or great Master was elected whose name was Raimondus to whom authority was giuen that he should gouerne and command all Knights of this Order where soeuer they were dispersed Many yeeres after these Knights conquered the Isle of Rhodes holden by the Turkes Anno 1308. which was the cause they were commonly called Knights and diuers princes seeing them martially inclined gaue vnto them great lands and possessions and they became greatly esteemed for their seruice chiefly against the sayd Turkes and the Soldan king of Egypt and Ierusalem The sayd Isle of Rhodes during those Knights inhabited there was foure times assaulted yet by Gods helpe and the valiancie of the Knights it was defended Then Mahomet Otoman Emperour of Turkie Anno 1480. with an excessiue force of men and an hundred Saile of Galleys conducted by a Bassa borne in Greece descended of the rase of Paleologi sometime Emperors of Constantinople did besiege it but after 89 dayes of continuall batterie they were forced to abandon the enterprise and for their farewell in the last assault the Knights slew more then fourtie thousand Turkes But in the yeare 1523. in the moneth of Ianuarie the Turkes againe inuaded the Island and after three moneths Siege preuailed for the rest of Christendome neuer vouchsafed them either aide or reliefe Since the losse of Rhodes these Knights haue remained in the Island of Malta and often defended it against the enemies of Christendome but chiefly in the yeere 1565. The first erector of Statures and Rules for the gouernment of these Knights was the sayd Raymondus calling himselfe Raimondo di Poggio Seruo dipoueri di Christo e custode dello spidalle di San Giouanni Battista di Ierusalem No man might be receiued into this Knighthood vntill he had proued his gentilitie in presence of the great Master and other Knights Nor no man descended of a Moore a Iew or Mahometan might be admitted although he were the sonne of a Prince And euery Knight of this order was sworne to fight for the Christian faith doe Iustice defend the oppressed relieue the poore persecute the Mahometans vse vertue and protect Widowes and Orphanes Diuers other Articles there be but for that they are full of superstition I omit them CHAP. 21. Knights of Calatraua They were called Knights of Calatraua of the prouince and place where they were made and setled which was where anciently the chiefe Church of Templars had bene who not being of power sufficient to resist the Saracens were forced to yeeld the place vnto these Knights The habit of these Knights is a blacke garment and vpon it in the breast is set a red Crosse. These Knights haue also exceeding great possessions and many commandries in diuers places of Spaine Alphonsus Rex Câ—stiliâ— Institutâ—r Ord. Rubri Baltâ—i vulgo de la banda dict Fol. 98. CHAP. 22. Knights of the Band. THis order was first erected by Alphonso King of Spaine sonne to Ferdinando and Queene Constanza in the yeere 1268. And to giue the said Knighthood reputation and honour
the King himselfe with his sonnes and brethren vouchsafed to enter thereinto with them were also admitted diuers other gentlemen of best quality and greatest estimation The cause that mooued the King to name them Knights of the Band was for that hee commanded euery man elected into the Order should weare a certaine red Scarfe or Lace of silke the bredâ—th of three inches which hung on their left shoulder was tied vnder the right arme No man might enter into this Knighthood but such as the king did specially admit neither was any person capable of that dignitie vnlesse hee were the sonne of a Knight or some Gentleman of great account or at the least such a one as had serued the King by space of ten yeeres in his Court or in the warre against the Moores Into this Order no Gentleman could be receiued being an elder brother or an heire in possession or apparance but only such as were yonger without land and liueload because the Kings intention was to aduance the Gentlemen of his Court that had not of their owne At such time as any Gentleman was admitted a Knight he promised to obserue these Articles following which I haue thought good particularly to expresse and the rather because they tend only to entertaine the minds of men in the offices of Courage and Curtesie without any mixture of superstition whereof almost all other Orders in those dayes tasted First that hee should speake vnto the King for commodity of the common-wealth and the defence thereof so often as he were thereunto required and refusing so to doe shall for feit all his patrimony and be banished his countrey That he should aboue all things speake the trueth vnto the King and at euery occasion be faithfull to his Maiesty That hee should not be silent whensoeuer any person should speake against the Kings honor vpon paine of being banished the Court and depriued of his Band for euer That he should be no great speaker and in speaking to vtter the trueth but if he should say or affirme an vntrueth then for a punishment to in the streets without his sword for one whole moneth That he should endeauour himselfe to keepe company with wise mâ—â— and persons experienced in the warre for being found to conuerse wiâ—â— merchants artificers or base people he should be therefore greatly reproued by the great Master and for one moneth be commanded to keepe his house That he should maintaine his owne word and faithfully keepe promise with his friends and being found to do otherwise to be enioyned to walke and goe alone vnaccompanied of any other of the Kings Court should not presume to speake or come neere vnto any other Knight That he should alwayes haue good armour in his chamber good horses in his stable good launces in his hall and a good sword by his side or otherwise to be called Page and no Knight for one whole moneth That he should not be seene mounted vpon any Mule or other vnseemly hackney neither walke abroad without his Band nor enter into the Kings pallace without his sword nor eate alone at home vpon paine to forfeit for euery such offence one Marke toward the maintaining of the Tilt. That he should be no flatterer of the King or any other person neither take delight in skoffing vpon paine to walke on foote for one moneth and be confined to his house another moneth That he should not complaine of any hurt nor boast of his owne actes nor in curing his wounds crie Oh for if in vaunting wise hee vttered any oftentatious speeches he should be reproued by the great master and let alone vnuisited of all his companions That he should be no common gamester chiefly at the dice nor consent that others should play in his house vpon paine to forfeite for euery such offence one moneths pay and for one moneth and a halfe not to be seene in the Court. That he should not in any sort lay to pawne his Armour or weapons nor play away his garments vpon paine to be imprisoned in his owne house a whole moneth and for two moneths following to goe without the Band. That he should be dayly apparelled in fine cloth and on Holy dayes in silke and on high feastes weare gold in his garments if he pleased without being compelled so to do But if he did weare buskins vpon nether stockes of cloth the great Master should take them from him and giue them in almes to the poore That in walking either in Court or Citie his pace should not be swift or hastie vpon paine to be reproued of his fellow Knights and punished at the great Masters discretion That he should not speake any thing vnfit or offensiue to his fellowe in Armes vpon paine to aske him forgiuenesse and to be banished the Court for three moneths That he should not commence or enter suite of Law against the daughter of any Knight vpon paine neuer to haue Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court to his mistresse or wife That if he happened to meete with any Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court he should foorthwith alight from his horse and offer her his seruice vpon paine to loose one moneths wages and the fauour of all Ladies That if any Lady of