are they to be all punished alike but the Iudge is to examine the circumstances of the cause The law willeth that who so is found a Desertor in warre is to be capitally punished whether hee were horseman or souldier on foote But if a horseman doe prooue a Desertor in peace he thereby forfeiteth his degree or if he were a footman he looseth his pay If such an offender be found in the citie he incurreth the losse of his head but being elswhere found and that the first fault hee may be restored but offending the second time shall loose his life He that to this fault shall adde any other ought be the more sharpely punished and hauing so offended he shall be in case as if he had bene twise a Desertor To this kind of offence in diuers ages and by diuers Princes diuers penalties were appointed The Spartanes repulsed such men from being capable of any office and to liue euer vnmarried also to giue place to all other men and haue the one side of their beards shauen Auidius the vsurper commanded that some should haue their hands cut off and other their legges broken Dauid King of Scottes and second of that name being forced to flee his kingdome at his returne as one mindfull of those that abandoned him in time of danger caused all Chiefetaines and Captaines to pay money and would haue disinherited Robert Stewart who was before named his heire Also for an example to posteritie he imposed a pecuniary punishment vpō al those that did abandon their king in fight Another sort of fugitiues be they that beeing taken prisoners will not returne although so they might of which number some doe onely rest with the enemie and others doe take part and fight on his side which is an offence of great importance Paulus the Ciuilian writeth That such offenders should be either burned aliue or hanged Vlpianus would haue them also burned Or rather as some report he was not executed by the King for leauing him but by the factious Lords for adhering firmely to the King Nicholas Brembre an Alderman of London at a battell in Essex or neere Oxford as others say fled from King Richard the second and after being found in Wales was brought from thence to London where hee was publikely put to death Also at the siege of Capua seuen hundred fugitiues were taken beaten with roddes and their hands cut off By these examples appeareth that no certeine punishment was inflicted for this offence To these we may adde all seditious persons who desirous of innouation doe attempt diuers enterprises to mooue mutenie or rebellion These seditions are most commonly in armies composed of diuers nations or where strangers are called for aide In Cybaris a great number of Achaians and Troezenians did dwell quietly vntill the Achei finding their number the greater tooke Armes and expulsed the Troezeni In Constantinople likewise the strangers did conspire to oppresse the Citizens but in a battell were all forced to flie Also after the suppression of the tyrants in Syracusa the strangers and hired souldiers fell into great dissention For reformation of this fault Iulius Caesar is to be followed who finding such a mischiefe to arise cleared the armie of all busie heads sware the souldiers and at the beginning repressed the sedition Modestinus the doctor did giue counsell that whosoeuer did begin any muteny should loose his life if the sedition were dangerous but beeing of lesse moment the beginner thereof should be cassed The law of Naples commandeth that souldiers or others mouing any sedition should forfeit both life and goods Trebonius a chiefe conspiratour against Caesar was put to death by Dolabella and Marinas Phalerius Duke of Venice for conspiring against that state was beheaded yet in some places and times the punishment of these offences was onely pecuniall or infamie Another crime of greater consequence it is to yeeld vp or abandon a place of strength or depart from a standing giuen in charge for by the Romane lawe those crimes were euer accounted capitall It is likewise capital for feare of an enemie to forsake the trench the wall or other place to be defended Therefore Augustus Caesar caused certaine Captaines hauing abandoned a place vpon paine of death to recouer it Modestinus saith That he who leaueth his place of watch or warde is to be reputed worse then an Emansor and consequently for such a fault to be punished or at the least be discharged his seruice and he that forsaketh the trench incurreth the same penaltie though the enemie doe make no approch but if the enemie be at hand then so to doe is capitall Euery man may reade that Appius Claudius sent certaine bands against the Volses and they abandoning their ranks were beaten with rods and after executed which proceeding seemeth extreame and therefore in like case some fewe haue bene put to death to terrifie the rest Antonius leading an armie against the Parthians executed onely euery tenth man of those that first did runne away The like was done by Appius Claudius in the warre against the Volses putting a few of those souldiers to death that first abandoned their Ensignes Caius Caesar according to the Lawes of Petreius at suite of the Legions did put to death onely twelue persons that were the chiefe moouers of sedition so great was his mercie Neuerthelesse the vse was euer to put him to death that did flee first It is sayd that Epaminondas walking the round where the watch was set hapned to finde a souldier fast asleepe whom forth with he slew with his sword saying As he found him so hee left him The like penaltie doe they incurre that sleepe or depart from their place of watch which moued Epaminondas to account a souldier sleeping like a man without life By the law Militarie it is prouided that if any Souldier doe loose his Armes or sell them hee shall for so doing be capitally punished or at the least disabled to beare Armes at the discretion of the Iudge Or if any souldier doe cast away his Armes and not defend himselfe against the enemie shall thereby incurre infamy The old Romanes reputed him worthy to receiue a bastonado that abandoned his Ensigne The like punishment they thought due to him that did forsake the Generall If any Captaine did flee from his Company or any Ensigne-bearer did let fall his Colours he was beheaded or beaten to death with cudgels Appius Claudius being sent against the Volses caused certaine Ensigne-bearers for loosing their Colours and others that fled out of their rankes to be beaten with rods Paulus the doctor holdeth it a great fault for any Souldier to sell his Armes yet seemeth hee lesse culpable then the former But that kinde of crime is thought equal vnto desertion and whether he sell all or part of his Armes the fault is one Yet that doctour maketh this difference viz. he that selleth his greaues or his powldrō s ought to be beaten But who so selleth
the more rich they were the more they were esteemed Among the Grecians there was not anciently any meane to be aduanced but only by the Emperours seruice wherein whosoeuer did continue any time were he neuer so basely borne should notwithstanding be made a Gentleman The Egyptians and Affyrians would not admit any man to haue the title of a Gentleman vnlesse he were a souldier and skilfull in Militarie affaires The rest of the people liued as slaues without reputation The Tartarians and Muscouites doe holde no man worthy the name of a Gentleman vnlesse he be a man of Armes a Captaine or at the least a souldier of extraordinary account For learning is there of no price CHAP. 19. Of Kingdomes and how Kings are to precede according to the Councell of Constance in the time of King Henry the fift WE reade that anciently the greatest and most noble Kings of the world were these viz. The King of Sycionia the King Egypt and the King of Assyria but of them that of Assyria of greatest power For Ninus the sonne of Belus had conquered and brought to his obedience all the people of Asia India excepted Others affirme hee commaunded the one halfe of the world and some say he was King of a third part So writeth S. Augustine li. 17. cap. 17. de ci Dei It is likewise by other writers said that in ancient time were foure mighty Kingdomes by Daniel compared to foure mettals viz That of Assyrians in the East was likened vnto gold that of the Persians and Medians to siluer that of the North Regions to brasse that of the Romans in the West to yron But the kingdomes of the East were most honourable though at length it pleased God that the Empire of Rome resembled to yron both in longitude and latitude exceeded all others For as yron doth cut and decrease all other mettals so the dominion and power of Romanes abased and eclipsed all other Regall puissance Howsoeuer that were the glory and greatnesse of the Romane force in tract of time did also become of small force weake and feeble according to the prophesie of Daniel ca. 2. But leauing to speake more of times so ancient we say that in Asia the chiefe Kingdomes are Catai Tharses Turnester Corasina India Persia Media Georgia Syria Cappadocia Ethinia c. In Affrica is Ethiopia Libya Arabia Iudea Cilicia Mauritania Numidia and others In Europe are likewise many kingdomes but of them these are most potent viz. England France Scotland Spaine Portugal Denmark Moscouia Sweden Poland c. Now touching the Precedence of these Princes in Europe by diuers writers it is affirmed that the King of France may iustly claime the chiefe place First for that it pleased God to send from heauen vnto Clodoueus the first Christian King of that Nation three Lilies as a Diuine fauour to be from thenceforth borne in the Armes of that kingdome before which time the Kings Armes was three Toades Secondly they alleage that France is the most ancient kingdome of Europe and that Suardus was King of that Nation in the raigne of Alexander Thirdly because the King of France is anointed which indeed seemeth a marke of much preeminence Fourthly for that the French King beareth the title of Most Christian. Lastly because it hath been in sundry papall Consistories decreed that the Ambassadours of France should precede the Ambassadors of Spaine Others hold that Precedencie appertaineth to the King of Spaine First for that he is entituled The most Catholique King Secondly because he is King of many kingdomes and consequently of most honour according to the prouerbe of Sal. In mulitudine populi dignitas regis which reason Salust seemeth also to confirme saying Maxima gloria in maximo Imperio But we say the chiefe place of honour and Precedencie in Europe appertaineth to the King of England First in respect of ancienty For albeit Alexander first King of the Grecians and of Persia called himselfe King of the world euen at that time Brutus was King of England and as some haue sayd Suardus was then King of France But Gaquinus in his Chronicle of France maketh no mention thereof not recordeth his name among the number of French Kings Secondly the king of England is anointed and so is no other king but the French King the King of Sicil and the King of Ierusalem Thirdly the King of England is crowned which honour the King of Spaine Portugal Aragon Nauarra and many other Princes haue not Fourthly the King of England is a Prince most absolute as from whom is no appellation either in iurisdiction Ecclesiastical or Ciuil And albeit Enqueranus Monstellet writeth that in the yeere 1420. at the Interuiew of the Kings of England and France making their entrie into the Citie of Paris the French King did ride on the right hand and kissed the Relikes of Saints first Yet is that no proofe of his right in precedence for Quilibet rex seu Princeps in suo regno in culmine sedere debet so saith Corsetus de potestate Regia And admit that in time more ancient the Kings of France had precedence before England yet since the Conquest famous victories of Henry the fift and Coronation of Henry the sixt in Paris the Kings of England may iustly take place neither is the title of most Christian any proofe of ancienty being only an honour giuen for certein seruices done by King Pepin and Charlemaine to the Church of Rome As for the allegation of Spaine affirming that the King Catholike is owner of many kingdomes and therefore of most honor that reason is of no consequence For so is also the King of England whose only kingdome of England is by nature inexpugnable and so plentifully peopled as sufficeth not onely to defend it selfe against all other Nations but also to inuade and conquer as both Spaine and France hath made experience But the last and most effectuall reason in fauour of England is that the King and people thereof receiued the Gospell and faith Christian before France or Spaine Also the Bishops with the Ambassadours English had precedence in the greatest general Councels of Christendome as particularly appeared at the Councell of Constance where the Bishops of England were present and honoured accordingly At which time it was doubted whether Spaine should be admitted a nation but in the end the Spaniards were allowed for the fift and last nation And al the people there assembled were diuided into fiue classes or rankes viz. Germanes French English Italians and Spaniards The Germane ranke contained themselues Bohemia Hungaria Polonia Dalmatia Graecia and Croatia The French had place alone as a nation absolute To the English Nation Scotland Norway Denmark Sweden and Cyprus were adioyned The Italians had all the Kingdomes subiect to Rome Sicily Naples and Argier With the Spaniards were the Ambassadors and Bishops of Castilia Arragon Maiorca Nauarra Portugall and Granado This assembly contained the Legates and Ambassadors of 83. Kings Besides
