Collars in token they excell all other degrees of Knighthood Godfredus Adelmarâ— Institut Ordin Tem plariorum Fol. 98. CHAP. 18. Knights Templars IN the yeere 1117. nine Gentlemen who happened to meete in the Holy land of which number was Godfredus Aldemaro Alexandrino and Hugo de Planco de Paganus among themselues determined to erect an Association or brotherhood And being come vnto Ierusalem they consulted vpon the estate of that countrey beeing enformed that in Zaffo a towne anciently appertaining to the family of Contareni in Venice there remained many theeues that vsed daily to rob such Pilgrims as resorted vnto the holy Sepulchre They therefore resolued as a seruice acceptable to God to hazard their liues in the suppression of those robbers whereby the way vnto Ierusalem might become secure And because the Christian armie was then employed in recouery of the Holy land no order was taken for safe passage To encourage these Gentlemen in so praiseable an enterprise a lodging in the Temple of Ierusalem neere vnto the Sepulchre was appointed of which place they tooke the name of Knights Templars Also the King and Patriarch much liking an action so honourable furnished them with many necessarie prouisions To them also resorted many other Christians so as in short time the number became much encreased yet no habit signe or rule was agreed vpon Notwithstanding the Gentlemen persisted in their vow nine yeeres and grew to so great reputation that Pope Honorius at the suite of Steuen Patriarch of Ierusalem prescribed vnto them an order of life whereby they were enioyned to weare a white garment and Pope Eugenius added thereunto a red Crosse. After which time they elected an head or great master like vnto him that commandeth in Malta The number of these Knights daily encreased and their enterprises became famous not onely for guarding the way and passages but also they vndertooke warre against the Infidels both by Sea and land And the Christian Princes mooued with loue of their vertue in sundry prouinces assigned vnto them houses and great reuenues to be spent in Gods seruice In processe of time they became so potent as in euery Christian kingdome they were owners of Townes Fortresses and Castles and wheresoeuer the great Master did goe a mightie army did follow him It pleased God afterwards to permit that Ierusalem and other places of the Holyland through discord among the Christians and negligence of Princes not sending thither any aid was conquered about ninety yeeres CHAP. 19. Knights of San Iago At such time as the Arabians had well neere conquered the Countrey the remainder of the Spanish people refusing to liue vnder the Lawes of that barbarous nation retired themselues vnto the mountaines of Asturia and there setled a gouernment After some yeeres of their abode there certaine gentlemen consulting together determined to make an association and begin a warre vpon the infidels and Moores These gentlemen to the number of thirteene being all Barons and men of great qualitie agreed also vpon certaine religious rules of Knighthood yet reseruing vnto themselues libertie of mariage The Ensigne which they resolued to weare was a red Crosse in forme of a sword This Order was erected at such time as the King Don Ramiro wanne the victory against the Moores in the prouince of Compostella at which time great possessions and priuiledges were giuen to S. Iames of Compostella Anno 1030. This Order hath one chiefe gouernour who is called great Master he with thirteene other Knights haue authoritie to choose or remooue any Knight at their discretion Vpon the feast day of all Saints these Knights do vse to meete and consult vpon matters apperteining to their estate The reuenues belonging to these Knights is marueilous amounting to many hundred thousand duckets Many Popes haue giuen their alowance to this Order yet either they could not or would not reserue a greater tribute thereof then ten Malachini yeerely Thomas Docwra Ordinis S. Iohis Hiâ—rosolom vulgo de Malta Pras. in Anglia Eques vlt. Fol 94. CHAP. 20. Knights of S. Iohn Ierusalem called Knights of the Rhodes and now of Malta IT is written I know not with what warrant that at the Citie of Amiens in Picardie a Prouince of France there was borne a certaine Gentleman who in his childhood had bene brought vp in learning and being growen to mans estate disposed himselfe to the exercise of Armes and there in long time continued Afterwards hauing attained riper yeres he despised the world and framed himselfe to a solitarie life as one fully resolued to liue in contemplation vnseene of any but God alone Hauing sometime remained in that solitarie sort a suddaine desire he had to visite the Sepulchre where Christ was buried which shortly after he did And to the end he might with securitie passe the Barbarous Nations he apparelled himselfe like vnto a Phisition by which meane without impediment he performed his iorney Thus hauing passed the difficulties of trauell in diuers strange Countries he arriued at Ierusalem and being there fell into acquaintance with Simon Patriarch of that Citie and in lamenting wise enformed him of the oppression and crueltie offered and dayly vsed by the Infidels towardes the poore Christians in those Countreys Whereunto Simon answered that albeit the Christians in those countreys indured great outrages yet they of Ierusalem suffered much greater and should be forced to more if God did not defend them By this conference the Patriarch conceiued Peter the Hermit for so he was called to be a man of good vnderstanding and apt to execute any action of importance that should be committed vnto him Whereupon the Patriarch determined to make him a messenger vnto the Pope vnto whom by letters he imparted the great calamitie and afflicted estate of the poore Christians inhabiting the Holy land Peter hauing receiued his instructions and letter of credence returned into the West first vnto the Pope and after sollicited other Princes in such sort and with so good successe as by his perswasions many great Kings and Potentates consented to take in hand the recouery of the Holy land from the oppression of the Infidels and some of them furnished that enterprise with men some with money and some did go in person Among which number as the chiefe was Robert Duke of Normandie sonne to King William of England Godfrey Duke of Lorain with two of his brethren called Eustace and Baldwin Robert Earle of Flanders Hugh surnamed the Great brother to the French King with diuers other Princes Dukes Earles and Barons Also thither went Beaumond Duke of Calabria who for zeale to that seruice or desire of honour resigned his Dukedome vnto Ruggiero his brother taking with him so many of his subiects as would voluntarily follow him of whom with such other Captaines and souldiers of Italy as came vnto him hee assembled more then twenty thousand all choyse men and young fit for warre All things in this sort prepared for the iourney Vrban
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
shall holde the candle before the Esquier till the reading of the Gospell and then the Esquier shall hold it himselfe till the Gospel be ended and then it shall be set before him till all the Seruice be ended Then one of the gouernours shall take away the hood from the Esquier And when the Gospel is read the Esquier shall kneele downe and offer money in the honour of God and him that shall make him Knight Then the Esquiers gouernours shall leade him into his chamber and lay him in his bed till it be farre day And whilest hee resteth in his bed he shal be couered that is to say with a couerlet of gold called Sigleton and the same shall be lined with Kersie And when it seemeth good to the Gouernours they shall goe to the King and say vnto him Sir when it pleaseth your Grace our Master shall rise And then the King shall commaund the Knights Esquiers and Minstrels to goe to the chamber to cause him rise and to make him ready and to bring him before him in his Hall But before their entring and noise of musicke heard the Esquiers shall make all things ready for the apparelling of him One Knight shall giue him his shirt another his hose the third his dublet another shall apparell him in a kertle of red Tartar Two other shall lift him out of his bed two others shall put on his blacke netherstockes soled with leather two other to lace his Manches another to girde him with a girdle of white leather without any studs