honour required seruice at his hand he refusing to doe it hauing power should be called for euer the discourteous Knight That hee should not eate alone nor at any time feede vpon grosse meates That he should not enter quarell with any of his fellow Knights or if any such disagreement did happen that he nor any other Knight should make partie but by all good meanes seeke to reconcile them vpon paine to pay a marke towards the charge of the next Iusts That if any man not being of this Order should presume to weare the band that then he should be forced to fight with two Knights but vanquishing them should be also a Knight himselfe and being vanquished should be banished the Court and neuer to weare the Band. That if at any Iusts or Turnaments in the Court a Gentleman being not of the Order should winne the prize then the King was bound forthwith to make him a Knight of the Band. That if any Knight of the Band did offer to drawe his sword against any of his fellowes for so doing he should absent himselfe two moneths two other moneths weare but halfe his band And if a Knight did hurt his fellow in Armes he should be imprisoned one halfe yeere and the next halfe yeere be banished the Court. That no Knight for any offence should be punished or iudged before he were brought to the King and his pleasure signified That he should be euer furnished to attend on the King whensoeuer he went to the warre and if any battel were striken then ought these Knights ioyntly to giue the charge and if in any such seruice a Knight performed not his part he should loose one yeres pay and one other yeere weare but halfe
the Band. That no Knight should be inforced to serue in any warre saue onely against the Infidels Or attending on the King to any other warre to weare no Band and if he serued any other Prince in his warre he should loose the Band. That all the Knights should assemble three times a yeere to consult vpon matters pertaining to the Order The assembly was at such place as the King pleased to appoint and there they awaited with their horse and armour the first meeting was in April the second in September the last at Christmas That all the Knights of this Order should fight at the Turney at the lest twise euery yeere Iust foure times a yeere play at the Canes sixe times a yeere and mannage horses euery weeke And who so failed to performe all or any one of these Knightly exercises should attend on the King one moneth without a sword and one other moneth without a Band. That if the King did come to any citie or towne that then the Knights within eight dayes after should prepare a place for the Iusts and Turnaments they should also exercise all other warlike weapons and if any Knight were negligent in these things he should be confined to his lodging and weare but halfe the Band. That no Knight might remaine in Court without a mistresse with intent to marry her and not dishonour her and whensoeuer she pleased to walke he was to attend on her on foote or horsebacke to do her all honour and seruice That if any Iusts were holden within tenne miles of the Court euery Knight to be there vnder paine to goe without his sword one moneth and without his Band another That if any of these Knights were married within twentie miles of the Court all the rest should accompany him to the King to receiue a gift and from thence to the place of wedding to exercise feats of Armes there and euery Knight to present the bride with some gift That the first Sunday of euery moneth all the Knights should shew themselues armed before the King ready to performe any action in Armes at the Kings pleasure for the King would not haue them be only Knights in name but in deed also That in no Turnament there should be more Knights then thirtie on one partie and so many on the other partie and that no sword should be brought into the place but such as were rebated both of edge and point And that vpon the sound of trumpet the fight should begin and at the sound of the Clarions euery man to cease from fight and retire vpon paine that who so failed should neuer more enter into that combat and be banished the Court for one moneth That at euery day of Iusts ech Knight should passe foure Carieres before foure Knights appointed for Iudges and they who brake no staues in those courses should pay the charges of the Iusts That if any Knight were sicke and in perill of death all other his fellow Knights should visit him and exhort him to godlinesse And if he died to accompany his course to the graue Also to mourne in blacke one whole moneth and absent themselues from the Exercise of Armes for the space of three moneths vnlesse the King should otherwise command That within two dayes after such funerall all the Knights should assemble and present the Band of the dead Knight vnto the King making humble sute for some of his sonnes to succeed if any of them were meete praying it would please his Maiestie to be good to the mother that she might liue according to her honourable calling CHAP. 23. Knights of Alcantara THese Knights liuing in effect vnder the ordinances and rules of the Calatraua do weare a greene Crosse. Neere vnto the citie of Alcantara in Castiglia vpon the Riuer of Tago they haue a Church of great beautie indowed with rich possessions CHAP. 24. Knights of Montesio IN Valentia are the Caualieridi Montesio a place also seated in that Prouince These Knights do weare a red Crosse and their order begun about the same time that the Knighthood of Calatraua tooke beginning CHAP. 25. Knights of Redemption Their garments are white and thereon a blacke Crosse. The office of these Knights is to Redeeme Prisoners whereupon they are called Caualieri del redentione The chiefe gouernour of them remaineth at Barcellona CHAP. 26. ¶ The Originall of the Knights Teutonici The beginner of this Knighthood ' was a certaine Almane who after the taking of Ierusalem by the Christians together with diuers other of that Nation remained there This Almaine being exceeding rich and maried kept a franke and liberall house relieuing all passengers and Pilgrims that trauelled to Ierusalem insomuch that his house became as an Hospitall or place of ordinary accesse At length he builded nere vnto it a faire Church which according to the vse of that time he did dedicate to our Lady Not long after many Christians resorting thither as well for loue of the Christian Religion as to visit the sicke they resolued to erect a fraternitie and hauing chosen a great Master to be gouernour ordained that euery man of that association should bee apparelled in white and vpon their vppermost garment weare a blacke Crosse voided with a Crosse potence It was also agreed that no man should be admitted into that order saue onely Gentlemen of the Duch nation and they to protest at all occasions to aduenture their liues in defence of Christs Gospel About 88 yeers after Ierusalem had remained in the Christians hands it was taken againe from them by the Saracens in the yeere 1184 since which time it neuer was recouered For which cause these Knights retired to Ptolemaida where they remained At length Ptolemaida being also taken by the Saracens they returned into Germanie their naturall countrey where after some short abode as loathing rest and idlenesse they went vnto Fredericke the second then Emperour in the yeere 1220 to let his Maiestie vnderstand that the people of Prusia vsed incursions vpon the confines of Saxonie adding that those people were barbarous idolaters without the knowledge of God and therefore besought his Maiesty to grant them leaue to make warre vpon them at their owne charges yet with condition that whatsoeuer they gained his Maiesty would giue the same to the maintenance of that Order The Emperour allowing of that suite presently granted them the countrey and vnder his seale confirmed the gift These Knights by this donation much encouraged forthwith tooke Armes and within short space subdued all that prouince and then passed the riuer of Vistola and conquered other people who became their subiects and were made Christians Within short space after these Knights builded diuers Churches and among the same Cathedrall Temples making them places of residence for Bishops who were also enioyned to weare the habit of that Order Neere vnto the riuer Vistola was a great Oke where these Knights builded the first Castle and Towne which with time was encreased