HONOR Military and Ciuill contained in foure Bookes Viz. 1. Iustice and Iurisdiction Military 2. Knighthood in generall and particular 3. Combats for life and Triumph 4. Precedencie of great Estates and others ¶ IMPRINTED AT LONdon by Robert Barker Printer to the Queenes most Excellent Maiestie ANNO DOM. 1602. TO THE MOST HIGH MOST MIGHTY AND MOST Excellent Soueraigne Princesse ELIZABETH by the Grace of GOD Queene of England France and Ireland Defender of the Faith c. COnsidering most sacred and most mighty Princesse that the duety of euery Subiect is not onely to obey but also to the vttermost of his power in his degree and qualitie to aduance the Honour of his Prince and Countrey I haue according to my poore talent endeuoured in discharge of my duetie for the place of Seruice which I holde vnder your Maiestie by your most Gracious fauour to frame these Discourses concerning Armes Honor and the Princely Magnificence of your Maiesties Court a subiect proper to Armorists and men of my profession not handled heretofore in our English by them or any other to my knowledge Yet fit to be knowen of all Noble and worthy personages being perswaded that as your Maiestie hath bene a Mirrour to all the world for excellent gifts of Minde Person and Fortune So your Raigne most happie both for victorious Armes and flourishing Arts which shall remaine glorious to all posteritie may haply receiue some Honourable note from hence which I most heartily desire as the chiefest scope of my dessein And so most humbly beseeching your Maiestie to vouchsafe that your poorest Seruant may in all duetie and humble deuotion prostrate himselfe and his Labours at your most Sacred feete I beseech the Almightie God to graunt your Maiestie to exceede all other Princes in length of life in perfect health in prosperous Raigne and all felicitie Your Maiesties Most humble and obedient seruant W. Segar Norroy T. B. To the Reader THE principall markes whereat euery mans endeuour in this life aimeth are either Profit or Honor Th' one proper to vulgar people and men of inferior Fortune The other due to persons of better birth and generous disposition For as the former by paines and parsimony do onely labour to become rich so th' other by Military skil or knowledge in Ciuill gouernment aspire to Honor and humane glory whereof this Booke chiefly entreateth and enformeth all Gentlemen and Souldiers not onely what commendations and prizes belong to valorous desert but likewise what penalties and punishments appertaine to disloyaltie and Armes abused Therewith also is discoursed what dignities and honourable degrees accompany Martiall merit What order hath bene obserued in publique Combats and princely Triumphes both ancient and moderne What places are due to Noble personages aswell men as women And to some others also according to their sex age Office or place of Seruice with diuers other things whereof worthy Gentlemen desire to be enformed This worke with much labour compiled and not without great cost and care now Imprinted is according to order by learned censure allowed and by the Honourable approbation of the right Noble Earle of Nottingham the most ancient and most Honorable Commander in Armes of this kingdome and chiefe Knight of the Order fauourably admitted and recommended The imitation of whose vertue and valour and the excellent actions of other worthy men mentioned in this Booke may reasonably incite all yong Gentlemen to employ their time in study of Morall and Military vertue Thereby to become seruiceable to their Prince profitable to their Countrey and worthy of all Honourable estimation and aduancement Vale. ¶ The Contents of the first Booke THe Prooeme Cap. 1. Military Iustice and the originall thereof Cap. 2. Of warre and the causes thereof Ca◠3. Of Souldiers Cap. 4. How soul. did anciently take oth Ca. 5 VVhat sorts of men ought to be reputed souldiers c. Cap. 6. Of yong souldiers called Tyrones Ca. 7. Of old sould called Veterani Cap. 8. Of souldiers called Emeriti Cap. 9. Of crimes Military in general Cap. 10. Of Treason and Traitors Cap. 11. Of Disobedience Cap. 12. Of Cowardise Cap. 13. Of other Military crimes Cap. 14. Of punishment pecuniarie Cap. 15. Of degrading of souldiers Cap. 16. Punishments Military Cap. 17. Of wages and pay Cap. 18. Restitution of sould goods Cap. 19. Of Donatiues or Rewards Cap. 20. Of Apparell Cap. 21. Of Hostages Cap. 22. Restitution of sould persons Cap. 23. Priuiledges anciently graunted vnto Souldiers Cap. 24. Of Cassation and dismission Cap. 25. Of Iustice appertaining vnto warre offensiue Cap. 26. Of Iustice appertaining to warre defensiue Cap. 27. Of Peace Cap. 28. Of Licences and Pasports Cap. 29. Of Ambassadors or Legats Cap. 30. Of prisoners takē by the enemy C. 31. Of rescuing of Prisoners Cap. 32. Of enemies Cap. 33. Of Immunities Military Cap. 34. Of Captaines generall c. Cap. 35. OF HONOVR MILITArie and Ciuil contayning fiue parts CHAP. 1. ¶ The Prooeme FOrsomuch as the life of man holdeth on a traueilers course continually as it were vnder saile either in the calme of Peace or the tempestuous sea of VVarre it behoueth euery well gouerned Common weale to bee prepared for the one and the other which moued wise Princes and Magistrates not onely to deuise Lawes how men might siue peaceably but also to prepare Armes both defen siue against forraine inuasion and correctiue against domestical insurrection It therefore seemeth expedient to conioyne good Lawes vnto Armes th' one command th' other to execute yet because they are in nature diuers or rather contrary it prooueth a matter of much difficultie For well we see betweene equitie and force is no proportion Lawes are friends to peace and rest but war is alwayes accompanied with men of audatious sudden and seuerest spirit The Philosophers and wise Lawmakers therfore haue endeuoured more to make such warres as might assure peace then to enioy such peace as might not be able to withstand warre Iustinianus desiring to vnite Lawes and Armes authorised one Officer to command both Martially and Ciuilly whom be called Praetor and so the Romanes cōtinued that name for their General of warre His office was mixed both of authoritie Martial and Ciuile It seemeth therefore that as our bodies cannot without sinowes and blood be strong so the warre without ayde of Lawe and equitie may not endure which mooued wise men of former ages to be perswaded that Prudence and Power ought neuer to be disioyned Of which opinion the ancient Poet Horace seemed to be saying Vis expers consilij mole ruit sua The same reason induced learned writers to commend valiant Captaines and wise Counsellors ioyntly and as it were in one and the selfe same ranke VVith Croesus they coupled Solon with Simonides Pausanias Pericles with Anaxagoras The Poets likewise in their workes do praise Agamemnon with Nestor Diomedes with Vlisses meaning to mixe force with policie and ciuile Lawes with power and Armes The Kings of
payment The Emperour calling both for the Traytors and the payers caused the Traytors to be put out of the doores saying That false workemen must be payed with false coyne CHAP. 12. ¶ Of Disobedience TOuching contumacie or disobedience the law determineth that whosoeuer resuseth or omitteth to execute that which the General commandeth or doth what he forbid deth ought to be punished by passing the pikes yea though he hath effected what he would which rule the Romanes obserued precisely as appeareth by the Iustice of Lucius Papirius the Dictator in flicted vpon Fabius Rutilianus Generall of the horse although he were victorious and had slaine twenty thousand Samnites Likewise by the iudgement of Torquatus against his sonne hauing contrary to his cōmandement fought with the Tusculans and gained victorie was neuertheles beheaded Therefore it remaineth as a rule that not onely breach of commandement but also simple contumacie is an offence capital if the same be apparant Yea sometimes omission of due respect is criminall though not euer capitall As if a man with order doe enter into a place guarded or passe out by any other way then that which the Generall hath appointed Another point of disobedience it is not to goe vnto the army being called or without licence to depart from thence for that is indeed an apparant contempt and by the Romans punished with death Omnis contumacia aduersus Ducem capite punienda est Posthumius Triburtius commanded Aulus Posthumius to be put to death for vanquishing the enemie without his commission and Aulus Fuluius for going to fight vncommanded condemned his sonne to die Yet the Aegyptians made a law that Captaines and souldiers for disobedience should not be put to death but remaine infamous vntill by some notable seruice their reputation were rccouered Arrius made a lawe that if a man did wound his fellow souldier though it were with a stone he ought to be cassed it it were with a sword to loose his life The like was decreed by Kanutus King of Denmarke CHAP. 13. Of Cowardise IT seemeth that all Militarie offences may be comprised in three viz. Cowardise Treason and Disobedience yet will wee speake more particularly Touching the first easily may it be conceiued that Cowardise is the cause and occasion of many other transgressions for who so is irresolute or apt to entertaine feare is also soon perswaded to saue himselfe with dishonour By Cowardise souldiers doe forsake their rankes and sometimes abandon their Ensigne which faults the Romanes punished with death It was long since by an Edict commanded in France that whosoeuer did forsake his colours or the ranke wherein he was placed should receiue punishment by passing the pikes Another kinde of Cowardise is to faine sickenesse or without leaue to be absent from the Armie He is also culpable of that crime that leaueth his place of standing vpon the wall during the assault or shall abandon the trench Yet true it is if any such fault bee committed at any other time then during the assault the same is not absolutely capitall but is arbitrable It hath bene also anciently vsed that if a souldier without lawfull excuse did goe from the Watch or office of Scout or any other seruice allotted vnto him by the Sergeant that then he should be iudged to passe the Pikes or Harquebuzies according to that kinde of weapon wherewith he serued And if many souldiers as a whole Ensigne or troupe did commit that crime the Roman vse was to execute euery tenth man in presence of the rest to the end the pain might fall vpon fewe and the terrour to all And in such cases of Cowardise the Generall ought to be inexorable because seueritie doth make an army inuincible The experience whereof was seene when Spartacus defeated the Romanes conducted by Crassus For presently vpon that dishonour Crassus commanded a decimation and put to death a tenth man in euery Legion for not hauing fought manfully That being done he begun to fight a-new And albeit the number of Romans was diminished yet were they victorious and cut the enemies in pieces But here is to be noted that of fleeing there is two sorts the one proceeding of a sudden and vnlooked for terror which is least blameable the other is voluntary and as it were a determinate intention to giue place vnto the enemie A fault exceeding foule and not excusable CHAP. 14. Of other militarie crimes BEsides these crimes formerly touched many other there are that merit seuere punishment and chiefly To abandon the Armie and flee to the enemie For what iniurie can be greater or what offence more foule in a souldier then being instructed trained and well entertained to employ his vertue in seruice of an enemie This crime was therefore in ancient time grieuously punished and the greater the qualitie was of him that did offend the more was the punishment inflicted Yet doe we not finde any particular paine ascribed to this offence but left to discretion of the Generall Neuerthelesse in that case it shall not be amisse to imitate the ancient proceeding of ancient Chieftaines The Romanes therefore for punishment of the Brutij who fled vnto Hannibal protested them to be from thenceforth neither souldiers nor companions in armes but persons ignominious and seruants vnto the Armie And when Cyrus intercepted a letter which one of his Captaines called Orontes had written offering to serue the enemie with a company of horse Cyrus assembled the Leaders and in their presence condemned Orontes to death Fredericus the second possessing the kingdome of Naples was by his sonne Henrie abandoned and being with the enemie he pardoned him yet with condition he should confine himselfe to the bounds of Apulia vntill his father returned from Germany during which time Henry practised some other innouation and therefore was put in prison and in the end suffered death Elfricus a chiefe Leader vnder Etheldred King of England pretending to doe seruice fled vnto the Danes but the warre being ended he returned vnto his Prince desiring his life which with difficulty he obtained yet did the King command his eyes should be put out To these offendors we may adde all such as secretly doe relieue the enemie with counsell money meate or by any other meane whatsoeuer In which case the Emperour Constantius decreed that if a souldier Captaine or Leader did vtter any word signe or voice to encourage the enemie that for so doing he should be tied in chaines and as a beast be led whersoeuer the Armie went Of this kinde we may account two other sorts of men whom the Romanes called Emansores Desertores They named him Desertor that went from the Armie and did not onely secretly depart but stayed long with the enemie as one intending neuer to returne But Emansor was hee that without licence went away and very shortly did come againe and therefore his offence reputed the lesse This error is most commonly found in yong souldiers whom we call Tyrones Neither
