principall fauourite of the Emperour Constantius was both an Eunuch and a Captaine very notable And Cyrus hauing conquered Babylon made choice of Eunuches onely to guard his person holding them of no lesse force then other men and by example of horses gelded was perswaded their bodies were no whit disabled for the warre But as these before may not be receiued in respect of natural debilitie so others for respect of qualification are priuiledged and excused as Priests and persons Ecclesiasticall to whom Romulus granted Immunities the like grace was giuen to the Druides in France by Caesar also all Graduates in schoole may challenge that priuiledge The same Immunitie is also due to men aged and those youths that are not of perfect strenght for so was it iudged by Gordianus the yonger In which point the law of Gracchus is also much to bee liked for thereby hee commaundeth that no person of lesse age then seuenteene yeeres should be called vnto the warre CHAP. 7. Of yong Souldiers called Tyrones IT is said of Hercules Prodicus That hee growing towards mans estate retired himselfe into a solitarie place and there sitting alone considered that two waies there were to passe the course of his life the one was of pleasure the other of industrie and vertue This consideration I recommend to all yong men yet therewith wish the choise should not be left vnto themselues For the greatest number affecting idlenesse or sensuall delight or else wanting mature iudgement would follow that way they finde themselues inclined vnto It therefore behooueth they should be compelled to the exercise of vertue and Armes And as great pitie it were to withholde the rewards due to militarie merit so not to incite young men to the exercise of Armes were an errour inexcusable For so was it decreed by lawe of Dioclesianus and Maximianus which also was more anciently obserued of the Romanes as by their histories appeareth For when Quintus Seruilius being Tribunus Plebis with authoritie Consulare was to assemble an armie against the Lucanes and Equians he refused to make a confuse choise of the people and elected of the yonger sort onely After that time the Dictator Camillus with his General of horse Seruilius Hala did the like And Appius Claudius with Lucius Furius Camillus beeing Consuls by direction of the Senate in a warre against the Gauls did choose only yong men both of the Citie and of the Countrey yea sometimes for want of them prisoners and persons condemned were pressed to beare Armes In some other ages by reason of scarcitie of able bodies some youths before they were seuenteene yeeres old and others that exceeded fiftie were forced to the warre But here is to be remembred that neither these Tyrones nor others for necessitie chosen ought be of equall reputation vnto more ancient soldiers yet thus much priuiledge the Romanes did allow them That when any errour was committed they were in respect of youth and want of experience the sooner pardoned In the flourishing state of the Romane Empire the Tyrones were chosen out of the free borne at the age of 17. yeeres by Officers called Conquisitores Scruius Honoratus and for the first yeere they had their Tutors and Guardians appointed to ouersee them But it is referred to one among other causes of the ouerthrow of the Empire when landed men were charged to finde Tyrones according to their reuenues and possessions For Vegetius writeth Lib. 1. cap. 7. Tot vbique ab bostibus illatae sunt clades dum longa pax militem incuriosiùs legit dum possessoribus indicti Tyrones per gratiam aut dissimulationem probantur tales◠sociantur armis quales dimini habere fastidiunt For then slaues and base people were matriculated for souldiers insomuch as straight lawes were made to the contrarie CHAP. 8. Of olde Souldiers whome the Romanes called Veterani THe Romanes called those soldiers Veterani that had serued long either in the Legion or elsewhere and behaued themselues dutifully as beseemed honest men The time ascribed vnto that name of Veteranus was commonly twenty yeeres which beeing passed the souldier was called also Emeritus The priuiledges bestowed vpon such persons were so great as diuers Emperous did contend who should be most liberall Also Canutus king of Denmarke decreed That when souldiers did meet to eat the yonger should giue place to him that was his ancient in Armes because his meaning was euen in ordinarie ceremonies to obserue the honour due vnto ancient seruice and whosoeuer in that case failed to performe the Kings commandement should be cassed with ignominie Constantinus the Emperour priuiledged old soldiers so much as to exempt them from all imposition contribution and exaction The great Antoninus and his father before him commanded that all Veterani should be free from paying vnto the building of ships also in buying of wares in faire or market they should passe without paiment of custome They were also permitted without molestation to liue in ease and rest Also to them it was lawfull to vse commerce fell employ money traffique and doe all things for their owne best commodity So concluding we say that the Emperour Dioclesianus and Maximianus