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
Charles Lord of Hohenhuwen of Sueuia 2 George Lord of VVolffartshausen of Bauaria 3 Meinolphus Lord of Erbach of the Rheyn 4 Ernestus Grumbach Esquier The Actors in the first Triumph whose names were enrolled and presented vnto the Emperour were in all 390. Among whom These were the Emperours band The Duke of Holland The Prince of Pomeran The Prince of Saxon. The Prince of Thuringia The Burgraue of Meydburg The Prince of Witten The Prince of Russia The Prince of Delmantia The Count of Thuringia The Marques of Staden The Prince of Ascania The Earle of Aldenburg The Earle Valesius The Earle Harracortius The Earle Schuuartzburg The Earle Weissenfels The Earle Gleichen The Burgraue of Leisneck The Earle of Eberstein The Earle of Eysenburg The Earle of Rotel The Earle of Winssenburg The Earle of Wunssdorff The Earle of Vffen The Earle of Louenrode The Earle of Rochlitz The Earle of Piedmont The Earle of Alençonius The Earle of Bren. The Earle of Leisneck The Rawgraue of Cassell The Earle Woldenburg The Earle of Eskersberg The Earle of Pein The Earle of Arnsshag The Earle of Lobdiburg The Earle Nortingen The Earle of Ployssigk After the Emperour followed the Palatine of the Rheyn with his band containing 80. persons among whom were 7. Princes and 16. Earles viz. The Duke of Alsatia The Duke of Barry The Marques of Pontamonsa The Duke of Lymburg The Duke of Burbon The Duke of Limburg The Earle of Burgondy and others Next to him followed the Duke of Sueuia with his band containing 82. persons of which number 9. were Dukes and Princes Next followed the Duke of Bauaria with his band containing 69. persons of whom 8. were Dukes and Princes Next followed the Duke of Franconia with his band containing 80. persons of whom 4. were Princes Besides these Bands appertaining to the Emperour and the 4 principal Princes of Germany being the chiefe Nobility and Gentlemen yet other Princes also offered their Bands viz. Otho Duke of Thuringia the Emperours eldest sonne presented 112. persons of whom 8. were Dukes or Princes Likewise Arnoldus the Emperors second sonne presented 85. persons among whom some were also Princes To conclude the number of Princes Lords and Gentlemen that appeared in these triumphes before the fourth triumph was ended amounted vnto two thousand persons Then was there charge and commission giuen to Georgius Scuuabenlant to be the Herault and pronouncer of all Orders and Ordinances concerning those affaires He also tooke notes how euery man was mounted armed and furnished To him also appertained the publicatio◠of what honour or dishonour euery man deserued and therewith to perswade that no malice or quarrell should be among the Actors but euery one with an honourable emulation to do his best This Officer also proclaimed the priuiledges and what Armes were to be vsed and that done he assigned place where euery band should attend and in what order they should runne which were long to be rehearsed The troopes of Lances thus marshalled the beholders were permitted to enter But first of all the Princes Ladies and women of honour did take their places of whose beauty pompe and rich attire no man needeth to doubt These women thus prepared in passing to their places with due reuerence and thankes set them downe and the courses being runne desired that euery Actor might receiue the praise he deserued Therewith also that the chief prizes might be allotted to the 4. Kings appointed for the next triumph which should be celebrated at Rauensburg vpon S. Iames day Anno 941. which was 3. yeeres after this present triumph The prizes were deliuered according to the praises and pleasure of the Ladies This triumph and the ceremonies therof ended it pleased the Emperour to pronounce the first Article to be obserued in all future triumphs viz. IT should bee lawfull for all Gentlemen well borne to enter and fight in these exercises of Armes euer excepting such as in worde or deed had blasphemed God or done or said cōtrary to our Christian faith Of whom if any shall presume to enter the Lists wee will and commaund That the Armes of his ancestours with all other his furniture shal be cast out his horse confiscate and in lieu of honour which arrogantly and vnworthily was sought his person shal be expulsed with perpetuall infamy The second Article was pronounced by the Pallatin the effect whereof was THat if any Lord or Gentleman whatsoeuer hath or shall wittingly or willingly say or do any thing in preiudice of the dignitie Emperiall or profit thereof hee shal be repulsed from these exercises and suffer the punishments thereunto due I also ordaine and pronounce Meinolphus of Erbach to be King in the celebration of the next triumph and the chiefe leader of all my Nobilitie of the Rhein The third Article was pronounced by the Duke of Sueuia viz. THat if any Gentleman of what title soeuer hath by word or deed dishonored any virgin widow or other gentlewomā or hath by force taken or deteined any goods or lands to them or any of them belonging he shal be iudged vnworthy to receiue fame and honour in these triumphs hee shall also forfeit his horses and with infamy be expulsed the Lists Such is my censure irreuocable I likewise constitute Carolus Lord of Hohenheuuen to be a King in these triumphs and Leader of the Nobility of Sueuia The fourth Article was pronounced by the Duke of Bauaria viz. THat forasmuch as nothing was more agreeable to the glory of God and honour of the holy Empire then trueth I require that all men of what dignitie or title soeuer being knowen vniust in their doings and lyars should during their liues remaine infamous And if any person of such quality shall offer to enter the Lists I commaund him to be with dishonor dismounted I likewise pronounce George of Wolffarthuusen in my name to be King of the Prouince of Bauaria The fifth Article was pronounced by Conradus Duke of Franconia to this effect THat whosoeuer hath betrayed or forsaken his master in the field or in his iourney or hath procured any other man so to doe or if hee hath not defended his countrey his subiects others committed to his charge as is the duety of a good man or if wickedly he hath procured the trouble of any person or not defended him but left them as a pray to the enemy then I command that euery such person shal be for euer repulsed from the celebration of these triumphs hee shall also forfeit his horse and endure the ignominy due to men infamous I also pronounce Ernestus of Grumbach Esquier to be King of the triumph within my circuit of Franconia These Articles pronounced and written the Emperor called before him 15 men appointed to be Curatores ludorum as we may tearme them Superuisors of the Triumph to whome he said That forasmuch as he allowed and much liked the pastime his intention was to impart the same to all Kings Princes and Potentates