his shield his head-peece or sword shal be punished as a Desertor In this age to loose exchange or borrow the Armes belonging to another Ensigne is an offence very great and so punished by the Edict of Francis the French King Likewise by the Law of Scotland if any Souldier doe empawne his sword hee should be reputed vnworthy the company of other Souldiers and iudged infamous yet true it is that if any yong Souldier whom the Romanes called Tyro do commit that fault he ought to be punished with more fauour Now concluding wee say that seeing the losse or selling of Armes argueth no magnaimitie courage or care of a Souldier but is rather a signe of slouth and pusillanimitie incurring that error hee is not to be esteemed better then a base or abiect companion And for that reason it seemeth the Spartans did well to banish Archilocus the Poet writing these words Melius est arma abijcere quà m mori Among these Militarie crimes we may not forget that which the lawe calleth crimen falsi This fault may be diuers wayes committed and chiefly by fayning sicknesse which is a signe of cowardise and vnworthy a souldier The Lawyers assigne to that offence a beating with cudgels Another way this fault may be incurred if a man that is no souldier wil affirme he is a souldier or weareth an Ensigne which he ought not the one was punishable by the law Cornelia the other to be more seuerely punished by the opinion of Modestinus The Egyptians made a law that who so counterfeited false letters or razed any writing should haue both his handes cut off Kenethus king of Scots made an ordinance in his kingdome that who so committed this fault should be hanged and forthwith cast into a graue Of this crime are they also guiltie that make any counterfeit money and they that forge false keyes to escape out of prison Yet Constantinus the Emperour referreth this last fault to the discretion of competent Iudges It is also a fault very infamous to commit any theft either in the fielde or towne and consequently seuerely to be punished The Romanes vsed therefore to sweare souldiers were they seruants or freemen to carie nothing out of the campe or if by hap any thing were found then the finder to bring it vnto the Tribune But if neither loue of vertue nor othe preuailed to withhold men from stealing then were they with great seueritie by the Romane law punished Valentinus and Theodosius consented that if any souldier did spoile houses or fields the countrey people might then assemble and kill them The like was permitted by the Edict of Francis the French King 1523 yet with this caution that if any of those theeues were taken aliue that then they should be brought before the Iudges or Gouernours of the prouince and by their discretion receiue correction This crime was euer accounted so detestable as whosoeuer therein did offend though the goods taken were of small worth yet was the offendour seuerely chastified Tiberius the Emperour caused a souldiers head to be cut off for stealing a Peacoke Charles Duke of Burgundie commanded a souldier to be nailed vnto a post for taking a hen from a poore woman Selim the Turkish Emperour caused Bostangi Bassa his sonne in law to be beheaded for spoiling the Prouinces where he was gouernor Francis the French King decreed That if any purueyour or victualler of the Campe contrary to his Commission did exact or cary away the commodities of his subiects it should be capitall were it in towne or countrey For many respects also the vice of adultery ought be seuerely punished as well in warre as peace which caused Lucius Cautilius Scriba the same yeere the Romanes were defeated at Canna by commaundement of the chiefe Bishop to be beaten extreamely for hauing committed that crime with Florina Iulius Caesar likewise caused a speciall fauorite of his to be capitally punished for dishonoring the wife of a Romane gentleman though no complaint was made thereof Papinianus the doctor sayth That if any souldier doe keepe in his house his owne sisters daughter hee may be reputed an adulterer And as a Maxime or Rule it was decreed by all doctors of Law That no souldier condemned of adultery may after beare Armes By the law Iulia the crime of adultery was thought worthy of infamie and the offenders disabled to beare Armes Aurelianus commanded that if any souldier did rauish the wife of his host he should be tyed vnto two trees and torne in pieces Frotho king of Scots made a law That if any man by force defloured a virgine he should be gelded The Egyptians proclaimed That whosoeuer was found in adultery although it were with consent yet the man should be beaten with a thousand stripes and the woman haue her nose cut of◠Diuers other military offences there are which for breuitie I omit wishing all Princes Generals and other soueraigne commanders in Armes to encline rather to mercy then extreame seueritie following the aduice of Salustius who perswadeth that souldiers should not for ordinary errours be punished like vnto vulgar people and euer respect to be had vnto those that were ancient seruants and Emeriti For in the raigne of Antoninus so great honour was giuen to old souldiers called Veterani or Emeriti as if any of their sonnes had offended they were not like to others condemned to labour in the mines of mettall or other publike workes but sent into a certaine Iland And heere is to be noted that this fauour extended no further then the first degree It is also to be remembred that as punishments are diuers so ought they be diuersly inflicted for no Captaine or other commander of greater qualitie ought be condemned to the mine or forced to labour in those workes neither may hee be hanged or burned vnlesse the crime be capitall Also souldiers should not bee cast vnto beasts to be eaten nor put vnto torture which priuiledge is precisely obserued in Italy And in this point Magistrates are to regard the qualitie of crimes and the circumstances for hee that committeth an outrage vpon his father meriteth an extreame punishment but he that is drunke or wanton deserueth not so great an infliction The qualitie of offenders is also to be looked vnto for freemen and bondmen are not to be equally vsed Nowe to conclude this matter of crimes military we say that the Romanes practised all these punishments Viz. Pecuniaria mulcta Munerum indictio Militiae mutatio Gradus deiectio Ignominiosa missio Which is Pecuniall taxation Forfeiture of immunitie Putting out of seruice Degradation and Ignominious cassation CHAP. 15. ¶ Of punishment pecuniarie SOme crimes are of such quality as souldiers are onely checked in their pay for negligence or otherwise taxed for their absence yet ought they not be reproued as Desertors or loyterers if by sickenesse imprisonment or other constraint they were forced to commit offence For to such faults the law assigneth no other punishment
of his kingdome or other spacious place neere vnto it Thither the Gentleman was brought to receiue that honour and being come was forthwith placed in a chaire of siluer adorned with greene silke Then was demaunded of him if he were healthy of bodie and able to endure the trauell required in a souldier also whether he were a man of honest conuersation and what witnesses worthy credit he could produce so to affirme That being done the Bishop or chiefe Prelate of the Church tooke the Bible and holding it open before the Knight in presence of the King and all others spake these words Sir you that desire to receiue the order of Knighthood sweare before God and by this holy booke that ye shal not fight against this mightie and excellent Prince that now bestoweth the order of Knighthood vpon you vnlesse you shall be commanded so to do in the seruice of your owne King and naturall Prince for in that case hauing first yeelded vp the coller deuice and other ensignes of honour now receiued it shall be lawfull for you to serue against him without reproch or offence to all other companions in Armes but otherwise doing ye shall incurre infamy and being taken in warre shall be subiect to the paines of death Ye shall also sweare with all your force and power to maintaine and defend all Ladies Gentlewomen Orphans Widdowes women distressed and abandoned The like must ye doe for wiues being desired and shun no aduenture of your person in euery good warre wherein ye happen to be This oath taken two of the chiefe Lords led him vnto the King who presently drew foorth his sword and layd the same vpon the Gentlemans head and said God and Saint George or what other Saint the King pleased to name make thee a good Knight Then came vnto the Knight seuen noble Ladies attired in white and girt a sword vnto his side That done foure Knights of the most honourable in that presence put on his spurs These Ceremonies past the Queene tooke him by the right arme and a Dutchesse by the left and led him vnto a rich seat made on high and thereupon set him the King sitting downe on the right hande and the Queene on the other After the King and Queene were thus set and the new Knight between them al the rest of the Lords and Ladies sate downe also vpon other seats prepared for them three descents vnder the kings seat Euery Lord and Lady being thus placed thither was brought a solemn collation or banquet of delicate meates whereof the Knight the King the Queene and whole company did eate And so the ceremony ended CHAP. 4. The degradation of Knights in those daies IF any Knight at that time had bene corrupted with money by his Princes enemy or committed any other notable fact against loyaltie and honour the other Knights forthwith made humble suite vnto the king that he might be punished Which request being granted they apprehended the offendour and caused him to be armed from head to foot and in such sort as if he were going to the field Then they led him vp to an high stage made in a Church for that purpose where thirtie Priests soung such Psalmes as are vsed at burials as though the Knight had lien dead at their feete At the end of euery Psalme they tooke from him one piece of armour First they tooke off his Helmet as that which deâ—ended his traiterous eyes then his gauntlet on the right side as that which couered a corrupt hand then his gauntlet on the left side as from a member consenting and by peecemeale dispoiled him of all his Armes as well offensiue as defensiue which one after another were thrown to the ground and at the instant when any peece of armour was cast downe the King of Armes first and after him all other Heralds cryed aloud saying this is the head-peece of a disloyall and miscreant Knight Then was brought thither a basen of golde or siluer full of warme water which being holden vp the Heralds with a loud voice saide What is the Knights name The Purseuants answered that which in trueth was his name Then the chiefe King of Armes said That is not true for he is a miscreant and false traitour and hath transgressed the ordinances of Knighthood Thereunto answered the Chaplains Let vs giue him his right name Then spake the Trumpets What shall be done with him To which wordes the King answered Let him with dishonour and shame be banished my kingdome as a vile and infamous man that hath offended the honour of Knighthood So soone as the King had so said the King of Armes and other Heralds cast the warme water vpon the disgraded Knights face as though he were new baptized saying Henceforth thou shalt be called by thy right name Traitour Then the King with twelue other Knights put vpon them mourning garments declaring sorow and comming vnto the Knight disgraded put him downe the Stage not by the stayers hee mounted vp when he was made Knight but threwe him downe tyed vnto a rope Then with great ignominy hee was brought vnto the Altar and there layd groueling on the ground and ouer him was read a Psalme full of curses CHAP. 5. ¶ Of Knights of the Round Table ABout the yeere of Christ 490. there raigned in England then called Britaine a King named Arthur whose valour was so great and admirable as many men now liuing doe hold the same rather fabulous then credible Yet whoso shall consider enterprises of later time atchieued by priuate persons may be easily induced to thinke that a great part of praise written of that mighty Monarche may reasonably receiue beleefe But omitting to speake of his prowesse percase already by others ouerlargely discoursed I say that this most famous King hauing expulsed out of England the Saxons conquered Norway Scotland and the most part of France was crowned in the Citie of Paris From whence returned he erected a certaine Association or brotherhood of Knights who vowed to obserue these Articles following First that euery Knight should be well armed and furnished to vndertake any enterprise wherein he was employed by Sea or land on horsebacke or foot That he should be euer prest to assaile all Tyrants and oppressours of people That he should protect widowesâ—and maidens restore children to their right repossesse such persons as were without iust cause exiled and withall his force maintaine the Christian faith That he should be a Champion for the weale publique and as a Lion repulse the enemies of his countrey That he should aduance the reputation of honour and suppresse al vice releeue people afflicted by aduerse fortune giue aide to holy Church and protect pilgrimes That he should bury Souldiers that wanted sepulture deliuer prisoners ransome captiues and cure men hurt in seruice of their countrey That he should in all honourable actions aduenture his person yet with respect to iustice and trueth and in all enterprises proceed sincerely neuer