ordained That vnto euery Veteran hauing honestly serued in any Legion or vnder any ensigne the space of twentie yeeres an honourable or causarie dismission should be granted After which time he enioyed many other immunities which extended also to his children but no further And Constantinus besides many other graces commanded they should be offered no sort of iniurie thinking it vnmeete that men so much priuiledged by their Prince should endure any wrong or indignitie Neuerthelesse if they or any of them did steale or commit felonie then without respect of priuiledge the punishment due by law should be inflicted But rarely is it seene that men hauing long liued vertuously and enioying the degrees of honour should offend or doe any act of slander or infamie Lastly the Veterani might marry wiues they could not be put to tortour nor condemned to the Mines nor publique workes they night manure their lands for Constantine the Great assigned them lands that would fall to husbandry and to euery one of them to buy necessaries 25000 pieces of money called Folles one yoke of oxen and an hundred bushels of graine To the other 100000. of those Folles as appeareth in Codex Theodosianus li. 7. titulo 20. where there is also a most ample Priuiledge granted to them by the said Constantine CHAP. 9. ¶ Of Souldiers called Emeriti REasonable it seemeth that souldiers hauing endured the danger toile and trauell of the warre should be suffered to leade the rest of their liues in ease and rest for so hath their long and loyall seruice deserued We read that the Legionarie souldiers of Rome that had many yeeres continued in pay without committing any crime were licensed to depart at their pleasure notwithstanding the Oath formerly taken and euery man hauing so serued the state might also claime the
the soldiers should receiue pay out of the common treasurie for saith he vntill that time euery man prouided for himselfe Howsoeuer these payments began sure it is as Thucydides writeth that in the warre of Peloponesus to euery footman two drachmae was daily giuen which in the moneth amounted vnto 60. How that pay may be compared to ours or the entertainement of souldiers in this part of Europe I know not Omitting therfore to say more therof let vs see how those payes were anciently bestowed Antoninus the Emperor decreed that in his reigne no wages nor donatiue should be giuen to any souldier for the time he did remaine with the enemie although at his returne he were allowed Postliminium It therefore seemeth strange that Modestinus holdeth that if a souldier taken by the enemy and hauing serued his full time doe returne home he ought not to be intreated as an old souldier and receiue reward as an Emeritus Whereunto Arrius Menander in his booke de re Militari assenteth yet here is to be noted that to receiue a donatiue and to receiue wages are diuers For Donatiues are bestowed onely on those men that haue performed their full time of seruice and called Emeriti but wages or ordinarie pay is due as a yeerely or monethly entertainement To me therefore it seemeth not necessarie that donatiues should be giuen vnto any man being a prisoner nor that he can challenge pay to be due during his absence vnlesse the same be granted by speciall grace and fauour of the Prince For who so is a prisoner in the enemies hand may be reputed a dead man and who can say a dead man deserueth pay Moreouer as he who without lawfull leaue absenteth himselfe ought to be checked so those souldiers that are slouthfull or lazie doe woorthily merite to lose their wages according to the censure of Antoninus Pius the Emperour saying That nothing was more vnreasonable then slouthfull folke to deuoure the common weale when by their labour they did not encrease the commoditie thereof Yet reason it is that sicke men should receiue their pay because they are supposed to serue although they be by want of health impeached neither ought they be abridged of pay that are imployed in their owne particular affaires so long as they depart not from the Armie nor the seruice receiueth preiudice CHAP. 19. ¶ Restitution of Souldiers goods THe Romanes and other free people made Lawes whereby such lands or goods as were taken from them by the enemy should be restored For what is lost in the warre or by meane of the warre the same was redeliuered vnto the owner by force of the said Law called Postliminij ius and it seemeth a course of naturall equitie that whatsoeuer hath bene taken and kept by force in absence the same should bee restored vnto the owner when he returneth As therefore by going out of our confines a man looseth his lands and goods so by entring againe hee may claime his owne This grace is granted not onely vnto men able for fight but also to all others that with counsell seruice or otherwise may stand the State in stead Likewise if a sonne be taken by the enemy and during his imprisonment the father dieth he may at his returne home enter into the possessions of the father Or if a mother were taken and her sonne yet vnborne in her body when he is borne he may be ransomed for the prise of one souldier and returne to the lands hee