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A60673 Britain's glory, and England's bravery wherein is shewed the degrees of honour from the prince to the peasant, with the honour of the nobles, and previleges of the commons, the proper places and precedency of all persons from the throne to the bondman, more particularly in coronations, processions, feasts, funerals and other great assembly : as also honour of arms, power of heralds, signification of charges in coat-armour, with an armorial dictionary, explaining the terms of heraldry, and an account of all the orders of knighthood in Christendom, and of the weights and measures of England : to which is added a continuation of The historians guide, from November, 1687, where the third and last impression ends, to June, 1687 / being the collections and observations of Benjamine Smithurst. Smithurst, Benjamine. 1689 (1689) Wing S4356; ESTC R31948 77,938 230

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Britain's Glory AND ENGLAND'S BRAVERY Wherein is shewed The Degrees of Honour from the Prince to the Peasant with the Honour of the Nobles and Previleges of the Commons the proper Places and Precedency of all Persons from the Throne to the Bondman more particularly in Coronations Processions Feasts Funerals and other great Assembly As also Honour of Arms Power of Heralds Signification of Charges in Coat-Armour with an Armorial Dictionary explaining the Terms of Heraldry And an account of all the Orders of Knighthood in Christendom and of the Weights and Measures of England To Which is added A Continuation of the Historian's Guide from November 1687. where the Third and Last Impression ends to June 1689. Being the Collections and Observations of Benjamine Smithurst LONDON Printed for William Crook at the Green-Dragon without Temple-Bar near Devereux-Court 1689. A TABLE TO Britain's Glory c. CHAP. I. OF the Distinction of Titles page 1 The Name of Gentleman in general Of the King. Nobles Commons CHAP. II. Of the King's Most Excellent Majesty 4 Coronation Anointing Sceptre Globe Ring Bracelet Sword. Robes Diadem and the Stones Crown Offering days Collar days CHAP. III. Of the Prince pag. 9 Of the King's Child en CHAP. IV. Of Dukes 10 CHAP. V. Of Marquesses 13 CHAP. VI. Of Earls 14 CHAP. VII Of Viscounts 15 CHAP. VIII Of Barons Spiritual and Temporal 16 CHAP. IX Of Noblewomen 20 Queen-Sovereign Queen-Consort Queen-Dowager Princesses Dames Gentlewomen Alien women CHAP. X. Of Injuries to Noblemen 23 CHAP. XI Knight of the Garter 24 The Names of the Knights 1685. The Names of the Knights 1689. CHAP. XII Knights Bannerets 29 CHAP. XIII Knights Baronets 31 CHAP. XIV Knights of the Bath 33 CHAP. XV. Knights Bachelours 37 Degrading of Knights CHAP. XVI Knights of the Round Table 41 Other Orders of Knighthood viz. Knights of St. Andrew or the Thistle in Scotland 42 Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem 44 Hospitallers ib. Templers 45 St. Lazarus in Jerusalem 46 St. Bass or St. Bassil 47 St. Katharine at Mount Sinai ib. The Martyrs of Palestine ib. Oak in Navarre 48 Lilly of Navarre ib. Band in Spain 49 Dove in Castile ib. Fish Scale in Castile ib. Lilly in Aragon 50 Mountjoy ib. Acon or Acress ib. St. James in Galici● 51 St. Saviours in Aragon ib. St. Julian or of Alcantara 52 Callatrava in Castile ib. Tuxillo or Trugillo ib. Our Lady and St. George ib. St. Mary de Merced in Aragon 53 Rosary in Toledo ib. Golden Fleece 54 D'Avis ib. St. Michael's Wing 55 St. James 55 Knights of Christ 56 Jesus Christ in France ib. Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel 57 St. Michael ib. Holy Ghost 58 The Gennet 59 Crown Royal. ib. Lady of the Star. 60 Thistle of Bourbonne ib. The Porcupine 61 Cressants of Anjou ib. Ermin in Bretaigne ib. St. Mary the Glorious of Italy 62 Holy Ghost at Rome ib. Angelick of St. George 63 St. Peter at Rome ib. St. George at Rome 64 Pius at Rome ib. Loretto at Rome ib. Glorious Virgin Mary at Rome ib. Jesus now at Rome 65 De la Calza in Venice ib. St. Mark in Venice 66 St. George at Genoa ib. Pretious Bloud of our Saviour Jesus Christ at Mantua 67 St. Stephen of Florence ib. Knot in Naples 68 Argonaute of Naples ib. Ermin in Naples ib. Annunciation in Savoy 69 Knights of St. Maurice 70 St. Maurice and St. Lazarus 71 Bear in Switzerland ib. Tutonick Order of Prusia 72 Gereon in Germany 73 St. George in Austria ib. St. Michael the Archangel ib. St. Anthony in Haynault 74 Tusin Order in Bohemia ib. St. Hubert in Gulick 75 St. James in Holland ib. St. Brice ib. The Seraphim 76 Aramanta ib. Elephant in Denmark ib. Of Christ or Sword in Livonia 77 White Eagle in Poland ib. Dragon in Hungary ib. Sword in Cyprus 78 St. Anthony in Aethiopia ib. Burgundian Cross in Tunis 79 Broom-Flower in France ib. Ship in France 80 CHAP. XVII Esquires ib. CHAP. XVIII Gentlemen 82 By Ecclesiastical Preferment 86 By Military Profession ib. In the Civil State 87 CHAP. XIX Yeomen 90 CHAP. XX. Artificers and Labourers 92 CHAP. XXI Precedency 93 CHAP. XXII Procession at a Coronation 98 CHAP. XXIII Proceeding on the Coronation day 102 CHAP. XXIV King 's going to Parliament in State 105 CHAP. XXV Coronation-Feasts 107 CHAP. XXVI Royal Feast at other times the K. present 111 CHAP. XXVII Funerals 112 CHAP. XXVIII Proceeding of the Funeral of a Gentleman Esquire Knight or Baronet 114 CHAP. XXIX Precedency of a Nobleman's Funeral from a Duke to a Baronet 115 CHAP. XXX Heralds and their Duty 116 CHAP. XXXI Heraldry 121 CHAP. XXII Ordinaries 126 Charges Common 132 CHAP. XXXIII Abatements 152 CHAP. XXXIV Points in an Escoucheon 156 Terms of Art explained 157 Weights and Measures 169 Brittain's Glory WHEREIN Is shewed the Degrees of Honour from the Prince to the Peasant the Honour of the Nobles and the Privileges of the Commons c. CHAP. I. Of the Distinction of Titles THe Name Gentleman is of such account that it is given as a proper Title to all persons from the King to the lowest