matters credible Let vs therefore say no more of matter so long before our dayes and begin with actions notable performed by men of our owne Countrey and they for the most part persons of such qualitie as were not forced with distresse but with desire to aduance the honour of their Countrey Wee reade in Authors worthy credit that at one time twentie thousand Souldiers of this most noble Iland then called great Britaine traueiled from hence vnto Iudea and vnder the Emperours Vespasian and Titus serued at the siege and sacke of Ierusalem The like enterprize was long after taken in hand by King Richard the first who in his owne person traueiled to recouer the same Citie from the Saracens The voyages and marueiles which Sir Iohn Mandeuile reporteth are accompted of many men rather fables then reports of trueth yet of late yeeres some Sailers euen of our owne nation haue found by experience they ought not to be discredited Who would haue thought it possible to passe securely into Syria Persia Media and other farre countreys in the East and Southeast vntill M. Anthony Ienkinson a gentleman yet liuing and worthy beleefe performed those and other right notable Voyages It is also certaine that Thomas Windhame a gentleman well borne and worshipfully descended sailed from thence to Guinea and the kingdome of Benin and since that time Captaine Fenner performed the same iourney so farre as the Ilands of Capo verde All which Voyages with many other were made by Princes or persons of reputation toward the South and Southeast The like may be said of Voyages of latter time towards the North and Northeast Regions performed by sir Hugh Willowby M. Ienkinson aforesaid M. Christopher Burrow and others Of voyages towards the West and Southwest countreys who hath not heard the Nauigation of sir Iohn Hawkins to Brasill and the West Indias of Roger Bodname gentleman to S. Iohn Vllua in the Bay of Mexico of sir Francis Drake to Nombre de Dios sir Martin Furbisher to Meta incognita sir Humfrey Gilbert to the coast of America sir Richard Greeneuile to Virginia M. Iohn Dauis gentleman his discouery 200. leagues beyond sir Martin Furbisher to the Northwest I omit to make mention of many Merchants Nauigators and simple Sailers of our land that haue not onely attempted but also performed marueilous actions to vulgar people and vnskilfull thought impossible Yet is it now publiquely knowen that sir Francis Drake and after him Thomas Candish esquier a yong gentleman scarcely knowne to Sailers within the space of two yeeres and three moneths effected a iourney about the Globe of the whole earth an action no doubt worthy all admiration and such as before that time had neuer bene performed Here might we also insert how the mightie and formidable Armada of Spaine was by her Maiesties Nauie conducted by the Earle of Nottingham vanquished Anno 1588. being in forraine Nations thought vnresistable And more lately the most noble and resolute assault and sacke of the Citie â— Cales and other strong places of Spaine was executed by the vertue and excellent valour of his said Lordship and the Earle of Essex lately high Marshal of England To these we may also adde the late and last yet not the least victorie gained by the noble Earle of Cumberland who by his proper vertue and at the particular charge of him and his friends assaulted and possessed the Isle of S. Iohn de Porto Ricco a place both by nature and art reputed impregnable These and other notable aduentures and victories were aboue the common opinion of men attempted and atchieued by worthie and excellent Captaines of our countrey and the chiefe of them within the raigne of our sacred Soueraigne by whose counsell and princely prudence they were begun and ended Magna non possumus quia nos posse non credimus CHAP. 7. The office and dutie of euery Knight and Gentleman FIrst it behooueth him to feare God and with all his power to maintaine defend the Christian faith To be charitable and comfort those that are afflicted To serue faithfully and defende his Prince and countrey couragiously To forgiue the follies and offences of other men and sincerely embrace the loue of friends To esteeme trueth and without respect maintaine it To auoide slouth and superfluous ease To spend the time in honest and vertuous actions To reuerence Magistrates and conuerse with persons of honour To eschew riot and detest intemperancie To frequent the warre and vse militarie exercises To eschew dishonest pleasures and endeuour to doe good vnto others To accommodate himselfe to the humour of honest company and be no wrangler To shunne the conuersation of peruerse persons and behaue himselfe modestly To be sober and discreet no boaster of his owne actes nor speaker of himselfe To desire no excessiue riches and patiently endure worldly calamities To vndertake enterprises iust and defend the right of others To support the oppressed and helpe widowes and Orphans To loue God and be loyall to his Prince To preferre honour before worldly wealth and be both in worde and deede iust and faithfull CHAP. 8. Of honourable ornaments due vnto men of vertuous merit who were euer after called Knights IN ancient Histories it appeareth that the old Romanes did giue rings of gold vnto men of qualitie seruing in the war whom afterwards they called Equites Such rings the Senators vsed also to weare whereof may be inferred that knighthood and ensignes of honour were giuen as well for Counsell as Militarie merit Cicero seemeth to say that Captaines generall had in vse after euery victory to make an Oration vnto souldiers commending their vertue and to those men that serued with much valour were giuen rings of gold We read likewise in holy Scripture that king Pharaoh in signe of honor did take a ring from his owne finger and gaue the same to Ioseph Some Princes also intending to honour their seruants and souldiers did bestow vpon them spurres of golde or guilded in signe they were men of vertue and professors of Armes on horsebacke for spurres are onely proper to souldiers of that sort and so it appeareth by the signification of the latine word Eques and likewise by the terme Caualiero ordinarily vsed of the Spaniards and Italian In old time as a token of honour and aduancement Princes did bestowe girdles and swordes And the lawe Ciuill seemeth to note that the girdle signified administration or dignitie and whosoeuer did loose that girdle should also forfeite all priuiledges which the lawe alloweth vnto souldiers A sword was alwayes hanging at the girdle and the hilts thereof either of golde or gâ—lt Hereof it commeth that Princes in creating a Knight doe either gird him with a sword or with a sword touch him on the head or shoulder thereby to signifie that as with the sword he is created a Knight so with the sword he ought to defend the Prince and countrey that did create him without feare of death or other
daunger Hieramias with his right hand deliuered a sword vnto Iuda and in the name of God made him a Knight saying Receiue this sacred sword sent from God wherewith thou shalt vanquish the enemies of Israel It hath bene also a custome ancient that Princes did giue collars as a singular demontration of fauour and honour Plinie reporteth that the Romanes did giue vnto their confederates a collar of gold and to their owne citizens a collar of siluer When Manlius in single combat had slaine a French man hee tooke from him a collar of golde all bloodie and put the same about his owne necke in token of victorie After which time he was surnamed Torquatus because Torques in the Latine signifieth a collar or chaine The Emperours in like maner bestowed collars vpon Captaines and others that serued in the warre and deserued commendation In some Histories may be found that collars were of two sorts the first called Duplares th' other Simplices And with those collars the Emperours for the most part did giue prouision of money or vittaile to some more to some lesse For these reasons and by these examples it appeareth that among the ensignes and ornaments of Honor and Armes the great Collar is of highest reputation It is also seene that Princes soueraigne doe at this day bestow chaines or small collars vpon men of vertue or fauour and in token thereof for the most part a picture or modele of the giuer is thereat pendant which Collat the Knight or Gentleman that receiueth it ought carefully to keepe during his life The ancient custome was that Knights of meane degree and such as were not of the great Orders whereunto particular habits are assigned should in signe of honour weare a garment of scarlet because red representeth fire the most noble element and next vnto the Sunne of most brightnesse It was therefore among the olde Romanes decreed That no man should weare any habit of that colour but only Magistrates and men of dignity Red doeth also betoken boldnesse magnanimitie and ardent loue with charitie The element of fire is also assigned to Mars in respect whereof that colour is most proper to Knights Captaines and all other professours of Armes Carol D Howard Comâ— Notingham 〈…〉 CHAP. 9. Knights of the Garter EDward the third King of England after hee had obtained many great victories of Iohn the French King and Iames King of Scotland both prisoners in the Realme at one time Henry King of Castile the Bastard expulsed and Don Pedro restored by the Prince of Wales did first erect this order in his kingdome Anno 1350. vpon no waightie occasion as is reported Notwithstanding the same is and long hath bene in so great reputation as Emperors Kings and Princes haue and doe desire to bee companions thereof for their greater honour The patron of this Order is S. George vnto whom it was first dedicated The Soueraigne of this Order is the King of England his heires and successors for euer The number of this Colledge of fellowship is 26. Knights with the Soueraigne and when any of them die another is chosen by consent of those Knights that liue The habit of these Knights is an vnder garment or gowne of Crimsin veluet of some called akâ—rtle ouer which he weareth a mantle of Purple veluet lined with white sarsnet on the left shoulder thereof is embroidred in a Garter an Eschuchion of S George and ouer his right shoulder hangeth his hood of Crimson veluet lined with white the Cordons to the mantle are purple silke and gold Aboue all which about his necke he weareth the collar of the order being of pure gold made of garters and knots and enamiled with roses white and red weying 30. ounces of Troy weight with the image of S. George richly garnished with precious stones pendant thereat About his left legge he weareth buckled a garter enriched with gold pearle and stones whereupon these French words are embrodered HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE Which may be thus Englished Shame be to him that euill thinketh The custome was long that these Knights did yeerely hold a feast at the Castle Windesor where the same King Edward founded a Church and gaue vnto certaine Priests and Prebends large stipends to serue there And he ordained also that thirteene poore aged and decayed Gentlemen by the name of poore Knights were there for euer to be maintained and kept inuested in gownes and mantles of cloth onely sutable with those of the Order to pray for the prosperity of the Soueraigne and his successors and all other Knights of the said noble Order It is not publiquely knowen what mooued the King to make this order but thus it is vulgarly reported that King Edward dauncing with the Queene and other Ladies of his Court hapned to take vp a blewe garter which fell from one of them and of some said from the Countesse of Salisburie of whom the King was then enamored which garter the King afterwards wore about his left legge for a fauour The Queene taking some offence thereat it was signified vnto the King by some of the Lords the cause of her displeasure at which he smiling sayd HONY SOIT QVI MAL Y PENSE I will make of it yet it be long the most honourable Garter that euer was worne and thereupon instituted the order of the Garter Some rather thinke it was made to remunerate those Noble men and Knights that had best endeuoured and deserued in his most Royall and Martiall affaires of France Scotland and Spaine with all which Nations he then had warre and triumphed The Statutes of this great Order for that they are sufficiently knowen I here omit The names of the first Knights KIng EDWARD the third Soueraigne Edward Prince of VVales Henry Duke of Lancaster Thomas Earle of VVarwicke The Captaine of Bouche Ralph Earle of Stafford William de Mounteacute Earle of Sarisburie Roger Lord Mortimer Sir Iohn Lisle Sir Bartholomew Burgwash Sir Iohn Beauchampe Sir Iohn de Mohun Sir Hugh Courtney Sir Thomas Holland Sir Iohn Grey Sir Richard Fitzsymon Sir Miles Stapleton Sir Thomas Walle Sir Hugh VVrothesley Sir Neel Loring Sir Iohn Chandos Sir Iames de Audley Sir Otho Holland Sir Henry Eme. Sir Zanchet d'Abrigecourt Sir VVilliam Paganel The names of those Knights that are this present yeere 1602. of the same most noble Order ELIZABETH Queene of England Soueraigne Henry the fourth the French King Charles Howard Earle of Notingham Thomas Butler Earle of Ormond Thomas Sackuile Lord Buckhurst Gilbert Talbot Earle of Shrewsbury George Clifford Earle of Cumberland Henry Percye Earle of Northumberland Edward Somerset Earle of VVorcester Edmond Sheffeild Lord Sheffeild Thomas Howard Baron of VValden George Carey Baron of Hunsdon Charles Blount Lord Montioy Sir Henry Lea Master of her Mties Armorie Robert Ratcliffe Earle of Sussex Henry Brooke Lord Cobham Thomas Scrope Lord Scrope VVilliam Stanley Earle of Derby Thomas Cecil Lord Burleigh  The Officers appertaining at this
