so haue I long desired to do and no time more fit then now when the Constable and his company may be iudge Yet such is my hap as I haue no Armor at hand For supply of that want quoth Boucmelius I will take order that two Armors shal be brought vnto vs and of them the choise shal be yours with euery other thing fit for our purpose This agreement made they imparted the same vnto the Constable and obtained his license yet with condition that they should attend vpon him the next day at which time hee would with other noble men see what should be the euent of that Action About the houre appointed these Champions did appeare and at the first course Clifford with his Launce pearced through the Armor and body of Boucmelius of which hurt he presently died This accident much grieued the French and Clifford himselfe was not a little sory which the Constable perceiuing said vnto Clifford Be not dismayed for this is the fruite of like aduentures and if my selfe had beene in thy place I should haue done the same for better euer it is to doe then suffer at the hand of an enemy The Constable hauing ended his speech conuited Clifford with his company to dinner and then caused them to be conducted to the next towne in safety CHAP. 36. ¶ An other Challenge of a French Gentleman in Spaine IN the Army of the King of Castile there was a French Gentleman young of yeeres and in Armes of great reputation men called him Tristram de Roy. He seeing the warres ended betweene the Kings of Castile and Portugal determined to returne home Yet desirous by some means to gaine honor before his arriuall in France procured an Herauld to goe vnto the English Army and proclaime That if any Gentleman there would breake three Launces he would challenge him This challenge being heard in the English campe a braue young Gentleman named Miles Windesor accepted thereof hoping by that occasion to merit the honour of Knighthood The next day according to appointment he appeared in the field accompanied with Mathew Gorney William Beuchamp Tho Simons the L. Shandos the L. Newcastle the L. Bardolf and many others The French Challenger appeared likewise honourably graced with friends and thus both parties in readinesse to runne the Lord Souldichius bestowed the dignitie of Knighthood vpon the said Windsor Which done the one charged the other and the two first courses were perfourmed with great courage yet without any hurt But in the third course the armour both of the one and the other was pearced through yet by breach of the launces both of them escaped more harme CHAP. 37. One other notable Challenge in France Anno 1390. IN the reigne of King Charles the sixth three noble young men of great hope and much affecting the warre liued in that Court viz. Mounsier de Bouciquant the younger Mounsier Reynaut de Roye and Mounsier de S. Pye all Gentlemen of that Kings chamber In the same time also there was in England a Knight for valour and militarie vertue of great fame men called him Sir Peter Courtney He hauing obtained license passed the sea and trauelled to Paris After a few daies rest in that citie he challenged Mounsieur Trimoulie a noble Gentleman in great reputation who accepting the defie obtained license to answere appointing a day and place The time being come the King accompanied with the Duke of Burgundy and many other great Estates went to behold that conflict The first course was performed exceeding well and ether partie brake his launce with commendation But the second launce being deliuered into their hands the King inhibited more should be done seeming somewhat offended with the English Knight who had made sute that he might be suffered to doe his vttermost This Action by the Kings commaundement was stayed and Sir Peter Courtney therewith grieued thought good to abandon that Countrey and so desired he might doe The King well pleased he should depart sent vnto him an honourable gift and the Duke of Burgundie did the like The King also commaunded Mounsiuer de Clary a greaâ— Lord to accompany him to Callis By the way they visited the Earle of S. Paul who married King Richards sister of England The Earle in most courteous manner welcommed Sir Peter and the rather for that his Ladie had formerly bene married to the Lord Courtney his kinsman who died young This Sir Peter Courtney being well entertained the Earle and hee with their company supped together in which time as the custome is they communed of many matters Among which the Earle asked of Sir Peter how he liked the Realme of France and what conceit he had of the Nobilitie Whereunto Sir Peter with a sowre countenance answered That hee found in France nothing to be compared with the magnificence of England though for friendly entertainment hee had no cause to complaine yet saide Sir Peter I am not well satisfied in that matter which was the chiefe cause of my comming into France For I protest in the presence of all this Honourable company that if Monsieur de Clary beeing a Noble Gentleman of France had come into England and challenged any of our Nation he should haue beene fully answered but other measure hath ben offered to me in France for when Monsieur de Tremoulie and I had engaged our honour after one Lance broken the king commanded me to stay I haue therefore sayde and wheresoeuer I shall become will say that in France I was denyed reason and leaue to doe my vttermost These words much moued Mounsieur de Clary yet for the present hee suppressed his anger hauing charge to conduct Sir Peter safely vnto Calis Notwithstanding this heate quoth the Earle let mee tell you Sir Peter that in mine opinion you depart from France with much honour because the King vouchsafed to entreate you that the fight might stay whom to obey is a certaine signe of wisedome and praise worthy I pray you therefore Sir Knight haue patience and let vs proceede in our iourney Thus Sir Peter hauing taken leaue of the Earle passed forth towards Calice accompanied with Mounsieur de Clary who so soone as they were entred into the confines of the English Dominion Sir Peter most heartily thanked him for his company and courtesie But Clary hauing made an impression of such sowre speeches as Sir Peter had vttered in the Earles house said thus Hauing now fully performed the Kings commandement conducting you safe to your friendes I must before wee part put you in minde of your inconsiderate words in contempt of the Nobility of France And to the end you being arriued in England shall haue no cause or colour to boast that you were not answered in France Loe here I my selfe though inferiour to many others am this day or to morow ready to encounter â—ou not for malice to your person or gloriously to boast of my valour but for conseruation of the fame and honor
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
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
prize He that his Sword falleth out of his hand shall winne no prize He that striketh his hand in fight on the Barriers shall win no prize Whosoeuer shall fight and not shewe his Sword to the Iudges before shall winne no prize The Prizes giuen The Prize of the fairest and most gallant entry THe Marquesse de Valle came into the field very well appointed in armour and apparell The Kings Maiestie better then he Don Fredericke de Toledo best of all to whome the Queenes Maiestie awarded the prize of the Brooch The Prize for the Pike THe Duke of Medina Caeli performed valorously Don Pedro de la Zerda bettered him Don Diego Ortado di Mendoça did best of all to whome was giuen by the Queenes Maiestie a Ring of gold with a Rubie The Prize for the Sword SIr George Howard fought very well Don Adrian Garçias performed better Sir Iohn Parrat best of all to whome the Queenes Maiesty gaue a Ring of gold with a Diamond The Prize at the Pike in ranke THomas Percy acquited valiantly Carlo di Sanguine with greater fortune Ruygomez best of all to whome the Queene gaue a Ring of gold The Prize of all together in ranke at the foyle LOrd William Howard L. Admiral with high commendation Marquesse di Toro Mayore exceeded him the Kings Maiesty exceeded all to whome the Queene gaue in highest honour a Ring of golde with a rich Diamond In all which and other the like triumphant Gests perfourmed by the English and Spanish Nobilitie it was euer held honorable and prizeworthy to appeare within Listes most gallant and fairest armed and yet with least superstuous cost of golde siluer embrodery or curiositie of workemanship CHAP. 53. Of the like Actions in Armes since the reigne of Queene Elizabeth ONe solemne Iust Tournament and fight at the Barrier was holden at Westminster wherein the Duke of Norffolke the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Warwick the Earle of Leicester the Lord Scroope the Lord Darcie and the Lord Hunsdon were Challengers with great honour answered all commers The Defenders names are not extant 1558. A royall Challenge was also there proclaimed before her Maiestie wherein were Challengers the Earle of Oxenford Charles Howard nowe Lord Admirall Sir Henrie Lea and Sir Christopher Hatton now Knights of the Garter the one Master of her Maiesties Armorie the other at his death Lord Chancellor The Defenders were THe Lord Stafford the Lord Henrie Seamor Edward Harbert Sir George Carie Thomas Cecil Henry Gray William Howard Sir Ierome Bowes Henrie Knowles Henry Kneuet William Norris Richard Bulkley Thomas Kneuet Willliam Knowles Rafe Lane George Delues Robert Colsel Launcelot Bostock Brian Ansley Henrie Mackwilliam Thomas Bedding field Thomas Moore William Worthing toÌ„ Richard Blunt Thomas Connesby Robert Alexander Roger Clopton This Triumph continued three dayes the first at Tilt the second at Turney and the third at the Barrier On euery of the Challengers her Maiestie bestowed a prize for the recieuing whereof they were particularly led armed by two Ladies vnto her presence Chamber The prize at the Tilton the Defenders party was giuen vnto Henry Gray at the Tourney to the Lord Henry Seamor at the Barriers to Thomas Cecil Before them went Clarencieux King of Armes in his Rich coate of Armes This magnificent triumph was performed Anno 1571. An honourable Challenge was likewise brought before her Maiestie by the Earle of Arundell calling himselfe Callophisus who with his assistant Sir William Drurie challenged all commers Anno 1580. The Defenders were THe Earle of Oxford the Lord Windsor Phillip Sidney Edward Norris Henrie Knowles Robert Knowles Fulk Griuell Thomas Kneuet Thomas Kellaway Rafe Bowes George Goring George Gifford Anthonie Cooke Henrie Bronkard Edward Denny Richard Ward Thomas Parrot The prize was giuen to the Earle of Oxford To these actions of Armes we may adde a notable Tourneament on horsebacke solemnized within her Maiesties pallace at Westminster which became the more rare and memorable because it was performed in the night The manner whereof in briefe was thus It pleased her Maiestie according to her Princely custome in the intertainement of noble strangers to conuite vnto supper the Duke Memorancie chiefe Marshall of France at that time come thither to receiue the honourable order of the Garder This magnificent supper ended it pleased her Highnesse the weather being warme to walke out of her chamber into the open Tarrace whither also awayting on her went the sayd Duke and all others of the French Nobilitie with the Ambassadours Lords and Ladies of the Court. At her Maiesties comming to the North side of the Tarrace there were prepared and set rich chaires cushions and carpets In which place it pleased her to stay entertayning most gratiously the said Duke and other Noble strangers Next vnto them were placed the Ladies Lords Counsellers and other persons of reputation according to their degrees and conuenience of the roome So as the said Tarrace was on all sides beset with Lord Ladies and persons of qualitie sumptuously apparelled and richly furnished and among them both aboue and vnder stood many of the Guard in their rich coates holding an infinite number of Torches and so in the preaching place by which meane those that beheld the Tarrace in this sort furnished deemed it rather a Theater celestiall then a pallace of earthly building The place with this Royall presence replenished suddainly entred Walter Earle of Essex and with him twelue Gentlemen armed at all peeces and well mounted The Earle and his horse was furnished with white cloth of siluer and the rest in white sattin who after reuerence done to her Maiesty marched to the East side of the Court and there in troope stood firme Forthwith entred Edward Earle of Rutland with a like number in like sort armed and apparelled all in blew and hauing presented his reuerence stayed on the West end Before either of these bands one Chariot was drawen and therein a faire Damsell conducted by an armed Knight who pronounced certaine speeches in the French tongue vnto her Maiestie These Ceremonies passed The Queene commanded the armed men to fall vnto fight which was performed with great courage and commendation chiefly in the Earle of Essex a noble personage valorous in armes and all other wayes of great vertue Truely this Action was marueilously magnificent and appeared a sight exceeding glorious to those that were below looking vpward to the Tarrace where her Maiestie the Lords and Ladies stood so pompously apparelled iewelled and furnished as hardly can be seene the like in any Christian Court as my selfe saw and other the Actors at occasions staying from fight with great admiration did behold and thinke Of the Actors names in this Triumph it seemeth no note is kept yet are many of them liuing Not inferiour but farre exceeding in princely pompe and qualitie of Actors was that Royall combat and fight on foote before her Maiestie the first of Ianuarie Anno 1â—81 where Mounsieur brother vnto the French
King the Prince of D' Aufine the Earle of Sussex the Earle of Leicester the Count S. Aignon Mounsieur Chamuallon and Mounsieur Bacqueuile were Challengers The Defenders were THe Lord Thomas Howard Sir William Russell Mounsieur Brunis Mounsieur S. Vincent Sir Thomas Cecill Henry Gray Iohn Borough Lord Windsor Walter Windsor Le Boylere Le Cheualaier Ambrose Willoughbie Sir William Drury Thomas Radcliffe Lord Sheffeeld Robert Gray Rafe Lane George Carew Fulke Greuill William Knowles Francis Knowles Thomas Bedingfeild Thomas Kneuet Lord Darcy Anthonie Mildmay Rafe Stauerton Launcelot Bostock George Beeston William Worthington Thomas Kellaway Sir George Carey Rafe Bowes Henry Windsor Iohn Wotton George Goring Edward Moore George Gifford Thomas Borough Anthony Cooke Hercules Meutas Richard Skipwith Henrie Bronkard Iohn Parker Francis Darcy Iohn Tirrell They are not here placed according to their degrees but as they were called to fight and with such titles as they then had After these particular Triumphes we may not forget the ordinary exercises of Armes yeerely vsed in memory of the applause of her Maiesties Subiects at the day of her most happy ascension to the crowne of England In which Actions diuers chiefe Lords and Gentlemen of the Realme and some strangers also appeared though indeede the greatest number and in effect all were ordinary attendants vpon her Maiesties Court. CHAP. 54. The Originall occasions of the yeerely Triumphs in England HEre will we remember also and I hope without enuie so may that these annuall exercises in Armes solemnized the 17. day of Nouember were first begun and occasionaed by the right vertuous and honourable Sir Henry Lea Master of her Highnesse Armorie and now deseruingly Knight of the most noble Order who of his great zeale and earnest desire to eternize the glory of her Maiesties Court in the beginning of her happy reigne voluntarily vowed vnlesse infirmity age or other accident did impeach him during his life to present himselfe at the Tilt armed the day aforesayd yeerely there to performe in honor of her sacred Maiestie the promise he formerly made Whereupon the Lords and Gentlemen of the sayd Court incited by so worthy an example determined to continue that custome and not vnlike to the ancient Knighthood della Banda in Spaine haue euer since yerely assembled in Armes accordingly though true it is that the Author of that custome being now by age ouertaken in the 33. yeere of her Maiesties reigne resigned and recommended that office vnto the right noble George Earle of Cumberland The ceremonies of which assignation were publiquely performed in presence of her Maiestie her Ladies and Nobilitie also an infinite number of people beholding the same as followeth On the 17. day of Nouember Anno 1590. this honourable Gentleman together with the Earle of Cumberland hauing first performed their seruice in Armes presented themselues vnto her Highnesse at the foot of the staires vnder her Gallery window in the Tilt yard at Westminster where at that time her Maiestie did sit accompanied with the Vicount Turyn Ambassador of France many Ladies and the chiefest Nobilitie Her Maiesty beholding these armed Knights comming toward her did suddenly heare a musicke so sweete and secret as euery one thereat greatly marueiled And hearkening to that excellent melodie the earth as it were opening there appeared a Pauilion made of white Taffata containing eight score elles being in proportion like vnto the sacred Temple of the Virgins Vestall This Temple seemed to consist vpon pillars of Pourferry arched like vnto a Church within it were many Lampes burning Also on the one side there stood an Altar couered with cloth of gold and thereupon two waxe candles burning in rich candlesticks vpon the Altar also were layd certaine Princely presents which after by three Virgins were presented vnto her Maiestie Before the doore of this Temple stood a crowned Pillar embraced by an Eglantine tree whereon there hanged a Table and therein written with letters of gold this prayer following Elizae c. PIae Potenti Foelicissimae virgini Fidei Pacis Nobilitatis vindici Cui Deus Astra Virtus Summa deuouerunt omnia Post tot Annos tot Triumphos Animam ad pedes positurus Tuos Sacra Senex affixit Arma. Vitam quetam Imperium famam Aeternam aeternam precatur tibi Sanguine redempturus suo Vltra columnas Herculis Columna moueatur Tua Corona superet Coronas omnes vt quam coelum foelicissime nascenti Coronam dedit Beatissima moriens reportes coelo Summe Sancte Aeterne Audi exaudi Deus The musicke aforesayd was accompanied with these verses pronounced and sungs by M. Hales her Maiesties seruant a Gentleman in that Arte excellent and for his voice both commendable and admirable My golden locks time hath to siluer turnd Oh time too swift and swiftnes neuer ceasing My youth gainst age and age at youth hath spurnd But spurnd in vaine youth waineth by encreasing Beauty strength and youth flowers fading beene Duety faith and loue are rootes and euer greene My Helmet now shall make an hiue for Bees And louers songs shall turne to holy Psalmes A man at Armes must now sit on his knees And feed on pray'rs that are old ages almes And so from Court to Cottage I depart My Saint is sure of mine vnspotted hart And when I sadly sit in homely Cell I 'le teach my Swaines this Carrol for a song Blest be the hearts that thinke my Souereigne well Curs'd be the soules that thinke to doe her wrong Goddesse vouch safe this aged man his right To be your Beadsman now that was your Knight The gifts which the Vestall maydens presented vnto her Maiesty were these A vaile of white exceeding rich and curiously wrought a cloke and safegard set with buttons of gold and on them were grauen Emprezes of excellent deuise in the loope of euery button was a noble mans badge fixed to a pillar richly embrodered And here by way of digression let vs remember a speech which this noble Gentleman vsed at such time as these buttons were set vpon the garment aforesaid I would quoth he that all my friends might haue bene remembred in these buttons but there is not roome enough to containe them all and if I haue them not all then said hee those that are left out may take exception Whereunto another standing by answered Sir let as many be placed as can be and cause the last button to be made like the Caracter of c. Now Godamercie with all my heart quoth the Knight for I would not haue giuen the Caetera of my friends for a milion of gold But to returne to the purpose These presents and prayer being with great reuerence deliuered into her Maiesties owne hands and he himselfe disarmed offered vp his armour at the foot of her Maiesties crowned pillar and kneeling vpon his knees presented the Earle of Cumberland humbly beseeching she would be pleased to accept him for her Knight to continue the yeerely exercises aforesaid Her Maiesty