another shall combe his head another shall put on his coife another shall giue him a Mantle of silke and Kertle of red Tartar laced with a white silke lace But the Chandler shall haue for his fees all the garments and others wherewith he was clothed at the first entrie and also the bed and Sigleton for which fees the Chandler of his owne expences shall finde the coife gloues girdle lace Then the Knights shall mount on horsebacke and conduct him to the Hall the musicke playing before him his horse sadled with blacke leather the Arson white stirrop leathers blacke and stirrops gilt the pectorel of blacke leather with a crosse paty of gold hanging before the horse feete and without a crouper the bridle of blacke leather with a crosse paty on the forehead and then a yong Esquier to ride before him without a hood who shall beare his sword by the point with the spurres hanging at the hilts which are white studded with blacke and a white leather girdle without any studdes When they come to the Kings Hall the Gouernours and Marshals shal be ready to meete him and at his alighting the Marshall shall haue his horse or else 100. sh. for his see he shall be brought to the vppermost table in the Hall and there tarie till the Kings comming the Knights on each side of him and the young man holding his sword betweene the two Esquiers And when the King commeth into the Hall and looketh on the Esquier ready to take the high Order of temporall dignitie he shall demand the sword and the spurres and the Chamberlaine shall take the sword and the spurres from the yong man and shall shew them to the King then the King shall take the right spurre and shall deliuer it to the most noble Lord saying Put this vpon the Esquiers heele and he kneeling on that one knee shall take the Esquier by the right legge and put his foote vpon his knee and make fast the spurre to his right heele and the Lord shall make a crosse on the knee of the Esquier and kisse him This done another Lorde shall come and fasten the spurre to the left foot in the same manner And then the King of his great curtesie shall take the sword and gird it about the Esquier and then the Esquier shall lift vp his Armes on high holding the Gantlets in his hands betweene his fingers and the thumbes And the King shall put his arme about the Esquiers necke and lift his right hand vp and smite the Esquier on the shoulder saying Be a good Knight and then kisseth him And then the Knights doe leade the new Knight to the Chappell with great melody to the high Altar where he kneeleth downe and putteth his right hand vpon the Altar promising to defend the right of holy Church during his life And then he shall vngird the sword and with great deuotion pray vnto Almightie God that he may keepe the Order which he hath taken vpon him and accomplish the same to the end and taketh a drop of wine And at his going out of the Chappell the Kings master Cooke is ready to take away the spurres and to haue them for his see saying I am come from the King being his master Cooke to take the spurres from you and to shewe you that if you doe any thing against the order of Chiualrie which God forbid I will cut away the spurres from your heeles And then the Knights shall lead him backe into the Hall and he beginneth the table of Knights and the Knights shall sit about him and he shal be serued as the other are but he shall neither eate nor drinke nor mooue or looke here or there no more then one that is new married This done one of the gouernors shall haue a handkerchife in his hand which he shall hold before his face when he wil spit or such like and when the King is risen from the table and gone into his chamber then the new Knight shall be led with a great number of Knights and Minstrels before him to his chamber and at their entring the Knights and Minstrels shall take leaue and hee shall goe to dinner The Knights beeing departed the chamber shall be shut and that newe Knight shal be dispoiled of all his abillaments which shall be giuen to the Knights Heralds if they be present or els to the Minstrels with a marke in siluer if he be a Bacheler Knight and if hee be a Baron then double somuch if hee be an Earle or higher estate alwayes doubled and the Russet night-cap shall be giuen to the watch or els a noble in money And then he shal be apparelled in a blew gowne with the Manches open in the maner of a Priest and hee shall haue at his left shoulder a lace of white silke hanging which he shall weare vppermost on his garment so long till hee haue gained honour in Armes and be recorded by some noble Knights Esquiers and Heralds of Armes for some memorable deeds done by him as hath bene said before or by some noble Prince or noble Lady which may cut away the lace from the Knights shoulder saying Sir wee haue heard much of your renowne and what you haue done in diuers places to the great honor of Chiualrie for your selfe and him that made you Knight therefore reason would that this lace should be taken frō you But after dinner the Knights and
Commanders So that neuer after for any cause or question whatsoeuer the said number should be augmented nor vpon the vacation happening of any of the places of the said Cardinals Prelates or Officers any other may be admitted to supply their roome or seruice vnlesse he be a man of like qualitie and condition The oathes ceremonies pensions accompts and other dueties I leaue to be seene in the printed booke of the Order where they are discoursed of at large I onely will set downe the time of their feast their Officers the maner of their habits and solemne proceeding as most fitting and pertinent to our purpose Euery yeere the feast of the Order is celebrated the first day of Ianuary in the Church of the Augustines in the citie of Paris And if for the publique affaires of the Realme the king in person can not be there present then the feast is to be celebrated where he shall personally be and in the greatest Church where he is to be assisted with the Cardinals Prelates Commanders other officers of the said Order except any of them haue commandement by the Soueraigne to the contrary And as they shall in number repaire to the Court they are to aduertise the Prouost of the said Order to the end he may prepare their Escuchions in the Church where they are to solemnize their Ceremonies which beginne the Euen of the said day and where they all accompany the Souereigne from his Pallace to the Church as followeth viz. The Vsner marcheth formost the Herauld after the Viher then the Prouost great Treasurer and Scribe the Prouost taking his place between the two others The Chauncelor goeth alone the Commanders two and two after their degrees After whom proceedeth the Soueraigne or great Master who is followed of Cardinals Prelats and other of the Nobilitie being of the said Order The sayd great Master and Commanders are apparelled with long Mantels made after the fashion of those which are worne the day of S. Michael of blacke veluet embrodered all about with gold and siluer the embroderie made of flowers de Liesse knots of gold betweene their sundry cyphers of siluer and flambes of gold seamed The said great Mantle is also garnished with a mantelet of greene cloth of siluer wrought ouer with the same manner of embrodery of the great Mantle and the said Mantle and mantelet are both lined with â—atin of Orenge colour They weare the said Mantle turned vp ouer the left side and the opening ouer the right according to the paterne which is here expressed their hose dâ—blets are white their bonneâ—s blacke with white plumes Vpon the said Mantles they openly weare the great Collaâ— of the Order which was giuen them at their reception Touching the Officers the Chauncellour is inuested as the Commanders bâ—t that he hath not the great Collar hee weareth onely the crosse sowed before on his Mantle and that of golde hanging at his necke by a blew riband The Prouost great Treasurer and Scribe haue also Mantles of blacke veluet and mantelets of greene cloth of siluer but they are onelâ— bordered about with flambes of golde hauing the crosse sowed on their Mantels and that of gold hanging at their neckes The Herauld and Vâ—her haue Mantels of Sattin and Mantlets of green veluet bordered with flambes as those of the other Officers The saâ—de Herauld shall carry the crosse of the sayd Order at a Schuchion of Armes enameâ—ed hanging at his necke And the Vsher the like crosse but somewhatlesse in forme