the Desert after the Example of St. Anthony the Hermit and Patron of this Empire and bestowed upon these Knights great Revenues and many Priviledges And thus being instituted they received the Rule of St. Basil submitted to his Constitutions wore a black Garment and for their Ensign a blew Cross in form of the Letter T. Their chief Seat was in the Isle of Meroe where the Abbots both Spiritual and Temporal resided but in many other parts of AEthiopia they have or had great store of Monasteries and Convents with about two Millions of yearly Revenue These Knights vow to defend the Christian Religion to yield Obedience to their Superiors to observe Conjugal Chastity not to Marry or receive any other holy Orders without licence first obtained from the Abbot to guard the Confines of the Empire and to go to War when and where they are commanded Into this Order the eldest Sons of Noblemen or Gentlemen cannot be admitted but the second Sons may And if a man of any degree whatsoever except a Physician have three Sons he is bound to enter one of them into this Order Knights of the Burgundian Cross in Tunis MVlleasses King of Tunis who was driven out of his Kingdom by Barbarossa that noted Pirate was again in Anno 1535. restored thereunto by the assistance of Charles the Fifth Emperor of Germany and King of Spain And being desirous to gain the love of all those that had served in that War did as a reward confer this honour of Knighood upon all those Commanders that valiantly behaved themselves in his Service The Ensign that he assigned them was the Burgundian Cross to which was added a Steel striking Sparks of Fire out of Flint with this Inscription BARBARIA which third Badge hung to a Collar of Gold KNIGHTS OF THE West-Indies PErsons that performed valiant Acts in War were by the Mexicans advanced to Honour and had sundry Priviledges granted them insomuch that their chief Nobility sprang from the Camp And Montezuma was so high a Favourer of Knighthood that he ordained divers Orders which he distinguished by several Ensigns The principal Degree of these Knights were those that had the crown of their Hair tied with a small red Ribon with a rich Plume of Feathers from which hung so many Branches and Rolls of Feathers upon their Shoulders as they had performed worthy Exploits in War And these were termed Eagle Knights of which Order the King was the Supream The Order of the Knights of the Lions and Tigers were the most valiant in War and always bore with them their Badges and Armorial Ensigns and went to the War as did the Eagle Knights armed Cap-a-pe The Order of the Grey Knights had their Hair cut round about their Ears were not so much honoured as the former and when they went to Wars were armed but to the middle All these Degrees of Knights had their Apartments in the King's Palace which were distinguished by their several Ensigns And amongst the honourable Priviledges that they enjoyed they might carry Gold and Silver wear rich Cotton and Shoes after their fashion and use painted and guilt Vessels all which were prohibited the common people The Order of Knighthood of the Blood Royal in Peru were of great esteem for their approved Valour for before they could be admitted into the said Degree their Manhood was sufficiently tried as in managing the Dart Lance and other Military Exercises also in Leaping Wrestling Running Shooting c. in all which if they were not very expert they were thought unworthy to receive so great an Honour But being found worthy to be admitted divers Ceremonies were used at their Creation as putting on them fine Shoes and Breeches boreing of holes in their Ears giving them an Ax and adorning their Heads with Flowers c. all which was forbidden the common people And the Peruvian Lords at their solemn Feasts at Cusco used to dedicate their Children to Honour adorning them with Ensigns making holes in their Ears and anoynting their Faces with Blood in token that they should be true Knights to the Ingua The Knights of Cinaloa which is a Province near New Mexico were created by giving them a Bow and ordering them to encounter a Lion or some other savage Beast which if they slew they were received into favour and Honour The Rt. Honourble Henry Coventry Esq his matys principall Secretary of State c a. son tâ— the Rt. Honourble Thomas Lord Coventry Lord Keeper of ye. Great Seale of England The Honourble Iohn Hervey of Ickworth in Suffolke Esq. â— Treasurer to ye. Queens maty The honble William Ashburnham of Ashburnham in ye. County of Sussex Esq. Cofferer to his maty King Charles the 2d. William Wharton Esq. Fourth son to yâ—e Rt. honble Phillip Lord Wharton of Wharton in Westmoreland by Ann Daughter to 〈◊〉 â—am Carr of Fernihast in Scotland Esq. 〈◊〉 of ye. Groomes of ye. Bedchamber to King Iames. SAMVEL GRANT of Crundall in Hantshire Esq. one of the society of the Inner Temple London Esq. â—ender Molesworth of Spring Garden in the parish of St. Katherines in the Island of Jamaica Esq. one of his matys Councell 〈◊〉 the Sd. Isle second son of Hender Molesworth of Pencarrow in Cornwall Esâ—abque who was lineally descended from Sr. Walter de Molesworth of Northamptonshire who flourished in Marshall proess in the dayes of King Edw. the first went wth him to the holy warrs GEORGE LEGGE Esq. Governor of â—ortsmouth master of the Horse to his Royall Highness Iames Duke of Yorke Leiutenant of his matys Forest of Alce holt Woolmer in Hantshire one of the Deputy Leiutenant of the Sd. County Comander of his matys Shipp yeâ—â—yall Katherine one of the principall Officers of his matys Ordnance THOMAS FEJLD of Stanstead Bury in the County of Hertford Esq now maried to Mary eldest daughter of Sr. Thomas Byde of Ware park in the Said County Kt. Humfrey Wiâ—â—ley of the Jâ—â—ter Tâ—mplâ— Esq one of the Prothonotarâ—â—s of his maties Court of Common â—leaâ— at Westminster fift son of Humfrey Wâ—â—rley Esq of Hâ—msted hall in the County of Stafford by Knightley his Wife â—OGER TWâ—SDEN Esq eldest son of S â— Thomas Twisden of Bradborne in thâ— parish of East Malling in Kent Kt. Baâ—â—â— one of the Justices of his matys Court of Kings Bench EDWARD THVRLAND Esq only son of Sr. Edward Thurland of Râ—ygate in the County of Surrey Kt. one of the Barons of his matys Court of Exchequer EDWARD ROBERTS of the Citty of Dublin in the Kingdome of Ireland Esq now Maried to Alce daughter of Edw Chute of SurrendeÌ„ in the Weld of Kent Esq 〈◊〉 much Honoured Daniel Fleming of 〈…〉 in Cumberland of Rydal hall in 〈…〉 and Esq of which family Surname there 〈…〉 Lords of ye. maner of Bâ—ckermet of 〈…〉 bâ—en Kts all ye. rest that then weddâ—d 〈…〉 ye. Daughters of Baronetsâ— or Knighâ—â—â— â—â—â—â—ill Skelton eldest sonn of Sr. Iohn Skelton 〈◊〉 Leiutenant
their Tenures were altered viz. Baronia as appeareth in Matthew Paris A. 1070. fol. 66. and of that Tenure have continued ever since as you may read by the Constitutions of Clarendon in the Reign of Henry the Second and in Glanvile and Bracton But the Tenures of all Abbots and Priors were extinguished by the uniting and coming of them to the Crown by the Statute of Dissolution of Monasteries For though the Nobility of England differ in Titles and certain Ceremonies yet a Baron enjoyeth the same priviledges And by experience it is found That Dukes and all other degrees of Nobility in Cases Criminal are tryed by Barons together with Marquisses Earls and Viscounts as their Peers and Peers of the Realm Nobilitas generally is of the word Nosco signifying in common phrases of speech Men of Generosity of Blood and Degree and therefore it is said Vir nobilis idem est quod notus per omnia or a vulgatus But especially it is applyed and used to express the reward of Vertue in honourable measure Ageneris claritate which being in part of distributive Justice remaineth with the highest Soveraign annexed to the Imperial Crown of this Realm For as Vertue is the gift of none but of God so the reward thereof with Honour cannot be the gift of any but the Supreme Governour being God's Vicegerent on Earth But when Honour and Arms be bestowed upon any if there shall arise contention between Competitors for the same the ancient policy of this Realm hath ordained a Special Court the Judges whereof in all times having been Right Honourable Personages viz. the Lord High Constable and the Earl Marshal and in latter times the Judge thereof only the Earl Marshal The Jurisdiction of the Court consisâ—eth in the Execution of that part of distributive Justice which concerneth the advancement and support of Vertue Nevertheless some men there are not duly considering of what principle and parts the Laws of this Realm do consist have laboured to prove that the Questions and Controversies of Nobility and Arms should not be determined by the Laws of the Realm but by the Civil Law framing to themselves many Arguments to prove the same but being of small value I pass them over The Common Laws as also the Laws of Charity used in the Marshals Court do prohibit any Subject of this Realm to receive Titles of Honour and Dignity by gift or donation from a Forreign Prince King or Emperor for it is a thing greatly touching the Majesty of the King and State of his Kingdom Est vis Majestatis inter insignia summae potestatis And if a man shall bring an Action and in the Writ is styled by such a Forreign Title the Defendant may plead in Abatement of his Writ That he is no Duke Marquis Earl or Baron whereupon if the Plaintiff as demanded take Issue the Issue shall not be tryed by the Jury but by the Records of Parliament wherein he faileth And if any English man be created Earl of the Empire or of any other Forreign Nation and the King also do create him into any Title of Honour in England he shall be named in all Judicial proceedings only by such Name and Title as he hath received from the King of this Realm whose Subject he is And if by the King of England he be not advanced to Title of Honour then he shall bear the name only of his Baptism and Surname unless he be a Knight For experience teacheth that Kings joyned in League together by certain mutual and as it were natural power of Monarchies according to the Laws of Nations have dismissed one anothers Subjects and Ambassadors graced with the Dignity of Knighthood A Duke of Spain or of another Forreign Nation cometh into England by the King 's safe Conduct in which also the King doth style him Duke according to his Creation nevertheless in all proceedings in the King's Courts he shall not be so stiled by his Title of Dignity And although the said Noble person be also by the King's Letters Patents and by his Forreign Name and Title of Dignity made Denizon for that is the right Name so called because his Legitimation is given to him Or if he be naturalized by Authority of Parliament wherein he seemeth to be in all things made as a Subject born yet shall he not be styled by his Foreign Titles of Dignity And so it is if a Nobleman of France or elsewhere come into England as Ambassador and by lawful Marriage hath a Son and the Father dieth the Son is by Birth a Natural Englishman yet he shall not bear the Title of Honour of his Father and the reason thereof is because that Title of Nobility had its Original by a French King and not by any natural Operation which thing is well proved both by Authority of Law and Experience in these days If a Postnaâ—us of Scotland or Ireland who in these days is a Natural Subject to the King of England or if any of his Posterity be the Heirs of a Nobleman of Scotland or Ireland yet he is none of the Nobility of England But if that Alien or Stranger born a Scot be summoned by the King 's Writ to Parliament and therein is styled by his Foreign or other Title whereunto he is invested within England by the King 's Grant then and from thenceforth he is a Peer of this Realm and in all Judicial and Legal Proceedings he ought to be so styled and by no other Name And it was the Case of Gilbert Humfrevile Earl of Angus in Scotland of it appertaineth to the Royal Prerogative of the King to call and admit an Alien born to have place and voice in his Parliament at his pleasure although it is put in practice very rarely and that for great and weighty Considerations of State And if after such Parliamentary Summons of such a Stranger born question do arise and the Issue be whether he is of that Title or no it may well be tryed by the Record which is the only lawful tryal in that Case But there is a Diversity worthy of Observation for the highest and lowest Degrees are universal and therefore a Knight Engglish or Stranger born is a Knight in all Nations in what place soever he received his Title and Dignity and so ought of right and by Law to be named in the King's Courts as aforesaid Also if the Emperor the King of Denmark or other Foreign King come into this Realm by safe conduct as he ought for a Monarch or absolute Prince though he be in League cannot come without the King's Licence and safe Conduct but any Subject to such a Foreign King in League may come without Licence In this Case he shall sue and be sued by the Name of Emperor or King or else the Writ shall abate There is a notable President cited out of Fleta where treating of the Jurisdiction of the King's Court of Marshalsea it is said And these things he might lawfully do by Office that is to say The Steward of the King's Houshold notwithstanding the Liberty of any other although in another Kingdom when