priuiledges appertaining to old souldiers for so was it decreed by Tiberius the Emperour and Caligula as Tacitus sayth taking view of his bands dispensed with diuers Captaines before they had gray haires as one that respected rather their imbecilitie and strength decayed then the time they had serued beeing perswaded that age approching was a cause sufficient to merit honest libertie It was therefore thought fit that all souldiers that had well serued should bee left to their libertie Antoninus the Emperour commanded that such men should be dismissed with honour and extraordinarily rewarded Which fauour was granted not onely to men armed but also vnto all officers that followed the Generall and serued in place of reputation yet were they inhibited to keepe company with other men then such as made profession of Armes or to intermeddle in any affaires not appertaining vnto the warre vpon paine to forfeit ten pounds in gold These Emeriti were alwayes ancient seruitours and professours of Armes who continued in Court or Campe euer ready to perfourme the Emperours will and commandement Touching the time of their seruice it seemeth to rest chiefly in the Princes commandement and was sometimes more and sometimes lesse as hath bene formerly said yet in shorter space then ten yeeres no souldier was with grace dismissed as shall be more particularly said in the Chapter of Cassation CHAP. 10. ¶ Of crimes Militarie in generall FIrst it is to be knowen that some crimes be common and punishable in all men and some are proper to men of war onely of the first are forgeries adulterie publique and priuate violence sedition manslaughter burning of houses treason sacrilege other enormities for whosoeuer committeth any such offence whether he be a man of warre or not the punishment due is all one Crimes proper to souldiers are such only as are committed contrarie to discipline Militarie and excuseable in other men not being souldiers Now is it necessarie to vnderstand how crimes contrary to Militarie Iustice ought be punished We call that discipline Militarie whereby men are made obedient and instructed in all such qualities as are required in a souldier And for so much as the readiest way vnto vertue is first to restraine vice we must endeuour by discipline to hold men in obedience And notwithstanding al humane policie and lawes both diuine and humane some men there are so vile and malicious as without respect will commit all actes or iniuries that can be inuented yet good gouernours do forecast not onely what men doe but also what may be done which moued the Romanes to consider that some men did commit faultes beyond expectation in so much as there wanted not of those that haue slaine their owne fathers For which offence Solon in his lawes prouided no punishment and being asked why he did not inflict penaltie vpon those offendors answered he thought not that any man would haue bene so wocked We therefore thinke fit to prescribe punishments vnto all crimes for souldiers like vnto others be neither gods nor perfect creatures but men apt to erre and without restraint of law not to be gouerned Arrius Meander in his first booke Dere Militari saith Crimes properly Militarie are those which a man as a souldier doth commit And here a certaine difference betweene errour and crime is to be noted for we call that an error when any thing is done contrary to common discipline as to be slouthful disobedient and vnwilling but he is said to commit a crime when the fault is accompanied with intent to hurt for without that intent the acte may be imputed to destenie or chance and as a thing happened vnwares therefore Antoninus the Emperour did command Herculianus and other Captaines that if a souldier hauing stroken another man did prooue the act was without intent to kill that then he should not bee condemned of manslaughter as if a man be slaine when souldiers be trained or in exercise of armes then that act is not accounted criminall but casuall yet if such an act be done in any other place the doer thereof shall be reâ—uted guiltie But as the humors of men are diuers so are the crimes by them committed of diuers qualitie as hereafter shall be discoursed CHAP. 11. Of treason and Traytors ALbeit a custome most common it is that Traitors flying vnto the enemie are well entreated and greatly esteemed so long as their seruice is thought profitable yet afterwardes their condition being knowen that credit doth decay and consequently the fauour they finde becommeth euery day lesse then other The law calleth them Traytors that indeuour to betray their Prince or the libertie of their countrey they are also called Traytors that hauing a charge doe yeeld the same vp vnto the enemie of whom it is by law decreed they ought to be capitally punished or at the least discharged Likewise all Explorators or spies that bewray our secrets and enforme the enemie are accounted Traytors and worthy capitall punishment With these offendors the Aegyptians vsed to deale more mildly for in that case the offendors had their tongues cut out and so suffered to liue They were also accounted to haue committed a crime treasonable that furnished the enemie with weapon or munition whereby they might offend vs and we with more difficultie offend them The goods of such men ought be confiscate and their liues subiect vnto death The doctor Paulus iudged that who so did sell any armour vnto the enemie did thereby incurre the forfeiture of his life Edward the third king of England in a Parliament holden at Winchester caused Edmond Earle of Kent to be conuicted of Treason for perswading other Lords to rebell Yet true it is that Traitors are diuersly punished according to the qualitie of the crime the custome of the countrey and the discretion of the Prince Tullus Hostilius king of Rome caused Metius Suffetius guiltie of Treason to be beaten by the Littori and after torne in pieces with horses Antony de Leua defending Pauia discouered a souldier of his had informed the French that in that citie small store of powder remained he called him to be examined and the fault confessed the souldier was put to death and quartered Among the Athenians it was not lawfull to burie a Traitor which was the cause that the bones of Themistocles were secretly caried into his friendes house and there buried Bellesarius finding that a Citizen of Athens called Laurus had complotted treason commanded his bodie should be brought vnto a hill before the citie and there thrust thorow with a stake which maner of death is at this day vsed in Turkie Charles the Emperour making warre vpon Philip duke of Austria practized with certaine of the Captains to perswade Philip to leaue the fielde who hauing compassed so much as the Emperour required they demanded a reward of their treason which was foorthwith payed in counterfeit money and caried home But the Traytors perceiuing the money not to be good returned therewith desiring better
deserued the titles appertaining to armes and beare about them the scarres and tokens of true valour Adrianus the Emperour would not permit any man to bee a Tribune or take charge in the warre whose beard was not full growen or whose witte or yeres were vncapable of that office neither would he suffer a Captaine to take any thing from his souldier Among many other parts of commendation required in a soueraigne commander there is not any more to bee honoured then liberalitie and contrariwise auarice ought to be extreamely abhorted For hard it is to attend the affaires of warre and ouer much to affect money Great reason therefore had Nicomedes to thinke himselfe vsed with indignitie by the Bithynians when he hauing borne all the offices of warre and was wounded in many places of his body was then repulsed All which notwithstanding Antisthenes was preferred and made General when hee had neuer performed any action praise worthy or memorable nor had endeuoured more then to make himselfe mighty in mony yet is not that Captaine to be misliked that can with honour and good conscience purchase wealth for thereby he hath meane and power to supply the wants both of priuate souldiers and publique scarcitie The office of a souereigne Commander may be compared vnto the skill of him that gouerneth well a priuate house which is to command things fit to make men obedient to reward the good and punish the euill In which offices the one and the other of these commanders shall not faile to finde enemies and therefore may be called a warre Here may we also remember that the Mauritanes being confederate with Iustinianus the Emperour consented that no man should be their Generall but such a one as was a friend vnto the Romanes or had receiued the Ensignes from a commander of the Romane armie which were these A staffe of siluer gilded a cuppe of leather ornified with siluer and a white vesture of small price The Romanes called these officers Magistri militum or Praefecti when they were sent to gouerne an army against the enemy or to giue counsell in the warre or had in charge to dispose of the campe for so was it decreed by Honorius and Theodosius Sometimes also their lieutenants were called Praefecti hauing in charge the defence of a particular prouince against the enemie and were in authoritie equall to him that led the army called Dux and before the Proconsul To this dignity Cabades being restored vnto the kingdome of Persia preferred Selanem a man of great fame and reputation in the warre and therefore called him Seosen which is the title of that Magistrate who commandeth all sorts of souldiers as the Constable doeth in France and the High Marshall in England The office of the Tribunes in Rome was to hold the soldiers in order to see them trained to keepe the keyes of gates to suruey the watch to dispose of the vittaile to correct false measures to punish offenders according to the quality of their faults to behold often the order of the army to here the quarels in question betweene souldiers and to visit the sicke For in deed the office of euery commander consisteth in doing iustice and obseruation of discipline He is also to be spare in giuing licence vnto Souldiers or to permit any horses to passe out of his countrey neither should he suffer them to be employed in hunting hauking or such like exercises a matter specially inhibited by the discipline of Augustus A soueraigne Magistrate militarie ought also to remember that after his commission be expired he ought not to depart the place of his charge within the space of fiftie dayes for so doing without licence of his superior he incurreth an offence capital such was the instruction which Zeno the Emperor did giue vnto Sebastianus notwithstanding his authority was ceassed and a successor come to receiue charge of the Armie THE Second Booke OF KNIGHTHOOD ¶ The Contents of this Booke THE Prooeme Of Knighthood Cap. 1. The originall of Knighthood giuen as a dignitie and what Princes haue authority to make Knights Ca. 2. The maner of making Knights about the yeere of our Lord 500. neere which time King Arthur reigned in England Cap. 3. The order of disgrading Knights in those dayes Cap. 4. Knights of the Round table Cap. 5. Howe actions Aduenturous ought be admired not discredited Cap. 6. The office and duety of euery Knight gentleman Cap. 7. Of Honourable Ornaments giuen vnto Knights Cap. 8. Knights of the Garter Cap. 9. Knights Bannerets Cap. 10. Knights of the Bath Cap. 11. Knights Bachellers Cap. 12. Ceremonies of degrading of Knights in England Cap. 13. Knights of the Toison Cap. 14. Knights of S. Michael Cap. 15. Knights of the Annunciation Cap. 16. Knights of S t. Esprit Cap. 17. Knights Templers Cap. 18. Knights of S. Iago Cap. 19. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta Cap. 20. Knights of Calatraua Cap. 21. Knights of the Band. Cap. 22. Knights of Alcantara Cap. 23. Knights of Montesio Cap. 24. Knights of Redemption Cap. 25. The originall of the knights Teutonici Cap. 26. Knights of the Sepulchre Cap. 27. Knights of S. Mary Cap. 28. Knights of S. Lazaro Cap. 29. Knights of S. Steffano Cap. 30. The Prooeme FOrasmuch as the Actions of Armes chiefly on horsebacke are and euer haue been vsed of Noble personages and Gentlemen of best quailitie whom the Romanes in their flourishing time by a generall tearme called Equites and are presently of the Italians and Spaniards named Caualieri without respect of priuate dignitie or other distinction wee will for this time yet with respect and vnder correction aduenture to English the word Eques a Gentleman that professeth honour vertue and Armes or any of them particularly discoursing of what qualitie hee ought bee as followeth First he must be of good constitution and conuenient strength to endure trauell in Actions appertaining to Souldiers Secondly he should be well fauoured of face and comely for commonly God and Nature giueth beauty to such persons as are destined to command and from others borne to obey hee hath withholden that fauour which moued some writers to affirme that the princely presence of Priamus did shew him to be worthy of gouernement and to commaund other men Thirdly hee should be of bold aspect rather inclined to seuerity then softnesse which countenace the Swisses and Turkes do much affect Fourthly hee must be sober and discreete not inclined to vaine delights or effeminate pleasures Fiftly hee ought bee obedient for of obedience proceedeth that the meaner are content to bee commanded by the better and the ignorant by those that know This vertue was greatly imbraced of the Romanes and occasioned their often victories For the punishment of disobedience inflicted by military Magistrates the Romanes haue left two most notable examples the one of Manlius Torquatus who caused his owne sonne for that fault to be slaine notwithstanding he had
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
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
failing to vse his vttermost force of body and valour of minde That after the atteyning of any enterprise he should cause it to be recorded to th' end the fame of that fact might euer liue to his eternall honour and renowne of the Noble order That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of iniury or oppression then some knight of the Order whō the king should appoint ought reuenge the same That if any knight of forraine nation did come vnto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowesse that then were he single or accompanied these knights ought be ready in Armes to make answere That if any Lady Gentlewoman Widow Maiden or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring they were or had bene in this or other nation iniured or offered dishonour they should bee gratiousty heard and without delay one or more Knights should bee sent to make reuenge That euery Knight should bee willing to enforme yong Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of Arms therby not only to auoid idlenes but also to increase the honor of Knighthood and Chiualrie Diuers other Articles inciting to magnanimious Action of honour in Armes these Knights were sworne to obserue which for breuitie I omit Neuerthelesse being vsed to lose my labour I aduenture to say this little and the rather because this order of knighthood is ancient and English I doe not read of any robe or habit prescribed vnto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made Their place of meeting and conuocation was the city of Winchester where king Arthur caused a great round Table to be made and at the same the Knights at the feast of Pentecost did sit and eat The proportion thereof was such as no roome could be thought of more dignity then the rest Yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea perilous reserued for that Knight that did excell the rest in vertue That place by consent of all the Knights was allotted vnto King Arthur who for his valour surpassed other professors of Armes Of officers and ministers belonging vnto this Order I doe not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keepe records of all and euery action enterprised attempted or performed by any or all these Knights which records were read and sung publikely to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights were many or fewe I doe not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie or much prowesse For at a city called Carlion resorted vnto king Arthur at one time ten kings and thirteene Earles besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner title As the conquests of this King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that vnto his chiefe Seneschal or Steward called Kay hee gaue the prouince of Anjou on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandie and to his cousin Berell he granted the Dutchie of Burgundie and vnto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue and merit Some men haue surmised that the successe of king Arthurs prosperous proceeding in his enterprises was occasioned by counsell of one Merlin a man in that time reputed a Prophet King Arthur hauing all his youth found fortune his friend was notwithstanding at length deceiued by the treason of one Mordred his owne cousen to whome during his absence out of England he had committed the gouernment He was also at a city called Augusta encountred of the Romans and Saracens conducted by a Consul called Lucius neuerthelesse Arthur by his great valour slew Lucius and forced his Romanes to flee In that battell also were slaine fiue Saracen kings After this victorie Arthur returned into England and fought with Mordred In which conflict died Gawen a Noble Knight and cousen to king Arthur Also in landing Aquisel king of Scots was slaine But notwithstanding the losse of these valiant Knights king Arthur landed and Mordred fledde to London where the Citizens would not suffer him to enter the City Then he went into Cornewall where Arthur did slea him and he himselfe was mortally wounded So great a slaughter had neuer ben before that day seene After this conflict king Arthur was neuer found aliue or dead but as some Poets haue supposed was taken vp into the firmament and remaineth there a Starre among the nine Worthies which fancie is founded vpon the prophecie of old Merlyn who many yeeres before affirmed that Arthur after a certaine time should resuscitate and come vnto Carlion to restore the round Table There he wrote this Epitaph Hic iacet Arturus rex quondam rexque futurus CHAP. 6. ¶ How enterprises aduenturous ought be admired but not discredited TRue it is as hath bene formerly said that many enterprises in times past attempted and atchieued aboue the expectation of men are now thought rather fabulous then faithfully reported either because we that now liue did not know or see them or that ignorant men cannot conceiue howe they might be done or that want of courage doth disable them to take the like actions in hand Yet most certaine it is that diuers histories commonly reputed vaine fables were at the first begun vpon occasion of matter in effect true although some writers afterwards to shew the excellencie of their inuention or make their workes more vendible haue added many fancies and fictions which are not indeede worthy to bee beleeued And who so shall well consider how difficult a thing it is to write an history of so great trueth and perfection as cannot be controlled will easily excuse these writers that haue taken in hand matter so farre from our knowledge and vnderstanding For like vnto all other men mooued with loue hate profit or other priuate passion they are either willing or ignorantly induced to encrease or extenuate the actions and merits of those men of whom their histories haue discoursed How soeuer that bee I verely thinke the Acts and enterprises of Vlysses Aeneas Hector and other famous captaines of whome Poets and profane Writers haue written so many woonders were indeed of notable men and some part of their doings such as writers haue made mention Much lesse doe I doubt that some egregious acts atchieued and written in the bookes of Amadis de Gaule Ariosto Tasso King Arthur of England and such others doe containe many things which deserue not to be discredited But omitting to meddle with time so long since past and with countreys so farre from our Climate wee will remember some few Actions which worthy men of our owne Nation or our neighbours as that of Hernando Cortez Pisarro and others haue within our knowledge to the eternizing of their fame and honour perfourmed The greater part of which enterprises haue bene atchieued in this present age and shall no doubt hereafter when men are lesse industrious be thought rather fabulous then