then those of the other Officers At their returne from the Vespres or Euensong the Commanders and Officers goe to confession to be prepared for the Sacrament which they are to take the next morning The next day the Cardinals Prelats Commaunders and Officers accompanie the Soueraigne in like Order and Habilement as aforesaid to the Church to heare a solemne Masse where the Souereigne offereth as many crownes as he is veeres old and euery Commander for himselfe one crowne which offerings are giuen to the Nouâ—ces of the Augustines for their better entertainement and erudition The seruice ended they conduct the Soueraigne to his pallace wheras the Cardinals Prelates and Commanders with the Chancellor of the Order dine all at one Table The Prouost Treasurer Scribe Herauld and Vâ—her at an other Table and in a place apart The houâ—e of Vespres being come the Soueraigne Cardinals Prelats Commanders and Officers by Order as is said wearing Mantels and mantelets of blacke cloth except the Soueraignes which is of scarlet or deepe mortey hauing the crosse of the said Order sowed thereon goe to the Church to heare the Euensong The Herauld of this Order called King of Armes at his election making profession of that Religion is knowen to be a man of good renowme graue expert and fit for such a charge He hath 400. crownes of the sunne yeerely for his ordinary wages He is bound to make abooke in which are truely to be paâ—nted the Armes and Creasts of all the Cardinals Prelats Commanders and Officers of the said Order and vnder their Armes their names surnames signiories imvlovments and qualities And for the same to be done euery one of the said Cardinals Prelates and Commanders are enioyned to giue him a marke of siluer at their reception When occasion serueth that he is to denounce or signifie any message to any of the said Commanders and Officers he is to report vnto the Soueraigne in open Chapiter the answere which hath bene made him and what els he hath learned in his voyage concerning the good honour and seruice of the said Order It is to be noted that this Herauld or King of Armes hath nothing to do with the Order of S. Michael for there is an expresse Officer for the same nor either of them both are to meddle with any action of Armes but such as may precisely concerne their Orders There are for the Kings seruices otherwise prouinciall Heraulds which carry their names of the Pairedomes as Nâ—rmanaâ— Aniou Britaine c. They haue a Colledge at Parris where they all meete at the assembly of the States generall otherwise they abide in their seuerall Prouinces The Vsher of the saide Order assisteth the Ceremonies with a Mace which he beareth on his necke which is expressely made for the seruice of the Order he hath 312. crownes of the Sunne Per annum which is paide him by the Threasuâ—er of the Order his Office is also to keepe the doore at the Chapiters which are holden as all other things that belong to his charge Both the Herauld and Vsher when they are chosen take their oathes and receiue their eschuchion and crosse at the hands of the Chancellor These fiue Orders aforesaid viz that of the Garter in England that of the Tâ—izon in Burgundie that of S. Michael in France that of the Annunciation in Saâ—cy and that of the S. Esprit last erected in France be reputed most honourable and are adorned with great
they became the more obedient To which agreeth that of Polybius Sc obtemperaturos facturos quicquid mandabitur ab Imperatoribus iuxta vires Out of Liuie lib. 22. Sese fugae atque formidinis ergo non abituros neque ex ordine recessuros nisit teli sumendi aut petendi aut 〈◊〉 feriendi an t ciuis seruandi caussa Also Consulis iussu se conuenturos nec iniussuabituros Out of Halycarnasseus Lib. 10. Secuturos se consules neque signa desertures neque aliquid contra populum facturos These wordes also Scipio sware Liuij Lib. 22. Vt ego Rempublicam non deseram neque vllum ciucm Romanum deserrepatiar Si sciens fallo ex animi mei sententia tum me Iupiter Opt. Max. domum familiam remque meam pessimo laetho afficiat The oath was taken in the presence of the whole Legion by one Souldiour holding his drawen sword in his hand and then all the rest seuerally answered drawing their swords Idem in me After vnder the Emperours was added Se Caesaris salutem omnibus rebus antelaturos And they which tooke oath to Iulian the Emperour laying their swords to their necks sware Se omnes pro eo casus quoad vitam profuderint si id necessitas exegerit perlaturos In the declining state of the Romane Empire when Barbarians were enrouled among Romane souldiers they were branded with the Emperours marke and tooke their oath Per Deum Christum Spiritum Sanctum per Maiestatem imperatoris omnia se facturos quae praeceperit Imperator nec mortem recusaturos pro Romano Republica In France also it was anciently vsed that euery Souldier receiued into any band or ornified with the girdle Militarie should be sworne vnto the King or the general of horse if he were a horseman or seruing on foot his oath should be taken by the Praetor or Captaine of footmen And so greatly was an oath esteemed as Caesar procured a Law to be made that no Citizen vnsworne should remaine out of Italy more then three yeeres By imitation of which example the Senate of Rome decreed that all Magistrates should sweare to answere truely vnto those Interrogatories that were propounded The Souldiers of that time did sweare by the gods and Radamanthus did thinke that all doubts ought bee decided by oath Either else they were to sweare by the winde the sword because the one was cause of life th' other of death for such was the Scythian vse Or else by Iupiter Mars and Pallas or sometimes by eleuating a Scepter which Princes in old time accustomed But the Christians doe sweare in forme according to the pleasure of the Prince the Generall or Chiefâ—aine but in matter the oath of Christians is to sweare by the Deitie As by God or by his holy Euagelists c. And here is to bee noted that if any souldier were absolued from his othe yet might he not without the Generals licence be receiued into any other Armie which ordinance was obserued by Constantinus and the ancient Romanes also For when Pompilius remained in Prouince with his Armie where the sonne of Cato serued as a Tiro or yong souldier hee thought good to discharge that Legion where the sonne of Cato was But he desirous to continue in the warre did write vnto Pompilius that if hee pleased to consent he might remaine there hee would by anew othe become bound because the first othe dispensed with hee might not fight with the enemie And hereof wee may bee also informed by an Epistle which Marcus Cato the father did write wherein he commanded his soone not to beare Armes for quoth he Qui miles non est cum hoste pugnare non debet Thus concluding we say that souldiers ought be first girded then enrolled and lastly by othe obliged CHAP. 6. ¶ What sortes of men ought to bee reputed Souldiers and who may not bee pressed to beare Armes ALbeit the warre is to employ men of diuers qualitie yet ought they onely to be reputed Souldiers that make profession of Armes Therefore out of that number Victualers Merchants Artificers and generally all men attending their owne priuate profit are excluded Neither ought any of them be priuiledged by the warre because such negotiants be occupied in their owne commoditie and therefore as men of base sort vnworthy to be numbred among men of warre because their onely endeuour is to gaine which they cannot nisi admodum mentiantur we also accompt to aduocate procurer pleader or perswader to merit the immunitie of warre For Claudius the Emperour commanded that euery souldier should without counsell render a reason of his owne life The Philosophers also thought those men needlesse in euery common weale Neither can wee allowe Ploughmen to bee properly called souldiers when they are first pressed to supplie the want of men trained yet true it is that in respect their bodies are accustomed to hardnesse and labour they become oft times men of good seruice And some great Captaines and Generals also liuing a rurall life haue neuerthelesse performed their office with much glory as Fabritius Cincinnatus and others Martianus the great doctor did also reiect bondmen as persons improper and vnworthy the name of souldiers affirming it vnnaturall for him that was not his owne to serue any other master then him onely to whom he was bound And to say