is to inherit yet true it is that freemen may not enioy the benefit of this Law vnlesse they returne with intention to abide in their countrey which was the reason that Attilius Regulus could not be admitted to receiue his owne hauing sworne to go againe vnto Carthage and not continue at Rome The same titles also haue they that bee owners of great ships and Galleys fit for the warre but Fishers and watermen are denied that aduantage because their vessels are made onely for profit or pleasure and not for the warre Neither may any fugitiue receiue this fauour for he that leaueth his countrey with intent to do euill or become a traitour must be accounted among the number of enemies But if a man doe goe vnto another countrey that is in league with vs and then returne albeit that countrey be distant from ours he shall not need to be restored by vertue of this Law but enioy his owne as if he had neuer gone from home Yet true it is that sometimes in peace a man may claime the benefit of Postliminium as when a freeman is deteined by force and made a captiue yet can hee not be said taken by the enemy because those violences which are vsed before the warre is published are not properly called actions of the warre though the difference seemeth small when they take from vs and we from them But if a captiue doe flee from vs and returne he shal not be allowed Postliminium Whoso is taken prisoner during his absence may be reputed as dead for so the law doth account him which reason percase mooued Caius Cotta returned home frō prison to say he was twise borne But here is to be remembred that no prisoner returned can by the lawe of Postliminium receiue wages or donatiue for the time of absence vnlesse it be by grace If a Citizen of Rome did goe from the Citie without licence of the Senate vnlesse he were taken by the enemy he lost the priuiledges of Rome but being taken and returned hee might recouer his citie and libertie It was also decreed by the Romanes that if a father or the people did giue or sell a man and the enemy receiue him he might not after be allowed Postliminium but if the gift were not accepted then he might because there is no giuer where a receiuer wanteth CHAP. 20. ¶ Of Donatiues or Rewards THe ancient Emperours and before them the Consuls and other commanders in the warre had in vse to bestow vpon Captaines and Souldiers certaine giftes to encourage them to serue well Those great Magistrates did also vse after or before any action of much importance to assemble their armie and then selecting out of the whole number some fewe men of most merite did giue vnto them notable commendation They likewise vsed to bestow a launce or sword vpon him that had wounded an enemie or some such weapon To him that had vnhorsed or spoiled an enemie if he were a footeman was giuen a pot of gold or other piece of plate If hee were a horseman he receiued an ornament or fauour to be set on his crest Hee that mounted first vpon the wall of an enemies towne receiued a crowne of gold These donations or fauours did not only encourage men to valour but also made them much honoured at home for besides glory and fame they were also receiued into their countreys with much pompe and applause which incited others to attempt the like Octauius Caesar after the Philippian
sacrifice the bodies of men taken in warre as an oblation to the gods most acceptable Howsoeuer these people handled the matter it is no doubt lawfull for men that are victorious peaceably to rule and command those that are victored And Ariouistus answering Caesar sayd that the people of Rome vsed to command nations conquered according to their owne discretion not the dâ—rection of others Who so therfore falleth into the hands of an enemy becommeth his captiue neither can he be owner of any thing when he himselfe is possessed by another This only remaineth that in him there resteth a right and title to his owne notwithstanding possession be lost Here we may also remember that all places taken by the enemy doe cease to be sacred or religious yet being deliuered from that calamity they returne to their former estate Iure postliminio Therefore seeing the graues of the enemy are not to vs sacred the violation of them do beare no action CHAP. 32. Of rescuing and ransome of Prisoners IF any souldier be taken and by aide of others rescued he ought not remaine prisoner to the rescuers but shall forthwith be restored to liberty and enioy his former estate for souldiers must be defenders of fellowes in Armes not their masters Likewise if any stranger do redeeme a prisoner from the enemy the souldier redeemed shall not be accounted the strangers prisoner but remaine with him as a pledge vntill the ransome be paid for so was it decreed by Gordianus the Emperour If a woman prisoner be redeemed from the enemy and marieth with him that redeemeth her in that case she and her children shall be discharged both of bondage and paiment of money If any man shall redeeme a prisoner taken by the enemy the prisoner is forthwith at liberty and the redeemer shall be compelled to accept the price offered without further question If a man contracteth marriage