gentlemen doe come after the Knight and doe bring him to the Kings presence and the Esquiers gouernours before him And when the newe Knight commeth into the Kings presence he shall kneele downe before him saying Most noble and renowned Sir I do thanke you for al the honors courtesies and goodnesse which you haue done vnto me And so he taketh leaue of the King And then the Esquiers gouernours do take leaue of their Master saying Sir we haue accomplished the coÌ„mandement of the Kings as he charged vs to the vttermost of our power wherein if we haue displeased you through negligence or deed during the time we desire pardon On the other side Sir according to the custome of the Court and ancient Kings we demaund Robes and fees for terme of life as Esquiers of the King and companions vnto Bachelors Knights and other Lords CHAP. 12. Knights Bachelors FIrst it is to be remembred that no man is brone a Knight of any title but made either before a battell to encourage them to aduenture their liues or after the fight as an aduancement for their valour then shewed or out of warre for some notable seruice done or some good hope of vertues that do appeare in them These Knights are made either by the King himselfe or by his commission and royal authority giuen for that purpose or by his Lieutenant in the warres who hath his royal and absolute power for that time And this order may bee resembled to that which the Romanes called Equites Romanos differing in a sort but in some other sort doeth agree with it for seldome in all points one Common wealth doeth agree with another nor long any State accordeth with it selfe Equites Romani were chosen ex Censu which is according to their substance and riches Euen so be Knights in England for the most part according to the yeerely reuenue of their lands being able to maintaine that estate Yet all they that had Equestrem Censum were not in Rome Equites no more are all Knights in England that may dispend a Knights land or fee but they onely to whom it pleaseth the King to giue that honour In Rome the number of Equites was vncertaine and so it is of Knights in England at the pleasure of the Prince Equites Romani had Equum Publicum but the Knights of England finde horses themselues both in peace and warre Census Equester among the Romanes was at diuers times of diuers value but in England whosoeuer may dispend of his free lands fourty pounds starling of yeerely reuenue by an old Law either at the Coronation of the King or mariage of his daughter or at the dubbing of the Prince Knight or some such great occasion may be by the King compelled to take that order and honour or to pay a fine which many rich men not so desirous of honor as of riches had rather disburse Some also who for good respect are not thought worthy that title and yet haue abilitie neither be made Knights though they would and yet pay the fine of fourtie pounds sterling which as siluer is now prised is 120. pound currant money Where of this word Knight is deriued or whether it signifieth no more then Miles doeth in Latine which is Souldier I know not Some hold opinion that the word Souldier doeth betoken a waged or hired man to fight Caesar in his Commentaries called Souldiers men deuoted and sworne by band or oath to serue the Captaine which order if the Almanes did follow it may be that they who were not hired but being of the Nation vpon their owne charges and for their aduancement and by such common oath and band that did follow the warre were perhaps called Knights or Milites and now among the Almanes some are called Launce-Knights as Souldiers not hired although they be wel-neere all hired Or it may be that they who were next about the Prince as his Guard and seruants picked and chose men out of the rest being called in the Almane tongue Knighten which is as much to say as dayly seruants being found of good seruice the word afterwards was taken as an honour for one that professeth Armes Now our language is so altered that hard it were to giue iudgement thereof But sure it is we in our English doe call him Knight whom the French do call Cheualier and the Latine Equitem for Equestris ordinis Touching the making of these English Knights the maner is this Hee that is to be made Knight is stricken by the Prince with a sword drawen vpon his backe or shoulder the Prince saying Soys Cheualier and in times past was added S. George And when the Knight riseth the Prince saith Auance This is the maner of dubbing Knights at this present and that terme dubbing was the old terme in this point and not creating These sorts of Knights are by the Heralds called Knights Bachelers CHAP. 13. The Ceremonies in the degradation of Knights in England IT seemeth that the degradation of Knights hath bene vsed onely for offences of greatest reproch and dishonour which I conceiue partly by the rarenesse of such actions and partly for that the men bereft of that dignitie were not onely degraded but also by law executed As in the raigne of King Edward the fourth it appeared a Knight was degraded in this sort First after the publication of his offence his gilt spurres were beaten from his heeles then his sword taken from him and broken That being done euery peece of his armour was bruised beaten and cast aside After all which disgraces he was beheaded In like maner Andrew of Herklay a Knight and Erle of Carlile was in this sort disgraded He being apprehended was by the Kings commandement brought before sir Anthony Lucie anno 1322. apparelled in all the robes of his estate as an Earle and a Knight and so led vnto the place of iudgement Being thither come Sir Anthony Lucie saide vnto him these words First thou shalt loose the order of Knighthood by which thou hadst all thine honour and further all worship vpon thy bodie be brought to nought Those words pronounced Sir Anthony Lucie commanded a knaue to hew the Knights spurs from his heeles after caused his sword to be broken ouer his head That done he was dispoiled of his furred Tabord of his hood of his furred coats and of his girdâ—e Then Sir Anthony said vnto him these words Andrew now art thou no Knight but a knaue and for thy treason the King doth will thou shalt be hanged Maxitmilianus de Austria Dux Burâ—undiâ— Râ—m Imâ— Ordâ—nâ— Velleris Aurei Eques 〈◊〉 Fol. 〈◊〉 CHAP. 14. Knights of the Toizon D'or or golden Fleece THE Knighthood of the Toizon was instituted by Philip surnamed the good Duke of Burgundy and Earle of Flanders in the yeere of our Lord 1429. being mooued thereunto with deuoute zeale that he had to vndertake the conquest of the holy land albeit his valerous determination tooke none effect by
the second then Pope sent vnto the Captaines a white Crosse with commandement that all the souldiers should weare the like calling that enterprise La cruciata It is sayd that the Christians as such time as this warre was proclaimed in Cleirmont a citie of Auergna indeuoured themselues vniuersally to animate the souldiers and ioyned in generall prayer for their good successe giuing them meat apparel and furniture vnasked or required Moreouer those that were indebted were forgiuen and such as had beene banished were pardoned The women also contrary to their custome willingly and with much ioy consented their husbands and sonnes should passe in this enterprise and for their furniture gaue them their Iewels Chaines and money The French King likewise sent them great treasure and gaue priuiledges to the souldiers lands and wiues in their husbands absence And many great Princes and other Lords sold and impawned their Patrimonies to further this action So as the Armie assembled for this holy enterprise amounted vnto three hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horse who presently marched towards Constantinople where they passed the Strait called Bosphoro Thracio landed at Calcedonia For the first enterprise they besieged Nicea in Bithynia which within fiftie dayes was yeelded and the fouth of Iuly at the foote of certaine mountaines neere vnto that citie the Christians fought a battell with a Turkish Armie which in number exceeded ours and thereat was present Solyman the Emperour of Turkie but the Christians had victory with the losse of two thousand men of the Enemies were slaine fourtie thousand This victorie gained the Christians following their enterprise within short time wonne an hundred cities and townes of accompt and among them the great Antiochia before which they begun the siege the twentieth of October and tooke it the last of May following where they found Corbona King of Persia and Cassiano Lord of Antioch Neere vnto that place in one other conflict were slaine more then one hundred thousand Turkes with the losse of foure thousand of ours The cause of this victory was in that time of superstition imputed to the vertue of a bloody Lance found in Antiochia which they supposed to bee a speare wherewith Christ was wounded on the Crosse. It was also sayd that the Turkes did see or imagine another great Armie comming against them from the mountaines conducted by three Captaines mounted vpon three white horses the beholding wherof occasioned their flight This victory being had a Nauie arriued from Genoa and from Venice Also with them came certaine ships conducted by one Vymer of Bullein in Picardie a notable Pirate who repenting his former like determined to follow that honourable Action The Christian forces thus increased they marched towards Ierusalem and besieged it notwithstanding the city was of great force yet by Gods helpe and the valorous aduenture of the Christians it was assaulted and in the end yeelded Anno 1099. This Citie thus conquered the sayd Peter as the chiefe procurer of the enterprise was highly honoured and Godfrey Duke of Lorayn elected King of the Holy land But to returne to the Original of these Knights I say that somewhat before the Christians conquered the Citie of Ierusalem they had obteined of the Saracens leaue to dwell neere vnto the Sepulchre of Christ and there builded an house calling it the Hospital of Christians whither all other Christians dayly resorted After that the number of Christians increasing they builded another houses for women calling it S. Mary Magadelens And at length they made a third house calling it S. Iohn Baptists where for the keeping of good order they appointed an officer whom they called Rector Some time after was elected to that fellowship a gouernour called Gerardus who commanded that he with al others of that house should weare a white Crosse vpon a blacke garment which was the originall of the Order and euer since hath bene vsed Afterwards one other Rector or great Master was elected whose name was Raimondus to whom authority was giuen that he should gouerne and command all Knights of this Order where soeuer they were dispersed Many yeeres after these Knights conquered the Isle of Rhodes holden by the Turkes Anno 1308. which was the cause they were commonly called Knights and diuers princes seeing them martially inclined gaue vnto them great lands and possessions and they became greatly esteemed for their seruice chiefly against the sayd Turkes and the Soldan king of Egypt and Ierusalem The sayd Isle of Rhodes during those Knights inhabited there was foure times assaulted yet by Gods helpe and the valiancie of the Knights it was defended Then Mahomet Otoman Emperour of Turkie Anno 1480. with an excessiue force of men and an hundred Saile of Galleys conducted by a Bassa borne in Greece descended of the rase of Paleologi sometime Emperors of Constantinople did besiege it but after 89 dayes of continuall batterie they were forced to abandon the enterprise and for their farewell in the last assault the Knights slew more then fourtie thousand Turkes But in the yeare 1523. in the moneth of Ianuarie the Turkes againe inuaded the Island and after three moneths Siege preuailed for the rest of Christendome neuer vouchsafed them either aide or reliefe Since the losse of Rhodes these Knights haue remained in the Island of Malta and often defended it against the enemies of Christendome but chiefly in the yeere 1565. The first erector of Statures and Rules for the gouernment of these Knights was the sayd Raymondus calling himselfe Raimondo di Poggio Seruo dipoueri di Christo e custode dello spidalle di San Giouanni Battista di Ierusalem No man might be receiued into this Knighthood vntill he had proued his gentilitie in presence of the great Master and other Knights Nor no man descended of a Moore a Iew or Mahometan might be admitted although he were the sonne of a Prince And euery Knight of this order was sworne to fight for the Christian faith doe Iustice defend the oppressed relieue the poore persecute the Mahometans vse vertue and protect Widowes and Orphanes Diuers other Articles there be but for that they are full of superstition I omit them CHAP. 21. Knights of Calatraua They were called Knights of Calatraua of the prouince and place where they were made and setled which was where anciently the chiefe Church of Templars had bene who not being of power sufficient to resist the Saracens were forced to yeeld the place vnto these Knights The habit of these Knights is a blacke garment and vpon it in the breast is set a red Crosse. These Knights haue also exceeding great possessions and many commandries in diuers places of Spaine Alphonsus Rex Câ—stiliâ— Institutâ—r Ord. Rubri Baltâ—i vulgo de la banda dict Fol. 98. CHAP. 22. Knights of the Band. THis order was first erected by Alphonso King of Spaine sonne to Ferdinando and Queene Constanza in the yeere 1268. And to giue the said Knighthood reputation and honour
Gentleman or Souldier Finally whosoeuer is defamed of any notable crime or is by the law of the land not admitted to beare witnesse may be numbred among them that lawfully are repulsed these men I say challenging any Gentleman or souldier ought not onely be refused but of euery honest persons to be abhorred because in fighting with men of such condition a man of good reputation doth equll himselfe vnto persons vtterly vnworthy Yet true it is that whosoeuer repulseth a person for cause of infamie must assuredly know that he hath bene for such crimes condemned or at the least the same is a thing so notorious as the partie repulsed cannot denie it But if any such infamous man be challenged by a Gentleman or souldier he may not after be refused vnlesse that after challenge he committeth some infamous fact which is to be obserued aswell in the challenger as the defender CHAP. 7. Who was anciently accounted victorious in Combat AT such time as combats were in vse by permission of Princes and publikely performed the order was thus If the Challenger did not vanquish the Defender in the day of fight before the Sunne setting he himselfe was iudged vanquished and could not after challenge any other Gentleman This victorie and this priuiledge is onely due vnto the Defender all other fauours were common to both the fighters The next kind of victorie was when any of the Combattants did yeeld vnto his enemie either by confessing himselfe not able to defend or yeelding himselfe prisoner or when he vttered any other speech tending to submission The third was when any of them did expressely denie or vnsay that he affirmed or repent the words whereon the quarrell did grow Fourthly if he did runne away and abandoned the lists or field where the fight was to be performed And this was the most base and dishonourable sort of vanquishment He was also without victorie and vanquished that was slaine within the Lists or sield yet was that sort of vanquishing least dishonorable though by auncient custome no man slaine in publique combats should be buried among Christian bodies CHAP. 8. ¶ What was aunciently due vnto such men as were victorious in publique Combats ALbeit I am not ignorant that this discourse is little or nothing pertinent to priuate Combat or quarrell yet for that it concerneth a matter pleasant vnto vs and glorious for those that haue bene victorious I will briefly set downe what was due by auncient order of Armes vnto such Gentlemen as in publique combat were victorious Whosoeuer was vanquished within the Lists was the prisoner of him that did vanquish To him also was due all Armes both offensiue and defensiue garments and horse with all furniture brought thither either for ornament or vse The person of him that was vanquished was by honourable custome giuen vnto the Prince of the place or else vnto some other Prince whom the vanquisher serued or loued but this was done by vse not of dutie The vanquished also might be compelled to pay the charges of the vanquisher The vanquished might be forced to pay ransome no lesse then if he had bene a prisoner of the warre But if the prisoner did serue the vanquisher the space of fiue yeeres in seruices meete for a Gentleman then was he set at libertie without paiment And if in the meane time he were emploied in any base action or seruice vnworthie his degree then was it lawfull for him to escape and breake prison Or if it happened that during the imprisonment any land or other wealth did come vnto him yet was it not lawfull for the victour to increase the ransome If the victor did die within the time that the vanquished was a prisoner then should his heire haue the same title and interest If a prisoner was suffered to goe at libertie vpon his faith hee did or ought in any wise returne being called vnlesse the victor in the meane time did become a Traytor to their common Prince or were excommunicate or that betweene them were some new enmitie for in those cases it was lawfull not to returne If being in this sort at liberty he hapned to become a Prince or a Lord then was he not bound to returne but pay ransome onely If during the time of imprisonment he were not well vsed he was likewise excused yet did he pay a conuenient ransome If the prisoner did happen to saue his taker from any great perill during the imprisonment then was he by law forthwith set at libertie CHAP. 9. Of disequalitie among Gentlemen OMitting to speake of Emperors Kings and Lords of great title Let vs onely remember what order was anciently obserued when one Gentleman or souldier happened to challenge another It behooueth therefore to consider that euery Gentleman either he hath office or he hath none If he hath office as gouernment of Countreys Townes Ambassage or commaund in the warre then his authoritie or employment doth continue for time or life In which case the custome was anciently thus If an Officer for time were called to answere by armes then did hee deferre the Combat vntill the expiration of that Office If this Office were for life and his qualitie superior to the Challenger then did he fight by Champion If the Officer challenged were not superior then did he aske leaue of his Souereigne and fight But if he could not obtaine license yet did hee appeare in person and with armes answere his enemie for in those dayes the obligation of honour was preferred before all other respects Whosoeuer was borne Noble vnder which word is comprised all sorts of Gentlemen then were they euer reputed equall Yet note here that a Gentleman borne is he who hath his descent from three degrees of Gentry both of the mothers and fathers side So sayth Paris If the Office or authoritie of the desender were such as ought to command the Challenger then might he fight by Champion A Gentleman of any Noble house not hauing iurisdiction or commandement might in those ages be challenged by any other priuate Gentleman And because the profession of armes is honourable an old souldier without reproch was accounted a Gentleman Ascholler also hauing taken degrees of schoole was not denied the title of Gentrie A simple souldier of honest same might fight with any Corporall Sergeant or other Officer the Captaine excepted Euery Captaine might challenge another Captaine vnlesse their charges were such as the one did command the other And this rule serued through all degrees of souldiers Yet men of armes being the most honourable souldiers might not be refused to fight with any priuate Captaine of footmen being of equall birth and authoritie CHAP. 10. ¶ Of the equalitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and of the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes A King vncrowned may lawfully challenge a King crowned vnlesse the King vncrowned be vnlawfully aspired or a tyrant The number of Christian Kings are 14. of whom only foure were anciently crowned by