truely the mind of man vsed to slauery is base abiect and vnapt for the warre Yet hath it bene seene that in times of necessity those men haue bene employed For we reade how Marcus Antoninus the Emperour after the warre of Carthage trained a great number of slaues and made them fit for armes calling them volones And Sexâ—us Pompeius in the ciuil warre of Italy against the Romanes armed many bondmen Yet certaine it is that no slaues were receiued for souldiers vntill they had bene enfranchised and so was it decreed by Lucius Aemilius Paulus and Terentius Varro then Consuls And for asmuch as the name and dignitie of a souldier is honourable all persons hauing committed any infamous crime and thereof conuicted ought not afterwards beare armes Also because the warre requireth beautie and force in men no souldier should bee allowed that wanteth any member or limme of his person which moued the Emperour Domitianus and Nerua to decree that no childe should be gelded And Constantinus commanded that vpon paine of death no Eunuch should be made being perswaded that gelding did take from men the courage and viuacitie required in warre Yet was it allowed by the ordinance of the good Emperour Traianus that albeit a man were borne with one onely stone or by anie mishap did loose it yet might he by the lawe Militarie beare Armes for Silla and Cotta had naturally that imperfection Wee conclude therefore that some fort of Eunuches but no gelded man may beare Armes And histories doe make mention that the Enunch Narcete in the reigne of Iustinian expulsed the Goths out of Italy Likewise Eucherius a
the second then Pope sent vnto the Captaines a white Crosse with commandement that all the souldiers should weare the like calling that enterprise La cruciata It is sayd that the Christians as such time as this warre was proclaimed in Cleirmont a citie of Auergna indeuoured themselues vniuersally to animate the souldiers and ioyned in generall prayer for their good successe giuing them meat apparel and furniture vnasked or required Moreouer those that were indebted were forgiuen and such as had beene banished were pardoned The women also contrary to their custome willingly and with much ioy consented their husbands and sonnes should passe in this enterprise and for their furniture gaue them their Iewels Chaines and money The French King likewise sent them great treasure and gaue priuiledges to the souldiers lands and wiues in their husbands absence And many great Princes and other Lords sold and impawned their Patrimonies to further this action So as the Armie assembled for this holy enterprise amounted vnto three hundred thousand footmen and one hundred thousand horse who presently marched towards Constantinople where they passed the Strait called Bosphoro Thracio landed at Calcedonia For the first enterprise they besieged Nicea in Bithynia which within fiftie dayes was yeelded and the fouth of Iuly at the foote of certaine mountaines neere vnto that citie the Christians fought a battell with a Turkish Armie which in number exceeded ours and thereat was present Solyman the Emperour of Turkie but the Christians had victory with the losse of two thousand men of the Enemies were slaine fourtie thousand This victorie gained the Christians following their enterprise within short time wonne an hundred cities and townes of accompt and among them the great Antiochia before which they begun the siege the twentieth of October and tooke it the last of May following where they found Corbona King of Persia and Cassiano Lord of Antioch Neere vnto that place in one other conflict were slaine more then one hundred thousand Turkes with the losse of foure thousand of ours The cause of this victory was in that time of superstition imputed to the vertue of a bloody Lance found in Antiochia which they supposed to bee a speare wherewith Christ was wounded on the Crosse. It was also sayd that the Turkes did see or imagine another great Armie comming against them from the mountaines conducted by three Captaines mounted vpon three white horses the beholding wherof occasioned their flight This victory being had a Nauie arriued from Genoa and from Venice Also with them came certaine ships conducted by one Vymer of Bullein in Picardie a notable Pirate who repenting his former like determined to follow that honourable Action The Christian forces thus increased they marched towards Ierusalem and besieged it notwithstanding the city was of great force yet by Gods helpe and the valorous aduenture of the Christians it was assaulted and in the end yeelded Anno 1099. This Citie thus conquered the sayd Peter as the chiefe procurer of the enterprise was highly honoured and Godfrey Duke of Lorayn elected King of the Holy land But to returne to the Original of these Knights I say that somewhat before the Christians conquered the Citie of Ierusalem they had obteined of the Saracens leaue to dwell neere vnto the Sepulchre of Christ and there builded an house calling it the Hospital of Christians whither all other Christians dayly resorted After that the number of Christians increasing they builded another houses for women calling it S. Mary Magadelens And at length they made a third house calling it S. Iohn Baptists where for the keeping of good order they appointed an officer whom they called Rector Some time after was elected to that fellowship a gouernour called Gerardus who commanded that he with al others of that house should weare a white Crosse vpon a blacke garment which was the originall of the Order and euer since hath bene vsed Afterwards one other Rector or great Master was elected whose name was Raimondus to whom authority was giuen that he should gouerne and command all Knights of this Order where soeuer they were dispersed Many yeeres after these Knights conquered the Isle of Rhodes holden by the Turkes Anno 1308. which was the cause they were commonly called Knights and diuers princes seeing them martially inclined gaue vnto them great lands and possessions and they became greatly esteemed for their seruice chiefly against the sayd Turkes and the Soldan king of Egypt and Ierusalem The sayd Isle of Rhodes during those Knights inhabited there was foure times assaulted yet by Gods helpe and the valiancie of the Knights it was defended Then Mahomet Otoman Emperour of Turkie Anno 1480. with an excessiue force of men and an hundred Saile of Galleys conducted by a Bassa borne in Greece descended of the rase of Paleologi sometime Emperors of Constantinople did besiege it but after 89 dayes of continuall batterie they were forced to abandon the enterprise and for their farewell in the last assault the Knights slew more then fourtie thousand Turkes But in the yeare 1523. in the moneth of Ianuarie the Turkes againe inuaded the Island and after three moneths Siege preuailed for the rest of Christendome neuer vouchsafed them either aide or reliefe Since the losse of Rhodes these Knights haue remained in the Island of Malta and often defended it against the enemies of Christendome but chiefly in the yeere 1565. The first erector of Statures and Rules for the gouernment of these Knights was the sayd Raymondus calling himselfe Raimondo di Poggio Seruo dipoueri di Christo e custode dello spidalle di San Giouanni Battista di Ierusalem No man might be receiued into this Knighthood vntill he had proued his gentilitie in presence of the great Master and other Knights Nor no man descended of a Moore a Iew or Mahometan might be admitted although he were the sonne of a Prince And euery Knight of this order was sworne to fight for the Christian faith doe Iustice defend the oppressed relieue the poore persecute the Mahometans vse vertue and protect Widowes and Orphanes Diuers other Articles there be but for that they are full of superstition I omit them CHAP. 21. Knights of Calatraua They were called Knights of Calatraua of the prouince and place where they were made and setled which was where anciently the chiefe Church of Templars had bene who not being of power sufficient to resist the Saracens were forced to yeeld the place vnto these Knights The habit of these Knights is a blacke garment and vpon it in the breast is set a red Crosse. These Knights haue also exceeding great possessions and many commandries in diuers places of Spaine Alphonsus Rex Câ—stiliâ— Institutâ—r Ord. Rubri Baltâ—i vulgo de la banda dict Fol. 98. CHAP. 22. Knights of the Band. THis order was first erected by Alphonso King of Spaine sonne to Ferdinando and Queene Constanza in the yeere 1268. And to giue the said Knighthood reputation and honour