and called Borgo di Santa Maria or Mareenburg where is now the chiefe Church appertaining to this Order there unto belongeth so great riches and reuenues as these Knights may both for men and money compare with diuers Princes This countrey of Prussia is great and much thereof bounded by the riuer of Vistola and is also confined by Sarmatia the Massagets and Polonia These Knights are also Lordes of Liuonia which was likewise by them brought to the faith of Christianitie is with Christians inhabited CHAP. 27. Knights of the Sepulchre THis Knighthood is now extinct or rather conioyned vnto the Order of Malta The Ensigne belonging to these Knights was two Red Crosses vnited CHAP. 28. Knights of S. Mary The habit of this Order was very pompous and thereupon a red Crosse wrought with gold round about They were specially inhibited to weare gold in their spurres and horse harnesse They made profession to fight against the Infidels and all others that offended iustice notwithstanding they liued euer at home in rest with their wiues and children They were commonly called Caualieri di Madona but because they liued continually in ease and pleasure men termed them Fratri gaudenti as much in our language as Good fellow brethren It may be some of them are yet extant CHAP. 29. Knights of S. Lazaro These Knights doe professe to be obedient vnto their great Master and other officers of the Order they promise also to liue chast or at the least continent and content with one wife Also to be charitable and liberall chiefely to poore people infected with leprosie Moreouer euery Knight promiseth to weare a greene Crosse and before they enter into this Knighthood must prooue himselfe to be borne in lawfull wedlocke and a Gentleman both by father and mother and to beare Armes Also that he is descended of ancient Christians and no Morrano or Turke That he hath of rent at the least 200 crownes wherewith to maintaine his dignitie That he and his auncestors haue euer liued as Gentlemen without vse of any base or mechanicall occupation That he hath not bene suspected of any notable euill fact or is defamed for any vice That he be not indebted nor is wedded to any widowe or hath had more then one wife But besides these passable protestations he must vndertake to say fiue and twentie Pater nosters and so many Aue Marias with other superstitious things not worthy the writing This Order hath of late time bene much fauoured by the Dukes of Sauoy CHAP. 30. Knights of S. Stephano The Statutes annexed to this Order are not vnlike to those appertayning to the order of Malta sauing that these haue libertie to marrie The chiefe place of their resiance is the citie of Pisa where the Duke prepared them a Church and builded for them a pallace wherein to lodge And because neere to that Citie is a Hauen fit to receiue the Gallies wherin these Knights should serue it seemed good to that Prince to settle them there The Duke himselfe and his successors is Great master of this Order and vnder him are diuers other Officers of reputation This is the last Order or degree of Knights that I haue seene or read of THE THIRD BOOKE Concerning Combat for life Iusts Turnements Triumphes and Inaugurations of Emperours Kings and Princes The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of particular Combats with their original Ca. 1. Whether Combats may be iustly permitted Ca. 2. When and how Combats were in vse Cap. 3. What exceptions or repulses may mooue the defendors to refuse the Combat Cap. 4. Whether a man of meane qualitie may chalenge his superior Cap. 5. What sorts of men may not be admitted to trial of Armes 6. Who was anciently accompted victorious in Combat Cap. 7. What was anciently due vnto such men as were victorious in publique Combat Cap. 8. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen Cap. 9. Of the qualitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes Cap. 10. Of Armes offensiue and defensiue Cap. 11. Of the Election of weapons Cap. 12. Certaine questions opinions and iudgements vpon accidents in triall and exercise of Armes Cap. 13. Of honour gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and sundry peeces Cap. 14. Of honour gained or lost by hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or triumph Cap. 15. Of Combats ancient Cap. 16. The order of Combats for life in England anciently recorded in the Office of Armes Cap. 17. Of Triumphes ancient and moderne Cap. 18. Of Triumphes and their Originall Cap. 19. Of the maner of Triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher Cap. 20. Of the diuers qualitie of Triumphes in Rome Cap. 21. In what Order the Romanes triumphed Cap. 22. Of other furniture and pompe appertayning to Triumphes in Rome Cap. 23. Of the Triumphal going of Darius to meet Alexander the great Cap. 24. The Triumphal entry of Xerxes K. of Persia into Greece yet afterward forced for feare to flie into his owne kingdome Cap. 25. Of Triumphes in Germanie Cap. 26. Of Triumphes at the enteruiew of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Frederick Barbarosa at Venice Anno Dom. 1166. Cap. 27. An admirable Triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cypres Anno 1366. Cap. 28. A Triumph in the raigne of King Richard the second Anno 1590. Cap. 29. A Triumphal passage of Charles the v. Emperor through France Anno 1540. Cap. 30. A triumphal entrie of Philip Prince of Spaine at Millan Anno 1548. Cap. 31. A Military chalenge in Italy Anno 1555. Cap. 32. Of triumphal challenges in France Cap. 32. Of one other Military action betweene fiue English gentlemen and fiue French Cap. 34. An other like action Cap. 35. An other chalenge of a French gentleman in Spaine Cap. 36. An other notable challenge in France Anno 1390. Cap. 37. An other most noble challenge Cap. 38. The triumphant interuiew of the Kings of England and France Anno 1519. Cap. 39. A triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. Cap. 40. A Militarie triumph at Brussels Anno 1549. Cap. 41. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italie Anno 773. Cap. 42. Carolus Magnus Inauguration being made Emperour Anno 1800. Cap. 43. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie the tenth Cap. 44. The Inauguration of Henry the fourth King of England Anno 1399. Cap. 45. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes Anno 1380. Cap. 46. At the Inauguration of King Henry the thirde French King three notable things obserued Cap. 47. The Inauguration of Charles the fift Cap. 48. Ceremonies appertaining to the deliuery of Prizes at Iusts and Turnements Cap. 49. Of Iusts and Turnements and how the Accidents in such exercises are iudged in the kingdome of Naples Cap. 50. Iusts and Turnements how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester high Constable of England in the Raigne of King Edward the 4. Cap. 51. Triumphes Military for honour and loue of
farre from this chariot were twelue other chariots ornified with gold and siluer Then marched more horsemen of twelue diuers nations diuersly armed and of diuers qualitie Next to them were ten thousand men whom the Persians called immortall Some ware chaines of gold others had coates with sleeues embrodered with gold and set with rich stones Not farre off were fifteen thousand men whom they called the Kings cosins which number was furnished rather richly like women then well armed they were called Doryphori Next to this troupe were other men apparelled like Kings They went before the Kings chariot he being caried vp higher then any other These chariots were loden with Images of the gods made of siluer and gold Betweene the Images a partition was set with rich shining iewels the one side represented a warre and likewise the other Among these things they sacrificed an Eagle of golde spreading her wings but of all things the Kings attire was most admired His apparell was of purple parted in the middes with white and ouer it he had a short cloke like a womans garment embrodered with Sparow-haukes of gold very strangely His girdle was womanlike small and girt whereat hanged a Scimiter or crooked sword the sheath thereof was set with precious stones On his head he ware a royall cappe called Cidaris which all Kings of Persia doe vse It was tied on his head with a lace part of skie colour and part white After the chariot followed ten thousand Lances adorned with siluer and next to the chariot certaine choice men caried Darts gilded Also on either side his neerest of blood did accompany him This troupe contained thirtie thousand footmen whom fiue hundred of the Kings horsemen followed About one acre distance from them the chariot of Sisygamba King Darius mother did come and in one other his wife All the Ladies and other women belonging to both the Queenes were on horsebacke After them other women did come whom they called Armamax they exceeded not the number of fifteene In that company were the kings children with their gouernours Also a number of Eunuches being persons of some reputation among the Persians Then the Kings Minions being 360 were caried in chariots their apparell was princely and rich After them the kings coine was caried by sixe hundred Mules and three hundred Camels garded with Archers The Kings Concubines and his kinsmen were next to them And they being past the Cookes Sculions and other base people did follow Last of all came certaine Captains and souldiers lightly armed to force the troupes to march in order CHAP. 25. The Triumphall entry of Xerxes King of Persia into Greece yet afterward forced for feare to flee into his owne kingdome FIrst he sent before all his carriage and all those people that were combred with any burden or other impediment After them followed seuenty hundred thousand men of sundry Nations who marched in no order but confused Among whom was eightie thousand horsemen All these passed a good distance before the Kings person Then marched a thousand Gentlemen Persians and with them so many Launcers who carried the point of their lances backward The next troope was onely ten horses most richly furnished being of the rase of Nicae beastes of exceeding greatnesse and beautie These were followed with a chariot consecrated to Iupiter and drawen by eight white horses The man that did driue those horses went on foot holding the reines in his hand In this chariot vnlawful it was for any mortall man to sit After it Xerxes his owne person was carried in a chariot drawen by horses of Niscaea The driuer of them walked before on foote his name was Patiramphus the sonne of Ota a Persian In this sort Xerxes went towardes the Sardi sometimes sitting in his chariot and sometimes on horsebacke Next to him followed the brauest and best men of Armes in Persia carriyng as it were halfe lances Then came ten thousand Persians on foote one thousand bearing pikes and on the points of them in stead of crownes were siluer apples Some of them that went next to Xerxes had apples of gold vpon their pikes These were followed with ten thousand other Persian horsemen Last of all about two acres of ground behind was a multitude of people without order or number CHAP. 26. Of Triumphes in Germanie HEnry the first Emperour of that name who for his great delight in hawking and fowling was called Auceps being aduertised of the often incursions of Hungarians into Germany thought good to assemble the Princes Anno 935. and by force of Armes to repulse them which designe with the assent of those Lords by publike proclamation he made knowen commaunding that euery Prince with his best furniture vpon a day certaine should appeare at Magdeburg which was performed First the Count Palatin of the Rhene appeared The Bishop of Treuer The Bishop of Colein The Bishop of Leyden The cities Emperiall Mentz Aquisgran c. All which companies the Palatin presented vnto the Emperour and vnder euery of those Princes colours other meaner Princes and Lords also appeared Vnder the Ensigne of the Palatine were the Duke of Elsatia The Duke of Thungren The Duke of Limpuâ—g The Marques of Pontamonson with sixe other Dukes Vnder the Ensigne of the Duke of Sueuia were twelue other Lords The like vnder the Ensigne of Franconia and all other chiefe Princes And last of all were the Emperours companies So was the number of Princes Lords Knights and Gentlemen 6240. The whole armie was sixtie nine thousand strong These Christian forces assisted by the Almightie defeated the Hungarians and slew the greater number The victorie obtayned and the Emperour with his Princes returning homewards were in all places feasted And they desirous in some sort to honour the Ladies of those countries where they passed were willing in triumphal wise to make Iusts Turneaments and other Militarie pastimes Which being pleasing to the Emperour and acceptable to all others His Maiestie with consent of the Princes commanded that publike triumphs should be proclaimed whereunto all Princes Lords and Gentlemen might resort to shew their valour And this was the originall of Germaine triumphes Then was there a Counsell and commission graunted to certaine Princes and other Lords to inuent orders for the future Iusts and appoint places fit for their celebration The Commissioners considering what glory might of these exercises accrew vnto the Germaine Nation and therewith knowing that the exercise of Armes was no small helpe to enforme Gentlemen and make them meete for serious seruices not forgetting also that Noble Ladies would take delight in such royall sight they greatly commended that inuention vnto the Emperour who presently agreed that Lawes might be made and obserued in those Actions His Emperial Maiestie commanded that at euery Triumph 4. chiefe persons should be chosen to giue direction and by their authoritie all Ordinances to be made Those men were called Reges Ludorum The first Kings were elected at the Triumph of Meydburg 1