Degree of those that bear Coat-Armour and also to many who though they can claim no Right to the Bearing of Coat Armour yet claim a Right to the Title of Gentleman by virtue of the Place or Office which they hold But as in the Body Natural the Members are disposed to several Offices for the preservation of the whole so in the Body Politick a Distinction of persons is accounted necessary for the preservation of the whole and such is the Policy of this Realm especially that for the better Government thereof they have made a threefold Division of persons viz. Sovereign Nobles and Commons 1. The King is our Sovereign Monarch under which name a Sovereign Queen is comprehended 2. Under the Name of Nobles are comprehended the Prince Dukes Marquesses Earls Viscounts and Barons called Lords Spiritual and Temporal 3. By the Commons are understood the Knights of the Garter if no otherwise dignified Knights Bannerets Baronets Knights of the Bath Knights Bachelours Esquires and Gentlemen together with Yeomen Artificers and Labourers And though our Law doth not call any man Noble under the Degree of a Baron yet many there be which make a Distinction between Nobiles Majores which is from the Prince to the Baron and Nobiles Minores which includes all from under a Baron to the Gentleman and leaves the rest to be called Commons When we say the Nobles of the Land the King is not comprehended by the Common Law he being the Fountain of all Nobility but is by the Civil Law. The Nobility are known by the name of the Peers of the Realm or Barons of England for anciently the Dukes Marquesses Earls and Viscounts did sit together in the King 's great Counsel of Parliament as Barons by which is understood the whole Body of the Nobility and though there be different Robes worn at their Creation yet in
Right Honourable Truly Noble Potent Lord c. He may have a Traverse in his House except in his Superiour's presence his Wife may have her Train born up by a Woman out of her Superiours presence in their presence by a Man. CHAP. VIII Of Barons or Lords which are Spiritual and Temporal THe next and lowest Degree of Nobility is that of a Baron which is twofold Lords Spiritual and Temporal but first of the Lords Spiritual or Bishops § 1. By Lords Spiritual are meant only the Suffragan Bishops for the Archbishops are accounted of the prime Nobility of the Kingdom of which we have two viz. of Canterbury and York 1. The Archbishop of Canterbury had formerly great Honour so that no Legate or Nuntio from Rome could exercise any Legantine Power without the King 's special License else he was accountable to the Archbishop of Canterbury In General Councils he had place before all Archbishops at the Pope's right Foot and at home was reputed the second Person in the Kingdom or first Peer of the Realm having Precedency of all Dukes not of the Royal Bloud and of all the great Officers of State. He hath Power to summon the Archbishop of York and the Bishops of his Province to a National Synod He is styled even by the King by the Grace of God and writes himself by Divine Providence as doth the Archbishop of York whereas other Bishops write by Divine Permission He hath the Title of Grace given him as Dukes have and of most Reverend Father in God and Metropolitan of all England The Coronation of the King hath anciently belonged to him it being resolved that wheresoever the Court was the King and Queen were the proper and Domestical Parishioners of the Archbishop of Canterbury The Bishop of London is accounted his Provincial the Bishop of Winchester his Chancellour and the Bishop of Rochester his Chaplain He hath under his Jurisdiction twenty one Suffragan Bishops seventeen in England and four in Wales His Clergies Tenths are 65.1 l. 18 s. 2¼ d. his Archbishoprick is valued in the King's Book at 2816 l. 17 s. 9¼ d. He may qualifie and retain eight Chaplains which is two more than a Duke may 2. The Archbishop of York pretended anciently to have all the Bishops of Scotland under his Inspection and that they should receive their Consecration from him and swear Canonical Obedience to his See he is allowed to write himself Metropolitan of England but not of All England as Canterbury doth but at length the Bishops of Scotland would not acknowlege any such Power to him and disowned all Obedience to him and had Archbishops of their own Anno 1466. leaving him in England but four Bishops His Bishoprick is now valued at 1609 l. 19 s. 2 d. And the Tenths of the Clergy to 1113 l. 17 s. 9 d. 10 b. 1. qu. he hath Precedency before all Dukes not of the Royal Bloud and before all great Officers of State except the Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper He hath the Title of Grace and most Reverend Father in God and he writeth by Divine Providence He hath the Honour to crown the Queen and to be her perpetual Chaplain and hath great Privileges only Durham hath a peculiar Jurisdiction exempt from the See of York Having made this Digression we come next to speak of the Suffragan Bishops who though they have some peculiar Precedencies amongst themselves yet in general they are esteemed as Barons and from thence have the names of Lords Spiritual In their own Courts they have power to judge and pass Sentence alone and therefore they send forth their Writs in their own name and not in the King 's In whatever Princes Dominions they are their Episcopal Dignity and Degree is owned In Parliament they Vote in all things except in matter of Life and Limb. They have the Title of Lord are styled Right Reverend Fathers in God and write by Divine Permission They may qualifie 6 Chaplains which are as many as a Duke and are Barons and Peers of the Realm And as Spiritual Barons precede all under the Degree of a Viscount and are placed on the King 's Right Hand in Parliament All Church-men are prohibited the wearing of Swords and a Priest the Order of Knighthood § 2. Of Barons Temporal We may observe that the word Baron