the King himselfe with his sonnes and brethren vouchsafed to enter thereinto with them were also admitted diuers other gentlemen of best quality and greatest estimation The cause that mooued the King to name them Knights of the Band was for that hee commanded euery man elected into the Order should weare a certaine red Scarfe or Lace of silke the bredâ—th of three inches which hung on their left shoulder was tied vnder the right arme No man might enter into this Knighthood but such as the king did specially admit neither was any person capable of that dignitie vnlesse hee were the sonne of a Knight or some Gentleman of great account or at the least such a one as had serued the King by space of ten yeeres in his Court or in the warre against the Moores Into this Order no Gentleman could be receiued being an elder brother or an heire in possession or apparance but only such as were yonger without land and liueload because the Kings intention was to aduance the Gentlemen of his Court that had not of their owne At such time as any Gentleman was admitted a Knight he promised to obserue these Articles following which I haue thought good particularly to expresse and the rather because they tend only to entertaine the minds of men in the offices of Courage and Curtesie without any mixture of superstition whereof almost all other Orders in those dayes tasted First that hee should speake vnto the King for commodity of the common-wealth and the defence thereof so often as he were thereunto required and refusing so to doe shall for feit all his patrimony and be banished his countrey That he should aboue all things speake the trueth vnto the King and at euery occasion be faithfull to his Maiesty That hee should not be silent whensoeuer any person should speake against the Kings honor vpon paine of being banished the Court and depriued of his Band for euer That he should be no great speaker and in speaking to vtter the trueth but if he should say or affirme an vntrueth then for a punishment to in the streets without his sword for one whole moneth That he should endeauour himselfe to keepe company with wise mâ—â— and persons experienced in the warre for being found to conuerse wiâ—â— merchants artificers or base people he should be therefore greatly reproued by the great Master and for one moneth be commanded to keepe his house That he should maintaine his owne word and faithfully keepe promise with his friends and being found to do otherwise to be enioyned to walke and goe alone vnaccompanied of any other of the Kings Court should not presume to speake or come neere vnto any other Knight That he should alwayes haue good armour in his chamber good horses in his stable good launces in his hall and a good sword by his side or otherwise to be called Page and no Knight for one whole moneth That he should not be seene mounted vpon any Mule or other vnseemly hackney neither walke abroad without his Band nor enter into the Kings pallace without his sword nor eate alone at home vpon paine to forfeit for euery such offence one Marke toward the maintaining of the Tilt. That he should be no flatterer of the King or any other person neither take delight in skoffing vpon paine to walke on foote for one moneth and be confined to his house another moneth That he should not complaine of any hurt nor boast of his owne actes nor in curing his wounds crie Oh for if in vaunting wise hee vttered any oftentatious speeches he should be reproued by the great master and let alone vnuisited of all his companions That he should be no common gamester chiefly at the dice nor consent that others should play in his house vpon paine to forfeite for euery such offence one moneths pay and for one moneth and a halfe not to be seene in the Court. That he should not in any sort lay to pawne his Armour or weapons nor play away his garments vpon paine to be imprisoned in his owne house a whole moneth and for two moneths following to goe without the Band. That he should be dayly apparelled in fine cloth and on Holy dayes in silke and on high feastes weare gold in his garments if he pleased without being compelled so to do But if he did weare buskins vpon nether stockes of cloth the great Master should take them from him and giue them in almes to the poore That in walking either in Court or Citie his pace should not be swift or hastie vpon paine to be reproued of his fellow Knights and punished at the great Masters discretion That he should not speake any thing vnfit or offensiue to his fellowe in Armes vpon paine to aske him forgiuenesse and to be banished the Court for three moneths That he should not commence or enter suite of Law against the daughter of any Knight vpon paine neuer to haue Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court to his mistresse or wife That if he happened to meete with any Ladie or Gentlewoman of the Court he should foorthwith alight from his horse and offer her his seruice vpon paine to loose one moneths wages and the fauour of all Ladies That if any Lady of honour required seruice at his hand he refusing to doe it hauing power should be called for euer the discourteous Knight That hee should not eate alone nor at any time feede vpon grosse meates That he should not enter quarell with any of his fellow Knights or if any such disagreement did happen that he nor any other Knight should make partie but by all good meanes seeke to reconcile them vpon paine to pay a marke towards the charge of the next Iusts That if any man not being of this Order should presume to weare the band that then he should be forced to fight with two Knights but vanquishing them should be also a Knight himselfe and being vanquished should be banished the Court and neuer to weare the Band. That if at any Iusts or Turnaments in the Court a Gentleman being not of the Order should winne the prize then the King was bound forthwith to make him a Knight of the Band. That if any Knight of the Band did offer to drawe his sword against any of his fellowes for so doing he should absent himselfe two moneths two other moneths weare but halfe his band And if a Knight did hurt his fellow in Armes he should be imprisoned one halfe yeere and the next halfe yeere be banished the Court. That no Knight for any offence should be punished or iudged before he were brought to the King and his pleasure signified That he should be euer furnished to attend on the King whensoeuer he went to the warre and if any battel were striken then ought these Knights ioyntly to giue the charge and if in any such seruice a Knight performed not his part he should loose one yeres pay and one other yeere weare but halfe
the Band. That no Knight should be inforced to serue in any warre saue onely against the Infidels Or attending on the King to any other warre to weare no Band and if he serued any other Prince in his warre he should loose the Band. That all the Knights should assemble three times a yeere to consult vpon matters pertaining to the Order The assembly was at such place as the King pleased to appoint and there they awaited with their horse and armour the first meeting was in April the second in September the last at Christmas That all the Knights of this Order should fight at the Turney at the lest twise euery yeere Iust foure times a yeere play at the Canes sixe times a yeere and mannage horses euery weeke And who so failed to performe all or any one of these Knightly exercises should attend on the King one moneth without a sword and one other moneth without a Band. That if the King did come to any citie or towne that then the Knights within eight dayes after should prepare a place for the Iusts and Turnaments they should also exercise all other warlike weapons and if any Knight were negligent in these things he should be confined to his lodging and weare but halfe the Band. That no Knight might remaine in Court without a mistresse with intent to marry her and not dishonour her and whensoeuer she pleased to walke he was to attend on her on foote or horsebacke to do her all honour and seruice That if any Iusts were holden within tenne miles of the Court euery Knight to be there vnder paine to goe without his sword one moneth and without his Band another That if any of these Knights were married within twentie miles of the Court all the rest