Artificers Retailers Labourers or such like of whom Tully saith Nihil proficiuntur nisi ad modum mentiuntur And by divers Statutes certain Immunities are given to men of Quality which are denied to the Vulgar sort of People Read hereof amongst other 1 Iac. cap. 127. By the Statute of 2 Hen. 4. chap. 27. amongst other things it is enacted That no Yeoman should take or wear any Livery of any Lord upon pain of imprisonment and to make Fine at the King's will and pleasure These Yeomen were famous in our Forefathers days for Archery and Manhood our Infantry which so often conquered the French and repuls'd the Scots were composed of them as are our Militia at present who through want of use and good discipline are much degenerated from their Ancestors valour and hardiness As the Nobility Gentry and Clergy have certain priviledges peculiar to themselves so have the Commonalty of England beyond the Subjects of other Monarchs No Freeman of England ought to be imprisoned outed of his possession disâ—eised of his Freehold without Order of Law and just cause shewed To him that is imprisoned may not be denied a Habeas Corpus if it be desired and if no just cause be alledged and the same be returned upon a Habeas Corpus the Prisoner is to be set at liberty By Magna Charta 9 Hen. 3. no Souldier can be quartered in any House except Inns and other publick Victualling-houses in time of peace without the Owners consent by the Petition of Right 3 Car. 1. No Taxes Loans or Benevolences can be imposed but by Act of Parliament idem The Yeomanry are not to be prest to serve as a Souldier in the Wars unless bound by Tenure which is now abolished Nor are the Trained Bands compelled to march out of the Kingdom or be transported beyond Sea otherwise than by the Law of the Kingdom ought to be done Nor is any one to be compelled to bear his own Arms finding one sufficient man qualified according to the Act aforementioned No Freeman is to be tried but by his equals nor condemned but by the Laws of the Land These and many other Freedoms make them most happy did they but know it and should oblige them to their Alegiance to their Prince under whose power and government themselves their Rights and Priviledges are preserved and quietly enjoyed yet such is the inconstancy of mens nature not to be contented with the bliss they enjoy THE SECOND PART OF Honour Civil Treating of the CUSTOMS GOVERNMENT PRIVILEDGES ARMORIAL ENSIGNS of HONOUR OF THE City of London With the like Account of the CITIES of ENGLAND Together with the Chief Town Corporate in each COUNTY of ENGLAND LONDON Printed by Samuel Roycroft Anno Dom. MDCLXXVIII To the Right Honourable and Honourable the Right Worshipfull and Worshipfull the Governors Deputy Governors Treasurers Consulls Assistants c a. of these severall Incorporated Companys of Merchants This Plate is humbly dedicated By your Honours and Worships most humble Servant Richard Blome The Atchivement of the Honourable Citty of LONDON with the Armes of the Right Honourable the Lord Mayor the Court of Aldermen and Sheriffs for the yeare of our Lord 1678. The Right Honourable Sr. Iames Edwards Knight Lord Mayor of the honble Citty of London for the yeare 1678 THE SECOND PART OF Honour Civil CHAP. I. ALL Chronologers and Antiquaries do agree that in the Infancy of the Worlds Creation men had no habitation other than Woods Groves bushy Thickets Caves and Concavities in Rocks and Sandy Grounds to shelter themselves from the wind and weather which places they fenced about with sticks heaps of stones or the like to preserve them from ravenous Beasts which otherwise would annoy them Then by degrees as the World increased and Inconvenience being the Mother of Invention they made themselves small Hutts from Hutts they came to build Houses and to cohabit in Hamlets or Villages and from thence sprang up Towns Cities Castles and Fortified Places Then the Inhabitants of one City or Place waged warr against those of another and the Victorious enlarged their Territories and made them their Tributaries and thus increasing in number of Inhabitants formed to themselves a Civil Government and growing in Riches some studied one Art and some another some addicted themselves to Traffick whilst others imployed their time in Martial Affairs And what are Cities in these our days but the nursery habitation and receptacle of worthy ingenious wealthy and munificent brave men which made Charles the Quint much to glory that he was a Citizen of Ghent And Henry the Great in answer to a Letter of the King of Spains wherein he declared his many Titles styled himself only Henry King of France and Burgess of Paris Since then that Cities are of such renown and the Inhabitants thereof so signal in Coat-Armour as having such a mixture and affinity with the Gentry it will be necessary that in this Treatise we take notice of our Cities and chief Towns Corporate being places of such concern to the Nation as to their Priviledges Governments Courts of Judicature Magistrates their Armorial Badges belonging as well to the said Cities and Towns as to their several Incorporated Companies in London And first with London LONDON the Metropolis Mistress and bravery of all England the King's Chamber and Epitomy of the whole Kingdom of so great Antiquity and Fame in other Countreys that it wanteth no mans commendation As to its rise various are the Opinions of Writers Ptolomy Tacitus and Antoninus calls her Londinium or Longidinium others Augusta Troja nova or Troynovant others Caer-Lud and others Dinas Belin. It is seated no less pleasantly than commodiously on the Banks of the Thames which in its hasty but not rapid course towards the Sea saluteth its walls and payeth its duty to her dividing it into two but unequal parts which are again joyned together by a most stately Stone-Bridge sustained by nineteen great Arches and so furnished with Houses that it seemeth rather a Street than a Bridge And beyond the said Bridge the Thames with a deep and safe Channel gives entertainment to Ships of very considerable Burthen which daily bring in their rich Ladings from the known parts of the traded World And if we consider its great Riches and Traffick with other Nations its Jurisdiction and Bounds being about twelve or fifteen miles in Circuit its populousness and strength in Men and Ammunition both for Sea and Land Service it s well Government both Civil and Ecclesiastical the civility ingenuity and experience of its Inhabitants in Letters Arts Sciences Manufactures and Martial Affairs its stately Buildings both publick and private as the Palaces of his Majesty Whitehall St. Iames's and Somerseâ—-houses the several Houses of the Nobility its Courts of Judicature and Houses of Parliament its Collegiate and other Churches for Divine Service its Inns of Court and Chancery its Royal Exchange built by Sir Thomas Gresham its Custome-house its Tower which contains a
Analogia Honorum OR A TREATISE OF Honour and Nobility According to the LAWS and CUSTOMES OF ENGLAND Collected out of the most Authentick Authors both Ancient and Modern In Two Parts THE FIRST Containing Honour Military and relateth to War THE SECOND Honour Civil and relateth to Court and City Illustrated with variety of SCULPTURES sutable to the several Subjects LONDON Printed by Tho. Roycroft Anno Dom. MDCLXXVII To the Right Noble Iames Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuth Earle of Doncaster and Dâ— Lord Scott of Askdale Tendale and Wichester Lord high Chamberlaine of Scotland cheifeâ—y and Iustice in Eyre of all his Matys Parks Chaces and Forests on the South side of Trent L d Lâ—â— of the County and Steward of the Towne of Stafford Lord Leivtenant of the East Rideing of York shire Governor of the Towne and Citadel of Kingston upon Hull Chancellor of â— University of Cambridge Master of the Horse to his Maty Captaine of his Matys Guard of Hâ—â— Knight of the Garter Captaine Generall of his Matys land Forces and one of â— Lords of his Matys most Honourable privy Councell c a. This Plate with the Treatise of Honor Military and Civill is in all Humility dedicated to your Grace by mâ— your Graces most Submissive Servant Richard Blome HONI SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE THE FIRST PART OR Honour Military CHAP. I. ALL Honours may not improperly be said to receive their Birth either from the City Court or Camp which of all is esteemed the most worthy and honourable raising some to Imperial and Princely Dignities and disthroning others And in all Kingdoms even amongst the barbarous Americans War hath ever been and yet is held in high esteem and of great Importance as well for the preservation of their Laws and Rights as for the defence of their Dominions for which War is permitted by the Laws of God is taught by the Laws of Nature and commanded by the Laws of Nations And to excite men to valour and noble Atchievments Reward or Honours is conferred upon such that merits the same according to their Deserts for the defence of holy Church their King and Country War being therefore of such concern it behoveth every prudent Prince for the welfare of his People to be always prepared for Peace or War either Offensive or Defensive both for Forreign Invasion or the suppressing Domestick Insurrections wherefore it hath been found expedient to joyn good Laws the Friends of Peace and Rest unto Arms War being always accompanied with men of audacious and furious Spirits Iustinianus for the uniting of Laws and Arms appointed one Officer called a Praetor to command both Martially and Civilly which Name the Romans continued for their General of War and by his Office had Authority both Martial and Civil By which it appears that War cannot endure without the assistance of Law and wise men in former Ages did hold that Prudence and Power ought not to be separated of which Opinion was Horace saying Vis expers consilii mole ruit sua Likewise for the same reason learned Writers were induced to commend valiant Captains and wise Counsellors as it were joyntly and in one rank for with Simonides they joyned Pausanias with Craesus Solon and with Pericles Anaxagoras Of War and the Causes thereof DIscord is common to all men and that occasioned either by Revenge for Injuries done