is variously derived some from the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 some from Baro which is the same with Vir in Latine and with Varon in the Spanish so that Baron signifies a notable or principal man thus anciently the Burgesses of London were called Barons as those of the Cinque-Ports now are but leaving the Name to speak of the Person a Baron the Archbishops excepted is a Dignity next to a Viscount and though according to Cambden they are not by our Common Laws allowed to be of the Degree of Nobility yet this of a Baron may be by Tenure for the Title of Baron by Patent which is under the Broad-Seal of England is Status Gradus Dignitas and being by the King 's Writ summoned as Members of the higher House of Parliament they are thereby made Nobles and Peers of the Realm As they are Barons without any other Distinction they wear a Coronet by the Ordinance of King Charles the 2d having six Balls or Pearls set close to the Border at equal distance and have their peculiar Parliament Robes which have two doublings of white Furr Thus far of Noble Men. CHAP. IX Of Noble Women and first of the Queen THere are three sorts of Queens 1. A Queen-Sovereign to whom the Crown descends by Birth-right and is equal in Power to a King if she marry she is Sovereign to her Husband and he her Subject in England though he be an Emperour 2. The Queen-Consort She hath very great Privileges and the Laws set so high a value on her as to make it High Treason to conspire her Death or violate her Chastity her Robes are the same with a Sovereign Queen She sits in State by the King keeps her Court and hath the same General Officers as the King hath though she be an Alien she needs no Act of Parliament to natralize her the Crown taking away that defect She hath the same Honour performed to her that the King hath as well from Foreigners as Subjects 3. The Queen-Dowager She hath the same Honour done to her also and takes place next the Queen-Consort nor doth she lose her Title of Queen though she marry a private Gentleman as Queen Katharine Widow to Henry the 5th who though she married Owen Tudor Esq yet she maintained her Action at Law as Queen of England So in King Edward the 6th's Time Sir Thomas Seymer Lord high Admiral having married the Queen Dowager to Henry the 8th she denied Precedency to her Sister in Law the Lord Protectour's Wife as belonging to her as Queen which was aggravated so high that it proved the untimely Deaths of those two famous Men. The King's
the happy Restauration it was solemnly ordered that the Son and Heir Apparent to the Crown of England should bear his Coronet of Crosses and Flower-de-luces with one Arch a Ball and Cross thereon as the King 's By Order of Common Law the King might levy a reasonable Aid of his Subjects for the Knighting his Eldest Son at the Age of fifteen years and to marry his Daughter at seven years which Aid was twenty Shillings for every Knight's Fee and as much for every twenty pounds per Annum in Soccage but this is now laid aside CHAP IV. Of Dukes THe Title and Degree of Duke hath been of more ancient standing in the Empire and some other Nations than in England for the first English Duke was Edward the Black Prince who was created Duke of Cornwall Anno. 1337. by which Creation the eldest Son of the King is Duke of Cornwall from his Birth or his Father's coming to the Crown A Duke takes his Name à Ducendo from Leading being at first a Leader of the Royal Army but now it is a Title given by Kings to Persons of high Bloud and excellent Merit and at this day the Sovereign Princes of some Countries are called Dukes as of Moscovoy Savoy Florence Saxony c. At their Creation they have two Ensigns of Honour and so have most other Noble men to signifie their Duty First their Heads are adorned with a Chapeau or Head Attire of Scarlet Colour doubled or lined with Ermin And Secondly a Sword which is girt about him which shews his readiness to serve and defend his Prince his Mantle over his shoulders is guarded with four guards or Folds of Ermin his Coronet is of Gold set round with Leaves the Cap is of Crimson but not indented as the Prince's is unless he be of the Bloud Royal and his Verge is of Gold Dukes of the Bloud Royal have their Coronet's composed of Crosses and Flower de-luces and are reputed as Arch-Dukes A Duke tantum or no more but Duke takes place before Marquess and Earl but if a Duke be Marquess and Earl or either of them then he shall take place before such Duke tantum Note Dukes Marquesses and Earls at their Creation are girt with a Sword or else it is put over their Shoulders which Viscounts and Barons have not A Duke out of the King 's or Prince's presence may have a Cloth of State hanging down within half a yard of the Ground his Duchess may have the same and her Train born up by a Baroness No Earl without Permission ought to wash with a Duke Dukes Eldest Sons by the Courtesie of England are from their Birth styled Marquesses and the younger Sons Lords and and take place of Viscounts but not so privileg'd by the Laws of the Land. A Duke hath the Title of Grace being written unto he is styled Most High Most Noble and Potent Prince also Right Noble Dukes of the Bloud are styled Most High Most Mighty and Illustrious Princes The Ceremonies at his Creation are these He hath his Sur-coat and Hood and is led between two of the Noblest Persons present not being above him a little before him on the Right-hand goeth an Earl with the Cap of State and Coronet on it on the other side an Earl with the Verge Just before him one of the greatest Estate as Marquess c. bearing his Sword and before him an Earl bearing his Mantle and Robe of State all which Nobles must be in their Robes His Title is proclaimed twice and Largus thrice His Honour is Hereditary as is all the Nobles unless otherwise Provided in their Patent which is rare Lastly a Duke may constitute six Chaplains CHAP. V. Of a Marquess A Marquess by