the Pope that is the French King the King of England the King of Ierusalem and the King of Sicil. All the other Kings were crowned by their owne Prelats Thus sayth Paris An Earle being a Prince absolute and not subiect vnto the Empire or any other Potentate may refuse to fight with any person being a subiect notwithstanding he hath the title of Prince Duke or Marquesse Here is to be noted that these titles of honour were at the first giuen in office as the title of Duke was proper vnto him that was a Generall of the Armie A Marquesse was he vnto whome the confine or marches of a countrey or kingdome was committed An Earle or Count was a Iudge or commander in peace and of them in the ancient Emperours seruice were diuers as the Countes Palatine were as stewards of the Emperors house of his court or stable and euery of them might challenge any Prince Duke or Marquesse being a subiect because they are in respect of subiection reputed none other then Barons A Gentleman well borne and descended from Parentage of foure degrees may fight with any Earle or Baton in case of treason to his Prince or Countrey and also murther and infidelitie because they are besides their dignity none other then Gentlemen and Gentilitie or Nobilitie is hereditary and cannot be taken away but dignitie may But in other quarrels of lesse importance the Earle in respect of his dignitie may fight by Champion but in the cases aforesaid he shall fight in person vnlesse he be aged lame or otherwise disabled A Captaine Generall of an Armie Emperiall or Royall may not be challenged by any Gentleman or Lord neither ought the gouernour of and City Towne or Castle because no publike commandement may be abandoned for priuate respect The like is to be vnderstood of Ambassadors who in regard of the place they hold may during their commission repulse the challenge of any Gentleman or other subiect whatsoeuer A Souldier basely borne hauing liued in continuall exercise of Armes by the space of ten yeeres without committing any disobedience or other reprochfull acte ought be admitted to fight with any Gentleman borne A Gentleman who either by his owne fault or his ancestor hath committed any treason against his Prince may be repulsed to fight with any other Gentleman vnlesse the said offender or his ancestors were restored in blood or is in descent three degrees froÌ„ the ancestor that was attainted A Gentleman that is knowen Spie for the enemy or bewrayeth the secrets of his owne Princes campe abandoneth his ensigne or committeth any other military offence may be repulsed to fight with euery other gentlemen of good fame and reputation And by ancient custome men blotted with such a note might not liue in any City or Towne where the Emperour or other Prince remained A Gentleman that hath made profession of Armes by the space of twenty yeeres in the Court or Campe of his Prince without infamy or reproch may not withstanding he be dismissed reâ—ired or cassed fight with any other Gentleman that liueth in present pay A Gentleman hauing aspired vnto any title or dignity and is either in respect of age or infirmitie retired to his owne house ought neuerthelesse to enioy all his honours and shall be euer vnlesse he commit some dishonourable fact reputed worthy the honour he receiued in Court or campe and fight with any other Gentleman whatsoeuer An Artificer following the campe and exercising his Artor Mysterie notwithstanding he be also in pay may be repulsed to fight with any priuate Souldier that maketh particular profession and exercise of Armes No man vnder the degree of a Gentleman ought be receiued or allowed for a man at Armes on horsebacke for by the Emperiall lawes the Regiment of Launces was called Equestris ordo and they whome we call light Horsemen were named Celeri CHAP. 11. Of Armes both offensiue and Defensine IT hath bene before sayd that by the law of Lombardie euery Combat vnlesse vpon quarell of infidelitie should bee tried with shields and staues and with no other weapon But the matter of their Combats was onely for triall of trueth without respect of honour Howsoeuer it were besides that custome must be receiued for lawe it seemeth to me that either in publique or priuate fight such weapons ought bee vsed as are commonly worne of Gentlemen and others professing Armes And touching Armes defensiue it hath beene also the vse that as they are thought allowable in warre and all generall fights so in particular trial of Armes they ought not be reiected because fortitude accompanied with prudence is much the more commendable seeing he that vnwisely or inconsiderately aduentureth himselfe is not to bee reputed valiant but furious neither is hee accompted valiant that without counsell or cause delighteth in dangers but he that neuer doth shun any generous action tending to publique benefit or his owne priuate reputation And Aristotle sayth that a valiant man doth neither feare all things nor dare doe all things For these respects it hath euer bene thought fit that in particular Combats the Fighters should be allowed Armes defensiue and not performe the same naked and vtterly disarmed with swords and daggers onely as is in this part of the world now vsed And sith the perill of life is no lesse in particular then in publique fight it seemeth very reasonable that defensiue Armes should be allowed yet so as both the challenger and defender be equally armed and weaponed which in trueth ought be at the election of the defendant as heretofore hath bene discoursed But because the custome of the land is and happily also lawe forbideth that any man should be armed saue onely in the warre I thinke no Gentleman ought to refuse to fight disarmed And here will I not omit to remember an abuse which hardly is discontinued I meane that some English gentleman are so obstinately addicted to custome as notwithstanding they doe themselues enter quarrell and be challengers yet wil they vse that sort of weapon only which please themselues An opinion contrary vnto reason and the vse of all other people as though ancient vse made that weapon onely allowable which reason will also prooue vice as good as vertue because it is no lesse ancient CHAP. 12. Of the election of Weapons FOr good and reasonable causes many aduantages are due vnto him that is chalenged because hee being accused and constrained to fight iust and true reason willeth that hee should enioy all honest fauour It hath bene therefore well determined that whosoeuer is defender doeth sufficiently acquite himselfe and ought be reputed victorious if hee be not victored But on the other side he that challengeth must not onely escape to be vanquished but also vanquish his enemie for otherwise he shall be reputed as victored and lose the quarell Which seemeth very reasonable because his office is to proue But the defender is not bound to more then defend Another fauour also
threescore paces and in breadth fortie paces The place where the Lists were appointed was euer vpon plaine and drie ground without ridges hilles or other impediments At either end of the Lists was made a gate or place of entrie with a strong barre to keepe out the people For the guarding of either gate one Sergeant at Armes was appointed and commanded not to suffer any man to approch within foure foote The one gate opened towards the East the other towards the West being strongly barred with a raile of seuen foote long and of such height as no horse could passe vnder or ouer the same In what sort the King did sit to behold the Combat ON the day of battell the King vsed to sit on a high seat or Scaffold purposely made at the foote whereof was another seat for the Constable and Marshall who being come thither called before them the pledges aswell of the Defendant as of the Challenger to be shewed and presented vnto the King there to remaine within the Lists as prisoners vntill such time as the Chalenger and Defender were come and had performed all their Ceremonies In what sort the Challenger vsed to present himselfe to Combat THe Challenger did commonly come to the East gate of the Lists and brought with him such armors as were appointed by the Court and wherewith he determined to fight Being at the gate there he stayed vntill such time as the Constable and Marshall arose from their seate and went thither They being come to the said gate of the Lists beholding the Challenger there the Constable said For what cause art thou come hither thus armed and what is thy name vnto whom the Challenger answered thus My name is A. B. and am hither come armed and mounted to performe my challenge against G. D. and acquit my pledges Wherefore I humbly desire this gate may be opened and I suffered to performe my intent and purpose Then the Constable did open the visor of his headpeece to see his face and thereby to knowe that man to be he who makes the challenge These Ceremonies ended the Constable commanded the gate of the Lists to be opened whereat the armed man with his necessaries and councell entered From thence he was brought before the King where he remained vntill such time as the Defender was come thither In like manner the Defender appearing did make request vnto the Constable and Marshal desiring they would be pleased to deliuer and discharge his pledges Whereupon the said Constable and Marshall did humbly desire the King to release them because the Defender is alreadie come and presented before his Maiestie there to performe his duetie But in case the Defender did not come at time conuenient in the day appointed then did the King deliuer his pleasure vnto the Constable and he reported the same vnto the Marshall who forthwith did giue order vnto the Lieutenant that the Defender should presently bee called to appeare by the Herald Marshall of the King of the South called Clarencieux and in case the Herauld Marshall of the King of the South was not present then was the proclamation made by some other Herauld But if the combat were performed in the North on the other side of the Riuer of Trent in the circuit of the King of the North called Norrey then was his Marshall to make proclamation The words whereof were to this effect Oiez G. D. Defendant in this Combat appeare now for in this day thou hast taken vpon thee to acquit thy pledges in presence of the Lords Constable and Marshall and also defend thy person against A. B. who challenged thee to maintaine the cause of this Combat This Proclamation was made thrice at euery corner of the Lists but if at the second time the partie appeared not then the Herauld did adde these words The day passeth and therefore come without delay And if in case the said Defendant appeared not before noone but stayed vntil the third houre after then did the Herauld by commandement of the Constable and Marshall in the beginning of the proclamation say A. B. appeare in haste and saue thine honour for the day is well neere spent wherein thou didst promise to performe thine enterprise It was also vsed that the Constables Clerke should in a booke record the houre of the Combattants appearing within the Lists either on foot or on horsebacke in what sort they were armed of what colour the horses were and how they were in all points furnished It was also anciently vsed that the Constable moued the King in fauour of the Combattants to knowe whether his Maiestie were pleased to appoint any of his Nobility or other seruants of reputation to assist them for counsell in combat The Constable and Marshall did suruey the Launces and other weapons wherewith the combat should be performed making them equall and of euen measure The Constable also appointed two Knights or Esquires vnto the Challenger to keepe the place free from impediments the like was also done for the Defender The Constable did also moue the King to know whether his Maiestie in person would take the Oathes of the fighters or giue him and the Marshall authority to doe it out of his presence The Constable also did send the Marshall vnto the Challenger and his counsell to make ready his Oath declaring that after that ceremonie all protestations should be voide After these preparations the Constable caused his Clerke to bring foorth the booke whereupon the Combattants were solemnely sworne The first Oath THe Constable hauing caused his Clerke to reade the Challengers bill and calling him by his name sayd Doest thou conceiue the effect of this Bill Here is also thine owne Gauntlet of defiance Thou shalt sweare by the holy Euangelists that all things therein contained be true and that thou maintaine it so to be vpon the person of thine aduersary as God shall helpe thee and the holy Euangelists The Oath thus taken hee was led backe vnto his former place and the Constable did cause the Marshall to produce the Defender who tooke the like Oath This Oath was euer taken the parties kneeling vnlesse it pleased the Constable and Marshall to pardon that duetie The second Oath THe second Oath was also indifferently propounded to either of them viz. That they had not brought into the Lists other Armour or weapon then was allowed neither any engin instrument herbe charme or enchantment and that neither of them should put affiance or trust in any thing other then God and their owne valors as God and the holy Euangelists should helpe them That done they were both sent to their places of entrie The third Oath was thus THe combattants being againe called were commanded by the Constable to take one the other by the hand and lay their left hands vpon the booke which done the Constable said I charge thee A. B. challenger vpon thy faith that thou doe thine vttermost endeauour and force to prooue thine affirmation either by
silke of diuers colours garnished with gold The first of them did come vnknowen clad in white supposed to be the Prince himselfe Mutio Sforza in Ash colour The Count Philippo Tornello in skie colour The Count Francesco Beneuentano in yellow Ramando Cardona in Greene. Alessandra Gonzaga in Murry Count Caetano in White and Blacke Ferdinando Noya in gold colour The Castellan of Cremona in Blacke Nicolao Rusterla in Wax colour Il Signior della Trinita in Blew From Milaine this Prince passed into Germany followed with these Lords and Gentlemen whose names are vnder written The Duke of Alba. The Duke of Sessa The Admirall of Castilia The Marquesse of Astorgo The Prince of Ascoli The Marquesse of Pescara The Duke of Ferendina The Duke of Monteliano The Count of Lunensa The Count of Cifanta Lodouico Dauila gran Commendator Gomesio à Figureia captaine of the guard Officers of Houshold Don Francesco Astense Marchio à Naue Comes Oliuarius Don Iacobo da Azeneda Gualtero Padillano Gentlemen of the Chamber Don Antonio Rosano Rogomes a Sylua Gentleman Courtiers Don Gabriel a Cuenta Marchio Falcesio Don Barnardindi Mendoza Don Alphonso Fonario Don Iacobo di Cardona Don Iacobo di Achuna Don Henrico Erugues Don Barnardo Manriques a Lara Don Iuaro a Seiauerda Don Michael a Luna Don Lodouico a Cardona with others to the number of 97. Lords and Gentlemen twentie Pages besides Officers and Grooms Harquebuziers two hundred Lances an hundred CHAP. 38. ¶ A Militarie challenge in Italy 1555. AT such time as the French king with his armie remained at Ast the Emperiall campe not being farre from thence certaine French Lords challenged the like number of Italians to breake sharpe Lances for their mistresse loue in which action they would hazard both honour and life The Emperiall Lords accepted the challenge Thus the match was concluded yet the French fearing some subtiltie because the countrey fauoured the enemy procured Monsieur de Thermes with fiue hundred horse and 200. footemen to lye neere the place to the end he might defend his friends if need should require The first courses were performed betweene the Duke de Nemours and the Marquesse of Pescara who hauing ended their courses with honor they embraced one the other and so gaue place The next that presented himselfe was Monsieur de Classis sonne and heire of Monsieur de Vasey a Knight of the Order and Captaine of fifty men at Armes against whome came the Marquesse Malespina who in that encounter was sore hurt and dyed The third courses were betweene Monsieur de Mauns a Leader in the French Army and a Spanish captaine called Alba. In which reencounter the Frenchman was wounded in the necke and the fourth day after died The last was betweene Monsieur Monshany and the Earle Caraffa a Neapolitan whose encounter was so violent as with his Lance he pearced thorow the Armour and body of the Frenchman so farre as an Ell thereof was seene at his backe whereof hee presently dyed So was both parties partakers of misaduenture CHAP. 33. Of Triumphant chalenges in France NOw to th' end it may appeare that our Gentlemen of England haue bene no lesse desirous to honour their Nation in forraine countreys then willing to aduance the renowne of their Prince at home it shall not be as I thinke offensiue to remember some triumphal actions by them performed in forraine countreys as writers haue well obserued wishing our English Armorists and Historians were of like care to conserue al memorable actions tending to the honour of their owne Prince and countrey Of which acts it seemeth there are many worthy to be remembred For when the Duke of Buckingham or as mine Author calleth him the Erle of Buckingham remained gouernour of the Kings Armie in Bullonoys a certaine Frenchman approching the Campe with a lowd voice asked if any Gentleman there had a mistresse or other beloued Lady for whose sake and honour he would breake three Launces and aduenture three encounters of his sword This proud Challenge being heard by the English men one Ioachimus Cathorius as the Author calleth him a braue English Gentleman stepped forth which the Lord Fitzwater then Marshall seeing hee foorthwith sent word vnto the Frenchman whose name was Gauuenus Micelleus that he should be presently answered Whereof the French Gentleman very glad returned to his friends furnished with three Launces three Maces of yron three Swords and three seruants to beare them presented himselfe before the English Armie The English seeing him in this sort prepared to maintaine the challenge much marueiled thereat supposing that no Frenchman had dared to encounter the force of an English Souldier The brute of this brauado foorthwith was dispersed through the Armie and at last the Generall became thereof enformed who desirous to behold the combat mounted on horsebacke accompanied with the Earle of Stafford and the Earle or L of Deuonshire The Duke and other beholders thus assembled the Challenger and Defender begun their courses but by default of the horses their Launces missed at the first and at the next incounter very lightly th' one touched the others Armor The Duke beholding in what estate the matter stood and perceiuing night at hand commanded the conflict should cease til an other day and in the meane space required the Frenchman might be well entreated The next day of triall being come th' one and th' other appeared and with much commendation brake their Launces That done they came to the sword th' one assaulting th' other furiously till they were both hurt which the Duke perceiuing caused them to be parted and the Frenchman by an Herault was safely sent home to his friends CHAP. 34. Of one other like Militarie action betweene fiue English Gentlemen and fiue French ABout the same time and in presence of the said Duke of Buckingham one other conflict on horsebacke was performed betweene fiue French Gentlemen and the like number of ours who gained the chiefe honour I dare not for feare of mistaking set downe their names in English but thus I finde them in Latine On the French party was Nothus Clarus a Pimontesse Tristamus Iailleus Ioannes Castelmorantius Galleus Aunoeus Dom Hoyauius Ameus The Englishmen were Edwardus Bellicampus the son of Roger Iohannes Ambreticortius Ionaquinus Clitonius Gulielmus Clitonius and Gulielmus Francus CHAP. 35. Of one other like Action IT happened that certaine English Gentlemen hauing serued in the warre of France determined to returne home and obtained license of the Constable that so they might doe Their names do seeme to be Iohn Fitzwarren William Clinton Iohn Burley and Nicholas Clifford They being vpon their way one whom mine Author calleth Ioannes Boucmelius a French Gentleman did ouertake them and hauing before that time spoken with Nicholas Clifford touching matter of Honour and Armes asked him whether he could before he departed consent to make triall of his vertue by breaking of three Launces With all my heart quoth Clifford for
others these Englishmen determined to make proofe of their fortune Iohn Holland The Earle of Huntingdon Iohn Courtney Iohn Goulonfee Iohn Russell Thomas Scrope William Clifton William Clinton William Tailboys Godfrey Seten William Hacklet Iohn Dabridgcourt Henry Bewmount and others to the number of one hundreth or more went into France to shew their vertue in that Challenge Besides them also many others did passe the seas to see what should be done The first Englishman that passed the Sea was Iohn Holland brother to the King of England hauing in his traine Noblemen and Gentlemen of note about 60. who were all lodged within the towne of Calis The Challengers then hauing prepared themselues arriued at Bullaine in the beginning of May and were lodged in the Abbey where they were enformed of the excellent furniture which the English had brought Whereat they reioyced and made the more hast to their businesse Then they caused there greene Pauilions to be set vp betweene Calis and Bullen At the doore of euery Pauilion a shield was hanged which any man desirous to fight might at his pleasure touch The order of this Triumph was thus THe twenty and one day of May the Challengers appeared at the place ready armed and mounted Shortly after the English men came from Callis some to try their fortune and other to behold First of al Iohn Holland with his Lance touched the Shield of Bouciquaut and foorthwith he came out of his Pauilion and mounted on horsebacke which done th' one charged the other without more hurt then that the English Lords shield was pearced through The second course was also without harme And the English man preparing for a third course Bouciquaut denied to do more that day which the English Lord hearing turned himselfe to the shield of S. Pye touched it Then presently he came forth couragiously but the first course proued foule for that the horses kept not their right path Notwithstanding Holland disarmed the head of S. Pye The second course was performed better and the launce both of the one and the other broken vpon the Shields At the third course both their Headpieces were striken off and all the lookers on might see their faces Neuerthelesse the Lord Holland desired that for his mistresse sake he might breake one Launce more Which couragious offer both French and English commended Next to these Roy and the English man called Earle Marshall charged one the other with much commendation The third courses were performed by Bouciquaut and the Lord Clifford cousin to the Lord Shandois a man expert in Armes and of great fame The fourth English man that ranne was Henry Bewmount a Knight of good reputation The seuenth encounter was betweene S. Pye and the same Bewmount The eight encounter was betweene Roy and Peter Courtney The ninth encounter was betweene Bouciquaut and Courtney The tenth betweene S. Pye and Courtney who had touched all their shieldes The next encounter was allotted to Goulowfer and Roy. The next courses were betweene S. Pye and Iohn Russell The next was betweene Bouciquaut and Peter Scrope a young Gentleman of great courage but of no long practise in Armes yet was his encounter so violent as forced Bouciquaut to bleede at the eares and retire