experirer an scires consulem agere Others are honoured as Parents to whom their children nephewes doe owe all duety and obedience as is commanded in the booke of Prouerbs Honora patrem matrem vt sis long aeuus super terram 28. To these many other causes of Honour may be added as subiects to honour their Prince seruants their masters inferiours their superiours And diuers demonstrations of honour are also due by externall countenance words and gesture as by attentiue hearing of him that speaketh by rising to him that passeth c. He that sitteth doth receiue honour from him that standeth yet a man of dignity in presence of Iudges ought to sit not to stand as other common persons doe vnlesse his owne cause be pleaded So sayth Baldus A man that sitteth at the table is more honoured then hee that serueth and he that sitteth on the right hand is more honoured then he that sitteth on the left hand He is also honored that sitteth next to the Prince or neerest to him that is of greatest dignity We also account him honored that standeth or walketh in the mids of two or a greater number quia mediocritas in electione loci maxime probatur He is likewise reputed most honoured that sitteth at the chiefe ende or in the hiest place of the Table because the most worthy ought to begin which haply moued Virgil to say A Ioue principium Musae He is most honoured that walketh next the wall vnlesse they be three in number for then he that is in the mids is in the worthiest place as hath bene formerly said And he that sitteth next the wall hath the higher place But if three of equall qualitie do walke together then for not offering Indignitie one th' other sometimes one and sometimes the other ought to take the middle place which Order the Spaniards and Venetians doe precisely obserue affirming the right side to be most Honourable Among brethren the eldest is alwaies to precede And so are their wiues to take place In pari dignitate Except by some peculiar dignitie the yonger be graced In like maner where many are of one company or fellowship as in the Innes of Court or the Vniuersities the more ancient is euer most honourable and shall precede others In pari dignitate Men are also honoured in their diet for the more honorable the ghest is the more delicate ought his fare be Likewise the apparell of men ought be differing according to their degrees to the end the profession and qualitie of euery one may be knowen as an arming Coat best becommeth a Captaine a Tippet is seemely for a Priest a Gowne is meetest for a Scholler because eche mans attire ought be like vnto the State profession and office he beareth as appeareth by that caution which Seneca did giue vnto the Empresse mother of Nero. His wordes are these Indue te charissima vxor delicatè non propter te sed propter honorem Imperij A man is also honoured when his Prince or other superior is pleased to salute him by word or writing or to grace him with gift of any Office or dignitie Men are honoured when for any egregious acte they are permitted to erect Images of themselues as Porcius Cato Horatius Cocles Mutius Scaeuola and other notable men were suffered to doe Men are honoured by drinking in gold and wearing of purple also by being stiled the cousins of Princes Men are honoured by bearing Armes For who so hath Armes from ancesters is more honourable then he who is the first Gentleman of his race and consequently ought be placed in a more worthy seate Note here that to euery title of great dignitie a particular ensigne or ornament is appointed An Emperour hath his Diademe or Infula a King his Crowne a Bishop his Mytre and Archbishop his Mantle a Doctor his Baretum As Lucas de Penna writeth Caâ—de Murilegulis CHAP. 3. Of Ensignes Royall and Militarie POlydorus in his booke de Inuentoribus rerum lib. 2. cap 3. saith That the Ensignes of Romane Kings were Fasces cum securi Corona aurea sella eburnea trabeae curules phalerae annuli palâ—damenta pretexta togae pictae tunicae palmatae which Ensignes may be called in our English a bondle of small wands with an hatchet a Crowne of gold a saddle of luory a kirtle of State trappings of horses robes of State euer burned with the Kings body which ornament was also after the expulsion of Kings worne by Consuls and other Magistrats who pronounced no sentence but in that garment Togae pictae I suppose were long gownes painted or wrought lâ—ke vnto Damaske or embroidered about and Palmatae were garments wrought with Palme-trees in signe of conquest and peace It seemeth also that no other Ensigne of Maiestie that might illustrate a Kings greatnesse and grauitie was there wanting These Kings had also 12 Littori as we may call them Sergeants who caried before them the bondles and Hatchets aforesaid A Diademe a Crowne and a Scepter are likewise Ensignes appertayning to Emperours and Kings But of Crownes there were anciently diuers kinds And Polydor in his booke aforesaid speaketh of many affirming that Liber Pater was the first inuentor of Crownes and ware vpon his head a Crowne of Iuie Yet doe we read that Moses many yeeres before caused Crownes of gold to be made as Iosephus hath written and of all antiquitie the Egyptian kings haue had Crownes Teste Coelio The first vse of wearing Crownes was in Tragedies and gladiatory combats at which time they were made of boughes and trees afterwards they were composed of flowers of diuers colours in the Playes Floâ—eall and in the Pastoral Comedies also and by imitation of them others were framed of slender barres of tinne or some other mettall guilded so as in processe of time many kinds of Crownes were inuented and much esteemed chiefly among the Romanes and in the time of Consuls The chiefe Crownes were Militarie and with them Consuls and generall Commanders in their triumphes were crowned At the beginning those crownes were made of bayes which tree sheweth mirth and victorie and after of gold The next they called Corona Muralis giuen to him that first was seene vpon the wall of the Enemies towne This Crowne was also of golde wrought with certaine battlements like vnto a wall The third they named Corona Castrensis likewise of gold being giuen to him that could breake the wall of the enemie enter the towne or castle The points of this Crowne was made like Towers The fourth was Corona Naualis also of gold garnished with forecastles giuen to him that by force and vertue first boarded the enemies ship The fift was Corona Oleaginea bestowed vpon them that were victorious in the Olympian Playes or for repulsing the enemie Corona Oualis was made of Mirtle and giuen to them that entred a Towne taken with litle resistance or yeelded vpon composition or when the warre was proclaimed or made against
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
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
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