the Saxons called Marken Reeve i. e. a Governor or Ruler of the Marches hath the next place of Honour to a Duke This Title came in first by Richard the 2d who created Robert Vere Marquess of Dublin whereas before they that governed the Marches were entituled Earl of March which Marches were those Grounds between England and Wales and are now reduced into the Counties and Shires of Monmouth Brecknock Radnor Denbigh and Mountgomery At his Creation he is honoured with a Coronet of Gold composed of a Strawberry Leaf and a Point pearled of equal hight round his Mantle hath three folds or doublings and a half his Eldest Son is by Courtesie called Earl or Lord of his Father's Title his younger only Lord John Thomas or the like His Title is Most Noble Most Honourable and Potent Prince If the King Prince or a Duke be absent he may have a Cloath of State to reach within a yard of the Ground his Marchioness may have her Train born up by a Knight's Lady in her own house but not in the presence of a Duchess his eldest Son shall wear as many powderings as an Earl but must give place to an Earl and his Wife to a Countess but may sit above all Marquess Daughters the Eldest whereof is born Countess and the rest Ladies At his Creation he must have his Surcoat and Hood He is led by Marquesses his Sword Cap c. are born by Earls CHAP VI. Of an Earl. THE Dignity of an Earl is either local or personal local as from some place as Oxford c. or personal as Earl Marshal Earl Rivers c. Hugh Lupus was the first Hereditary Earl Anno 1067. made so by William the First who created him Earl of Chester and gave him Jura Regalia within the said County An Earl is created by Letters Patents and adorned with a Cap of Honour and a Coronet of Gold composed of Leaves and Points pearled the Leaves lower than the Points He hath his Hood Surcoat and Mantle of State with three Guards of Furr being Ermin upon his Shoulders though some say it ought to be white he is girt with a Sword also When the King writes to a Duke Marquess or Earl he styles them Cosins though of no Kin. Formerly they had the Title of Prince but now it is Most Potent and Noble Lord Right Honourable Truly Noble c. Out of his Superiour's presence he may have a Cloth of State fringed but without Pendents his Wife may have her Train born by an Esquire's Wife but not in the presence of a Marchioness CHAP. VII Of a Viscount THe next Degree of Honour is a Viscount formerly a name of Office under an Earl who being the immediate Officer of the King in the County and his personal Attendence at Court often required he had his Deputy to look after the Affairs of the County which Office is now called Vice-comes or Sheriff but in the 18th of Henry VI. it became a Degree of Honour conferred upon John Beaumont by Letters Patents as all since are He hath his Surcoat and Mantle which hath two Guards and an half of white Fur His Coronet is set round with Pearls or Balls close to the Ring without number but close together He hath the Title of
Marce Evangelista meus Knights of St. Geo. at Genoa This Order was instituted by Frederick the III. Emperour and dedicated to St. George Their Ensign is a plain red Cross fastened to a Gold Chain which they wore about their Necks Knights of the Order of the Precious Bloud of our Saviour Jesus Christ at Mantua This Order was instituted about 1608 by Gonzago IV. Duke of Mantua for the greater Glory of his eldest Son 's Nuptials They consist of 20 Knights of which the Duke was Sovereign or great Master Their Collar is composed of Ovals of Gold some the length one way some another in one of which were these words Domine Probâsti and on the other Flames of Fire about a Crusible full of Ingots of Gold at this Collar hung another Oval of Gold whereon were two Angels standing one on each side holding a Chalice crowned and on the Table of it was enamelled three drops of Bloud and about it this Inscription Nihil isto triste Recepto The Knights of St. Stephen at Florence Were instituted by Cosmo Duke of Florence Anno 1561. Their Orders are like those of Malta the Duke and his Successors are great Masters Their Habit is a long Mantle of white Camlet and on the left Breast a Cross of Crimson Satten bordered with Gold which is their Ensign and on feastival days they wear a Ribbon about their Necks Knights of the Knot in Naples Instituted by Lewis Prince of Tarentum about Anno 1351. They were composed of 70 of the Noblest Lords in Naples together with some Strangers Their Habit was white and their Ensign a true Love's Knot intermixed with Gold. Knights of the Argonaute of Naples These were instituted Anno 1382. by Charles the III. King of Naples for the advancement of Navigation after some are to preserve Amity amongst the Nobles after others who were the persons invested with this Honour Their Habit was a white Garment and their Ensign was a Ship tossed in a storm with this Motto Non credo Tempori Knights of the Ermine in Naples Were institued by Ferdinand the First their King upon the discovery of a Plot against his his Life by his brother-in-Brother-in-Law the Duke of Sessa wherein the King shewed himself so mercifull that he not only set his brother-in-Brother-in-Law at Liberty but made him a Knight of this Order amongst others the Nobles of this Realm Their Collar was of Gold intermixt with Spots of Dung to which hung an Ermin with this Motto Malo mori quàm foedari Knights of the Annunication in Savoy This Order was instituted by Amedeo the 6th Earl of Savoy Anno 1362. in Memory of Amedeo the first Earl who valorously defended the Isle of Rhodes against the Turks and won those Arms which are now born by the Dukes of Savoy viz. Gules a Cross Argent They are a very Honourable Order and have very large Endowments they at first consisted of 15. of which the Founder was Sovereign which Number was enlarged to a greater Their Habit is a purple Mantle seeded with Roses and Flames in Embroidery of Gold and Silver