so haue I long desired to do and no time more fit then now when the Constable and his company may be iudge Yet such is my hap as I haue no Armor at hand For supply of that want quoth Boucmelius I will take order that two Armors shal be brought vnto vs and of them the choise shal be yours with euery other thing fit for our purpose This agreement made they imparted the same vnto the Constable and obtained his license yet with condition that they should attend vpon him the next day at which time hee would with other noble men see what should be the euent of that Action About the houre appointed these Champions did appeare and at the first course Clifford with his Launce pearced through the Armor and body of Boucmelius of which hurt he presently died This accident much grieued the French and Clifford himselfe was not a little sory which the Constable perceiuing said vnto Clifford Be not dismayed for this is the fruite of like aduentures and if my selfe had beene in thy place I should haue done the same for better euer it is to doe then suffer at the hand of an enemy The Constable hauing ended his speech conuited Clifford with his company to dinner and then caused them to be conducted to the next towne in safety CHAP. 36. ¶ An other Challenge of a French Gentleman in Spaine IN the Army of the King of Castile there was a French Gentleman young of yeeres and in Armes of great reputation men called him Tristram de Roy. He seeing the warres ended betweene the Kings of Castile and Portugal determined to returne home Yet desirous by some means to gaine honor before his arriuall in France procured an Herauld to goe vnto the English Army and proclaime That if any Gentleman there would breake three Launces he would challenge him This challenge being heard in the English campe a braue young Gentleman named Miles Windesor accepted thereof hoping by that occasion to merit the honour of Knighthood The next day according to appointment he appeared in the field accompanied with Mathew Gorney William Beuchamp Tho Simons the L. Shandos the L. Newcastle the L. Bardolf and many others The French Challenger appeared likewise honourably graced with friends and thus both parties in readinesse to runne the Lord Souldichius bestowed the dignitie of Knighthood vpon the said Windsor Which done the one charged the other and the two first courses were perfourmed with great courage yet without any hurt But in the third course the armour both of the one and the other was pearced through yet by breach of the launces both of them escaped more harme CHAP. 37. One other notable Challenge in France Anno 1390. IN the reigne of King Charles the sixth three noble young men of great hope and much affecting the warre liued in that Court viz. Mounsier de Bouciquant the younger Mounsier Reynaut de Roye and Mounsier de S. Pye all Gentlemen of that Kings chamber In the same time also there was in England a Knight for valour and militarie vertue of great fame men called him Sir Peter Courtney He hauing obtained license passed the sea and trauelled to Paris After a few daies rest in that citie he challenged Mounsieur Trimoulie a noble Gentleman in great reputation who accepting the defie obtained license to answere appointing a day and place The time being come the King accompanied with the Duke of Burgundy and many other great Estates went to behold that conflict The first course was performed exceeding well and ether partie brake his launce with commendation But the second launce being deliuered into their hands the King inhibited more should be done seeming somewhat offended with the English Knight who had made sute that he might be suffered to doe his vttermost This Action by the Kings commaundement was stayed and Sir Peter Courtney therewith grieued thought good to abandon that Countrey and so desired he might doe The King well pleased he should depart sent vnto him an honourable gift and the Duke of Burgundie did the like The King also commaunded Mounsiuer de Clary a greaâ— Lord to accompany him to Callis By the way they visited the Earle of S. Paul who married King Richards sister of England The Earle in most courteous manner welcommed Sir Peter and the rather for that his Ladie had formerly bene married to the Lord Courtney his kinsman who died young This Sir Peter Courtney being well entertained the Earle and hee with their company supped together in which time as the custome is they communed of many matters Among which the Earle asked of Sir Peter how he liked the Realme of France and what conceit he had of the Nobilitie Whereunto Sir Peter with a sowre countenance answered That hee found in France nothing to be compared with the magnificence of England though for friendly entertainment hee had no cause to complaine yet saide Sir Peter I am not well satisfied in that matter which was the chiefe cause of my comming into France For I protest in the presence of all this Honourable company that if Monsieur de Clary beeing a Noble Gentleman of France had come into England and challenged any of our Nation he should haue beene fully answered but other measure hath ben offered to me in France for when Monsieur de Tremoulie and I had engaged our honour after one Lance broken the king commanded me to stay I haue therefore sayde and wheresoeuer I shall become will say that in France I was denyed reason and leaue to doe my vttermost These words much moued Mounsieur de Clary yet for the present hee suppressed his anger hauing charge to conduct Sir Peter safely vnto Calis Notwithstanding this heate quoth the Earle let mee tell you Sir Peter that in mine opinion you depart from France with much honour because the King vouchsafed to entreate you that the fight might stay whom to obey is a certaine signe of wisedome and praise worthy I pray you therefore Sir Knight haue patience and let vs proceede in our iourney Thus Sir Peter hauing taken leaue of the Earle passed forth towards Calice accompanied with Mounsieur de Clary who so soone as they were entred into the confines of the English Dominion Sir Peter most heartily thanked him for his company and courtesie But Clary hauing made an impression of such sowre speeches as Sir Peter had vttered in the Earles house said thus Hauing now fully performed the Kings commandement conducting you safe to your friendes I must before wee part put you in minde of your inconsiderate words in contempt of the Nobility of France And to the end you being arriued in England shall haue no cause or colour to boast that you were not answered in France Loe here I my selfe though inferiour to many others am this day or to morow ready to encounter â—ou not for malice to your person or gloriously to boast of my valour but for conseruation of the fame and honor
due to our French nation where neuer wanted Gentlemen to answere in Armes when any English man should challenge Well quoth Sir Peter you say well and with good will I accept your challenge and to morow I will not faile to attend you armed with three Launces according to the custome of France This agreement being made Sir Peter went foorthwith to Calice there to furnish himselfe of Armes fit for the Combat And making the Lord Iohn Warren then Gouernour priuie to what was intended the next day hee returned to meete Mounsieur de Clary betweene Bullaine and Calice thither also went the Gouernor and other English Gentlemen to behold The courses betweene these Champions being begun at the first encounter either partie brake well but in the second encounter by default of the English Knights Armour he was hurt in the shoulder as other English Gentlemen did well see which moued the Gouernour of Calice to say vnto Mounsieur de Clary You haue dealt discourteously to hurt Courtney when his Armour was broken I am sory quoth Clary but in my power it is not to gouerne Fortune what is happened to him might likewise haue come to me The matter standing in these termes Mounsieur de Clary returned into France supposing he had deserued great commendation But being come to the Court the King the Duke of Burgundy and Trymoulie himselfe blamed him and the Counsel of France gaue sentence that his goods should be confiscate because the King hauing commanded that Sir Peter should be without offence peaceably conducted to Calice the matter was otherwise handled To be short Clary was brought to the Kings presence and by the Counsel asked what reason he had to take Armes against amy man whom the king expresly had commanded to defend These words much perplexed Clary and the kings offence did greatly amaze him Notwithstanding with a good courage he sayd that what was enioyned him to doe he had most faithfully performed But Courtney with insolent speech taxed him and all the French nation which without dishonor might not be endured He therfore thought not only to haue bene free from blame but also merit commendation yet quoth he