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
hee reduce it to memory againe whereas the learned man by turning his booke hath meane to call to remembrance what hee happeneth to forget Therefore as he that liueth fourescore yeeres must needes haue more experience then he that liueth fortie so he that seeth in bookes the actions of men a thousand yeres knoweth more then he that by liuing one hundreth yeeres could attaine vnto In like manner if he that trauaileth many Nations be of more experience then others of like age that neuer went from their natiue Countrey so he that is learned by Cosmographie histories and other learning seeth the maner and vsage of euery countrey in the world yea of many more than is possible for one man in all his life to trauell through and of those he trauaileth much better doth he learne by small abode there then an other by longer experience that is altogether vnlearned By this learning also we may conceiue the situation Temperature and qualitie of euery Countrey throughout the world Also through the Science of Astronomy we know the course of Planets aboue and their aspects and coniunctions which the learned men in times past attained vnto by long conference and obseruation but we by perusing their bookes onely may learne it yet without that helpe we could neuer To conclude there is nothing either of profit or necessitie for mans life but by learning is taught more perfectly than it can be compassed by experience or other meane whatsoeuer But leauing the commodities of learning to be discoursed by those that are learned in deede this onely I say that the endeuour of Gentlemen ought be either in Armes or learning or in them both And in my poore conceit hardly deserueth he any title of honour that doth not take pleasure in the one or the other For as no liuing creature is borne to idlenesse so is there no doubt but God and nature hath destined ech one for some commendable businesse And like as base occupations are fit for folke of base fortune so valiant and venturous minds in actions of honour and vertue should be employed And if in this earthly life any there be that meriteth fame or fauor surely the same is a vertuous life and valorous endeuor Wherof Iuuenal saith Res gerere captos ostendere ciuibus hostes Atting it solium Iouis caeleâ— a tentat Principibus placuisse virus non vltima laus est The Authors conclusion WE haue said in our former discourse that no man of any qualitie or fortune is borne or destined to ease idlenesse or vnprofitable occupation we haue likewise touched the commodities of such learnings as are required in actions both Ciuill and Martiall whereby may appeare how necessary it is for all Gentlemen to indeuour themselues in the one and the other as those knowledges whereby men are made worthy of honourable title Notwithstanding through corrupt custome or bad education the greater part of our English gentlemen are not onely ignorant what honour and vertue meaneth but consequently doe disdaine or at the least wise lightly regard those labours whereby they might and ought become comfortable to friends and seruiceable to their Prince and countrie which happily mooued the Poet to forewarne fathers to haue care of their childrens education saying Gratum est quod patriae â—iuem Populoque dedisti Si facis vt patriae sit idoneus vtilis agris Vtilis bellorum pacis rebus agendis And continuing the consideration of this matter I am occasioned to be sory that our English youth doe not onely earnestly affect vaine pleasures and improfitable pastimes as recreation but also vse them with daily labour as their chiefe businesse and speciall profession And to speake plaine I am more then halfe perswaded that great sort of our Gentlemen chiefly those that haue had their nurture at home with their owne ignorant parents doe take more comfort to be called good Faulkoners or expert woodmen then either skilfull Souldiers or learned Schollers Yet who so obserueth shall find that the same men by secret instinct of gentle nature doe not a litle glory in the ancient badges titles and seruices of their Auncestors supposing those passed merrits supported with riches ought without further sufficiencie make them more worthy then others whose owne proper labour and vertue haue indeede deserued much honour But as no fowle flyeth with the wings of another nor no horse doth runne on legges not his owne so should no man be praysed or admired for the vertue or good merit of another And albeit the fame of Auncestors honour may for some short space maintaine a certaine hope of vertue chiefly where no vice appeareth yet time which doth distinguish things indeede from those that onely appeare will also like vnto counterfeit mettal bewray the want or worth of euery man and for such a one he shall be knowen and esteemed of what name house parentage or predecessor soeuer he is descended It therfore behoueth euery Gentleman well borne to embrace the loue of vertue and in the actions thereof to employ the course of his whole life For what can be more pleasing to a generous mind then the studie of wisedome whereby to know good from euill and truth from falshood the one to be followed the other eschewed What may be more blessed then Iustice whereby we refraine from all iniuries and giue vnto euery one that which to him appertaineth what is more noble then fortitude which conteÌ„neth all wordly accidents with inuincible courage fighteth for equity and right And what is more beseeming a noble personage then temperance which teacheth comelines and moderation gouerning the passions perturbations of mind to the quietnesse of mans life and contentation of others These with other vertues on them depending haue from base birth and poore parentage aduanced many to great titles and dignity and as those vertuous endeauors haue preferred them so discontinuance did vtterly deface that honor in their posteritie Vertue I say is that which from meane estate hath raised the louers therof to great reputation and glory Among infinite examples omitting men of meaner fortune yet worthy much honour we haue Agathocles Eumenes Pertinax Dioclesian Valentinian with other Emperors Kings Captaines Of like fortune in birth was M. Tullius Cato Horace and diuers most notable learned men yea Socrates himselfe who by the Oracle of Apollo was iudged the wisest man aliue had no great parentage And Iulius Caesar that both in armes and learning excelled was the first Emperor and from low degree aspired to excessiue glory Notwithstanding through protraction of time and the degeneration of posterity not only their owne houses and names are vanished but also the honour renowme of the nations where they liued is vtterly decayed and extinguished which the Christian Poet Palingenius did well expresse in these verses Nempe diu res nulla manet nempe omniâ—â— semper Deteriora solent fieri in pâ—iusque referri Naturae imperio fatorum