with a woman his prisoner hee shall be iudged to haue forgiuen her ransome Yet if a dishonest woman redeeme her daughter from the enemie and knowing her to be honest shall deliuer her to be dishonoured and the daughter to preserue her chastity fleeth to her father in that case the mother maketh her selfe vnworthy to receiue the prize in respect of her lewd intention and the daughter shal be restored freely to her liberty This is also a rule generall that a freeman taken by the enemy and redeemed so soone as his ransome be paid or his body by other meane set at liberty he thereby recouereth his former estate in the meane space although the ransome is not fully satisfied yet may he challenge his right of succession so as thereby hee shall in time be able to discharge the debt Moreouer if he who redeemeth a prisoner shall remit the bondage of his pawne yet is not the redeemed at libertie from his redeemer albeit he be restored to that freedome which formerly he had lost but hee shall not be compelled to doe seruice vnto the children of the redeemer The first beginning to giue ransome for redeeming of captiue Souldiers was after the defeate of Canna at which time Hannibal did grant leaue that the Romanes might ransome themselues The price then of a horseman was fiue hundred pieces of money a footman three hundred and for a seruant one hundred And if any moneys or other goods were left in deposito or giuen to redeeme a captiue they might be lawfully demanded during an hundred yeeres after Neither ought it be thought strange that a part or an whole inheritance belonging vnto a captiue and left vnto persons vnknowne ought be bestowed to redeeme him For heretofore the Emperours moued with pitie and compassion of poore Souldiers misaduentures haue by Law decreed that an whole inheritance may be giuen to ransome captiues because nothing should be withholden from redeeming men that haue endured the fortune of warre in defence of our countrey CHAP. 33. ¶ Of Enemies WE properly call those people enemies that publiquely do make warre vpon vs or against whom we make warre yet theeues and robbers cannot be named enemies neither may they be reputed captiues that are taken or kept by theeues and being set at liberty shall not need to be restored by Postliminium But who so is taken in the warre is a prisoner vnto his taker and being set at libertie by the Law of Postliminium shall recouer his former estate The people that moued warre against the Romanes were euer thereunto mooued either by ambition as the Parthians or by desire of libertie as the Germans by whom at length the Romane Empire was subuerted The Athenians vsed to contend with some enemies for victory but with the Barbarians they fought vntill death because they were reputed their greatest enemies to whom if any man did giue aide or meanes to spoyle the countrey he was burned aliue if he sold any port or hauen he deserued losse of life and he that furnished the enemy with hay or come was likewise capitally punished The Romanes would not receiue conditions from any enemy being in Armes because as Quintus Cicero said an enemie ought with hands and feete to be repulsed In Macedon a Law there was that whosoeuer did returne from the warre and had not slaine an enemie should be strangled with a cord The Scythians had an vse that at solemne feastes no man should drinke of the great cup which was caried about vnlesse he had slaine an enemy The Iberi had a custome to set about the tombe of euery dead man so many Pyramids as he had slaine enemies The Persians made a Law that Explorators and spies in consideration of the dangers they indured should be mainteined by publique contribution And albeit the hate which enemies haue one towards the other be great yet the Indians in time of warre did refraine to vse force against Plowmen or molest them being reputed ministers of common vtility Pomponius writeth that in Rome it was not lawfull for any man to passe out of the City by other way then the gates for otherwise doing he should be reputed an enemy which was the cause that moued Romulus to kill his brother Remus when he climed vpon the wall yet was hee no enemy Howsoeuer that was Martianus affirmeth resolutely that wheresoeuer a fugetiue is found there may he lawfully be killed as an enemy yet is he not so called CHAP. 34. ¶ Of immunities Militarie ALbeit vnfit it were that souldiers discontinuing the warre whom we formerly called Emansores or other men newly entred into that profession should be protected or excused from payment of debts or otherwise priuiledged yet meet it is that men of long and loyall seruice should be in some sort borne with and fauoured In that case therefore diuers immunities haue bene anciently granted vnto souldiers of great seruice or good merit as appeareth by diuers decrees made by the Emperours Seuerus and Antoninus who dispensed with an execution awarded against one man called Marcellus commanding that his pay