out of covetousness in gaining that which belongs to others for ambition in gainning Fame by noble Victories or such like Reasons and this maketh one City to wage war against another one Province to invade another and whole Kingdoms to oppress one another even to a Conquest if they can Aristotle proveth that some men by nature are born to Command and others to Obey by which it appears that War is necessary as well to compel those to Obedience as the others to hold their Authority The Romans did sometimes judge it convenient to make War only to train up their Youth fit for Service and to keep them from idleness which breedeth Intemperance and Dishonesty And by Action Princes that are martially inclined have not only gained Renown but also much enlarged their Dominions Yet I am of the Opinion That War ought not to be made without just cause and when the Enemy cannot be perswaded to reason by Embassadors prudent Princes and Commanders do not wage War unadvisedly and when they do they should follow the Example of Trajanus who observed these Cautions to be careful to supply the places of his slain Souldiers to repress the enemies pride and according to Military Discipline constrain Mutiners to Obedience and Order Of Souldiers SOuldiers or men professing Arms according to Vlpianus were called Milites à malitia id est duritia that is were so named in respect of the hardness and danger they endure in defence of other people or because they keep off the injuries which enemies do offer He that desireth to enjoy the Honour belonging to Arms ought first to prove himself a Souldier which by the Civil Laws may be done three ways the first is by Certificate from the Captain or Officers secondly he ought to make proof of his experience and manhood in Martial Affairs and thirdly to be registred in the List of received Souldiers and none other properly ought to be termed Souldiers By ancient Custom Souldiers always took an Oath not to abandon their Captain or Camp not to commit Treason nor consult with one another privately to cause mutining and the like Martianus the great Doctor did reject Bondmen as persons unfit and unworthy to be called Souldiers and no person that hath committed any infamous Crime of which he is convicted ought afterwards to bear Arms so honourable is the Name and Dignity of a Souldier The persons excused from bearing Arms are Priests and all in Holy Orders all Graduates in Schools all men above the Age of 60 years and those under the Age of 17 years Those Souldiers that had long served the Romans either in their Legion or elsewhere and deported themselves obediently to their Officers and honestly to all men were called Veterani and had great favour shewed them and that when any Veteran had honestly served them the space of twenty years he was then called Emeritus and might have his dismission to end his days in peace and quietness with the enjoyment of divers Immunities besides signal marks of Honour according to their merit which was a great encouragement to Youth to be trained up in Military Service which oft-times they made use of appointing Tutors to instruct them therein and these they called Tyrones And as on the one hand the Romans rewarded them for good Service so on the other they inflicted punishments according to the heinousness of the Offence as for Treason Disobedience Abandoning their Colours and Assisting the Enemy also for Theft Murther and Cowardise which they esteemed most vile The experience of which was seen when Spractacus defeated the Romans conducted by
his matys most honble privy Councell for England Ireland câ—â— The Right honble Iohn Earle of Bath Viscount â—renvile of Lonsdowne Baron Greenvile of Kilkhampton Bidiford L â— Warden of the Stanneries high Steward of the Dutchy of Cornwall Ld. Leivetenant of Cornwall Governour of Plymouth Groom of the Stoole first Gent. of his matys Bedchamber and one of his Ma â—â— privy Councell câ—t. The Right honble Charles Howard Earle of Carlisle Viscount Morpeth Baron Dacres of Gisland Lord Leivtenant of Cumberland and Westmorland Vice Admirall of the Coast of Northumberland Cumberland Westmoreland Bishoprick of Durham Towne and County of New castle and Maritin parts adjacent and one of the Lords of his Maties most honble privy Councell câ—t The Right honble William Earle of Craven Viscount Craven of Vffington Baron Craven of Hampsted-Marshall Lord Leivtenant of the County of Middâ—x and Borough of Southwark one of the Lords of his Mtys most honble privy Councell câ—t The Right honble Robert Bruce Earle of Alisbury Elgin Viscount Bruce of Ampthill Baron Bruce of Whorâ—â—on Skelton Kinloss Hereditary High Steward of the Honour of Ampâ—hiâ—â— Lord Leivtenant of the County of Bedford and High Steward of Leicester ct. The Right honble Richard Boyle Earle of Burlington Baron Clifford of Lansborow in Englandâ— Earle of Corke Viscount Dungarvan Baron Yaughalâ— and Lord High Trâ—asurer of Ireland â— â— The Right honble Henry Bennet Earle and Baron of Arlington Viscount Thetford Knight of the most noble order of the Garter Lord Chamberlaine of his matys Household and one of the Lords of his most honble Councel ct. The Right honble Anthony Earle of Shaâ—tesbury Baron Ashley of Wimbourne St. Giles and Lord Cooper of Pawleâ— The Right honble Henry Howard â—arle of Norwich Earle Marshall of England Baron Howard of Castle Riseing Now Duke of Norfolkâ— see in the Catalogue of Duâ—es The Right Honourable William Herbert Earle and Baron of Powis ◠〈◊〉 Right Honourable Edward Henry 〈◊〉 of Litchfield Viscount Quarenton â—â—d Baron Spilsbury The Rt. Noble Iohn Maitland Earle of Guilford and Baron of Petersham in England Duke of Latherdale Viscount Maitland Baron of Thirleston Miescleborougâ— and Bolton in Scotland Ld. Comissioner for his present Ma â—y of that Kingdome Kt. of the Garter Gentlemâ—â— of the Bedchamber and one of his matys most honble privy Councell for the Kingdomes of England Irelandâ— The Right honble Chaâ—les Fitz-Charles Earle of Plymouth Viscount Totnes and Baron Dartmouth The Right Honourable Thomas Osborne Earle of Danby Viscount Latimer Baron Osborne of Kiveton Viscount Osborne of Danblaine in Scotland Kt. of the most noble order of the Garter â— L d high Treasurer of Englandâ— ctâ— The Right Honourable George Fitz Roy Earle of Northumberland Viscount Falmouth and Baron Ponteâ—fract c a. The Right Honourable Thomas Leonard Earle of Sussex and Lord Dacres of Giles land c a. The R t Honourable Lovis Earle of Feversham Viscount Sondes Lord Duras Baron of Holdenby and Throwley Captaine of his Royall Highness Troop of his matys Guards Leivtenant Geneâ—rall of his Maties forces and Collonell of his matys owne Royall Regiment of Dragoons The Right Honourable Charles Beauclair Baron of Heddington and Earle of Burford The Right honble William Oâ—Brien Earle Baron of Insiâ—uin Baron of Burren in the Kingdome of Ireland Captaine Generall of his matys Forces in Affrica Gouernor of the Royoll Citty of Tanger vice Admirall of the same and of the parts adjacent and one of his Mat ys most honble privy Councell for the Sd. Kingdom of Ireland The Right Honourable Charles Moore Earle and Viscount of Drogheda and Baron of Mellefont in the Kingdom of Ireland c a. The Ri t honble Luke Plunkett Earle of Fingall and Baron of Killeene in the Kingdome of Ireland c a. The Rtâ— Honerable Sr. Arthur Chichester Kt Baron of Belfast Vist. Chichester of Carikfergus Earle of Donegall in ye. Kingdom of Ireland Gouernor of Carikfergus ye. Teritoryes Therâ—â—â—â— Belonging one of his mat ys Most Hoâ—â—◠〈◊〉 Councell for ye. S â— Kingdom The Rt. honble Iames Ogilby Earle of Airly Elight and Glentrahen in the Kingdome of Scotland c a. The Right Honourable Iohn Fitz Gerard Earle of Kildeare primier Earle of the Kingdome of Ireland c a. The Right Honourable William Pope Earle of Downe Baron and Lord Pope of Bellterbitt in Ireland c a. The Rt. honble Roger Palmer Earle of Castlemaine and Baron of Lamberick in the Kingdome of Ireland c a. OF EARLES CHAP. VI. THE next Degree of Honour is an Earl which Word and Title came from the Saxons For it is observed That originally within this Realm in the ancient English-Saxon Government Earldomes of Counties were not only Dignities of Honour but Offices of Justice having the charge and custody of the County whereof they were Earls and for their Assistance had their Deputy called Vicecomes which Office is now managed by Sheriffs each County having his Sheriff Annually chosen out of the eminent Inhabitants thereof under the Degree of Nobiles Majores And the Earls in recompence of their Travels concerning the Affairs of the County then received a Salary viz. a third peny of the Profits of the County which Custome continued a long time after the Conquest and was inserted as a Princely Benevolence in their Patents of Creation as by divers ancient Patents may appear which afterwards were turned into Pensions for the better support of that Honour as appeareth by a Book-Case 32 Hen. 6. 28. And therefore in respect of such Pensions or such other Gratuities given in lieu thereof some men have not without probability thereof imagined quod Comites nominabantur quia à multis fisci Regii socii Comites eidem participes essent The word Earl by the Saxons was called Erlig or Ethling by the Germans Graves as Lantgrave Palsgrave Margrave Rheingrave and the like and by the Dutch was called Eorle But upon the coming in of the Normans they were called Comes or Comites that is Counts and for Gravity in Council they are called Comes Illustris a Comitando Principem And as Earls for their Vertues and Heroical Qualities are reputed Princes or Companions for Princes so ought they to deport themselves answerable to the said Dignity as well in their Attendance and Noble House-keeping as otherwise The Dignity of Earl is of divers kinds and is either local or personal Local as from the denomination of some place and Personal as being in some great Office as Earl-Marshal and the like Those Local are also Palatine and Simplices Those that are Palatine or Count Palatine are Chester Lancaster and the Bishopricks of Durham and Ely and retain some of the ancient Priviledges allowed them by the Saxons Hugh Lupus who was the first Hereditary Earl had the County Palatine of Chester given him by the Conqueror who governed it