fringed with Gold and lined with Cloath of Silver and tissued blew under which instead of a Surcoat is worn a white Satten Suit embroidered with Silk the Breeches are like Trouses and reach half way of the Thigh Their Collar is of Gold on which are engraven the letters F. E. R. T that is Fortitudo Ejus Rhodum Tenuit To this Collar hangeth a Tablet wherein is the Figure of the Annunication which is their daily Badg and is worn about their Shoulders Note that these five Orders viz. the Gartar in England the Golden Fleece in Flanders St. Michael in France the Holy Ghost in France and this of the Annunciation in Savoy are reputed most Honourable and in Token of their Excellency above all other Degrees of Knight hood are adorned with great and rich Collars Knights of St. Maurice Amadis the the 8th Duke of Savoy with ten of his Court Knights retired themselves into a Desart and soon after in Anno 1434. did he procure this Order to be instituted in Honour of St. Maurice and were subjected to the Rule of St. Augustine Their Habit was an Ash-colour or gray Gown and Chaperon the Slieves faced with red Camlet a Vest of the same girded with a golden Girdle and on the Breast of the Mantle a Cross Pomattee of white Cloath or Taffety The Duke was Master of this Order which he kept nine years and then was chosen Pope which he also kept nine years and then resigning returned unto his former Life The Knights of St. Maurice and St. Lazarus Were erected by Emanuel Phillibert Duke of Savoy Anno 1572. and were confirmed by Pope Gregory the 13th the Dukes are the grand Masters They are obliged to set out two Galleys for the papal Service against the Turks Their Habit is a Gown of Crimson Tabby with a long Train and wide Slieves it is edged about with white Taffety a Cordon with a Tassel of white and green fixed to the Collar Their Ensign is a green Cross of St. Lazarus charged with a white Cross of St. Maurice tyed to a Gold Chain or Ribbon Of the Knights of the Bear in Switzerland Frederick the 2d Emperour erected this Order Anno 1213. at the Abby of St. Gall on the 16th of October where the Abbat was made Patron of this Order Those that were to be invested were girded with a military Belt the Sword being first consecrated at the Altar and adorned with a Collar of the Order and a Chain of Gold which was given them by the Founder to which Chain hung the Figure of a Bear in Gold on an Hillock enamelled with black which Title is taken from St. Vrsus of the Thebane Legion who was Martyred before the Temple of the Sun at Solevrre in Switzerland Knights of the Tutonick Order of Prusia Were first instituted by a wealthy Gentleman of Germany who dwelt at Jerusalem after the Christians had taken it where he kept great Hospitality amongst those that frequented his House and Hospital there were some that agreed to erect a Fraternity and having chosen a great Master about Anno 1190. they imitated the Knights Templers in their military Employments and the Knights Hospitallers in their Works of Piety and Charity and were afterwards confirmed by Pope Celestine the 3d. They were very valiant and subdued many of the Infidels having their Conquest for their Reward In Anno 1340. they began to build Castles and Churches their Riches being so great that they might compare with divers Princes for Men and Money but in 1525. Albertus being great Master left them and though they at last chose another great Master yet they never rose to the height and esteem they were formerly in but have now advanced their Order much since the late War with the Turk and their great Master grows daily in greater esteem Their Habit is a white Mantle and on the Breast a black Cross charged
of the Sword and Military Belt in Sweeden whose Collar was composed of Sword and Belt many there are also in India and in divers other places which because of their uncertainty are omitted CHAP. XVII Of Esquires KNighthood is a Dignity but Esquire is a name of Worship and in old time every Knight had two Esquires to attend him who bore his Armour and kept allways close to him They held certain Lands of him in Escuage as the Knight did of the King by Knight's Service but now Esquires are divided into five Ranks The first and principal are the eldest Sons of Viscounts and Lords The Second all other Noble-men's younger Sons with the eldest Sons of Baronets and Knights The Third are those that are Select Esquires of the King's Body The Fourth those to whom the King giveth the Title to or createth Esquires by putting a Silver Collar of S. S. about their Necks and in former times they had a pair of Silver Spurs put to their Heels thereby distinguishing them from Knights who had the guilt Spur and to the first born Sons of these only doth the Title descend they are now the Esquires that attend the Knights of the Bath The fifth and last be those that have any Superiour publick Office in the Kingdom as High Sheriff Justice of the Peace Collonels Lieutenant Collonels Majors c. or such as serve the King in any worshipfull Calling But such as are Esquires or Gentlemen by place only when they lose their Place they also lose their Title CHAP. XVIII Of Gentlemen THis Title is of such account as is aforesaid that it is a general Name even from the Sovereign to the meanest Person who either bears Coat-Armour or is imployed in some eminent Office in Church or State and many there be who having by Providence rose from a mean condition and obscure original to possess large Demeans have vain-gloriously usurped the Title of Gentleman to themselves and so imprudent I might have said impudent have some been that because their Sir-name have bordered upon the Sir-names of some Person of worth they have laid down their own paternal Names and assumed the Names of those Gentlemen so near to theirs and born their Coat-Armour and in time have pretended to be of the same Family Some derive the Name Gentleman as a Compound partly from the French word Gentile