failing to vse his vttermost force of body and valour of minde That after the atteyning of any enterprise he should cause it to be recorded to th' end the fame of that fact might euer liue to his eternall honour and renowne of the Noble order That if any complaint were made at the Court of this mighty King of iniury or oppression then some knight of the Order whō the king should appoint ought reuenge the same That if any knight of forraine nation did come vnto the Court with desire to challenge or make shew of his prowesse that then were he single or accompanied these knights ought be ready in Armes to make answere That if any Lady Gentlewoman Widow Maiden or other oppressed person did present a petition declaring they were or had bene in this or other nation iniured or offered dishonour they should bee gratiousty heard and without delay one or more Knights should bee sent to make reuenge That euery Knight should bee willing to enforme yong Princes Lords and Gentlemen in the orders and exercises of Arms therby not only to auoid idlenes but also to increase the honor of Knighthood and Chiualrie Diuers other Articles inciting to magnanimious Action of honour in Armes these Knights were sworne to obserue which for breuitie I omit Neuerthelesse being vsed to lose my labour I aduenture to say this little and the rather because this order of knighthood is ancient and English I doe not read of any robe or habit prescribed vnto these Knights nor with what ceremonie they were made Their place of meeting and conuocation was the city of Winchester where king Arthur caused a great round Table to be made and at the same the Knights at the feast of Pentecost did sit and eat The proportion thereof was such as no roome could be thought of more dignity then the rest Yet as some writers say one seat thereof was called the Sea perilous reserued for that Knight that did excell the rest in vertue That place by consent of all the Knights was allotted vnto King Arthur who for his valour surpassed other professors of Armes Of officers and ministers belonging vnto this Order I doe not read but of a Register whose duty was to enter and keepe records of all and euery action enterprised attempted or performed by any or all these Knights which records were read and sung publikely to the eternizing of their honour and fame Whether the number of these Knights were many or fewe I doe not find but it seemeth imparted to a great many all persons of high dignitie or much prowesse For at a city called Carlion resorted vnto king Arthur at one time ten kings and thirteene Earles besides many Barons and other Knights of meaner title As the conquests of this King were many so was his bounty notable for it is written that vnto his chiefe Seneschal or Steward called Kay hee gaue the prouince of Anjou on his Butler Bedwere he bestowed Normandie and to his cousin Berell he granted the Dutchie of Burgundie and vnto many other Lords and valiant Knights he allotted other magnificent gifts according to their vertue and merit Some men haue surmised that the successe of king Arthurs prosperous proceeding in his enterprises was occasioned by counsell of one Merlin a man in that time reputed a Prophet King Arthur hauing all his youth found fortune his friend was notwithstanding at length deceiued by the treason of one Mordred his owne cousen to whome during his absence out of England he had committed the gouernment He was also at a city called Augusta encountred of the Romans and Saracens conducted by a Consul called Lucius neuerthelesse Arthur by his great valour slew Lucius and forced his Romanes to flee In that battell also were slaine fiue Saracen kings After this victorie Arthur returned into England and fought with Mordred In which conflict died Gawen a Noble Knight and cousen to king Arthur Also in landing Aquisel king of Scots was slaine But notwithstanding the losse of these valiant Knights king Arthur landed and Mordred fledde to London where the Citizens would not suffer him to enter the City Then he went into Cornewall where Arthur did slea him and he himselfe was mortally wounded So great a slaughter had neuer ben before that day seene After this conflict king Arthur was neuer found aliue or dead but as some Poets haue supposed was taken vp into the firmament and remaineth there a Starre among the nine Worthies which fancie is founded vpon the prophecie of old Merlyn who many yeeres before affirmed that Arthur after a certaine time should resuscitate and come vnto Carlion to restore the round Table There he wrote this Epitaph Hic iacet Arturus rex quondam rexque futurus CHAP. 6. ¶ How enterprises aduenturous ought be admired but not discredited TRue it is as hath bene formerly said that many enterprises in times past attempted and atchieued aboue the expectation of men are now thought rather fabulous then faithfully reported either because we that now liue did not know or see them or that ignorant men cannot conceiue howe they might be done or that want of courage doth disable them to take the like actions in hand Yet most certaine it is that diuers histories commonly reputed vaine fables were at the first begun vpon occasion of matter in effect true although some writers afterwards to shew the excellencie of their inuention or make their workes more vendible haue added many fancies and