to his pauilion all that day But Scrope not contented with the honour of his successe against Bouciquaut touched the shield of S. Pye and presently the one encountred the other But at the second course by misfortune the English Knight fell downe and though with some helpe he recouered his horse yet ranne he no more that day Such was the successe of the first dayes Iusting The second meeting THe second day Gulielmus Clysetonius an English Knight expert in Armes encountred Bouciquaut with equall fortune The next encounter was betweene the L. Clinetonius and S. Pye either of them performing his part well The third encounter was betweene William Stamartius cousin to the Earle of Huntingdon and Raynol Roy who seemed to deserue best The 4. encounter was betweene Lancaster and Bouciquaut with small aduantage The 5. encounter was betweene S. Pye and Taylbois a Gentleman very yong Either of them was disarmed on the head and so returned to their Pauilions The 6. encounter was betweene Godfrey Seten and Roy at the first course Launces being strong their horses were forced to pauze At the second for the same reason th' one and th' other let fall their Launces without breaking At their third course th' one and th' other was hurt so as Roy was sore bruzed and Seten pearced into the shoulder Which wound he endured with great patience without shew of griefe suffâ—ed the Chirurgeon to draw backe the Launce and search the wound which courage was highly praised The 7. encounter was betweene an English man called Blanquetius and S. Pye The 8. encounter was betweene Thomalinus Messidonius and Bouciquaut This English man was richly armed at the first course pearced through the shield of Bouciquaut But at the third course he was vnhorsed The 9. encounter was betweene Nauartonius and Bouciquaut with equal fortune The 10 encounter was betweene Sequaquetonius an English Knight and Roy. This Knight was of experience in Armes and at the first course wel-neere vnhorsed his aduersary But at the last meeting the French Taint was so strong as the Englishman was wel-neere borne downe and so they departed Thus ended the second dayes Triumph ¶ Note here that the French King being disguised was present at all these exercises The third meeting THe third day likewise these noble Knights both English and French appeared The weather was faire calme and fit for Military action The first courses were performed betweene Iohn Sauage and Roy who at the first encountred so furiously as both th' one th' other was almost forced to fall from his horse The rest of their courses were honourable The second encounter was betweene Gulielmus Basqueneus cosin to the Earle Marshall and Bouciquaut At the third course they were both disarmed on the head The third encounter was betweene an English Knight called Scot and S. Pye Their first course was faire on both sides and so was the second But at the third course the French Knight lost his headpeece and the English Knight vnhorsed The fourth encounter was betweene Barnard Stapleton and s. Pye and either of them at the third course lost his headpeece The fifth encounter was betweene Iohn Arundel and Roy. This English Knight was reputed for horsemanship dancing and singing excellent The one and the other of them perfourmed their courses with commendation The sixth encounter was betweene Nicolas Stoner and Bouciquaut who in their third course lost both their headpeeces and so bare headed went away The seuenth encounter was between Iohn Marshal and Bouciquaut who was somewhat hurt with a splitter the other disarmed of his headpiece The eighth encounter was betweene Iohn Clifton and Roy with equall fortune The ninth encounter was betweene Roger
in their crests they ware feathers of many colours Before them rode a young man apparelled like to a woman after the most anticke fashion That woman was mounted vpon a fish and by her a footman did runne She complained and bitterly cursed one by whom she had bene iniured Then the Knights who accompanied her promised to be reuenged and presently determined to assault the Iland The first of these three Knights bearing many colours was Yuan Cunia the Spaniard who at the second course hurt the Earle Arenberg very sore and hauing lost the vse of one finger on his right hand he ran no more In his place therefore succeeded a Knight vnknowen wearing the signe of an horne Then came the Earle Hochstrate in white siluer wearing on his breast a rose And although he perfourmed his part well yet was he forced to dismount The Earle Arenberg beeing wounded in his place one other of three knights errant did come who was the Lord Hubermunt of the Emperors Chamber The third Knight was Peter Ernest Earle Mansfield calling himselfe Knight of the white Moyle Against him came the Knight of the golden Lyon vpon whom the Earle Mansfield brake three swords but the fourth sword by misaduenture fell out of his hand and thereby he forced to become prisoner And this was the end of that dayes conflict The next day soone after dinner out came the Lord Pelous of Burgundy called the Knight of the greene Shield hee and his horse were furnished with gold and greene The first three encounters he made against the Lord Thourlo were to good purpose but beeing come to the Sword it was by force wrested from him and he caried to prison Then followed Rodorigo Bassano a Spaniard called Pedro Vermandesio who within three encounters was taken The Lo. Courlan a Burgundian called Knight of the three Starres all in greene desiring to be reuenged was also made prisoner The next day Peter Ernestus Earle Mansfield desired againe to try his fortune calling himselfe the feathered Knight But at the second encounter his aduersaries Launce brake the sight of his headpeece and cut his nose wherewith he fell downe dead yet because the armour was good and the violence of the blow broken he recouered After Mansfield followed the L. Noyel a Fleming who after a little fight before the tower of Terror where he fought with great courage was forced to yeeld Then Iacomo di Leyua a Spaniard called the Indian Knight attired in blacke after the second course yeelded himselfe Next to the Spaniard entred two Knights in red cloth of Tissue richly embrodered with gold they called themselues Knights of Hungary The one was the Prince of Ascoli who at the first encounter yeelded himselfe neither had Giacobo a Cunia called also Gonartus a Stella tenebrosa better fortune for at the first course he was taken The first that entred the Iland by force was Iohn Guixada sirnamed Gulielmus Superbus Hee apparelled in blacke tissue embrodered about with gold by force of Armes brake into all the passages and then by aid of the Lord Bossuuio master of the Emperours stable was receiued into a Barke hauing sayles of white and red silke So being landed in the I le he attempted to winne the precious sword And though his attempt prooued vaine yet in approbation of his valour the Queene did giue him a crowne Next to him his brother with equall fortune entred the Iland men called him Iohn Lodouic Guixada who for his hardy enterprise receiued also a garland The like successe had the Duke of Arscot his brother who with the Marquesse of Cieura called Knight of the red Shield wheron were painted three Mores heads entred the Ile Likewise Ferdinando della Zerda a Spaniard called fortunes Knight hauing slaine the guard was also crowned The next day also Monsieur de Chaumont called the sodaine Knight and one other Knight named Florestan which was the Lord Valous both Flemings yeelded their charges The fift man that entred the Ile was Lodouico Zapatta a Spaniard his garments were of yellow cloth of gold But Iohn Zeuendio a Spaniard also called the sorowfull Knight was forced in the first straight to alight was presently ledde into the darke fortresse The like fortune had Monsieur de Moncean named Knight of the Mistie mountaine The sixt that entred the Ile was the Earle of Megen otherwise the Knight of the Sunne His apparell was blacke cloth of gold The like good hap was like to befall vnto Monsieur Champagni but his horse encountring an enemy at the chocke amazed him so much as he fell downe and was taken prisoner The seuenth garland Gaspero Roblesio a Spaniard gained He being called Knight of the Moone recouered the second passage complaining vnto the Earle of Egmont that the Iudges without desert had giuen honor to Monsieur de Truilier a Frenchman But Monsieur Querenaut a Knight errant encountring Monsieur Preux called Knight of the Rose tooke him prisoner Then Garna ab Ayala a Spaniard called the Knight of Death all in blacke poudered white came foorth to fight Before â—im the Queenes Musicians went singing a funerall tune which prognosticated his misaduenture for at the first encounter he was taken Then appeared one called Knight of the Basâ—lisco beeing indeed Monsieur Myngoual who in a fight on foot gained great honour but at his first encounter on horsebacke he became prisoner The eight garland Monsieur de Mally a Flemish Gentleman and a follower of the Duke of Arscot obtained That Knight was brauely furnished in white siluer and called himselfe the furious Knight Last of all the prince of Spaine with his Band of Knights appeared their attire was vermilion cloth of gold wrought with flowers of siluer and garded about with lace of gold The Caparisons of their horses were of the same Also the Saddles the Petrels Croopers and Girthes were of vermilion silke mixed with gold so was euery mans scaberd and all the fauours in their Creasts were made of white and vermilion red The chiefe Knight of the princes company was the Marques of Pescara sonne to the Marquesse of Guasta in Italy who called himselfe Knight Anonius a beardlesse yong man yet so valorous as in that fight he receiued a crowne Next to him was the Baron Noirquerk a Fleming called Knight of the the Rose a gallant Gentleman yet at the first encounter taken prisoner The third was the Marquesse of Monte Knight of the Skie because his Armour was of that colour Hee passed the Strait but further hee could not goe The fourth was the Prince of Piemount and Duke of Sauoy whose vertue merited a garland but his sword could not gaine more ground but onely to enter the Iland The fift was the Prince of Spaine who brake his two first Launces with great courage and the third was torne with so great violence as thereof ten pieces were seen to lie on the ground These courses furiously perfourmed he drew forth his sword and with marueilous
speede pearced further into the Iland till in the end of three assaults he gained the place where the fatall sword was whereof hauing layd hold he flourished ouer his head and forthwith the misty cloudes of darkenes vanished so as euery man might see all places of the Castel The darkenes of the fortresse thus driuen away the Prince with his inchanted sword touched the wals and immediatly they fell downe The castel thus demolished the Inchanter Norabroc with a Turkish cap on his head came forth and kneeling on his knees desired the Princes pardon Therewith also he set at libertie all the knights whom he held in prison and they being free in triumphant wise foâ—lowed the Prince to his Court. CHAP. 42. The inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italy Anno 773. WHen Desiderio King of the Lombards was taken prisoner and the people of Lombardie yeelded to Charles he proclaimed himselfe King of all Italy which title by law of Armes he iustly claimed to be his The same was also by the decree of Pope Gregory confirmed Then was he also by the Bishop of Milan crowned at Modena The crowne he receiâ—ed was of iron for of that mettall he commanded it should be made enioyning all his successors to doe the like The order and ceremonies of that coronation remaineth recorded in the Rota at Rome and is to this day obserued at the Inauguration of all Emperours when they are elected King of Romanes The morning when this Charles was to be crowned certaine Bishops were sent to conduct him from his chamber vnto the Church and being come thither he was brought before the high Altar Then the Archbishop after he had said certaine prayers turned himselfe to the people and asked them whether they did consent to receiue that Prince for their King and whether they determined faithfully to obey his lawes and commandements So soone then as the people had pronounced their consent the Bishop with holy oyle anointed the Kings head his breast and shoulders therewith praying God to blesse him and grant him good successe in Armes with an happie succession of children These Ceremonies being ended the Archbishop deliuered into the Kings hand a sword and ornified him with a bracelet a ring and a scepter Also vpon his head he set the crown aforesaid All those things being done he kissed him as a signe of peace and so departed from the King CHAP. 43. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus being made Emperour Anno 800. WHen the people inhabiting the confines of Beneuento had much molested that Countrey and were subdued by Vinigesius the sonne of Charles then Duke of Spoleto Leo the Bishop of Rome in the time of prayers when all the people were assembled the Barons of Rome also present did consecrate and anoint Charles before the Altar Basilica where he also receiued the Ensignes of the Empire From thence he was conducted to the chiefe Altar of the Temple and there anointed when he had raigned in France 33 yeeres before which time no Emperour in three hundred and thirtie yeeres had bene seene in Italy This order of coronation hath euer since bene obserued At euery such coronation the people with one voice did cry Carolo Augusto Magno Pacifico vita victoria The same time also Pypin his sonne was anointed and by solemne decree of the Pope declared King of Italy CHAP. 44. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie x. IN the yeere 1268. Pope Clement the fourth died at Viterbo After whose death the Papacie by discord of Cardinals was voide two yeeres and nine moneths The Cardinals then present in Court were seuenteene whose disconformitie continued the seat voyd almost three yeeres yet did they assemble often but euery one ambitiously affecting the Papacie for himselfe nothing could be concluded for in those dayes the Cardinals were not shut vp in the conclaue as since hath beene the vse but euery one went at libertie and at his pleasure The creation of the Pope thus deferred Phillip the Frence King and Charles king of Sicill came vnto Viterbo to sollicite the election yet they preuailed not One day these Kings being present in the Conclaue the Cardinall of Porto seeing the frowardnesse of the other Cardinals who seemed to pray ayd of the holy Ghost in that action said vnto them My Lords let vs vntile the roofe of this chamber for it seemeth the holy Ghost cannot enter if the house be still couered And so soone as he heard that Gregory was pronounced Pope he framed these verses of that election viz. Papatus munus tulit Archidiaconus vnus Quem patrem patrum fecit discordia fratrum This Pope before his ascension was called Theobaldus an Archdeacon no Cardinall being also at that time beyond the sea at Ptolemaida in Syria whether he was gone with Edward the King of Englands eldest son From thence they intended among other pilgrims to go vnto Ierusalem But hearing he was pronounced Pope returned from Syria into Italy and being come to Viterbo he receiued the Ensignes of Papacie From thence he passed to Rome and was there crowned by the name of Gregory the tenth He liued Pope sixe yeeres sixe moneths and tenne dayes and finding fault with some orders of the Church chiefly in electing the Pope he framed diuers Canons of which these are part First that the assembly of Cardinals for choise of euery new Pope should be at a place fit for the purpose and where the Pope defunct with his Court did die But if the death hapened in any village or small towne then the next citie to be the place of election That no election of any new Pope should be till after ten dayes that the other Pope departed to the end the Cardinals absent might appeare That no Cardinal in his absence should be permitted to haue any suffrage or voice in the conclaue That euery Cardinal absent and euery other person of any condition should be capable of the Papacie That no Cardinal entred into the Conclaue should goe out before the new Pope were created That no Cardinal or other person should ambitiously endeauour to compasse the Papacie by money or other corruption vpon perill of the Popes curse CHAP. 45. ¶ The Inauguration of Henry the 4. King of England 1399. THis King called before Duke of Lancaster came first to Westminster and from thence he went vnto the Tower of London accompanied with the Nobilitie and the rest of his Court there he made nine Knights of the Bath and 46. other Knights The next day after dinner he returned to Westminster in great pompe he himselfe riding through London kept his head bare and about his neck he ware the collar appertaining to the Order of Fraunce Before the King went the Prince his sonne sixe Dukes sixe Earles and eighteene Barons besides other Lordes Knights Esquiers and Gentlemen to the number of 900. or thereabout By the way awaited the Lord Mayor with his brethren and officers of the City Also the companies of euery
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
lege perenni Deinde iterum ex alio faetu instaurata renasci Thus haue we heard the meanes of aspiring vnto honour and by what occasion the same is lost decayed But well I wot that vnto these reasons and examples produced to incite our English youth they answere That were they sure to attaine vnto the least part of that fortune these great personages and many others their inferiours haue come vnto then would they not feare to aduenture their labor and liues to the vttermost but because the paines and perils are certein the successe doubtful they thinke it more wisdome to Hunt and Hawke at home then hazard their bodies abroad or beate their braines about that which haply shall neuer turne them to profit This silly allegation compounded of sloth and pusillanimitie may easily bee refelled but rarely reformed notwithstanding for that I am vsed to loose my labour I will reply thereunto thus That seeing no reward is due before desert and that honour is the recompence of vertue it may not be looked for vntill some vertuous testimony be first shewed What Souldier is so simple as entring into pay wil at the first day looke to be made a Captaine or haue promise within fewe yeeres to become a Generall what Scholler will at his first comming to study demand the degrees due vnto Art or shortly after with little learning will challenge to be a Doctor Yet true it is that sometimes the simplest Archer doeth hit the marke which many an excellent shooter misseth yet hardly will any wise man bee brought to lay money on his side or hope of such successe Euen so in the attaining of Honor although fauour and fortune oft times preferreth the vnworthy yet the true way and most likely meane thereunto is true vertue and industrious life Wherefore concluding I say that euery noble and magnanimous mind doth not so much couet the reward of vertue as it taketh delight therein As the Poet sayth Propter se virtus petitur non propter honorem Ipsa licet propriè ac verè merâ—atur honorem THE FOVRTH BOOKE Of Precedencie and places due to great Personages Ciuil Magistrates and others of reputation The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of Honour in generall Cap. 1. Of Honour in particular And with what Complements men are honoured Cap. 2. Of Ensignes Royall and Military Cap. 3. Of Emperours Cap. 4. Of Kings Cap. 5. Of Queenes Cap. 6. A Prince Cap. 7. An Archduke Cap. 8. A Duke Cap. 9. A Marquesse Cap. 10. An Earle Cap. 11. A Vicount Cap. 12. A Baron Cap. 13. Of Esquires Cap. 14. Of Gentlemen Cap. 15. How Gentlemen are to take place Cap. 16. Priuiledges anciently appertaining to Gentlemen Cap. 17. Of diuers dispositions of Gentlemen according to the humor of the Countrey wherein they inhabit Cap. 18. Of Kingdomes and how Kings are to precede according to the Councell of Constance Cap. 19. Of Magistrates Cap. 20. Of Officers and their Precedencie Cap. 21. Of Honourable places due to great Estates their wiues and children Cap. 22. The proceeding of Parliament Cap. 23. The placing of great Officers according to the Statute Anno 31. Hen. 8. Cap. 24. The Queenes Maiesties most Royall proceeding to Pawles Anno 1588. Cap. 25. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition Cap. 26. Of Funerals and Order to be therein kept Cap. 27. Of Monuments and Epitaphes Cap. 28. The Prooeme ALbeit the rankes and places appointed to honourable Subiects ought euer to bee at the Princes disposition and pleasure for so do we find in sacred Scripture Hester cap. 6. Yet the Maiesty of our present Soueraigne hath euer consented that all noble personages Magistrates and others of dignity should precede according to order anciently vsed in the reignes of her most noble predecessors Howsoeuer it be true it is that in diuers ages and vpon diuers considerations some alteration hath bene As sometimes the Prelates haue taken place before Princes and all other Lords and some other times the Temporall Lords and Officers did march next vnto the King In some other time the chiefe precedence was giuen to Dukes Marquesses and Earles without respect vnto the Kings blood his Alliance or fauour So as no absolute order or precise rule hath bene on that behalfe obserued and is the cause that questions and confusion do oft times arise at the assembly and meeting of great personages and others of dignitie and reputation For auoiding of which inconueniences it may please her royall Maiestie by princely power and sacred wisedome to signifie her pleasure on that behalfe to the end that persons of dignitie Magistrates Officers and other subiects of qualitie may be martialled and ranged accordingly For as good order is an ornament of great excellencie so confusion causeth discord and is the roote of many most dangerous questions which moued the Philosophers to say that the losse of worldly wealth is lesse grieuous to men of generous minde then the priuation of place and honorable estimation If then order in precedencie be a matter of so much consequence among persons of reputation great heede and râ—gard ought bee had thereunto to the end that Princes Prelates Magistrates Officers Ministers and all other of honourable and honest qualitie should take due places without preiudice to their superiours or equals For so great is the force of ambition as oftentimes priuate ostentation seeketh to put backe true dignitie and impudent presumption presumeth to step before vertue honour and honourable merit CHAP. 1. Of Honor in generall HOnor saith Cicero is the reward of vertue and infamie the recompense of vice whoso then desireth to aspire vnto Honor it behooueth him to come thereunto by the way of vertue which the Romanes couertly expressed in building the Temple of Honour so as no man could passe thereunto but first he was forced to goe through the Church dedicated to Vertue But because the greatest number of men are not well informed what Vertue meaneth it shall bee expedient to say that Vertue is a good habite and true perfection of reason whereunto whoso will attaine it behooueth him to consider what and how many the morall Vertues are chiefly those fewe of the which the rest haue dependance Therefore to begin with that which of all others is most necessary for preseruation of humane societie I say that Iustice is a vertue which enformeth euery man to rest contented with so much as to him appertaineth and giue to all others that which to them belongeth This is it which conserueth peace and whereof men be deseruingly called Good Next therunto we thinke Temperance or modestie ought to accompanie euery wise man and chiefly him that hath authoritie ouer others For no man there is that can rightly iudge howe to direct the maners of other men that knoweth not first how to gouerne him selfe The rule whereof is this vertue of Temperance which teacheth a moderation of hope and feare and of ioy and sorow with euery