should accompany him to the King to receiue a gift and from thence to the place of wedding to exercise feats of Armes there and euery Knight to present the bride with some gift That the first Sunday of euery moneth all the Knights should shew themselues armed before the King ready to performe any action in Armes at the Kings pleasure for the King would not haue them be only Knights in name but in deed also That in no Turnament there should be more Knights then thirtie on one partie and so many on the other partie and that no sword should be brought into the place but such as were rebated both of edge and point And that vpon the sound of trumpet the fight should begin and at the sound of the Clarions euery man to cease from fight and retire vpon paine that who so failed should neuer more enter into that combat and be banished the Court for one moneth That at euery day of Iusts ech Knight should passe foure Carieres before foure Knights appointed for Iudges and they who brake no staues in those courses should pay the charges of the Iusts That if any Knight were sicke and in perill of death all other his fellow Knights should visit him and exhort him to godlinesse And if he died to accompany his course to the graue Also to mourne in blacke one whole moneth and absent themselues from the Exercise of Armes for the space of three moneths vnlesse the King should otherwise command That within two dayes after such funerall all the Knights should assemble and present the Band of the dead Knight vnto the King making humble sute for some of his sonnes to succeed if any of them were meete praying it would please his Maiestie to be good to the mother that she might liue according to her honourable calling CHAP. 23. Knights of Alcantara THese Knights liuing in effect vnder the ordinances and rules of the Calatraua do weare a greene Crosse. Neere vnto the citie of Alcantara in Castiglia vpon the Riuer of Tago they haue a Church of great beautie indowed with rich possessions CHAP. 24. Knights of Montesio IN Valentia are the Caualieridi Montesio a place also seated in that Prouince These Knights do weare a red Crosse and their order begun about the same time that the Knighthood of Calatraua tooke beginning CHAP. 25. Knights of Redemption Their garments are white and thereon a blacke Crosse. The office of these Knights is to Redeeme Prisoners whereupon they are called Caualieri del redentione The chiefe gouernour of them remaineth at Barcellona CHAP. 26. ¶ The Originall of the Knights Teutonici The beginner of this Knighthood ' was a certaine Almane who after the taking of Ierusalem by the Christians together with diuers other of that Nation remained there This Almaine being exceeding rich and maried kept a franke and liberall house relieuing all passengers and Pilgrims that trauelled to Ierusalem insomuch that his house became as an Hospitall or place of ordinary accesse At length he builded nere vnto it a faire Church which according to the vse of that time he did dedicate to our Lady Not long after many Christians resorting thither as well for loue of the Christian Religion as to visit the sicke they resolued to erect a fraternitie and hauing chosen a great Master to be gouernour ordained that euery man of that association should bee apparelled in white and vpon their vppermost garment weare a blacke Crosse voided with a Crosse potence It was also agreed that no man should be admitted into that order saue onely Gentlemen of the Duch nation and they to protest at all occasions to aduenture their liues in defence of Christs Gospel About 88 yeers after Ierusalem had remained in the Christians hands it was taken againe from them by the Saracens in the yeere 1184 since which time it neuer was recouered For which cause these Knights retired to Ptolemaida where they remained At length Ptolemaida being also taken by the Saracens they returned into Germanie their naturall countrey where after some short abode as loathing rest and idlenesse they went vnto Fredericke the second then Emperour in the yeere 1220 to let his Maiestie vnderstand that the people of Prusia vsed incursions vpon the confines of Saxonie adding that those people were barbarous idolaters without the knowledge of God and therefore besought his Maiesty to grant them leaue to make warre vpon them at their owne charges yet with condition that whatsoeuer they gained his Maiesty would giue the same to the maintenance of that Order The Emperour allowing of that suite presently granted them the countrey and vnder his seale confirmed the gift These Knights by this donation much encouraged forthwith tooke Armes and within short space subdued all that prouince and then passed the riuer of Vistola and conquered other people who became their subiects and were made Christians Within short space after these Knights builded diuers Churches and among the same Cathedrall Temples making them places of residence for Bishops who were also enioyned to weare the habit of that Order Neere vnto the riuer Vistola was a great Oke where these Knights builded the first Castle and Towne which with time was encreased
and called Borgo di Santa Maria or Mareenburg where is now the chiefe Church appertaining to this Order there unto belongeth so great riches and reuenues as these Knights may both for men and money compare with diuers Princes This countrey of Prussia is great and much thereof bounded by the riuer of Vistola and is also confined by Sarmatia the Massagets and Polonia These Knights are also Lordes of Liuonia which was likewise by them brought to the faith of Christianitie is with Christians inhabited CHAP. 27. Knights of the Sepulchre THis Knighthood is now extinct or rather conioyned vnto the Order of Malta The Ensigne belonging to these Knights was two Red Crosses vnited CHAP. 28. Knights of S. Mary The habit of this Order was very pompous and thereupon a red Crosse wrought with gold round about They were specially inhibited to weare gold in their spurres and horse harnesse They made profession to fight against the Infidels and all others that offended iustice notwithstanding they liued euer at home in rest with their wiues and children They were commonly called Caualieri di Madona but because they liued continually in ease and pleasure men termed them Fratri gaudenti as much in our language as Good fellow brethren It may be some of them are yet extant CHAP. 29. Knights of S. Lazaro These Knights doe professe to be obedient vnto their great Master and other officers of the Order they promise also to liue chast or at the least continent and content with one wife Also to be charitable and liberall chiefely to poore people infected with leprosie Moreouer euery Knight promiseth to weare a greene Crosse and before they enter into this Knighthood must prooue himselfe to be borne in lawfull wedlocke and a Gentleman both by father and mother and to beare Armes Also that he is descended of ancient Christians and no Morrano or Turke That he hath of rent at the least 200 crownes wherewith to maintaine his dignitie That he and his auncestors haue euer liued as Gentlemen without vse of any base or mechanicall occupation That he hath not bene suspected of any notable euill fact or is defamed for any vice That he be not indebted nor is wedded to any widowe or hath had more then one wife But besides these passable protestations he must vndertake to say fiue and twentie Pater nosters and so many Aue Marias with other superstitious things not worthy the writing This Order hath of late time bene much fauoured by the Dukes of Sauoy CHAP. 30. Knights of S. Stephano The Statutes annexed to this Order are not vnlike to those appertayning to the order of Malta sauing that these haue libertie to marrie The chiefe place of their resiance is the citie of Pisa where the Duke prepared them a Church and builded for them a pallace wherein to lodge And because neere to that Citie is a Hauen fit to receiue the Gallies wherin these Knights should serue it seemed good to that Prince to settle them there The Duke himselfe and his successors is Great master of this Order and vnder him are diuers other Officers of reputation This is the last Order or degree of Knights that I haue seene or read of THE THIRD BOOKE Concerning Combat for life Iusts Turnements Triumphes and Inaugurations of Emperours Kings and Princes The Contents of this Booke THe Prooeme Of particular Combats with their original Ca. 1. Whether Combats may be