that is one born of honest Parents to which the Saxon Word Man is joyned and so make it Gentleman which may signifie a man well born and under that Name are all comprehended that are above Yeomen Merchants or Artificers the Ancient Saxons called them Edelmen or Noble Men. Which shews that Gentlemen take their beginning from something that they have done in War or Peace for which the King who is the Fountain of Honour doth think them worthy of such Honour which shall continue to their Posterity But sometimes it so happeneth that many Persons do claim the Title or Appellation of Gentleman either from the Places they hold or from some excellent Art or Science they profess as those that study the Laws of the Land or profess themselves Masters in the liberal Sciences And indeed if he can live without Manual labour and bear the Port and Charge of a Gentleman he shall not only be called so by others but think himself so indeed And any such that hath not a true Pretence to a Coat-Armour may have one assigned them by the Appointment of the Heralds whose Posterity may enjoy the Title of Gentile But to be more particular we shall find this Title to be ranked under nine Heads or Degrees 1. A Gentleman of Ancestry who is called a Gentleman of Bloud 2. A Gentleman of Bloud and not of Ancestry which is in the third Degree 3. A Gentleman of Coat-Armour and not of Bloud which is he that first beareth the King's Device given him by the Heralds If he have Issue to the third desscent such Issue is a Gentleman of Bloud but none under 4. A Gentleman of Armour not given him as when the King giveth a Lordship to a Yeoman and his Heirs for ever If the Family to whom the Lordship did belong be extinct the Person so admitted may bear the Coat-Armour of the said Lord being Approved of by the Heralds but if the Family be not extinct he cannot only he shall be accounted a Gentleman and may have a Coat appointed him by the Heralds 5. If a Christian Man in the Service of God and his Prince kills a Heathen Gentleman he shall bear his Coat-Armour except the said Heathen be a Knight Banneret and use the same Atchievement without any difference save only in the Word or Motto of the Infidel and his Issue in the fifth Degree shall be a Gentleman of Bloud but no Christian Man can bear another Christians Coat Yet if an English Man in the Field when the Banner royal is displayed do put to flight take Prisoner or by Fire or Force slay any Gentleman enemy to his Prince the English Man shall honour his own Coat in the sinister quarter with ded said Gentleman's Coat but in matters 〈◊〉 Combate the Victor may not challenge his Enemy's Coat though the Vanquished may lose his So by the Courtesie of England if a Man marry a Gentlewoman he may bear her Coat but his Children may not unless she be an Heiress and some doubt that also 6. If the King make a Yeoman a Knight he is called a Gentleman of Bloud 7. A Yeoman's Son advanced to Spiritual dignity is a Gentleman but not of Bloud unless he arrive to be a Doctor of the Law and then he shall be accounted a Gentleman of Bloud 8. The eight is called a Gentleman Untryall that is one who being brought up in some Abby or like Place and related to the Abbat c. doth in time obtain preferment in the same Abby c. 9. The last is a Gentleman Apocryphate such as being a Footman in the service of his Prince is at last advanced to be a Steward or Clerk of the Kitchin c. though he hath no Badg of his own under this Head are comprised all those that have any publick Office as above which take in these three Classes 1. Gentlemen by Ecclesiastical Preferment are 1 Vicars General 2 Guardians 3 Deans of Cathedrals 4 Arch Deacons 5 Chancellours 6 Treasurers 7 Chaunters 8 Doctours of which Divinity is first Law next Physick last 9 Provosts 10 Governours of Colleges 2. In Military Professions these are called Gentlemen 1 High Constables 2 Lieutenant Generals 3 Marshals of the Field 4 Admirals 5 Major Generals 6 Quarter Master General 7 Treasurer for the Army 8 Guardians of Frontiers 9 Grand Esquires 10 Masters of the Artillary 11 Collonels 12 Lieutenant Collonels 13 Serjeant Majors 14 Captains and all that receive Commissions from the King. 3. In the Civil State these are Gentlemen by their Places 1 The Chancellour 2 Presidents 3 Treasurers 4 Judges 5 Justices 6 Chief Officers
account Sometimes England hath had the precedency and the Archbishop of Canterbury had place at the Pope's right Foot Mr. Howel in his Discourse concerning Ambassadours gives divers Reasons for the Precedency of England That it was the first Land that was governed by a Christian King That it hath wholly subdued France and the Kings of England have been crowned in Paris That it hath the best Havens in Christendom c. 2. The Precedency of the several Degrees in England are as follows 1 The King 's most Excellent Majesty 2 The Prince when there is One. 3 The Dukes of the Royal Bloud who are 1 Sons 2 Grand-Sons 3 Brothers 4 Unckles 5 Nephews Then the great Officers of the Church and Crown as 4 The Archibishop of Canterbury 5 Lord Chancellour or Lord Keeper of the Great Seal 6 Archbishop of York 7 Lord Treasurer 8 Lord President of the Council 9 Lord Privy Seal Then the rest of the Nobility as 10 Dukes 11 Dukes eldest Sons of the Royal Bloud 12 Marquesses 13 Dukes eldest Sons 14 Earls 15 Marquesses eldest Sons 16 Dukes younger Sons of the Bloud 17 Dukes younger Sons Royal. 18 Viscounts 19 Earls eldest Sons 20 Marquesses younger Sons 21 Bishops which take place according to the Seniority of their Consecration except 1 London 2 Durham 3 Winchester 22 Barons 23 Viscounts eldest Sons 24 Earls younger Sons 25 Barons eldest Sons 26 Lords of the Privy Council 27 Judges and they 1 Of the King's Bench. 2 Of the Common Pleas. 