the former which is by lybelling secret slandering or defaming of others for this privy Backbiter doth not by words impeach his Adversary in so manifest and turbulent manner as the cholerick Menacer in his fury doth but seeming to sit quietly in his Study doth more deeply wound his Fame and Credit than the other boisterous person doth for he in a moment threatneth to do more than peradventure he is either able or hath courage to perform in all his life For his Passion thus discovering the Malice of his Heart doth give his Adversary warning to defend himself from him But this secret Canker the Libeller concealeth his Name hideth himself in a Corner and privily sâ—ingeth his Reputation and Credit and he knoweth not how to right himself and the greater is this Offence if done to a publick Magistrate or Minister of State for then it may bring a disturbance to the peace of the King and Kingdom And if it be against a private person the staining his Reputation will cause him not to be at quiet in Body and Mind until he hath found his Enemy which many times may lie so secretly hid that he cannot be discovered and then probably one innocent upon some suspicion or other may come to suffer for it Sometimes the malicious Defamer poureth forth his poyson in writing by a Scandalous Book Ballad Epigram or Rhime near the place where the party so abused doth most converse In which cases the Law hath provided that the party delinquent when he is found out and discovered shall be severely punished for he may either be Indicted by the ordinary Course of the Common Law and if it be an exorbitant Offence then by Pillory loss of Ears Whipping c. or the party grieved may have an Action upon the Case against the Offender and recover his Damages And in this it is not material whether the Libel be true or false or the party scandalized be alive or dead or be of a good or ill Name yet our Laws are so made as to punnish him and such like men by a due Course of Justice And to conclude this matter concerning Wrongs done to the Name and Dignity of a Nobleman this may be added That it is usual for any person to usurp the Arms of another Further if a Nobleman's Coat-Armour and Sword of other Gentleman 's bearing Arms at the solemnizing of their Funerals is set up in the Church for the Honour of the deceased and is by the covetousness of the Incumbent that pretendeth right thereunto as Offerings due unto him afterwards taken down or if they be defaced by any other such are to be severely punished as Malefactors And in that case the Action shall not be given to the Widow though she be Executrix or Administratrix of her Husband's Goods for such things which serve for the Honour of the party deceased are not to be accounted inter bona Testatoris And the Heir shall have his Action as the Defender of his Ancestor's Honour But the wrong is offered to the House and Blood and therein specially to the Heir qui est totius geniturae splendor and therefore to him accrueth the right of Action for so it is reported by Sir Iohn Fern in his Glory of Generosity fol. 83. that the Lady Withers Case in 9 Edw. 4. 14. hath been adjudged OF VISCOUNTS CHAP. VII THE next Degree of Honour to an Earl is a Viscount which was anciently a Name of Office under an Earl who being an immediate Officer of the King 's in their County for that their personal attendance was oft-times required at the Court had his Deputy to look after the Affairs of the County which at this day is an Office and called a Sheriff retaining the Name of his Substitution in Latin therefore called Vicecomes But about the Eighteenth of Henry the Sixth it became a Degree of Honour who conferred this Title upon Iohn Lord Beaumont by Letters Patent A Viscount is created by Patent as an Earl hath a Hood Surcoat and Mantle which hath on it two Guards and a half of white plain Furr without Ermins And his Coronet is only pearled with a row of Pearls close to the Chaplet He hath the Title of the Right Honourable and truly Noble or Potent Lord He may have a Taveress in his own House and his Viscountess may have her Train born up by a Woman out of her Superior's presence and in their presence by a Man The Effigies of the Right honble Thomas Belasise viscount Falconbergh of Henknowle Baron Falconbergh of Yarum Ld. Leiuetenant of the North rideing of York shire And one of ye. Lords of his maties most honble Priuy Councell ct R. Whiâ—â— sculp The Rt. Honourable George Sauile Viscount Halifax Baron Sauile The Rt. Honourable Robert Paston Viscounâ— Yarmouth Baron Paston of Paston The Rt. Honourable Francis Viscount Nervport â—f Bradford Baron Nervport of High Ercâ—ll Ld. Leutenant of ye. County of Salop. Treasurer of his matys Household one of ye. Lds of his matys most honble Privy Councell The Rt. Honâ—rblâ— Thomaâ— Needham Lâ—rd Viscount Killmurrâ—y of the Kingdome of Ireland The Rt. Honorable Wiâ—liam Viscount Brouncker of Lyonâ— and Baron Brouncker of Nâ—â— Castle in the Kingdome of Ireland a. The R t Honâ—rable Charles Ld. Fairfax Viscount Emula in the Kingdome of Ireland The Rt. Honorable Maurice Berkeleyâ— Baron Beckeley of Rathdowne Viscount Fitz Harding of â—ear hauen in the Kingdome of Ireland The Right Honourable Leicester Devoreux Viscount Hereford and Baron Ferrers of Chartley. The Right Honourable Francis Browne Viscount Montague The Right Honourable William Finnâ—â— Viscount and Baron Say and Seale The Right honble Edward Viscount Conway Barâ—n of Ragley in England and Viscount of Kilultagh in Ireland Leivetenant Generall of the Horse and one of the Lords of his Majestys moâ—t honble privy for the said Kinâ—dome of Ireland The Rt. Honourable Baptist Noel Viscounâ— Baron Noel of Ridlington and Elmington And Lord Leiutenant of Rutlandshire The Right Honourable William Howard Viscount and Baron Stafford The Rt. Honourable Thomas Bellasisâ—â— Viscount Folconbergh of Henknowle 〈◊〉 Falconbergh of Yarum Lord Leivtenant of North rideing of Yorkeshire one of the Ldâ— of his 〈◊〉 Most honble Priuy Councell â—he Rt. Honourable Iohn Mordant 〈…〉 Mordant of Aveland and Baron of Rygate The most Reverend Father in god Gilbert Sheldon by Divine Providence Lord Arch-Bishop of Canterbury Primate Metropolitan of all England one of yâ— Lords of his matys most honble privy Councell The most Reverend Father in God Richard Sterne by Divine Prouidence Lord Arch-Bishop of Yorke Primate and Metropolitane of England c a. The Right Reverend Father in god Humfrey Hinchman by Divine permission Lord Bishop of London Grand Almoner to his Maty one of the Lords of his matys most honble privy Councell c a. The Right Reverend Father in God Seth by Diuine permission Lord Bisshop of sarum Chancellor
Honourable and Peers of the Realm as they are Barons without any other distinction The Etymology of the Name of Baron MAny Writers have laboured to place the Etymology and signification of this word wherein following too much their own Fantasies they have bred much variation of Opinion As for Etymology of words I agree with him that saith it is Levis fallax Effigies Illustrissimi DniÌ„ Caecilij Calvert Baronis BALTEMORE de Baltemore in Regno Hibernice Absoluti DniÌ„ et Proprietarij Provinciarum Terrae-Mariae et Avaloniae in America etc a. Abra Blotling sculp The Right Honourable George Lord Nevill Baron of Abergâ—venny in Monmouthshire â—â— The Right Honourable Iames Lord Touâ—hett Baron Audley of Hâ—leigh in England and Earle of Castle haâ—en in Ireland c a. The Right Honourable Charles Lord Weâ—â— Baron De la Ware in Hantshire The Right Honourable George Lord Berkley of Berkley c a. descended from Harding a yonger sone of one of the Danish Kings Who came in with William ye. Conquerour c a The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Parker Baron Morley and Monteaglâ— in Lancashire The Right honourable Conyers Lord D'Arcy Baron D'Arcy and Menil in Yorkshire The Right Honourable Benjamin Lord Mildmay Baron Fitzwater The Right Honourable William Lord Sturton Baron Sturton of Sturton in Wiltshire The Right Honourable Henry Lord Sandis Baron Sandis of the Vine in Hantshire The Right Honourable Thomasâ— Lord Windsor Lord Leivetenant of Worcestersh and one of the Lords of his Ma â—â—s most honble Privy Councel for the Kingdome of Ireland The Right Honourable Thomas Lord Cromwell Baron of Oakham in Rutlandsh and Earle of Arglast Viscount Lecaile in the Kingdome of Ireland The Right honble Ralph Lord Eure Baron of Wilton in the County of Northumberland ct The Right Honourable Phillip Lâ—â—â— Wharton Baron of Wharton in The County of Westmoreland The Right Honourable Iohn Lord 〈◊〉 Baron Willoughby of Parhâ—m in Lincolnshire The Right Honourable William Lorâ— Pagâ—â—◠〈◊〉 of Beaudefert in the County of Stafford The Right Honourable Charles Loâ—◠〈◊〉 of Cartlidge in ye. County of Canâ—â—râ—â—â— and Baron Grey of Roleston The Right Honourable William Lord Bruges Baron Chandois of Sudley Castle in Glocester shire The Right Honourable Iames Lord Bertue Baron Norris of Rycott in Oxford shire brother to the Right Honourable Robert Earle of Lindsey ct The Right Honourable William Petre Baron of Writtle in Essex The Right Honourable Digby Gerard Baron of Gerardsâ— Bromley in Staffordshire The Right honble Charles Lord Stanhope Baron of Harrington in the County of Northampton c a. The Right honble Henry Lord Arundell Baron of Wardure in Wiltshire and Count of the Empire The Right Honourable Christopher Lord Roper Baron Tenham of Tenham in Kent The Right Honourable Robert Grevill Baron Brook of Beauchamps Court in Warwickshire Ld. Leivtenant of Staffordshire The Right Honourable Edward Lord Montague of Boughton decended from Simon Montague of Houghton who was brother to Iohn Earle of Salisbury The Rt. honble Ralph Lord Grey Baron of Warke c â— of whose family was Sr. Iohn Grey who for his good service in France was by King Henry the 5th created Earle of Tangverville in the said Kingdome The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Roberts Baron of Truro in Cornwall and one of the Lords of his maties most Honourable Privy Councell c a. The Right Honourable Iohn Lovelace Baron of Hurley in Barkshire The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Poulet Baron of Hinton St. George in Somerset shire The Right Honourable William Maynard Baron of Estaines in Essex and Baron Maynard of Wicklow in Ireland Comptroler of his Mtys household and one of the Lords of his most Honourable privy Councell The Right Honourable George Coventry Baron of Alesborough in Worcestershire The Right Honourable Thomas Howard Baron of Escricke in Yorkshire The Right honble Charles Lord Mohun Baron Mohun of Okehampton in Devonshire the Right honble Edward Lord Herbert Baron of Cherbury in Montgomeryshire and of Castle Island in Ireland and one of the Lords of his matyâ— most honble privy Councell for the Kingdom of Irelandâ— The Right honble Thomas Lord Leigh Baron Leigh of Stoneley in Warwick-shire The Right honble Richard Lord Biron Baron of Rachdale in Lancashire The Right honble Christopher Lord Hatton Baron of Kirby in Northamptonsh Governor of the Isle of Gemsey ct The Right honble Richard Lord Vaughan Baron of Emlyn in England and Earle oâ— Carbery in Ireland and one of the Lds of his Majestys most honble Privy Councell The Right honble Francis Lord Carrington Baron of Wotton in Warwicksh Viscount Bâ—rreford in the Kingdome of Ireland The Right honble William Lord Widdrington of Widdrington Castle in Northumberland and Baron of Blackney in ye. County of Lincolne The Right Honourable Edward Lord Ward Baron of Bermingham in the County of Warwick The Right honble Thomas Lord Culpeper Baron of Thornsway in Kent The Right honble Iacob Lord Astley Baron of Reding in Berkshire The Right Honourable Charles Lord Lucas Baron of Shenfeild in the County of Essex the Right honble John Lord Belasis Baron of Worlabye in Lincolnshire the Right honble Edward Watson Baron Rockingham of Rockingham in Northamtonshire son of Lewis Lord Rockingham by the Lady Elianor sister to Iohn Earle of Rutland now living An. 1625 The Right Honourable Charles Lord Gerard Baron of Brandon in Suffolk Gentleman of his matys Bedchamber The Right honble Robert Sutton Baron Lexington of Axam in Nottingham shire The Right Honourable Charles Henry Lord Kirkhoven Baron Wotton of Wotton in Kent The Right Honourable Marmaduke Lord Langdale Baron of Holme Langdale in Westmorland The Right honble William Lord Crofts Baron of Saxham in Suffolk Oâ—e of the Gentlemen of his matys Bedchamber The Right honble Iohnâ— Lord Berhley Baron of Stratton in Somersetshire One oâ— the Lords of his Majestys most honble Privy Councell The Right honble Denzell Lord Holles Baron of Ifield in Sussex Lord high Steward of the Honors Manor s and Revenews of the Queens Custos Rotolorum of Dorset shire The Right Honourable Charles Lord Cornwallis Baron of Eye in Suffolke c a. The Rt. honble George Lord Booth Baron De la Mer of Dunham Massey in Cheshire c a. The Right Honourable Horatio Lord Townesend Baron of Linn Regis in the County of Norfolke Lord Leivetenant of the said County c a. The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Crew Baron of Stean in Northampton shire The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Frescheville Baron of Staveley in Derby shire The Right Honourable Richard Lord Arundell Baron of Trerife in Cornwall The Right honble Thomas Butler Earle of Ossâ—ry in Ireland Baron Butler of More Park in Hereford shire Eldest Son to his Grace Iames Duke of Ormond Kt of the Garter one of the Gentlemen of his matys Bedchamber and Lords of his most Honourable privy Councell c a. The Right Honorbl Hugh Lord Clifford Baron of Chudleigh