Hall in their Liueries which number amounted to sixe hundred All the streets where the King passed were hanged with cloth of golde siluer or rich Arras That day and the next all the conduits were full of wine some Claret and some White The night before the Coronation the King washed his body and the next morning prayed in the presence of three Prelats The next morning the Clergie in great numbers attended the King to the Temple of Westminster and from thence all the Lords and Knights of the Order in their robes awaited vpon his Maiestie to the Pallace who all that way marched vnder the Canopy of State On either hand of the King a sword was caried the one represented the Ecclesiasticall the other Politicall iurisdiction The Ecclesiasticall sword was borne by the Prince of Wales the Kings sonne the sword of Iustice Henry Percie Earle of Northumberland and Constable of England did beare which office was lately taken from the Earle of Rutland and giuen to him The scepter was caried by the Earle of Westmerland Marshall of England In this order and thus accompanied the King came into the Church where he found a place of State prepared in the mids there he set himselfe downe being furnished with all his rich and royall ornaments the crowne excepted The Archbishop of Canterbury preached and shewed the Kings person vnto the people saying Behold him here that is to raigne ouer you for so God hath ordained Will you quoth hee consent he shall be crowned your King whereunto they answered Yea and holding vp their hands offered to be sworne Then the King went downe from his seate and kneeled before the high Altar where two Archbishops and ten Bishops did take off his royall garments and annoynt him in the presence of all the multitude viz. on the crowne of his head on the breast on the shoulders on the palmes of his hands which done they set his cap vpon his head Then the King put vpon him a garment like vnto a Deacon and girt the same as Prelates vse to doe Then they buckled vpon one of his feete a Spurre and drew forth the sword of Iustice which they deliuered into the Kings hand and he put it vp into the sheath when it was put vp the Archbishop of Canterbury girt it vnto his side Then was the Crowne of S. Edward brought thither and by that Archbishop set vpon the Kings head All these ceremonies and Diuine Seruice finished the King with the same pompe he came to the Church returned to the Pallace in the mids whereof was a fountaine which flowed with wine white and red At dinner the King did sit at the first table at the second sate the fiue chiefe Peeres of the kingdome at the third the Mayor and Aldermen at the fourth the nine new made Knights at the fifh the Knights Gentlemen of the Kings house So long as the King did sit the Prince of Wales stood on his right hand holding the Ecclesiasticall sword and on the left hand stood the Constable of England shaking the sword of Iustice vnder them stood the Marshall holding the Scepter At the Kings table besides the King two Archbishops and three other Bishops did sit In the dinner time a Knight well mounted armed at all peeces came into the Hall and before him rode an other horseman that caried his Launce his name was Dymmock This Champion hauing his sword drawen and a Mace also ready deliuered vnto the king a scroule of paper wherein was contained that if any Gentleman would denie that Henry there present were not the lawfull King of England he was ready by Armes to maintaine it where and when the King should command This Cartell was deliuered to a King of Armes and by the Kings commandement proclaimed in the palace and in sixe places of the Citie but no man found to say the contrary and so the ceremonie of this Coronation ended CHAP. 46. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes 1380. THis Charles the 6. King of France of that name being twelue yeeres olde was crowned in the presence of the Dukes of Anioy Auuernia Burgundy Burbon Brabant Berry and Lorayn the Earle of Piedmont the Earle of Marcury the Earle Eu and William Lord of Namur beeing present the Earle of Flanders and Bloys sent their deputies The King entred the citie of Rhemes with a marueilous troupe of Lords and Gentlemen hauing before them thirty trumpets sounding His Maiestie alighted at our Lady Church and thither resorted vnto him his cosins of Albert Nauarre Barry Harecourt and other yong Princes and Lords of the blood whom the next day he dubbed Knights On Sonday after the King went vnto the Church which was most sumptuously prepared There the Bishop crowned his Maiestie and anointed him with that oyle wherewith Saint Remigius had anointed Clodoueus the first Christian King of France That Oyle was miraculously as is reported sent from heauen by an Angel purposely to anoint Clodoueus And being preserued euer since a glasse although all the kings haue bene therwith anointed yet is the quantity thereof no whit decreased The King being come before the high Altar did honour all the yong men aforesayd with Knighthood and that done hee kneeled vpon rich foote Carpets that were there spred at his feete the yong Princes newly made Knights did sit and Oliuer Clisson newly also aduanced to be Constable of the kingdome performed his office and there amids the nobility with all pomp possible the King was crowned Then to the end that all men might haue cause to reioice the King was pleased to remit and forgiue all taxations subsidies and impositions by what name soeuer lately inuented The Coronation finished his Maiestie returned to the palace where his table was prepared and hereat besides the King did sit the Dukes his vncles viz. the Duke of Brabant Anioy Auuernia Burgundy and Burbon and on his right hand sate the Archbishop of Rhemes with other Lords of the Spiritualty Touching meaner Lords of the kingdome they shifted for place where it could be found The Admirals Coucy Clisson and Tremoly had their tables equally couered with Carpets of Tissue The next day the King dined according to ancient vse and the charge of the Inauguration was defrayd by the Citizens of Rhemes These ceremonies being consummate with great pomp triumph and ioy he returned to Paris CHAP. 47. At the Inauguration of King Henry the third French King three notable things obserued FIrst when he should haue bene anointed with the holy oile there was none found in the ceremonious Horne which for many yeeres had bene preserued by miracle as a relike sent from heauen Secondly when in the royall seate the Crowne was set vpon his head by certaine Bishops as is accustomed he cried out twise Oh it hurts me Thirdly when he kneeled before the Altar during Masse the Crowne fell from his head all which seemed ominous to the beholders and so it prooued both to himselfe
performed by King Henry the eight Francis the French King with their Nobility and Gentlemen of Armes at their enteruiew in Picardie where the Proclamation in forme aforesaid was pronounced in English and French It seemeth that in ages more ancient the vse was that the Prince did also giue a letter of attestation to such persons as gained any prize either in combat for life or honour for my selfe haue read such a one granted by a King of France vnto an Italian Gentleman in these words following wherunto was added an honourable ceremony NOi Filippo per gratia di Dio Re di Franza c. Notifichiammo a tutti coloro a quali perueranno queste nostre littere che lo haranno a grado in piacere e generalmente a Imperadori Re Duchi Marchesi Conti Principi Nobili Caualierie Gentilhuomini Come hauendo noi celebrato le nostre feste a honore a laude a gloria di nostro Signor Dio ad honore di tutti i Caualieri che sono venuti a combattere a tutto transito in questo honorato passo di Armi. Vogliamo che siano riconosciuti coloro che si saranno valorosamente portati senza essermai vinti pure vna volta poi che si debbe dar l' honore a chi merita ch' esenza menda Però per queste ordoniammo commandiammo e sententiammo che a gloria a honore a laude a fama del egregio e virtuoso Caualiere N. esso sia publicato in tutti quatro i cantoni delle lizze sbarre dai Re d' armi Araldi Passauanti con trombette e Sonatori con consentimento nostro delli giudici del campo rappresentanti la persona nostra per lo miglioâ—e di tutti i Caualieri de nostro regno Et commandâ—ammo che sia posto sopra vn cauallo tuito bianco e che tutti coloro che vi si truoueranno cosi donne come huomini vengono con esso not tutti a Piedi e sia fatta processione generale e N vada sotto il baldacchino fino alla chiesa Appresso commandiammo ordoniammo che vscendo della chiesa si vada per tutte le lizze sbarre e N. ne prenda la possessione e per i Re d' Armi gli siano date tutte le châ—aui delle dette lizze in segno di vittoria Et ancora commandiammo che siano celebrate feste che durino quindeci giorni a laude gloria del vittorioso N. E perche ciascuno conosca la real verita di questo fatto habbiamo segnata la presente carta con color vermiglio e suggellata col nostro Real Suggillo Data nella nostra Citta di Parigi a 4. di Luglio c. The same in English PHilip by the grace of God King of France c. Be it knowen to all men to whome these Letters shall come and to euery other person that take delight or pleasure in Arms and generally to all Emperors Kings Dukes Marquesses Earles Princes Barons and other Gentlemen That we haue celebrated a solemne triumph to the honor praise and the glory of God and the commendation of such as did fight in this honourable action of Armes And beeing desirous that they who haue valorously perfourmed their parts without receiuing blame or disgrace should be knowen to the end honour may be giuen to euery one according to his merit Therefore we haue hereby ordained commanded and iudged for the euerlasting honour praise and glory of the excellent and vertuous Gentleman N. his name shall be proclaimed in all the foure corners of the Lists or place of Iousts by the king of Armes the Heralds and Puâ—seuants and by the censure of the Iudges of the field representing our person whereby all men may knowe that the sayde N. is the most excellent and most vertuous Gentleman of Armes in all our kingdome Wee moreouer commaund that hee shall be mounted vpon a white horse and that euery person present as well women as men shall with vs follow him in procession on foot And that the said N. shall ride vnder a canopy vnto the Church We likewise ordaine and commaund that in returne from the Church hee shall passe through the place of Iousts and there take possession of the keyes which shall be deliuered vnto him by the king of Armes in signe of victory Lastly wee commaund that the celebration of the feast shall continue the space of fifteene dayes to the commendation and glory of the victorious N. And in witnes of the very troth in this matter we haue signed these Letters with red inke and thereunto set our Royall Seale Dated in our Citie of Paris the 4. of Iuly c. CHAP. 50. Of Iusts and Turneaments and how the accidents in such exercises are to be iudged in the Kingdome of Naples IT is written how at a triumph in the noble citie of Naples a Gentleman called the L. Peter Counte of Derise receiued so furious an encounter by the Launce of another that ran against him that therewith he became at one instant disarmed of his shield his Curats and Headpeece so as he being vtterly disarmed was left on horsebacke in his doublet onely without other harme In requital whereof the said Peter gaue vnto the other Gentleman so violent a blow as therewith the girthes of the horse were broken and the man cast headlong on the ground Whereupon a question was moued which of them had merited most honour or rather which of them deserued least reproch Whereunto was answered absolutely that he who fell from the horse was most dishonored for next vnto death to fall from the horse is most reprochfull Yet it is lesse disgrace to fall with the horse then to fal alone and therefore albeit a man doth runne neuer so well if in the end he doth fall from the horse he can by no meanes receiue honour for that day but shal rather depart with disgrace Who so fighteth on foot at Barrier or in any other exercise of Armes is by the force of his aduersary constrained with his hand to touch the ground shall thereby lose all commendation He that on horsebacke directeth his Launce at the head is more to be praised then he that toucheth lower For the higher the Launce hitteth the greater is the Runners commendation Whoso runneth low is not onely vnworthy praise but also meriteth reproch And he who so carieth his Launce comely and firme is more to be praised although he breake not then he who misgouerneth his horse or vnskilfully handleth his Launce although he doeth breake He that vseth to runne high sitteth steadily and mooueth least in his course accompanying his horse euenly and iustly is in running worthy all commendation He that falleth with the encounter of the aduersary although as is before said the same be a great disgrace yet is it more excuseable then if he remaineth on horsebacke amazed suffering his horse to wander