slaues or pirats onely Corona obsidialis was giuen to a Generall leader that had saued his armie distressed That Crowne was made of grasse growing where the Armie was besieged Such a one the Senate and people of Rome bestowed vpon Fabius Maximus in the second warre against the Carthagenians Corona Ciuica was also of high estimation being giuen to him that saued a Citizen from the enemie This Crowne was made of Oaken boughes and reputed an ensigne of exceeding honor Of which opinion Antoninus Pius seemed to be saying Malo vnum ciuem seruare quà m mille hostes occidere Corona Haederalis was giuen to Poets Corona Populea was giuen to yong men industrious and disposed to vertuous endeuour Other ensignes Militarie the Romanes vsed and were bestowed in token of dignitie as chaines of gold gilt spurres launces and white rods the one a token of warre the other of peace We will also speake of Crownes of later deuice giuen to great Estates CHAP. 4. Of Emperors IMperator dicitur quasi Imperij Rator fortasse vt legislator Ita Imperij lator Id est Imperium supremamque maiestatem habens non armis solum munitam sed legibus moderatam The name of Emperour was first in vse among the Romanes and by them inuented not for Princes but chiefe Leaders and Captaines of the warre At the beginning they were yerely created in Ianuary and ended their authority in September which custome continued vntill the Battell of Pharsalia wherein Pompei was defeated by Caesar who being returnened to Rome the Romanes consented he should enioy that title of Emperour during his life the which his nephew Octauian succeding him in the Empire continued and made it hereditary to his successors with the surname of Augustus for his happy gouernment which name hath bene euer since vsed by all Emperours to this day So appeareth it that the title of Emperor began in Rome Anno mundi 3914. or as others say 3963 ab vrbe condita 706. And before the birth of Christ 47. This Emperor and his successors continued their seate at Rome vntill the reigne of Constantine the great Anno Christi 310. by whom the Emperiall Court was transferred to Constantinople So the Empire became diuided into two Empires one Emperour gouerned at Constantinople in the East the other at Rome in the West Which order continued from the reigne of Carolus magnus vntill Constantinus Paleologus In whose time Constantinople was besieged and taken by the Turkes The West Empire after the death of Charlemaine hath in diuers ages bene gouerned by Princes of diuers nations as Frenchmen Saxons Sueuians and Austrians who presently hold that dignitie In the reigne of Otho 3. with the consent of Pope Gregory 5. the election of the Emperour was taken from the Italians and granted vnto seuen Princes of Germany viz. the Archbishops of Mentz Treuer and Colein the Count Palatin of Rheine the Duke of Saxon the Marquesse of Brandenburg and the King of Bohemia then called Duke of Bohemia This order was after confirmed in the reigne of Charles the fourth about the yeere 1378. Among Princes secular an Emperor hath anciently bene reputed worthy a chiefe place and to precede all other Princes which is the cause that Baldus called an Emperour the Vicar or Vicegerent of God vpon earth and therefore when other Princes are crowned with one onely Crowne an Emperor hath euer had three The first Crowne is of iron which he receiueth at Aquisgran by the hand of the Archbishop of Colein within whose Diocesse that Citie is seated The second Crowne is of siluer which hee taketh at the hand of the Archbishop of Milan in the Citie of Modena after he is arriued in Italy Yet true it is that the Emperour Henrie receiued it at Milan in S. Ambrose Church and haply so haue some other Emperors Siluer signifieth cleannesse and brightnesse Yet some writers haue sayd the first Crowne is of siluer and the second of iron which Cass. denieth The third Crowne is of pure golde wherewith he is crowned at Rome by the Pope in the Church of S. Peter before the Altar of S. Mauriee Gold is accompted the most excellent of all mettals and of such perfection in Iustice Emperors and Princes ought be In these three mettals all Tributes and other dueties were anciently payd vnto Emperors When the Scepter and sword are deliuered into his hand it is likewise said vnto him viz. By these signes thou art admonished to correct subiects with a fatherly chastisement extending thy hand of mercie first vnto the ministers of God and next to widowes and fatherlesse children so shall the oyle of mercie neuer fall from thy head and both in this world and the world to come thou shalt be rewarded with an euerlasting crowne CHAP. 5. Of Kings REx dicitur a regendo quia dignus est regere populum suum in bello eundemque ab inimicis sua magnanimitate virtute defendere For the better conceiuing of that which followeth it shall not be impertinent to know that Kings Princes and other soueraigne Commanders did in the beginning aspire vnto greatnes by puissance and force of which number Cain was the first as Austen lib. 15. de ciuitate Dei cap. 20. writeth This Cain to the end he might with more commoditie command his people builded a citie calling it by his sonnes name Enoch and was the first citie in the world as appeareth in Genes cap. 4. After the flood the first King that raigned was Nimrod descended of the line of Cham as we find in Gen. 9. whose sonne builded the Tower of Babel intending to make the same of height equall to the heauen But the Lord offended with his ambition inspired the people to speake in diuers languages for before that time all men had onely one tongue Gen. cap. 9. These and other Princes were oppressors of people and displeasing to God for which cause they receiued vnfortunate ende The first King of Barbary exercising the arte Magike was slaine by the deuill In like manner other ancient Monarkes raigning tyrannically ended their liues by violence As Pharaoh whose heart being hardned against the Lord was drowned in the red sea Exod. 14. Also Corah Dathan and Abiram swallowed vp by the earth Numb 16. Antiochus eaten of lice 2. Mac. 9. Saul the first King of Israel disobedient to Dauid and other ministers of the Lord was wounded of the Philistims and in the end desperately stabbed himselfe to death with his owne sword 1. Kings 31. And Absalon the sonne of Dauid rebelling against his father was slaine by Ioab 1. King 14. Too long it were to tell by how many meanes the Almighty Lord hath punished the vngodly and impious oppressors of people and with what power and grace he hath protected those Kings Princes that gouerned with Iustice maintained people in peace for indeede there is no power but from God as Christ speaking to Pilat said Non haberes potestatem aduersum me
edomiti Burgraues quasi 〈◊〉 Comites Rheingraues qui praesunt rusticis In the Court Imperiall Comes was anciently the title of sundry officers as Comes Largitionum Comes laborum Comes Consistorianus Comes Palatij Comes Palaij had Iura Regalia and thereby might erect Barons vnder them as Hugh Lupus first Count Palatin of Chester made eight Barons and had that Earledome giuen vnto him by the Conqueror ita liberè ad Gladium sicut ipse Rex tenebat Angliam ad Coronam The Countie of Lancaster was made County Palatine by King Edward the third and had Barons Chancerie and Seale so had the Bishopricks of Durham and Ely The Offices of these Barons were to sit in Councell and Parliament with the Earle in his Pallace and to honor his Court with their presence Also for more magnificence these Earles kept their Grandiours and festiuall dayes as absolute Princes in their prouinces Comes Marescallus Angliae is an Earle by office and so is no other Earle of England but hee he is in the vancancie of the Constable the Kings lieutenant Generall in all marshall affaires His office is of great commandement and endued with many honourable priuiledges King Rich. the second in the 21. of his reigne granted to Thomas Holland Duke of Surrey Earle Marshal of England Quod idem Dux ratione officij sui habeat gerat deferat quendaÌ„ baculuÌ„ aureum circa vtrumque finem de nigro annulatum non obstante quod aliquis alius ante haec tempora baculum ligneum portare consueuerit To the degree of an Earle belongeth a Surcoat a Mantle and a Hood with a Coronet of gold with points only and no flowers CHAP. 12. A Vicount A Vicount is in degree dignity next vnto an Erle it was anciently a name of Office vnder an Earle and called Vicecomes or Subcomes and this office was to heare and determine causes of difference and to execute Iustice in the Earles County The Saxons called him the Shyre-Reue and in the Norman speech Vicount Hee is of greater dignity then a Baron as is the Vicount de Thureyn and the Vicount of Combre in Fraunce or as the Vicounts Mountacute and Vicount Howard of Bindon in England This degree hath a Surcoat a Mantle and a Hood and a Circulet without either Floures or Points as appeareth in the Margent CHAP. 13. A Baron NExt ensueth a Baron which dignity was called in the British tongue Dynast in the Saxon Thayn in Latine Baro which signifieth Vir grauis for Albertus de Rosa in his Dictionary expressing the signification of the word Baro sayth Barones dicuntur graues personae à Graeco vocabulo Baria quod idem est quod autoritas grauis Likewise Calap in his Dictionary sayth Baro est vir fortis à quo fit diminutiuum Barunculus Men in this dignity were euer of great reputation for Hortensius speaking of Barons whome Dominicus de S. Gemi calleth also Capitanius sayth Non solum militare sed prudenter atque grauiter ipsis ducibus consulere officium est Baronis Barons were also anciently accounted companions to Earls and others of higher dignity and therefore reckoned of that number called Peeres or Pares regni or Pares homines of some men pronounced Parhomines and corruptly Barones conuerting the letter P. into B. as Libard for Leopard The dignitie of a Baron is thus defined Baronia est quaedam dignitas inter nobiles habens quandam praeeminentiam inter solos simplices nobiles post principatus ex consuetudine introductam ex quodam modâ— vtendi diuer simode diuersas patrias Cass. It seemeth also that a Baron in diuers Countreys is diuersly esteemed for in England they are to proceede according to their segniority but in Burgundy they be reputed the greatest Barons that are of greatest possessions And as a Duke had anciently vnder him ten Earles or Earledomes and an Earle 10 Baronies so a Baron ought be commander of some competent company of Segniories the greater the number be the more his honour Quanto maiora quâ—â—tractat tanto ipse maior est Dauid Likewise Salustius in his Prooeme of Catelin sayd Maxima gloria in maximo Imperio In the kingdome of Naples all Gentlemen hauing iurisdiction appertaining to their lands and castels are called Barons yet in diuers places of France no Segniory is reputed a Barony vnlesse it hath belonging vnto it foure Castels one Hospital one Colledge with a Chruch hauing also a Seale autentike Which dignitie is preferred before the title of Gentlemen yet is inferiour to all Countiships such is the opinion of Cassaneus lib. 8. One other degree of great estate and titular dignity there is called Princes although in England I haue not seene or read of any such in that kind yet where that title is in vse they precede Barons Some of them haue Iuraregalia and therefore do hold that dignitie either by custome or priuiledge as the princes of Orange Piedemont and Achaia haue Iura regalia But others do hold that title by custome which is of great force as Baldus affirmeth saying Consuetudini standum erit A Baron hath not Potestatem Principis yet is he numbred among noble personages and some Barons by reason of their Baronies haue so much authority ouer their owne vassals as if they conspire against them that offence is called treason in respect whereof the title of Baron is so much the more honourable Note that a Baron hauing Iura Imperialia or Iura Regalia is reputed equal vnto an Earle notwithstanding the Earldome or Barony doe differ in dignity Note also that Barons doe participate of diuers priuiledges and Immunities proper vnto other dignities aforesayd they are Lords of the Parliament in England and of them it is called the Barons Court For the Parliament makes not Barons but Barons Parliaments The title of Barons in France was anciently generall aswel to Princes of blood as all others holding immediatly of the Crowne So do we cal the greatest estates of England by the names of Barons Lords Spiritual and Temporall Of Barons in England there hath bene also anciently diuers sorts Some were Barons in name but not noble as the Barons of the fiue Ports and Barons of London whom Bracton maketh mention of in these words Coram Baronibus London And in another place Sicut Barones London corà m me testantur The Barons of the Exchequer are of like condition Other Barons both in name and dignitie yet not called honorable were Barons created by the Earles Palatines Of Barons honourable are three degrees viz. by Tenure by Creation and by Writ Barons by Tenure are Bishops chiefly caled Lords Spiritual and euer reputed honorable not in respect of noblenes in blood but for their function and office they are Peeres and Barons of the Realme They are also first in nomination and take place on the Princes right hand in the Parliament chamber They are also called Right honourable Lords and Reuerent Fathers in God They haue
the person of the Emperor and King of Romanes two Popes for one died there fiue Patriarches three and thirty Cardinals fourtie and seuen Archbishops a hundreth forty and fiue Bishops and 83. Suffragans Thirty and nine Dukes Thirty and seuen Earles being absolute Princes An hundreth and thirtie inferior Earles Seuentie and nine free Lords or Barons Knights of all Nations fifteene hundred Gentlemen twentie thousand besides Doctors Licentiats and Scholemen infinite For the King of England appeared Richard Beauchamp Earle of Warwick with him were foure Bishops viz. Sarisbury Chester Bathe and Bangor Sarisbury died during that Councell and liuing tooke his place aboue all other Bishops as an Archbishop and for the time was placed last in the ranke of Archbishops The Earle of Warwicks attendants were as followeth Hurting de Clough Knight Iohn Waterton Knight Iohn Seton Knight Piers Craft Knight Iohn Roch Knight Iames Hermford Knight Beringer de Beaumont Knight Gentlemen Nicholas Serpon William Newland Geffrey Offley Walter Hungerford Hugh Holdbach Iohn Fitton Thomas Wileot Richard Dutton Oliuer Dunley Petrs Craft Iohn Lantsdon Iohn Roche Thomas Fanhes William Newland Iohn Merbory Iohn Otlinger Ralfe Rainscroft Henry Vessey William Vessey Scholemen of Cambridge Henry Abundy Iohn Wells Iohn Sheirford Doctors in Diuinitie Thomas Palton Robert Appleton Iohn Stokes Ciuilians Scholemen of Oxford The Lord Prior of Orsestry Peter Rodley Priamus Farbach CHAP. 20. Of Magistrates NExt vnder Emperors Kings and Princes Souereigne are foure degrees of Magistrates Some are called Magni and Illustres Some are Medij and Spectabiles Some are Minimi and Clarissimi And some are Infimi The first may be named Magistrates souereigne as they who acknowledge no superior but the Maiestie of the Prince The second are they that yeeld obedience to them and command other Magistrates their inferiors The latter two are such as cannot command any Magistrate but haue power only ouer particular subiects within the limits of their iurisdiction Touching the first that haue authority to commaund all other Magistrates and acknowledge no superior but the Prince they are fewer at this day then heretofore Yet certaine it seemeth that some Romane Emperours authorized one Magistrate or Lieutenant without any companion to command all other Magistrates of the Empire and to him all Gouernours and Magistrates did appeale Which Magistrate they called Praefectus Praetorio True it is that at the beginning he was of no greater quality then Captaine of the Legions Praetorian as Seius Strabo vnder Augustus and Seianus vnder Tibertus vntill other Emperors succeeding by litle and litle encreased their authority as in the end the Praefectus Praetorio became Lieutenant generall and iudge of all questions and causes whatsoeuer by which occasion that office was giuen vnto men learned in the Lawe as Martian vnder Otho Papinian vnder Seuerus and Vlpian vnder Alexander All which came to passe before Armes were diuided from lawes and Iusticers from Captaines Afterwards this great office became imparted vnto two and sometimes three persons purposely to abridge the excessiue authority of one But touching the Precedencie of Magistrates albeit they cannot aptly be ranged with those of the Empire yet may they in some sort be placed according to the dignitie and degrees of those titles which the Romanes anciently vsed And touching their authority it shal not be amisse to know that a Magistrate is an Officer hauing power to command in the common weale among whom in the Romane Empire the Praefectus Praetorio was the chiefe hauing authority aboue all other Officers to whom also euery one did appeale To this Praetor or Praefect we may compare the Grand Mayor du Pallais in France who in times past did in that kingdome beare chiefe office To him also in some sort we may resemble the high Seneschal of England vnder King William the Conqueror and other Kings his successors These Magistrates might therefore bee reasonably called Illustrissimi chiefly in the Kings absence For sure it is that in presence of the King all power of Magistrates and Commissioners also doth cease For during that time they haue no authority of commandement either ouer other subiects or other Officers their inferiors But this mighty Magistrate is no more either in England or France yet during their authoritie they were called Illustrissmi which title signified a certein preeminencie aboue all Magistrates that were Illustres either Honorarij or Administrantes Nam accidentia denominant Subiectum Next to these Illustrissimi or Maximi the chiefe place of Precedencie is due vnto those whome we called Illustres and among them the L. Chancellour is chiefe etiam in dignitate impari as one whose excellent vertue ought be preferred before all other officers Likewise the Lord high Constable or Lord Marshall is a Magistrate Illust. the Lord Treasurer Admirall of England the Lord Chamberlaine and all others of the Kings priuie Councell may assume the title of persons Illust. or as we commonly call them right Honorable So saith Cass. It seemeth also that Doctours who haue read in schoole the space of twenty yeeres may be called Illustrissimi as Purpuratus noteth To these Illust. or right Honourable personages the lawes Emperiall haue graunted many great priuiledges as the same Barthol discourseth After these the Magistrates whome we formerly called Spectabiles and may in our tongue be tearmed Honourable ought to follow as commanders in Armes Iudges Gouernours or Lieutenants Generall of Prouinces and Cities c. The fourth place appertaineth to them that anciently were named Clarissimi or Right worshipfull who are inferiour Iusticers and Ministers Colonels Captaines and meane Officers c. Lastly are they whome the Romanes intituled Infimi and in English Worshipfull as Captaines of particular Castles Iudges in Townes corporate where no action is triable aboue 3000 shillings Note here that euery Magistrate is an Officer but euery Officer is not a Magistrate and of all Magistrates the Lord Chancellor hath euer had precedence not onely in England and Fraunce but of all anciencie in euery other place for read we may that Eginardus who wrote the life of Carolus Magnus was his Chancellor Likewise Tribonianus was Chancellor vnto the Emperor Iustinian Iosaphat was Chancellor to King Dauid 2. of Kings Vlpianus to the Emperour Alexander Seneca to Nero and in France the Chancellor hath so great preheminence as he precedeth the Constable vnlesse he be the Kings brother or his sonne For the better memory of the degrees aforesaid Lucas de Penna speaking of titular dignity hath left these verses vnderwritten Illustris primus medius spectabilis imus Vt lex testatur clarissimus esse probatur Et superillustris praeponitur omnibus istis CHAP. 21. Of Officers and their Precedencie OFficers seruing Princes are of diuers sorts among which some doe attend the Princes person others haue charge of his Treasure some are ministers of Iustice and some are commanders in warre For the better conceiuing of our intention therfore and the order of that which