3 Barons of the Exchequer 28 Masters of Chancery 29 Knights of the Garter if no otherways dignified which is very rare 30 Viscounts younger Sons 31 Barons younger Sons 32 Knights Bannerets 33 Baronets 34 Knights of the Bath 35 Knights Bachelours 36 Colonels first Horse then Foot. 37 Serjeants at Law. 38 Doctors 1 Divinity 2 Law 3 Physick 39 Esquires according to their Degree 1 Esquires of the King's Body 2 The Descendents by the Male Line from some Peer of the Realm 3 Eldest Sons of Baronets 4 Eldest Sons of Knights 5 Esquires attending on the Knights of the Bath 6 Officiary Esquires as 40 Justices of the Peace 41 Barristers at Law. 42 Lieutenant Collonels 43 Majors 44 Captains 45 Gentlemen 46 Yeomen 47 Artificers 48 Merchants 49 Retailers 50 Chapmen 51 Mariners 52 Fishermen 53 Water-men or Ferry-men 54 Masons and Builders 55 Labourers 56 Bondmen Note generally 1. That these great Officers of Court of what Title or Degree soever besides that of their Place or Office do take place of all others of the same Degree or Title except Secretary of State that is if they be Dukes they take place of all Dukes if Earls of all Earls that is 1. Lord Chamberlain of England 2. Lord High Constable 3. Lord Marshal 4. Lord High Steward 5. Lord Chamberlain of His Majesties Houshold 6. Secretaries of State if Peers Note 2. These Officers take place as followeth 1. Master of the Wards 2. Chancellour 3. Under-Chancellour of the Exchequer 4. Chancellour of the Duchy 5. Chief Justice of the King's-Bench 6. Master of the Rolls 7. Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. 8. Chief Baron of the Exchequer 9. Judges 10. Barons of the Coif Note 3. That Deans precede Chancellours and they precede Prebendaries and Prebendaries precede Doctours Note 4. All Artificers of London take place according to the Precedency of the Corporation of which they are free and not by their Trade or Profession The incorporated Merchants take place next after the first 12 Companies as some account then the rest according to the number they bear 13 14 and so on CHAP. XXII The Procession at a Coronation THE most magnificent Procession that I meet with was that at the Coronation of King Charles II. of happy Memory which take as follows From the Tower to Westminster 1. The Duke of York's Horse-Guards 2. The Messengers of the Chamber 3. Esquires to the Knights of the Bath 4. Knights Harbingers 5. Serjeant Portar 6. Sewers of the Chamber 7. Gentlemen Ushers 8. Quarter Waiters 9. The six Clerks in Chancery 10. Clerks of the Signet 11. Clerks of the Privy Seal 12. Clerks of the Council 13. Clerks of the Parliament 14. Clerks of the Crown 15. Chaplains having Dignities 16. The King's Advocate 17. The King's Remembrancer 18. Masters of the Chancery 19. King 's Learned Counsel at Law. 20. King's Puisne Serjeants 21. King's Attorney 22. King's Sollicitour 23. King's eldest Serjeants 24. Secretaries of the French Latine 25. Gentlemen Ushers 26. Daily Waiters 27. Sewers in Ordinary 28. Carvers in Ordinary 29. Cup Bearers in Ordinary 30. Esquires of the Body 31. Masters of Standing Offices as 1. Of the Tents 2. Of the Revels 3. Of the Ceremonies 4. Of the Armory 5. Of the Wardrobe 6. Of the Ordinance 32. Master of the Requests 33. Chamberlains of the Exchequer 34. Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber 35. Knights of the Bath 36. Knight Marshal 37. Treasurer of the Chamber 38. Master of the Jewel-house 39. Barons younger Sons 40. Viscounts younger Sons 41. Barons of the Exchequer 42. Justices of the Common Pleas. 43. Justices of the King 's Bench. 44. Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer 45. Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. 46. Master of the Rolls 47. Lord Chief Justice of the King 's Bench. 48. Knights of the Privy Council 49. Principal Secretary 50. Barons eldest Sons 51. Earls younger Sons 52. Viscounts eldest Sons Kettle-Drums King's Trumpeter 2 Pursivants at Arms. 53. Barons 54. Maquesses younger Sons 55. Earls eldest Sons Two Pursuvants at Arms. 56. Viscounts 57. Dukes younger Sons 58. Marquesses eldest Sons Two Heralds in their Coats and Collars of SS 59. Earls and the Earl Marshal 60. Lord Chamberlain of the Houshold 61. Dukes eldest Sons Two Heralds 62. Marquesses Two Heralds 63. Dukes Clarenceux Norroy Kings at Arms. 64. Lord Treasurer 65. Lord Chancellour 66. Lord High Steward Duke of Normandy and Duke of Aquitain represented by two Persons 67. Gentleman Usher Garter King at Arms. 68. Lord Mayor of London 69. Duke of York 70. Lord Great Chamberlain 71. Lord Marshal with the Sword. 72. Lord High Steward On each side of these Serjeants at Arms. The KING 73. Gentlemen Pensioners Esquires Footmen 74. Master of the Horse leading a spare Horse 75. Vicechamberlain 76. Captain of the Pensioners 77. Captain of the Guards 78. Lieutenant of the Pensioners 79. King's Horse guards 80. The General 's Horse-guards CHAP. XXIII The Proceeding on the Coronation-day FOur Drums Sixteen Trumpets 1 Clerks of the Chancery 2 King's Chaplains having Dignities 3 Aldermen of London 4 King's Counsel learned in the Laws 5 King's Sollicitour 6 King's Attorney 7 King 's eldest Serjeant at Law. 8 Esquires of the Body 9 Master of Requests 10 Gentlemen of the Privy Council 11 Knights of the Bath 12 Barons of the Exchequer 13 Justices of the Common Pleas. 14 Justices of the King 's Bench. 15 Lord Chief Baron 16 Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas. 17 Master of the