in Devon shire The Right Honourable Richard Butler Second son to his Grace Iames Duke of Ormond Earle of Arran Viscount Tulough â—nd Baron of Clougrenan in Ireland and one of the Lords of his matys most Honourable Privy Councell for the said Kingdome and Baron of Weston in England The Right honble Heneage Lord â—inch Baron of Doventry Lord High Chancellor of England â— a The Rt. honble Walter Ld. Aston Baron of Forfare in the Kingdome of Scotland whose Father Sr. Walter Aston Kt. of the Bath Bart. was in the 3d of K. Ch the ist created to the sd. Dignity The Right Honourable Coecilius Coluert Baron Baltemore de Baltemore in the Kingdome of Ireland Absolute Lord and Proprietary of the Provinces of Maryland and Avalon in America The Right Honourable William Lord Allington Baron of Killard in the Kingdome of Ireland The Right Honourable Iohn Lord Baron of KingstoÌ„ Ld President of the Province of Connaugh Comissary generall of ye. Horse for his matys Army in Ireland and one of the Lds of his matys most honble Privy Councell for â—he said Kingdome plerumque ridicula for saepe numero ubi proprietas verborum attenditur sensus veritas amittitur It may leave some use and serve turn in Schools but it is too light for Judgment in Law and for the Seats of Justice Thomas Aquinas setteth down a more certain Rule In vocibus videndum non tam a quo quam ad quid sumatur and words should be taken sensu currenti for Use and Custome is the best Expositor of the Laws and Words quem penes arbitrium est jus norma loquendi in the Lord Chancellor's Speech in the Case Postnati fol. 61. And forasmuch as the word may aptly be applyed to import men of strength Bracton as before appeareth not unaptly useth the signification thereof in these words Sunt alii potentes sub Rege qui dicuntur Barones hoc est robur belli The Antiquity of the Dignity of Barons and the sundry uses of the Name IT seemeth that the Dignity was more ancient than the Name for in the ancient Constitutions there is no mention made of the name of Barons howbeit the Learned Interpreters do understand that Dignity to be comprehended under those which are there called Valvasores Majores and afterwards called Capitanei For of the Valvasors which are thought to be the Barons Valvasores Minores and Valvasini or Valvasores Minimi The like Dignity before the Conquest had those which of the English-Saxons were called Thaines Mills fol. 28. saith Barons were in France from the beginning nevertheless the name of Baron was not much used in this Kingdom until the Norman Conquest after which the word Baron seemeth to be frequently used instead of Thaine amongst the English-Saxons For as they in general and large signification did sometimes use the same to the sense and meaning and import of a Freeman born of a Free Parentage or such like So did the Normans use the word Baron and therefore called their best esteemed Towns and Boroughs by the name of Barons And so the Citizens of London were called Barons Londonni divers ancient Monuments of whom also Britan. maketh mention fol. 272. lib. 5. cap. 14. Also there are divers Charters wherein mention is made of such like Barons And the Barons of Warwick in the Record of Domesday and unto our time the Free Burgesses of the Five priviledged Ports and for that also divers of the Nobility of Barons as well Spiritual as Temporal did in ancient time sit in the Exchequer to determine the matters there arising The Judges of that Court have been time out of mind called Barons of the Exchequer And â—â—lliam de la Poole was created a Baron by King Edward the Third and made Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Moreover as the English Saxons had two kinds of Thaines the like hath been observed as touching Barons â—or the King and the Monarchs of the Realm have their immediate Barons being the Peers of the Realm And in like manner certain others of the Nobility especially the Earls which have Jurisdiction Palatine and Earls-Marshal whose Countries have confined upon the Coasts of the Enemy and had under them for their better defence a kind of Barons as namely under the County Palatine of Chester were these Barons viz. the Barons of Hilton Mountale Molebanck Shipbrooke Malpas Massa Kinderton Stockport c. The Earldom of Pembroke being first erected by Arnulphus Montgomery that conquered part of Wales and therefore the Earl thereof being an Earl-Marshal had also under him his Barons as by the Parliament Rolls 18 Edw. 1. doth appear It hath been therefore a common Opinion received That every Earldom in times past had under it Ten Barons and every Baron Ten Knights Fees holden of him and that those which have Four Knights Fees were usually called and promoted to the Degree of a Baron Also Lords and Proprietors of Mannors were in respect of them in ancient remembrance called Barons but absolutely and the Courts of their Mannors called thereof Courts Barons It resteth now for the more explanation of the use of the name of Barons that we call to remembrance that which hath bin afore spoken That the Custome of our Country is that if a Baron be created Earl the eldest Son of the said Earl taketh upon him in the life time of his Father the Name and Title of the Barony although he want the priviledges belonging to a Baron The Tenor and proper signification of the word Baron BArons Honourable are of three kinds viz. by Tenure by Writ and by Creation or Patent As for Barons by Prescription which some men have spoken of they are intended to be all one with the Barons by Tenure or those whose Ancestors time out of mind have been called to Parliament by Writ for otherwise there are no such to be found as Barons by Prescription only CHAP. X. Barons by Tenure BArons by Tenure are those which do hold any Honour Castle or Mannor as the head of their Barony per Baroniam which is Grand Serâ—eanty And those Barons by Tenure are of two sorts Barons Spiritual by Tenure and Barons Temporal by Tenure Of Barons Spiritual by Tenure sufficient is said whereunto may be added That it appeareth by all the ancient Writers of our Law as Brittan Glanvile Bracton and the rest that the Archbishops and Bishops of the Realm in the ancient Saxons days as well during the time that the Realm was divided into divers Kingdoms as also after the uniting of them into one Monarchy were called to Parliament or Assemblies of State as Wisemen not so much in respect of their Tenure for in those days all their Tenures were by a Frank Almoigne but especially for that the Laws and Counsels of men are then most currant and commendable and have a more blessed Issue and Success where they are grounded upon the Law of God the Root and Beginning of
Cooke of Kingsthorp in Northampton shire Gent â— Sr. Thomas Player of Hackney in Middlesex Knight Chamberlaine of the Citty of London Sr. Iohn Berkenhead Knight Master of Requests to his Majesty and Master of the Faculties and one of the members of the Honourable house of Comons Sr William Drake of Amersham in the County of Bucks Knight now maried to Elizabeth daughter of the honble â— â— Mountâ—gu Lord cheife Baron of his matys Court of Exchequer Sr William Pargiter of Greetworth in Northampton shire Knight a samily of good Antiquity whose Ancestors have been their Seated for many Generations Sr. William Waller of Winchester in Hantshire K descended from Richard Waller of Groombridg in Kent Esqr. who at the battle of Agencourt took Ioâ— Duke of Orleanse Prisoner and brought him to Groombridg whâ—re he remained a Prisoner 24 yeares and in memory of the Action it hath bin ever since allowed to the family to beare hanging on their Antient Crest the Armes of the said Duke Sr William Hustler of Acklam in Cleaveland in The County of York Kt Sr. Joseph Sheldon of the Citty oâ— London Kt. Alderman Lord Mâ—j therof Anno 〈◊〉 Sr. Robt. Hanson of the Citty of Londoâ— Knight and Alderman Lord Major thereof Anno 1673 Sr. Iohn Maynard of Gunnersbury in the Parish of Ealing in the County of Midlesex Knight sergeant at Law to his Majesty King Charles the second S â— Iohn Shortâ—r of the Citty of London Kt. and Alderman now maried to Ezabeâ— daughter of Iohn Birkhead of Ristwhait 〈◊〉 yâ— parish of Crostwhait in Cumberland Gen â— Robert Peyton of East Barnet in ye. County of 〈◊〉 Kt. descended of ye. Antient Family of ye. Peytonâ— Cambridgshire noâ— Maried to Iane Daughter and 〈◊〉 heyrs of Lionell Robison of Couton in York shire Esq. Sr. Edward Lowe of new Sarum in Wiltshire Kt. one of the Masters of the High Honourable Court of Chancery Sr. Iohn Iames of Wiâ—â—borow in Kâ—nt Kt. dâ—scended of ye. â—ntiâ—â—â— And Sâ—râ—ading Family of ye. Iamâ—â—is Who Transplâ—nted Themseluâ—s out of Cleâ—â— in Germaâ—y into England About ye◠〈◊〉 of yâ—â—â—igne of K. 〈…〉 Family Sâ—◠〈◊〉 in Tâ—â— Body of yâ— Book Sâ—ction Chap 1 Thâ— Sâ—S Ioâ—n is â—â—w Maried to Mâ—â—y dâ—ughtâ—r of Sr. Robert Kiâ—â—eâ—râ—w of Haâ—worth in Middleâ—â—â— Kt. desâ—â—ed 〈◊〉 Câ—â—mâ—erâ—â—n to yâ— Late Queen Mother 〈◊〉 Hon Sr. Robert Bâ—oth of Salford in Lâ—â—câ—shire K â— â— chife Iustice of 〈◊〉 Matâ—s Court of Comâ—n pleas in Ireland one of his Ma â—â—â— most Hon priâ—â—â—â—â—ncell for yâ— S d Kingdome Grandchild heyre of Humfry â—ooth of Salford 〈◊〉 Gâ—n whose Châ—ritable works 〈…〉 his name of w â— see more in â—â—â—dy of yâ— Bocke sâ—e 3 chapt. 1â— The Sd. Sâ—r. Robert was first maried to mary â—â—â—ghter heyre of Spencer Poâ—ts of Chalgraye in Bedfordshire Esq 〈…〉 to Susanna Daughter of Sr. 〈…〉 of Dean in East Kent Kt. Aâ—â—soâ— Dâ—ceased Sr. Charles Pitfeild of Hâ—xton in the Parish of St. Leonard â—horditch in Middlesex Kt. Descended of the Antient family of the Pitfeilds of â—umâ—nâ—sâ—ry in Dâ—rsâ—tshireâ— is now maried to Winefrid one of the Daughters and coeheyrs of Iohn Adderley of Cotton in Stafordshire Esâ— Sr. Thomas Middleton of Stansted Mount Fichit in ye. County of Essex Kt. now maried to Mary ye. Relict of Thomas Style Esq Eldest Son of Sr. Thomas Style of Waâ—ering bury in yeâ— County of Kent Bar â— and only Daughter of Sr. Stephen Langham of the Citty of London Kt. Sr. Francis Theobald of Barking hall in Suffolk Kt. a great Lover of Lerning fautor of Lerned men in Soemuch that Dr. Castle in his Polygâ—oâ— Lexicon makes This mention of him yt. he is harum Linguarum Callentissimus Sr. Robt. Hardinge late of Kings-Newton in the Parish of Melborne in Darby-shire Nâ—w of Grais Inn in Middle â— Kt. his matys Attorney of all his Forests c. from Trent Northward's a great sufferer for there matys King Charles the first second Hee Maried Anna eldest daughr. of Sr. Richard Sprignell of Hâ—gate in Middlesex Bar â— Deceased Sr. Io. Kirke of East Ham in Esex Kt. one of the Band of Gentleman Pentioners to his matyâ— King Charles the 2d. which sd. Sr. Io. and his family hath been very actiue for the Servi c â— of there King and Country in particular at Canade in America Sr. Thomas Marshe of Darkes in the Parish of South Mimms in Com Middlesex Knight Sr. William Beversham of Holbrookhall in Suffolk Knight one of the Masters oâ— the High and Honourable Court of Chancery And it was anciently ordained That all Knights Fees should come unto the eldest Son by succession of Heritage whereby he succeeding his Ancestor in the whole Inheritance might be the better able to maintain War against the King's Enemies or his Lords and that the Soccage of Freehold be partable between the Male Children to enable them to encrease into many Families for the better encrease of Husbandry But as nothing is more unconstant than the Estates we have in Lands and Livings even so long since these Tenures have been so indifferently mixt and confounded in the hands of each sort that there is not now any note of difference to be gathered by them Lambert Peramb of Kent 10. Et quia tale servitium forinsecum non semper manet sub eadem quantitate sed quandoque praestatur ad plus quandoque ad minus ideo eo quantitate Regalis servitii qualitate fiat mentio in charta ut tenens certum tenere possit quid quantum persolvere teneatur And therefore the certainty of the Law in this case is That he that holdeth by a whole and entire Knight's Fee must serve the King or his other Lord forty days in the Wars well and sufficiently arrayed and furnished at all points and by twenty days if he hold by a moiety of a Knights Fee and so proportionable And in the Seventh of Edw. 3. 