stand aboue and precede all others that are in pari dignitate of themselues as a Duke of the Bloud aboue all Dukes not of the Bloud and so the like in all other degrees except the Princes knowen pleasure be to the contrary A Dukes eldest sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall haue place before a Marquesse and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue an Earle An Earles sonne and heire of the blood Royall shall precede a Vicount and if he be not of the blood he shall haue place aboue a Baron CHAP. 23. The proceeding of Parliament to Westminster from her Maiesties Royall Pallace of VVhite Hall FIrst Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen two and two Esquiers two and two The sixe Clerkes of the Chancerie Clerkes of the Starre-chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the priuie Counsell The Masters of the Chancery Esquiers of the Body The Trumpets The Queenes Attorney and Soliciter Sergeants of the Law The Queenes Sergeant alone The Barons of the Exchequer two and two Iudges of the Common Pleas. Iudges of the Kings Bench. Pursuyuants Pursuyuants The Lord chiefe Baron and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Common Pleas. The Master of the Roules and the Lord chiefe Iustice of the Kings Bench. Batcheler Knights Knights of the Bathe Knights Bannerets Knights of the Priuie Counsell two and two Knights of the Garter The Queenes Maiesties Cloake and Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquier Noblemens yonger sonnes Heralds Heralds and heires apparant two and two The principall Secretary being no Baron The Vice-chamberlaine The Treasourer and Comptroller of the Houshold Barons in their Robes two and two The yongest form ost Bishops in their Robes two and two The Lord Admirall and the Lord Chamberlaine of Household together if they be Barons and In pari dignitate Norroy King of Armes Viscounts in their Robes two and two the yongest formost Earles in their Robes two and two they yongest formost Marquesses in their Robes Dukes in their Robes The Lord President of the Counsell and the Lord Priuie Seale Lord Steward of the Queenes house and the Lord great Chamberlaine Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord Chanceler and the Lord Tresurer of England together The Archbishop of Canterbury the Archbishop of Yorke together Sergeants at Armes Sergeants at Armes Garter chiefe King of Armes barehead The Cap of Estate borne by the Marques of Winchester and with him on the left hand the Earle Marshall of England with his gilt rod. The Sword borne by an Earle THE Queenes Maiestie on horsebacke or in her Chariot with her Robes of Estate her Traine borne by a Duchesse or Marchionesse The Pensioners on ech side of her Maiestie bearing Poleaxes The Lord Chamberlaine and the Vize-chamberlaine on eche side of the Queene if they attend out of their ranke but somewhat behinde her The Master of the Horse leading a spare Horse next behinde her Maiestie Ladies and Gentlewomen according to their Estates two and two The Captaine of the Guard with all the Guard folowing two two CHAP. 24. The placing of great Officers according to the Acte of Parliament made An. 31. H. 8. THe Lord Vicegerent shal be placed on the Bishops side aboue them all Then the Lord Chauncellour The Lord Treasorer The Lord President of the priuie Counsell The Lord Priuie seale These foure being of the degree of a Baron or aboue shall sit in the Parliament in all assemblies of Councell aboue Dukes not being of the blood Royall viz. The Kings brother Vncle or Nephewes c. And these sixe The Lord great Chamberlaine of England The Lord High Constable of England The Earle Marshall of England The Lord Admirall of England The Lord great Master of Steward of the Kings house The Lord Chamberlaine of the Kings houshold These sixe are placed in all assemblies of Councell after Lord priuie Seale according to their degrees and estates So that if he be a Baron to sit aboue all Barons and if he be an Earle aboue all Earles And so likewise the Kings principall Secretary being a Baron of the Parliament hath place aboue all Barons and if he be of higher degree he shall sit and be placed according thereunto Note If any of the Officers aboue mentioned be not of the degree of a Baron whereby he hath not power to assent or dissent in the high Court of Parliament then he or they are to sit on the vppermost Wolsacke in the Parliament chamber the one aboue the other in like order as is specified The Nobilitie Temporall are placed according to the auncientie of their seuerall creations and so are the Lords Spirituall sauing The Archbishop of Canterburie So placed of dignitie The Archbishop of Yorke Bishop of London So placed by Acte of Parliament Bishop of Durham Bishop of Winhcester The rest of the Bishops haue their places according to the senioritie of their seuerall consecrations And this for their placing in the Parliament house Howbeit when the Archbishop of Canterburie sitteth in his Prouinciall assembly he hath on his right hand the Archbishop of Yorke and next vnto him the Bishop of Winchester and on the left hand the Bishop of London But if it fall out that the Archbishop of Canterburie be not there by the vacation of his See then the Archbishop of Yorke is to take his place who admitteth the Bishop of London to his right hand and the Prelate of Winchester to his left the rest sitting as is before said as they are elders by consecration CHAP. 25. The Queenes Maiesties most royall proceeding in State from Somerset place to Pauls Church Ann. 1588. ON Sunday the 24. day of Nouember Anno 1588. our Soueraigne Lady Queene Elizabeth rode with great solemnitie in her open chariot from Somerset house in the Strond to the Cathedrâ—l Church of S. Paul in London where at the West doore before her Maiesties entrance in there was prouided a rich Chaire of Estate and the ground being spred likewise with tapits her Maiestie kneeled downe against a deske couered with very Princely furniture and said the Lords prayer and then the Bishop of London in his Cope deliuered her a booke containing all the Orders Charters and Priuiledges belonging to the said Church which her Maiesty receiuing did confirme and redeliuer vnto the Bishop in the presence of all the Prebends and Churchmen who attended her Highnesse in very rich Copes and so with the whole Quire singing before her she proceeded vp into the Chancell where within a Trauers she rested vntill the Procession and other diuine Anthems were sung After which her Maiesty entred into the place ordained for the Duchie of Lancaster which at that time was newly reedified with faire and large glasse windowes in which she stayed during the Sermon preached at the Crosse by Doctor Perce then Bish. of Salisbury where with the whole assembly of the people she gaue God publicke thankes for that
triumphant and euer memorable victory ouer the Spanish Fleet proudly by them called Inuincible The Sermon beeing done her Maiestie went to the Bishops Palace and there dined and towards euening returned vnto Somerset place by torchlight Against her Highnes cōming in the morning the streets were railed and hung with Blew broad clothes for the seueral Companies in their Liueries to stand euery Company distinguished by Banners Standards and Penons of their Armes richly painted and illumined The Gentlemen of the Innes of Court likewise being placed nere Temple Bar stood orderly within their railes All the fronts of houses were couered with rich Arras and Tapistry and the windowes and streets replenished with all sorts of people innumerable who with great applause and ioyful acclamations both graced and honoured her Maiesties most Royall proceeding The Lord Mayor which was Alderman Calthrope deliuered his Sword to her Maiestie at Temple Barre who receiuing it gaue him a Mace or Scepter to beare and deliuered the Sword to the L. Marquesse of Winchester who bare it before her Highnesse all that day ¶ Here followeth the List or Roll of all Estates that were in this Princely proceeding according as they were then marshalled Messengers of the Chamber Gentlemen Harbingers Seruants to Ambassadors Gentlemen Her Maiestics seruants Esquires Trumpets Sewers of the Chamber Gentlemen Huishers The sixe Clerkes of the Chancery Clerkes of Starre chamber Clerkes of the Signet Clerkes of the Priuie Seale Clerkes of the Councel Chaplens hauing dignities as Deanes c. Masters of the Chancery Aldermen of London Knights Batchelers Knights Officers of the Admiralty The Iudge of the Admiraltie The Deane of the Arches The Soliciter and Attourney Generall Serieants at the Law The Queenes Serieants Barons of the Exchequer A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Common Pleas. A Pursuy of Armes Iudges of the Kings Bench. The L. chief Baron the L. chief Iustice of the Common pleas The Master of the Rols and the L. chiefe Iustice of the K. Bench. The Queenes Doctors of Physicke The Master of the Tents and the Master of the Reuels The Lieutenant of the Ordinance The Lieutenant of the Tower The Master of the Armorie Knights that had bene Ambassadors Knights that had beene Deputies of Ireland The Master of the great Wardrobe A Pursuy of Armes The Master of the lewel house A Pursuy of Armes Esquires for the Bodie and Gentlemen of the Priuie chamber Trumpets The Queenes Cloake Hat borne by a Knight or an Esquire Barons yonger sonnes Knights of the Bath Knights Bannerets Lancaster Vicounts yonger sonnes Yorke Barons eldest sonnes Earles yonger sonnes Vicounts eldest sonnes Secretaries of her Maiestie Knights of the Priuie Councel Sommerset Richmond Knights of the Garter Principal Secretarie Vicechamberlaine Comptroller and Treasurer of the houshold Barons of the Parliament Chester Bishops 〈◊〉 The Lord Chamberlaine of the house being Barons The Lord Admiral of England Marquesses yonger sonnes Earles eldest sonnes Vicounts Dukes yonger sonnes Marquesses eldest sonnes Norroy King of Armes Earles Dukes eldest sonnes Marquesses Dukes Clarencieux King of Armes The Almner The Master of Requests The Lord high Treasurer of England The Archbishop of Yorke The Lord Chanceller of England The Archbishop of Canterbury The French Embassadour Garter King of Armes The Maior of London A Gent. Huisher of the Priuie Chamber The Queenes Maiestie in her Chariot Her Highnesse traine borne by the Marchionesse of Winchester The Palfrey of Honour led by the Master of the Horse The chiefe Lady of Honour All other Ladies of Honour The Captaine of the Guard Yeomen of the Guard CHAP. 26. Of Precedencie among persons of meane and priuate condition BArtholus in his discourse de re Militari Duello diuideth men into three degrees viz. great personages aduanced to dignitie men of reputation without dignitie and common or ignoble persons Of whom Iac. Faber in his discourse vpon Aristotles politickes maketh nine sorts The first are husbandmen whose endeuor is employed about the fruits of the earth Secondly artificers occupied Arts either necessarie honest or pleasing Thirdly victualers retailers of wares and chapmen Fourthly Marriners and sea souldiers Fiftly Fishermen Sixtly Watermen and Ferrymen Seuenthly Masons and labourers in stone Eightly workemen of little substance and Labourers Lastly Bondmen and slaues Among common persons in euery Prouince or Towne the Gouernor or Captaine is of most reputation notwithstanding hee be of a common birth yet in some Cities the Maior or chiefe Iudge hath that chiefe honour and is superior to the military Officer but generally men in Office are of more reputation then others without office and Officers for life are preferred before Officers annuall or time certaine Data paritate in alijs Raynutius Note also that euery man during the time he beareth office is to be respected and honoured as Purpuratus writeth And to say summarily all wisemen hauing place of rule in any Prouince Citie or Towne must be preferred before others albeit they are aduanced aboue the measure of their vertue For no man is so euill but sometimes he doth well Laudabilia multa etiam mali faciunt Pli. Men married are euer to precede men vnmaried in pari dignitate And he who hath most children or lost the greater number in the warre of his Countrey is to be most honored Lex Iuli◠The like order ought be obserued among women maried in pari dignitate and in Rome maydens did anciently go before widdowes and wiues also and sonnes before their Fathers Men hauing land of inheritance are to precede other hauing none and Citizens that are housholders must be preferred before others hauing no habitation chiefly in such Cities and Townes where their Ancestors and families haue bene of continuance in reputation of marchandise or other possessions For next after Gentlemen and Magistrates they are to take place in pari dignitate Yet here is to be noted that if any Burgesse Marchant or other man of wealth doe happen to purchase a Barony yet ought he not be a Baron nor haue place among Barons Iac. Rabuff A father whose sonne beareth any Office shall giue place to his sonne in all publike meetings and seruices but in priuate affaires the order of nature ought be obserued and in domesticall conuersation the father shal goe and sit before the sonne Likewise a Bishop must doe reuerence vnto his father at home but being in the Church the father shal follow him So for diuers respects the one and the other is honoured Betwene two equals he that is in his owne iurisdiction shal precede as if an Archbishop or Cardinall doe come into the Diocesse of a Bishop notwithstanding they be persons of more dignity yet ought they giue honour vnto the Bishop because their presence doth not cancell his authority A Citizen or dweller of any chiefe City shall take place of other Inhabitants of meaner townes or cities when soeuer they meet in any place indifferent
present vnto this most Honourable Order are these Doctor Bilson Prelate B. of Winchester Sir Edward Dier Chauncellour Knight Doctor Benet Register Deane of Windsor William Dethicke Garter Principall K. of Armes Richard Conings by Esquier Vsher. Officers of Armes attendants vpon the said Order W. Camden Clarencieux Kings of Armes W. Segar Norroy Lancaster Chester Heraulds Yorke Richmond Windesor Somerset Rouge-crosse Rouge-Dragon Pursuyuants Portcullis Blewmantle CHAP. 10. Of Knights Bannerets OTher degrees of Knighthood there are in England but because they we are no garment badge or signe to distinguish them from other gentlemen they are not knowen to strangers yet among our selues we know them right wel because euery one hauing such dignitie is called Sir As Sir Thomas Sir Iohn Sir William Sir Simon c. But first of Knights Bannerets A Knight that is to receiue this honour shal be led betweene two other Knights before the King or Generall bearing his Pennon of Armes in his owne hand and in presence of all the Nobilitie and other Captaines the Heraulds shal say vnto the King or his Generall these words folowing viz. May it please your grace to vnderstand that this gentleman hath shewed himselfe valiant in the field and for so doing deserueth to be aduanced vnto the degree of a Knight Banneret as worthy from hencefoorth to beare a Banner in the warre Then the King or Generall shal cause the points of his Pennon or Guydon to be rent off And the new Knight shal goe vnto his tent conducted betweene two other Knights the trumpets sounding all the way before him there to receiue sees viz. to the Heraulds three pound sixe shillings and viij pence And if he were before a Knight Bachelour then is he to pay also vnto the Trumpets twenty shillings I suppose the Scots doe call a Knight of this creation a Bannerent for hauing his Bannerrent Here is to be noted that no Knight Banneret can be made but in the warre and the king present or when his Standerd royall is displayed in the field A Banneret thus made and euery estate aboue him may beare his Banner displayed if he be a Captaine and set his Armes therein as Barons do CHAP. II. Knights of the Bath according to the ancient vse WHen an Esquier commeth to the Court to receiue this Order of Knighthood in time of peace according to the custome of England he shall be very nobly receiued by the officers of the Court as the Steward of Chamberlane if they be present or otherwise by the Marshals and Vshers and there shall be ordayned two Esquiers of honour wise and well learned in courtesie and nurture as also in feates of Chiualry and they shall be Esquiers and Gouernours of all which pertaineth to him who receiueth the order abouesaid and if the Esquier doe come before dinner hee shall serue the King of water or with a dish at the first course onely and then the Esquiers gouernours shall leade the Esquier that is to be Knighted into his chamber without any more adoe at that time and towards euening the Esquiers gouernours shall send for a Barber and hee shall prepare a Bath decked with linnen aswell within the Tubbe as without and that the tubbe be well couered with carpets and mantels for the colde of the night and then the beard of the Esquier shal be shauen and his haire rounded This done the Esquiers gouernours shall goe to the King and say Sir it is euening and the Esquier is readie at the Bathe when it shall please ye Whereupon the King shal command his Chamberlaine to conuey to the chamber of the Esquier the most gentle and wisest Knights that are then present to enforme counsell and instruct him in the order and feates of Chiualrie and likewise that the other Esquiers of that house with minstrelsie doe goe before the Knights singing playing and dancing to the chamber doore of the said Esquier And when the Esquiers gouernours doe heare the noyse of Musicke they shall vncloth the Esquier and put him naked into the Bath But at the entring of the chamber the Esquiers gouernours shall cause the musicke to cease and the Esquiers also for a time This done the Knights shall enter into the chamber still without making any noyse and then the Knights shall doe reuerence one to the other who shall be the first to counsell the Esquier in Order of the Bath and when they are agreed then the first shal go to the Bath and kneeling downe before the tubbe shal say secretly Sir great honour may this Bath be vnto you and then he sheweth him the maner of the Order that best he can and then putteth some of the water of the Bath vpon the shoulder of the Esquier and taketh leaue and the Esquiers gouernours shall attend on each side of the Bath themselues and after that same maner shall all the other Knights do one after another till they haue all done and then the Knights depart out of the chamber for a season This done the Esquiers gouernours doe take the Esquier out of the Bath lay him in his bed till he be dry which bed ought to be simple without curtens and being dry he shal rise out of his bed and apparelled somewhat warme because of the coldnes of the night and ouer all his apparell he shal weare a coat of Russet cloth with long sleeues after the manner of an Hermit with an hood The Esquier being out of the Bath and made readie the Barber shall take away the Bath and all that is about the same aswell within as without and take them for his fees and likewise the Coller if hee be an Earle Baron Banneret or Bachelor Knight according to the custome of the Court This done the Esquiers gouernours shall open the chamber doore and let the Knights enter in to leade the Esquier to the Chappell And when they are entred the Esquiers singing and dauncing shall be brought before the Esquier with their melodie to the Chappell And when they are entred into Chappell then spices and wine shall be giuen to the sayd Knights and Esquiers And the Esquiers gouernours shall lead the Knights before the Esquier to take their leaues And he shall thanke them altogether for their trauell honor and courtesies And so they depart after whom the Esquiers gournours shall shut the doore and let no man tarie in the Chappell except the Esquiers his gouernours the Priests Chandler and Watch. And so he shall remaine in the Chappell till it be almost day alwayes in prayer desiring God to blesse and increase his grace in him to giue him power and comfort to take this high temporall dâ—gnitie to the honour and prayse of him the holy Church and order of Knighthood And when day appeareth they shal cause the Priest to say prayers and communicate if he will And from the entring of the Chappell doore hee shall haue a candle of waxe borne before him Prayers being begunne one of the Gouernours