seeing my expectation faileth me I submit my selfe to the censure of the Constable and Marshals of France I also will endure the iudgement of Courtney himselfe and all other men of Armes in the kingdomes of France and England All which excuses submissions notwithstanding he was committed to prison and his goods confiscate til at the humble and earnest suit of Mounsieur de Coucy the Duke of Burbon the Earle of S. Paul and the Englishman to whom he had done wrong hee was restored to liberty Then said the Constable Doest thou thinke Mounsieur de Clary to haue done well or honoured the French nation by taking Armes against Courtney who was recommended vnto thee If ought hath bene by Courtney spoken in preiudice of the French Nobility thou ought haue complained thereof to the king and then haue proceeded by his Maiesties direction But the matter was not so handled by thee which is cause of thy punishmēt From henceforth therfore be more aduised for thy liberty giue thanks vnto the duke of Burbon Mounsieur de Coucy the Earle S. Paul who haue exceedingly entreated to compasse this fauor Such was the end of this military Action CHAP. 38. ¶ One other most noble Challenge THe strange euent of the former conflict betweene Courtney Trimolie and Clary mooued the Ladies of the French Court to incite Bouciquant Roy and S. Pie to attempt some new feates of Armes vpon the confines of the King of Englands possessions in Picardy This generous motion proceeding from the Ladies was easily apprehended by the French Lordes and Gentlemen and chiefly those three aforesaid beeing of all others most desirous of same and military glory The King being made priuie to this intention commanded those three Gentlemen to frame a forme of Challenge in writing which should be allowed or reformed as to his Maiestie should be thought good which was done accordingly containing this in effect THe great desire wee haue to know the noble Gentlemen inhabiting neere the kingdome of France and therewith longing to make triall of their valour in Armes haue mooued vs to appeare at Ingueluert the 20. of May next and there to remaine 30. dayes We also determine to be accompanyed with other noble Gentlemen louers of Armes and Honour there to encounter all commers with Lances either sharpe blunt or both and euery man shal be permitted to run fiue courses We likewise hereby giue you to vnderstand that such order is taken as euery one of vs shall haue his shield and Empreaze hanging on the outside of the Pauilion to th' end if any of you desire to runne then the day before you may with a wandor such a Launce as you intend to run with touch the shield And who so meanetb to try his fortume both with blunt and sharpe must touch the shield with either and signifie his name to him that hath our said shields in keeping It is moreouer ordered that euery Defendor may bring with him one other Gentleman in lieu of a Padrin to encounter vs both or single as it shall please them Wherewith we pray and desire all noble and worthy Gentlemen of what Nation soeuer to beleeue that no pride or malice hath moued vs to this enterprize but rather an earnest desire to see and know all such noble Gentlemen as are willing to make proofe of their vertue and valor without fraud or couin In witnesse whereof euery one of vs haue signed these Letters with our seales and Empreaze Written and dated at Montepessolane the 20. of Nouember 1389. Subscribed Bouçequaut Roy. S. Pye THese Letters shewed to the King were imparted to his Counsell who considering their tenor deemed them to be presumptuous chiefly in respect the place appointed was neere vnto Calis which haply might call into question the truce taken for three yeeres Whereupon some of the most ancient Counsellors thought it vnmeete to permit the Challenge But others perceiuing the Kings inclination did allow thereof because the words of challenge were modest and reasonable The matter thus debated in Counsel the King called into his chamber all the three Challengers to whom he said thus Bouciquaut Roy and you S. Pye behaue your selues well and with respect both to priuate and publique comelinesse performe what you haue in hand As for charge spare not for of our bountie we wil bestow vpon you ten thousand Florins to be discreetly spent to your owne honour Then after most humble thankes giuen vnto his Maiestie they determined to send the proclamation of their Challenge into diuers countries but chiefly into England The proclamation being in al places published euery courageous Lord and Gentleman put himselfe in readinesse and first of all the English being perswaded that in respect they were neerest it behooued them to appeare soonest Therefore before all
Lea and S. Pye either of them being disarmed on the head departed The tenth encounter was betweene Aubrigcourt and Roy. This Aubrigcourt was not borne in England but brought vp in the Court of the most noble King Edward At their first course they were both violently stricken on the head and in the next on the breast and so they parted But Aubrigcourt not so contented challenged Bouciquaut who answered him two courses with equall fortune and the third course they were both disarmed on the head Such was the successe of the third dayes meeting The fourth meeting ON Thursday which was the last these noble Knights returned to the field where Godfrey Eustace made the first encounter against Bouciquaut and were both hurt on the head The next encounter was betweene Alanus Burgius and S. Pye with being both disarmed on the head The next encounter was betweene Iohannes Storpius and Bouciquaut in which courses the English mans horse was said to fall downe The next encounter was betweene Bouciquaut and an English Knight called Hercourt belonging to the Queene of England but not borne in England At the first course Bouciquaut missed and the English Knight brake crosse which is an errour in Armes and thereupon much disputation arose betweene the French and English For the French affirmed that Hercourt by law of Armes had forfeited his Horse and Armes but at request of the company that fault was remitted and he permitted to runne one course more against Roy who had not runne that day and therefore willingly consented The courses betweene these Knights were exceeding violent but the Englishman being wearied was vtterly throwen from his horse and as a dead man lay flat on the ground but afterwards he reuiued lamenting that disgrace The fifth encounter was betweene Robert Scrope and S. Pye who after three courses gaue ouer without losse or gaine The sixth encounter was betweene Iohn Morley and Reginaldus Roy for the first blow was so violent as forced their horses to stand still in the place of meeting The seuenth encounter was betweene Iohannes Moutonius and Bouciquaut both of them at the first meeting had their shields pearced and after were disarmed on the head The eight encounter was betweene Iaqueminus Stropius and S. Pye At the first course both their horses went out At the second they brake both on the head At the third both their Lances fell from them and at the last the Englishman pearced through the Aduersaries shield but was himselfe dismounted The ninth encounter was betweene Guilielmus Masqueleus and Bouciquaut These Knights with equall courage and skill perfourmed well their courses The last encounter was betweene Nicolas Lea and S. Pye the one and the other of them brake their Launces well till at the last they were both disarmed on the head The Challenge thus ended all the troupe of English Knights hauing attended that busines full foure dayes thanked the French Knights for being Authours of so honourable a triumph On the other side the French much thanked the English for their company and the King who was there secretly returned home where hee enformed the Queene what honour had bene done to all Ladies CHAP. 39. The triumphant Interuiew of the Kings of England and France An. 1519. THese most excellent Princes hauing occasion of conference appointed a meeting in Picardie The day drawing neere