246. it was demurred in Judgment Whether Forty days shall be accounted from the first day that the King did first enter into Scotland but it seemeth that the days shall be accompted from the first day that the King doth enter into Scotland because the Service is to be done out of the Realm And they that hold per Regale servitium are not to perform that Service unless the King do also go himself into the Wars in proper Person by the Opinion of Sir VVilliam Earle Chief Justice of the Common Pleas Irium Sept. Edw. 3. 246. but vide 3 Hen. 6. tit Protection 2. in which Case it was observed That seeing the Protector who was Prorex went the same was adjudged a Voyage Royal. Also before the Statute de quia emptores terrarum which was made decimo octavo Edw. 1. the King or other Lord had given Lands to a Knight to hold of him by Service and Chivalry scil to go with the King or with his Lord when the King doth make a Voyage Royal to subdue
A. 1351. they came to an Agreement and shortly after with the consent of Pope Clement the Sixth the Queen and Lewis Prince of Tarentum were crowned King and Queen of that Kingdom And in commemoration of so happy a Union the Prince instituted this Order into which were enrolled Seventy of the noblest Lords in Naples together with some Strangers Their Habit appointed them was a white Garment and their Ensign was a Knot intermixed with Gold But this Order expired soon after the death of the Founder Knights of the Argonauts of St. Nicholas in Naples THIS Order was instituted in Anno 1382. by Charles the Third King of Naples for the advancement of Navigation which was much wanting amongst the Neopolitans but others say it was erected for the preserving of Amity amongst the Nobles who were the Persons that were inveâ—â—ed with the said Honour Their Ensign appointed them by the said King was a Ship toâ—â—ed in a Storm with this Motto Non credo tempori Their Habit was a white Garment and their great Feast was held in the Convent of that stately Church built by St. Nicholas Bishop of Smyrna But by reason of the King 's not settling a Revenue thereon upon his death it became disused Knights of the Ermyn in Naples FErdinand the First King of Naples having ended the War which he had against Iohn of Lorain Duke of Calabria his Brother in Law Marinus Marcianus Duke of Sessa and Prince of Rosiano had raised a Confederacy against him and intended to kill him when they were together by which means the Kingdom might be transferred to the Duke of Calabria But this Plot being discovered and the Duke apprehended instead of causing him to be executed the King elected him one of this Order and also admitted thereunto all the Nobles of his Kingdom The Collar with which they were invested was of Gold intermixed with mud or dirt to which hung an Ermyn with this Motto Malo mori quam foedari DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD IN SAVOY Knights of the Annunciation THIS Order was instituted in the Year 1362. by Amedeo the Sixth Earl of Savoy Surnamed Il Verde in memory of Amedeo the first Earl thereof who having valorously defended the Isle of Rhodes against the Turks won those Arms which are now born by the Dukes of Savoy viz. Gules a Cross Argent The Collar belonging to this Order is of Gold on which are these Letters Engraven F. E. R. T. which signifie Fortitudo ejus Rhodum tenuit and to this Collar hangeth a Tablet wherein is the figure of the Annunciation which is their daily Badge which they wear about their Shoulders This Order at first consisted of Fifteen of which the Founder was the Sovereign which number was afterwards enlarged The Church where the Ceremonies were observed and the Chapters held by the Sovereign and the Knights was first at Pierre Chastle which afterwards removed to Montmeillar and thence to the Hermitage of Camaldule seated upon the Mountain of of Turin Their Habit is now a purple Mantle seeded with Roses and Flames in embroidery of Gold and Silver bordered with the Symbols of the Order fringed with Gold and lined with Cloth of Silver and tissued blew under which instead of a Surcoat is worn a white Satin Suit embroidered with Silk and the Breeches like Trouses half way their Thighs In the said Church were entertained Fifteen Priests who were to say Fifteen Masses daily to the honour of the fifteen Joyes of the blessed Virgin to the Souls health of him his Predecessors and all who have been were or should hereafter be Knights of this Order Amongst the Orders by them observed every Knight at his death was to give to the maintenance of the Church One hundred Florins which was to be paid to the Prior for the time being That at the death of any of the Knights the rest should assemble themselves to bury the dead in an honourable order and every Knight to wear a white Gown and so make his Offering each bringing with him four Wax Torches weighing One hundred pound and afterwards for Nine days to apparel themselves in mourning And that every Knight at his burial should give unto the Church a Collar a Banner his Armour and Coat of Arms all which to be offered at the day of Entertainment at the Church in memory of the deceased Knights of St. Maurice AMadis the eighth Duke of Savoy with ten of his Court Knights retired themselves to the Desart of Ripaille near the Lake of Geneva where they led a Solitary and Hermetical Life And in the Year 1434. as well to honour St. Maurice the titular Saint and Patron of Savoy as of his Launce or Sword and Ring which as a Pledge of Dominion are delivered to them with great Solemnity at their Inauguration This Order was instituted and was made subject to the Rule of St. Augustine The Habit assigned them was an Ash-colour or grey Gown and Chaperon with Sleeves faced with red Chamlet also a Vest of the same girded about them with a golden Girdle and on the Breast of the Mantle a white Cross pommette of Cloth or Taffaty About Nine years after the Papal See being void by the Deposition of Pope Eugenius the Fourth this Duke for his devout Life was elected Pope â— which with much perswasions he accepted of But he had not been in it above Nine years but he resigned the Chair to Pope Nicholas the Fourth and retired again to a Solitary Life at Ripaille where he ended his days in Anno 1451. and was interred in the Cathedral of Lausanna Knights of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus THese two Orders were erected by Emanuel Philibert Duke of Savoy in Anno 1572. and at the request of the said Duke were confirmed and united into one Order by Pope Gregory the Thirteenth who constituted the said Duke and his Successors Dukes of Savoy Grand Masters thereof obliging them to set out two Gallies for the Service of the Papal See against the Turkish Pirats Their Ensign is a green Cross of St. Lazarus charged with a white Cross of St. Maurice which they wear either tied to a gold Chain or a Ribon Their Habit is a Gown of crimson Tabby with a long Train wide Sleeves and edged about with white Taffaty and a Cordon with a Tassel of white and green fixt to the Collar thereof A DEGREE OF KNIGHTHOOD IN SWITZERLAND CALLED Knights of the Bear THE Emperor Frederick the Second going in Pilgrimage to the Abbey of St. Gall in Anno 1213. gave great Priviledges in acknowledgment of their Assistance in pulling down the Emperor Otho and establishing himself and erected this Order of Knighthood which he conferred on several Noblemen which Annually met at the Abbey of St. Gall on the Sixteenth of October where all new Knights were to receive the Order from the Abbot the Patron thereof on which day such as were to be admitted into the Fraternity were girded with a Military Belt the Sword being
Bishop of Liege who died in the year of our Lord 727. As to their Habit and Ensign I have met with no account thereof Knights of the Order of St. James in Holland THIS Order received its institution in the Year 1290. from Florentius Earl of Holland and Zealand who in his Palace at the Hague in honour of St. Iames created Twelve of his principal Nobles Knights of this Order whom he invested with Collars of Gold or Military Belts of Silver and Gilt adorned with six Escallops to which hung the figure of St. Iames the Apostle DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD IN SWEDEN Knights of the Brician Order THIS Order was erected in the Year of our Lord 1366. by the famous Queen Bridget who for her holy Life was styled and enrolled a Saint and out of her zeal for the honour of Jesus Christ the defence of the Christian Religion the securing the Confines of her Kingdom the succouring Widows and Fatherless and the maintenance of Hospitality endowed this Order with a considerable Revenue This Order was approved of by Pope Vrban the Fifth who gave them the Rule of St. Augustine And their Ensign was a blew Cross of eight points and under it a Tongue of Fire Knights of the Seraphins THIS Order was instituted in Anno 1334. by Magnus the Fourth King of Sweden in memorial of the Siege laid to the chief City of Vpsala The Collar assigned to this Order was composed of Patriarchal Crosses of Gold and of Seraphins of Gold enameled red and at the end thereof hung the figure of our Saviour or of the Virgin Mary Knights of Amaranta THIS Order was instituted about the Year 1645. by Christiana Queen of Sweden in honour of a Lady named Amaranta celebrated for her Charity Modesty Beauty and Courage And by their Oath they were to defend and protect the person of the Queen as also the persons of their Fellow Brothers from harm To his power to advance Piety Virtue and Justice and to discountenance Injury and Vice Their Ensign is a Jewel of Gold composed of two great A A one being reversed enriched on both sides with Diamonds and set within a wreath of Laurel Leaves banded about with white whereon is this Motto Dolce nella memoria And this Badge they wear either hanging at a gold Chain or a crimson or blew Ribon which they please Here is another Order of Knighthood in this Kingdom of Sweden called of the Sword and Military Belt whose Collar consisted of Swords and Belts conjoyned but by whom and when Instituted I am ignorant of KNIGHTS OF THE Order of the Elephant IN DENMARK KING Christian the First of Denmark upon a Religious account travelled to Rome and amongst other Honours Pope Sixtus the Fourth in memory of the Passion of our Saviour invested him with this Order and ordained him and his Successors Kings of Denmark Chief and Supream of the said Order which was conferred on the Danish Princes as a memorial to incite them to defend the Christian Religion against the Moors and Aâ—ricans These Knights were obliged to perform Acts of Piety and Charity with certain Ceremonies to be observed especially upon those days on which they wore the Ensign of their Order which was the figure of an Elephant on whose side within a rundle was represented a Crown of Thorns with three bloody Nails Instead of their golden Collar formerly won by them they now wear about them a blew Ribon