iustly permitted Ca. 2. When and how Combats were in vse Cap. 3. What exceptions or repulses may mooue the defendors to refuse the Combat Cap. 4. Whether a man of meane qualitie may chalenge his superior Cap. 5. What sorts of men may not be admitted to trial of Armes 6. Who was anciently accompted victorious in Combat Cap. 7. What was anciently due vnto such men as were victorious in publique Combat Cap. 8. Of the disequalitie of Gentlemen Cap. 9. Of the qualitie and disequalitie of great Nobilitie and the priuiledges due to all men professing Armes Cap. 10. Of Armes offensiue and defensiue Cap. 11. Of the Election of weapons Cap. 12. Certaine questions opinions and iudgements vpon accidents in triall and exercise of Armes Cap. 13. Of honour gained or lost by being disarmed in sundry places and sundry peeces Cap. 14. Of honour gained or lost by hurts giuen or taken in Combat for life or triumph Cap. 15. Of Combats ancient Cap. 16. The order of Combats for life in England anciently recorded in the Office of Armes Cap. 17. Of Triumphes ancient and moderne Cap. 18. Of Triumphes and their Originall Cap. 19. Of the maner of Triumphing and the habits of the Triumpher Cap. 20. Of the diuers qualitie of Triumphes in Rome Cap. 21. In what Order the Romanes triumphed Cap. 22. Of other furniture and pompe appertayning to Triumphes in Rome Cap. 23. Of the Triumphal going of Darius to meet Alexander the great Cap. 24. The Triumphal entry of Xerxes K. of Persia into Greece yet afterward forced for feare to flie into his owne kingdome Cap. 25. Of Triumphes in Germanie Cap. 26. Of Triumphes at the enteruiew of Pope Alexander and the Emperour Frederick Barbarosa at Venice Anno Dom. 1166. Cap. 27. An admirable Triumphal shew at Venice to congratulate the recouery of Cypres Anno 1366. Cap. 28. A Triumph in the raigne of King Richard the second Anno 1590. Cap. 29. A Triumphal passage of Charles the v. Emperor through France Anno 1540. Cap. 30. A triumphal entrie of Philip Prince of Spaine at Millan Anno 1548. Cap. 31. A Military chalenge in Italy Anno 1555. Cap. 32. Of triumphal challenges in France Cap. 32. Of one other Military action betweene fiue English gentlemen and fiue French Cap. 34. An other like action Cap. 35. An other chalenge of a French gentleman in Spaine Cap. 36. An other notable challenge in France Anno 1390. Cap. 37. An other most noble challenge Cap. 38. The triumphant interuiew of the Kings of England and France Anno 1519. Cap. 39. A triumph celebrated in France Anno 1559. Cap. 40. A Militarie triumph at Brussels Anno 1549. Cap. 41. The Inauguration of Carolus Magnus King of Italie Anno 773. Cap. 42. Carolus Magnus Inauguration being made Emperour Anno 1800. Cap. 43. The Inauguration of Pope Gregorie the tenth Cap. 44. The Inauguration of Henry the fourth King of England Anno 1399. Cap. 45. The Inauguration of Charles the French King at Rhemes Anno 1380. Cap. 46. At the Inauguration of King Henry the thirde French King three notable things obserued Cap. 47. The Inauguration of Charles the fift Cap. 48. Ceremonies appertaining to the deliuery of Prizes at Iusts and Turnements Cap. 49. Of Iusts and Turnements and how the Accidents in such exercises are iudged in the kingdome of Naples Cap. 50. Iusts and Turnements how they were anciently iudged by Iohn Tiptoft Earle of Worcester high Constable of England in the Raigne of King Edward the 4. Cap. 51. Triumphes Military for honour and loue of
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
followeth it behooueth to know That the first places of dignity doe appertaine to those that are attendant and administrant in office illustrious The second is due to them that haue heretofore borne office of dignity and are now vacant The third belongeth to those that haue obtained an office of dignity in reuersion These diuers degrees were in the Emperiall Court called Administrantes Vacantes and Honorarij The officers Administrant are to precede next to them the Vacants and then the Honorarij or officers extraordinarie in which order they are euer to take place In simili dignitate non in dignitate dispari But to begin with Administrants and their order among themselues thus it is He that was first placed or sworne ought euer to precede and so in order from the first to the last In paridignitate As for example a Gentleman of the Kings Chamber in ordinary attendance shall take place before all other Gentlemen in part dignitate The like order ought be obserued by the Vacants for he that hath bene longest vacant may take place before him that is lesse ancient in vacancie As for example He that was a Viceroy or an Embassador ten yeeres past shall sit before him that serued since in pari dignitate The same course is to be kept among the number of Honorantes or seruants extraordinary As for example Hee to whome any office or other place of dignity is granted in reuersion being first therin placed or sworne shall goe before all others of his ranke in pari dignitate As for example A Master of Requests extraordinary must precede all others that haue since obtained that dignity yet true it is that an officer extraordinary may be by birth or otherwise so priuiledged as he shall take place of a Vacant and sometimes also of an Administrant Note also that euery office or dignity granted by the Prince in his own presence shall be of greater reputation then if the same were giuen in absence or sent vnto him that receiueth it data paritate in reliquis The same law also commandeth that a Vacant shal be preferred before an officer extraordinary and men of Armes seruing in any Emperiall or Royall Court shal be priuiledged before others in pari dignitate Iohan. de Platea Note likewise that these officers whome we call Vacants are of two sorts The one are they that haue absolutely quitted their offices or consented their places may be supplied by others the other are they who had office in some City Court or Countrey where now no such office is as the Counsellors of Milain when that State was subiect to the French king are now no more officers in that City being subiect to the King of Spaine yet doe they hold place of other Vacants in pari dignitate Likewise an Officer Administrant may sometime precede an Officer Extraordinary etiam in dignitate dispari But otherwise it is with a Vacant or extraordinary officer for he is neuer preferred in pari dignitate We call him Extraordinary that hath onely the name of an Officer without administration or fee yet shall he goe before all others of that place being his punies or men of no place As for example A Gentleman waiter Extraordinary shall not onely precede all other Gentlemen of lesse ancientie but also sit before all other Gentlemen not the Kings seruants in pari dignitate And consequently euery man Extraordinary in the Princes seruice shall take place before all other men without office and in pari dignitate It is also to be remembred that in euery office neere the person of the King or in his Royall house there is euer one supreme and superlatiue officer aboue the rest and after him other Honorable officers of diuers degrees The rest are equall yet with respect that he who was first preferred shall take place first As for example The chiefe Officer of the Emperors house was called Praefectus sacri Palatij and vnder him were certaine Comites as in the Court of England her Maiesties supreme Officer of houshold is the Lord Steward and next to him the Treasurer Comptroller Cofferer in France Le Grand Maistre in Spaine El Maggior domo c. Likewise those Emperors had one Praefectus sacri Cubiculi another Stabuli with their Comites as our Souereigne hath a Lord Chamberlaine a Master of the horse and diuers officers inferiour to them The rest of her seruants in euery particular office are to proceede as equals hauing respect to ancienty For he that was first aduanced ought alwayes to take place first in pari dignitate Which rule may direct euery man to goe as becommeth his qualitie and consequently eschewe all occasions of offence or presumption Whereunto we will adde one thing perhaps by euery one not obserued or to all men not knowen which is that all men seruing neere vnto the Princes person in what office or place soeuer are thereby priuiledged and honoured The words of the Law are these Adhaerentes lateri Principis eidem in officio seruientes nobilitantur nobiles efficiuntur Omnes famulantes principi sunt in dignitate ideo nobiles cum dignitas