the king of England passed the seas and arriued at Calice from whence hauing reposed himselfe he remoued to Guynes The French King likewise being come lodged at Ardes Betweene the one and the other of those townes as it were in the mid-way a place of meeting was appointed Thither went the one and the other of those Kings most royally mounted and followed with so great magnificence as in an hundred yeeres before the like sight had not bene seene in Christendome Some writers haue in vaine laboured to set downe the royalty and exceeding pomp of those Courts which might be seene but not expressed At the place of meeting two Pauilions were erected the one for the French king the other for the King of England These Princes being come embraced one the other and that done they went together into one Pauilion The French King was accompanied with his Lord Admiral called Boniuett his Chancellor and some fewe other Counsellors The King of England had with him the Cardinall of Yorke the Duke of Norffolke and the Duke of Suffolke Then hauing set in counsel and returned to their Pauilions they bethought them of entertainement sports and princely Complements For which purpose commandement was giuen that a Tilt should bee erected where Iusts Tournaments and other triumphall exercises continued about fifteene dayes for so long those Princes remained there One day the King of England conuited the French King feasted him in his Pauilion which was a building of wood containing foure roomes exceeding large and so richly furnished as haply the like had not bene seene in Christendome That Frame was purposely made in England and after the feast taken downe to be returned One other day the French King feasted the King of England in his Pauilion wherein hanged a cloth of Estate marueilous large and so rich as cannot be expressed The ropes belonging to that Pauilion were make of yellowe silke and gold wreathed together The Kings being ready to dine there happened so great a storme of wind as fearing the Pauilion could not stand they remooued from thence to the place where the Fortresse is nowe and beareth the name of that banquet The apparell Iewels and other Ornaments of pompe vsed by Princes Lords Gentlemen awaiting on those Kings cannot be esteemed much lesse expressed for as mine Author sayth some caried on their backes the prise of whole woods others the weight of ten thousand sheepe and some the worth of a great Lordship CHAP. 40. A Triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. WHen the mariage betweene the King of Spaine and Elizabeth eldest daughter of Henry the French King was concluded in signe of congratulation and ioy a royal Triumph was proclaimed and prepared at Paris whereunto the Nobilitie of all France Spaine and the Lowe countreys repaired which done a solemne Iust and other military sports were taken in hand wherein the King in his owne person the Duke of Ferrara the Duke of Gwyze and the Duke of Nemors were Challengers The place for performance of that Action was appointed in the streete of S. Anthony in Paris and there a Tilt with euery furniture fit for such a feast was prepared To that place as at like occasions it happeneth resorted an infinite number of people to behold for whom scaffolds and stages were ready to receiue them and those places not capable of so excessiue a number many of the people bestowed themselues on the sides and roofes of the houses The first courses were performed by the French King to his great glory the rest of the Challengers also very honourably did the like Then the Lords and
experirer an scires consulem agere Others are honoured as Parents to whom their children nephewes doe owe all duety and obedience as is commanded in the booke of Prouerbs Honora patrem matrem vt sis long aeuus super terram 28. To these many other causes of Honour may be added as subiects to honour their Prince seruants their masters inferiours their superiours And diuers demonstrations of honour are also due by externall countenance words and gesture as by attentiue hearing of him that speaketh by rising to him that passeth c. He that sitteth doth receiue honour from him that standeth yet a man of dignity in presence of Iudges ought to sit not to stand as other common persons doe vnlesse his owne cause be pleaded So sayth Baldus A man that sitteth at the table is more honoured then hee that serueth and he that sitteth on the right hand is more honoured then he that sitteth on the left hand He is also honored that sitteth next to the Prince or neerest to him that is of greatest dignity We also account him honored that standeth or walketh in the mids of two or a greater number quia mediocritas in electione loci maxime probatur He is likewise reputed most honoured that sitteth at the chiefe ende or in the hiest place of the Table because the most worthy ought to begin which haply moued Virgil to say A Ioue principium Musae He is most honoured that walketh next the wall vnlesse they be three in number for then he that is in the mids is in the worthiest place as hath bene formerly said And he that sitteth next the wall hath the higher place But if three of equall qualitie do walke together then for not offering Indignitie one th' other sometimes one and sometimes the other ought to take the middle place which Order the Spaniards and Venetians doe precisely obserue affirming the right side to be most Honourable Among brethren the eldest is alwaies to precede And so are their wiues to take place In pari dignitate Except by some peculiar dignitie the yonger be graced In like maner where many are of one company or fellowship as in the Innes of Court or the Vniuersities the more ancient is euer most honourable and shall precede others In pari dignitate Men are also honoured in their diet for the more honorable the ghest is the more delicate ought his fare be Likewise the apparell of men ought be differing according to their degrees to the end the profession and qualitie of euery one may be knowen as an arming Coat best becommeth a Captaine a Tippet is seemely for a Priest a Gowne is meetest for a Scholler because eche mans attire ought be like vnto the State profession and office he beareth as appeareth by that caution which Seneca did giue vnto the Empresse mother of Nero. His wordes are these Indue te charissima vxor delicatè non propter te sed propter honorem Imperij A man is also honoured when his Prince or other superior is pleased to salute him by word or writing or to grace him with gift of any Office or dignitie Men are honoured when for any egregious acte they are permitted to erect Images of themselues as Porcius Cato Horatius Cocles Mutius Scaeuola and other notable men were suffered to doe Men are honoured by drinking in gold and wearing of purple also by being stiled the cousins of Princes Men are honoured by bearing Armes For who so hath Armes from ancesters is more honourable then he who is the first Gentleman of his race and consequently ought be placed in a more worthy seate Note here that to euery title of great dignitie a particular ensigne or ornament is appointed An Emperour hath his Diademe or Infula a King his Crowne a Bishop his Mytre and Archbishop his Mantle a Doctor his Baretum As Lucas de Penna writeth Caâ—de Murilegulis CHAP. 3. Of Ensignes Royall and Militarie POlydorus in his booke de Inuentoribus rerum lib. 2. cap 3. saith That the Ensignes of Romane Kings were Fasces cum securi Corona aurea sella eburnea trabeae curules phalerae annuli palâ—damenta pretexta togae pictae tunicae palmatae which Ensignes may be called in our English a bondle of small wands with an hatchet a Crowne of gold a saddle of luory a kirtle of State trappings of horses robes of State euer burned with the Kings body which ornament was also after the expulsion of Kings worne by Consuls and other Magistrats who pronounced no sentence but in that garment Togae pictae I suppose were long gownes painted or wrought lâ—ke vnto Damaske or embroidered about and Palmatae were garments wrought with Palme-trees in signe of