to which hangs an Elephant enameled white and beautified with five large Diamonds set in the midst On the day of the Coronation of the King 's of Denmark this Order hath been commonly conferred upon the Nobles and most deserving Senators of his Kingdom DEGREES OF KNIGHTHOOD IN POLAND Knights of Christ or of the Sword-bearers in Livonia THIS Order was instituted by Albert Bishop of Livonia about the Year of our Lord 1200. for the propagation of the Christian Religion in those Parts in imitation of the Knights Teutonicks in Prusia to which Order they were united about the Year 1237. and submitted themselves to their Rule and Habit by whose assistance they subdued the Idolatrous Livonians and brought them to embrace the Christian Faith But in the Year 1561. Gothard de Ketler then Great Master in the Castle of Riga surrendred to the use of Sigismond the Second King of Poland Surnamed Augustus all the Lands belonging to this Order together with the Seal of the Order his Cross the Keys of the City and Castle of Riga the Charters and Grants of the several Popes and Emperors which concerned the same the priviledge of Coynage and all other matters concerning the same upon which the said Great Master received back from the said King's Commissioners the Dukedom of Curland to be enjoyed by him and his Heirs for ever upon which this Order became extinguished Knights of the white Eagle THIS Order was erected by Ladislaus the Fifth King of Poland for the further honouring the Marriage of his Son Casimire the Great with Anne Daughter of Gerdimir Duke of Lithuania in Anno 1325. and for their Ensign had a white Eagle crowned KNIGHTS OF THE Order of the Dragon OVERTHROWN IN HUNGARY THIS Order was instituted in the Year 1418. by Sigismund the Emperor Surnamed the Glorious for the Defence of the Christian Religion and the suppressing the Schismaticks and Hereticks which he had been victorious over in many Battels Their Ensign which they daily wore was a green Cross flory on Festival days they wore a scarlet Cloak and on their Mantle of green Silk a double gold Chain or a green Ribon to which hung the figure of a Dragon dead with broken Wings and enameled with variety of colours But although this Order was of high esteem for a time yet it almost expired with the death of the Founders Knights of the Order of the Sword in Cyprus GVY of Lusignan soon after his possession as King of the Isle of Cyprus which he had bought of Richard the First King of England for One hundred thousand Crowns of Gold in Anno 1195. erected this Order in Commemoration of so good and fortunate a Plantation for Fifteen thousand Persons which he had brought thither with him The Collar of this Order was composed of round Cordons of white Silk woven in Love-knots and interlaced with the Letters S. and R. To this Collar hung an Oval of Gold wherein was enameled a Sword the Blade Silver and the Hilt Gold and about the Oval was this Motto Securitas Regni This Honour of Knighthood the said King who was Great Master conferred on his Brother Amaury Constable of Ierusalem and Cyprus and on Three hundred Barons which he had created in this his new Kingdom But when the Turks became Masters of the Isle this Order ceased KNIGHTS OF Saint Anthony IN AETHIOPIA ABout the Year of our Lord 370. Iohn Emperor of AEthiopia vulgarly called Prester Iohn erected into a Religious Order of Knighthood certain Monks who lived an austere and solitary Life in
this Civil Dignity they have three Laws The first Ius agnitionis the right or law of descent for the kindred of the Father's side The second Ius Stirpis for the Family in general The third Ius Gentilitatis a law for the descent in Noble Families which Tully esteemed most excellent by which Law a Gentleman of Blood and Coat-Armour perfectly possessing Vertue was only priviledged To make that perfection in Blood a Lineal Descent from Atavus Proavus Avus and Pater on the Fathers side was required and as much on his Mothers line than he is not only a Gentleman of perfect Blood but of his Ancestors too The neglect of which Laws hath introduced other sorts of Gentleman viz. men that assume that Dignity but are neither so by Blood nor Coat-Armour which style only hurries them to an unruly pride which indeed is but rude and false honour termed by Sir Iohn Ferne Apocriphate and debarred of all priviledge of Gentility These Gentlemen nomine non re saith he are the Students of Law Grooms of his Majesties Palace Sons of Churls made Priests or Canons c. or such as have received Degrees in Schools or born Office in the City by which they are styled Gentlemen yet have they no right to Coat-Armour by reason thereof As to the Student of the Law Sir I. Ferne allows him the best aâ—â—urance of his title of Gentleman of all these irregular Gentlemen as he terms them because he is named in some Acts of Parliament yet he saith he is also debarred of all honour and priviledge by the Law of Arms. And anciently none were admitted into the Inns oâ— Court as before noted but such as were Gentlemâ—◠〈◊〉 Blood be their merits never so great â—or were the Church Dignities and Preferments bestowed indifferently amongst the Vulgar The Jews confined their Prieâ—â—hood to a Family but Ieroboam debased it in his Kingdom by preferring the basest of his people to the best of duties The Russians and some other Nations admit none to the study of the Law but Gentlemens younger Sons The decayed Families in France are supported and receive new life from the Court Camp Law and Ecclesiastical Preferments take the most solemn and serious who contemn the World if such are wanting to fill up their Vacancies the Ingeniouser sort of the Plebeans are admitted by which means their Church and State is in eâ—â—eem and reverence being filled most commonly with the best Blood and Noblest by Birth amongst them whereas with us every Clown that can spare but mony to bring up his Son â—or any of those Studies bereaves the Gentry of those Benefices and robs them of their support which grand abuse is the cause of the general Corruption in the State Civil and Ecclesiastick whereas were this preferment made peculiar to the Gentry they would stand more upon their Honour and live without being a Burthen to their Relations The Atchievement of a Gentleman hath no difference with that of an Esquire both their Helmets being close and sideways OF YEOMEN CHAP. XXVII THE Yeomen or Common People for so are they called of the Saxon word Zemen which signifies Common who have some Lands of their own to live upon For a Carn of Land or a Plough Land was in ancient time of the yearly value of five Nobles and this was the Living of a Stokeman or Yeoman And in our Law they are called Legalâ— homines a word familiar in Writs and Inquests And by divers Statutes it hath been enacted That none shall pass in any Inquest unless they had forty shillings Free-hold in yearly Revenue which maketh if the most value were taken to the proportion of moneys above Sixteen pounds of currant money at this present And by the Statute of 27 Eliz. ch 6. every Juror must have Forty pounds Lands In the end of the Statute made 23 Hen. 6. c. 15. concerning the Election of Knights for the Parliament it is ordered and expresly provided That no man shall be such Knight which standeth in the degree of a Yeoman It appeareth in Lambert's Perambulation of Kent 367. that this Saxon word Telphioneman was given to the Theyne or Gentleman because his life was valued at One thousand two hundred shillings and in those days the lives of all men were rated at certain sums of Money To the Churle or Yeoman because the price of his head was taxed at Two hundred shillings Which things if it were not expresly set forth in sundry old Laws yet extant might well enough be found in the Etymology of the words themselves the one called a Twelve hundred man and the other a Twyhind for a man of Two hundred And in this Estate they pleased themselves insomuch that a man might and also now may find sundry Yeomen though otherwise comparable for wealth with many of the Gentile sort that will not yet for that change their condition nor desire to be appareled with the title of Gentry By the Common Law it may appear in 1 Ed. 2. de Militibus and 7 Hen. 6. 15. a. men that had Lands to the value of Twenty pounds per annum were compellable at the King's pleasure to take upon them the Order of Knighthood and upon Summons there came a Yeoman who might expend a hundred Marks per annum and the Court was in doubt how they might put him off and at last he was waved because he came the second day By this sort of men the trial of Causes in the Country proceedeth ordinarily for of them there are greater number in England than in any other place and they also of a more plentiful livelyhood and therefore it cometh to pass that men of this Country are more apt and fit to discern in doubtful Cases and Causes of great examination and trial than are men wholly given to moil in the ground to whom that Rural exercise engendreth rudeness of wit and mind And many Franklins and Yeomen there are so near adjoyning as you may make a Jury without difficulty for there be many of them that are able to expend One or two hundred pounds per Annum As in the ancient time the Senators of Rome were elected a Censu and as with us in conferring of Nobility respect is had to their Revenues by which their Dignity and Nobility may be supported and maintained So the Wisdom of this Realm hath of ancient time provided that none shall pass upon Juries for the trial of any matter real or personal or upon any criminal cause but such as besides their Moveables have Lands for estate of life at the least to a competent value lest for need or poverty such Jurors might easily be corrupted or suborned And in all Cases and Causes the Law hath conceived a better Opinion of those that have Lands and Tenements or otherwise are of worth in moveable Goods that such will commit or omit nothing that may any way be prejudicial to their estimation or which may endanger their Estates than it hath of
c. and the Commodities by them â—mported are Deals Masts Timber Oars Balks Clapboards Bom-spars Cant-spars Pipe-staves Wainscot and Quarters Flax Hemp Linen-cloth Fustians Cordage Cable-yarn Pitch Tarr Tallow Hides Pot-ashes Wheat Rye Iron Lattin Copper Steel Wire Quicksilver rich Furrs Buck-skins Train-oyl Sturgeon Stock-fish Mather with several other good Commodities For the management of the Affairs of this worshipful Company they are governed by a Governour Deputy-Governour and Court of Assistants consisting of four and twenty who are yearly elected out of the Members of the said Society in the month of October and keep their Courts for the management of the concerns of the said Company as others do having also large Immunities granted unto them The present Governour for this Year 1678. is Sir Richard Chiverton Kt. Governour Francis Asty Esq Deputy-Governour Randolph Knipe Treasurer Sir Benjamin Ayloffe Edward Bilton Senior Esq Iohn Dogget Esq Nathaniel Tench Esq Peter Rich Esq Mr. Thomas Canham Mr. Henry Moody Mr. Edw. Bilton Junior Mr. Samuel Feake Mr. William Rivett Mr. Hugh Vpton Mr. William Nutt Mr. William Cooper Mr. Iohn Mathews Mr. Oliver Westland Mr. Edward Harwell Mr. Abraham Wessel Mr. Ioseph Martin Mr. Thomas Philpe Mr. Thomas Warren Mr. William Taylor and Mr. Iohn Sayer Assistants The Royal Affrican Company of England was by his Majesties great prudence and care for the general good of this Nation and of his Foreign Dominions and Plantations erected into a Company and is likely to prove the most beneficial Trade that belongs to his Crown as well by the Commodities Exported and Imported as by the Negro Trade The Goods of English growth Exported are Sayes Perpetuances Broad-clothes Welsh-plains and other Woollen Manufactures in great abundance