fictions which are not indeede worthy to bee beleeued And who so shall well consider how difficult a thing it is to write an history of so great trueth and perfection as cannot be controlled will easily excuse these writers that haue taken in hand matter so farre from our knowledge and vnderstanding For like vnto all other men mooued with loue hate profit or other priuate passion they are either willing or ignorantly induced to encrease or extenuate the actions and merits of those men of whom their histories haue discoursed How soeuer that bee I verely thinke the Acts and enterprises of Vlysses Aeneas Hector and other famous captaines of whome Poets and profane Writers haue written so many woonders were indeed of notable men and some part of their doings such as writers haue made mention Much lesse doe I doubt that some egregious acts atchieued and written in the bookes of Amadis de Gaule Ariosto Tasso King Arthur of England and such others doe containe many things which deserue not to be discredited But omitting to meddle with time so long since past and with countreys so farre from our Climate wee will remember some few Actions which worthy men of our owne Nation or our neighbours as that of Hernando Cortez Pisarro and others haue within our knowledge to the eternizing of their fame and honour perfourmed The greater part of which enterprises haue bene atchieued in this present age and shall no doubt hereafter when men are lesse industrious be thought rather fabulous then
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
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 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
their victory hauing defeated Hasarubal and slaine him yet was this triumph in magnificence farre inferiour but the treasure they brought to the city was an hundred thousand pound weight whereof 23. thousand was diuided among the Souldiers But farre more magnificent was the triumph of Scipio who being returned from Libya triumphed at Rome in this sort First hee caused certaine Trumpets to sound after them followed chariots laden with spoyle then were caried towers of wood made for models of those cities which were taken Next were the cariages of golde and siluer part whereof was vnwrought and part coyne next were certaine crownes caried in signe of honor at the winning of cities which were followed with white Buls and Elephants after them came the captiue Princes of Carthage and Numidia Before Scipio his person marched his Lictori or Mace-bearers apparelled in purple and accompanied with diuers sorts of musicke and singers These men had on their heads crownes wearing also garments of silke cut In marching euery of them one after another sung some verse in praise of the victory making also gesture to mooue mirth The chariot of Scipio was richly wrought with gold and neere to his person also many sweete perfumes were burned The horses of his chariot were white and on their heads they ware crowns their foretops and maynes were curled and dressed with gold and precious stones Scipio himselfe was apparelled in purple embroidered with starres of gold according to the Romane fashion In the one hand he bare a scepter of Iuory in the other a braunch of Laurell which among the Romanes were signes of victory About him were caried certaine young boyes and virgins and at his stirrup marched some young men of his blood Lastly followed his guard and their Ensignes with the army diuided into squadrons The Souldiers of best seruice caried in their hand abranch of Laurell and certaine Musicians did sing their praise Others of no merit bare no Laurell as persons noted of infamy By which manner of Triumph the honour or disgrace of euery one did appeare Scipio being thus ariued in the Capitoll laide aside his pompe and as the custome then was feasted his company in the Temple Some time after Marcus Porcius Cato triumphed of Spaine with honour comparable He brought with him twenty fiue pound weight of vnwrought siluer and of gold one thousand fiue hundred To euery footman he gaue two hundred and seuenty pieces and to euery horseman thrice so much About that time Lucius Quintius triumphed three dayes The first day he shewed the Armour weapons and ensignes taken from Philip and his cities The second day hee shewed the siluer and gold both wrought and vnwrought The siluer vnwrought was eighteene thousand pound weight and the gold two hundreth seuenty thousand pound weight Besides treasure were many vessels of all sorts with them also were many head-pieces excellently and artificially wrought ten targuets of siluer and one of gold besides great pieces of coyne of incredible poize among which was of king Philips coine in gold fourteene thousand and fiue hundreth and foureteene pieces The third day hee shewed the crownes of gold and the gifts of cities wherewith he had beene presented Before hâ—s chariot marched many noble prisoners among whome was Demetrius the sonne of King Philip and Armenes the sonne of Nabides the Lacedaemonian Then Quintius in person entred the City his chariot beeing followed with great numbers of Souldiers Then much treasure was diuided one