reason of many alterations and losses which hapned vnto the Christians in the East at that time Hee elected for Patron of this Order the Apostle S. Andrew The Soueraigne of this Order is he vnto whom the Dukedome of Burgundie doth lawfully descend The number of these Knights first elected were foure and twenty besides the Soueraigne all men of Noble blood without reproch and of vertuous merit The habit is an vnder garment of Crimson veluet with a mantle of the same lined with white it openeth on the right side and in the wearing is turned vp on the left shoulder it is richly embrodered round about with a border of flames fusils and fleeces The hood of crimson veluet the Knights we are on their heads as by the figure appeareth The Collar of this Order is of gold wrought of flames and fusils with the Toizon hanging thereat The Soueraigne hath authoritie in himselfe absolutely to giue and bestow the same at this pleasure This Collar or the Toizon euery Knight is bound to weare dayly or failing shall incurre a penaltie But in time of warre or vrgent affaires to weare the Toizon only shall suffise Or if by mishap the Collar doe breake it is permitted for mending thereof it may be carried vnto a goldsmith Or if any Knight trauelling by the way shall feare to be robbed he may lay the Collar aside Yet it is not lawfull to increase the quantitie of the Collar nor adde thereunto any stones or workemanship and most vnlawfull it is to sell it or change it Whosoeuer entreth into this Order mustrenounce all other Orders of Knighthood of euery Prince Company or Religion yet out of that law are excepted all Emperours Kings and Dukes vnto whom it is dispensed that they may weare the Ensignes of this Order if they be chiefe and Soueraignes of their owne Order Yet to the end the trueth may appeare a Councell of Knights shall be called to consent vnto that dispensation These with other Statutes and Ordinances the Knights of this great Order are sworne to obserue and keepe And many of them haue bene since the first institution enlarged altered ortaken away by the Soueraignes The day of assembly for these Knights was at the beginning appointed on the feast day of S. Andrew but since altered vnto the second of May and that but once in three yeres vnlesse it pleaseth the Soueraigne otherwise to command To this Order doe belong foure principall officers Viz. A Chancellor a Treasurer a Register and a king of Armes named Toizon D'or To this Order also appertaineth an Impreze the inuenter thereof was Charles Duke of Burgundie whose high valour brought Lewys the xj king of Fraunce vnto great trouble as Monsieur d' Argenton writeth The said Impreze or deuice was an Instrument made to strike fire called an Ansill with these words Antè ferit quam flamma micet meaning he had power to kindle great trouble before it were perceiued yet was the euent vnhappy for in the warre against Lorayne and the Suysses after the defeare of Morat and Granson his forces were vtterly ouerthrowen and his person slaine before Nancy the Euen of the Epiphany Whereupon Renato Duke of Lorayne being victorious and seeing the standerd of Duke Charles with the Impreze of the Instrument of fire sayd That vnfortunate Prince when he had most neede to warme him lacked leisure to strike fire which speech was pithie and the more because the earth was then couered with snow and by reason of the conflict full of blood At that time was the greatest frost and cold that any man liuing could remember The Toizon which these Knights doe weare hanging at their Collar of Order is the forme of a golden fleece which Iason woon at Colchos others do suppose it to be the fleece of Gedeon whereof the holy Scripture maketh mention which signifieth Fidelâ—ie or Iustice vncorrupted The number of these Knights was much encreased by the Emperour Charles the fifth who hauing the dukedome of Burgundie elected into that Order persons of greater Title then were at the beginning and commanded the election should be by consent After him King Philip of Spaine did the like The names of Knights in the first election THe Duke of Burgondie Soueraigne William de Vienna of S. George Rinieri Pot Lord of Castile The Lord of Rombaix The Lord Mountacute Orland de Vtquerque Anthony de Vergi Conte of Lignij Hugh de Lanoij Lord of Santes Iohn Lord of Cominges Anthony de Tolongion Marshal of Burgondie Peter de Luxemburg Conte of Beureine Gilbert de Lanoy Lord of Villerual Iohn de Villiers Lord of Isleadam Anthony Lord of Croy and Renti Florimont de Brimeu Lord of Massincure Robert Lord of Mamimes Iames de Brimeu Lord of Grigni Baldwin de Lanoij Lord of Mulambays Peter de Baufremont of Cargni Philip Lord of D'osteruant Iohn de Orequi Iohn de Croy Lord of Tours super Marne 〈…〉 CHAP. 15. Knights of S. Michael IN the yeere 1469. Lewis the xj French King erected an order of Knighthood whereinto himselfe with others the most principall Peeres of France did enter It is said the occasion which moued the King to intitle this Order with the name of S. Michael was the memory of an apparition of that Saint vpon the bridge of Orleance when that Citie was besieged by the English at which time liued a certaine mayden called Iohan a woman of so rare wit and valour in Armes as was reputed more then a mortall creature or rather some enchantresse of singular knowledge This Order is ornified with a great Collar whereat the Image of S. Michael hangeth The words thereon set are these Immensitremor Oceani The Soueraigne of this Order is the French King and his successors The number of Knights to be elected into this Order is 36. But of late yeeres that number hath bene much encreased and thereby the order become of small reputation yet it is said that the great Collar and Robe is bestowed onely to that number although the Michael be giuen vnto many Howsoeuer that be sure it is that th'entent of that King was to make choise onely of the most noble personages of his owne blood and others who for vertue and honour were accompted worthy as by the first election appeareth who were these KIng Lewis the 11. Soueraigne Charles of Spaine Duke of Vienna Iohn Duke of Burbon and Auerne Luys de Luxemburg Conte of S. Paul and Constable of France Andre de Laual Lord of Ioheac Marshal of France Iohn Conte de Sanserre Lord of the Forrâ—t and of Plessis Mace Iohn de Tonteuille Lord of Castiglione Lewis Bastard of Burbon Conte of Rosiglione and Admirall of France Anthony of Chiabanes Conte d'Ammartin and Grand-master of the Kings house Iohn Bastard d'Armignac Counte of Cominges Marshall of France and Gouernour of Delfinato George de Trimouille Lord of Craon Seneshal of Vienna Luys Lord de Cursol Seneshal of Poylon Gilbert de Gabanes Lord of CroitoÌ„ Seneshal of
Christian to the ende that if any of their Nobilitie were louers of Arms and honor they might appeare in our Triumphs with all things needful on Munday next after S. Matthew the Apostle At Meydeburg THen his Maiesty was pleased with the aduise of the foure and the fifteene men aforesaid to adde diuers other Articles as followeth That If any man had either openly or secretly slaine his wife or had aided or counselled another man to kill his master he should forfeit his horse and be expulsed the Lists If any man had committed sacriledge by spoiling of Churches or Chappels or had by force taken the goods of any widow or Orphan or not defended them to his power he should forfeit his horse and be punished with infamy If any man without warning had assaulted his enemy or by indirect meanes had procured him to be robbed of corne wine or other prouision feloniously he should forfeit his horse c. If any man in the Empire or vnder the Empire rashly and without licence of the Emperour did impose new and vnaccustomed tributes wherby the people might be damnified he should forfeit his horse and be taxed of infamy If any man had beene conuinced of notorious adultery hauing himselfe a wife or being a Batcheler had by force defloured any matron virgine or religious woman he should forfeit his horse remaine infamous If any Gentleman borne being the Owner of lands and reuenue and not therewith contented did exact or oppresse his Tenants or being the Officer of a Prince or other great Lord did wrest from his subiects to enrich himselfe for so doing he should forfeit his horse and be excluded from the Lists with infamie All which Articles being publikely read and approued were by his Emperiall Maiestie confirmed as Law CHAP. 27. ¶ Of Triumphs at the interuiewe of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Foedericus Barbarossa at Venice Anno 1166. ADuertizement being giuen to Venice that the Emperor resolued to come thither Piro Zinzano the Dukes sonne was sent with sixe long Galleyes to meete him at Rauenna After them were dispatched a great number of lesse vessels The Emperour being arriued at Venice the Pope was set in a rich chaire at the Church doore and there taried his comming Before the Popes feet a carpet of purple was spread vpon the ground The Emperor being come to the sayd Carpet forthwith fel downe and from thence vpon his knees went towards the Pope to kisse his feete which done the Pope with his hand lifted him vp From thence they passed together vnto the great Altar in S. Markes Church whereon was set the Table of precious stones which at this day is reputed one of the richest treasures of Europe Some haue reported that there the Emperor did prostrate himselfe before the Altar and the Pope set his foot vpon his necke While this was in doing the Clergie sung that Psalme of Dauid which sayth Super Aspidem Basiliscum ambulabis Which the Emperour hearing sayd Non tibi sed Petro. The Pope replied Et mihi Petro. After some dayes abode in Venice the Pope departed by sea to Ancona and the Emperor towards Germany by land either of them accompanied with Gentlemen Venetians in great number CHAP. 28. ¶ An admirable triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cyprus Anno. 1366. AFter thankes giuen to God for the recouery of this Island euery man endeuoured to make demonstration of gladnes wherin no cost in banquetting or other solemnization was omitted Among these shewes of triumph and iolitie two sights there were most admirable and neuer before that time seene the maner of the one was a representation of Iusting on horsebacke For certaine portratures or images of men and horses were so made of skinnes clothed in silke with Lances and Shields as the wind by a straight line forced them to runne one encountering the other like to a course of the field The other was like vnto a combat where armed men did seeme to fight both which shewes were in the streete In the first the Actors were only 24 yong Gentlemen Venetians for personage apparell and yeeres very commendable The inuentor and director of these pastimes was Thomasso Bambasio who for such deuises and action was in Venice esteemed as in old time Roscius had bene in Rome Surely it seemeth strange that so many men richly attired and so many horses brauely furnished could be managed with so great dexteritie and one hauing ended his courses another was presently ready to supply that place In the meane while the Lances did seeme broken and the splinters flie about The duke with al the Nobilitie of the city beheld this miraculous sight and so did a multitude of people Among these beholders as mine Author sayth were diuers Noble men of England who trauailed to Venice purposely to see the maner of this Triumph and the Actors CHAP. 29. A Triumph in the reigne of King Richard the second 1390. THis noble Prince being aduertised with what magnificence and pompe the Queene Isabella of France had made her entry into Paris thought good to appoint a militarie triumph at London wherin appeared sixty Knights and so many faire young Ladies of his Court sumptuously apparelled With this troope his Maiestie rode from the Tower of London vnto Smithfield and passing thorow Cheapeside a proclamation was made that on Sunday and Munday next following these Knights would attende there to challenge all commers For him that deserued best in this Iust if he were a stranger the Queene and her Ladies had prepared a crowne of golde or if he were any of the sixty English Knights he should receiue a rich bracelet The English Knights likewise promised to giue vnto the stranger of best desert a faire horse with his furniture or if he were an English man hee should receiue a Falcon. This challenge and these prizes had bene by a King of Armes formerly proclaymed in England Scotland France Flaunders Brabant Henault and Germany which mooued many persons of Honour and reputation to come hither Among whom was William of Henault Earle of Oye or as some did call him of Ostrenant a young Prince much delighting in Armes This Noble youth desirous to honour the King of England his kinsman drew into his company many Gentlemen of his Nation with whom hee passed into England Then resoluing to performe that iourney thought good to take the consent of Albert his father Count of Henault Holland and Zeland Of whom with great difficultie he obtained leaue The like desire to honour the King mooued the Earle of S. Paul who had married the Kings sister And he brought with him a great troope of gallant Knights These two Princes came first vnto Calis where they found English ships readie to transport them But the Earle of Oye passed ouer first and being come to London had accesse to the King of whom he was with great ioy embraced The like courtesie he found in Iohn Holland the Kings brother
and all other Lords of the Court. The day of triumph being come the King and the Queene attended vpon by the troopes of men at Armes and Ladies aforesaid passed through London from the Tower to Smithfield Being come thither the King the Queene the Ladies and other honourable personages setled themselues in such places as were prepared and sorted with their degrees Then were the men of Armes marshalled and set in such order as they should runne The first courses were allotted to the Earle of S. Paul and his Band who were with great courage encountred by the English Betweene them the first dayes Iusting was spent and that night his Maiestie the Queene and all the company supped and lodged in the Bishops house neere to Saint Pauls Church The chiefe honour and commendation of that first fight was among the strangers giuen vnto the Earle of S. Paul and among the English the Earle of Huntington had the praise This magnificent supper ended euery one resorted to his lodging the King and Queene onely excepted who continued their lodging in that house all the time of that triumph The next day after noone King Richard himselfe in compleat Armour appeared in the fielde being followed with the whole band of English Knights Thither also came the Queene with her traine of Ladies and was set in that roome where the day before she had bene placed The first of the strangers that offered to runne was the Earle of Oye who presented himselfe and his companie most pompously furnished And after him followed the Earle of S. Paul with his troope of Frenchmen The Knights strangers being entred and readie were foorthwith incountred by the English The conflict continued till darke night with equall honour The Iusts of that day ended the King returned to his lodging accompanied with the Noble strangers and there supped The chiefe commendation of that day on the strangers part was allotted to the Earle of Oye who by his vertue without fauour so deserued Likewise among the English a Gentleman named Hewe Spencer was highly praysed On Tuesday also the men at Armes resorted to the Tilt and continued the exercise with great admiration of the beholders On Wednesday the runners intermingled themselues and euery one did runne as he thought good On Thursday the King conuited all the men and all the women supped with the Queene On Friday the whole company was feasted by the Duke of Lancaster On Saturday the King and the Queene accompanied with the Earles of Oye and S. Paul in great state rode to Windsor where they were most honourably intertayned and the Earle of Oye receiued the Garter From thence euery one returned home CHAP. 30. The triumphall passage of Charles the fift Emperour through France Anno 1540. IN the moneth of December this Emperour arriued at Bayon where the Dolphin and Duke of Auuernia with great pompe receiued him Being in the towne he behaued himselfe as King pardoning offenders and deluering them from prison From thence with like Maiestie he passed to other cities accompanied with the sayd Dolphin and Duke where he vsed the same authority In Ianuary hee came to Castelloaldum where the King in person with much magnificence intertained him From thence he passed to Amboyse where King Charles the 8. had built two great towers the walles whereof are so large as Mules and Carts may passe vpon them The King then to the end that Caesars entrie in the night should bee the more magnificent furnished those towers with an exceeding great number of lights so as they might behold all the Countrey as if it had bene faire day But when Caesar was going vp by great mishap the tower fell on fire the flame and smoke whereof became so great as euery one feared lest the Emperour should haue bene smothered Whereupon all men there present laboured by fleeing to saue themselues Some that were suspected to haue done this fact were apprehended and the King did command they should be hanged though indeed no proofe appeared but Caesar would in no wise they should die so were they pardoned After this disaster the King conducted the Emperar to Bleas and from thence to Fountainableu where they hunted hauked and beheld certaine Iusts and Tournaments in conclusion no sport or solace was omitted From thence the Emperour attended by the Dolphin and Duke went to Paris Before he entred the citie the Burgesses and Citizens of all sorts came foorth and receiued him with no lesse ceremony then if the King had bene present there he also set at libertie all prisoners From thence he passed vnto the Constables house and was there most honourably lodged At last he went into Picardy and so to Valentia which is the first town of his iurisdiction in Belgica vnto which place the Dolphin and Duke did follow him CHAP. 31. The triumphall Entry of Philip Prince of Spaine at Milan An. 1548. THis Prince entred at the gate towards Pauia where the citizens had made a stately bridge whereupon they shewed diuers Pageants Arkes triumphal adorned with verses and sentences very markable About three of the clocke after noone he entred the citie where the most reputed citizens did attend him in Burgo della Trinitá as they call it Being passed that place hee was saluted by Caesar Gonzaga the Count Iohn Treuultio the Count Charles Belgioso and many other noble persons richly apparelled After them Mutio Sforza presented his reuerence being accompanied with a great troupe of Gentlemen of the Countrey clad in white silke and bearing in their hands Pollaxes the heads of them were gilt and the staues couered with white silke Then followed the Doctors schollers accompanied with 300 horsemen apparelled in yellow coats And immediatly appeared two other troupes of men lightly armed which company garded the ancient Lords and Noblemen of the countrey among whom were some Princes Earles and Barons That troupe was so great as two houres sufficed not to see them passe They that rode next vnto the Princes person were the Duke of Alba the Duke of Sossa the Marquesse of Pescara the Admiral of Castilia the Marquesse Milo Ferdinando Gonzaga On the one side of the Prince the Cardinal of Trent on the other the Duke of Sauoy did ride Behind them followed fiue companies of men at Armes apparelled in siluer and gold conducted by Count Alexander Gonzaga Count Francisco Somaia Count Philippo Tornello two other noblemen I omit to tell of diuers shewes Arkes triumphal and other sights wherwith in euery streete the Prince was entertained by Italians onely These Complements ended the Prince came vnto the chiefe Church at the doore whereof were excellent Paintries The Prince in his entire to the Church was by the Senate and people of Milan presented with a basin of gold ful of double Duckats to the number of ten thousand as was reported The Prince thus entertained and setled in the citie Iusts and Tournaments were brought before him The Actors in that triumph were apparelled in