conquest and peace It seemeth also that no other Ensigne of Maiestie that might illustrate a Kings greatnesse and grauitie was there wanting These Kings had also 12 Littori as we may call them Sergeants who caried before them the bondles and Hatchets aforesaid A Diademe a Crowne and a Scepter are likewise Ensignes appertayning to Emperours and Kings But of Crownes there were anciently diuers kinds And Polydor in his booke aforesaid speaketh of many affirming that Liber Pater was the first inuentor of Crownes and ware vpon his head a Crowne of Iuie Yet doe we read that Moses many yeeres before caused Crownes of gold to be made as Iosephus hath written and of all antiquitie the Egyptian kings haue had Crownes Teste Coelio The first vse of wearing Crownes was in Tragedies and gladiatory combats at which time they were made of boughes and trees afterwards they were composed of flowers of diuers colours in the Playes Floâ—eall and in the Pastoral Comedies also and by imitation of them others were framed of slender barres of tinne or some other mettall guilded so as in processe of time many kinds of Crownes were inuented and much esteemed chiefly among the Romanes and in the time of Consuls The chiefe Crownes were Militarie and with them Consuls and generall Commanders in their triumphes were crowned At the beginning those crownes were made of bayes which tree sheweth mirth and victorie and after of gold The next they called Corona Muralis giuen to him that first was seene vpon the wall of the Enemies towne This Crowne was also of golde wrought with certaine battlements like vnto a wall The third they named Corona Castrensis likewise of gold being giuen to him that could breake the wall of the enemie enter the towne or castle The points of this Crowne was made like Towers The fourth was Corona Naualis also of gold garnished with forecastles giuen to him that by force and vertue first boarded the enemies ship The fift was Corona Oleaginea bestowed vpon them that were victorious in the Olympian Playes or for repulsing the enemie Corona Oualis was made of Mirtle and giuen to them that entred a Towne taken with litle resistance or yeelded vpon composition or when the warre was proclaimed or made against
slaues or pirats onely Corona obsidialis was giuen to a Generall leader that had saued his armie distressed That Crowne was made of grasse growing where the Armie was besieged Such a one the Senate and people of Rome bestowed vpon Fabius Maximus in the second warre against the Carthagenians Corona Ciuica was also of high estimation being giuen to him that saued a Citizen from the enemie This Crowne was made of Oaken boughes and reputed an ensigne of exceeding honor Of which opinion Antoninus Pius seemed to be saying Malo vnum ciuem seruare quà m mille hostes occidere Corona Haederalis was giuen to Poets Corona Populea was giuen to yong men industrious and disposed to vertuous endeuour Other ensignes Militarie the Romanes vsed and were bestowed in token of dignitie as chaines of gold gilt spurres launces and white rods the one a token of warre the other of peace We will also speake of Crownes of later deuice giuen to great Estates CHAP. 4. Of Emperors IMperator dicitur quasi Imperij Rator fortasse vt legislator Ita Imperij lator Id est Imperium supremamque maiestatem habens non armis solum munitam sed legibus moderatam The name of Emperour was first in vse among the Romanes and by them inuented not for Princes but chiefe Leaders and Captaines of the warre At the beginning they were yerely created in Ianuary and ended their authority in September which custome continued vntill the Battell of Pharsalia wherein Pompei was defeated by Caesar who being returnened to Rome the Romanes consented he should enioy that title of Emperour during his life the which his nephew Octauian succeding him in the Empire continued and made it hereditary to his successors with the surname of Augustus for his happy gouernment which name hath bene euer since vsed by all Emperours to this day So appeareth it that the title of Emperor began in Rome Anno mundi 3914. or as others say 3963 ab vrbe condita 706. And before the birth of Christ 47. This Emperor and his successors continued their seate at Rome vntill the reigne of Constantine the great Anno Christi 310. by whom the Emperiall Court was transferred to Constantinople So the Empire became diuided into two Empires one Emperour gouerned at Constantinople in the East the other at Rome in the West Which order continued from the reigne of Carolus magnus vntill Constantinus Paleologus In whose time Constantinople was besieged and taken by the Turkes The West Empire after the death of Charlemaine hath in diuers ages bene gouerned by Princes of diuers nations as Frenchmen Saxons Sueuians and Austrians who presently hold that dignitie In the reigne of Otho 3. with the consent of Pope Gregory 5. the election of the Emperour was taken from the Italians and granted vnto seuen Princes of Germany viz. the Archbishops of Mentz Treuer and Colein the Count Palatin of Rheine the Duke of Saxon the Marquesse of Brandenburg and the King of Bohemia then called Duke of Bohemia This order was after confirmed in the reigne of Charles the fourth about the yeere 1378. Among Princes secular an Emperor hath anciently bene reputed worthy a chiefe place and to precede all other Princes which is the cause that Baldus called an Emperour the Vicar or Vicegerent of God vpon earth and therefore when other Princes are crowned with one onely Crowne an Emperor hath euer had three The first Crowne is of iron which he receiueth at Aquisgran by the hand of the Archbishop of Colein within whose Diocesse that Citie is seated The second Crowne is of siluer which hee taketh at the hand of the Archbishop of Milan in the Citie of Modena after he is arriued in Italy Yet true it is that the Emperour Henrie receiued it at Milan in S. Ambrose Church and haply so haue some other Emperors Siluer signifieth cleannesse and brightnesse Yet some writers haue sayd the first Crowne is of siluer and the second of iron which Cass. denieth The third Crowne is of pure golde wherewith he is crowned at Rome by the Pope in the Church of S. Peter before the Altar of S. Mauriee Gold is accompted the most excellent of all mettals and of such perfection in Iustice Emperors and Princes ought be In these three mettals all Tributes and other dueties were anciently payd vnto Emperors When the Scepter and sword are deliuered into his hand it is likewise said vnto him viz. By these signes thou art admonished to correct subiects with a fatherly chastisement extending thy hand of mercie first vnto the ministers of God and next to widowes and fatherlesse children so shall the oyle of mercie neuer fall from thy head and both in this world and the world to come thou shalt be rewarded with an euerlasting crowne CHAP. 5. Of Kings REx dicitur a regendo quia dignus est regere populum suum in bello eundemque ab inimicis sua magnanimitate virtute defendere For the better conceiuing of that which followeth it shall not be impertinent to know that Kings Princes and other soueraigne Commanders did in the beginning aspire vnto greatnes by puissance and force of which number Cain was the first as Austen lib. 15. de ciuitate Dei cap. 20. writeth This Cain to the end he might with more commoditie command his people builded a citie calling it by his sonnes name Enoch and was the first citie in the world as appeareth in Genes cap. 4. After the flood the first King that raigned was Nimrod descended of the line of Cham as we find in Gen. 9. whose sonne builded the Tower of Babel intending to make the same of height equall to the heauen But the Lord offended with his ambition inspired the people to speake in diuers languages for before that time all men had onely one tongue Gen. cap. 9. These and other Princes were oppressors of people and displeasing to God for which cause they receiued vnfortunate ende The first King of Barbary exercising the arte Magike was slaine by the deuill In like manner other ancient Monarkes raigning tyrannically ended their liues by violence As Pharaoh whose heart being hardned against the Lord was drowned in the red sea Exod. 14. Also Corah Dathan and Abiram swallowed vp by the earth Numb 16. Antiochus eaten of lice 2. Mac. 9. Saul the first King of Israel disobedient to Dauid and other ministers of the Lord was wounded of the Philistims and in the end desperately stabbed himselfe to death with his owne sword 1. Kings 31. And Absalon the sonne of Dauid rebelling against his father was slaine by Ioab 1. King 14. Too long it were to tell by how many meanes the Almighty Lord hath punished the vngodly and impious oppressors of people and with what power and grace he hath protected those Kings Princes that gouerned with Iustice maintained people in peace for indeede there is no power but from God as Christ speaking to Pilat said Non haberes potestatem aduersum me