and Cupbearer with the rest of the Gentlemen Waiters the Ushers making way for the Strangers who come to behold his Majesty 2. At the first Table on the right hand are placed the Lords Chancellour Chamberlain Steward Treasurer c. 3. At the lower Table on the right hand are set the Masters of standing Offices Master of the Houshold Clerks of the Green Cloth c. 4. At the upper Table on the left hand sit the Treasurer of the Houshold the Secretaries the King's Serjeants at Law Master of the Revels Dean of the Chapel c. 5. Below them at the other Table sits the Lieutenant of the Tower with the great Commanders Captains c. 6. At the lower end of the Hall wait the Buttler Keeper of the Pantry Clerks of the Kitchen c. with all thing ready and the King's Guards there are three Courses at each of which the Trumpets sound CHAP. XXVII Of Funerals AS Nobles and Gentlemen have in their Life time Honours shewed them as their due so after Death they have peculiar marks of Honour belonging to them which are not to be given to those of low or ordinary Rank And therefore especial care is to be taken that no indignity be offered to a Mourner and that the Herald marshal them according to their Titles and Worth at the Funerals of any Nobleman And where there is an Officer at Arms employed he ought to wear the King's Coat that so the Defunct may be known to have dyed Honourable in the King's Allegiance His Heir who is chief Mourner is in the Presence of all the other Mourners to receive the Coat-Armour Helm and Crest belonging to the Defunct whereof the King at Arms for that Province is to make Record with the Defunct's Match Issue and Decease If the Defunct be of the Order of the Garter and no more he is to bear his Garter instead of Compartments But if he be also a Nobleman he must bear his proper Ensigns as all Noblemen do besides that is Supporters Coronet Sword Target Gantlet Helmet Crest and Spurs All Persons have a certain length for their Banners which the Heralds are to instruct them in and the higher Degree the Person is the longer may his Banner be as an Earl's Banner may be two yards long c. and also according to their Degrees are they to pay certain Fees which are appointed by the Earl Marshal in his Orders which are as followeth All Noblemen Baronets Knights Esquires and Gentlemen of eminent Place Birth and Quality that shall be either silently buried in the Night or by Day without attendence of an Officer at Arms shall nevertheless immediately after the Death and Burial of such Defunct return a true Certificate of the Matches Issues and times of their Decease with their Arms unto the Heralds Office or to their Deputy or Messenger for which they are to pay unto such Office or Officer at Arms the Fees under-writ   l. s. d. For a Gentleman using his Escoucheons 03 6 8 Using none 02 0 0 An Esquire of Coat-Armour 06 13 4 A Knight 10 0 0 A Banneret and Baronet 13 6 8 A Baron or Baroness that ought to have Banner and Bannerols 20 0 0 A Bishop 25 0 0 A Viscount and Viscountess 30 0 0 An Earl or Countess 35 0 0 A Marquess or Marchioness 40 0 0 A Duke Dutchess and Archbishop 45 0 0 All which Summs are to be paid to the Officers at Arms unless it appeareth that the Defunct was not worth a thousand Pound and in such case to be entered without Fees. CHAP. XXVIII The Proceeding of the Funeral of a Gentleman Esquire Knight or Baronet POor Children as of the Hospital c. Two Conductors The poor Men in Gowns Gentlemens Servants in Cloaks Gentlemen in Cloaks Gentlemen in Gowns Aldermen in Black if in a Corporation The Preacher A Penion of his Arms. The Helm and Crest The Coat of Arms. The Hearse The Chief Mourner Two Assistents Aldermen not in Black. The Master of his Company if he be free of any in London c. Master of the Hospital Gentlemen not in Black. Lastly Neighbours and others CHAP. XXIX The Precedency of a Noblemans Funeral from a Duke to a Baronet TWo Conductors with black Staves Servants in Cloaks two and two The great Banner according to the Degree of the Defunct which is born by Gentlemen appointed by the Herald Gentlemen in Cloaks two and two Two Banners born by Persons appointed by the Herald Gentlemen two and two in Cloaks The Steward Comptroller and the other Chief Officers Heralds Ministers His Sword and Spurs Helmet and Crest Gantlet and Supporters all born by a Person appointed by the Heralds Gentlemen bare headed with his Sheild The Chariot with four Banners c. born about it by Gentlemen of the Kindred Foot-men bare headed Chief Mourners supported Mourners next of Kindred two and two The Neighbours c. Thus have I run through the several Degrees of Noble or Ignoble Persons according to the best account I can find and have given you the choicest Precedents of Precedency that I can procure I shall only add a few Observations in Heraldry which may serve to give some little light to the Reader in that delightfull though by some contemned Art. CHAP. XXX Of Heralds and their Duty THe Word Herald is derived from the Saxon Word Here-haulte and by abbreviation Herault or Herald which signifies the Champian of an Army and growing to be a Name of Office it was given to him that in an Army had the charge of Challenging to Battel or Combat Their Office is very ancient and of great esteem amongst the Romans and other Nations and amongst us they have been esteemed as Ambassadours and sometimes have been made so However they are the Messengers of Kings and great Monarchs and though they have less esteem now than in former times yet their Employment hath been honoured with Messages between Potentates in matters of Honour and Arms They are to be Officious and Expert in Coronations Instalments of Noblemen in Triumphs Justs Combats Marriages Christenings and Interments They are to attend all great Matters of State and Honour and by them ought Proclamations to be made concerning great Matters of State The Causes of Chivalry and Gentility are referred to their Care as the right of bearing Arms Escoucheons Shields Targets Banners c. Correcting of Arms in Visitations and to observe the Descents and Pedegrees of Noblemen and Gentlemen They are the Prothonotaries and Registerers of all the Acts and Proceedings in the Court of the High Constable and Lord Marshal They have been long established in England but as some think not incorporated untill Richard the 3d. who incorporated them by Charter and placed them at Coleharbour in Thames-street London from whence they were removed to the place they now enjoy which was confirmed to them by Philip and Mary and incorporated by the Names of Garter King at Arms of all England Clarenceaux King at