nobilitas idem sunt Bart. Cap. de dignitatibus CHAP. 22. Of Honourable places due to great Estates their wiues and children A Duke A Duke must goe after the auncienty of his Ancestors creation so that he be of the same blood and stocke And the Dutchesse his wife to goe according to the same But if he be a Duke of new creation then he is to proceede as a new Duke He is to haue in his owne house a cloth of Estate and in euery other place out of the Princes presence so that the same come not to the ground by halfe a yard A Dutchesse likewise may haue her cloth of Estate and a Barronesse to beare vp her traine in her owne house And no Earle ought to wash with a Duke but at the Dukes pleasure A Dukes eldest sonne is borne in the degree of a Marquesse and shall go as a Marquesse and weare as many powdrings as a Marquesse and haue his assayes the Marquesse being present sauing he shall goe beneath a Marquesse and his wife beneath a Marchionesse and aboue all Dukes daughters But if so be a Duke hath a daughter which is his sole heire if she be the eldest Dukes daughter then she shall goe before and aboue the Dukes eldest sonnes wife Also a Dukes daughter is borne equiualent to a Marchionesse and shall weare as many powdrings as a Marchionesse sauing she shal goe beneath all Marchionesse and all Dukes eldest sonnes wiues They shall haue none assayes in the Marchionesses presence And if they be married to a Baron they shall goe according to the degree of their husbands And if they be married to a Knight or to one vnder the degree of a Knight they are to haue place according to their birth Note that a Baron is an Estate of great dignitie in blood
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
Vienna Taniqui de Castello Gouernour of the Prouince of Rossiglioni and Sardenna The rest of Knights to be chosen into this Order was deferred vntill the the next meeting The place of assembly of these Knights and where their Armes with other Ensignes of Knighthood should be preserued was appointed to be the Church on Mount S. Michael To this Order belongeth a Treasurer a Chanceller a Register and an Herauld named Monsanmichaele The feast ordeined for these Knights was on Michaelmas day to bee kept yeerely The Statutes appertaining to this Order are to be seene in the booke intituled Les Ordinances de France In the raigne of Henry the second French King the habit of this Order of S. Michael was altered in maner following as to this day is continued First his dublet hose shoes scaberd with the band of his cap feather were all white His surcoat of cloth of siluer with the sleeues on Ouer that hee wore a mantle of cloth of siluer tied ouer the right shoulder and turned vp ouer the left it was bordered about with a rich embroidery of cockles and knots Ouer the right shoulder lay his hood of cloth of siluer spreading ouer his backe the tippet hanging before and ouer all the Collar of the Order of S. Michael â—mmanud Philibâ—â—tus 〈◊〉 Dux Prâ—â—â—ps Peâ—emontij Ord S. Aâ—â—un ciation Equ◠〈◊〉 Fol. 8â— CHAP. 16. ¶ Knights of the Annunciation THis Order was also about the same time begun by Amedeo Count of Sauoy sirnamed Iâ— Verde in memory of Amedeo the first Earle who hauing valorously defended the Iland of Rhodes against the Turkes wanne those Arnâ—es which deseruingly are now borne by the Dukes of Sauoy Viz. Gules a crosse Argent The Collar appertaining to this Order is made of gold and on it these foure letters engrauen F. E. R. T. which signifieth Fortitudo eius Rhodum tenuit At the said Collar hangeth a Tablet wherein is the figute of the Annunciation The Church appointed for ceremonies appertaining vnto this Order is called Pietra within a Castle in the Diocesse of Belleis whereunto was giuen at the foundation of this Order certaine lands for the sustentation of fifteene Chapleins For continuance of this Order at the time of the constitutioâ— were made many honourable ordinances to be kept by the Knights presently elected and after to be elected The chiefe of them are these following First that he the said Duke and his successour should be Lord and Soueraigne of the said Order That euery brother and companion of the said Order should at all occasions fauour loue and maintaine one the other and also defend and protect his person estate against euery other person or persons whatsoeuer That if any question or controuersie should arise betweene two Knights then they to submit the ordering thereof vnto two or more of the fraternitie and after to obserue the same vnuiolated That for auoiding of suite in Lawe whensoeuer any cause of Action was betweene the Knights then the censuring thereof should be referred vnto foure other companions of the Order to the end the matter might be determined without charge or expences And if the question depending were difficult then the Knights that were to consult there of might call vnto their assistance two Doctors mâ—n of approoued honestie and vnderstanding That euery Knight at his death should giue towards the maintaining of the said Church an hundreth Florins to be deliuered into the hand of the Pryor for the time being That at the death of euery Knight the rest of the companions should assemble at the Castle of Pietra to bury the dead in good and honourable order and euery of the said Knights to weare a white gowne and so make their offering Or if any of them could not be present then with what conuenient speed might be to come thither after That euery Knight at his buriall should giue vnto the Church a Collar a Banner his Armour and coat of Armes if he be a Banneret or not being he ought to giue a Penon of Armes a Collar and coat of Armes All which shall be offered on the day of entertainment at the Church in memory of the dead That euery Knight should at his owne charges come vnto the buriall accompanied with two seruants and bring thither foure great waxe Candles or Torches weighing one hundreth pounds ¶ After this Order of Knighthood was ordained at the Castle of Pietra the third of Februarie Anno 1434. by Amadeo first Duke of Sauoia these Statutes were added THat euery Knight after the death of any of the brethren should during certaine dayes be apparelled in blacke and not weare the Collar for nine dayes next after the Knights decease signified That the Soueraigne should at the buriall offer vp his collar That euery Knight in going to offer should proceed according to his ancientie without other respect That no Knight should be receiued into the Order that was a person noted for any dishonourable reproch or if after hee were receiued any fault should be committed then presently was forced to forgoe his collar and neuer more to weare it but returne it vnto the Soueragine within two moneths And if he failed so to doe then to abide the censure of his companions and by an Herauld be summoned to send the collar vnto the Soueraigne and be enioyned neuer after to weare it That euery Knight should be sworne to weare the Order daily and not to accept any other Some other Statutes there are which for breuitie I omit 〈…〉 Henricus Borbortius â— Rex Francia et Nauartaâ— Ordin S. Spiritus Eques Suâ—â—â—mus Fâ—l â—6 CHAP. 17. Knights of S t Esprit THE Order of S t Esprit was instituted by the right Christian King of France and Poland Henrie the third of that name containing a hundred and fiue Articles This Knighthood was instituted in the yeere of grace 1578. and in the fifth yeere of his reigne It was called the Order of the S. Esprit for that on the day and feast of Pentecost it pleased God as they say by the inspiration of the holy Ghost to vnite the hearts and wils of the Polish Nobilitie at an assembly of Estates generall of that puissant kingdome together with the great Duchie of Lituania to make choise of the said Henry for their King and afterward vpon the same day and feast to call and accept him to the rule and gouernment of that Crowne In commemotation whereof with the aduice consent of the Queene his mother the Princes of his blood and other Princes Officers of his Crowne and Lords of his Councell he instituted this Militarie Order of S. Esprit to be continued for euer with all Ordinances and Statutâ— therein mentioned irreuocable The number of persons conteined in the said Order are one hundred besides the Souereigne which is euer the King in which number are comprehended foure Cardinals fiue Prelates the Chauncelor Prouost Master of the Ceremonies great Treasurer and Scribe who are called