he wotteth not whither He that with his Launce taketh away the rest of the aduersaries Armor meriteth more honour then he that taketh away any other ornament He that breaketh his Launce on the pomel or bolster of his aduersaries faddle deserueth worse then he who beareth his Launce well without breaking He that breaketh on the face or other part of the horse meriteth worse then he that breaketh not at all He that hurteth an horse shall not receiue honour although before he hath run well for he that hurteth an horse is in like predicament with him that falleth who cannot on that day receiue any honour He is worthy small estimation that cannot gouerne his owne horse or that sitteth loose in his saddle but much is he to be praised that with his force disordereth his aduersary in the saddle He that letteth his Launce fall can claime no commendation And lesse worthy praise is he that knoweth not how it should be charged He that breaketh the Launce furiously in many pieces is more reputed then he that breaketh it faintly in one onely place He that conueyeth his Lance into the Rest in due time is worthy commendation but he that carieth it shaking in his hand or vnstayedly in the Rest meriteth blame He that dexteriously carieth the Launce long on the arme and skilfully conueyeth it into the Rest nere the time of encounter is more allowed them he that suddenly and at the first setting out doth charge it To conclude he is worthy all commendation that beareth himselfe wel on horsebacke that sitteth comely that fitteth his body well with Armor that hath his person so disposed as if it were without Armor that can endure to weare it long that till the end of the day disarmeth not his head He that performeth not all his determined courses ought not receiue any prize or honor He that hurteth or toucheth an horse with his Launce shal neither haue prize nor praise for he is in case as though he had fallen He that doth fall may not run any more in that day vnlesse he falleth on his feet standing right vp and be also a Challenger for in that case he may returne to horse answere all commers because on that day hee is so bound to doe CHAP. 51. Of Iusts and Turnaments how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of VVorcester high Constable of England in the reigne of King Edward the fourth FIrst who so breaketh most speares as they ought be broken shall haue the prize Who so hitteth three times in the height of the Helme shall haue a prize Who so meeteth cronall to cronall shall haue a prize Who so beareth a man downe with the force of his Speare shall haue a prize Here followeth wherefore the prize shal be lost FIrst who so striketh an Horse shall haue no prize Who so striketh a man his backe turned or disgarnished of his speare shall haue no prize Who so hitteth the Toyle three times shall haue no prize Who so vnhelmeth himselfe two times shall haue no prize vnlesse his horse faile him Here followeth how speares shall be allowed FIrst who so breaketh a Speare betweene the Saddle and the Charnell of the Helme shal be allowed one Who so breaketh a speare from the Charnell vpward shall be allowed one Who so breaketh and putteth his aduersary downe or out of the saddle or disarmeth him in such wise as he may not runne the next course after shal be allowed three speares broken Here followeth how Speares broken shall be disallowed FIrst hee that breaketh on the Saddle shall be disallowed for a Speare breaking Who so hitteth the Toile once shal be disallowed for two Who so hitteth the Toile twise for the second shal be abated three Who so breaketh a speare within a foote of the Charnel shal be iudged as no Speare but a Taynt Of prizes to be giuen FIrst who so beareth a man downe and out of the Saddle or putteth him to earth horse and man shall haue the prize before him that striketh Curnall to Curnall He that striketh Curnall to Curnall two times shall haue the prize before him that striketh the sight three times He that striketh the sight two times shall haue the prize before him that breaketh most Speares At the Torney TWo blowes at passage and ten at the ioyning ought suffise vnlesse it be otherwise determined All gripes shockes and foule play forbidden How prizes at Turney and Barriers are to be lost HE that giueth a stroke with a Pike from girdle downeward or vnder the Barre shall haue no prize He whose sword falleth out of his hand shall haue no prize He that hath a close Gauntlet or any thing to fasten his sword to his hand shall haue no prize He that stayeth his hand on the Barre in fighting shall haue no prize He that sheweth not his sword vnto the Iudges before he fighteth shall haue no prize HAuing here spoken of forreine triumphs I thinke it not impertinent and haply my duety also to remember what honour hath bene by like Actions done vnto the Kings of England our own natural Souereigns For albeit the Romans the Persians Syrians being heretofore the most mighty Monarches of the world and consequently of greatest pompe yet in later time and chiefly within these 500. yeeres no Prince Christian hath liued more honourably then the Kings of England And as their prowesse in Armes hath bene great so their Courts for magnificence and greatnesse needed not giue place to any which may appeare by the often and excellent triumphes celebrated before Kings and Queenes of this land Yea certaine it is that neither France Spaine Germany or other Nation Christian was euer honoured with so many Militarie triumphes as England hath bene chiefly in the raigne of her Maiestie who now liueth as hereafter shal appeare For besides other excellent triumphal Actions and Militarie pastimes since her Maiesties raigne a yeerely and as it were ordinary triumph hath bene celebrated to her Highnesse honour by the noble and vertuous Gentlemen of her Court a custome neuer before vsed not knowen in any Court or Countrey And albeit as hath bene formerly remembred the Triumphes of Germany were of great pompe and notable yet because they were furnished with the whole number of Princes and Nobilitie of that Nation and the celebration rare they seeme to me lesse admirable then our owne which haue continued more then 30. yeeres yeerely without intermission and performed chiefly and in effect onely by the Princes Lords and Gentlemen dayly attendant vpon her Maiesties Royal person Whereby the honour of those Actions is indeed due to her Highnesse Court onely CHAP. 52. ¶ Triumphes Military for Honor and loue of Ladies brought before the Kings of England A Triumph before King Edward the third 1343. THis King being the most warlike and vertuous Prince that liued in his dayes happened as mine Author saith to fall in loue with a noble Lady of his Kingdome and
desiring both to honour her and please himselfe with her presence conuited all noble Ladies to behold a triumph at London to be there performed by the Nobles and Gentlemen of his Court This intention his Maiestie did command to be proclaimed in Fraunce Henault Flanders Brabant and other places giuing Passeport and secure abode to all noble strangers that would resort into England That done he sent vnto al Princes Lords and Esquiers of the Realme requiring that they with their wiues daughters and cosins should at the day appointed appeare at his Court. To this feast came William Earle of Henault and Iohn his brother with many Barons and Gentlemen The triumph continued 15. dayes and euery thing succeeded well had not Iohn the sonne and heire of Vicount Beaumount bene there slaine In this triumph also appeared the Earle of Lancaster and Henry his son The Earle of Darby The Lord Robert of Artoys The Erle of Richmount The Earle of Northampton The Earle of Glocester The Earle of Warwicke The Earle of Salisbury The Earle of Pembroke The Earle of Hartford The Earle of Arundel The Earle of Cornewall The Earle of Norffolke The Earle of Suffolke The Baron of Stafford with others In the raigne of the same King Edward a Royall Iust was holden at Lincolnâ— by the Duke of Lancaster where were present certaine Ambassadors sent by the King of Spaine for the Lady Ioane daughter to the King who should haue bene married vnto that King of Spaine but meeting her on the way she died A triumph was holden at Windsor before the same King Edward whereat was present Dauid King of Scots the Lord of Tankeruile and the Lord Charles de Valoys who by the Kings license was permitted to runne and had the prize Anno 1349. In Smithfield were solemne Iusts in the same Kings raigne where was present a great part of the most valiant Knights of England and France Thither came also noble persons of other Nations and Spaniards Cipriots Armenians who at that time humbly desired aide against Pagans An. 1361. A triumph before King Edward the fourth IVsts were againe holden in Smithfield where Anthony Wooduile Lord Scales did runne against the Bastard of Burgundie Anno 1444. A triumph before King Henry the sixt ONe other notable Action of Armes was personally performed in Smithfield betweene a Gentleman of Spaine called Sir Francis le Arogonoys and Sir Iohn Astley Knight of the Garter For after the said Sir Francis had wonne the honour from all the men at Armes in France he came into England and made a generall challenge but by the great valour of Sir Iohn Astley lost the same vnto him Triumphs before King Henry the seuenth AT Richmont was holden a solemne triumph which continued a whole moneth where Sir Iames Parker running against Hugh Vaughan was hurt and died 1494. One other triumph was in the same Kings daies performed in the Tower of London Anno 1502. Triumphs before King Henry the eight BVt farre exceeding all these was that magnificent Iust and Tournament at the meeting of the two excellent Princes King Henry the eight of England and Francis the French King who chusing vnto them fourteen others did challenge to run at the Tilt and fight both at the Tourney and Barrier with all commers The Challengers were the King of England the French King the Duke of Suffolke the Marquesse Dorset Sir William Kingston Sir Richard Ierningham Master Nicholas Carew and Master Anthonie Kneuet with their Assistants Sir Rowland and Sir Giles Capel with these were so many other French Gentlemen as made vp the number aforesaid For Defenders thither came Mounsieur Vandosme the Earle of Deâ—onshire and the Lord Edmond Howard euery of them bringing in a faire band of Knights well armed This most noble challenge of these two mighty Kings accompanied with fourteene other Knights of either nation seuen they caused to bee proclaimed by Norrey King at Armes in England France and Germanie Anno 12 Henrici 8. One other most memorable Challenge was made by the same King who in his owne royall person with William Earle of Deuonshire Sir Thomas Kneuet and Edward Neuel Esquire answered all commers at Westminster The King called himselfe Caeur Loyal the Lord William Bon Voloir Sir Thomas Kneuet Valiant desire and Edward Neuil Ioyâ—us Pensier The Defenders were THe Lord Gray Sir William a Parr Robert Morton Richard Blunt Thomas Cheyney Thomas Terrel Christopher Willoughby the Lord Howard Charles Brandon the Lord Marquesse Henrie Guilford the Earle of Wiltshirâ— Sir Thomas Bullin Thomas Lucie the Lord Leonard the Lord Iohn Iohn Melton Griffith Doon Edmond Howard Richard Tempest After this Challenge was ended the prize appointed for the Challengers partie was giuen vnto Caeur Loyal and among the Defenders to Edmond Howard Another solemne Challenge was proclaimed and perfourmed by certaine English Knights viz. Sir Iohn Dudley Sir Thomas Seimor Sir Francis Poynings Sir George Carew Anthony Kingston and Richard Cromwel Anno 1540. Another action of Armes published in the Chamber of Presence at VVestminster by a King of Armes 25. of Nouember in the 1. and 2. of P. and M. FOrasmuch as euer it hath bene a custome that to the Courts of Kings and great Princes Knights and Gentlemen of diuers Nations haue made their repaire for the triall of Knighthood and exercise of Armes And knowing this Royall Court of England to bee replenished with as many noble Knights as any kingdome in the world at this day It seemeth good to Don Fredericke de Toledo the Lord Strange Don Ferdinando de Toledo Don Francisco de Mendoca and Garsulace de la Vega That seeing here in this place better then in any other they may shew the great desire that they haue to serue their Ladies by the honorable aduentures of their persons They say that they will maintaine a fight on foot at the Barriers with footmens harnesse three pushes with a pike seuen strokes with a sword in the place appointed before the Court gate on Tuesday the 4. day of December from the twelfth houre of the day vntill fiue at night against all commers Praying the Lords the Earle of Arundell the Lord Clinton Gartilapez de Padilla and Don Pedro de Cordoua that they would be Iudges of this Triumph for the better performance of the conditions following First that he which commeth forth most gallantly without wearing on himselfe or furniture any golde or siluer fine or counterfeit wouen embroidered or of goldsmiths worke shall haue a rich Brooch He that striketh best with a Pike shall haue a Ring with a Rubie He that fighteth best with a Sword shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that fighteth most valiantly when they ioyntly fight together shall haue a Ring with a Diamond He that giueth a stroke with a Pike from the girdle downeward or vnder the Barrier shall winne no prize Hee that shall haue a close gantlet or any thing to fasten his Sword to his hand shall winne no