besides quantities of other English Goods and Stuffs the large consumption whereof doth not only enable the Tenant the better to pay his Rent and maintain his Family but also sets many thousands of poor people at work in making dying and dressing of these Stuffs and Clothes And together with these Goods of English growth are also sent vast quantities of Foreign Goods chiefly imported by our East-India Company by which his Majesties Customes the wealth of his People and the Navigation of this Kingdom are much encreased The Foreign Commodities Imported are Gold Elephants-teeth Wax Hides and other Commodities almost all as good as gold And as to the benefit of the Negro Trade it is such that by it all the American Plantations are yearly furnished with great quantities of Slaves not elsewhere to be had by whose labour and the Planters industry the King and his People are very much enriched The bounds of this Companies Trade are large viz. from Sally in South-Barbary to Cape Bona Esperanza inclusive The Voyage out and home is short usually within the compass of a year Many ships and seamen are constantly employed in the Companies Service who for the securing their Trade have at a very great expence erected several Forts and Factories all along the Coast of Guiny without which the Trade cannot possibly be preserved to this Nation and for that very reason this Trade cannot be managed but by a Company and a joynt Stock for no private person will undergo the Charge of Forts and Factories abroad besides such as Venture one Voyage and perhaps no more do usually consult the cheapest way in their Exports and will not have that care to send so good and merchantable Commodities as a Company who are constantly to trade thither will who are obliged so to do as well for supporting the credit of their trade as for bringing our English Manufactures into a better reputation than those of our Neighbours which this Company hath really effected in several Commodities formerly bought in Holland as Sayes Muskets Knives c. being now all Exported of our own make And of this difference in and between the Commodities send by the Company and those sent by private Traders the Natives of Guiny who are a sagacious people are very sensible by the ill-dealings they have met with in that kind from some private Traders which hath been a thing very disadvantageous to our English Manufactures and Trade but these miâ—chiefs have been removed ever since his Majesties settling the Trade in a Company with prohibition to all such interloping Traders This Company consisteth of a Governour who is his Royal Highness Iames Duke of York the very life of the said Company under his Sacred Majesty a Sub-Governour Deputy-Governour and a generality mixt of divers Noblemen honourable Persons and eminent Merchants to the number of about two hundred out of which are Annually chosen by Vote at a general Court four and twenty Assistants of whom any six with the Governour Sub-Governour or Deputy-Governour make a Court which by their Charter dated Sept. 27. 1672. is called a Court of Assistants and impowered for the well ordering and governing of the Affairs of the said Company subject nevertheless to a general Court when occasion requireth The management of the Affairs of this Honourable Company for this Year 1678. is committed to the prudent care and government of his Royal Highness Governour Sir Gabriel Roberts Sub-Governour Benjamin Newland Esq Deputy-Governour Twenty four Assistants viz. Sir Iohn Banks Knight and Baronet Sir Thomas Bludworth Knight and Alderman Mr. Benjamin Bathurst William Earl of Craven Sir Peter Colleton Knight and Baronet Mr. Roger Chappel Mr. Samuel Dashwood Thomas Lord Viscount Fauconberg Edward Hopegood Esq Mr. Peter Ioy Sir Andrew King Mr. Iohn Mead Sir Iohn Mathews Mr. Nicholas Mead Mr. Thomas Nichols Lawrence du Puy Esq Mr. Peter Proby William Roberts Esq Mr. Edward Rudge Col. Iohn Searle Mr. Benjamin Skutt Sir William Turner Knight and Alderman Mr. Thomas Vernon Mr. William Warren The Coat of Arms and Motto belonging to this Company is also depicted in the Plate of Arms of the Companies of Merchants This worshipful Company as indeed all others are is governed by a Master Wardens and Court of Assistants Thus having briefly treated of the City of London the Metropolis of the Kingdom with some of the chief Incorporated Companies our next business shall be to treat of the Cities in England with the principal places or Shire-Towns in every County CHAP. II. Treats of the Cities of England with the Shire or chief Town Corporate in each County and first with Berkshire ELY a City of more antiquity than beauty being but meanly built nor well inhabited or frequented and would be farr less were it not the See of a Bishop It is a place that enjoyeth ample Immunities for in the Isle of Ely the Bishop hath all the Rights of a County Palatine and beareth chief sway therein and appointeth his Bailiff and other Officers WELLS another City in Somersetshire of no large extent but well inhabited and of good account being the See of a Bishop under whose Jurisdiction is that of Bath Its buildings are fair and good its Cathedral a stately Pile of building adjoyning to which
the Offender may be found in the King's Houshold according to that which happened at Paris in the Fourteenth year of Edward the First when Engelram of Nogeut was taken in the Houshold of the King of England the King himself being then at Paris with silver Dishes lately stoln at which deed the King of France did claim Cognizance of the Plea concerning that Theft by Jurisdiction of that Court of Paris The matter being diversly debated in the Council of the King of France at length it was Ordered That the King of England should use and enjoy that Kingly Prerogative of his Houshold who being Convicted by Robert Fitz-Iohn Knight Steward of the King's Houshold of the Theft by consideration of the said Court was hanged on the Gallows in St. Germans Field And here by the way may be noted from those recited Books alledged That the person of the King in another King's Dominions is not absolutely priviledged but that he may be impleaded for Debt or Trespass or condemned for Treason committed with in the said Dominions For it is the general Law of Nations that in what place an Offence is committed according to the Law of the said place they may be judged without regard to any priviledge Neither can a King in any other Kingdom challenge any such Prerogative of Immunity from Laws For a King out of his proper Kingdom hath not merum Imperium but only doth retain Honoris titulos dignitatis so that where he hath offended in his own Person against the King in whose Nation he is per omnia distringitur etiam quoad personam And the same Law is of Ambassadors ne occasio daretur delinquendi That Ambassadors are called Legats because they are chosen as fit men out of many and their Persons be sacred both at home and abroad so that no man may injuriously lay violent hands upon them without breach of the Law of Nations and much less upon the person of a King in a strange Land Bracton a Judge of this Realm in the Reign of King Henry the Third in his first Book and eighth Case saith There is no respect of Persons with God but with men there is a difference of Persons viz. the King and under him Dukes Counts Barons Lords Vavasors and Knights Counts so called because they take the Name from the County or from the word Sociati who also may be termed Consules of Counselling for Kings do associate such men unto them to govern the People of God ordaining into great Honours Power and Name where they do gird them with Swords that is to say Ringis gladorium Upon this cause were the Stations and Encampings of Arms called by the Romans Castra of the word Castrare since they ought to be Castrata vel Casta. In this place ought a good General to foresee that Venus Delights be as it were gelded and cut off from the Army So Sir Iohn Fern's Book entituled The Glory of Generosity Ring so called quasi renes girans circundans for that they compass the Reins of such that they may keep them from Incest of Luxury because the Luxurious and Incestuous persons are abominable unto God The Sword also doth signifie the Defence of King and Country And thus much in general of the Nobility of England Now followeth a more particular Discourse of each particular Degree and first of his Majesty the Fountain from whence all these Rivulets and swelling Streams of Honour's Spring The most high and mighty Monarch CHARLES the second by the Grace of God King of Great Britaineâ— France and Irelandâ— Defender of the faith ca. The Effiges of the most high and mighty Monarch CHARLES the second by the Grace of God King of Great Britaine France and Ireland Deâ—ender of the faith câ—â— OF THE KING OR MONARCH OF Great Britain CHAP. II. MONARCHY is as ancient as Man Adam being created Soveraign Lord of the Universe whose Office was to govern the whole World and all Creatures therein His Posterity after his Death dividing into Tribes and Generations acknowledged no other Dominion than Paternity and Eldership The Fathers of Nations were instead of Kings and the Eldest Sons in every Family were reverenced as Princes from whence came the word Seignior amongst the Italians and French and Seignories for Lordship and Dominion of which Seneca makes two kinds viz. Potestas aut Imperium power to command Proprietas aut Dominium Property or Dominion These Empires in the Golden Age were founded upon natural Reverency and Piety their Power was executed with the soft Weapons of paternal perswasions and the greatest penalties that they inflicted upon the most Capital Criminals was the malediction of their Primogenitors with an Excommunication out of the Tribes But as Men and Vice began to increase Pride and evil Examples overshadowed Filial Obedience and Violence entred upon the Stage of the World the mighty Men truâ—ling in their own strength oppressed the Feeble and were at length forced to truckle under the tyranny of others more Gygantick than themselves which necessitated them to submit to Government for self-preservation many housholds conjoyning made a Village many Villages a City and these Cities and Citizens confederating established Laws by consent which in tract of time were called Commonwealths some being governed by Kings some by Magistrates and some so unfortunate as to fall under the yoak of a popular Rule Nam Plebs est pessimus Tyrannus The first Chiefs or Kings were men of Vertue elected for their Wisdom and Courage being both Reges Duces to govern according to their Laws in Peace and to lead them forth to Battel against their Enemies in time of Hostility And this Rule proving more safe for the people honourable amongst men and â—â—rm in it self than the other most Nations followed it approving the Sentence of Tacitus Prâ—stat sub Principo â—alo esse quam nulle Lamentable Experience the Mistress of Fools in some and of Wisdom in others in the Ages sequent necessitated them again to quit the â—orm of Election and to entail the Soveraign Power in the Hereditary Loyns of their Kings to prevent the fatal consequence of Ambition amongst equal pretenders in popular Elections Thus the beginning of an Empire is ascribed to reason and necessity â—ut 't was God himself that illuminated the minds of men and let them see they could not subsist without a Supream in their human affairs Necessitas â—st firmum judicium immutabilis providentiae potestas This Island of Great Britain when Barbarism was so happy as to submit to a Regal Power as Caesar in his Commentaries witnesseth then divided into many Kingdoms under which Government of Kings with some small alterations according to the necessity of times and pleasure of Conquerors it hath flourished descending from the British Saxon Danish Norman and