part to a footeman two parts to a Centurion and three parts to a Horseman Those prisoners that were exempt from bondage ware their heads polled in signe of liberty After Quintius Pub. Cornelius Nasica triumphed for victory of the Boij The pompe of Cornelius was numbred among the triumphs of meane magnificence Hee brought with him the Armes Ensignes and Pillage taken from the Gaules Also certaine noble prisoners and troupes of horses taken from other enemies Besides these spoyles he shewed chaines of gold and one thousand foure hundred seuenty pound weight of siluer of golde 246. pound weight in vessels of the French fashion 360. pound weight Hee had likewise peeces of coyne whereon was imprinted a chariot drawen by two horses Of them were a hundred thirty and eight thousand which were giuen to the Souldiers Now may we not omit the triumph of Marcus Flauius who determined to triumph but hearing Aemilius was comming to Rome hee fell sicke and deferred his triumph to auoid contention The next Ianuary he triumphed of the Etoli and Cephalonia Before his chariot were caried crownes of gold weighing an hundred and twelue pounds of siluer 83. pound weight with other spoiles incredible Ouer long it were to tell of all the Romane triumphs and their magnificence being greater then can be expressed Let vs only remember the triumph of Gaius Manlius who brought into Rome 200. kings crownes of gold 220. thousand pound weight of siluer with other coynes of diuers Nations Hee caried also great spoiles taken from King Alexander and from the Gaules In this triumph he set before his chariot two and fifty captaines prisoners and rewarded his owne souldiours abundantly CHAP. 23. Of other furniture and pompe appertaining to triumphs in Rome IN those ancient times the Triumphs were also ornified with Arks Pillars Obelisks Pyramides diuers demonstrations of magnificence Who so had prosperously preuailed in the warre and obtained victory in any forrein Countrey did commonly erect an Arke triumphall whereon was grauen or painted his proceeding in the victory Plinie writeth that in his life these triumphall Arkes were first made and by the Triumphers offered to Iupiter in the Capitol The most ancient Arke now extant in Rome is that of Titus before whose dayes Portratures many other triumphal ornaments were in vse whereof to speake now were tedious CHAP. 24. The triumphall going of Darius to meete Alexander the Great TO speake of all Romane triumphs were a matter infinite wee will therefore cease to say more of them and speake of others performed elswhere And first how Darius marched to meet with Alexander The Persian vse was that so soone as the Sunne shined in the morning a trumpet was sounded in the Kings Pauilion which warned euery man to come forth Vpon the roofe of the Kings Pauilion an image of the Sunne closed in Christall was set which shined exceedingly and might bee seene many miles The order of the Kings company when he marched was this First the fire which they called holy and euerlasting was caried vpon Altars of siluer Next to those Altars went the Magi or sorcerers singing certaine Persian verses The number of the Magi was three hundred three score and fiue After them followed 365 yong men in Carthagenian attire for the Persian yeere containeth euen so many dayes Then a chariot consecrated to Iupiter did follow euer drawen by foure white horses of exceeding greatnes they called those Horses of the Sun Their raines were of gold and their furniture white Not
so haue I long desired to do and no time more fit then now when the Constable and his company may be iudge Yet such is my hap as I haue no Armor at hand For supply of that want quoth Boucmelius I will take order that two Armors shal be brought vnto vs and of them the choise shal be yours with euery other thing fit for our purpose This agreement made they imparted the same vnto the Constable and obtained his license yet with condition that they should attend vpon him the next day at which time hee would with other noble men see what should be the euent of that Action About the houre appointed these Champions did appeare and at the first course Clifford with his Launce pearced through the Armor and body of Boucmelius of which hurt he presently died This accident much grieued the French and Clifford himselfe was not a little sory which the Constable perceiuing said vnto Clifford Be not dismayed for this is the fruite of like aduentures and if my selfe had beene in thy place I should haue done the same for better euer it is to doe then suffer at the hand of an enemy The Constable hauing ended his speech conuited Clifford with his company to dinner and then caused them to be conducted to the next towne in safety CHAP. 36. ¶ An other Challenge of a French Gentleman in Spaine IN the Army of the King of Castile there was a French Gentleman young of yeeres and in Armes of great reputation men called him Tristram de Roy. He seeing the warres ended betweene the Kings of Castile and Portugal determined to returne home Yet desirous by some means to gaine honor before his arriuall in France procured an Herauld to goe vnto the English