the person of the Emperor and King of Romanes two Popes for one died there fiue Patriarches three and thirty Cardinals fourtie and seuen Archbishops a hundreth forty and fiue Bishops and 83. Suffragans Thirty and nine Dukes Thirty and seuen Earles being absolute Princes An hundreth and thirtie inferior Earles Seuentie and nine free Lords or Barons Knights of all Nations fifteene hundred Gentlemen twentie thousand besides Doctors Licentiats and Scholemen infinite For the King of England appeared Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick with him were foure Bishops viz. Sarisbury Chester Bathe and Bangor Sarisbury died during that Councell and liuing tooke his place aboue all other Bishops as an Archbishop and for the time was placed last in the ranke of Archbishops The Earle of Warwicks attendants were as followeth Hurting de Clough Knight Iohn Waterton Knight Iohn Seton Knight Piers Craft Knight Iohn Roch Knight Iames Hermford Knight Beringer de Beaumont Knight Gentlemen Nicholas Serpon William Newland Geffrey Offley Walter Hungerford Hugh Holdbach Iohn Fitton Thomas Wileot Richard Dutton Oliuer Dunley Petrs Craft Iohn Lantsdon Iohn Roche Thomas Fanhes William Newland Iohn Merbory Iohn Otlinger Ralfe Rainscroft Henry Vessey William Vessey Scholemen of Cambridge Henry Abundy Iohn Wells Iohn Sheirford Doctors in Diuinitie Thomas Palton Robert Appleton Iohn Stokes Ciuilians Scholemen of Oxford The Lord Prior of Orsestry Peter Rodley Priamus Farbach CHAP. 20. Of Magistrates NExt vnder Emperors Kings and Princes Souereigne are foure degrees of Magistrates Some are called Magni and Illustres Some are Medij and Spectabiles Some are Minimi and Clarissimi And some are Infimi The first may be named Magistrates souereigne as they who acknowledge no superior but the Maiestie of the Prince The second are they that yeeld obedience to them and command other Magistrates their inferiors The latter two are such as cannot command any Magistrate but haue power only ouer particular subiects within the limits of their iurisdiction Touching the first that haue authority to commaund all other Magistrates and acknowledge no superior but the Prince they are fewer at this day then heretofore Yet certaine it seemeth that some Romane Emperours authorized one Magistrate or Lieutenant without any companion to command all other Magistrates of the Empire and to him all Gouernours and Magistrates did appeale Which Magistrate they called Praefectus Praetorio True it is that at the beginning he was of no greater quality then Captaine of the Legions Praetorian as Seius Strabo vnder Augustus and Seianus vnder Tibertus vntill other Emperors succeeding by litle and litle encreased their authority as in the end the Praefectus Praetorio became Lieutenant generall and iudge of all questions and causes whatsoeuer by which occasion that office was giuen vnto men learned in the Lawe as Martian vnder Otho Papinian vnder Seuerus and Vlpian vnder Alexander All which came to passe before Armes were diuided from lawes and Iusticers from Captaines Afterwards this great office became imparted vnto two and sometimes three persons purposely to abridge the excessiue authority of one But touching the Precedencie of Magistrates albeit they cannot aptly be ranged with those of the Empire yet may they in some sort be placed according to the dignitie and degrees of those titles which the Romanes anciently vsed And touching their authority it shal not be amisse to know that a Magistrate is an Officer hauing power to command in the common weale among whom in the Romane Empire the Praefectus Praetorio was the chiefe hauing authority aboue all other Officers to whom also euery one did appeale To this Praetor or Praefect we may compare the Grand Mayor du Pallais in France who in times past did in that kingdome beare chiefe office To him also in some sort we may resemble the high Seneschal of England vnder King William the Conqueror and other Kings his successors These Magistrates might therefore bee reasonably called Illustrissimi chiefly in the Kings absence For sure it is that in presence of the King all power of Magistrates and Commissioners also doth cease For during that time they haue no authority of commandement either ouer other subiects or other Officers their inferiors But this mighty Magistrate is no more either in England or France yet during their authoritie they were called Illustrissmi which title signified a certein preeminencie aboue all Magistrates that were Illustres either Honorarij or Administrantes Nam accidentia denominant Subiectum Next to these Illustrissimi or Maximi the chiefe place of Precedencie is due vnto those whome we called Illustres and among them the L. Chancellour is chiefe etiam in dignitate impari as one whose excellent vertue ought be preferred before all other officers Likewise the Lord high Constable or Lord Marshall is a Magistrate Illust. the Lord Treasurer Admirall of England the Lord Chamberlaine and all others of the Kings priuie Councell may assume the title of persons Illust. or as we commonly call them right Honorable So saith Cass. It seemeth also that Doctours who haue read in schoole the space of twenty yeeres may be called Illustrissimi as Purpuratus noteth To these Illust. or right Honourable personages the lawes Emperiall haue graunted many great priuiledges as the same Barthol discourseth After these the Magistrates whome we formerly called Spectabiles and may in our tongue be tearmed Honourable ought to follow as commanders in Armes Iudges Gouernours or Lieutenants Generall of Prouinces and Cities c. The fourth place appertaineth to them that anciently were named Clarissimi or Right worshipfull who are inferiour Iusticers and Ministers Colonels Captaines and meane Officers c. Lastly are they whome the Romanes intituled Infimi and in English Worshipfull as Captaines of particular Castles Iudges in Townes corporate where no action is triable aboue 3000 shillings Note here that euery Magistrate is an Officer but euery Officer is not a Magistrate and of all Magistrates the Lord Chancellor hath euer had precedence not onely in England and Fraunce but of all anciencie in euery other place for read we may that Eginardus who wrote the life of Carolus Magnus was his Chancellor Likewise Tribonianus was Chancellor vnto the Emperor Iustinian Iosaphat was Chancellor to King Dauid 2. of Kings Vlpianus to the Emperour Alexander Seneca to Nero and in France the Chancellor hath so great preheminence as he precedeth the Constable vnlesse he be the Kings brother or his sonne For the better memory of the degrees aforesaid Lucas de Penna speaking of titular dignity hath left these verses vnderwritten Illustris primus medius spectabilis imus Vt lex testatur clarissimus esse probatur Et superillustris praeponitur omnibus istis CHAP. 21. Of Officers and their Precedencie OFficers seruing Princes are of diuers sorts among which some doe attend the Princes person others haue charge of his Treasure some are ministers of Iustice and some are commanders in warre For the better conceiuing of our intention therfore and the order of that which