vllam nisi datum tibi esset desuper Ioh. 19. It appeareth also that good Princes doe deserue diuine honour as S. Austen seemeth to affirme And the Apostle in his Epistle to Timothy saith Qui bene praesunt duplici honore dignisunt Good and godly Kings therfore haue receiued from God diuine vertue aboue all other creatures As was scene in Saul who being made King by Samuel foorthwith became inspired with the gift of Prophecie and the Spirit of God did enter into him whereby he prophecied with other Prophets 1. King cap. 10. We reade likewise that Salomon being created King obtayned the excellencie of wisedome 1. King 3. If seemeth also that Kings are diuinely inspired with diuers other parttcular graces and vertues as the kings of England and France by touching only do cure an infirmity called The Kings euill the Kings of Spaine as some writers affirme haue power to cast diuels out of meÌ„s bodies CHAP. 6. Of Queenes NExt and neerest vnto the King his Queene is to take place because the weareth a Regall Crowne which no other person but a King may doe It seemeth also that a Queene ought to sit on the Kings right hand which honour the sacred Scriptures do allow Psal. 45. Astitit Regina à dextris tuis in vestitu deaurato And if she be a mayden Queene Soueraigne and absolute shee is In pari dignitate with a King may precede him also according to the dignitie of her kingdome And if she be a Queene of three entiere kingdomes as our Soueraigne is she may assume the title of an Empresse Also Officers and ministers appertaining vnto a Queene absolute are priuiledged equall with the Officers of Kings and may take place accordingly Lu de Pen. Ca. de priuilegijs Note also that albeit a Queene be the daughter of a Duke or an Earle or any other inferior degree yet shall she be called Queene by the dignitie of her husband And if she be the daughter of a King superior to her husband then may she also reteine the dignitie of her fathers daughter Iac. Rebuff alij dig lib. 12. which was the reason that the Lady Claudia daughter vnto King Lewis the 12. did take place before the Lady Loysia of Sauoy notwithstanding shee was mother to King Francis the first So did the daughter precede the mother Yet some doe hold that a Kings mother ought be preferred before all others alleaging the Text Positus est thronus matris iuxta thronum Regis the 3. of Kings We reade also in the same place that King Solomon beholding his mother comming towards him adored her and caused a Throne to be set on his right hand Which seemeth indeede to be her place in absence of the Queene not otherwise as mine Author writeth CHAP. 7. A Prince LIke as the splendent beames of the Sunne doe spread themselues in giuing light heat and comfort vnto all liuing things without any dimunition of his proper vertue either in substance course or brightnesse so from the sacred power and Regall authoritie of Emperours Kings and Queenes all earthly dignities doe proceed yet their owne Princely and soueraigne power In sua prima sublimitate doth not suffer or sustaine any blemish or detriment The first place and chiefest degree therefore after the Estates aforenamed appertaineth vnto the Prince or eldest sonne of the King in respect he is the first borne childe of his father and may claime to sit on the right hand as Baldus seemeth to affirme saying Primogenitus sedet ad dextram patris by imitation of the Christian beleefe Note that the eldest sonne of a King hath euer a title of greater dignitie then his other brethren viz. In England hee is called Prince of Wales in France the Dolphin in Spaine L' Infante c. Princeps dicitur quia est quasi prinicipalis in sâ—renuitate post Regem In Enland he is borne Duke of Cornewall and therefore needeth no ducall creation when he is made Prince he is presented before the King in Princely robes who putteth about his necke a sword bendwise a cap and Coronet ouer his head a ring ouer his middle finger a verge of gold in his hand and his Letters pattents after they be read The second place is due vnto the first sonne of the Kings eldest sonne So as the nephew seemeth to precede the vncle which hath bene a question of great difficultie and left vnto triall of the sword Yet in France it hath bene diuers times diuersly iudged but for the most part in fauour of the Nephew And in England the Nephew was preferred before the Vncle as Baldus noteth CHAP. 8. An Archduke Some hold opinion that this title of Archduke may be assumed by the eldest brother of euery Ducall family in Germany hath bene by custome so vsed as a title of greatest dignitie among brethren But Tillet saith that in France when any great Duke had the conduct of an Armie and thereby commanded other Dukes vnder him then was hee called Duke of France that is to say Duke of Dukes The which office for that it had so great a superintendencie was afterward called Meyer du Pallays This Meyer or Maior had the authoritie of a Vice-Roy and commanded in all causes both Military and Ciuil To this degree of Archduke belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a hood of Crimsin veluet wherewith he is inuested at his Creation he hath also a Chapeau or Ducal cap doubled Ermin indented with a Coronet about the same and one arch of gold with an Orbe hee also beareth a Verge or rod of gold CHAP. 9. A Duke These Dukes are ornified with a Surcoat Mantle and Hood at their Creation they weare also a Ducall cap doubled Ermin but not indented They haue also a Coronet and Verge of gold Note here that in England all Dukes of the Kings blood as his sonne brother vncle or nephew ought be reputed as Archdukes and precede all other Dukes Note also that hee who is a Duke tantùm shall take place before any Lord that is both a Marquesse and an Earle notwithstanding they be two dignities But he that is a Duke and Marquesse or a Duke and an Earle shal march before a Duke tantùm CHAP. 10. A Marquesse THe fift estate is a Marquesse called by the Saxons A Marken Reue that is to say a Ruler of the Marches This great Officer in the Kings battaile was chiefe Captaine of the Horse campe and next it authoritie vnto the Heâ—tzog or Constable so that it should seeme he was in degree as our High Marshall is in England To this estate is due a Surcoat Mantle and Hood with a Coronet of golde Fleury CHAP. 11. An Earle In the Empire at this day are sundry sorts of Earles which they call Graues as Landgraues id est regionum Comites Margraues id est certarum marcarum seu districtuum vel agri ciuitatis aut regionis alicuius finium Comites Palatins qui sunt Iudices regni
vanquished the enemie The other of Papirius the Dictator who for the like offence was punished by Fabius Rutilius General of the horsemen in the Romane Armie Sixtly hee ought hee vigilant and patient for in the one consisteth the execution of warlike Actions by the other all trauailes paines and misfortunes are endured Seuenthly he must be faithfull and loyall which qualitie is required in all sorts of subiects but chiefly in souldiers for thereupon dependeth his Princes securitie and State also which moued Vegetius to say That the safety of a Prince consisteth in the well chusing his souldiers This is the cause that men professing Armes doe commonly sweare by the faith of a Souldier The French man a foy de Soldat The Italian a fe di Soldato c. Yea the Kings of France doe commonly vse this phrase a foy de gentil homme a foy du cheualier Eightly he ought be constant and resolute because resolution maketh all difficulties easie and constancie or perseuerance bringeth perfection in that he professeth Ninthly that he should be charitable because warres are not taken in hand for the destruction of Countries and towns but the defence of lawes and people Lastly he should bee fortunate sith Fortune is the Ladie of Armes and sheweth her power in nothing more then in the aduentures of warre CHAP. 1. Of Knighthood WHo so desireth to knowe the originall name and dignitie of Knighthood it behooueth him to be enformed that the Romanes among whom Martiall discipline was first esteemed and titles giuen to men for valorous merit diuided their people into Patritij and Plebaei After that time another diuision was made as Senatores Equites and Plebs as the French haue at this day Les Nobles la populaire or Gentils hommes villains And we in England doe diuide our men into fiue sorts Gentlemen Citizens Yeomen Artificers and Labourers Of Gentlemen the first and principal is the King Prince Dukes Marquesses Earls Vicounts and Barons These are the Nobilitie and be called Lords or Noblemen Next to these be Knights Esquiers and simple Gentlemen which last number may be called Nobilitas minor for they in Parliament haue no place among the Lords therefore the Barons or degree of Lords doe resemble the dignity of Senatores in Rome and the title of our Nobilitie is like vnto Patritij when the Patritij did signifie Senatores aut Senatorum filij But that degree which we doe now call Knighthood is most like vnto the title in Rome named Equestris ordo Yet other opinions there are both of the beginning and name of Knight as well among the Italians as the Spaniards But howsoeuer it was most certaine it seemeth that vntill Equestris ordo was erected in Rome there was no such degree of men as we call Knights neither was that name giuen with such ceremony and shewe of dignitie as since it hath beene vsed Yet some there are that faile not to affirme that Knighthood had the originall from Romulus in this sort That King hauing set led his gouernment in Rome partly for security and partly for magnificence erected three bands of horsemen the first called Romence after his owne name the next Titience after Titus Tacius and the third Luceria whereof only I thinke Liuie maketh mention Hereupon they will inferre that Knighthood begun vnder Romulus The Spaniards doe hold opinion that when faith and plaine dealing decayed those men that made profession of warre euery thousand did chuse one man whom they thought to be of greatest wisdome courage and curtesie among the rest That being done they made choise of such an horse as was reputed to excell the rest for beautie force and other perfections and forthwith gaue that beast vnto that man whome they had chosen as though their intention were to conioyne that singular beast vnto that notable man naming him Caualiero which signifieth Horseman though we improperly English it Knight Thus much is said in generall concerning gentlemen that make profession of Armes whom the Romanes as it seemeth sometimes called Milites and some other times Equites the Italians and Spaniards Caualieri the French Cheualiers but in our language as is now vsed none are called Knights but only they that haue that title giuen by the Prince or his Lieutenant with a ceremony thereunto belonging And of Knights made according to the vse of England are diuers degrees as shall hereafter bee declared CHAP. 2. ¶ The originall of Knighthood giuen as a Dignity and what Princes haue authoritie to make Knights IT is affirmed by some writers that Alexander the Great with the aduise of his learned tutor Aristotle resolued to bestow vpon such persons as performed any notable seruice in the warre certaine honours and aduancements in token of their extraordinary vertue and notable merit and therefore he gaue vnto some badges to some chaines to some immunities or some such other demonstration of fauour and honour The Romane Emperours in like manner sometimes before the beginning of a seruice and sometimes after bestowed not only commendation but also dignity on those whose vertue they thought so worthy as crowns of Bayes of Golde of Myrtle or some other gift thought fit by the giuer They gaue also horses swords armour arming coats and such like they that receiued them as a token of honour kept them carefully in perpetuall memory of their valour and the honour of the Prince that gaue them By this meane also they became much admired and esteemed of other souldiers Afterwards for more encouragement of vertuous minds other Princes thought good that the memorable acts of soldiers should be in perpetuall memory written and such priuiledges as were giuen them to be recorded calling them in those writings Valiant men Companions in Arms Victorious souldiers and Knights Which maner of proceeding did encourage the men of warre no lesse then the great pouâ—traitures which the most ancient Romanes made for those that had performed actes egregious Touching the making of Knights we say That euery Prince souereigne hath power to giue that dignitie to what person it pleaseth him as well in time of peace as warre But here is to be noted that the Knights made are of more or lesse reputation according to the qualitie of that Prince that made them For he that is made knight by a King shall be preferred before a knight made by a Prince of meaner title To conclude therefore we say that all Emperours Kings Dukes and other Princes acknowledging no Superiour may make Knights and so may common-weales as the State of Venice and Genoa The Popes doe also sometimes make Knights for money calling them commonly after their owne names Caualieri di San Pietro San Paulo Guiliani Pij c. CHAP. 3. The maner of making Knights about the yeere of Christ 500. neere which time King Arthur reigned in England IN that age a Prince determining to make a Knight did command a Scaffold or Stage to be builded in some Cathedrall Church