Army and proclaime That if any Gentleman there would breake three Launces he would challenge him This challenge being heard in the English campe a braue young Gentleman named Miles Windesor accepted thereof hoping by that occasion to merit the honour of Knighthood The next day according to appointment he appeared in the field accompanied with Mathew Gorney William Beuchamp Tho Simons the L. Shandos the L. Newcastle the L. Bardolf and many others The French Challenger appeared likewise honourably graced with friends and thus both parties in readinesse to runne the Lord Souldichius bestowed the dignitie of Knighthood vpon the said Windsor Which done the one charged the other and the two first courses were perfourmed with great courage yet without any hurt But in the third course the armour both of the one and the other was pearced through yet by breach of the launces both of them escaped more harme CHAP. 37. One other notable Challenge in France Anno 1390. IN the reigne of King Charles the sixth three noble young men of great hope and much affecting the warre liued in that Court viz. Mounsier de Bouciquant the younger Mounsier Reynaut de Roye and Mounsier de S. Pye all Gentlemen of that Kings chamber In the same time also there was in England a Knight for valour and militarie vertue of great fame men called him Sir Peter Courtney He hauing obtained license passed the sea and trauelled to Paris After a few daies rest in that citie he challenged Mounsieur Trimoulie a noble Gentleman in great reputation who accepting the defie obtained license to answere appointing a day and place The time being come the King accompanied with the Duke of Burgundy and many other great Estates went to behold that conflict The first course was performed exceeding well and ether partie brake his launce with commendation But the second launce being deliuered into their hands the King inhibited more should be done seeming somewhat offended with the English Knight who had made sute that he might be suffered to doe his vttermost This Action by the Kings commaundement was stayed and Sir Peter Courtney therewith grieued thought good to abandon that Countrey and so desired he might doe The King well pleased he should depart sent vnto him an honourable gift and the Duke of Burgundie did the like The King also commaunded Mounsiuer de Clary a greaâ— Lord to accompany him to Callis By the way they visited the Earle of S. Paul who married King Richards sister of England The Earle in most courteous manner welcommed Sir Peter and the rather for that his Ladie had formerly bene married to the Lord Courtney his kinsman who died young This Sir Peter Courtney being well entertained the Earle and hee with their company supped together in which time as the custome is they communed of many matters Among which the Earle asked of Sir Peter how he liked the Realme of France and what conceit he had of the Nobilitie Whereunto Sir Peter with a sowre countenance answered That hee found in France nothing to be compared with the magnificence of England though for friendly entertainment hee had no cause to complaine yet saide Sir Peter I am not well satisfied in that matter which was the chiefe cause of my comming into France For I protest in the presence of all this Honourable company that if Monsieur de Clary beeing a Noble Gentleman of France had come into England and challenged any of our Nation he should haue beene fully answered but other measure hath ben offered to me in France for when Monsieur de Tremoulie and I had engaged our honour after one Lance broken the king commanded me to stay I haue therefore sayde and wheresoeuer I shall become will say that in France I was denyed reason and leaue to doe my vttermost These words much moued Mounsieur de Clary yet for the present hee suppressed his anger hauing charge to conduct Sir Peter safely vnto Calis Notwithstanding this heate quoth the Earle let mee tell you Sir Peter that in mine opinion you depart from France with much honour because the King vouchsafed to entreate you that the fight might stay whom to obey is a certaine signe of wisedome and praise worthy I pray you therefore Sir Knight haue patience and let vs proceede in our iourney Thus Sir Peter hauing taken leaue of the Earle passed forth towards Calice accompanied with Mounsieur de Clary who so soone as they were entred into the confines of the English Dominion Sir Peter most heartily thanked him for his company and courtesie But Clary hauing made an impression of such sowre speeches as Sir Peter had vttered in the Earles house said thus Hauing now fully performed the Kings commandement conducting you safe to your friendes I must before wee part put you in minde of your inconsiderate words in contempt of the Nobility of France And to the end you being arriued in England shall haue no cause or colour to boast that you were not answered in France Loe here I my selfe though inferiour to many others am this day or to morow ready to encounter â—ou not for malice to your person or gloriously to boast of my valour but for conseruation of the fame and honor
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